Holiday Party - Day 8

So, for some reason this didn’t post on time, so it’s a bit late. So after a great week 1, we're now on to week 2 of the Holiday Party, but for today, I wanted to do something a little different.  I wanted to do a throwback  and share some of the first Christmas stories I ever reviewed. I reviewed the first two back in 2013, and so without further ado...

First up is Santa’s Slay by Stephanie Burke.

4 stars

Fair warning to all: This is not the book to read if you're just dipping your toes into BDSM books. This has hardcore sadism and masochism, so if that's not your cup of tea, you should skip this book. If, however, you're looking for a funny, interesting read about the REAL, sadistic Jack Frost, then this is for you.

Jack was simply ah-maz-ing! He was hysterical and sexy all at the same time (which isn't as easy as it sounds). And in case I haven't made it clear, he's extremely sadistic. He gets off on causing pain and terrifying others, which made him seem like a bastard for the first part of the book, but you see bits of his soft side with Peter, which just made me fall in love even more with him. As for Peter, he's an inquisitive reporter who is finally getting his chance to embrace his masochistic submissive side and meet the Master meant to tame him. Peter was a nice counter to Jack, as he didn't cower in fear from Jack and wasn't afraid to push him and share his honest opinions and thoughts. And as a secondary character, Chris Cringle was pretty funny as well, and I would love to see him get his own book (who cares if he has a wife? A husband would be so much better).

I loved the world building in this book. Santa isn't the big ole jolly gift giver, but the sexy elf corporate taking over the world and beating all the other Holidays. Jack Frost isn't some cute and cuddly little boy or the mischief maker looking to take over as Santa. Here, he's Santa's dangerous, sexy, and sadistic bodyguard and High Inquisitor of the Elementals. Oh, and he's the head of Santa's Slay, highly trained killer elves. Yes, killer elves. And Jack's the deadliest of all. Oh, and the North Pole isn't a place, it's a corporation making millions off toy making. There was a lot of detail interwoven into this story, which is unusual for a short story, but I absolutely loved it. I loved the different take on Santa and Christmas and would love to see more written in this world.

And the sex? SMOKING HOT! There's lots of sex and kink, which I loved. And there's also a pretty hot bath scene... all I'll say is Peter is one lucky guy.

I would definitely recommend this book, as it's a very interesting and unique (kinky) take on Christmas and the usual characters.

Secondly, A Very Holland Christmas by Toni Griffin.

3 stars

I greatly enjoyed the Holland Brothers series and I was bummed when it ended, so when I heard that there was going to be a Christmas story about them, I was ecstatic.

Christmas is a time for family and friends. Catch up with the Holland Brothers and their mates as they race to get everything ready for their second Christmas together.

This is a cute little Christmas story and a nice little sequel to the series. It starts right in on Christmas Eve, with everyone in the family preparing for their second Christmas together. There is no background or recap and it took me a minute to remember everything in the previous books. One of the things I liked best was that it also provides some answers to previous unanswered questions and final closure for some. It is a bit of a leap after some of the books so it also provides a glimpse into the future of all the Hollands.

I would definitely recommend this to all those who loved the Holland Brothers series and if you haven't read the series already, you should read it before reading this story in order to fully understand what's going on.