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Sugar Shack #2
Any Given Christmas
Dean Silverthorne’s mother may be dead, but she still has matchmaking to do. When an injury dashes NFL Quarterback Dean Silverthorne's Super Bowl dreams, he heads back to Deer Lick, Montana with a chip on his wounded shoulder, more determined than ever to get back in the game. He loves his kooky family, but this trip home is going to be a very brief Christmas visit. His game plan doesn't include an instant attraction to Emma Hart, a feisty kindergarten teacher who seems to be the only person in Deer Lick not interested in the hometown hero. Or his dearly departed mom popping up with mistletoe in hand and meddling on the mind. Now Dean can't help but wonder if there’s more to love than life between the goal posts.
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 22, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
November 26, 2018
Another great series by this author where the professional athlete's reputation basically worked against him. Our heroine is a teacher and not at all interested in getting involved with a man like the hero having learnt her lesson at 18. She really makes the hero work for it, and I mean really WORK for it, for him to deserve her trust and a place in her life. For the hero who had everything easy in life, it was always two steps forward then two steps backwards with the heroine. Hell, at one point of time I wasn't sure how the author would make these two click and work together to build something but she did. I think these two worked themselves towards a well deserved HEA and I totally loved that the heroine wasn't one of those heroine whose beliefs and ideals melted with one charming smile from the hero. The book instead had real substance.
December 18, 2011
I was really enjoying this until about 3/4 of the way through. Then the heroines "poor me" routine got old. She was selfish and immature.
I hate that everyone - including her - blamed the hero for everything. She was the one who kept pushing him away and judging him based on things that happened in her past. Yet he was in the wrong? No. Just no.
I enjoyed the first book in this series enough that I'll read the next book. I hope its better than this one.
I hate that everyone - including her - blamed the hero for everything. She was the one who kept pushing him away and judging him based on things that happened in her past. Yet he was in the wrong? No. Just no.
I enjoyed the first book in this series enough that I'll read the next book. I hope its better than this one.
July 12, 2014
I started this book two days ago and I am happy to report I was hooked from the start.(I'm going to have to go back and read the first book in the series :-) A hot bad boy football player? What's not to love?
Dean (our bad boy with a soft spot hero)has come home for Christmas and the book has a bit of a sad tone from the start, with his mom dying several months before and the two were very close. Dean's recovering from a shoulder injury and is out of NFL commission until next season (more realistically forever but he doesn't want to hear that) and runs into a familiar face. (Actually, almost hits her with a car, but still)
Emma, his baby sister's friend, is the hot, blonde bombshell that blew him off at his sister's wedding. Emma is a school teacher who has been spending working on her Master's degree so she can work specifically with special needs children (specifically children with autism, which turns out to be something Dean is passionate about as well).Emma has not only been burned by the too-hot-to-handle type of guy that is Dean, but she's alone in the world (Except for her fat cat Oscar) with her Memaw in a nursing home, suffering from dementia. (Sniffle)Emma wants nothing to do with the heartache Dean is bound to cause, which only makes her more desirable to him.
Ms. Terry's Any Given Christmas has an awesome setting in small town Montana (who doesn't love a town called Deer Lick?), the characters are filled with depth, the banter between all of the characters is very funny and the intimate interludes? HOT!
Oh and did I mention the ghost of Dean's dead mother keeps popping up to meddle? My favorite scene between Mother and son is about him returning to the NFL training camp in July. I've added the tags of he said/she said for clarification.
"Stop dodging the question." He leaned closer. "You can't see into the future can you?"
"Pffft. No. Of course not. That would be ridiculous."His mom said.
"And me sitting in your car talking to you after you've been dead for five months isn't?" Dean said.
"Well there is that.So what's the plan? Tell me all the details."His mom said.
"You are so transparent." Dean said.
"Well, of course I am, silly boy. I'm dead." His mom.
Of course, I did mention the sad note at the beginning that gave way to several tear jerking moments for me during the story. I don't want to give anything away but I had a sob fest at the end of chapter thirteen and on into fourteen.
But the way these two get their final happily ever after is completely squeal worthy! Great job, Candis Terry! I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the Sugar Shack series!
Dean (our bad boy with a soft spot hero)has come home for Christmas and the book has a bit of a sad tone from the start, with his mom dying several months before and the two were very close. Dean's recovering from a shoulder injury and is out of NFL commission until next season (more realistically forever but he doesn't want to hear that) and runs into a familiar face. (Actually, almost hits her with a car, but still)
Emma, his baby sister's friend, is the hot, blonde bombshell that blew him off at his sister's wedding. Emma is a school teacher who has been spending working on her Master's degree so she can work specifically with special needs children (specifically children with autism, which turns out to be something Dean is passionate about as well).Emma has not only been burned by the too-hot-to-handle type of guy that is Dean, but she's alone in the world (Except for her fat cat Oscar) with her Memaw in a nursing home, suffering from dementia. (Sniffle)Emma wants nothing to do with the heartache Dean is bound to cause, which only makes her more desirable to him.
Ms. Terry's Any Given Christmas has an awesome setting in small town Montana (who doesn't love a town called Deer Lick?), the characters are filled with depth, the banter between all of the characters is very funny and the intimate interludes? HOT!
Oh and did I mention the ghost of Dean's dead mother keeps popping up to meddle? My favorite scene between Mother and son is about him returning to the NFL training camp in July. I've added the tags of he said/she said for clarification.
"Stop dodging the question." He leaned closer. "You can't see into the future can you?"
"Pffft. No. Of course not. That would be ridiculous."His mom said.
"And me sitting in your car talking to you after you've been dead for five months isn't?" Dean said.
"Well there is that.So what's the plan? Tell me all the details."His mom said.
"You are so transparent." Dean said.
"Well, of course I am, silly boy. I'm dead." His mom.
Of course, I did mention the sad note at the beginning that gave way to several tear jerking moments for me during the story. I don't want to give anything away but I had a sob fest at the end of chapter thirteen and on into fourteen.
But the way these two get their final happily ever after is completely squeal worthy! Great job, Candis Terry! I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the Sugar Shack series!
December 1, 2016
Cute story where a football player has to come to terms with his injury while in his small home town, where he falls for a school teacher. He needs to figure out what to do with his life and she needs to learn to trust. And Dean's mother's ghost shows up to give him a push.
November 16, 2011
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Dean’s back home in Deer Lick to rehab a shoulder injury that’s just ended his season as quarterback and any hopes of leading his team into the playoffs. He has the typical “hot guy, football player” persona: he dates supermodels and actresses and lives the high life with only the best of everything. Of course not everything that gets printed is true, but enough of it is and Dean’s just fine with that. Women come and go, itches are scratched, and his life revolves around football as that’s all he’s known for years. When the injury not only ends his season, but could potentially end his career, it throws him for a loop and he heads back home for the holidays to spend time with his family and help each other get through the first holiday season since losing his mom earlier in the year.
At his sister’s wedding, Dean meets Emma, one of his sister’s bridesmaids, and to say they start off on the wrong foot is pretty accurate; he calls her “Emma the Tormentor” so no love loss earlier on. They just don’t get along, she thinks he’s nothing more than the football playboy, and he thinks she’s a bit prickly, but she’s one of the few people who actually see him, and not his million dollar throwing arm. With a little help from their match-making small town and Dean’s sister, they keep running into each other, and start learning more about what makes each person who they are, beyond the obvious football player/teacher professions.
Emma Hart was the type of woman who took care of sick relatives or baked cookies for fundraisers. The type of woman who needed a ring on her finger. She wasn’t his type. At all. Still, she intrigued him. Maybe because she made him laugh. Or because she wouldn’t take any crap from him. Or maybe because even though she held some kind of grudge against him, she’d just shown him the one generosity few others had managed in recent days.
Faith.
Emma’s in a pretty lonely place right now. Her grandmother, the woman who raised her, is fighting dementia and doesn’t remember Emma most of the time. Her best guy is her cat – who hates Dean with a passion and she has her students; a fun bunch of 5 year olds, including one special student that Emma hopes to be able to help as she studies for her Master’s degree and learns new ways to help teach children with autism. It’s a cause that Dean is passionate about as well and during his rehab, he buys a property in Deer Lick that will be set up as a charity and camp to help children just like the little boy in Emma’s class. Dean enlists Emma to be on the charity’s board and they start working together more and try as they might to fight it, they start falling for each other.
Emma was a heroine that was easy to like and want some happiness for. She was the always the young girl on the outside looking in when it came to being around the popular crowd and when a night came that she thought would finally be her chance, being invited to a bonfire by a young college football player, it instead ended with her hopes being crushed and her feeling forgotten once again. She’s vowed to learn from that painful mistake and keeps Dean at a distance for as long as she can.
