Mistletoe Marriage

by Vanessa Vale

Julia Belmont dreams of being married, but she never thought it would take place in a jail to the man she hates. But being forced to the altar through trickery doesn’t diminish her feelings for the man who truly has her heart. When Garrett Rivers discovers the woman he loves has married a dangerous criminal, he is determined to save her. But can he heal Julia’s heart and awaken her deepest passion now that they’re back together?

Mistletoe Marriage is a steamy 12k novella that was previously published in the anthology Unwrapped.

Genres: Christmas, Romance

53 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 8, 2015

About the author

A USA Today bestseller, Vanessa Vale has written over 100 cowboy and small town romances. She lives in the American West where she's always finding inspiration for her next story.

You can find out more about Vanessa at VanessaValeAuthor.com

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected more from this book. I wanted it to be more like her Bridgewater series. This one lacked the story and the friendships. Most of their relationship was told in flashbacks. The bad guy popped up and was gone too quick.

[*CJ* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short, hot read of the courtship and marriage of Julia and Garett, filled with an evil villain, and a HEA.
I wish this book would have been longer, because it felt incomplete to me (though I know it's supposed to be a short story)
Also I wish for epilogues in such books.
Anyways, good sex scenes (as usual) and some VW dirtiness.
Safe read
3/5

[Scholastic Squid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although it is close to 80 degrees, I decided to read a holiday romance which turned out wasn’t as Christmas-y as the title suggests. There are hints of discussion on snow, a Christmas mass, and kissing beneath the mistletoe but that’s about it. The rest of the novel focuses on Julia and Garrett, and Simpson.
After Garrett heads out to visit his sister for the holidays, Simpson starts spreading rumors about Julia’s virtue and how Garrett tarnished it. Julia gets kicked out of the position of school mistress as Simpsons’ sister takes the role. Leaving Julia without a home, job, and little money in the dead of winter.
Simpson plans to “save” Julia by taking her as his own regardless of her virtue because as he says he is a generous man. While he plots this out, Julia finds the real plan is to one up Garrett by taking something he (Garrett) wanted and making it his (Simpson).
Garrett, however, returns early in hopes to ask Julia for her hand in marriage and learns what is happening…
Quick read, well written, and the story made enough sense to keep it rolling.
Spice: 🌶 🌶 🌶

[Izzie d · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very short. I was confused as to which time period this book was set in.

[Jamie Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

I really enjoyed this good short spicy story. It was well written. It had strong characters with just the right amount of spice.

[Donna Rutledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about Garrett and Julia. Julia is forced to marry Mr. Simon, a man she detests. He gets her by starting a rumor about her and Garrett. He says that Garrett used her and then left her. She loses her job as a schoolteacher because of Mr. Simon. She's in jail when he marries her.

Garrett comes back with a bounty hunter looking for Mr. Simon but he's too late to save Julia from the marriage.

[Jean Matlock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short story…recommend

[Shelly Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me first say, I love anything that Vanessa Vale writes. And this short story was no different. Ms. Vale knows how to bring the drama and especially the heat!! whooo hoooo!

[Cindy Caron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spectacular, erotic tale from the wild west, this book will have you rethinking what really happened back then. The author has taken the mild and converted it to wild with this well written story. When Julie sent off her beau to visit with his sister and her new born child for the holidays, she never could have imagined what was about to happen to her. On a chance meeting with a bounty hunter while on route to visit his sister, Garrett decides to take no chances and volunteers to guide him to his worst enemy's door. But what he finds there just may be his undoing. A great short bedtime story.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily giving my honest opinion.

[Becky Rendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dastardly villain with nefarious plans...check
Hero unaware of evil plans...check
Poor maiden...check

It was a charming and sexy historical read. The virtuous schoolteacher and the man who courts her are both smitten. The evil villian launches a plan that leaves the maiden without hope or recourse. Will the hero be able to save her?

This would make a naughty radio series...Sorry stuck in old world ways. Enough of me though, this was some naughty fun. It's a quick hit that will keep you entertained.

[**Elle**Bee**Double U** · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this book during a freebie event going on, and I have to admit I'm glad I did.
Even for .99 cents, I would still feel disappointed about spending that on this novella.
When I first started this book, I was so confused! I've looked to see if maybe this was just a prelude to another couple this author might have written but haven't found anything. We pretty much start right in the middle of the story, know nothing of the characters, and have a virgin widow who was used for a revenge plot (AND WE HAVE NO IDEA WHY THESE 2 GUYS HATED EACH OTHER!)

[Irisdiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baby, it might be cold outside but this HOT HOT HOT! Love the thought of a Christmas time wedding and all the drama around this one is amazing. So grab some eggnog or hot chocolate and your snuggie and settle in for a hot winter read!

[Alejandra RL · Rating 2 out of 5]

Relato largo ambientado en el viejo oeste durante las fiestas decembrinas. Sirve como carta de presentación para conocer a la autora.

A pesar de que no es lo más original del mundo, es bastante entretenido. La trama es algo así como "I need a hero" de Bonnie Tyler, con su buena dosis de erotismo.