What does a smooth operator, a killer negotiator and a master of revenge have in common? Underneath the hard exteriors beats a soft heart and that heart is about to meet it's match. Move over hotshots, these hot mamas are about to bring you to your knees. Alix Nichols loves to tease her readers without overstepping the boundaries. Christmas in Paris has a little something inside for everyone. Second chances, risky romances and second glances all add up to hot romances.

Talk Sweetly to Me

by Courtney Milan

Brothers Sinister #4.5 (novella)

 

 

This novella felt immensely too short and I wish we could have gotten more about Rose and Stephen.  Their story didn't feel as fleshed out as it could have been considering how wonderfully created Rose's character is.  I loved the astronomer geekiness in her, with her super excellent computing skills, and how she kind of just nerds out at the idea of being able to watch the Venus transit.

Anytime we get a super smart female character in any book, with little quirks like Rose has, I get all giddy and smiley.  We do not have nearly enough of these types of heroines in fiction--smart, decisive, ambitious... not doormats.  And yet at the same time, sweet and level-headed.

Stephen was a bit hard to like at the beginning, but then he starts flinging the jokes and I'm reminded of his brief appearances in the fourth Brothers Sinister book, and how much I enjoyed reading his 'Actual Man' column excerpts.  His penchant for being a jokester also melded quite well with his sudden turn to seriousness... sort of.  There was a slight disconnect, but it's barely noticeable.

It's just that, I'm not entirely sure what Stephen's mission had been when he wanted to get to know Rose.  When he claims that his intentions weren't seduction, I actually kind of believe him.  Because I'm not even sure he knew what he was trying to accomplish.

Anyway, this was a great addition to the Brothers Sinister series, though I do wish we could have seen more of the previous characters, rather than just having a mention of one.  There was some touching upon the race relations that I think was handled very well--the way Rose and her sister were treated by Dr. Chillingsworth was appallingly upsetting.  There were so many times that I just wanted to hit the guy for his "women like her" comments.  But that was (and sometimes still is) the reality of life.  And so it makes me happy to see Rose stand up for herself and her sister, eventually.

Overall, Talk Sweetly to Me was a very enjoyable novella that kind of just sucks you right in.  Before you know it, it's over and you feel that gaping hole that reminds you that the Brothers Sinister series is officially completed.

 

 

This is the last installment in the Brothers Sinister series, and like the other shorter works, suffers from being too short. Great characters and great dialog, but I wanted so much more.

 

Also, if you love a bad math joke, this is the romance short story for you. 

Sometimes it takes losing your heart before you find yourself ...

Tragedy left Adam a loner. Losing the women he planned to spend the rest of his life with has left Adam with two goals. To make his family vineyard a success and keep his heart under lock and key. Or so he thought. After a heartbreaking betrayal, Joy is looking for a fresh start. Finding her next story is her main concern. No drama, no romance, just work. Or so she thought.

What starts as a simple battle of wills quickly tailspins into an attraction that brings chaos in it's wake. Will fear turn a beautiful romance into the makings of an ugly tragedy? Ms. Morland is quickly leaving her mark on a rapidly growing genre. Her blend of sweet and salty romance makes an impression and left me wanting more.

Charming story with bonus mathematics