Emma and Dean finally give in to the attraction, even though both are trying to keep their hearts out of the picture. But even when it was just sex, the emotion started showing up, even from their first time…in the hot springs on Dean’s new property – hot! I liked seeing Emma slowly become happy being with Dean. She sees him around the children and he becomes a different guy, and she can’t help but fall in love with the man. But Dean struggles with his rehab. He still wants desperately to get back to playing form before the new season starts up, but he lives and plays football a thousand miles away and when the time comes for him to head back for his medical checkups to find out if he’s cleared to work out and start practicing again, both he and Emma don’t want to be apart, but neither one is ready to give up their current commitments and lives in the town (or city in Dean's case) they live in.
She looked up to find him watching her. Like he hadn’t eaten all day. And she was a Happy Meal. As his intense gaze perused her up and down, pausing at all the interesting places, Emma realized no man had ever looked at her like she was lunch. Or dinner. Or, heaven forbid, a midnight snack.
Dean looked ravenous.
It was the small moments between Dean and Emma that had me sighing through much of the book. Seeing Dean so at ease around kids, especially young Brenden, the autistic child in Emma’s class, and how it melted Emma’s heart. When Emma suffers a loss, Dean’s there to hold her and be with her and doesn’t leave her alone to deal with her hurt. It was little moments throughout the book that showed how much they cared about each other, even when they couldn’t admit it out loud.
I’m a sucker for contemporary romance series that centers around small towns, siblings or has a sports theme. This has all three (the sports theme isn’t heavy, we have very few moments of actually being on the football field, but it’s all about Dean, his status of being a quarterback and the impact it has on his life) and I loved every aspect of how all three were woven into the story. I haven’t read the first book in the Sugar Shack series, and this one certainly reads as a standalone, but their Mom shows up as a ghost to her children. I could have taken or left that story line. I liked Dean in the scenes he had with his ghost mom, but I think the story would have been just fine without that addition. Also, the title of this story is a bit misleading. I honestly thought I was going into this major Christmas themed book but Christmas and New Year’s come and go during the first part of the book, and that's it. Overall, I loved and got fully onboard with Emma and Dean and found their story to be completely charming.
Dean’s back home in Deer Lick to rehab a shoulder injury that’s just ended his season as quarterback and any hopes of leading his team into the playoffs. He has the typical “hot guy, football player” persona: he dates supermodels and actresses and lives the high life with only the best of everything. Of course not everything that gets printed is true, but enough of it is and Dean’s just fine with that. Women come and go, itches are scratched, and his life revolves around football as that’s all he’s known for years. When the injury not only ends his season, but could potentially end his career, it throws him for a loop and he heads back home for the holidays to spend time with his family and help each other get through the first holiday season since losing his mom earlier in the year.
At his sister’s wedding, Dean meets Emma, one of his sister’s bridesmaids, and to say they start off on the wrong foot is pretty accurate; he calls her “Emma the Tormentor” so no love loss earlier on. They just don’t get along, she thinks he’s nothing more than the football playboy, and he thinks she’s a bit prickly, but she’s one of the few people who actually see him, and not his million dollar throwing arm. With a little help from their match-making small town and Dean’s sister, they keep running into each other, and start learning more about what makes each person who they are, beyond the obvious football player/teacher professions.
Emma Hart was the type of woman who took care of sick relatives or baked cookies for fundraisers. The type of woman who needed a ring on her finger. She wasn’t his type. At all. Still, she intrigued him. Maybe because she made him laugh. Or because she wouldn’t take any crap from him. Or maybe because even though she held some kind of grudge against him, she’d just shown him the one generosity few others had managed in recent days.
Faith.
Emma’s in a pretty lonely place right now. Her grandmother, the woman who raised her, is fighting dementia and doesn’t remember Emma most of the time. Her best guy is her cat – who hates Dean with a passion and she has her students; a fun bunch of 5 year olds, including one special student that Emma hopes to be able to help as she studies for her Master’s degree and learns new ways to help teach children with autism. It’s a cause that Dean is passionate about as well and during his rehab, he buys a property in Deer Lick that will be set up as a charity and camp to help children just like the little boy in Emma’s class. Dean enlists Emma to be on the charity’s board and they start working together more and try as they might to fight it, they start falling for each other.
Emma was a heroine that was easy to like and want some happiness for. She was the always the young girl on the outside looking in when it came to being around the popular crowd and when a night came that she thought would finally be her chance, being invited to a bonfire by a young college football player, it instead ended with her hopes being crushed and her feeling forgotten once again. She’s vowed to learn from that painful mistake and keeps Dean at a distance for as long as she can.
Emma and Dean finally give in to the attraction, even though both are trying to keep their hearts out of the picture. But even when it was just sex, the emotion started showing up, even from their first time…in the hot springs on Dean’s new property – hot! I liked seeing Emma slowly become happy being with Dean. She sees him around the children and he becomes a different guy, and she can’t help but fall in love with the man. But Dean struggles with his rehab. He still wants desperately to get back to playing form before the new season starts up, but he lives and plays football a thousand miles away and when the time comes for him to head back for his medical checkups to find out if he’s cleared to work out and start practicing again, both he and Emma don’t want to be apart, but neither one is ready to give up their current commitments and lives in the town (or city in Dean's case) they live in.
She looked up to find him watching her. Like he hadn’t eaten all day. And she was a Happy Meal. As his intense gaze perused her up and down, pausing at all the interesting places, Emma realized no man had ever looked at her like she was lunch. Or dinner. Or, heaven forbid, a midnight snack.
Dean looked ravenous.
It was the small moments between Dean and Emma that had me sighing through much of the book. Seeing Dean so at ease around kids, especially young Brenden, the autistic child in Emma’s class, and how it melted Emma’s heart. When Emma suffers a loss, Dean’s there to hold her and be with her and doesn’t leave her alone to deal with her hurt. It was little moments throughout the book that showed how much they cared about each other, even when they couldn’t admit it out loud.
I’m a sucker for contemporary romance series that centers around small towns, siblings or has a sports theme. This has all three (the sports theme isn’t heavy, we have very few moments of actually being on the football field, but it’s all about Dean, his status of being a quarterback and the impact it has on his life) and I loved every aspect of how all three were woven into the story. I haven’t read the first book in the Sugar Shack series, and this one certainly reads as a standalone, but their Mom shows up as a ghost to her children. I could have taken or left that story line. I liked Dean in the scenes he had with his ghost mom, but I think the story would have been just fine without that addition. Also, the title of this story is a bit misleading. I honestly thought I was going into this major Christmas themed book but Christmas and New Year’s come and go during the first part of the book, and that's it. Overall, I loved and got fully onboard with Emma and Dean and found their story to be completely charming.
January 7, 2012
I really enjoyed my second visit to Deer Lick, MT. I liked Dean from the beginning. He had issues with not believing in love and marriage for himself, but the potential was there. I also liked his reaction the first time his mom popped in on him, though she didn't seem to visit him as often as she did Kate. One of my favorite things about Dean was how good he was with kids, especially the autistic kids. When he came up with the idea for the therapy ranch, I knew it was going to be important. I also really liked Emma. She was obviously in the right job for her. I also liked the way that she didn't fawn all over Dean, and sassed back at him when he tried to use his usual tactics on her. As she got to know him, she saw that there was more to him than what he showed to the public, but she still didn't believe he had the ability to commit. I did like the sensitivity he showed about her cat. He nearly lost her at the end, but he did well with his final gestures. I can't wait to read Kelly's story -- I sure hope it comes out soon!
April 11, 2012
Beware: This review is riddled with spoilers.
This is the second book in Terry's Sugar Shack series. I believe it can stand alone.
Emma is a school teacher who wants to find a man to spend her life with. A man who is not like football star Dean Silverthorne. She doesn't do bad boys - in bed or otherwise - anymore. And Dean is the baddest of them all.
Dean has taken a couple hard hits on the field, which means he's got some time off to recover. Spending it in Deer Lick isn't exactly his idea of a good time, but his dad needs him. Emma would be the perfect distraction...if only she didn't seem immune to him.
As they spend more time togther, Dean and Emma realize they aren't so different..but can Emma let go of her past enough to embrace what could be a bright future?
Ok, here's the thing about this book. It features a theme I loathe. One that, unfortunately, is seen quite often in romance. The hero being punished for his past (or, alternately, the heroine being punished for her past - though this is less prevalent). I do not believe a man (or woman) should be judged based on things that happened in their past. Unless they're mass murders or something equally nefarious (something no romance hero should ever be...unless they're highly trained, super speshul government agents - but that's a post for another day). Just because a man (or woman) has a checkered past (i.e., slept around a lot) doesn't necessarily make him (or her) a bad person.
