Once Upon a Valentine: An Anthology

by Stephanie Bond, Leslie Kelly, Michelle Rowen

She had long, gorgeous hair
Summer Tomlinson always had a thing for Andrew Macmillan. Now that they're business partners—as well as bed partners!—Summer wonders if letting her hair down will catch him for good….

He sought a sleeping beauty
Historian Ashlynn Scott is seeking the fabled castle of Sleeping Beauty. But with just one kiss, she finds herself tangled up—and tangled in the sheets!—with a rogue adventurer. She might never want to wake up!

She was being chased by every man
Ginger Redman wanted to be irresistible, so she made a wish on a magic cookie. And the baked treat delivers—sending her sexy best friend, Stephen Fox, right into her bed!

Genres: Romance, Anthologies, Harlequin Blaze, Harlequin, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fiction

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

USA TODAY bestselling author Stephanie Bond was seven years deep into a systems engineering career and pursuing an MBA at night when an instructor remarked that she had a flair for writing and suggested that she submit to academic journals. But Stephanie, a voracious reader, was only interested in writing fiction–more specifically, romantic fiction.

Upon completing her master’s degree and with no formal training in writing (her undergraduate degree is in computer programming), she started writing a romance novel in her spare time. Two years later in 1995 she sold her first manuscript, a romantic comedy, to Harlequin Books.

In 1997, with ten sales under her belt to two publishers, Stephanie left her corporate job to write women’s romantic fiction full-time. In 2011,

Stephanie launched a self-publishing business. Since that time, she has sold more than 1 million copies of her own books. To-date, Stephanie has published over 70 novels and has over 6 million copies of her work in worldwide distribution in numerous languages and formats.

Reviews

[Jo Reads Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, fairy tale anthology
4 stars

Every year around Valentine's Day, Harlequin Blaze publish an anthology filled with themed stories. This year, they've gone for the fairytale theme where each story is based around a favourite childhood tale.


All Tangled Up - Stephanie Bond
Andrew is back in his small town after the death of his estranged father. He finds his father's estate in turmoil but can gorgeous neighbour, Summer, with long flowing hair, lead him back to find a happily ever after.

I swear I've read this story a hundred times before - man back in home town, estranged father, girl who loved him when younger etc etc etc. This really didn't excite or interest me and apart from Summer's hair I could see little resemblance to the fairy tale.


Sleeping with a Beauty - Leslie Kelly
Historian, Ashlynn is searching for Sleeping Beauty's castle when she finds herself accosted by rogue adventurer, Raine. With one kiss Ashlynn realises that even though she hasn't found her castle perhaps she has found her Prince Charming.

In this cute and unique story we travel back to the fairytale land of Elatyria which featured in a few of Kelly's previous short stories. Both Raine and Ashlynn are lovely characters and their love story is cute and satisfying.


Catch Me - Michelle Rowen
All Ginger wants for Valentine's Day is for men to want her so that she can have her pick rather than being stood up on the most romantic night of the year. But when a magic cookie makes her dream come true she takes refuge in the arms of her best friend, Stephen, the one man she dreams of having a happily ever after with.

I couldn't remember much about the tale of the Gingerbread Man but when I read this story I definitely saw the clever similarities. I loved both Ginger and Stephen and their relationship was so sweet. I've never read Michelle Rowen before but I'll look out for other Blaze books by her in the future. Good fun.


I didn't like the first story at all but the other two certainly made up for it. If you're looking for light, sweet and romantic stories then even with the bad apple at the start I would still recommend this book to you. 4 stars.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

She had long, gorgeous hair
Summer Tomlinson always had a thing for Andrew Macmillan. Now that they're business partners—as well as bed partners!—Summer wonders if letting her hair down will catch him for good….
He sought a sleeping beauty
Historian Ashlynn Scott is seeking the fabled castle of Sleeping Beauty. But with just one kiss, she finds herself tangled up—and tangled in the sheets!—with a rogue adventurer. She might never want to wake up!
She was being chased by every man
Ginger Redman wanted to be irresistible, so she made a wish on a magic cookie. And the baked treat delivers—sending her sexy best friend, Stephen Fox, right into her bed.
Heather's Notes
"All Tangled Up" - this was ok. I rolled my eyes a lot, and at the end where she cut her hair. It just didn't strike me as all that smart. Still it wasn't awful.
"Sleeping with a Beauty" - I liked this one. It was cute. I liked Ashlylnn and Raine. I liked that there was not a lot of relationship drama. I loved the part were he found out someone else kissed her. I thought this story was cute and entertaining.
"Catch Me" - This one was also cute. I think it could be turned into a series with a little effort. The story was enjoyable but a little over the top. Still a nice read.

[Peggy Puetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed all three stories.

All three stories were very good. Very funny and great love stories. The once upon a Valentine was about a girl that made a
Wish on a cookie. Very romantic and funny. All tangled up was a fairy tale romance. Catch me was also a romance.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only finished the first story which was kinda cute. I kept trying to start the second story but I just wasn’t in the right mood for it. Might try to go back and finish the other stories at some point but... based on what I read 3 stars.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good novellas; wasn’t very impressed with them.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading short stories.

[Wynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Stephanie Bond for the free signed copy!

A fun romantic play on three classic fairy tales

Story #1 - All Tangled Up by Stephanie Bond - Andrew Macmillan could not wait to leave his farm home in Tiny, Tennessee after high school. Now he has a successful marketing career in Manhattan, but he returns to Tiny to settle his estranged father's estate. When he sees what a shambles the property has become he must stay longer than expected. Andrew encounters complications that test his heart and puts his past decisions into serious question. One major complication is Summer Tomlinson. She lived across the street from Andrew growing up and she had a crush on him. Now only one thing keeps getting between them - Summer's long blonde hair, hence the title "All Tangled Up". The characters are very likable together. I couldn't help but cheer for them even though Andrew doesn't make it easy. The story is romantic, plus it's both dramatic & humorous.

Story #2 - Sleeping With a Beauty by Leslie Kelly - I never read historical romance or anything that revolves around syfy or fantasy. So I was wonderfully surprised with this story that takes place on the fictional planet of Elatyria. (No I can't pronounce it.) Ashlynn Scott is an Elatyria historian who wants to make a name for herself and restore her deceased father's reputation. Her father believed the story of Sleeping Beauty was more than just a fairy tale and that the castle in which she slept actually existed somewhere on their planet. Ashlynn is unaware of the danger she faces in her search for the hidden castle. In the forest (which includes trees that have feelings) she encounters Raine Fowler. Raine is an adventurer that travels between Earth and Elatyria. Of course, love blooms with steam between the two as they team up to find the castle. Ashlynn's knowledge of earth slang and certain types of hotel videos found only on Earth added humor. Plus, the expectations Raine had about the fairy tale atmosphere of Elatyria also added bits of humor.

Ashlynn is strong and determined. Raine is hunky and passionate. The story came together perfectly and I thought the explanation of how the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty made it to Earth made perfect sense. I wanted to believe it. Although putting images of Sleeping Beauty in my head with such a hot but tragically short romance made me blush. Surely, Sleeping Beauty and her Prince Charming never EVER ... (you know - wink wink). This story was pure merriment.

Story #3 - Catch Me by Michelle Rowan - Ginger Redman and Stephen Fox hate Valentine's Day. Ginger is stood up by "Mr. Perfect" so she wishes her life could be like a fairy tale. Her wish would be for men to want her without any of their head games or hassle on her part. What she really wants is a fairy tale love with Stephen. Unfortunately, he's her boss and their professional relationship must come first to save his small book publishing company. But Ginger's wish may have come true and Stephen's reaction to that possibility takes her by complete surprise. I adored Stephen. I wanted to pinch his cheek. When it came to his feelings for Ginger, he was sweet, misguided, and humorously jealous. The story is lighthearted, fun and very sexy.

**The paperback is 220 pages **

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

All Tangled Up – Stephanie Bond
Tiny Tennessee / Andrew MacMillan and Summer Tomlinson.
Rapunzel in disguise… Andrew and his father were cut from different cloth… and his father, happy in Tiny Tennessee, a vet, a horse farm… with a mineral springs on the property. Andrew a marketing man in New York, comes home to settle his father’s affairs after his death. Summer, their neighbor… had been using a hair conditioner developed by his dad, and she had strong, luxurious hair – and Summer and his dad had a plan to market the conditioner and raise money for a horse rescue farm. Summer tries to get Andrew on board – but Andrew is torn – part wants to put all behind him and go home, part mourns for not being in sync with his father and wanting to help Summer… He fixes up the property… they have 15 minutes on a home shopping network & get a positive result, they have a night of passion – he refers her to others to buy the recipe, and leaves the selling of the farm to his real estate woman… and after a week, he and his dog hate New York and want to be back in Tiny and with Summer… he returns, she has cut her hair, she has traded her farm for his… and she loved him too.

Sleeping with a Beauty – Leslie Kelly
Elatyria and Earth – portals between; fairy tales are lived out in Elatyria and make their way into earth’s lexicon.
Ashlynn Scott, a historian, and Raine Fowler, trouble shooter… He is hired to protect her, and has been following her around… she is searching for the deserted Sleeping Beauty’s castle – she has 2 parts of a map, goes to Earth for the 3rd… and when Hunters are after her, and Raine distracts them, he sees the 4th part… they search for the castle, they spend nights making love under the stars… they find the castle, and finally confess their undying love & he’ll go where she is, and she’ll go where he is … ahhh

