Tropes: Holiday Romance, One Bed, Forced Proximity
Grumpy (Her)/Sunshine (Him), Snowed In
Release Date: December 9, 2025
BLURB
For a solid five years, Jasper Madden has done nothing but look the other way when it comes to Calliope Hodges. At first, she was way too young for him, barely eighteen the first time he laid eyes on her. It also didn’t help that he’d witnessed her at the lowest of lows, practically making peace with rock bottom.
But as time goes by, he realizes that Calliope is different. She’s a brave, stunning young woman that has slowly captured his heart while he was watching from the shadows.
He knows that it’ll take time for her to realize that he’s not the enemy, but instead her saving grace. So he decides to play the long game.
For years, he’s waited in the periphery for her to be ready. He stands right there, knowing that one day she’ll look up and finally see him as the man that is desperately in love with her.
But that chip on her shoulder keeps her from looking everywhere but his direction.
Luck finally leans his way when she moves in next door, and a battle of the neighbors ensues.
Where she sees war in the form of a friendly holiday decorating competition, he sees the opportunity of a lifetime.
All it takes is one bed, a freak snowstorm, and a Christmas miracle for her to realize that he’s been there all along. A silent knight in shining armor willing to take on the world just to make sure she never has to feel unworthy ever again.
Callie comes across as abrasive and sarcastic but there is so much more to her than that. Due to her past she doesn’t’ allow many people close but when it comes to those she cares about there is nothing she wouldn’t do for them with no consideration for what it means for her. She knows how she is viewed by others which ensures that she has her walls up and that includes Jasper, her neighbor.
Jasper was attracted to Callie from their first meeting but between the emotional and physical scars of his past as well as the age gap the best thing he can do for her is deny them. That becomes more difficult when she becomes his neighbor and goes out of her way to pull pranks that are sure to get a reaction and brings out the protective instincts that she inspires in him.
The battle between Jasper and Callie was humorous but it was the emotional connection between them that made their relationship special. They have both been through so much and they know exactly what the other needs when it comes to love and life.
Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown. in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today Bestsellers.
Stefan Talbot likes order and control. He approaches his life with the same meticulous precision that he uses to put paint on his canvas. Nothing good comes from chaos, and that is why he has refused to allow himself to get close to Jennifer Waters. They are like fire and ice. Though she is younger, her talent as an artist is unquestionable. But she lives her life like she paints—with wild, passionate abandon. It is intoxicating and terrifying, and he can’t get her out of his head.
Jennifer ran from Bliss to put Stef behind her. She had come to the mountain town seeking a mentor but found much more than she bargained for. Cool and distant, Stef was like a marble statue and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t break through his shell. She moved to Dallas to start over, but nothing is going as planned. When the art gallery where she works is robbed and a precious painting is stolen, Jen is accused of the theft. Jen is thrilled when her bail is met, until she realizes her savior is Stef and he has a few conditions. First and foremost, she has to return to Bliss.
Against the backdrop of the Winter Festival, Stef and Jen’s attraction catches fire. But the dark forces behind the robbery in Dallas have followed Jen home. A criminal syndicate believes she still has the stolen painting and they’ll kill to get their hands on it.
Stefan is the billionaire artist who not only craves control, but he needs it. Due to his past he lives a life of structure and order so even though he gave into his attraction to Jennifer she is too young and too impulsive to ever be more.
Jen has loved Stefan for as long as she can remember. She thought that their night together was a beginning not an end but after he broke her heart she knows that she can’t be around him every day wanting more so she heads to Dallas to work at an art gallery.
Stefan may have let her leave, but he is not about to just set her free. When she is accused of a crime she didn’t commit he steps in and brings her back to Bliss where she belongs. He had no intention of getting involved with her again, but he is unable to deny the chemistry between them. When danger follows her home will he be able to keep her safe?
Through the performance of Lee Samuels you can feel the conflict that Stefan is feeling while Kitty Bang brings out both the turmoil Jen is experiencing when it comes to her feelings for Stefan.
When dealing with demons, the devil’s in the details…
Stealing mystical and arcane artifacts is a dangerous business, especially for a human, but Zoey Wharton is an exceptional thief. The trick to staying alive is having friends in all the wrong places. While having a witch and a werewolf on the payroll helps, being partners with a vampire really opens doors.
Zoey and Daniel were childhood sweethearts until a violent car crash took his life and left her shattered. When Daniel returned from the grave as a vampire, his only interest in Zoey was in keeping her safely apart from the secrets of his dark world. He has vowed to protect her, but his heart seems as cold as the night he calls home.
Five years later, a mysterious new client named Lucas Halfer offers Zoey a fortune to steal the Light of Alhorra. The search for the Light leads Zoey into the arms of an earthbound faery prince. Devinshea Quinn sweeps her off her feet, showing her everything the supernatural world has to offer, but Daniel still calls to her heart.
As the true nature of the Light is revealed, Zoey discovers Halfer is a demon and much more than money is at stake. Per her contract, she must give him the Light or spend an eternity in Hell. What’s a girl to do except fight for her soul…and her heart.
🎧Review🎧 Zoey is independent and determined to make it on her own merits despite the reputation her family holds when it comes to helping others secure what belongs to him. She has an assorted group of paranormal beings in her team which includes the sorceress skills of Sarah, Daniel a vampire who was her first love, Neil who is a werewolf and Dev a fae prince.
She has recently taken on a new assignment that will bring financial prosperity to them but when she finds out who her employer really is the subtle clause could mean the downfall for them all. She also finds herself torn between Daniel whose romance was derailed due to other worldly reasons and Dev her current romance which brings its own set of complication.
This is the first installment of a new series that takes us on an action-packed adventure filled with heat, surprises, suspense, witty humor and captivating characters which will leave you wanting more. The narration by Kitty Bang does not disappoint as she brings out all the quirks of each characters and allows us to get to know them better.
Brittanée Nicole has revealed the covers for Snow!
Releasing January 2, 2026
Camden Snow is old enough to be my father, dangerously charming, annoyingly irresistible—and my future ex-boyfriend.
The moment I meet the former hockey player at his holiday party, the chemistry is off the charts. Despite the pesky feelings his presence stirs inside me, I have zero intention of actually dating the notorious bachelor.
I don’t date.
I’m only entertaining Camden’s advances because I have an article to write and a point to prove. For years I’ve witnessed my best friend date all the wrong men and repeatedly get her heart broken.
So I’m going to teach her and the rest of my readers what not to do when dating by doing all the stereotypical wrong things and getting dumped.
The only problem? Camden Snow won’t dump me.
In fact, everything I do to push him away only draws him closer.
Flirt with others? He gets possessive.
Talk about the future? He’s all in.
But what if the one thing that could destroy us is the only thing I never planned for? Will my theory prove to be right, or will our love last past the snow?
Brittanée Nicole is the author of the #1 international Amazon bestseller Playboy, which is part of her Boston Bolts Hockey series, as well as Mother Faker, which is part of the bestselling Momcom series. Known for writing swoony men who always fall first, Brittanée loves stories centered around strong friendships that form the basis of a found family and messy, beautiful love. She lives in New England with her husband and two children.
Harlow James is a pen name I use to protect my identity as a high school teacher. Keeping those two roles in my life separate is necessary, but also fun! It’s like a live two lives, and anonymity gives me the opportunity to be bold and take risks in my stories.
I stumbled upon romance novels in 2018 when I picked up Driven by Kristy Bromberg, and I was obsessed. I had just lost my grandmother too, so reading offered me an escape from reality and a chance to grieve on my own terms.
About a year later, I got an idea for my own book and started writing. I researched self-publishing and jumped in with both feet. I had no idea what I was doing!
But now I’ve built a business and hobby that I LOVE! I have an outlet that’s just for me. When I write, I’m not a mom, a wife, or a teacher…I’m a woman who gets to tell stories that no one else can.
My books are the perfect blend of heartwarming moments, full-bellied laughs, and PLENTY of steam to melt your Kindles 😉 And there are always elements of me sprinkled in to every character and story that I write.
When I’m not writing you can find me reading or spending time in my kitchen. I love to cook and feed my family and friends. Otherwise, you can find me watching comedy specials with my husband, camping with our kids, or taking naps. I live for naps 😉
Being a nanny for a newly single dad wasn’t the job I applied for when I decided to lick my wounds in Blossom Peak.
But showing him my bare backside wasn’t in my plans either.
When the pursuit of my dream career seemed unattainable, instead of going home and proving my parents right, I made a detour to the small mountain town I remember visiting as a kid.
I just wanted a waitressing job to make some extra money while I figured out my next steps.
But then the lumberjack of an owner begged me to help him with his three month-old daughter that he just found out existed, and I couldn’t resist his plea.
Or his massive physique—the one I saw every detail of when he appeared shirtless in front of me three times in the first week.
The problem with living together though is there’s little space, especially when my boss is so closed off that he’s like a nut I want to crack open.
And when I do, he steals the breath from my lungs—and reignites my creativity as well.
But I gave myself a deadline to figure out what’s next.
Nowhere in that plan though did I account for falling for Henley Clark.
Turns out the heart doesn’t care, even when you’re on borrowed time.
As the rhythm guitarist for Crimson Edge, while my bandmates chase the spotlight, I stick to the shadows. Keeping the beat, keeping out of trouble, and keeping my heart off-limits.
At least, that was the plan… until our tour bus broke down in the middle of nowhere.
She’s a no-nonsense waitress who couldn’t care less about fame, doesn’t recognize me, and definitely doesn’t fall for my smooth lines. She calls me out and flips my world on its axis with nothing more than a look and a cup of coffee.
Two unforgettable days. One reckless night. And then the tour moves on.
I figured that was the end of it… until she calls with two life-altering words: I’m pregnant.
Now everything’s changed. I thought I knew what I wanted—music, freedom, no attachments. But she’s in my head, under my skin, and carrying the one thing that could break me wide open.
This isn’t about the band anymore. This is about her. Our baby. And the man I want to become.
USA TODAY Bestselling Author Kat Mizera was born in Miami Beach with a healthy dose of Wanderlust. She’s lived from coast to coast, and everywhere in between, but home is wherever her family is. A devoted mom and wife to her wonderful and supportive husband (Kevin) and two amazing boys (Nick and Max), Kat loves to travel the globe with her adventurous, hockey loving family. Greece is at the top of that list. She hopes to one day retire there, spending her days writing books on the beach.
Kat is former freelance sports writer who now writes steamy hockey romance about her favorite fictional teams, the Las Vegas Sidewinders and the Lauderdale Knights. The library of novels she’s penned also include sexy contemporary stories about baseball stars, alpha sex club owners, bodyguards, rock stars, and royalty. Regardless of genre, her books about bad boys with hearts of gold will steal your breath, rock your world and melt your heart.
To find out about Kat Mizera’s upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter here
Thanks for joining me for a cocktail and some girl talk. I live the dream in my own slice of paradise where I get to enjoy colorful sunsets from my rocking chair while I’m working. I have my very own romance hero with Mr. Rose and there’s more than a few little rose buds running around. A couple aren’t so little anymore! We keep things interesting with cats and a dog and the critters that roam though the yard (fingers crossed the mountain lions stay away).
I thought I’d be miserable planning my ex’s wedding, but a rugged cowboy turned distiller knows just how to relieve the pressure.
After fleeing back home to Huckleberry Springs, Montana, I become the new event planner for my family’s guest ranch. But the first event to plan is my cousin’s wedding to my cheating ex. If I don’t, my uncle won’t sign over his share of the ranch and forever mettle in our lives. So I take one for the team.
One night when I buckle under the stress, I also get a little—a lot—drunk. Saving me from myself is one of the cowboys that used to work for my dad. Durban Hennessy is now part owner in the local distillery, and he doesn’t do drama, distractions, or hot messes that just threw up on his boots. Still, he brings me to his place so I can sober up in private.
Durban’s providing wet bar service throughout the wedding festivities. The distiller with a superiority complex and I cross paths too often, but when he finds me in a store room, spiraling during the groom’s family dinner, he relieves the pressure in the hottest way possible.
So we strike a bargain. He’ll help me relax in the steamiest way possible, and he can repair his ego after getting dumped by his long distance relationship. When impromptu hookups turn into sleepovers that include intimate pillow talk, I know I’m in trouble. Because our whiskey bargain ends when the wedding does.
🥃Review🥃 Campbell finds herself in the stressful position of planning the wedding of the man who betrayed her to her cousin. When she decides to relieve a little tension with alcohol Durban is there for her and offers her another way to relieve her tension that will satisfy them both.
Durban is a partner in the distillery that will be handling the wedding who has a difficult romantic past of his own. When he catches Campbell during a vulnerable moment it gives him a glimpse into who she really is and not only is he intrigued but he also offers an arrangement that will allow them both to pursue the chemistry between them.
The interactions between them are humorous and hot as Durban provides the understanding and support that Campbell didn’t know she needed and shows her that breaking up with her ex is the best thing that could have happened to either one of them.
Three steamy small-town Christmas romances where love is the best gift under the tree…
Small towns come alive at Christmas. Where the holiday magic is real, sometimes the snow isn’t, and love has a way of showing up when you least expect it. This sizzling bundle delivers three standalone holiday romances featuring strong, curvy heroines and the irresistible men who fall hard for them.
A Very Cheeky Christmas – When Mr. Perfect Cheeks injures his most famous asset, he meets the one woman who sees past his reputation. Can a small-town Texas charmer melt the heart of a jaded California medic who’s sworn off love?