In this case, Dean is known as one of the bad boys of football. He's wild and crazy. He parties hard. He dates (ok, sleeps with) a lot of women. But that doesn't mean he's a bad guy. It means he's a bit of a manwhore, but even manwhores can have good qualities. Are they the best candidate for happily ever after? Probably not. But are they lower than dirt? No. No they aren't.
Right from the beginning Emma jumps to the conclusion that Dean is an asshole because he dates sleeps around a lot. How sleeping with a lot of women makes him an asshole, I'm not quite sure. Does he torture small children? No. Does he talk crap about his mother? No. Is he careful to let the women in his life know he isn't interested in something long term? Yes. So..again, not the best candidate for Wuv, Twu Wuv, but not an asshole.
I was really enjoying this until about 3/4 of the way through. Then the heroines "poor me" routine got old. She was selfish and immature.
Emma had a bad experience when she was in high school. She was one of the nerdy chicks who didn't get out much. She was invited to one of the cool kid parties and ended up giving her virginity to a friend of Dean's - who was home from college and brought his buddy to visit - and he never bothered to call her the next day. Then some other stuff happened. The moral of the story? Bad boys aren't to be trusted. There are so many things wrong with that kind of thinking, but I was able to move past that and go with the flow.
Until Emma started acting like a selfish bitch. She wanted Dean but didn't want to want him. Even though he treated her really well and was there for her when she needed someone, she still pushed him away. No matter that his present actions showed him to be a compassionate, responsible man, she still insisted he was nothing but a douche bag who was going to screw her over. I went along with this until toward the end of the book. Then I just couldn't take it anymore.
The final conflict came about because Dean's career imploded. He thought he'd be able to go back to playing football, but he was told he needed a lot more PT before that could happen. He is then released from the team. Instead of calling Emma, he heads straight home so he can be with her. She hears about it on the news and decides to kick Dean out of her life because he didn't come to her first. Dean has just had a major blow to his self-esteem, but are her thoughts with him? No. She was focused only on herself. "If Dean really cared about me he would have called me before he called anyone else." Of course what she doesn't know is that Dean asked the announcement be held over the weekend and his first thoughts were of her. He just wanted to see her in person. All this because she went through a bad time 10 years ago. Really?
On top of that everyone - including her - blamed the Dean for everything. She was the one who kept pushing him away and judging him based on things that happened in her past. Yet he was in the wrong? He had to apologize and grovel? No. Just no.
I did like Dean. Though he started out as a jaded playboy, he really grew up over the course of the novel. I also liked the bits with his mom, mostly because of his reaction to seeing her ghost. Too bad he was saddled with such a terrible heroine.
I enjoyed the first book in this series enough that I'll read the next book. I hope its better than this one.
This review was originally posted on Book Binge by Holly.
This is the second book in Terry's Sugar Shack series. I believe it can stand alone.
Emma is a school teacher who wants to find a man to spend her life with. A man who is not like football star Dean Silverthorne. She doesn't do bad boys - in bed or otherwise - anymore. And Dean is the baddest of them all.
Dean has taken a couple hard hits on the field, which means he's got some time off to recover. Spending it in Deer Lick isn't exactly his idea of a good time, but his dad needs him. Emma would be the perfect distraction...if only she didn't seem immune to him.
As they spend more time togther, Dean and Emma realize they aren't so different..but can Emma let go of her past enough to embrace what could be a bright future?
Ok, here's the thing about this book. It features a theme I loathe. One that, unfortunately, is seen quite often in romance. The hero being punished for his past (or, alternately, the heroine being punished for her past - though this is less prevalent). I do not believe a man (or woman) should be judged based on things that happened in their past. Unless they're mass murders or something equally nefarious (something no romance hero should ever be...unless they're highly trained, super speshul government agents - but that's a post for another day). Just because a man (or woman) has a checkered past (i.e., slept around a lot) doesn't necessarily make him (or her) a bad person.
In this case, Dean is known as one of the bad boys of football. He's wild and crazy. He parties hard. He dates (ok, sleeps with) a lot of women. But that doesn't mean he's a bad guy. It means he's a bit of a manwhore, but even manwhores can have good qualities. Are they the best candidate for happily ever after? Probably not. But are they lower than dirt? No. No they aren't.
Right from the beginning Emma jumps to the conclusion that Dean is an asshole because he dates sleeps around a lot. How sleeping with a lot of women makes him an asshole, I'm not quite sure. Does he torture small children? No. Does he talk crap about his mother? No. Is he careful to let the women in his life know he isn't interested in something long term? Yes. So..again, not the best candidate for Wuv, Twu Wuv, but not an asshole.
I was really enjoying this until about 3/4 of the way through. Then the heroines "poor me" routine got old. She was selfish and immature.
Emma had a bad experience when she was in high school. She was one of the nerdy chicks who didn't get out much. She was invited to one of the cool kid parties and ended up giving her virginity to a friend of Dean's - who was home from college and brought his buddy to visit - and he never bothered to call her the next day. Then some other stuff happened. The moral of the story? Bad boys aren't to be trusted. There are so many things wrong with that kind of thinking, but I was able to move past that and go with the flow.
Until Emma started acting like a selfish bitch. She wanted Dean but didn't want to want him. Even though he treated her really well and was there for her when she needed someone, she still pushed him away. No matter that his present actions showed him to be a compassionate, responsible man, she still insisted he was nothing but a douche bag who was going to screw her over. I went along with this until toward the end of the book. Then I just couldn't take it anymore.
The final conflict came about because Dean's career imploded. He thought he'd be able to go back to playing football, but he was told he needed a lot more PT before that could happen. He is then released from the team. Instead of calling Emma, he heads straight home so he can be with her. She hears about it on the news and decides to kick Dean out of her life because he didn't come to her first. Dean has just had a major blow to his self-esteem, but are her thoughts with him? No. She was focused only on herself. "If Dean really cared about me he would have called me before he called anyone else." Of course what she doesn't know is that Dean asked the announcement be held over the weekend and his first thoughts were of her. He just wanted to see her in person. All this because she went through a bad time 10 years ago. Really?
On top of that everyone - including her - blamed the Dean for everything. She was the one who kept pushing him away and judging him based on things that happened in her past. Yet he was in the wrong? He had to apologize and grovel? No. Just no.
I did like Dean. Though he started out as a jaded playboy, he really grew up over the course of the novel. I also liked the bits with his mom, mostly because of his reaction to seeing her ghost. Too bad he was saddled with such a terrible heroine.
I enjoyed the first book in this series enough that I'll read the next book. I hope its better than this one.
This review was originally posted on Book Binge by Holly.
December 25, 2011
Dean Silverthorne has lived the life he dreamed of. An NFL quarterback with a million dollar arm, he has wealth, fame, and super models on his arm and in his bed. His strong ties to his parents and sisters keep him grounded. Then a shoulder injury threatens the career that defines him. But Dean is in denial, constantly assuring himself that the injury is a temporary setback and he’ll soon be back where he belongs—on a football field leading the Houston Stallions to another victory.
Emma Hart, a kindergarten teacher with a shadowed past and a dream of a picket-fence future with Mr. Right, knows Dean’s type. She was inoculated against the heartbreakers before she left her teens. When she and Dean meet at the wedding of Kate Silverthorne and Matt Ryan, she makes clear her lack of interest and thus assures that Dean will remember her. He’s not used to women who turn him down.
When Dean returns to Deer Lick, Montana, for the Christmas holidays, he finds it doesn’t matter that Emma is not the kind of woman he finds appealing. She’s too serious, too smart, and too quick to tell him no. He doesn’t need a woman who has challenge written all over her. He doesn’t need his sister’s matchmaking either or the even more mind-bending appearances of his meddling mother whose spirit shows up when he’s driving her clunker of a car.
Emma is devoted to her students, a lively group of five-year-olds; to her grandmother, who is suffering from dementia; and to her cat, who hates Dean. But she’s still lonely, and suddenly Dean seems to be everywhere, including her classroom where he bonds with an autistic student. As Emma and Dean spend more time together, each discovers there is more to the other than first impressions reveal. They even discover shared interests, and the attraction that began as a spark is soon hot enough to melt all their reservations.
Any Given Christmas is an entertaining read with two likeable lead characters. I didn’t think this second book measured up to the first one, but I liked it well enough to want to revisit Deer Lick for the story of the third Silverthorne sibling and see her reactions to the ghost of meddling Mom.
Emma Hart, a kindergarten teacher with a shadowed past and a dream of a picket-fence future with Mr. Right, knows Dean’s type. She was inoculated against the heartbreakers before she left her teens. When she and Dean meet at the wedding of Kate Silverthorne and Matt Ryan, she makes clear her lack of interest and thus assures that Dean will remember her. He’s not used to women who turn him down.
