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Bullet Catcher #2.5
I'll Be Home for Christmas
A collection of heartwarming holiday stories from today’s stars of passionate romance—Linda Lael Miller, Catherine Mulvany, Julie Leto, and Roxanne St. Claire!
Linda Lael Miller delivers a holiday miracle in the bittersweet tale of a young woman who can’t hide her broken heart—or her past—when she returns to her hometown. But a sexy widower may just help her discover the true meaning of home in “Christmas of the Red Chiefs.”
Catherine Mulvany spins a fairy tale come true in “Once Upon a Christmas.” They flirted as teenagers, but it takes time—and some divine intervention—to bring two star-crossed lovers together at last.
Julie Leto pairs fire and ice in “Meltdown,” the sensual tale of a Cuban-American PR whiz whose job description includes thawing out her CEO boss’s frosty image. Will their sparks torch into flames of passion?
Roxanne St. Claire unwraps the thrills of Christmas in New York, where a female bodyguard toys with a dangerous desire for a mysterious hunk while protecting his young daughter. It’s a risky game with passion as the prize in “You Can Count on Me.”
Linda Lael Miller delivers a holiday miracle in the bittersweet tale of a young woman who can’t hide her broken heart—or her past—when she returns to her hometown. But a sexy widower may just help her discover the true meaning of home in “Christmas of the Red Chiefs.”
Catherine Mulvany spins a fairy tale come true in “Once Upon a Christmas.” They flirted as teenagers, but it takes time—and some divine intervention—to bring two star-crossed lovers together at last.
Julie Leto pairs fire and ice in “Meltdown,” the sensual tale of a Cuban-American PR whiz whose job description includes thawing out her CEO boss’s frosty image. Will their sparks torch into flames of passion?
Roxanne St. Claire unwraps the thrills of Christmas in New York, where a female bodyguard toys with a dangerous desire for a mysterious hunk while protecting his young daughter. It’s a risky game with passion as the prize in “You Can Count on Me.”
421 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 26, 2006
About the author
Linda Lael Miller
548 books3,298 followersThe daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a spacious property outside Spokane.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
March 15, 2017
I only read You Can Count on Me by Roxanne St. Claire
This was a cute, snappy little story involving Lucy Sharpe's assistant, Raquel Durant, who has been training to become a Bullet Catcher. Her first assignment is the protection of the 8-year old daughter of Grigori Nyekovic, a former Russian spy now an investor. She gets swept up in more intrigue when a priceless Fabergé egg in Grigori's custody turns up missing. It's part romp and suspense that escalates quickly. It's short and a perfect story for the very skilled Raquel and her new Russian interest.
This was a cute, snappy little story involving Lucy Sharpe's assistant, Raquel Durant, who has been training to become a Bullet Catcher. Her first assignment is the protection of the 8-year old daughter of Grigori Nyekovic, a former Russian spy now an investor. She gets swept up in more intrigue when a priceless Fabergé egg in Grigori's custody turns up missing. It's part romp and suspense that escalates quickly. It's short and a perfect story for the very skilled Raquel and her new Russian interest.
February 10, 2008
Neat Christmas-themed stories with a feel-good hum that resonated:
1. Christmas of the Red Chiefs by Linda Lael Miller was my favorite. It was also the longest. Nicely written. Set in Bent Tree Creek, California. Joe Courtland was a widowed father of two 8ish twin boys (the red chiefs). He was also the music teacher at the local high school and an active participate in an small, home-run, business that catered to singers (carolers). Sarah Jane Sullivan was the niece of the business owner (Delores) and due to circumstances beyond her control she was forced to move back to the town she went to high school in--with her unhappy 12-year old stepdaughter, Marlie, in tow.
The dynamics between Marlie, Sarah and Delores were fun to read about. The Christmas Song, "O Holy Night" is my favorite! Wonderful story and just goes to show short stories CAN be well-developed, heart-wrenching and absolutely well done. Bravo!
5 Stars (Favorites)
2. Once Upon a Christmas by Catherine Mulvaney was another excellent story featuring young love, rekindled. Hailey Miller was the high-school daughter of the widowed MacCormack's live-in housekeeper. She had a horrible crush on one of the two twin boys, Kennedy--who was an arrogant jerk--while the other twin, Thomas, loved Hailey. She thought they were good friends. Ah, the tangled webs we weave....:-)
The story takes places in Crescentville, Oregan on a ranch out in the middle of nowhere. It begins while the kids are in high-school, then jumps 10 years into the future. Nicely done. How things turned out was a bit of a surprise. Touch of mystical-theme in this one. Sad, at times.
5 Stars
3. Meltdown by Julie Leto
I couldn't get into this one. Took too long to set up. The two main characters, Simon Brennan and Isabel Ruiz, seemed okay, but the author had them in his office for too many pages. I grew tired of it and moved on to the next.
Unfinished
4. You Can Count on Me by Roxanne St. Claire (Bullet Catcher, #3)
I'm a big fan of this romantic-suspense series and finally backed up to read this third installment. It was the shortest in this anthology and featured Rachel Durant as the computer geek/bodyguard on her first assignment to watch the young daughter of Gregori Nyekovic while he was New York City on business during Christmas.
Gregorie (Gregg) was a wealthy Russian out to purchase one of the previous Czar's faberge eggs. Of course, Rachel and Gregg had been speaking on the phone when she was given the assignment. Of course, Rachel was attracted to Gregg and he had been wondering what she looked like taboot.
Nice story. Nicely done. Enjoyed the romantic-suspense plot that ran along with this Christmas-themed tale. Glad I read it! Nice romance, too.
4 1/2 Stars
1. Christmas of the Red Chiefs by Linda Lael Miller was my favorite. It was also the longest. Nicely written. Set in Bent Tree Creek, California. Joe Courtland was a widowed father of two 8ish twin boys (the red chiefs). He was also the music teacher at the local high school and an active participate in an small, home-run, business that catered to singers (carolers). Sarah Jane Sullivan was the niece of the business owner (Delores) and due to circumstances beyond her control she was forced to move back to the town she went to high school in--with her unhappy 12-year old stepdaughter, Marlie, in tow.
The dynamics between Marlie, Sarah and Delores were fun to read about. The Christmas Song, "O Holy Night" is my favorite! Wonderful story and just goes to show short stories CAN be well-developed, heart-wrenching and absolutely well done. Bravo!
5 Stars (Favorites)
2. Once Upon a Christmas by Catherine Mulvaney was another excellent story featuring young love, rekindled. Hailey Miller was the high-school daughter of the widowed MacCormack's live-in housekeeper. She had a horrible crush on one of the two twin boys, Kennedy--who was an arrogant jerk--while the other twin, Thomas, loved Hailey. She thought they were good friends. Ah, the tangled webs we weave....:-)
The story takes places in Crescentville, Oregan on a ranch out in the middle of nowhere. It begins while the kids are in high-school, then jumps 10 years into the future. Nicely done. How things turned out was a bit of a surprise. Touch of mystical-theme in this one. Sad, at times.
5 Stars
3. Meltdown by Julie Leto
I couldn't get into this one. Took too long to set up. The two main characters, Simon Brennan and Isabel Ruiz, seemed okay, but the author had them in his office for too many pages. I grew tired of it and moved on to the next.
Unfinished
4. You Can Count on Me by Roxanne St. Claire (Bullet Catcher, #3)
I'm a big fan of this romantic-suspense series and finally backed up to read this third installment. It was the shortest in this anthology and featured Rachel Durant as the computer geek/bodyguard on her first assignment to watch the young daughter of Gregori Nyekovic while he was New York City on business during Christmas.
Gregorie (Gregg) was a wealthy Russian out to purchase one of the previous Czar's faberge eggs. Of course, Rachel and Gregg had been speaking on the phone when she was given the assignment. Of course, Rachel was attracted to Gregg and he had been wondering what she looked like taboot.
Nice story. Nicely done. Enjoyed the romantic-suspense plot that ran along with this Christmas-themed tale. Glad I read it! Nice romance, too.
4 1/2 Stars
October 14, 2010
I'll file this under "read" instead of "unfinished" because I really finished reading three stories out of four without skipping. There is nothing truely wrong with this book. It's just not for me. So since the year ends and Christmas break is also amost over now, I make a clean break and throw this out. Sorry, book, maybe you'll find another, better owner next December. Volunteers from Germany willing to provide a good home always welcome.
November 3, 2011
I gotta say the only reason this books got three stars was because of Roxanne St Claire's story. That was what kept it from being only 2 stars.
December 25, 2017
This was depressing, full of angry, bickering people.
July 27, 2020
Four cute holiday stories. The first story by Linda Lael Miller was probably my favorite of them all but I enjoyed each one.
