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Christmas Male (Harlequin Blaze, #511)
Captain D. C. Campbell, Military Police.
Current A little bored...but not for long!
Getting his hands on a priceless stolen diamond.
Trying to keep his hands off his sexy new partner, Fiona Gallagher.
Fiona has never been into Christmas. Having grown up in a series of foster homes, she has no use for Santa...at least until she meets the hottie St. Nick delivers just in time for the holidays—Captain D. C. Campbell.
Technically, they're supposed to be working together to find a stolen diamond, one reported to have the power to bring lovers together. Well, they might not have the stone, but Fiona and D.C. aren't having any trouble getting together—in every sexual position possible!
But it's only a holiday fling, right? It is—unless Fiona's Christmas Male can convince her he's the gift that keeps on giving....
Current A little bored...but not for long!
Getting his hands on a priceless stolen diamond.
Trying to keep his hands off his sexy new partner, Fiona Gallagher.
Fiona has never been into Christmas. Having grown up in a series of foster homes, she has no use for Santa...at least until she meets the hottie St. Nick delivers just in time for the holidays—Captain D. C. Campbell.
Technically, they're supposed to be working together to find a stolen diamond, one reported to have the power to bring lovers together. Well, they might not have the stone, but Fiona and D.C. aren't having any trouble getting together—in every sexual position possible!
But it's only a holiday fling, right? It is—unless Fiona's Christmas Male can convince her he's the gift that keeps on giving....
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
7 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
Cara Summers
188 books56 followersCarolyn Fulgenzi was born on 28 July 1940 in Detroit, Michigan, USA, daughter of Janet (McLaughlin) and Andrew Fulgenzi. She graduated from Dominican High School in Detroit and completed her undergraduate education at Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. She continued her studies attending Syracuse University receiving her Master’s in English Education. After retiring as a teacher with the Fayetteville-Manlius School District, she joined the faculty at Syracuse University as an adjunct professor in the writing department. Concurrently, she was also teaching at Onondaga Community College.
Carolyn blamed her tenth grade English teacher for nudging her into the writer's life. Sister Rose Terrence insisted that she enter a short story contest sponsored by the Detroit News, and Cara won! Of course, she was thrilled with the award -- a dictionary that still sits on her desk -- but at that time, her goal in life was to become an actress, and eventually, she attained that goal. She married Mr Hanlon, and had three sons: Kevin D., Brian A, and Brendan J. Hanlon. Only after her three sons were born that she turned her full attention to writing again. She sold her first Temptation to Harlequin in 1994, and that book, C.J.'s Defense as Carolyn Andrews, also sits on her desk -- right next to the dictionary. Since 2000, she wrote under the pseudonym of Cara Summers. She believed that her background in theater had influenced her writing, allowing her to create new characters and bring them to life for the reader. She passed away on 10 September 2013.
Carolyn blamed her tenth grade English teacher for nudging her into the writer's life. Sister Rose Terrence insisted that she enter a short story contest sponsored by the Detroit News, and Cara won! Of course, she was thrilled with the award -- a dictionary that still sits on her desk -- but at that time, her goal in life was to become an actress, and eventually, she attained that goal. She married Mr Hanlon, and had three sons: Kevin D., Brian A, and Brendan J. Hanlon. Only after her three sons were born that she turned her full attention to writing again. She sold her first Temptation to Harlequin in 1994, and that book, C.J.'s Defense as Carolyn Andrews, also sits on her desk -- right next to the dictionary. Since 2000, she wrote under the pseudonym of Cara Summers. She believed that her background in theater had influenced her writing, allowing her to create new characters and bring them to life for the reader. She passed away on 10 September 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 5, 2009
This book is part of the Uniformly Hot! miniseries, but you don't have to read any of the previous books because the books in this miniseries aren't connected to each other. In fact, Christmas Male is loosely connected to 2 other books, Twin Temptation and Twin Seduction, from the The Wrong Bed miniseries. Confusing? Not really, because you don't have to read those 2 books either.
As the story opens, Washington D.C. Police Lieutenant Fiona Gallagher is at the National Gallery, wondering what she's doing at the exhibition of the legendary Rubinov Diamond. Legend says that the brilliant blue diamond has the power to bring true lovers together, but no-nonsense Fiona just rolls her eyes at the romantic myth... until her eyes stop rolling and her gaze lands on a tall, dark-haired, broad-shouldered man in an officer's uniform across the Rubinov Diamond. Her heart skips a beat, and she's pretty sure his does the same. Oh my, could the legend be true?