When Dean returns to Deer Lick, Montana, for the Christmas holidays, he finds it doesn’t matter that Emma is not the kind of woman he finds appealing. She’s too serious, too smart, and too quick to tell him no. He doesn’t need a woman who has challenge written all over her. He doesn’t need his sister’s matchmaking either or the even more mind-bending appearances of his meddling mother whose spirit shows up when he’s driving her clunker of a car.
Emma is devoted to her students, a lively group of five-year-olds; to her grandmother, who is suffering from dementia; and to her cat, who hates Dean. But she’s still lonely, and suddenly Dean seems to be everywhere, including her classroom where he bonds with an autistic student. As Emma and Dean spend more time together, each discovers there is more to the other than first impressions reveal. They even discover shared interests, and the attraction that began as a spark is soon hot enough to melt all their reservations.
Any Given Christmas is an entertaining read with two likeable lead characters. I didn’t think this second book measured up to the first one, but I liked it well enough to want to revisit Deer Lick for the story of the third Silverthorne sibling and see her reactions to the ghost of meddling Mom.
January 4, 2013
This was my first time reading this author and will not be my last. A very good romance with likeable characters. Dean is not as shallow as you would think of as an NFL player and Emma gave him a run for the money as someone that liked him for himself instead of the football star. And don't forget those visits from his Mom. To me this was a great feel good story.
January 1, 2013
Loved it!! Okay, now I have to read the other two Sugar Shack books. It probably would have been best to read them in order...oh well!!
April 4, 2018
I really enjoyed this whole series. A lovely read. As I was marking this off on my other database with the read date, which is really all I track other than the title, author, purchase date and type of book, I had a comment saying "find more" I NEVER comment on that document. I can't really pick out my favorite book in this three book series as they are all really very good reads.
February 9, 2017
Candis Terry does not write a bad story ever! Every book of hers makes you want to read more.
This book is funny, you want to smack some sence into Dean, and heartbreaking that he is so afraid to commit.
He loves his family but it takes an injury to realize how fortunate he is to have the love and support of them.
Emma wants what her mother never gave her. Love, family and stability. She has a dream of having that and she almost gives up on her dream.
This is a HEA story!
This book is funny, you want to smack some sence into Dean, and heartbreaking that he is so afraid to commit.
He loves his family but it takes an injury to realize how fortunate he is to have the love and support of them.
Emma wants what her mother never gave her. Love, family and stability. She has a dream of having that and she almost gives up on her dream.
This is a HEA story!
November 22, 2011
***original review posted at Romancing Rakes***
Another great Christmas read. This one had me cracking up and rooting for the all star quarterback to be brought to his knees by a small town kindergarten teacher. A story of opposites attract and the magic of the holidays that brings people together. Plus, there's a friendly ghost involved. The quarterback's mother, to be exact.
Dean Silverthone, golden boy quarterback of the Houston Stallions can no longer play due to a hard sack resulting in a torn shoulder. He's in limbo, wondering when he can get back to playing with his team or if he ever would. He's returned home to Deer Lick, Montana for his baby sister's wedding to the local sheriff and to his surprise, find a woman who says no to him.
Emma Hart, kindergarten school teacher with a hussy for a mother, an unknown father and a loving grandmother with dementia, can't believe The Dean Silverthorne has struck up a conversation with her, much less ask her to dance. She's so over guys like him. The love 'em and leave 'em type. She's heard all the gossip and rumors, seen the tabloids with his picture splashed across it, skinny supermodels on his arm. Who was he to assume every woman would fall at his feet, tear off their clothes and beg him to ravish them. Not her.
At eighteen years old, Emma got her heart broken and since then, she's tried to stay away from any sort of relationship. She's focused on teaching, getting her Masters and spending time with her grandma even if she doesn't remember Emma. When Dean comes back into town for his sister's wedding, she wonders why he's paying so much attention to her. She does everything she can to keep him at arms length.
Dean returns to Deer Lick for the holidays since his shoulder is still healing. He hasn't forgotten Emma. Funny that. She's not his type. She's got curves, she's intelligent and she challenges him like no other woman he's know, excluding his sisters and mother. Driving the old clunker that once belonged to his deceased mother, he soon starts receiving A Christmas Carol-like visits from her. (Not as creepy as the ghosts in the original Christmas Carol). Apparently she's appeared to his sister before. At first, he thinks he's gone crazy and tries to rationalize his "hallucinations". Even in death, his mother is trying to play matchmaker with the help of his newlywed sister, Kate.
Emma doesn't want to have any sort of feelings for Dean but as she gets to know him better, there's a giving and compassionate side of him the rest of the world doesn't get to see. He's has a penchant for dealing with kids and is even able to break through to one of her autistic students. Emma keeps telling herself that once Dean's shoulder is healed and the doctor gives him the okay, he'd be on the next flight out. She tries to keep from falling but sometimes Fate has a way of bringing two unlikely people together.
Dean's life has always revolved around football, it's who he is. Now that his shoulder might force him to retire from what he loves, he's at a loss until Emma comes into his life and shows him that there's more to life than football.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "For twenty years he'd played it smart and safe. A guarded heart and reliable condoms. Emma Hart was his first without either." (***quote subject to change in finished copy***)
OVERALL: This book surprised me. I thought Dean was going to be one cocky, all too confident, look at my swagger kind of football player but he's been raised right by his parents and can be knocked down a peg or two by his 2 sisters. I liked Emma. She was never one to back down. Take one injured all star NFL quarterback, a small town kindergarten teacher with a secret and one Christmas they'll never forget. Simmer in a hot tub with a sprinkling of teasing touches and witty banter. Add a few toe curling orgasms and some endearing cartoon pajamas. Heat up until it's too hot. Cool with some time apart. Throw in a meddling ghost mother and newlywed sister and you've got a recipe for a laugh out loud, sigh worthy, heartbreaking holiday read.
***review PDF provided by J.Edwards at HarperCollins in conjunction with Candis's blog tour with Goddess Fish***
Another great Christmas read. This one had me cracking up and rooting for the all star quarterback to be brought to his knees by a small town kindergarten teacher. A story of opposites attract and the magic of the holidays that brings people together. Plus, there's a friendly ghost involved. The quarterback's mother, to be exact.
Dean Silverthone, golden boy quarterback of the Houston Stallions can no longer play due to a hard sack resulting in a torn shoulder. He's in limbo, wondering when he can get back to playing with his team or if he ever would. He's returned home to Deer Lick, Montana for his baby sister's wedding to the local sheriff and to his surprise, find a woman who says no to him.
Emma Hart, kindergarten school teacher with a hussy for a mother, an unknown father and a loving grandmother with dementia, can't believe The Dean Silverthorne has struck up a conversation with her, much less ask her to dance. She's so over guys like him. The love 'em and leave 'em type. She's heard all the gossip and rumors, seen the tabloids with his picture splashed across it, skinny supermodels on his arm. Who was he to assume every woman would fall at his feet, tear off their clothes and beg him to ravish them. Not her.
At eighteen years old, Emma got her heart broken and since then, she's tried to stay away from any sort of relationship. She's focused on teaching, getting her Masters and spending time with her grandma even if she doesn't remember Emma. When Dean comes back into town for his sister's wedding, she wonders why he's paying so much attention to her. She does everything she can to keep him at arms length.
Dean returns to Deer Lick for the holidays since his shoulder is still healing. He hasn't forgotten Emma. Funny that. She's not his type. She's got curves, she's intelligent and she challenges him like no other woman he's know, excluding his sisters and mother. Driving the old clunker that once belonged to his deceased mother, he soon starts receiving A Christmas Carol-like visits from her. (Not as creepy as the ghosts in the original Christmas Carol). Apparently she's appeared to his sister before. At first, he thinks he's gone crazy and tries to rationalize his "hallucinations". Even in death, his mother is trying to play matchmaker with the help of his newlywed sister, Kate.
Emma doesn't want to have any sort of feelings for Dean but as she gets to know him better, there's a giving and compassionate side of him the rest of the world doesn't get to see. He's has a penchant for dealing with kids and is even able to break through to one of her autistic students. Emma keeps telling herself that once Dean's shoulder is healed and the doctor gives him the okay, he'd be on the next flight out. She tries to keep from falling but sometimes Fate has a way of bringing two unlikely people together.
