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The Seduction Series #3
A Christmas Seduction
Her first real Christmas
Her first real cowboy…
Journalist Jolie Duval has escaped her killjoy family in order to enjoy a real down-home Christmas in Montana. Hello to mountains, snow, carols, delicious cookies and…whoa, one seriously hot hunk of a cowboy. Since Jo's experiencing the whole Christmas fantasy anyway, why can't she have a red-hot holiday fling? Thank you, Santa.
Thaddeus Knight is definitely the best gift Jo has ever unwrapped. Their sexual chemistry is more intense than anything she's ever experienced. This cowboy knows when to be a gentleman—and when not to be a gentleman. But then Jo stumbles upon Thad's troubled past and his deep, dark secret. Is this man the love of her life…or the subject of the biggest story of her career?
Her first real cowboy…
Journalist Jolie Duval has escaped her killjoy family in order to enjoy a real down-home Christmas in Montana. Hello to mountains, snow, carols, delicious cookies and…whoa, one seriously hot hunk of a cowboy. Since Jo's experiencing the whole Christmas fantasy anyway, why can't she have a red-hot holiday fling? Thank you, Santa.
Thaddeus Knight is definitely the best gift Jo has ever unwrapped. Their sexual chemistry is more intense than anything she's ever experienced. This cowboy knows when to be a gentleman—and when not to be a gentleman. But then Jo stumbles upon Thad's troubled past and his deep, dark secret. Is this man the love of her life…or the subject of the biggest story of her career?
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 22, 2016
6 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Daire St. Denis
51 books113 followersContemporary romance author, adventure seeker, seasonal hermit and wine lover...
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
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December 21, 2016Gave up at 20%.
A hero who jumps to conclusions about the heroine because she wears designer clothes and doesn't like it when his ill-trained, ill-mannered dogs jump all over her (she's frightened of dogs, having been bitten by one as a child - but, you know, those city slickers are SO unreasonable!). A heroine who gets naked in a not-private hot tub at a ranch-slash-B&B when she forgot her swimsuit (well, golly - how else is the hero supposed to be attracted to her if he doesn't catch her naked?) and who isn't spending the holidays with her family because her parents are *gasp* atheists!
Did not finish.
A hero who jumps to conclusions about the heroine because she wears designer clothes and doesn't like it when his ill-trained, ill-mannered dogs jump all over her (she's frightened of dogs, having been bitten by one as a child - but, you know, those city slickers are SO unreasonable!). A heroine who gets naked in a not-private hot tub at a ranch-slash-B&B when she forgot her swimsuit (well, golly - how else is the hero supposed to be attracted to her if he doesn't catch her naked?) and who isn't spending the holidays with her family because her parents are *gasp* atheists!
Did not finish.
November 27, 2016
This was a great romance to get me in the mood for the holidays. Jo has never celebrated Christmas and yet she longs for the traditional activities that she has seen others participate in. So when she has an opportunity to write an article for a travel magazine at an idyllic holiday resort, she jumps at the chance. She gets not only a great Christmas experience but an added bonus with one of the ranch hands, Thad. This was a fun romance with a hint of intrigue with Thad's mysterious past and a couple of Mafia guys thrown into the mix. A perfect holiday read.
December 22, 2016
This is the first novel I've read by this author and it was quite a surprise. I'm giving it 4.5 stars.
When you're reading a novel in the Harlequin Blaze line, you expect that it's going to be a quick, hot read. When "Christmas" is in the title, you also expect it to be somewhat sweet and heartwarming. What you don't expect is this novel, which starts out with travel writer, Jolie (Jo) Duval, heading off to spend her snowy Christmas vacation among strangers at the Silver Tree Guest Ranch while writing an article about the place for Travel America Magazine, but that's not the only reason she isn't spending that time with her family. She considers herself the black sheep of her family since it's peopled with overachievers and she's merely a freelance writer producing puff pieces rather than important breaking news stories. Also, her family isn't into celebrating the holidays--her mother won't even use the word "Christmas" and Jo has always dreamed of a Norman Rockwell white Christmas with a gaily decorated tree, stockings hung on the mantle, and people singing carols around the fireplace, and that's what she's hoping her Christmas will be at the ranch.
Well, Christmas at the ranch is all that and more, especially after she meets Thad Knight, who works as a hand at the ranch. He's tall, gorgeous, sexy, and has a distinct Southern drawl, and the two are attracted to one another from the start. Gloria and Dillon own the guest ranch, and Gloria warns Thad not to get involved with Jo, and warns Jo that Thad is a player--not that the warning is heeded by either of them. By this point in the novel, I could see the story slipping into the expected hot vacation sex with a relative stranger and a HEA ending, but was I ever wrong.
Instead, the reader and Jo soon learn that Thad isn't who he purports to be, we learn why he doesn't want to be in any of the photos Jo has been taking to accompany her article and when he sneaks off in the middle of the night without a word to anyone we get a whole lot more than a sweet holiday romance. Intrigued yet? So was I, and I couldn't put this novel down until I finished it at 3:00 a.m., and I've a strong feeling you won't be able to put it down either. I think I've just found another author whose backlist I'll soon be reading.
When you're reading a novel in the Harlequin Blaze line, you expect that it's going to be a quick, hot read. When "Christmas" is in the title, you also expect it to be somewhat sweet and heartwarming. What you don't expect is this novel, which starts out with travel writer, Jolie (Jo) Duval, heading off to spend her snowy Christmas vacation among strangers at the Silver Tree Guest Ranch while writing an article about the place for Travel America Magazine, but that's not the only reason she isn't spending that time with her family. She considers herself the black sheep of her family since it's peopled with overachievers and she's merely a freelance writer producing puff pieces rather than important breaking news stories. Also, her family isn't into celebrating the holidays--her mother won't even use the word "Christmas" and Jo has always dreamed of a Norman Rockwell white Christmas with a gaily decorated tree, stockings hung on the mantle, and people singing carols around the fireplace, and that's what she's hoping her Christmas will be at the ranch.
Well, Christmas at the ranch is all that and more, especially after she meets Thad Knight, who works as a hand at the ranch. He's tall, gorgeous, sexy, and has a distinct Southern drawl, and the two are attracted to one another from the start. Gloria and Dillon own the guest ranch, and Gloria warns Thad not to get involved with Jo, and warns Jo that Thad is a player--not that the warning is heeded by either of them. By this point in the novel, I could see the story slipping into the expected hot vacation sex with a relative stranger and a HEA ending, but was I ever wrong.
Instead, the reader and Jo soon learn that Thad isn't who he purports to be, we learn why he doesn't want to be in any of the photos Jo has been taking to accompany her article and when he sneaks off in the middle of the night without a word to anyone we get a whole lot more than a sweet holiday romance. Intrigued yet? So was I, and I couldn't put this novel down until I finished it at 3:00 a.m., and I've a strong feeling you won't be able to put it down either. I think I've just found another author whose backlist I'll soon be reading.
February 9, 2021
*spoilers to follow*
First of all, I don't think this is how federal investigations work. Like? "Oh we let the world think you were guilty for ELEVEN FUCKING YEARS because otherwise the real bad guys might get spooked". Um??? Am I supposed to believe that the ~Prime Crime Guys~ of sultry New Orleans (or Atlantic City, depending on which continuity error you subscribe to) have committed no crimes for which they could be prosecuted in the past eleven years? Like these mafiosos did some light cop murdering and then said, "Fellas, we should stop with the crime for now because -- even though we are widely known to be Bad Dudes -- we don't want to look *suspicious*". What??? That makes no sense at all. Also. How would a 21 year old kid from New Orleans have the ability to evade the FBI for eleven years? Did he have a fake SSN to use for payroll? Was he being paid under the table at the ranch this whole time? I am well aware that this is not the main point, but I would really love some clarification.
Second, I am so fucking tired of the "city girl" trope. I am a city girl, most of my friends are city girls, none of us own designer clothes and bags. All of us know that we need to wear sensible boots when going to RURAL MONTANA. Like? Jolie isn't a city girl she is just DUMB.
OH MY GOD, Third, who the fuck asks, immediately after sex, "So how did your parents die? Since they are OBVIOUSLY DEAD". Like What?? He never established that they were dead and, even if he had, that's a suuuuuuuuuuper weird question to ask right after sex. Fucking hell, THAD.
The plot of this book was very disjointed, it honestly felt like two separate books. Part 1: Jolie Discovers A Norman Rockwell Christmas Away From Her Anal Doctor Family. Part 2: Thaddeus Hard Abs And The Flight From Bad Billy Mafia. There was almost no crossover in plot between these two sections and it was a very rough transition. I don't know what I wanted: clear plotting? A uniform storyline? Was that truly too much to ask?
To complete this review of a hellish book, I will include some of the annotations I made in the margin while reading. Enjoy or whatever.
