Review: By Firelight by Janice Maynard

Hot Arctic Nights
In North Pole, Alaska, Christmas spirit is everywhere—except in Hallie Prentiss’s heart. At least her
two-week stint managing the Dancing Elves B&B will pay the bills. Then she gets a look at long-term guest Daniel Reynolds. Whether dressed as Santa or (even better) wearing next to nothing, the man is gorgeous, charming, and sexy as hell. Workaholic Hallie is tempted to take a walk on the naughty side for once. But when she does, will she ever want to leave?

By Firelight
There’s nothing like nearly freezing to death on the Appalachian Trail to make a woman want to live a little. And when Madison Tierney stumbles upon Grant Monroe’s mountain cabin during a blizzard, she’s gripped by something more than gratitude. Soon, the glow of firelight sparks hot, sweet kisses…and the start of a Christmas adventure she’ll never forget.

ebook, 200 pages

Expected publication: October 11th 2016 by Lyrical Shine

Terri's Thoughts

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  The expected publication date is October 11th, 2016.

I must admit I was slightly confused regarding this book at first.  When I initially requested it from Netgalley, it gave no indication that it was not one but two books.  Perhaps I didn't look closely enough as it is clear on Goodreads.

Sometimes I feel like a scrooge (Christmas themed stories here) when I am not fussy on a book.  That is the case with this one.  I feel like it is not necessarily the writing, Maynard's style was fine, but the formula of these stories. This may be exactly what others are looking for however I was looking for more depth.

Essentially there was no plot.  These stories seemed to have only one goal and that was the sex and the plot took a back burner.  When the entire story revolves around when the characters are going to stop taking samples of each other sexually and finally do the deed, I get bored very quickly.  As mentioned previously, I am sure there are plenty who love this formula as this is a highly popular genre.  While I am not opposed to the bedroom scenes in my book, I want there to be more to the story.  Give me some depth and heaven forbid, don't be talking about the L word when the characters are complete strangers.  I do not buy in to that philosophy.

While I would not be recommending this stories, I remind everyone that it simply is not my cup of tea.  If you want to read about lust and sexual exploration without substance (an is a sort read), then this could be what you are looking for.

About the Author

Janice Maynard came to the writing life early! When her third grade short story, “The Princess and the Robbers”, won a red ribbon in a school arts fair, Janice was hooked. She followed up that early success with a more commercial piece in the sixth grade… “Why My Mom Loves To Drink Coke”. No advance for that one, but she won a six-pack of Coke… remember those great little bottles?

In junior high Janice began circulating her work to a wider audience. A dozen or so notebook pages stapled together made the rounds in some particularly boring classes, with the riveting tales carefully hidden behind textbooks.

High school meant the big time… editor of the school newspaper, the Maroon and White. Janice used her insightful editorials to delve into such meaty subjects as “locker room odor” and “why we need two-ply tissue in the student bathrooms”.

College brought lots of writing, but very little of it creative… four years later, Janice stepped into the adult world as a fully certified elementary teacher.

Despite motherhood, full-time employment, and keeping up with an “always into something” husband, Janice never lost her love of writing or the desire to be published. In 1996 she realized her long-time dream when Kensington Publishing bought her first book, Sweetheart. That exciting moment was followed by the sales of two more books in the Precious Gem line.

In the fall of 2002, Janice left the classroom to pursue writing full-time.

Website