Dean's life has always revolved around football, it's who he is. Now that his shoulder might force him to retire from what he loves, he's at a loss until Emma comes into his life and shows him that there's more to life than football.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "For twenty years he'd played it smart and safe. A guarded heart and reliable condoms. Emma Hart was his first without either." (***quote subject to change in finished copy***)
OVERALL: This book surprised me. I thought Dean was going to be one cocky, all too confident, look at my swagger kind of football player but he's been raised right by his parents and can be knocked down a peg or two by his 2 sisters. I liked Emma. She was never one to back down. Take one injured all star NFL quarterback, a small town kindergarten teacher with a secret and one Christmas they'll never forget. Simmer in a hot tub with a sprinkling of teasing touches and witty banter. Add a few toe curling orgasms and some endearing cartoon pajamas. Heat up until it's too hot. Cool with some time apart. Throw in a meddling ghost mother and newlywed sister and you've got a recipe for a laugh out loud, sigh worthy, heartbreaking holiday read.
***review PDF provided by J.Edwards at HarperCollins in conjunction with Candis's blog tour with Goddess Fish***
December 22, 2011
I am having such a good time with these Sugar Shack books by Candis Terry. Her sense of humor is terrific. Her characters are charming and fun. The Sugar Shack is one of those nearly extinct places only the smallest of American towns will know, along with all the other beloved amenities and values that are becoming more and more lost. While Ms. Terry brings some of that into present day - which we as a society sorely need - she never lets go of the old-fashioned-ness that takes her hero in a direction he never dreamed of.
Dean Silverthorn is the golden boy of Deer Lick, Montana - a big league quarterback with chart-topping records and mega-buck contracts. But all it takes is one hard sack to the turf and his playing days may be over. So he’s come home to recuperate just before Christmas, where he gets two big surprises of his life. First, he taken with the local school teacher. She’s the kind of woman who wants love, kids, a picket fence, and happily ever after. Forever. Dean knows he’s not that type of man, not after the life he’s led with movie stars, supermodels, and top athletes. Second, driving his mom’s old boat of a Buick around town comes with an unexpected passenger - his mother’s ghost, who still has work to do to see her children settled.
We met Emma Hart in the first book of the series, Second Chance at the Sugar Shack. She dated the hero, but then gave him up when she realized he still loved his heroine. Her dream has always been to have someone love her for who she is, to not forget who she is. Being forgettable is her worst fear. So you can just imagine Dean’s amazement when Emma turns down his overtures. Sure, it’d be wonderful to be on his arm and in his bed, but she can’t compete with supermodels. She’d be forgettable for sure. Emma is holding out for that perfect man just for her.
But Dean can’t let her go. She’s in his mind constantly and little by little arrowing her way into his heart. He wants her, even knowing she wants something more than he can give her. Every instance this couple is together is magic. Even those when they don’t see eye to eye and things aren’t going that smoothly for them. Dean finds himself doing and wanting things he never imagined. He loves Emma’s softness and curves when it’s always been stick-thin supermodels he’s dated before. He’s allergic to cats, but when tragedy strikes Emma and Oscar, he’s right there for her, taking care of everything. He scores big time with Emma and me during that scene.
Emma does try to stay away from Dean. She knows after his shoulder heals and he’s 100% again, he’ll be leaving Deer Lick to head back to his team and the game he loves. Only when she discovers he’s not planning to be hands-on with the camp for autistic children he’s funding is when Emma truly walks away. He talks the talk but he doesn’t walk the walk. It’s not until he returns to the team doctor to be released for play that Dean realizes maybe Emma is right. He does some soul searching, but can he give up the game that’s meant everything to him for so long?
Very slowly you see Dean change throughout this book. Emma is a terrific influence on him, but you also see how he was raised. His father still misses the wife he lost not too long ago. He loves his children with all his heart, and you see that at every turn, and you see the same from Dean’s mother. Those are some great scenes in the beginning when Dean gets his first meeting with his mother’s spirit. The longer Dean is away from his celebrity life, the more he finds all he left behind years before and what the future can hold for him if only he’d reach out and take it.
If you’ve been in a reading slump lately, pick up these books. I can guarantee you’ll be back on the road to reading after meeting these characters and living their lives with them. Even if you’re not in a slump, read these books anyway. They will do your heart good.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
Dean Silverthorn is the golden boy of Deer Lick, Montana - a big league quarterback with chart-topping records and mega-buck contracts. But all it takes is one hard sack to the turf and his playing days may be over. So he’s come home to recuperate just before Christmas, where he gets two big surprises of his life. First, he taken with the local school teacher. She’s the kind of woman who wants love, kids, a picket fence, and happily ever after. Forever. Dean knows he’s not that type of man, not after the life he’s led with movie stars, supermodels, and top athletes. Second, driving his mom’s old boat of a Buick around town comes with an unexpected passenger - his mother’s ghost, who still has work to do to see her children settled.
We met Emma Hart in the first book of the series, Second Chance at the Sugar Shack. She dated the hero, but then gave him up when she realized he still loved his heroine. Her dream has always been to have someone love her for who she is, to not forget who she is. Being forgettable is her worst fear. So you can just imagine Dean’s amazement when Emma turns down his overtures. Sure, it’d be wonderful to be on his arm and in his bed, but she can’t compete with supermodels. She’d be forgettable for sure. Emma is holding out for that perfect man just for her.
But Dean can’t let her go. She’s in his mind constantly and little by little arrowing her way into his heart. He wants her, even knowing she wants something more than he can give her. Every instance this couple is together is magic. Even those when they don’t see eye to eye and things aren’t going that smoothly for them. Dean finds himself doing and wanting things he never imagined. He loves Emma’s softness and curves when it’s always been stick-thin supermodels he’s dated before. He’s allergic to cats, but when tragedy strikes Emma and Oscar, he’s right there for her, taking care of everything. He scores big time with Emma and me during that scene.
Emma does try to stay away from Dean. She knows after his shoulder heals and he’s 100% again, he’ll be leaving Deer Lick to head back to his team and the game he loves. Only when she discovers he’s not planning to be hands-on with the camp for autistic children he’s funding is when Emma truly walks away. He talks the talk but he doesn’t walk the walk. It’s not until he returns to the team doctor to be released for play that Dean realizes maybe Emma is right. He does some soul searching, but can he give up the game that’s meant everything to him for so long?
Very slowly you see Dean change throughout this book. Emma is a terrific influence on him, but you also see how he was raised. His father still misses the wife he lost not too long ago. He loves his children with all his heart, and you see that at every turn, and you see the same from Dean’s mother. Those are some great scenes in the beginning when Dean gets his first meeting with his mother’s spirit. The longer Dean is away from his celebrity life, the more he finds all he left behind years before and what the future can hold for him if only he’d reach out and take it.
If you’ve been in a reading slump lately, pick up these books. I can guarantee you’ll be back on the road to reading after meeting these characters and living their lives with them. Even if you’re not in a slump, read these books anyway. They will do your heart good.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
November 30, 2011
Who knew that deep inside he was a man who wanted the whole ring, marriage, and kids happily-ever-after?
Dean Silverthorne has some serious issues. Aside from being back in his hometown because of a serious shoulder injury that has the Quarterback on the NFL's injured list, he is also having conversations with his dead mother in her old Buick. If that isn't bad enough, he is crazy about the one woman in town who claims to not even "like him".
Emma Hart wants nothing to do with Mr. Perfect, but it seems that her mind and body are not on the same page when it comes to Dean Silverthorne. Emma has always been the "forgotten" girl and she know with Dean it would be no different. But as she gets to know the REAL man behind the fake smiles, she realizes he is exactly the kind of guy she wants, if she can just help Dean see that he is so much more than just a Football Player.
Any given Christmas brings us back home to Deer Lick with the towns crazy cast of characters all making an appearance, even Letty Silverthorne!
Dean completely stole my heart in Any Given Christmas. How can you not fall for a guy who loves his mother as much as Dean loved Letty, and says that she is his "best friend". SERIOUSLY?? Emma didn't even stand a chance!
"You love me, Emma."
"Maybe so." Her eyes met his and held steady. "But I'll endure it. I've survived worse."
I am so glad that Emma finally found her Mr. Perfect. I really liked Emma from Second Chance, but just not for Matt...um....if anyone gets him aside from Kate, its me......Sorry, back to the book. Emma was sweet, funny and she really just wanted a "nice" guy to settle down with, who would love her and still hold her hand even when her boobs were droopy.... haha.....Isn't that what we all want?
Dean and Emma's chemistry sparked off the pages from their first meeting. And the Hot Springs....WHAT A WAY TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR!! I loved the watching Dean finally, truly Fall for someone.
By the time the plane had lifted from the runway, he knew by the intense grip on his heart he hadn't forgotten something. He'd forgotten someone.
I had so much fun hanging out with the folks of Deer Lick, well... all but Fawn Derick, she could stand to be taken down a notch....but like Emma, I'm a lady...and us ladies don't throw down...hehe.
Can't believe I have to wait until next year to read about Serious Kelly and the super sexy Deputy Harley! They had some smokin chemistry of their own in Any Given.....I can only imagine what we will be getting when those two come together!!
Candis will be coming by on December 6th to celebrate the Paperback release of Any Given Christmas. I will be giving away copies of Second Chance and Any Given Christmas to TWO lucky winners, so remember to stop over and leave a comment!!
Also, Giving Away a copy of Any Given Christmas on Goodreads.....Check out Goodreads and enter to win!!
Dean Silverthorne has some serious issues. Aside from being back in his hometown because of a serious shoulder injury that has the Quarterback on the NFL's injured list, he is also having conversations with his dead mother in her old Buick. If that isn't bad enough, he is crazy about the one woman in town who claims to not even "like him".
Emma Hart wants nothing to do with Mr. Perfect, but it seems that her mind and body are not on the same page when it comes to Dean Silverthorne. Emma has always been the "forgotten" girl and she know with Dean it would be no different. But as she gets to know the REAL man behind the fake smiles, she realizes he is exactly the kind of guy she wants, if she can just help Dean see that he is so much more than just a Football Player.
Any given Christmas brings us back home to Deer Lick with the towns crazy cast of characters all making an appearance, even Letty Silverthorne!
Dean completely stole my heart in Any Given Christmas. How can you not fall for a guy who loves his mother as much as Dean loved Letty, and says that she is his "best friend". SERIOUSLY?? Emma didn't even stand a chance!
"You love me, Emma."
"Maybe so." Her eyes met his and held steady. "But I'll endure it. I've survived worse."
I am so glad that Emma finally found her Mr. Perfect. I really liked Emma from Second Chance, but just not for Matt...um....if anyone gets him aside from Kate, its me......Sorry, back to the book. Emma was sweet, funny and she really just wanted a "nice" guy to settle down with, who would love her and still hold her hand even when her boobs were droopy.... haha.....Isn't that what we all want?
Dean and Emma's chemistry sparked off the pages from their first meeting. And the Hot Springs....WHAT A WAY TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR!! I loved the watching Dean finally, truly Fall for someone.
By the time the plane had lifted from the runway, he knew by the intense grip on his heart he hadn't forgotten something. He'd forgotten someone.
I had so much fun hanging out with the folks of Deer Lick, well... all but Fawn Derick, she could stand to be taken down a notch....but like Emma, I'm a lady...and us ladies don't throw down...hehe.
Can't believe I have to wait until next year to read about Serious Kelly and the super sexy Deputy Harley! They had some smokin chemistry of their own in Any Given.....I can only imagine what we will be getting when those two come together!!
Candis will be coming by on December 6th to celebrate the Paperback release of Any Given Christmas. I will be giving away copies of Second Chance and Any Given Christmas to TWO lucky winners, so remember to stop over and leave a comment!!
Also, Giving Away a copy of Any Given Christmas on Goodreads.....Check out Goodreads and enter to win!!
November 22, 2016
I read my first Candis Terry book, Second Chance at the Sugar Shack (which is also the first in this series), earlier this year and enjoyed it so much that I went out and downloaded ALL of her other novels. Of course, with my out-of-control TBR, it took me months to get to the second installment.
Terry keeps it in the family as she now focuses on Kate's older brother. Some things remain the same--the same small town, the same bakery, and--of course--the same ghost of a mother in the backseat. But, Dean and Emma's story almost seemed more sweet to me. Part of that is I think that both characters were well-realized.
Dean is a NFL Quarterback and, well, I'm sold. It's true...I like football romances. Emma is a small town kindergarten teacher who has a secret, a sweet cat, goal and--best of all--IS A PACKERS FAN! Folks, this book could have failed on every level other than having a quarterback and a Packers fan, and I'd still be all over it.
Now, that aside, I did feel that this was a well-balanced romance. So often, you get the story from either just the hero or, more often, heroine but, here the story is equally focused on both. However, it doesn't merge the Emma and Dean together too much. Hey each have their own stories and their own struggles and Terry does both of them justice.
Terry's voice is just as readable as in the first novel. This book is a little steamier, but it isn't tawdry (something that I appreciate after some of the other romances I've read recently). More importantly, the emotional component is emphasized over the physical one. I find that equation to be necessary for a truly successful romance.
I will say that I do think that this book needs to be read in sequence with the series. It's not that the plot is especially tied to the earlier book, but there are elements of the story that would seem out of left field without the background found in Second Chance at the Sugar Shack. Also, this book isn't as "Christmassy" as it might seem. Most holiday romances tend to end in a romantic Christmas celebration whereas, with this book, Christmas is just something that happens about halfway through. I say that only to reassure anyone who would like to read this in the middle of the summer (as I did) that it won't seem out of time.
This book was a delight to read and I would highly recommend it to any romance fan, at any time of the year. I can't wait to see what happens in the third and final installment of this series!
Terry keeps it in the family as she now focuses on Kate's older brother. Some things remain the same--the same small town, the same bakery, and--of course--the same ghost of a mother in the backseat. But, Dean and Emma's story almost seemed more sweet to me. Part of that is I think that both characters were well-realized.
Dean is a NFL Quarterback and, well, I'm sold. It's true...I like football romances. Emma is a small town kindergarten teacher who has a secret, a sweet cat, goal and--best of all--IS A PACKERS FAN! Folks, this book could have failed on every level other than having a quarterback and a Packers fan, and I'd still be all over it.
Now, that aside, I did feel that this was a well-balanced romance. So often, you get the story from either just the hero or, more often, heroine but, here the story is equally focused on both. However, it doesn't merge the Emma and Dean together too much. Hey each have their own stories and their own struggles and Terry does both of them justice.
Terry's voice is just as readable as in the first novel. This book is a little steamier, but it isn't tawdry (something that I appreciate after some of the other romances I've read recently). More importantly, the emotional component is emphasized over the physical one. I find that equation to be necessary for a truly successful romance.
I will say that I do think that this book needs to be read in sequence with the series. It's not that the plot is especially tied to the earlier book, but there are elements of the story that would seem out of left field without the background found in Second Chance at the Sugar Shack. Also, this book isn't as "Christmassy" as it might seem. Most holiday romances tend to end in a romantic Christmas celebration whereas, with this book, Christmas is just something that happens about halfway through. I say that only to reassure anyone who would like to read this in the middle of the summer (as I did) that it won't seem out of time.
This book was a delight to read and I would highly recommend it to any romance fan, at any time of the year. I can't wait to see what happens in the third and final installment of this series!
November 22, 2011
Any Given Christmas is the second 'Sugar Shack' novel by Candis Terry and just as sweet as the first. With Kate Silverthorne happily married the author turns her attention to Kate's older brother, NFL Quarterback, Dean. He is home in Deer Lick for Christmas, sidelined from the game he loves due to a nasty shoulder injury but planning to get back on the football field just as soon as he heals. His enforced rest period is enlivened when he meets kindergarten teacher Emma, who is unusually resistant to his many charms. Despite Emma's disdain, Dean is intrigued by the woman and determined to win her over, encouraged by his dearly departed mother who continues to have a presence in the lives of her children despite being, well, dead.
I enjoyed this romance that has quite a bit of heat as well as a charming courtship. The pairing of seeming opposites - celebrity playboy, footballer Dean and straight-laced school teacher Emma - is a common trope but Terry ensures her protagonists are well rounded personalities. I enjoyed learning more about the characters as they opened up to one another about their pasts as well as their dreams for the future. Of course the relationship has it's missteps and fumbles but eventually things work out with a satisfying happily ever after.
Despite the title this isn't a Christmas themed romance but it does have a little seasonal flavour and is sure to leave you in a cheery mood. Any Given Christmas can be read as a stand alone but is a sweet follow up to Second Chance at the Sugar Shack. Be quick and grab this title for free in electronic format at Amazon
I enjoyed this romance that has quite a bit of heat as well as a charming courtship. The pairing of seeming opposites - celebrity playboy, footballer Dean and straight-laced school teacher Emma - is a common trope but Terry ensures her protagonists are well rounded personalities. I enjoyed learning more about the characters as they opened up to one another about their pasts as well as their dreams for the future. Of course the relationship has it's missteps and fumbles but eventually things work out with a satisfying happily ever after.
Despite the title this isn't a Christmas themed romance but it does have a little seasonal flavour and is sure to leave you in a cheery mood. Any Given Christmas can be read as a stand alone but is a sweet follow up to Second Chance at the Sugar Shack. Be quick and grab this title for free in electronic format at Amazon
February 23, 2017
Emma Hart is a kindergarten teacher at the Deer Lick elementary school. She spends her days teaching the newest generation and her nights studying for her Master's Degree in special education. She lives alone but, has a dream of one day having her own family and HEA with Mr. Right. In walks Dean Silverthorne, Mr. Perfect. He's is most definitely not her Mr. Right, or is he? He's an NFL player and the starting QB for the Texas Stallions. He's sexy, cocky and dangerous to more than just her heart.