1. Who takes photos of parking?
2. Thad is a terrible name.
3. They should really not be putting two people on a horse??? That's so dangerous for the poor horse!!
4. "Thad gave her a moment to rant about the unruliness of male sexual desire" lmao
5. "That little devil that lived beneath his skin rubbed its hands together at the thought of tormenting this woman" WHAT
6. "This was supposed to be a family vacation destination, not a hedonism resort"
7. How does a cigar represent a baby
8. A GIGOLO
9. I think the city of New Orleans has grounds to sue.
In conclusion: This book was not good, don't read it. He's not even really a cowboy because there weren't any cows.
First of all, I don't think this is how federal investigations work. Like? "Oh we let the world think you were guilty for ELEVEN FUCKING YEARS because otherwise the real bad guys might get spooked". Um??? Am I supposed to believe that the ~Prime Crime Guys~ of sultry New Orleans (or Atlantic City, depending on which continuity error you subscribe to) have committed no crimes for which they could be prosecuted in the past eleven years? Like these mafiosos did some light cop murdering and then said, "Fellas, we should stop with the crime for now because -- even though we are widely known to be Bad Dudes -- we don't want to look *suspicious*". What??? That makes no sense at all. Also. How would a 21 year old kid from New Orleans have the ability to evade the FBI for eleven years? Did he have a fake SSN to use for payroll? Was he being paid under the table at the ranch this whole time? I am well aware that this is not the main point, but I would really love some clarification.
Second, I am so fucking tired of the "city girl" trope. I am a city girl, most of my friends are city girls, none of us own designer clothes and bags. All of us know that we need to wear sensible boots when going to RURAL MONTANA. Like? Jolie isn't a city girl she is just DUMB.
OH MY GOD, Third, who the fuck asks, immediately after sex, "So how did your parents die? Since they are OBVIOUSLY DEAD". Like What?? He never established that they were dead and, even if he had, that's a suuuuuuuuuuper weird question to ask right after sex. Fucking hell, THAD.
The plot of this book was very disjointed, it honestly felt like two separate books. Part 1: Jolie Discovers A Norman Rockwell Christmas Away From Her Anal Doctor Family. Part 2: Thaddeus Hard Abs And The Flight From Bad Billy Mafia. There was almost no crossover in plot between these two sections and it was a very rough transition. I don't know what I wanted: clear plotting? A uniform storyline? Was that truly too much to ask?
To complete this review of a hellish book, I will include some of the annotations I made in the margin while reading. Enjoy or whatever.
1. Who takes photos of parking?
2. Thad is a terrible name.
3. They should really not be putting two people on a horse??? That's so dangerous for the poor horse!!
4. "Thad gave her a moment to rant about the unruliness of male sexual desire" lmao
5. "That little devil that lived beneath his skin rubbed its hands together at the thought of tormenting this woman" WHAT
6. "This was supposed to be a family vacation destination, not a hedonism resort"
7. How does a cigar represent a baby
8. A GIGOLO
9. I think the city of New Orleans has grounds to sue.
In conclusion: This book was not good, don't read it. He's not even really a cowboy because there weren't any cows.
December 12, 2016
This is the first book I've read by Daire St. Denis, but it will definitely not be my last. I loved this story so much, I even bought the paperback, lol. Jolie "Jo" Duval is spending Christmas at Silver Tree Guest Ranch in Montana on assignment. This will be her first "real" Christmas celebration. When she arrives, the first person she meets is Thad-Thaddeus Knight and his dogs and she is terrified of dogs. There is more to this story as we find out throughout the book. I loved all the suspense and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see what was going to happen next. What is Thad hiding and why doesn't he want his picture taken? I recommend this book to everyone looking for a fantastic Christmas story. One-click your copy today and fall in love with your next BBF!
October 10, 2017
Jolie goes to a ranch in Montana to get away and celebrate Christmas. Her family does not believe in Christmas and she wants to celebrate the holiday..while there she meets Thad a ranch hand..they fall head over heals from the moment the moment they met..she concocted and wrote stories of things she wanted to to with Thad..she is the to write a story for a travel magazine about the place..Thad is running from his past but when he is with Jolie he forgets about his past...They are close..A great story of trying to make something of yourself and that you can't run from your past
May 1, 2023
If you are looking for a cowboy christmas read set on a ranch during the holiday season this might be your next read.
A kiss, a hot tub, cajun christmas traditions, secrets, and more in this scorchin hot read.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Publishing for this advance reader copy for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
A kiss, a hot tub, cajun christmas traditions, secrets, and more in this scorchin hot read.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Publishing for this advance reader copy for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
January 2, 2018
The heroine has a nice self discovery journey without being whiny, the hero is sweet, and the wrap up of the suspense story line is well done. I would read more by the author
December 12, 2021
cowboys. catholicism. the mafia. idk this book was a crazy rollercoaster and i enjoyed none of it
December 1, 2016
•Fun
Wow! What an amazingly intriguing holiday story that turns into a wild and crazy mystery love story! This happens to be my first Daire St. Denis book, but with this setting and writing style, it surely will NOT be my last. I felt like I was on the ranch along side the characters enjoying the holiday festivities with them. The descriptions of the scenery makes me wish I were there enjoying the snow too. What an awesome chain of events.
