Double Review: Season of Second Chances by Brighton Walsh + A Christmas for Carrie by Alison Packard

Christmas at Cardwell Ranch (Cardwell Ranch #4) by B.J. Daniels

Published December 5th 2013 by Carina Press

Ebook, 74 pages

Series: Stand-Alone

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Heat Rating: Steamy to Sizzling

Source: From the publisher through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review!
Amazon |   Goodreads

Mature Content Advisory, must be 18+ for some sexual content

Summary from Goodreads

When a storm strands Claire Hanlin in Chicago on Christmas Eve, the last person she expects to come to her rescue is Logan Dawes, the man she almost married two years ago. The chemistry between them is dangerously potent, but with nowhere else to go, Claire accepts Logan's offer to stay with him for the night.

Back in the home they shared, surrounded by reminders of Logan and his young daughter, Claire begins to realize how much she misses the family she almost had. After a few cups of Christmas cheer, she falls right back into her ex's arms-even though she knows it means setting herself up for heartbreak all over again.

The magic of the season has thrown him together with the woman he's never stopped loving, and Logan's not about to pass up this gift. He's not the workaholic he was two years ago-his family comes first. Now all he has to do is prove it to Claire, before the snow stops and she flies out of his life for good

Being stranded on Christmas Eve at the airport is bad enough, unable to find a hotel near by is even worse for Claire Hanlin. The last thing she expected was for her ex-fiance Logan Dawes to be the one to come to her rescue. When Logan get's stranded unable to go to his meeting for work, running into Claire Hanlin the woman he let get away was hard enough, having her in his home when the chemistry is still hotter then ever is going to require a lot of self-control he doesn't posses.

Cute story, very short and romantic read. Sometimes a little over the top especially in the end when Logan gives Claire a movie type ending. I liked Logan, I wasn't sure how I feel about Claire. I understand the reason for her leaving him was because he was a workaholic who let work stand in between him and Claire. Leaving her to deal with her grandmother's death alone was pretty bad, so I see where Claire was coming from. But after a few days of nothing but sizzling bedroom romps and seeing a different side of Logan, I was a little taken back by how she reacted when he couldn't go to her company party because he already had a meeting scheduled. Especially since later she mentions that she really hated going to those things anyway. 

What I do understand is how hard it is to live and devote yourself to a workaholic who has put their work first so much that it was starting to overshadow everything in life that important. Like missing Claire's grandmother's last birthday, and having a lot of miscommunications and leaving you fiancee alone most nights with cold dinner waiting.

It was a cute story, some holiday spirit tacked on it was. Mostly romantic, and the chemistry between Logan and Claire sizzled in and out of the pages.

Overall Season of Second Chances was a movie ending type romance that made me feel gooey on the inside, with steamy to sizzling scenes.

A Christmas for Carrie by Alison Packard

Published December 5th 2013 by Carina Press

Ebook, 106 pages

Series: Stand-Alone

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Heat Rating: Steamy to Sizzling

Source: From the publisher through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review!
Amazon |   Goodreads

Mature Content Advisory, must be 18+ for some sexual content

Summary from Goodreads

The very thought of Christmas is enough to darken Carrie Jones's day. "Jingle Bells" and eggnog? Not for this girl; not anymore. But running into a handsome old crush might make this year different…

Home to celebrate with his parents, Nick Johnson loves the holidays and all that comes with them, from trips to the tree lot to the very last strand of tinsel. Stunned to bump into Carrie while on a coffee run, he realizes that his former study buddy has grown into a drop-dead-gorgeous woman. One with whom he'd like to share all the joys—and hidden pleasures—of the season.

Spending time with Nick and his warm, close-knit family, Carrie can't help but feel the very beginnings of that elusive Christmas spirit. She's falling in love with all of them...until an unexpected visitor arrives. It will take putting her trust in Nick—and all her newfound happiness—to overcome the ghosts of Christmases past.

Carrie Jones cannot remember the last time she had enjoyed Christmas, but with the holidays on the horizon and with all the decorations and Christmas music out - can really make the girl run for the hills.

Until Nick Johnson shows up in town. Nick was a boy she tutored in high school and had the biggest crush now. Nick has not noticed her back then, but he sure has noticed Carrie Jones now. All grown up and beautiful, Nick cannot believe that he hadn't looked at the woman in front of him like that in high school. With Carries doom and gloom attitude towards Christmas, Nick wants to show her that there is a lot to Christmas if enjoyed with the right person. But learning that Carries father had committed suicide during Christmas bought in a whole different kind of challenge. With the sparks between them, Nick wants a lot more then just a few weeks with Carrie, his ready for a lifetime.

Another cute story. Quick read and I really enjoyed the characters. Nick and Carrie were cute. The chemistry between them was very apparent and did not feel forced. I thought it was sweet how Nick was trying to build all new memories for Carrie, as she never had a normal Christmas growing up. Which made me curious why, but the author did a great job explaining that at the end of the story. Especially with the rekindled relationship between Carrie and her mother.

Overall A Christmas for Carrie was a cute light, heartwarming read with steamy scenes.

Yup I know I am still doing holiday reads, but I had planned on having them through January and February in case I stumbled into a few I did not read. I didn't realize I had a bit more of them then I originally thought. Thought with the weather the way it is outside, these books had kept me warm and cozy!