Dean Silverthorne has reinjured his arm and, after having his third surgery, is forced in to an early end to his season. Sick of sitting around his Houston high-rise apartment he returns home to Deer Lick, Montana to get some much needed R&R and hopefully find some distraction from the failure haunting him. His entire revolves around football and his career. He doesn't believe in love or marriage so, he only dates woman who want no commitment, no marriage and definitely no kids. After running into the sassy kindergarten teacher at his sister's wedding, who informed him he's a coward who is only interested in how many willing bodies he can bring to his bed, he hasn't been able to forget her. At first, she seems like the perfect distraction from his troubles but, she soon becomes much more to him.
With the guiding hand of a mother's love and a little time, will these two be able to open up to the possibilities of forever and true love, or will they keep running from what their hearts truly desire?
I love this series. I have 1 more book to read then I'm all done. 5*s to Candis, Any Given Christmas, and the Sugar Shack series!
Dean Silverthorne has reinjured his arm and, after having his third surgery, is forced in to an early end to his season. Sick of sitting around his Houston high-rise apartment he returns home to Deer Lick, Montana to get some much needed R&R and hopefully find some distraction from the failure haunting him. His entire revolves around football and his career. He doesn't believe in love or marriage so, he only dates woman who want no commitment, no marriage and definitely no kids. After running into the sassy kindergarten teacher at his sister's wedding, who informed him he's a coward who is only interested in how many willing bodies he can bring to his bed, he hasn't been able to forget her. At first, she seems like the perfect distraction from his troubles but, she soon becomes much more to him.
With the guiding hand of a mother's love and a little time, will these two be able to open up to the possibilities of forever and true love, or will they keep running from what their hearts truly desire?
I love this series. I have 1 more book to read then I'm all done. 5*s to Candis, Any Given Christmas, and the Sugar Shack series!
September 23, 2012
Wow, once in a great while I have the privilege of reading that rare can't-put-it-down book. This is one of those books.
Candis Terry is a completely new author to me. I stumbled upon her via an email from Avon announcing some 99-cent books. I noticed the kitten sitting on a football and bought it immediately. I never expected it to be anything special, but I'd just finished a book and was in the mood for a sports romance. Boy, was I in for a treat with this book.
First of all, I read some reviews for this book in which the readers were disappointed as the title of the book gives you the impression it's a Christmas romance. It isn't. In fact, only the first part of the book takes place over the holidays. The title is unfortunate because this author received some undeserved poor reviews because of the misleading title.
I didn't care about that. Not one bit because she hooked me in the first chapter, and I never looked back. In fact, thanks to Ms. Terry I didn't get any writing done yesterday because I couldn't drag myself away from this book.
I fell in love with Dean, the hero, in the first chapter and never stopped loving him. He was a real person, multi-dimensional, and the type of hero any writer would be proud to have created. An added bonus is that Ms. Terry knows her football.
The heroine, Emma, was just as deep and enjoyable.
I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book. And Ms. Terry is now on my auto-buy list. I'm heading to Amazon right now to buy the other books in this series.
Candis Terry is a completely new author to me. I stumbled upon her via an email from Avon announcing some 99-cent books. I noticed the kitten sitting on a football and bought it immediately. I never expected it to be anything special, but I'd just finished a book and was in the mood for a sports romance. Boy, was I in for a treat with this book.
First of all, I read some reviews for this book in which the readers were disappointed as the title of the book gives you the impression it's a Christmas romance. It isn't. In fact, only the first part of the book takes place over the holidays. The title is unfortunate because this author received some undeserved poor reviews because of the misleading title.
I didn't care about that. Not one bit because she hooked me in the first chapter, and I never looked back. In fact, thanks to Ms. Terry I didn't get any writing done yesterday because I couldn't drag myself away from this book.
I fell in love with Dean, the hero, in the first chapter and never stopped loving him. He was a real person, multi-dimensional, and the type of hero any writer would be proud to have created. An added bonus is that Ms. Terry knows her football.
The heroine, Emma, was just as deep and enjoyable.
I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book. And Ms. Terry is now on my auto-buy list. I'm heading to Amazon right now to buy the other books in this series.
December 8, 2015
This was a light, cute read. I thought the heroine, Emma, just got a little whiney and annoying by the end of the book. She is always concerned about how the small-town views her because her mother was known for "getting around" in their town. Emma was raised by her grandmother who now has dementia. I was very disappointed that we didn't get more scenes with her grandmother. Dean at one point asks to meet her, which he never does in this book. Emma is also very afraid of being "forgettable." She's afraid that since Dean is this celebrity who can have any woman he wants, that he will just trade her in for something better (and more plastic). I kind of wanted to tell her to get over it and move on. Of course I loved Dean because he was a NFL quarterback (gotta love my football players ;)).
This is the second book in the Sugar Shack series, but I was just looking for a Christmas book for this time of year so I didn't read the first. You definitely can read this book as a stand-alone. I never was confused about previous relationships, etc.
This book also had my mouth watering. Dean's sister owns a bakery. They kept talking about scones, muffins, and cheesecakes. I wanted a slice of the cheesecake right along with the characters!
This book was also a little different in that fact that Dean's dead mother pops up every once in awhile to talk to him.
Not the best of Candis Terry's books that I've read, but it was cute and Christmassy which is all I really want this time of year.
This is the second book in the Sugar Shack series, but I was just looking for a Christmas book for this time of year so I didn't read the first. You definitely can read this book as a stand-alone. I never was confused about previous relationships, etc.
This book also had my mouth watering. Dean's sister owns a bakery. They kept talking about scones, muffins, and cheesecakes. I wanted a slice of the cheesecake right along with the characters!
This book was also a little different in that fact that Dean's dead mother pops up every once in awhile to talk to him.
Not the best of Candis Terry's books that I've read, but it was cute and Christmassy which is all I really want this time of year.
November 23, 2011
Dean Silverthorne has come home. Not that he really wanted to, but because his sister, Kate, is getting married and he made her a promise. But all Dean wants to do is get back to his life, his football life. At Kate’s wedding, Dean meets Emma Hart, a woman who appears to be immune to his playboy charms. Emma's scorn intrigues Dean and he is even more determined to win her over,
Emma Hart is a woman who was devastatingly hurt by a thoughtless womanizer. She is resolved to never let that happen to her again. But despite her resolve, Dean is an enigma to her and despite all that has been written about him she is attracted to him.
Any Given Christmas is a wonderfully engaging and charming romance. It is a modern interpretation on the classic opposite attracts storyline, but is kept fresh but the modern characters and plot. Dean is the classic celebrity football quarterback whose playboy status has as large as George Clooney’s but is it really who he is. Emma is a bit straight-laced, teaches kindergarten and sits home on a Friday night with her cat XXX, but is that really who she is.
Together Dean and Emma discover not only each other but learn to trust each other enough to open up their pasts and reveal their innermost selves to each other. There are some false starts and fumbles along the way from Dean and Emma, but in the end their relationship is a touchdown.
I give Any Given Christmas 4 flowers with a sensuality factor of 3-1/2 flames.
Emma Hart is a woman who was devastatingly hurt by a thoughtless womanizer. She is resolved to never let that happen to her again. But despite her resolve, Dean is an enigma to her and despite all that has been written about him she is attracted to him.
Any Given Christmas is a wonderfully engaging and charming romance. It is a modern interpretation on the classic opposite attracts storyline, but is kept fresh but the modern characters and plot. Dean is the classic celebrity football quarterback whose playboy status has as large as George Clooney’s but is it really who he is. Emma is a bit straight-laced, teaches kindergarten and sits home on a Friday night with her cat XXX, but is that really who she is.
Together Dean and Emma discover not only each other but learn to trust each other enough to open up their pasts and reveal their innermost selves to each other. There are some false starts and fumbles along the way from Dean and Emma, but in the end their relationship is a touchdown.
I give Any Given Christmas 4 flowers with a sensuality factor of 3-1/2 flames.
June 6, 2012
In this novel we learn what happens to the second Silverthorne sibling, Dean and how he finds his happily-ever-after.
This was a different look into the Silverthorne family and just slightly less perfect than Second Chance at the Sugar Shack: A Sugar Shack Novel. While Dean has to overcome his worst nightmare and the author does that quite well, the romance just didn't seem to have the same heat as in the first novel nor did the relationship seem to have that same sense of urgency as in the first novel. There was much less conflict between Dean and Emma,and what conflict there was made Emma look a bit like a *itch. Thankfully the author does pull it all together in the last 25% of this novel.