Jolie Duval is spending Christmas in Montana at Silver Tree Guest Ranch, to write an article for the magazine she worked for. After dinner she called her mother to tell her she won't be home for the 25th, but instead of telling the truth, that she wanted to know what it was like to really celebrate Christmas. She tells a lie all because her family, as an atheist household they don't celebrate Christmas —a day that honors the birth of someone/something they don't believe in—, she tells them she's investigating a big story about organized crime if she's the first to break it, it's sure to help her career take off. She tells her mother she can't tell them where she's at either. Jolie's motto for this trip is to "try new things everyday". And the sexy ranch hand Thad McKnight is definitely one of them!
Thad is enjoying this Christmas more than he has any others in the 12 years since he left New Orleans (NOLA). But he has to be careful, he had secrets that have to stay hidden. However it's too easy to talk to Jolie and things he hasn't thought about in years start to come out as they begin to get closer. Maybe he should've listened to Gloria (his boss' wife), and stayed away from her. But there's just something about her that he can't stay away from.
There's definite fiery chemistry between Jolie and Thad. To see what happens between them you'll have to read A CHRISTMAS SEDUCTION. Oh but the hilarious banter between these two as well as the mystery that's hidden will keep you on your toes and turn page after page! I received this ARC via the author in exchange for an honest review. Due to sexual content this novel is recommended for readers 18 and older!
December 2, 2016
Merry Christmas Jolie! Jolie was brought up in a family that didn't celebrate the holiday, heck they didn't even say the word Christmas, but the family always got together on December 25th for a nice dinner before her parents ran off to the hospital. But this year Jolie was doing things differently, she was spending the holiday on a Ranch in Montana, under the guise of work Jolie set out to try new things...and boy did she. Thad was the ranch "hand" and he was more than happy to give Jolie a hand with anything she wanted. The chemistry was great and the two were having a lot of fun, that was until Thad's past caught up with him.
This story was a sweet and sexy holiday romance and it definitely got me into the holiday spirit!
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book given to me by the author, this is a completely honest and non-incentivized review**
November 27, 2016
I read this book and it was great. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Thad and Jolie. And even though it's a part of a series, it's a stand alone book so I didn't get lost even though I haven't read the others in the series yet. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone that loves a great romance.
Her first real Christmas
Her first real cowboy…
Journalist Jolie Duval has escaped her killjoy family in order to enjoy a real down-home Christmas in Montana. Hello to mountains, snow, carols, delicious cookies and…whoa, one seriously hot hunk of a cowboy. Since Jo's experiencing the whole Christmas fantasy anyway, why can't she have a red-hot holiday fling? Thank you, Santa.
Thaddeus Knight is definitely the best gift Jo has ever unwrapped. Their sexual chemistry is more intense than anything she's ever experienced. This cowboy knows when to be a gentleman—and when not to be a gentleman. But then Jo stumbles upon Thad's troubled past and his deep, dark secret. Is this man the love of her life…or the subject of the biggest story of her career?
Her first real Christmas
Her first real cowboy…
Journalist Jolie Duval has escaped her killjoy family in order to enjoy a real down-home Christmas in Montana. Hello to mountains, snow, carols, delicious cookies and…whoa, one seriously hot hunk of a cowboy. Since Jo's experiencing the whole Christmas fantasy anyway, why can't she have a red-hot holiday fling? Thank you, Santa.
Thaddeus Knight is definitely the best gift Jo has ever unwrapped. Their sexual chemistry is more intense than anything she's ever experienced. This cowboy knows when to be a gentleman—and when not to be a gentleman. But then Jo stumbles upon Thad's troubled past and his deep, dark secret. Is this man the love of her life…or the subject of the biggest story of her career?
November 29, 2016
I liked that the main characters stepped outside themselves to try new people and new things. However, I did find it odd that a grown woman would find it so hard to celebrate a holiday and needed to justify her celebration. Her pat answer and low self-esteem are a footnote to why Jolie seems so stuck, and I would have liked this bit of backstory were fully fleshed out. Lucky for her, the holiday fling exists. Also fortuitous is the hot ranch hand, Thad. He epitomizes the standard male romantic lead; he’s affable but distant; familiar, but aloof. The rather cookie cutter profiles make it hard to believe that Jolie and Thad can so readily turn over a new leaf, but never underestimate the power of pillow talk and bedroom antics. So, yes, the lovemaking is blaze-worthy.