December 15, 2012
4 contemporary Christmas stories. 2 very good stories, & 2 pretty bad ones.
Linda Lael Miller - 4 stars. Loved this story. Recently widowed, now homeless woman comes back home to help her aunt with her caroling business. Meets the recently widowed neighbor & feels a spark. A lot of miscommunication in this story. Between the heroine & her aunt. Between the heroine & her 12 year old step daughter. Between The hero & heroine. It doesn't help his now dead wife was perfect in every way. That's a lot to try to live up to when you might be falling in love! It's a GREAT story! (no sex)
Catherine Mulvany - 1 star. A story that would have done better (maybe) in a paranormal Christmas anthology. Stuck here, it's just goofy. Girl gets a "magic lamp" in the mail & starts making wishes that backfire. It also has the ghost of her dead mother. Unprotected sex. Not very good, sorry.
Julie Leto - 4 stars. Another rather paranormal type story. An office romance. The heroine goes on a cruise to Mexico & makes a wish with a "magic" coin. Now does the hero really have feelings for her, or was it the wish? I really liked the story! Protected sex.
Roxanne St. Claire - 1 star. What this story has to do with Christmas is beyond me. It's barely mentioned. Girl bodyguard is hired to protect a former KGB rich guy's daughter. They (girl & KGB guy) spend a lot of time lusting after each other & chasing after bad guys who stole a Faberge egg from the male lead. They of course have sex with each other. It's not described in detail, so I can't tell you if it's protected sex. I thought maybe it wouldn't be a good idea to sleep with a guy whose daughter you're supposed to be protecting,but hey - it's not my story. It's not actually a very good story,Christmas or otherwise.
Merry Christmas!
Linda Lael Miller - 4 stars. Loved this story. Recently widowed, now homeless woman comes back home to help her aunt with her caroling business. Meets the recently widowed neighbor & feels a spark. A lot of miscommunication in this story. Between the heroine & her aunt. Between the heroine & her 12 year old step daughter. Between The hero & heroine. It doesn't help his now dead wife was perfect in every way. That's a lot to try to live up to when you might be falling in love! It's a GREAT story! (no sex)
Catherine Mulvany - 1 star. A story that would have done better (maybe) in a paranormal Christmas anthology. Stuck here, it's just goofy. Girl gets a "magic lamp" in the mail & starts making wishes that backfire. It also has the ghost of her dead mother. Unprotected sex. Not very good, sorry.
Julie Leto - 4 stars. Another rather paranormal type story. An office romance. The heroine goes on a cruise to Mexico & makes a wish with a "magic" coin. Now does the hero really have feelings for her, or was it the wish? I really liked the story! Protected sex.
Roxanne St. Claire - 1 star. What this story has to do with Christmas is beyond me. It's barely mentioned. Girl bodyguard is hired to protect a former KGB rich guy's daughter. They (girl & KGB guy) spend a lot of time lusting after each other & chasing after bad guys who stole a Faberge egg from the male lead. They of course have sex with each other. It's not described in detail, so I can't tell you if it's protected sex. I thought maybe it wouldn't be a good idea to sleep with a guy whose daughter you're supposed to be protecting,but hey - it's not my story. It's not actually a very good story,Christmas or otherwise.
Merry Christmas!
July 6, 2009
A pretty good Christmas anthology. I particularly enjoyed the stories by Roxanne St. Claire (4.5 stars) and Catherine Mulvany (4 stars), which had more character development and depth behind the romantic elements. Linda Lael Miller's contribution was a bit weaker, getting 3 stars from me. Her widow + widower story was just not a big hit...somewhat trite and very predictable right from the start. The way she incorporated the heroine's stepdaughter and hero's sons rankled as well. Children are fine, but I don't particularly enjoy them in books when they only serve to up the hokey, corny feel, like in this story. And lastly, Julie Leto's story: I was not very hooked and ended up giving up on it part-way through.
Christmas stories tend to attract the softer, sweeter types of romanctic stories, and this anthology fit right in:)
Christmas stories tend to attract the softer, sweeter types of romanctic stories, and this anthology fit right in:)
March 15, 2017
This is a Christmas collection of stories by several really great authors.
You Can Count on Me by Roxanne St. Claire - 4 Stars
This is Rachel's story. Rachel is the go-to gal for anything the Bullet Catchers guys need while in the field. But, she wants to be a field agent too and finally Lucy is sending her on assignment. Her assignment is the daughter of a former KGB agent but it appears that Rachel is going to have more trouble protecting her heart than protecting her assignment. A Faberge egg worth millions, an American Girls doll, a bump and grab and two people who can sure steam up a limo, this story has it all.
You Can Count on Me by Roxanne St. Claire - 4 Stars
This is Rachel's story. Rachel is the go-to gal for anything the Bullet Catchers guys need while in the field. But, she wants to be a field agent too and finally Lucy is sending her on assignment. Her assignment is the daughter of a former KGB agent but it appears that Rachel is going to have more trouble protecting her heart than protecting her assignment. A Faberge egg worth millions, an American Girls doll, a bump and grab and two people who can sure steam up a limo, this story has it all.
April 2, 2009
Not one of my favorites. Stories seemed too contrived but not bad enough that I stopped reading them.
March 11, 2014
Picked this up because it was free and I had never heard of any of the four authors. The first story by Linda Lael Miller was by far the best. The other three were just "trashy"
August 28, 2008
When Sarah arrives in town, widower Joe Courtland shows up in his van to pick her up, because her Aunt Delores has broken her ankle. Joe brings his twin boys, Sam and Ryan and their pet dog, Dodger. There are sparks between them, but Sarah and Joe refuse to acknowledge them. Will they end up being one big happy family? What will happen to Aunt Delores? Will Sarah leave town? Does Marlie’s Real Mother come to get her?
ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS by Catherine Mulvany is the second story in the book and it’s about family dreams. Hailey Miller has a crush on handsome jock twin Kennedy MacCormick. Studious twin Thomas MacCormick, is at an academy and he ain’t bad looking either even though they are not identical twins. Hailey and her mom, Sarah, the housekeeper moved in with the MacCormick’s’ six years ago. John “Mac” MacCormick is the dad to the twins, and over the years, he and Sarah dated.
Hailey believes in fairy tales and writes them frequently, not letting anyone know, except Thomas when he came home for Christmas. Thomas knows Hailey has a crush on Kennedy but that does not stop him from having a crush on Hailey. These are not brother-sister feelings either. What will happen with this triangle? Will Mac and Sarah marry? Will Hailey love either of the brothers? What about the family curse?
Kennedy becomes an actor, and Thomas becomes a network correspondent. Will they return home for Christmas? Do you believe in intervention?
MELTDOWN by Julie Leto was the steamiest story of the four. MELTDOWN had explicit words and sex, lots of sex. This is definitely a read for adults only.
Simon Brennan, CEO of Making Moms Foundation, lusts after his public relations manager, Isabel Ruiz. She was asked to improve his image, as he frowns quite a bit and he comes across as stiff and scaring their clients. Isabel is requested to loosen him up a bit.
Isabel Ruiz is up for any challenge and agrees to help make her boss more receptive to the clients. She will even exercise with him at his health club, if it will help. Of course, this is way beyond her job performance, having to look at him in shorts, all sweaty and gorgeous.
Isabel goes on a vacation to Mexico with her sister and is given a mask that is supposed to have magic powers. Does Isabel believe in this? Is Isabel up for the job of changing Simon? Will she be able to help Simon, or does she help herself? Why is Simon CEO of Making Moms Foundation? I think you will be surprised to find the answer.
YOU CAN COUNT ON ME by Roxanne St. Claire is the final story in this anthology and includes mystery and lust.
Raquel Durant has trained to be a body guard in New York City at Bullet Catchers for over three years and is given her first assignment to guard the eight-year old daughter, Kristina, of a Russian investor, Grigori (Gregg) Nyekovic. She has talked with him on the telephone and is quite impressed with his background as KGB, but as she leaves for her assignment, her boss, Lucy warns her to keep track of the daughter and to leave the father alone. Remember to listen.
Gregg is in New York and has a bid in for a Faberge’ egg he has at his apartment. When Raquel is given money to take Kristina shopping, Gregg discovers that the egg is missing. After shopping at the American Girl doll store, and buying a doll, Kristina’s doll and little purse are stolen. Kristina was upset about the purse being gone and her father finding out. Naturally, with Kristina being so upset, Raquel thinks Gregg could be a child abuser but, Kristina had put the Faberge’ egg in her shoulder bag because she thought it to be a tree ornament. An egg for which Gregg has bid five million dollars. Who would suspect a child would be carrying such a valuable egg in her little purse? How does Raquel feel about this on her first day as a bodyguard? Does Gregg try to take the blame? Who would do this to Gregg?
I was sitting in a restaurant reading CHRISTMAS OF THE RED CHIEFS and the tears were flowing. A lady came over and wanted to know if I were all right. I told her “I am reading the most wonderful Christmas story and these are happy tears”. I have been a fan of Linda Lael Miller for over ten years and I think I have read everything she has written. I love the way she writes.
http://www.lindalaelmiller.com
I have not read Catherine Mulvany before but I can tell you I will be looking for her writing again after reading ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS. She made me believe in the afterlife. Thank you, Catherine
http://www.catherinemulvany.com
I think I have read everything that Julie Leto has written and MELTDOWN…well the title says it all. It is absolutely wonderful. I loved Simon’s mother, Jeanette and wish there was a complete story on her. Julie, you’ve got magic here.
http://www.julieleto.com
I did not want YOU CAN COUNT ON ME to end. It was very exciting all the way through and I would definitely trust a Bullet Catcher. This made me cry when the doll was stolen from Kristina, and my heart race when Gregg and Raquel enjoyed the limo ride. I have read several of Roxanne St. Claire’s books before and will definitely continue to read her books, but I do need to catch up on the rest of The Bullet Catchers series. I love the way Roxanne writes.
http://www.roxannestclaire.com
I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS anthology from four of the top romance writers is refreshing during these 90 degree days. This was much more than I expected and I am proud to review this. I laughed, I cried and I had thoughts of contacting distant family members. Each woman put forth an effort that made me believe in home and hearth and happy holidays. This book is definitely a keeper to be read each year around the holidays, if not sooner. Thank you, ladies. This will become a classic.
By Romance Junkies Reviewer: Phyllis Ingram
ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS by Catherine Mulvany is the second story in the book and it’s about family dreams. Hailey Miller has a crush on handsome jock twin Kennedy MacCormick. Studious twin Thomas MacCormick, is at an academy and he ain’t bad looking either even though they are not identical twins. Hailey and her mom, Sarah, the housekeeper moved in with the MacCormick’s’ six years ago. John “Mac” MacCormick is the dad to the twins, and over the years, he and Sarah dated.
Hailey believes in fairy tales and writes them frequently, not letting anyone know, except Thomas when he came home for Christmas. Thomas knows Hailey has a crush on Kennedy but that does not stop him from having a crush on Hailey. These are not brother-sister feelings either. What will happen with this triangle? Will Mac and Sarah marry? Will Hailey love either of the brothers? What about the family curse?
Kennedy becomes an actor, and Thomas becomes a network correspondent. Will they return home for Christmas? Do you believe in intervention?
MELTDOWN by Julie Leto was the steamiest story of the four. MELTDOWN had explicit words and sex, lots of sex. This is definitely a read for adults only.
Simon Brennan, CEO of Making Moms Foundation, lusts after his public relations manager, Isabel Ruiz. She was asked to improve his image, as he frowns quite a bit and he comes across as stiff and scaring their clients. Isabel is requested to loosen him up a bit.
Isabel Ruiz is up for any challenge and agrees to help make her boss more receptive to the clients. She will even exercise with him at his health club, if it will help. Of course, this is way beyond her job performance, having to look at him in shorts, all sweaty and gorgeous.
Isabel goes on a vacation to Mexico with her sister and is given a mask that is supposed to have magic powers. Does Isabel believe in this? Is Isabel up for the job of changing Simon? Will she be able to help Simon, or does she help herself? Why is Simon CEO of Making Moms Foundation? I think you will be surprised to find the answer.
YOU CAN COUNT ON ME by Roxanne St. Claire is the final story in this anthology and includes mystery and lust.
Raquel Durant has trained to be a body guard in New York City at Bullet Catchers for over three years and is given her first assignment to guard the eight-year old daughter, Kristina, of a Russian investor, Grigori (Gregg) Nyekovic. She has talked with him on the telephone and is quite impressed with his background as KGB, but as she leaves for her assignment, her boss, Lucy warns her to keep track of the daughter and to leave the father alone. Remember to listen.
Gregg is in New York and has a bid in for a Faberge’ egg he has at his apartment. When Raquel is given money to take Kristina shopping, Gregg discovers that the egg is missing. After shopping at the American Girl doll store, and buying a doll, Kristina’s doll and little purse are stolen. Kristina was upset about the purse being gone and her father finding out. Naturally, with Kristina being so upset, Raquel thinks Gregg could be a child abuser but, Kristina had put the Faberge’ egg in her shoulder bag because she thought it to be a tree ornament. An egg for which Gregg has bid five million dollars. Who would suspect a child would be carrying such a valuable egg in her little purse? How does Raquel feel about this on her first day as a bodyguard? Does Gregg try to take the blame? Who would do this to Gregg?
I was sitting in a restaurant reading CHRISTMAS OF THE RED CHIEFS and the tears were flowing. A lady came over and wanted to know if I were all right. I told her “I am reading the most wonderful Christmas story and these are happy tears”. I have been a fan of Linda Lael Miller for over ten years and I think I have read everything she has written. I love the way she writes.
http://www.lindalaelmiller.com
I have not read Catherine Mulvany before but I can tell you I will be looking for her writing again after reading ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS. She made me believe in the afterlife. Thank you, Catherine
http://www.catherinemulvany.com
I think I have read everything that Julie Leto has written and MELTDOWN…well the title says it all. It is absolutely wonderful. I loved Simon’s mother, Jeanette and wish there was a complete story on her. Julie, you’ve got magic here.
http://www.julieleto.com
I did not want YOU CAN COUNT ON ME to end. It was very exciting all the way through and I would definitely trust a Bullet Catcher. This made me cry when the doll was stolen from Kristina, and my heart race when Gregg and Raquel enjoyed the limo ride. I have read several of Roxanne St. Claire’s books before and will definitely continue to read her books, but I do need to catch up on the rest of The Bullet Catchers series. I love the way Roxanne writes.
http://www.roxannestclaire.com
I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS anthology from four of the top romance writers is refreshing during these 90 degree days. This was much more than I expected and I am proud to review this. I laughed, I cried and I had thoughts of contacting distant family members. Each woman put forth an effort that made me believe in home and hearth and happy holidays. This book is definitely a keeper to be read each year around the holidays, if not sooner. Thank you, ladies. This will become a classic.
By Romance Junkies Reviewer: Phyllis Ingram
March 26, 2026
I started this for something light and easy to read. I won't be reading more of these.
Started with Story #3, and it's beyond ridiculous. I don't care if it's a short story; that doesn't excuse bad writing. Within DAY 1 of her first bodyguard assignment, they are fuc*ing. That's so stupid. He's also not very smart for an ex-KGB spy. Apparently lusting after the bodyguard is more important than getting back the stolen Faberge egg. DNF this story.
Story #1. Somehow, somewhere, I've read this story. It's ok, predictable, overly sentimental.
Story #2: High schoolers; lost interest.
Started with Story #3, and it's beyond ridiculous. I don't care if it's a short story; that doesn't excuse bad writing. Within DAY 1 of her first bodyguard assignment, they are fuc*ing. That's so stupid. He's also not very smart for an ex-KGB spy. Apparently lusting after the bodyguard is more important than getting back the stolen Faberge egg. DNF this story.
Story #1. Somehow, somewhere, I've read this story. It's ok, predictable, overly sentimental.
Story #2: High schoolers; lost interest.
December 2, 2018
1. Christmas of Red Chiefs - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- This was by far the strongest short story in this anthology. It is a cute romance that had a great Christmas/ winter vibe
2. Once Upon a Christmas - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Had some magical elements to it, and was cute overall
3. Meltdown - ⭐️
- Did not like at all
4. You Can Count on Me - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Was action packed and a cute story
- This was by far the strongest short story in this anthology. It is a cute romance that had a great Christmas/ winter vibe
2. Once Upon a Christmas - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Had some magical elements to it, and was cute overall
3. Meltdown - ⭐️
- Did not like at all
4. You Can Count on Me - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Was action packed and a cute story
December 17, 2023
This book was four stories by four different authors. The first was good (by LL Miller); the other three were terrible. I started them but after 10 pages, sk9mmed through the rest, nothing there to interest me. Oh well.
October 24, 2017
Predictable but nice story lines.
January 9, 2018
Some good short stories around Christmas.
January 13, 2018
4 great stories by 4 great authors. I'll have to check out more stories by Catherine Mulvany, Julie Leto, & Roxanne St Claire! I've always known that Linda Lael Miller is a good author.
February 25, 2018
The stories were a bit corney. I would have prefered longer stories with more character development.
June 5, 2018
lovedd it
October 15, 2018
Four short novels by Miller and three other authors. Quick read! Infused with romantic encounters around Christmas.
December 10, 2018
I usually like the booklet with multiple stories - not so much this one - only liked two stories.
library
July 30, 20210
January 23, 2022
Stores set at Christmas but not really about Christmas.
October 25, 2022
Four delightful romance stories in one book. I especially enjoyed Christmas of the Red Chiefs by Linda Lael Miller.
July 11, 2024
Loved the 4 stories, each had their own cute quirks
January 28, 2026
an anthology of 4 stories from different authors at Christmastime. Short and sweet!
March 19, 2017
This is an anthology of novellas; I read only the one by Roxanne St. Claire, "You Can Count on Me."
I'm glad I read it as part of a series group read. I liked the characters, insofar as they could be developed in a novella-length story, part of the Bullet Catchers Series.
I'm glad I read it as part of a series group read. I liked the characters, insofar as they could be developed in a novella-length story, part of the Bullet Catchers Series.
May 17, 2019
Really great read. I love the different stories. It helps hold my attention more.
December 6, 2014
I only read Roxanne St. Claire's You Can Count On Me from this anthology, so the rating only applies to that individual novella. Since I was on a short Bullet Catchers binge for the weekend, I didn't bother reading the rest of the novellas/short stories in this anthology. I may or may not come back to them at some point in time.
In Short:
Bullet Catcher Raquel Durant is finally ready to take on her first field assignment and she's been assigned as bodyguard for the eight year old daughter of Grigori Nyekovic while he's in New York for business. Of course, being a Romance novella, it doesn't take long for sparks to fly, and apparently, while a sweet, gentle father, Grigori (Gregg), comes on quite strong when he knows what he wants. And obviously, he's found that he wants more from Raquel than just guarding his daughter.
My Brief Thoughts:
This was a fun and cute little romance novella with a short side of suspense to keep the theme going. Gregg is in New York to procure a Fabergé egg which ends up being stolen in some convoluted plot that seems more complicated than it really is (or really needed to be). This couldn't be just a cute little Christmas story, we have to have something more happen for action... which I normally don't mind for a full-blown novel, so the extra suspense seemed a bit much.
Nonetheless, I really did find the story enjoyable, that is, if you ignore some of the logic failures such as why Raquel would willingly wander off with Gregg on spy missions when she's supposed to be guarding eight year old Kristina. I get that she was excited about learning investigative skills and espionage, but her first and foremost priority was supposed to be Kristina's safety, no matter what else the father asks her to do.
Besides, I was of the impression that Raquel already had pretty good investigative skills, so what gives?
Final Thoughts: Simple and cute. I had been hoping for more of a full-length novel for Raquel, being the only female Bullet Catcher aside from the head honcho Lucy. So I'm a little disappointed that she gets stuck into a short novella where not much really happens. Enjoyable nonetheless.
In Short:
Bullet Catcher Raquel Durant is finally ready to take on her first field assignment and she's been assigned as bodyguard for the eight year old daughter of Grigori Nyekovic while he's in New York for business. Of course, being a Romance novella, it doesn't take long for sparks to fly, and apparently, while a sweet, gentle father, Grigori (Gregg), comes on quite strong when he knows what he wants. And obviously, he's found that he wants more from Raquel than just guarding his daughter.
My Brief Thoughts:
This was a fun and cute little romance novella with a short side of suspense to keep the theme going. Gregg is in New York to procure a Fabergé egg which ends up being stolen in some convoluted plot that seems more complicated than it really is (or really needed to be). This couldn't be just a cute little Christmas story, we have to have something more happen for action... which I normally don't mind for a full-blown novel, so the extra suspense seemed a bit much.
Nonetheless, I really did find the story enjoyable, that is, if you ignore some of the logic failures such as why Raquel would willingly wander off with Gregg on spy missions when she's supposed to be guarding eight year old Kristina. I get that she was excited about learning investigative skills and espionage, but her first and foremost priority was supposed to be Kristina's safety, no matter what else the father asks her to do.
Besides, I was of the impression that Raquel already had pretty good investigative skills, so what gives?
Final Thoughts: Simple and cute. I had been hoping for more of a full-length novel for Raquel, being the only female Bullet Catcher aside from the head honcho Lucy. So I'm a little disappointed that she gets stuck into a short novella where not much really happens. Enjoyable nonetheless.
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