Dean comes home for Christmas and to recover from an injury sustained while playing his beloved football. While home, Dean finds that he is attracted to an unlikely female - Emma Hart, a very private person, a Kindergarten teacher who has a soft spot for a child with Autism.
With Dean's ghostly Mom still in the picture, giving her somewhat cryptic advice and adding some comic relief, this was a charming novel that will give you several hours of fun with perhaps a half hour of tears!
Somebody Like You: A Sugar Shack Novel will be the story of Kelly and will be released on the 19th of June.
This was a different look into the Silverthorne family and just slightly less perfect than Second Chance at the Sugar Shack: A Sugar Shack Novel. While Dean has to overcome his worst nightmare and the author does that quite well, the romance just didn't seem to have the same heat as in the first novel nor did the relationship seem to have that same sense of urgency as in the first novel. There was much less conflict between Dean and Emma,and what conflict there was made Emma look a bit like a *itch. Thankfully the author does pull it all together in the last 25% of this novel.
Dean comes home for Christmas and to recover from an injury sustained while playing his beloved football. While home, Dean finds that he is attracted to an unlikely female - Emma Hart, a very private person, a Kindergarten teacher who has a soft spot for a child with Autism.
With Dean's ghostly Mom still in the picture, giving her somewhat cryptic advice and adding some comic relief, this was a charming novel that will give you several hours of fun with perhaps a half hour of tears!
Somebody Like You: A Sugar Shack Novel will be the story of Kelly and will be released on the 19th of June.
January 9, 2012
The second book in this series did not disappoint.
Dean Silverthorne is on the injured list from his famous football career and is wondering how he can live without football since that's what his life is all about; or so he thinks.
His deceased mother plays a small role in the story (I love Letty!) and helps to move Dean in the "right direction".
In comes Emma Hart, a beautiful, sweet, hometown kindergarten teacher with a huge heart. She is looking for Mr. Right, not Mr. Perfect (aka Dean's nickname). She wants to get married, have kids and the whole fairy tale. Dean just wants to get into her pants! Emma tries to push Dean away because she feels he's all wrong for her. She's been hurt very badly in the past and doesnt' want to be used again but who can resist the sexy, charming Dean Silverthorne?
Dean isn't looking for a wife but maybe between his meddling mother and Emma's sweet nature, he may have a change of heart.
In the spirit of Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Rachel Gibson, I give this sophmore read a standing ovation.
Dean Silverthorne is on the injured list from his famous football career and is wondering how he can live without football since that's what his life is all about; or so he thinks.
His deceased mother plays a small role in the story (I love Letty!) and helps to move Dean in the "right direction".
In comes Emma Hart, a beautiful, sweet, hometown kindergarten teacher with a huge heart. She is looking for Mr. Right, not Mr. Perfect (aka Dean's nickname). She wants to get married, have kids and the whole fairy tale. Dean just wants to get into her pants! Emma tries to push Dean away because she feels he's all wrong for her. She's been hurt very badly in the past and doesnt' want to be used again but who can resist the sexy, charming Dean Silverthorne?
Dean isn't looking for a wife but maybe between his meddling mother and Emma's sweet nature, he may have a change of heart.
In the spirit of Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Rachel Gibson, I give this sophmore read a standing ovation.
December 30, 2012
I will admit right upfront--I got this book free on my Kindle and was under the (mistaken) impression that it was a novella set at Christmas time. I love stories set at Christmas time, and am willing to read just about any genre that is set then.
Having put that out there--this is a very light read--beach type--that only STARTS at Christmas and then moves very quickly from there. Its a romance, one where the hero's Mum comes back as a ghost (in her 20 year old Buick) in order to "set her kids straight" and get them to fall in love and get married.
Appearantly, this is also book 2 in a trilogy, but I don't think I'm going to buy the other two. Maybe if they are offered free by Amazon, I'll get them, but, well, I just wasn't that interested in the whole series, ya know?
Having put that out there--this is a very light read--beach type--that only STARTS at Christmas and then moves very quickly from there. Its a romance, one where the hero's Mum comes back as a ghost (in her 20 year old Buick) in order to "set her kids straight" and get them to fall in love and get married.
Appearantly, this is also book 2 in a trilogy, but I don't think I'm going to buy the other two. Maybe if they are offered free by Amazon, I'll get them, but, well, I just wasn't that interested in the whole series, ya know?
April 30, 2014
Touchdown and They Score
While it sometimes takes time to figure out your priorities in life most of us figure it out, that's what Dean needs to do now that life may not be what it used to be. Emma needs to figure out that she is important to Dean and she can believe him. They stumble through things but hopefully they will figure it out.
Once again Candis Terry weaves together a great story of self discovery and working through the uncertainty of a new relationship. Not everything goes smoothly but then how much in life really does go smoothly. I have not been reading Candis's books for long but she has quickly been added to my favorite authors list. I have read the first two books of this series in the last 24 hrs, once I started each one I just couldn't put it down.
While it sometimes takes time to figure out your priorities in life most of us figure it out, that's what Dean needs to do now that life may not be what it used to be. Emma needs to figure out that she is important to Dean and she can believe him. They stumble through things but hopefully they will figure it out.
Once again Candis Terry weaves together a great story of self discovery and working through the uncertainty of a new relationship. Not everything goes smoothly but then how much in life really does go smoothly. I have not been reading Candis's books for long but she has quickly been added to my favorite authors list. I have read the first two books of this series in the last 24 hrs, once I started each one I just couldn't put it down.
January 8, 2013
While I enjoy reading light romances sometimes, this story was a bit too light for me. The hero is predictable, and the heroine is typically self-protective and withdrawn. Plot elements seem contrived, with small misunderstandings between the two causing major problems. The fact that the girl keeps hopping into bed with the football-playing hero despite her stated dislike for him simply makes her seem pathetic. I did like the dead mom coming back to dispense advice, but again, she appeared only as a plot device and not as a credible character. Interesting premise, but unfortunately it was not developed enough.
January 3, 2014
In this second installment in the Sugar Shack series we get Dean's story of love and loss. I enjoyed Dean's story and loved getting reacquainted with the town and the characters we met in Second Chance at the Sugar Shack. I love Lettie Silverthorne and only wish her 'spirit' made more appearances in this book. She visited Kate much more in the first book, but maybe she needed it more =). I love her lessons and the strong love and affection she has for her children =). Love Ms. Terry's writing and looking forward to reading Kelly's book. Highly recommend to fans of contemporary romance set in small towns with a strong emphasis on family and community.
July 22, 2014
Received this book from the author. Overall I like it because the dialogues between the h and the H is funny. Emma is a kindergarten teacher andd she can't move on about something that happened in the past. Dean is an injured NFL quarterback and a typical guy who thinks love/marriage is not for him. Another thing is that his ghost mom, has the ability appear to give advices to her children.
Although I don't understand why Emma is blaming Dean so much anyways both of them was able overcome their personal issues and it is a HAE. Definitely a fast read and I'm now going to read about Kate and Matt.
Although I don't understand why Emma is blaming Dean so much anyways both of them was able overcome their personal issues and it is a HAE. Definitely a fast read and I'm now going to read about Kate and Matt.
Read
August 12, 2020First read - 3 to 4 September, 2013
4 stars
I clearly skimmed over the blurb because colour me surprised when a ghost popped up 30 pages in. But this was still a great read. It had everything I look for in a romance - sexy, tough alpha with a sensitive side, sexy sex, laughs, a believeable and likeable heroine. Going back to read Kate's story now. Favourite quote? "But please kiss me anyway." (pg. 95) Oh, swoon!
Second read - 12 August, 2020
DNF
This didn't hold up for me on a second read. I couldn't look past the busy plot and the ghost Mum character. DNF and unhauled.
4 stars
I clearly skimmed over the blurb because colour me surprised when a ghost popped up 30 pages in. But this was still a great read. It had everything I look for in a romance - sexy, tough alpha with a sensitive side, sexy sex, laughs, a believeable and likeable heroine. Going back to read Kate's story now. Favourite quote? "But please kiss me anyway." (pg. 95) Oh, swoon!
Second read - 12 August, 2020
DNF
This didn't hold up for me on a second read. I couldn't look past the busy plot and the ghost Mum character. DNF and unhauled.
December 31, 2011
Sexy , romantic scenes is all I can remember and that he ends up with the girl in the end . Actually that cat on the cover is quite fitting as I recall he got her a kitten for christmas and she called it 'lucky' because it is how she felt . Awwww . sorry if this isn't the story. Which book was I thinking about anyway ?
I lost my review that I was working so hard on , but I think it's good enough to reread.
I lost my review that I was working so hard on , but I think it's good enough to reread.
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