Flimsy backstory aside, the sex scenes are hot and the romance decent. Is A Christmas Seduction generic and predictable? Yes, but it is a nice quick read if you’re in the mood.
Flimsy backstory aside, the sex scenes are hot and the romance decent. Is A Christmas Seduction generic and predictable? Yes, but it is a nice quick read if you’re in the mood.
December 7, 2016
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book.
Jolie Duval is a journalist, writing travel articles and freelance till she can hit a massive story to make her name as a journalist. She is having her 1st ever Christmas celebrations while staying at Silver Tree guest Ranch, her family don’t believe in Christmas. Thaddeus Knight is a ranch hand at Silver Trees, he has been on the run for 10 years. They have an affair while Jolie is a guest at the ranch, but Thad is not what he seems. Jolie comes across his name on the FBI most wanted list and reports Thad, and Thad disappears. When FBI agents turn up to the ranch, they are not who they seem. Can Jolie clear Thad’s name? Do they get a chance to have a relationship instead of a fling? This book is a romance, with plenty of action in the mix.
Jolie Duval is a journalist, writing travel articles and freelance till she can hit a massive story to make her name as a journalist. She is having her 1st ever Christmas celebrations while staying at Silver Tree guest Ranch, her family don’t believe in Christmas. Thaddeus Knight is a ranch hand at Silver Trees, he has been on the run for 10 years. They have an affair while Jolie is a guest at the ranch, but Thad is not what he seems. Jolie comes across his name on the FBI most wanted list and reports Thad, and Thad disappears. When FBI agents turn up to the ranch, they are not who they seem. Can Jolie clear Thad’s name? Do they get a chance to have a relationship instead of a fling? This book is a romance, with plenty of action in the mix.
November 24, 2016
A wonderfully sexy surprise! My first St. Denis book and I'm craving more. Thad's story is a slight spin-off from the previous book. Not having read it I was never confused, his story is separate and completely standalone. Jolie was raised to not celebrate Christmas so she takes a working holiday and gets more than she dreamed. Thad has a few secrets in his vault but it makes him mysterious and sexy. I was expecting a cowboy romance with a holiday fling but got a romance with a suspenseful twist. Definitely worth reading! My copy was given by the author and I have voluntarily written my review.
December 1, 2016
This is the first book I've read by this author, and I'm excited to read more. The chemistry between Jolie and Thad was great. The story flowed well, too. Not only was there romance, but there was a little suspenseful drama thrown in as well. It is part of a series but is a standalone story. Having not read the others did not leave me feeling lost at all. I like that in a series. I can get familiar with a community and/or group of characters and stay connected a little longer but also read them in any order if there's one I can't get right away.
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. This is my honest review.*
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. This is my honest review.*
October 17, 2016
I bought this with the intention that it would be my entrance into the holiday spirit and I suppose it did just that. I found the characters likeable and believable, the plot was great and well-paced and the romance was sweet. Exactly what I expect from my Harlequins - a pleasant, fast and relaxing romance, a hot cowboy dude, a somewhat socially inept city slicker, Christmas & lust. Mission accomplished!
December 1, 2016
I loved this..it was sweet but then it had a nice kick of heat!
Jo has decided to spend the holidays in Montana on a ranch away from her family. That's were she meets Thad a ranch hand and they hit it off pretty well.
Jo wants to enjoy Christmas because when she was growing up her family didn't celebrate Christmas. Jo wants to try a bunch of different things dealing with Christmas and maybe even have a holiday fling!
Thad has a very big secret from his past....he's a wanted man!!
Jo has decided to spend the holidays in Montana on a ranch away from her family. That's were she meets Thad a ranch hand and they hit it off pretty well.
Jo wants to enjoy Christmas because when she was growing up her family didn't celebrate Christmas. Jo wants to try a bunch of different things dealing with Christmas and maybe even have a holiday fling!
Thad has a very big secret from his past....he's a wanted man!!
November 17, 2016
Another blazing story from Daire St. Denis! Quick read, sexy ranch hand (from Louisiana), kept me interested until the end. I was dying to know about Thad's past! Now I have to go back and read the first one about Gloria. Cannot wait until 2017 to read the next one!
December 13, 2016
Hot, sexy romance with chemistry and great banter between characters, loved it.
January 14, 2017
This was a good book I enjoyed it
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews