Category: Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance
Big Star, Small-Town Christmas
Country singer Riley Jensen would never have returned to her small Missouri hometown if her publicist hadn't come up with the scheme to tape a Christmas special there. So she never would have known that the man who broke her heart at eighteen—causing her to flee to Nashville—was now a widower with a seven-year-old daughter. Riley has ten years of angst-filled hit songs and Grammy awards to prove she doesn't need Ethan Kent. But suddenly, she can't help thinking of all she gave up by running away...
Ethan Kent knew Riley had the talent and the drive to make it as a singer. He also knew she wasn't going anywhere if she stayed in their nowhere town for him. Then one night and one huge mistake sent her running on the road to fame. Which doesn't mean he ever stopped loving her...
But with so much separating them, can Riley and Ethan find their way back together one magical country Christmas?
I obtained above information from Carina Press.For those of you that know me... and those that don't this is my little statement about short books.... I do not judge short stories on the rush of their relationships, because they are just that - short stories. So, yes the relationships always could have been drawn out more, yea it seems like they fall in love to fast and of course the story could have been made longer... but it is a short story. So with that said.... here is my review...
What would you do if you were given a second chance to make past mistakes right? Are you capable of forgiving and moving on? Do you even believe in second chances? Or do you think that once done wrong, there is not righting it?
Riley is a genuine woman that you will find yourself cheering for her to get all she wants in life. I wanted to invite her to my house for Christmas. You just feel that connection with her. She left her little hometown after graduation of high school... when she found the ultimate form of betrayal... Her best friend... and Her very own boyfriend... In bed.... She did what she deems as what was best for her... She ran and ran hard!
But running brought her something that the little town would have never given her... Her music career. She was a superstar. A household name... She loved preforming, she loved singing... but what she did not love was going back home to film a biography of her life...
Ethan knew he blew it that night. The night he will never forget... The night he lost the only woman he knew he would ever love. Riley. But how much and for how long would he have to pay for the mistake he made? Well... apparently ten years... Because when Riley comes back to her hometown it seems that the winds of fate are in their favor... or is it the Spirits of Christmas...
This story hit home for the holiday season. Teenage love. Betrayal of the worst kind. Hearts broken. Soul searching. Fame and fortune. True love. Family ties. Forgiveness. Sadness and loss. Hope and faith. This book has it all.
I am sitting here trying to give you the best review of this book and all I can think to say is - if you are feeling like reading an awesome cozy, romantic, awe-inspiring love, (hot smexing ~ oh yeah... did I forget to mention that, lol) and just plain old leap of faith... then you really should pick this one up. You will fall in love all over again!
And by the time you are done... you will realize All She Wanted for Christmas was.... him!
Oh, I did not tell you about him... because you have to read about him to know him. Him = Ethan... is totally oh yeah... Yum! I want him under my tree!!!
Now I am off to bug Ms. Jaci to see if we will get Brody's story... Or Tori... Or if they are together in a story... Hummmmm.... And even Wyatt... Everyone deserves the happy ending!!
Now, go get the book... Now!
To read an excerpt, please go here!
If you would like to see what more Ms. Jaci Burton has in store for us, please visit her website!
And if you want to see what she has to say on a day to day basis, please visit her blog (it is under construction right now... but you can still visit)!
And remember... Keep it Dirty, Smutty & Hussy!
Great review, Cecile!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very good story.
Hope you are well and warm!
Yes - I've already asked her for the brothers stories..LOLOL. I liked this one too!
ReplyDeleteGreat Review! I'm rethinking me list for Santa!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Hawk
This one sounds sweeter than usual :) I do like that
ReplyDeleteAwwww!! This looks so sweet!! There are so many books i want to read from carina, but they are an ebook only pub right??
ReplyDeleteI really liked this story.Very sweet.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping the brothers get their stories told too.
Great review.
May have been a short story but it had "big impact" for it's size! Sounds great Cecile, and yes one like this is perfect holiday reading and glad you got the chance to enjoy it the way you obviously did!
ReplyDeletejackie >_<
This sounds like such a sweet story. I just had a sample sent to my Kindle so I don’t forget I want to read it when I have a chance. Thanks for the great review, Cecile!
ReplyDeleteYou're good, not judging shorts on the relationship rush! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you all for coming over today... I got a late start this evening... So I will be by later to comment to everyone!! Hugs to you!!!
ReplyDeleteJust popping in again to absorb more eye candy and reread a few blogs...I love it over here.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Hawk
Hi!! :) Hope you are all doing well in this crazy time of year. :) Are you ready for the holidays? I hope so. Hope the new job is going wonderfully for you too! Are you doing the holidays at your home?
ReplyDeleteWe are all doing very well. Still kind of at a stall from the move so we can get through the holidays, and my husband is taking the rest of his vacation days between Christmas & New Years, so he will get more stuff done. We still have stuff to finish up for Christmas and such. We will have my husbands family over for an early dinner Christmas eve afternoon for just a short while, then we start all our running. :) The kids will get up early Christmas day to see whats under the tree then we go off to visiting for the rest of the day. It makes for a long day but nice to see everyone. :)
If I don't get to chat with you again, have a wonderful holiday! :) Hugs to you. And take care
I have to tell you, Cecile, that I really appreciated your review. I have read several reviews of this story that were not very good and I have such a positive response to this story. I share your feeling about short stories--I don't particularly like to read them and I certainly didn't like writing them in college or graduate school. But I thought this was a particularly romantic tale about those illusive second chances--a heroine and hero who had to live with some fairly ghastly choices. Many thanks again. . .
ReplyDeletehost~ Hey honey! Thank you for coming on over honey! It is always good to see you! This was a very romantic story! One I think you would really like! I hope things are well for you honey! Hugs to you!!
ReplyDeleteMandi~ You asked for the brother stories... lol. This truly was a good book and one I would love to see the rest of the family!! =)
Houston A.W. Knight~ Hey honey! Thanks for coming over! You know I love having you over here!! I hope you have been well honey!
Blodeuedd~ Hey honey, this one is right up your alley! I think you would love it!! Hugs to you honey! Hope all is well!
Carrie at In the Hammock Blog~ Hey honey! Thanks for coming over! It truly was a sweet story. Humm... I will have to see for you honey! I am not sure! Hope you have a very blessed Merry Christmas!
elaing8~ Hey honey! I am glad that you liked the story too. It really was a good romantic story! Ohhh yeah, I want me some brothers! LOL!
jackie b central texas~ Hey honey! It really did have a big impact hon. And it was prefect for the holiday season. It was a great romantic story!!!! Thanks for coming over honey!
Christie (The Fiction Enthusiast)~ Hey honey! Oh thanks for peeking on over! It is great to see friends here! Ohhh you sampled it! It really is an awesome story! I truly did fall in love with this story! I think you will like it too!
Chris~ Hey honey... Thank you for the compliment ;)
Houston A.W. Knight~ Hey honey! I am glad to see you popping in everywhere! I hope all is well honey!
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)~ Hey honey! Hugs to you honey! All is going okay right now. I am not sure if I will see not crazy... for a while, lmbo! I am not even sure I am ready for the Christmas... but i guess like it or not... it is coming! The new job is going great! I am still loving it. It amazes me the people we have in this world. I am glad to you were able to put the unpacking on the side to get ready for the holidays... that is what it is all about... spending it with family, not boxes, lmbo!
And I am glad that your hubs is home to help you with things! That way it can got a little faster after Christmas! Hugs to you my dear friend! And here is to a wonderful blessed Christmas!
Dr J~ Hey honey! Thanks for coming over. It is good to see you here! And you are welcome for the review. I thank you for coming and reading it. It truly was a delightful story. I enjoyed it!
I hope you and your family have a very blessed Christmas Dr J!