BETTER NAUGHTY THAN NICE – Vicki Lewis Thompson, Jill Shalvis, Rhonda Nelson
Harlequin Blaze #507
ISBN: 978-0-373-79511-6
December 2009
Contemporary Romance Anthology

Who knew Santa had a wicked brother who seems bent on causing havoc for Christmas? Damon Claus knows it's more fun to be bad than it is to be nice. Will the three couples in BETTER NAUGHTY THAN NICE find coal or love under their Christmas tree this year, despite Damon's influence?

No Mistletoe Required – Vicki Lewis Thompson
Arizona

Hayden Manchester and Riley Kinnard not only grew up next door to each other, but were high school sweethearts. Their relationship ended badly, and the two went their separate ways. Hayden has sworn she'll never forgive Riley, while he's frustrated at not getting the chance to explain. It's now just before Christmas, and the two of them are in a battle for the best Christmas decoration display. Riley's getting some help from a mystery stranger named Damon Claus. Who will win, and can Riley and Hayden resist the sparks that still sizzle between them?

Vicki Lewis Thompson gives readers a sexy, funny tale in No Mistletoe Required that will have you chuckling. Hayden and Riley start out at odds with each other. Will they get to the bottom of what really happened ten years ago? Will Damon's meddling force them to realize they're meant to be together?

Her Secret Santa – Jill Shalvis
California

Ally Dauer is a workaholic fire inspector and has no time for men, including hottie firefighter Eddie Weston, despite the sparks between them. When a toy drive has them working together, Ally is in for a surprise when she discovers a sexy (and naughty) present among toys meant for kids. She knows it has to be Eddie's doing, but he denies it, though he wouldn't mind helping her use the “toy.”  It's up to Eddie to loosen up the uptight Ally. Will it mean he'll break down the barriers and get between the sheets with her?

Jill Shalvis's Her Secret Santa is a scorching, humorous story that has our couple going from one sex toy store to another trying to figure out who's putting these sexy presents in with the toys meant for kids. Interestingly, the proprietor of each place looks a lot like Damon Claus. Working together just might mean Ally and Eddie will get a chance to satisfy the attraction between them.

Snug in his Bed – Rhonda Nelson
Mississippi

Busted for hitting Santa! The judge doesn't buy her story that Santa pinched her butt, and Viv Foster's sentence is to work in a Christmas tree lot out at Hank Bailey's farm. Viv grumbles, since she doesn't even celebrate Christmas, but doesn't have much choice as it appears Santa and the judge must be related, because they look alike! Of course, Viv is familiar with Hank, since they first encountered each other years ago, but that was way back when they both were children. Now, both are very much grownup, with an instantaneous attraction, and it doesn't take long before they want to spend more than just a week together.

Another fun tale for readers in Rhonda Nelson's Snug in his Bed . You'll sympathize with Viv, who's been railroaded into time on a Christmas tree farm. Hank shows Viv the magic of Christmas, despite her bah humbug attitude. She's planning a trip to London for after Christmas, but will she change her mind and spend the whole holiday with Hank? A warmhearted story that will leave a smile on your face.

Three scorching, but unique tales that share fun and Christmas as their theme in BETTER NAUGHTY THAN NICE are destined to grab your attention. It's hard to pick one that is the best of the three, so I'm not going to choose…. Just be sure to put BETTER NAUGHTY THAN NICE at the top of your Christmas book-buying list, because you never know when Santa (or his naughty brother) is watching.

Patti Fischer