Grumpy Santa – Hardware store owner Jared is all growls and scowls until one explosive night with his employee Audrey changes everything. But when he goes back to pretending nothing happened, Audrey discovers their night together left her with more than just memories.
Joy and Payne – Bestselling horror novelist Eli rescues candy maker Joy from a blizzard while she’s stranded in an elf costume. When the storm of the century traps them together, this grumpy writer discovers that sometimes the sweetest stories aren’t fiction.
Bonus Story: Kiss Me – What happens when a one-night stand in New York follows you home to small-town life? Hannah thought her fling with younger man Colton was just a memory—until he shows up wanting forever.
Four heartwarming stories. Four couples who prove age is just a number and love conquers all. Four guaranteed happily ever afters that will leave you believing in Christmas magic.
Warning: Contains steamy holiday scenes, laugh-out-loud small-town antics, and enough Christmas spirit to make even the grumpiest Grinch believe in love.
The West just got Wilder! Meet the cowboys of Devil’s Ditch, Montana, one steamy, instalove story at a time.
This paperback volume includes Trig, Colt and Bray. TRIG: I’m a rodeo champ. I live for the eight second rush astride an angry bull. But now I live for her. The One I save from a Montana blizzard. Stranded together, I make her mine. When danger arrives on my front porch, I protect what’s mine. But how do I protect the woman I love if I don’t know who she really is?
COLT: She’s The One. The one who got away. After a steamy encounter at the rodeo, I thought I’d never see her again. I’ve been given a second chance when I discover she’s the new doctor in town. I do everything I can to make her mine, but she resists. It makes no sense, until I learn the truth of her past. I won’t let her escape again, even if I have to handcuff her to my bed.
BRAY: I’ve known her for years… but it’s time to make her mine. My little sister’s best friend needs my help, to be her fake boyfriend. Fake? Nothing’s fake with her. She feels it, too, but can’t understand why I finally want her after all this time. I’d take the time to prove it, but someone’s out to hurt her. That means she’s mine now whether she likes it or not.
These short reads are MF with a guaranteed spicy HEA. While they are standalone, it’s best to read them in order.
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
Trig – When Ellie is being forced into a future she doesn’t want her only thought was escape, which has placed her in danger until Trig comes to her rescue. From the moment that Trig sees Ellie he knows that they are meant to be together and he is protective, possessive and determined to not let anyone come between them.
Colt – From the moment that Colt saw Molly the sparks fly until they are separated by unexpected event. Months later Molly moves to town for her job as a doctor where she reunites with Colt and learns about what derailed their relationship. As the chemistry continues to escalate between them Colt is determined to protect her and convince her to give him a second chance.
Bray – Katie doesn’t have a lot of people to depend on so when she finds herself trying to evade the attentions of a determined patron she approaches her best friend’s brother Bray for help. Bray hasn’t pursued his feelings for Katie but that changes when pretending to be her boyfriend leads to him claiming her for real.
It is great to have the first three stories of these series in one collection as they take us on a journey that includes heat, emotions and a little suspense.
Meet Vanessa Vale
I’m Vanessa Vale and I’m a USA Today bestseller of over 95 small town and cowboy romances. I live in the American West where I’m always finding inspiration for my next story.
AT FIRST PLAY Renee Harless Release Date: January 14
Meet Renee Harless: Renee Harless is a USA TODAY bestselling author with an affinity for wine and a passion for telling a good story.
Renee Harless, her husband, and children live in Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. She studied Communication, specifically Public Relations, at Radford University. Growing up, Renee always found a way to pursue her creativity. It began by watching endless runs of White Christmas – yes even in the summer – and learning every word and dance from the movie. She could still sing “Sister Sister” if requested. In high school she joined the show choir and a community theatre group, The Troubadours. After marrying the man of her dreams and moving from her hometown, she sought out a different artistic outlet – writing. To say that Renee is a romance addict would be an understatement. When she isn’t chasing her kids around the house, working her day job, or writing, she jumps head first into a romance novel. Represented by Stephanie at SBR Media for Foreign and Audio Rights.
Blurb: Bailey Hart has mastered the art of staying small. A lighthouse-bookstore, a quiet life in Coral Bell Cove, and enough romance novels to drown out the heartbreak she swore she’d never repeat. She’s sworn off big leaps, big risks, and especially the boy who once left her love note—and her heart—on full display. Crew Wright was supposed to have it all. The charming quarterback with a Southern smile and a future paved in stadium lights… until an injury sent everything crashing down. Now he’s back home to heal his shoulder, his pride, and the parts of himself he buried beneath fame. He’s not expecting Bailey—the girl who saw him before the world ever did. What starts as borrowed tools, paint-splattered afternoons, and late-night confessions quickly turns into something neither of them can outrun. Bailey wants to protect her heart. Crew wants a second chance to prove he won’t break it. But when old wounds reopen and the world comes calling for him again, they’ll have to decide if love is something you chase… or something you stay for. At First Play is a slow-burn, banter-filled, small-town romance about forgiveness, falling again, and finding the one person who feels like home—no matter how far you’ve run.
In High School, Daphne Elliot was voted “most likely to become a romance novelist.” After spending the last decade as a corporate lawyer, she has finally embraced her destiny. Her small town steamy novels are filled with flirty banter, sexy hijinks, and lots and lots of heart.
Daphne is a coffee-drinking, hot-sauce loving introvert who spends all her free time in her garden. She lives on a small farm in New England with her husband, two kids, two dogs, twelve backyard chickens and a hive of Italian honeybees.
Nine months ago, I had one perfect, reckless night with Jasper Lawrence, the tall, tattooed firefighter who made me feel fearless. I told myself it was a mistake I’d never repeat.
Then he finds me at the Maple Festival… in labor with our surprise baby.
The best part? I had no idea I was pregnant.
Now Jasper is everywhere. The two of us stumble through new parenthood together. And he doesn’t just step up, he moves in. Almost. He pitches a tent in my backyard and sleeps outside so he’s never far away from us. He’s a shirtless, helpful menace who cooks, cleans, and cuddles our son. He makes me feel safe, seen, and wanted. And I hate how much I love it.
Every time I shove him away, he shows back up, golden retriever energy and all, with coffee and pastries in tow, ready to carry the baby, the groceries, and occasionally me.
I came to Maplewood, Vermont, to discover my independence. But it’s hard to keep my distance when the town’s been shaken by danger, the scars from my past refuse to stay buried, and the firefighter I should absolutely avoid keeps setting my world on fire.
Turns out the biggest threat to me in America’s most charming small town might be the man who won’t stop rescuing me.
Author’s Note: Sap & Secrets is a small-town romance featuring a curvy black cat, a tattooed golden retriever, and a (very cute) surprise baby. If you enjoy acts of service, small-town shenanigans, and maple syrup madness, you will not be disappointed.
Series Note: Welcome to Maplewood, Vermont. America’s Most Charming Small Town has some dark, sticky secrets. Come for the maple syrup, festivals, and cheese wars; stay for swoon.
Simon Weston grew up royal in a place where aristocracy still mattered. Serving Queen and country meant everything to him, until MI6 marked him as damaged goods and he left his home in disgrace. Ian Taggart showed him a better way to serve his fellow man and introduced him to Sanctum, a place to pursue his passion for Dominance and submission. Topping beautiful subs was a lovely distraction until he met Chelsea, and becoming her Master turned into Simon’s most important mission.
A Woman without Hope
Chelsea Dennis grew up a pawn to the Russian mob. Her father’s violent lessons taught her that monsters lurked inside every man and they should never be trusted. Hiding in the shadows, she became something that even the monsters would fear—an information broker who exposed their dirty secrets and toppled their empires. Everything changed when Simon Weston crossed her path. Valiant and faithful, he was everything she needed—and a risk she couldn’t afford to take.
A Force too Strong to Resist
When dark forces from her past threaten her newfound family at Sanctum, Chelsea must turn to Simon, the one man she can trust with her darkest secrets. Their only chance to survive lies in a mystery even Chelsea has been unable to solve. As they race to uncover the truth and stay one step ahead of the assassins on their heels, they will discover a love too powerful to deny. But to stop a killer, Simon just might have to sacrifice himself…
🎧Review🎧 Simon has been drawn to Chelsea’s feisty personality since they met however all his attempts to get closer have been rebuffed. He wasn’t sure how to break through the walls that she created to distance herself from him until she comes to him looking for help to protect her from her past.
Chelsea has escaped her past, but the emotional and physical scars remain. She is genius when it comes to hacking however she has been forced to put that life on hold until her past resurfaces with a vengeance. Even though she finds Simon intriguing she wasn’t about to let him into her life until she needs help which he is willing to offer with a caveat.
Chelsea is a woman who has been shaped by her past which creates its own set of problems, but Simon is supportive, protective and loves her just the way she is as they take us on a suspenseful and romantic ride. Ryan West was a perfect choice to narrate as he brings out the humorous banter, the great chemistry and the intrigue of this entertaining story.
Lexi Blake
Kari's Book Reviews and Revelations 