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Breath on Embers (Red Hot Holiday)

by Anne Calhoun (Goodreads Author)

3.9 of 5 stars 3.90 · rating details · 214 ratings · 82 reviews

Christmas is the perfect time for Firefighter Ronan O’Rourke to take things to the next level with his sexually adventurous girlfriend. He knows she has feelings for him—and he’s sure of his feelings for her—but when Thea refuses his invitation to sample Christmas in New York City because what they share is nothing more than sheet-burning sex, Ronan sets out to change her...more

ebook, 98 pages

Published December 3rd 2012 by Carina Press

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December 2012

46th out of 125 books — 219 voters

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas

Best Seasonal Romance {Christmas, Winter}

154th out of 338 books — 379 voters

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Dec 28, 2012 Blacky *YA/NA addict* rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Blacky *YA/NA addict* by: Baba ♥♥♥ Marcus, Tyler, Tate, Dan, Ty, & Hunter

Shelves: arc, best-of-the-best, favorite-contemporary, favorites, read-contemporary, of-course, 5-stars-for-quality, 5-stars-for-enjoyment

"Maybe it was the degree of separation the mirrors put between them. Probably she wasn’t even aware of it, but she watched him with such longing, such intense yearning, his heart expanded hard against his sternum."

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This was just brilliant! It had HOT sex scenes, great characters, very hot sex scenes, it was emotional, extremely hot sex scenes, it actually made me cry at one point between all those awesome sex scenes if you can believe it!!!

The writing style is GREAT! This book didn't just have s...more

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Dec 02, 2012 Baba ♥♥♥ Marcus, Tyler, Tate, Dan, Ty, & Hunter rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: anne-calhoun-latimer, best-sex-scenes, all-time-favorites, novellas, spellbound, memorable-favorite-heroines, memorable-favorite-heroes, anne-magic, favorite-novellas

UPDATE: Breath on Embers will be released tomorrow. Happy release day, Anne! I'll be thinking of you!

Review completed November 13, 2012

"There is no fix for this. She has to endure it, and somewhere along the line she has to learn to live again. Surviving isn't the goal. Living is. This is a battle between me and her grief, and I'm going to be the last man standing."

5+++ stars.

Erotic as all get out. Utterly sensual. Hot. Thoughtful. Sublime.
That's soulful erotica how I love it, how I want it...more

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Dec 27, 2012 BamaGal rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotic-romance, netgalley-edelweiss

NOTE: This story is also part of the anthology - Red Hot Holiday

Wow, this story is nothing like it's described on the blurb. It was one of the most powerful ss I've ever read; it was sexy, deep, and intense. If I hadn't already been the hugest Anne Calhoun fan, this story would certainly have done the trick. I liked Thea well enough even though it was difficult to emphasize with her; but Ronan, oh my goodness did that man ever do it for me in a big way. Sexy, romantic, passionate, deep...he was...more NOTE: This story is also part of the anthology - Red Hot Holiday

Wow, this story is nothing like it's described on the blurb. It was one of the most powerful ss I've ever read; it was sexy, deep, and intense. If I hadn't already been the hugest Anne Calhoun fan, this story would certainly have done the trick. I liked Thea well enough even though it was difficult to emphasize with her; but Ronan, oh my goodness did that man ever do it for me in a big way. Sexy, romantic, passionate, deep...he was the whole ball of wax and then some.

Thea has moved to New York for a job after the death of her husband drives her to look for a new life in a new place. After two years, she is still in a place of profound grief; and not really willing to move forward with her life. She blocks life out with her job and music, and wallows in her grief and loneliness. Thea (and the reader) spend far too much time in her head. She's and onlooker to the world around her, but isn't really participating. She starts an affair with Ronan, a Lieutenant in the NYFD, as another form of release from her grief. After hooking up with him fairly regularly for the past 9 months, she seems content; but Ronan has begun to want something more with her than meeting occasionally for sex.

The story takes place the last three weeks of December, beginning with the anniversary of her husbands death. Ronan begins a campaign to work himself in her life; while Thea tries to keep things between them light and strictly sexual. He's not sure he wants a full relationship with her, but he knows he wants more than what is currently between them. Ronan is willing to try anything and everything to get to Thea, and works diligently at breaking down the shields she has around her life and her heart. There were some fan-worthy scenes, including one in the subway and one in the dressing room of a lingerie boutique. Wow! The brief ménage scene was intense, not because of the sex; but because this was when the walls finally came down, and Thea opened herself up to Ronan.

Lovely story; I could just gush on and on about how much I enjoyed this glimpse into the world of Ronan and Thea; and a look into a relationship that is just on the cusp of being something more. Be forewarned, while the story is quite erotic and sensual, and there are some hot and steamy sexy times; this story is also all about breaking down barriers and finding true love. I would have loved to have seen this story as a full-length novel beginning from when Thea and Ronan first met. That would have been a fantastic story. Even as such a short little story, this was simply delicious; full, complex characters, and excellent writing.
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Dec 08, 2012 KatLynne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to KatLynne by: Baba ♥♥♥ Marcus, Tyler, Tate, Dan, Ty, & Hunter

Shelves: anthology, novella, 2012-reads, fire-fighter-paramedic-studs, g-erotic-romance, hero-favorite-smokin-hot-sexay, hero-totally-hot, heroine-tormented-flawed, keeper, menage, netgalley, sensual-steamy, smokin-hot-steamy, widow, short-story

WOW! Erotica Romance at its best!

This novella is included in the anthology I'm currently reading, Red Hot Holiday. It's steeped in sensual delights, amazingly HOT, a beautiful love story is included, and the hero is utterly divine!! There is nothing I didn't like about firefighter Ronan O'Rourke; Beautiful, sexy thing that he is!

The heroine, Thea Moretti, is trapped in the darkness of grief and despair. She can't seem to move forward after the car accident that took her husband's life two year...more WOW! Erotica Romance at its best!

This novella is included in the anthology I'm currently reading, Red Hot Holiday. It's steeped in sensual delights, amazingly HOT, a beautiful love story is included, and the hero is utterly divine!! There is nothing I didn't like about firefighter Ronan O'Rourke; Beautiful, sexy thing that he is!

The heroine, Thea Moretti, is trapped in the darkness of grief and despair. She can't seem to move forward after the car accident that took her husband's life two years earlier. She’s dead inside, an existing shell with nothing left to give. Filling the void, she walks around with her loud rock music constantly blaring from her iPod and having great but meaningless sex with gorgeous Ronan.

Ronan has firsthand knowledge of loss; therefore, he understands Thea’s pain. He also knows there’s a deep emotional connection between them. This is way more than just another hookup. Their relationship is unique and everything about it is personal, meaningful, and emotional. He’s determined to break through her barriers and prove they have the kind of love that’s strong enough to last a lifetime.

“I’m not trying to fix it for her. There is no fix for this. She has to endure it, and somewhere along the line she has to learn to live again. Surviving isn’t the goal. Living is. This is a battle between me and her grief, and I’m going to be the last man standing.”

Anne Calhoun has once again given readers an incredibly sensual, romantic and erotic read. As Ronan shows Thea New York in those last few weeks before Christmas, you come to see how much he cherishes her. This is a love story and each scorching, hot love scene leaves you feeling their intimacy. I’m not a reader who normally enjoys ménage scenes. Ms. Calhoun included one here and she made it work. I never lost sight of Thea and Ronan’s connection or of Ronan’s intent.

If you’re looking for a Sizzling Hot Holiday Romance, this one’s for you. Fair warning though, if you know my friend Karla, make sure you borrow her “Misting Fan”! You’ll need it!

Thank you Baba for the recommendation! I loved it!

Baba's Awesome review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
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Dec 19, 2012 Mandi Schreiner rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, novella

This book isn’t your standard, feel good holiday romance. Don’t misunderstand, there is a happy ever after, although I may have sniffled my way through it and it is very well done.

Thea Moretti has been grieving her husband for two years. Deeply grieving, where she has left her home state of Ohio, and moved to New York City. The city is a third character in this book. At some points Thea reflects she can get lost amongst the people, no one there knows she is grieving, so no pitying looks, or rela...more This book isn’t your standard, feel good holiday romance. Don’t misunderstand, there is a happy ever after, although I may have sniffled my way through it and it is very well done.

Thea Moretti has been grieving her husband for two years. Deeply grieving, where she has left her home state of Ohio, and moved to New York City. The city is a third character in this book. At some points Thea reflects she can get lost amongst the people, no one there knows she is grieving, so no pitying looks, or relatives and friends constantly urging her to move on. At other times the city hands her such stark loneliness. For as much as Thea has built up walls around herself, there is another person in this big city that is ever so slowly becoming her friend. And I use the word ‘friend’ hesitantly, because Thea doesn’t really want a friend. She wants sex, she wants to feel for those few minutes, and then she wants to go back to her lonely existence and let the depression overtake her yet again.

Firefighter Ronan O’Rourke met Thea a year before this book starts by chance on St. Patrick’s Day. As his good friend lamely threw out lines to her to grab her attention, it is Ronan standing next to him, that she sees. After quick sex in a bathroom, they meet each other every few weeks or so for just sex. Or at least that is all Thea wants. Ronan knows she is grieving her husband, but when they first meet, and she has only been grieving a year, he knows that is too soon for him to push for more. So he lets it just be sex.

But now it is mid December and coming up to the anniversary of his death again, and Thea is much more vulnerable this time of year. What I love about Ronan is that he never pushes her to move on, or pushes her to be happy, or pushes her to be someone she isn’t. All he does is pushes her to feel again. Whether those feelings come out as anger, laughter, sadness he doesn’t care. But he knows that her walking around as a shell of a woman is not healthy. Their sexual encounters in this book are quite intense. Ronan doesn’t let the opportunity of Thea feeling during sex slip away. And soon, Thea starts to realize, she needs him in her life. She is able to let go, accept the grief, and yet want to feel again. This book has erotic sex, yet it is serious and somber. It is a heavy book of sorts, one that really explores the depth of grief and finally being able to peek your head out of that dark cloud to see some sun. All of this is done in a novella length book really well.

I really love how the author intertwines erotic scenes in a book with such a serious tone. A really well done story and I can’t wait to read more of this author in the upcoming year.

Rating: B+(less)

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Dec 14, 2012 Jess rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for_review

Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: B

Thea has been grieving for her late husband for the past two years. He was the love of her life and after his death in a car accident, she stopped living. She’s been numb and moved away from her home and family to escape. She’s now living in New York, seeing a therapist and after the first year following his death, her therapist suggests that she think about dating again. For Thea, that’s not happening, but she’s ready to lose herself with s...more Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: B

Thea has been grieving for her late husband for the past two years. He was the love of her life and after his death in a car accident, she stopped living. She’s been numb and moved away from her home and family to escape. She’s now living in New York, seeing a therapist and after the first year following his death, her therapist suggests that she think about dating again. For Thea, that’s not happening, but she’s ready to lose herself with sex and she hooks up with Ronan after a chance encounter. They’ve been having a sexual relationship for nearly a year and feelings are starting to develop, at least on Ronan’s side. He knows that Thea is just going through the motions, most content when she blocks out the world with her iPod, but Ronan is ready to see if something more can happen between them.

Thea isn’t letting herself move on in her life. She’s using sex with Ronan to cover up anything painful (like a talk with her sister about coming home) or music to block out the world around her. The holidays are coming and Ronan goes out on a limb and asks Thea to help him decorate his Christmas tree. It’s a hard time of the year for Ronan as well, as he lost a close family member and for him, the tradition of decorating a tree on Christmas Eve is a big step, inviting Thea to share it with him. It ends up being the moment that starts to change their relationship. She, of course, initially refuses. She doesn’t want their relationship to turn into anything more than random meetings for sex. No dates, no dinner, no actual relationship. Ronan wants more and he starts to slowly push her a little bit to get her out of her comfort zone, to start living and to see that just because she lost the love she shared with her late husband, she can find a new kind of love with Ronan.

Normally with short stories, they tend to be hit or miss for me. I’m usually wishing for about 200 pages more because while the story itself was enjoyable, I just needed more to really get into the character’s lives. However, this short story packs an emotional wallop. Thea is in such a dark place and Anne Calhoun does a great job of showing us in a short amount of time exactly what Thea’s made her life into, and it’s not good. I really love Ronan and how he managed to push just the right amount of buttons, ultimate leaving the last move in their relationship up to Thea. The sex scenes are hot, erotic and there’s no doubt that in the bedroom they’re good, but out of the bedroom is another story. It’s a struggle for Thea to start to be ok and even though that’s where we’re left off with her, I finished the story feeling that she’s already more than ok, all thanks to Ronan.

The last few scenes might have brought a few tears, but it’s the start of Thea’s new life. For as dark and even somber at times Thea’s life is when we first meet her, I loved seeing her open up and the part that Ronan played in that. It’s not a light read, but the ending is hopeful and I was left feeling satisfied and happy for this couple.(less)

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Nov 19, 2012 Wanderlust rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 3way-or-kinkfest, a-is-for-anal, oral-exam, hot-alpha-men, get-the-binoculars-out, favorites

I have read a review written by one of my GRF Baba for this book which was such an amazing review (View it here) that i knew i just had to read this. My review is not going to be as good as hers so if you are unsure about whether or not you want to read this make sure to read her review.

I cannot believe this was a short story, seriously the amount of emotion, sex & sensuality the author managed to squeeze in, it is amazing. The story evoked a tonne of emotions in me very quickly, i was hook...more

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Mar 09, 2013 Carisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 5-stars-romance, hero-type-warrior, g-contemp, t-novella-short, s-erotic

Loved this novella, about a hero’s determination to get the heroine away from her grief and make her live again. Great writing again from this author, sensual and emotional love scenes, beautiful love story.
SCENES/CONTENT: few/erotic,one menage scene
GENRE/TONE: contemporary/drama
LENGTH: 120 pages

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Dec 05, 2012 willaful rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley, menage, story-novella-or-anthology

A lovely, evocative title for a lovely, evocative novella. After losing her husband two years ago, Thea has deadened her feelings by moving to bustling, impersonal New York, blasting music at all times, and having hot sex with hunky Ronan. As a New York firefighter, Ronan has suffered his share of grief; his goal isn't to make Thea forget, but to show her that life is still worth living.

Erotica with a Christmas setting often aims for a "naughty" vibe, and this erotic novella certainly contains e...more

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Jan 02, 2013 Ellen W-S rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: novella, contemporary-romance, erotica, christmas-theme, anthology, fun-dialogue, highly-recommended, hot, must-review, netgalley, read-in-2012, short-quick-great

This was amazing. Loved every sentence, the characters, the pace, the depth and the HEA. This is my first Anne Calhoun story but it will not be the last. Wow...

I purchased the story and then was given the ARC courtesy of netgalley as part of a Christmas anthology. Now I have it twice and I loved it!

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Dec 05, 2012 Susan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Well surprise, surprise…Susan reads a M/F book…

I’ve made it no secret that I’ve pretty much crossed completely over to M/M books and have a hard time enjoying M/F books. Too many annoying women characters snaking the hot, perfect man. Not fair! (*stomps feet in a tantrum*)

But, I wanted to read something smutty and easy and felt “Breath on Embers” might be just the ticket.

And for 6+ chapters, I was feeling it! Ronan is a HOT NY firefighter who is lookin’ for love. Thea is a widow, still grieving,...more

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Dec 02, 2012 Amy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2read2, favorites

"There is no fix for this. She has to endure it, and somewhere along the line she has to learn to live again. Surviving isn't the goal. Living is. This is a battle between me and her grief, and I'm going to be the last man standing."

GAAAAAAA! No one tells a sensual, sizzling, angsty good story like Anne Calhoun. Her voice is divine and never disappoints. Such a beautiful story of finding the light in living again after the darkness of grief. My favorite Christmas story of 2012. So good.

"A woma...more

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Dec 09, 2012 Tabatha rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was my first from Calhoun, and it was read as part of the Red Hot Holiday anthology that I had purchased for Leah Braemel's story I Need You For Christmas. (which btw is great)

Thea is still grieving her husband's sudden death two years ago. She feels emotionally numb and unable to actually live. Ronan was supposed to be a fling to take her mind away from her pain, but he has other ideas and desires something more meaningful than unattached physical pleasure. The chemistry between these two...more

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Dec 05, 2012 Lea rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-favorites, read-in-2012

Christmas is quickly approaching and its been two years since the sudden loss of Thea Moretti’s beloved husband Jesse. To say she is one of humanities ‘walking wounded’, or ‘walking dead’ would be apt but cliché I think. Thea is an empty shell, as she laments: something broke inside her when Jesse died. She moved from Columbus leaving a caring and worried family behind and accepted a new job in New York. She fills the emptiness inside with loud pounding music that blasts through iPod ear buds th...more Christmas is quickly approaching and its been two years since the sudden loss of Thea Moretti’s beloved husband Jesse. To say she is one of humanities ‘walking wounded’, or ‘walking dead’ would be apt but cliché I think. Thea is an empty shell, as she laments: something broke inside her when Jesse died. She moved from Columbus leaving a caring and worried family behind and accepted a new job in New York. She fills the emptiness inside with loud pounding music that blasts through iPod ear buds that can be seen constantly nestled in her ear. When she meets fireman Ronan O’Rourke, she discovers meaningless sex offers another way of filling the void.

What starts as a onetime sexual encounter stretches into 9 months of brief adventurous kinky sensual interludes and Ronan finds himself falling for Thea, he becomes invested their relationship. Ronan loves Christmas and wants to spend time with Thea during the season. He is committed to breaking through what seems an impenetrable wall that surrounds this complicated woman keeping the light inside her shrouded, dim. Thea doesn’t believe that sex with Ronan will have serious emotional consequences. In fact, whenever she finds herself becoming attached to this incredibly patient and compassionate man she snuffs out the feeling, after all, Jesse was her great love, her light.

Anne Calhoun’s characters are richly formed and she leaves a reader no option but to become invested and spellbound by Thea and Ronan’s story. A number of the powerful emotional scenes took my breath away. Yes, there is intense eroticism but at the same time Ronan’s mission to just ‘be’ with Thea was real and very moving. Thea and Ronan enjoy passionate, inventive sex, a ménage scene is treated with sensitivity and enhanced by Calhoun’s elegant prose.

I felt like I was taking a romantic walk along the streets of New York with Thea and Ronan as they enjoy the beautifully decorated Christmas store windows or sitting beside him as he watches her watching him in the side mirror of the fire truck while he’s on duty:

The electric jolt to his heart sent adrenaline pumping through his veins before his synapses sent the input from his eyes to his brain.

Thea.

Probably she wasn’t even aware of it, but she watched him with such longing, such intense yearning, his heart expanded hard against his sternum.

Breath on Embers © Anne Calhoun

Ronan has suffered and worked through personal loss too and in the course of duty has seen the ravages of families who suffer following a tragedy. Ronan knows guilt and grief walk hand-in-hand particularly when you’ve lost the spouse who was the love of your life. His challenge is to convince Thea that she can live, and, love again and in doing so she isn’t being disloyal to Jesse. However, giving that ember of life inside Thea a breath to ignite it to burn bright may prove impossible.

Calhoun makes each scene count so you feel as if you have read a full novel, not a 90-page novella and while I was sorry when Breath on Embers concluded I also felt satisfied. Seeing Ronan and Thea find their HEA was wonderful. In 2009, I read many raves about Anne Calhoun’s Liberating Lacey and downloaded the eBook, of course, it’s been sitting in my mountainous TBR ever since. I’ll be re-reading Breath on Embers over the Christmas season, followed by Liberating Lacey and working through her back-list. I loved Calhoun’s voice.(less)

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Jan 02, 2013 Carly Phillips rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013

Beautiful, angst-filled love story about survival and coming out other side.

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Apr 25, 2013 Lkay rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotic-romance, menage, new-to-me-author, quick-short-read

Oh Wow!
5 beautifully erotic stars!

I don't usually go into a novella with any sort of expectations. I mean, what can you possibly get out of a quick story? So if I'm being perfectly honest, I went into this with the mind set that I'm going to get a quickie erotic book.

Well, I am eating my words because this was so so so much more.

I have never read a book by Anne Calhoun before. After finishing this, I will be eagerly anticipating her future releases.

I am in total shock that a novella of 98 page...more

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Dec 01, 2012 Lillie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, average-joes, awesome-angst, reviewed-at-novel-thoughts, arcs

Thea Moretti has spent the last year filling the void left by her husband's death with loud music and meaningless sex with firefighter Ronan O'Roarke. When the emptiness becomes too much, Ronan is always there and that is all Thea wants. When Ronan invites her to help him decorate his tree, Thea realizes that their arrangement is about more than just sex and that's not something she's ready for. It's up to Ronan to show her that life is about more than just surviving.

This is one of the best Chri...more

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May 15, 2013 Anesha †Curious & Obsessive Bookworm† rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favourite, erotica, reality, three-sum

Read this book.

I'm sleepy as hell but refused to give myself rest - hot as hell, DRUNK off of this book like no liquor has made me feel.

This book is amazing

I felt as if the author plucked me out of my world and placed me in Thea's own. It was that powerful. Everything she went through, avoiding her chance at living, rather than existing felt like my heart was twisting in pain and on some level I honestly know how she felt. Maybe because of my own personal experience, that this book hit so close...more

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Feb 20, 2013 D rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of somber contemporary romance

Shelves: contemporary, erotica, romance

low 3 stars -- compelling story arc marred by moments of sloppy characterization and psychological development

ignore (1) the cover and (2) the cover blurb (can i just whine for a microsec about the TERRIBLE marketing undermining most romance novels out there? who the hell comes up with these strategies? do you not see you are debasing the entire genre? donerant.). yes, there's a menage scene, but that's actually not central to the plotting, and the rest of the book is actually woven fairly belie...more

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Jan 20, 2013 Jane Stewart rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: erotic-contemporary-romance

I didn’t feel anything. I wasn’t pulled in or engaged.

I’ve really enjoyed some of this author’s other writing, but this book felt flat - like cooking without spices. I skimmed parts of the sex scenes. The problem was probably because it was about sadness, grief, and withdrawing from life. The happy ending did not uplift me. I like change in books. Here Thea changes, but I didn’t feel and see her process of change.

STORY BRIEF:
Thea’s husband Jesse died in a car accident two years earlier. She is s...more

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Jan 10, 2013 Asmaa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-amazing-reads, adult, bring-out-the-tissues, books-i-heart, 2013-reads, contemp, crush-on-the-writing, explosive-couple, romantica, short-story, wish-you-were-my-boyfriend, you-make-me-smile, scorching-hot, 2013-tbr-reduction-challenge

Rating: 4.5/5

This story was so complex and dark and poetic and sad, it tugged at my heart strings and left me sobbing and smiling and fanning myself at more than one time.

Few months after loosing her husband in a car accident, Thea moves to Manhattan but unfortunately not with her life. An emotional minefield, she freaks out at the mere mention of anything that would remind her of her late husband.

Thea broke my heart with her grief, she was going under, all this dark weight downing on her, only...more

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Jan 03, 2013 Carrie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, ebook, kindle, own, ptsd, read-2013, romantica, short-stories-novellas

4.5*
Grade A

Breath on Embers is an emotional story. Calhoun's characters feel human and vulnerable. Perhaps Ronan is a little too good to be true. Perhaps Thea's grief is more excessive than usual, but as a reader I never doubted either character. There are people like Ronan, and we all respond differently to tragedy.

I was wary of ready this story because I've rarely found real depth in stories that border on erotica. When sex plays such a huge part in a story, it often leaves little room for th...more

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Dec 15, 2012 Madame X rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance, erotica, hero-is-a-softy, menage, novella, blue-collar-hero

Breath on Embers is excellent - but not really my thing. I'd read some really glowing reviews and I loved Anne Calhoun's Liberating Lacey, so I gave this one a try. And it's excellent at being what it is - an erotic holiday novella.

I'd hoped it would be a holiday-lite novella, an erotic romance with a wee bit of holiday window-dressing, because I am a grinch. Turns out Breath on Embers is just saturated in holiday cheer and holiday charity and holiday activities. Really, this is not a good book...more Breath on Embers is excellent - but not really my thing. I'd read some really glowing reviews and I loved Anne Calhoun's Liberating Lacey, so I gave this one a try. And it's excellent at being what it is - an erotic holiday novella.

I'd hoped it would be a holiday-lite novella, an erotic romance with a wee bit of holiday window-dressing, because I am a grinch. Turns out Breath on Embers is just saturated in holiday cheer and holiday charity and holiday activities. Really, this is not a good book for people who think Christmas is a travesty.

Also, it's set in New York City. I used to live in NYC and this novella made me miss it something awful, so instead of getting holiday warm and fuzzies, I got miss-the-big-city blues. That sucked. And then a key moment in the novella involves walking from Macy's to Saks, which is actually the least attractive walk ever - there's a whole are in midtown in the 30s that's just awful, where all the stores sell $5 purses and walking around you'd swear they're all fronts for some illegal activity, and I'm supposed to believe the found a nice lingerie store there? And then they cross Central Park at night? No. (Though, really, the book captures the spirit and feel of NYC beautifully, so this is just resentful quibbling because the scenery made me sad).

And finally, because I'm complaining I guess, a lot of the erotic scenes in the novella involve semi-public sex. Thea and Ronan keep looking around to make sure they're being discreet but...man. I used to find public sex so exciting and risque until I was the unwilling witness to lots of public sex acts and now I just find it rude (also: get off my lawn!). I read these scenes and instead of imagining myself as the heroine, I imagine myself as...myself, walking down the sidewalk and pretending not to see.

There's a great story about a heroine, Thea, recovering from grief with a new relationship that culminates in a menage scene that's both hot and an emotionally powerful, pivotal plot point. The hero is a dreamy, heart-of-gold fireman. The novella is wonderfully written. It's really great. Just, you know, beware all that Christmas.(less)

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Dec 13, 2012 Annabeth Albert rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: holiday-romances

True Confession: I have boxes of books in the attic that only come out at Christmas. I broke my foot one fall and my mother sent me a large box of nothing but holiday romances b/c she knew I'd happily gorge on them. I LOVE holiday novellas--they're usually short, sweet, and perfect for reading during hectic days.

Breath on Embers is nothing like the typical holiday novella and that's its breathtaking beauty. It's short at 40k words, but it's not the typical sweet, conflict-lite, sex-lite, suppor...more

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Dec 11, 2012 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: novella, review, smut

Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2012/12/06/...

From the moment I put down Liberating Lacey, I was a Calhoun fan for life. She writes such amazing characters and the smut factor in each and every book of hers I’ve read has been off the charts. Given the blurb of this book, I just knew that Thea and Ronan would have some amazing sexy times ahead of them.

Thea is grieving over the death of her husband, and her move to New York City allowed her to get lost in the crowd where n...more Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2012/12/06/...

From the moment I put down Liberating Lacey, I was a Calhoun fan for life. She writes such amazing characters and the smut factor in each and every book of hers I’ve read has been off the charts. Given the blurb of this book, I just knew that Thea and Ronan would have some amazing sexy times ahead of them.

Thea is grieving over the death of her husband, and her move to New York City allowed her to get lost in the crowd where no one knows her name. She can blare her rock music in her ears, work long hours, and have carefree sex with Ronan without anyone hovering over her. She doesn’t want anything lasting with Ronan, and although she knows he is starting to want more from her, she doesn’t know if she can give it to him.

Ronan loves having sex with Thea, but their physical, no-strings attached romance is starting to feel empty to him. He wants more, and despite Thea’s claim otherwise, he can see that deep down she is ready to move on. His only problem will be finding a way to convince her that she can still love her husband, and love another as well. With sex as their deepest connection, Ronan will use every trick in the book to show her that sex with him is more than just sex, it’s a second chance at love.

I was a little disappointed that this book didn’t have nearly as many BDSM undertones as most Calhoun’s books. Don’t get me wrong, there is lots of sex, and most of it is pretty kinky. But I think that Calhoun has such an incredible voice for dominate heroes and submissive heroines, and I would have liked to see that play out more in this story. I was a little worried that this would end up being a menage book that wouldn’t sit well with me, but the way that aspect of the story played out, I never even once felt like it was a true menage book! I absolutely enjoyed all the smutty times Ronan and Thea had, and given the frequency of them…well that was just the icing on the cake.

As part of the Red Hot Holiday Anthology from Carina Press, this was a novella length story, and yet it felt as if it was a full length story for me. There was so much development on Thea’s part from start to finish, and so much seemed to progress with her relationship with Ronan that I never FELT like I was reading a novella. It was short and yet felt as if I got a full-length book. I love when stories can do that!

I felt so awful for Thea, and yet I loved the way Ronan was able to pull her out of her head, out of herself and into the land of the living. Thea really was almost zombie-like in the way that she just went through life, never really living. I was desperate for her to feel something (almost as much as Ronan was), and once she finally came to, it was like she was opening her eyes for the first time. I loved the way Ronan used their kinky sex as the way to show her just how important HE was, and not the sex in general.

All in all this wasn’t my favorite Calhoun book, but another stellar novella! I thought that the sexy times with Ronan and Thea were just as hot and engaging as her more BDSM based stories, and the different kinks were fun to read about. I loved both Ronan and Thea as characters as well, and hated saying goodbye once the novella ended. Calhoun fans are definitely in for a treat with this story!
I give Breath on Embers a B(less)

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Dec 07, 2012 Christi Snow rated it 5 of 5 stars

My Review:
Rating: A+
Heart ache. For so many people, the holidays mean one thing...sadness. Thea is one of those people. Two years ago, her husband died on the cusp of the Christmas season...their favorite time of the year together. She's never recovered although she did take Ronan as a lover on St. Patrick's Day on the advice of her therapist. The problem...she's still not living. She's numb and okay with that. The only time that anything feels somewhat right to her is when Ronan is inside her....more

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Dec 03, 2012 Karen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christmas-theme, contemporary, dec-2012, erotica, fav-author, keepers, novella, own-kindle, quick-to-read, read-in-2012, sizzling-off-the-charts

OMG I loved Breath on Embers...I wish I could give it 50 stars. Liberating Lacey still remains one of my favourite ever hot and steamy reads and will now be paired with Breath on Embers. I'm fairly new to the erotica genre, don't get me wrong I love myself a sexy read but I also want a decent storyline to go along with it and I want to feel a connection with the characters and if a book is only about the sex then it just doesn't cut it for me. Anne Calhoun delivers everything I need when I want...more

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Dec 03, 2012 Guilty Pleasures rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: guiltypleasures-kclu

KcLu's review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

4.75 Stars

Breath on Embers is a highly emotional journey, but sooooo darn worth it! A story with very realistic and heart wrenching look at the grieving process, and about finding that one person that can help you out of that dark place grief takes you.

Thea Moretti is going through life, but she isn’t truly living. Three years ago she lost her husband, and she basically stopped living too. When she moved to New York, her family back in Ohio ma...more KcLu's review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

4.75 Stars

Breath on Embers is a highly emotional journey, but sooooo darn worth it! A story with very realistic and heart wrenching look at the grieving process, and about finding that one person that can help you out of that dark place grief takes you.

Thea Moretti is going through life, but she isn’t truly living. Three years ago she lost her husband, and she basically stopped living too. When she moved to New York, her family back in Ohio made her promise to see a grief therapist. She met FDNY’s Lieutenant, Ronan O’Rourke, on St. Patrick’s Day this year, the same day her therapist told her she should think about dating again. But instead of asking him on a date she has been sleeping with him for almost a year now. It is now Christmas time, and she feels like she wants to literally crawl into a hole until it is over. Christmas was a big deal in both her family and her husband’s, and it takes everything she has just to breathe.

Ronan knows that it is her fear that has her keeping him at a distance, so he doesn’t let her. When she tries to keep things all about sex he shows up at her work to take her skating in Rockefeller Center. When she has a toy drive at work for a local shelter arranges for a fire truck full of not only firemen but Santa too. But can he get her to see there is life after loss?? He knows first hand after losing his uncle he was very close to on 9/11, and losing his close friend a couple months before he met her. He will do whatever it takes, even having a sexy threesome with her and his friend from work.

I absolutely loved this book! Even with the length of it being a novella you didn’t feel like he rushed her to move on. He is beyond a great man. It would have been so easy for him to just use her, and leave her in that dark place. My heart hurt with Thea. I can’t even begin to imagine what it is like to lose the love of your like, and then try to pick up the pieces. And on top of all that greatness you get some smoking hot sex between them too.

Review copy provided for an honest review. (less)

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Dec 14, 2012 Kathleen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Story Rating 5 Stars
Character Rating 5 Stars
Romance Rating 5 Stars
Heat Level 4.5 HOT Stars
Overall Rating 5 Stars

I wanted to read a Christmas theme romance so I decided to read this book after I read a few of my friends reviews on it. I liked it a lot right from the start, but thought throughout most of the book that this would be a 4 star read that is until the last 25% and then WHAM!!! the story hit me hard, I had tears running down my face and I was sobbing. WOW! This story really got to me bu...more

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Dec 19, 2012 Sara Oestreich rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-lit, guilty-pleasure, romance, trashy-romance, erotic-romance

Click here for Original Review

BookTalk

Thea Moretti is the walking dead. At least she believes she is. She’s trying to be…

Thea drowns out the world around her with ever constant ear buds blasting angry music, the anonymity a crowded city gives, and meaningless sex with Ronan O’Rourke. Thea has been using Ronan for no-strings-attached sex for the better part of a year now. Losing herself in bodily passion with no emotional ties. But as Christmas, and the second anniversary of her husband’s death,...more

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About Anne Calhoun

After doing time at Fortune 500 companies on both coasts, I found myself living in the suburbs of a small Midwestern city. The glamour of various cube farm jobs had worn off, so I gave up making a decent living to take Joseph Campbell’s advice and follow my bliss: writing romance.

More about Anne Calhoun...

Books by Anne Calhoun

$12 Shades of Surrender: Under His Hand\A Paris Affair\The Envelope Incident\The Challenge\Taste of Pleasure\Night Moves$

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