Catch Me =- Michelle Rowen
Ginger Redman and Stephen Fox – Fox has a publishing business, Ginger has worked for him for the last year… they are the best of friends… it is Valentines Day, he misdirects her online, blind date… at the café, a woman gives her a magical gingerbread cookie… run run as fast as you can… until the fox entraps her and eats her up… and all men are paying attention to her… their client insists on seeing them now… Fox is snared by the magic also and tells her how he really feels – she discounts it… the client makes a pass at her, Fox defends her… she leaves… she thinks it through and he sabatoged her blind date before the cookie … she goes back… he tells her all… they make love… ahhhh

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Tangled Up – Stephanie Bond – 3/5 – When his father dies, Andrew returns to his hometown to sell his father’s farm. While there, he becomes entranced with his neighbor, Summer, who had been working on a hair conditioner formula with his father, hoping to earn enough money with it to open a horse rescue center. Andrew doesn’t have time for such things, his life is in New York. But Summer keeps trying to remind him of what’s important, and Andrew can’t keep away from her. This was just average for me. I liked it well enough, but couldn’t really feel the chemistry or the love between the two main characters. Andrew was a bit on the dishonest side and I didn’t care for him all that much.

Sleeping with a Beauty – Leslie Kelly – 4/5 – Ashlynn is a historian in her world of Elatyria, a dimension just 2 degrees west of Earth and the basis of many of Earth’s fairytales. She’s searching for Sleeping Beauty’s castle and tracking down pieces of the map that points the way. Raine is Elatyrian born, but raised on Earth and is a finder and doer of odd jobs for money. He’s been hired to keep an eye on Ashlynn and get her home safely. But he gets caught up in her adventure and her. This was a pretty cute story that reminded me a bit of the 10th Kingdom miniseries a while back. There wasn’t much angst or relationship difficulty between Ash and Raine, but it was pretty cute. Raine was pretty damn sexy actually.

Catch Me – Michelle Rowen – 4.5/5 - It’s Valentine’s day and Ginger Redman’s blind date has stood her up. As she’s leaving the café, she makes a wish and eats a “magic cookie” given to her by an old woman. Before she knows it, men are falling all over themselves to be with her, whistling and making advances and it turns into the strangest night she’s ever had. But Ginger’s only ever really wanted one guy, her best friend and boss Stephen Fox. But he’s closed off from love and totally off limits, until the spell has him admitting his love. This really was a cute story and I love the whole friends-to-lovers aspect. These two are clearly really good friends and their chemistry is so good together. This was my favorite of the three stories.

[Silver James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Valentine Day themed anthology hits all the right spots as the three authors use three fairy tales as the foundation for these stories of finding true love.

Leslie Kelly has long been a favorite and I originally bought this Valentine anthology for her entry, "Sleeping with a Beauty" which is set her fairytale land of Elatyria. This tale of a historian looking for the *real* Sleeping Beauty's castle and the roguish adventurer hired to protect her was every bit as good as I hoped.

Stephanie Bond's entry, "All Tangled Up" was a fun play on the Rapunzel story, set in contemporary Tennessee. Sometimes going home again is the best thing a man can do.

Michelle Rowan's story, "Catch Me" is a clever play on the Gingerbread Man and the Fox. Her heroine, Ginger Redman is in love with her boss, Stephen Fox. It takes a magic gingerbread man on Valentine's Day to get them to admit their feelings.

A fun read full of the steamy romance Blaze books are known for.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Tangled Up by Stephanie Bond
Andrew goes home to Tennesse when his father dies and becomes involved with Summer who lives next door. Enjoyed this story and though it was to short, they were easy to care about and you hoped they could work it all out.

Sleeping with A Beauty by Leslie Kelly
Ashlynn is a historian in a fairy tale universe seeking the castle of Sleeping Beauty when she meets her Prince Charming.

Catch Me by Michelle Rowen
Ginger makes a wish and gets it. What every woman wants or do we, but I am sure every woman wants Stephen. A short story that'll put a smile on your face along with a few laughs.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one had been languishing in my TBR stack for a while and I just grabbed to take along when I knew I only brief periods to read. I didn't like the first story, All Tangle Up, very well. The wasn't enough about either Andrew or Summer or their romance for me to really connect. I really liked the Leslie Kelly story, Sleeping With a Beauty even though the premise was a little silly. My favorite was the last one, Catch Me. There was just something sweet and compelling about the couple. So All Tangled Up gets 2 stars and the other two are both 4 stars.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd give this 4.5 stars - all great stories but I really loved Sleeping With Beauty and Catch Me - both very interesting, well-written and captivating takes on the fairy tales. Definitely recommend for romance lovers, whether you enjoy fairy tales or not.

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Bedtime Stories

[Diah Didi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this merely because of the cover. Me loved it!
But of all three, I loved the last story the most. Why, it's friends-to-lovers theme after all. ^^

[TW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun reads.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sleeping with a Beauty was ok and I liked Catch Me, but none of these really would have held my attention of they had been any longer.

[Arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only read first and third stories and they were good.