All I Want For Christmas - Ann Roth

Title: ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

Author: Ann Roth

Line: Harlequin American Romance

Release month: North America & UK/ November 2007

The S-Factor: Sweet and Simmering

Back-Blurb:

What exactly are you asking Santa for?"It's A Secret. How Do You Spell Mommy?" Nothing is more precious to Ryan Chase than five-year-old Maggie. She's the reason the widower moved to Halo Island in the first place—he wanted to get away from his hectic, work-all-hours job so he could spend more time with his daughter. Ryan will do anything to make sure Maggie is protected from hurt, which means no attachments to anyone who comes into their lives—and plans to leave. As soon as the holidays are over, Tina Morrell is going back to Seattle to her busy job, and hopefully a big promotion. Her career has always been the most important thing in Tina's life—that is, until she meets the adorable Maggie and her incredibly hunky father. But Ryan won't let Tina get close—even though his daughter seems to be bringing them together. As the spirit of Christmas descends over the island, it's the wishes of one little girl that may be granted!

Review:

The magic of the holiday season is captured in Ann Roth’s All I want for Christmas. It’s an extremely heart-warming and lovely book full of fabulous characters and set on an island in Washington State. What more could a reader ask for than the warm residents of Halo Island.

Tina Morrell lost both of her parents at a young age and her beloved Kindergarten teacher GG along with many neighbours have raised her in a loving environment, sent her to college, believed in her ability to someday run her ad agency and loved her to death. Tina is now a very successful advertising exec and up for a promotion at her Seattle firm. However, she has taken a leave to take care of GG who is recuperating from hip surgery.

Ryan Chase, left Los Angeles as a successful business man and has taken his captivating five year old daughter Maggie and moved to Halo Island, to give her stability and a home in a wonderful neighbourhood. Ryan’s wife died when Maggie was young, his fiancé left them for a “high powered” career and then his nanny also had to leave to help raise her grandson. The loss has affected both Ryan and Maggie. Maggie longs for a woman or mother figure in her life and Ryan wants no part of any sort of relationship, especially a permanent one.

Yet when Ryan and Tina meet, his daughter is immediately drawn to Tina and does everything in her power to spend time with her and GG. Maggie longs for a mother and adores Tina……the feeling mutual. Ryan is extremely protective of Maggie and doesn’t want her to become attached to Tina. Every step of the way, Ryan fights his attraction and puts up protective armour.

Both Ryan and Tina are attracted to each other immediately and fight their attraction for each other every step of the way. Their journey in finding love and each other will melt your heart. However, the entire story, it’s marvellous characters, the warmth I felt while reading this story……well let’s just say, it made me believe there “really is a Santa” and reminded me of the miracle of Christmas.

Reviewed By: Marilyn
Hero Hotness Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
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Fun gossipy tidbit about author: This book was inspired when the author saw a young man with his baby at a Seattle lake. The expression on his face touched Ann deeply. She saw love, pride and joy, but underneath grief and sorrow. In her imagination this man was a single father who had lost his wife. She has carried this picture in her heart and often wondered about the man and child. All I Want for Christmas was born out of that image.

To find out more about Ann you can visit her Website

It Happened One Wedding by Ann Roth

Title: It Happened One Wedding

Author: Ann Roth

Line: Harlequin American

Release month: April 2007

The S-Factor: Sweet

Back-Blurb:

When Cammie Yarnell agrees to do a wedding at the Oceanside Bed and Breakfast, she knows the tough part will be keeping a smile on her face. Not too long ago she had planned a walk down the aisle at the sumptuous B and B herself—and called it off. Worse, she is working this event with Curt Blanco, the photographer who knew all about her fiancé is cheating and kept it secret, betraying her trust as a friend.

Yet her anger starts to fade once the showers and dinner parties bring her closer to the man. Now Curt's misguided belief that he is bad for her is standing in the way of Cammie's trip to the altar—with him.

Review:

Ann Roth has penned a warm and charming read in It Happened One Wedding. It made this reader believe again, in happy endings and promise to come.

For some reason when a bride and groom and their families become involved in the planning process of an event that should bring joy and happiness, the wedding plans can sometimes turn into a not so pleasant process. Kelly is planning her wedding with the help of her friend and wedding planner Cammie. Will she be able to keep peace between Cammie and her overbearing father who has ideas of his own? Throw into the mix, Curt, the wedding photographer who is at odds with his former friend the wedding planner! Will this wedding take place “peacefully” in six weeks time?

Cammie Yarnell came from a family who loved and supported her. The previous year she had been engaged to Todd who betrayed her at his bachelor party. She was hurt and never forgave her friend Curt who had introduced them. She blamed Curt for not telling her the sort of man she was marrying.

Curt Blanco at one time, considered Cammie his friend. In fact, she was his first kiss. He was responsible for introducing Cammie to Todd but did not realize what a “player” Todd was or that he would hurt Cammie. He did not believe in love or happy ever after. Why? Because all of his life he had watched his father move from woman to woman and never respecting his mother. His brother’s is also suffered from “failed” relationships so for Curt, he believed he would never travel down the path to matrimony.

I so enjoyed reading this story and watching the interaction between these two very special people Curt and Cammie. It was heart-warming to see them “mend fences”, fighting their attraction for each other and finding love. This was such a romantic story and one I will long remember thanks to this author. It was a book I read from cover to cover and could not put it down once I began Cammie and Curt’s journey in a renewed friendship and finding love.

Reviewed By: Marilyn

Hero Hotness Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Humour Factor ♥♥♥
Weepy Factor ♥

Ann Says: “The people who interest me most are the ones I know will fall in love despite their problems and seemingly insurmountable differences. For me, writing stories about these people is both a learning experience and a whole lot of fun. “ To find out more why not visit her Website.

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