Army Captain D.C. Campbell has been injured in his last tour of duty in Iraq and now runs the military police unit at Fort McNair. He's bored and doesn't know if he wants to sign up for another 5 years in the army when January 15 rolls around, since his leg will never get to 100% mobility again and he'll end up being transferred to a desk job at the Pentagon. So when he finds himself strongly attracted to this beautiful, unknown woman at the Rubinov Diamon Exhibition, he "blames" his boredom and restlessness.
D.C. and Fiona part ways at the exhibition without exchanging words, but fate intervenes and they meet again when someone tries (and almost succeeds) to steal the Rubinov Diamond. Fiona takes the case and, as the diamond was found in the hands of a young Private who happens to be stationed at Fort McNair, D.C. joins the investigation. Sparks fly instantly and there's no denying the attraction between them, so they gladly cave. But they don't forget they have an investigation to run, and they're surprised at how well they match, not only personally but professionally too. Is this the real thing, or is it just an infatuation that will end when the investigation is over?
This was a very good read, with a tight plot. I really liked the way Ms. Summers allowed the readers to follow each step of D.C. and Fiona's investigation, and it was interesting to see how they "connected the dots" and solved the case. D.C. and Fiona were realistic, down-to-earth and nice characters who respected each other, and the dynamics of their relationship worked pretty well. There was no doubt in my mind that they were good together, but even so, the HEA felt rushed to me. It was too much too soon. That's the only reason this book didn't earn a 5-star rating for me.
All in all, this was one of the best HQ Blaze novels I've read. Great characters, solid plot and hot love scenes. What else do I need? ;)
As the story opens, Washington D.C. Police Lieutenant Fiona Gallagher is at the National Gallery, wondering what she's doing at the exhibition of the legendary Rubinov Diamond. Legend says that the brilliant blue diamond has the power to bring true lovers together, but no-nonsense Fiona just rolls her eyes at the romantic myth... until her eyes stop rolling and her gaze lands on a tall, dark-haired, broad-shouldered man in an officer's uniform across the Rubinov Diamond. Her heart skips a beat, and she's pretty sure his does the same. Oh my, could the legend be true?
Army Captain D.C. Campbell has been injured in his last tour of duty in Iraq and now runs the military police unit at Fort McNair. He's bored and doesn't know if he wants to sign up for another 5 years in the army when January 15 rolls around, since his leg will never get to 100% mobility again and he'll end up being transferred to a desk job at the Pentagon. So when he finds himself strongly attracted to this beautiful, unknown woman at the Rubinov Diamon Exhibition, he "blames" his boredom and restlessness.
D.C. and Fiona part ways at the exhibition without exchanging words, but fate intervenes and they meet again when someone tries (and almost succeeds) to steal the Rubinov Diamond. Fiona takes the case and, as the diamond was found in the hands of a young Private who happens to be stationed at Fort McNair, D.C. joins the investigation. Sparks fly instantly and there's no denying the attraction between them, so they gladly cave. But they don't forget they have an investigation to run, and they're surprised at how well they match, not only personally but professionally too. Is this the real thing, or is it just an infatuation that will end when the investigation is over?
This was a very good read, with a tight plot. I really liked the way Ms. Summers allowed the readers to follow each step of D.C. and Fiona's investigation, and it was interesting to see how they "connected the dots" and solved the case. D.C. and Fiona were realistic, down-to-earth and nice characters who respected each other, and the dynamics of their relationship worked pretty well. There was no doubt in my mind that they were good together, but even so, the HEA felt rushed to me. It was too much too soon. That's the only reason this book didn't earn a 5-star rating for me.
All in all, this was one of the best HQ Blaze novels I've read. Great characters, solid plot and hot love scenes. What else do I need? ;)
November 2, 2009
Since Ms. Summers' two Wrong Bed books, Twin Seduction and Twin Temptation, weren't my favorite I was a bit skeptical about picking up this one. But it's the last in the Uniformly Hot! series so I had to read it...And I ain't disappointed.
Featuring a hunky, tall, broad shouldered, gray-eyed MP, a tough-as-nails, petite yet with miles of leg DC cop, an attempted thievery case, and a legendary blue diamond that's reputed to bring lovers together, this was a quickie read with the perfect sex and suspense combo that's featuring more and more prominently in the Harlequin Blaze category.
The chemistry between the characters was mind-numbing in its intensity with or without the help of the said magical diamond. Its matchmaking powers were stuff of legend, but it did bring the hero and heroine together...More than one time. And each scene was hotter.
And I didn't even mind that it all happened so quickly. 'Tis the season to be jolly and I found myself in a rather "forgiving" mood.
The set-the-pages-on-fire scenes were rivaled with a strong suspense subplot. Someone had tried to steal the famous diamond, an army officer was found unconscious on the scene (and "conveniently" developped amnesia, the false leads and red-herring kept piling up, a famous ex-thief made his appearance...And the hero and heroine resolutely navigated the uncharted waters in search of the truth.
But what truly blew me away were the kissing scenes. I had no idea there were so many ways to write a tonsil-hockey match, but I guess Ms. Summers succeeded. And conveyed just the right amount of emotion and UST while doing it. Those kisses ranged from playful to sensual to downright devouring and I found myself looking forward to the next hockey match even more than to finding out whodunnit. And when the end came (though sweet and awwwww-sounds inspiring) I just wanted to keep on reading. Yep, the story was that good...
Can I have some more, please?
Featuring a hunky, tall, broad shouldered, gray-eyed MP, a tough-as-nails, petite yet with miles of leg DC cop, an attempted thievery case, and a legendary blue diamond that's reputed to bring lovers together, this was a quickie read with the perfect sex and suspense combo that's featuring more and more prominently in the Harlequin Blaze category.
The chemistry between the characters was mind-numbing in its intensity with or without the help of the said magical diamond. Its matchmaking powers were stuff of legend, but it did bring the hero and heroine together...More than one time. And each scene was hotter.
And I didn't even mind that it all happened so quickly. 'Tis the season to be jolly and I found myself in a rather "forgiving" mood.
The set-the-pages-on-fire scenes were rivaled with a strong suspense subplot. Someone had tried to steal the famous diamond, an army officer was found unconscious on the scene (and "conveniently" developped amnesia, the false leads and red-herring kept piling up, a famous ex-thief made his appearance...And the hero and heroine resolutely navigated the uncharted waters in search of the truth.
But what truly blew me away were the kissing scenes. I had no idea there were so many ways to write a tonsil-hockey match, but I guess Ms. Summers succeeded. And conveyed just the right amount of emotion and UST while doing it. Those kisses ranged from playful to sensual to downright devouring and I found myself looking forward to the next hockey match even more than to finding out whodunnit. And when the end came (though sweet and awwwww-sounds inspiring) I just wanted to keep on reading. Yep, the story was that good...
Can I have some more, please?
January 13, 2010
A decent Christmas read but overall it didn't work well enough for me to give it 4 stars. Often in a Blaze the sex overwhelms the plot, but here just the reverse happens. If the mystery was more interesting that might still work, but I found it rather dull. It was written in a plodding police procedural manner (now let's go interview witness X) that squashed any excitement right out of it. And as for the sex, there were only 2 sex scenes in the entire book. Not what I expect from a Blaze. There were some nice kissing scenes, several in fact and hot. But it started to feel like the author tossed one in whenever the plot got bogged down. Overall this was more of a damp squib than a Blaze.
November 21, 2024
Very good book
February 1, 2012
Well, my month of January Blaze reads ended with a very vanilla, slightly boring, semi-G rated story about two crime solvers - a military MP with a bad knee and no character flaws, and a DC cop with an aversion to Christmas - investigating the almost-theft of a ficticious diamond from the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. I was bored almost to tears. Skimmed whole sections, then started turning whole pages. The mystery solving was a dud - I mean, the diamond wasn't even stolen - and the descriptions of the real action in a Blaze novel - the sex, supposedly - were written with a behind-the-scenes lack of description that reminded me of something my yiayia would have read.
After this piece, I'm glad January is over.
After this piece, I'm glad January is over.
June 9, 2010
Adorable procedural whodunnit spiced with a love/lust at first sight over a legendary diamond. That's the plot. What makes me give it 4 stars (It's more like 3 3/4 stars but I rounded up the number)? Two very compelling leads. Fiona is competent, level headed, professional in her job, goes after what she wants and knows her limitations. DC is strong, level headed, professional in his job, goes after what he wants and knows his limitations. It's cheesy but they complete each other. The plot is not accessory to the story, instead it's used to showcase the leads strengths and weaknesses.
I liked this one a lot.
I liked this one a lot.
August 8, 2010
just ok ... Christmas-time story about military policeman and policewoman lieutenant investigating robery ... plot, action and sex all good but sometimes heavy on pondering or case details ... I kept falling asleep reading it
December 27, 2009
3 stars – Contemporary Romance
October 23, 2016
3.5 stars = HBZ #511
September 2, 2012
Didn't finish
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews