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The Dangerous Bachelors Club #1
A Dangerously Sexy Christmas
A Hot Holiday Affair!
Aspiring jewelry designer Rose Lawson doesn't want a bodyguard. Especially the hot, muscle-y one her father hires after a break-in at the jewelry shop where she works. It's only when her home is also ransacked that Rose realizes the sexy (but infuriating) bodyguard might come in handy…especially on a cold winter's night.
Max Ridgeway is a former Aussie cop who's got something to prove in New York. He's convinced that someone dangerous is behind the robberies and that Rose needs protection. His protection. But what's even more dangerous is the sexy tension between them—because a hot little fling could compromise their lives…and his heart.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2015
About the author
Stefanie London
126 books981 followersStefanie London is a multi-award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romances and romantic comedies.
Stefanie’s books have been called “genuinely entertaining and memorable” by Booklist, and “elegant, descriptive and delectable” by RT magazine. Her stories have won multiple industry awards, including the HOLT Medallion and OKRWA National Reader's Choice Award, and she has been nominated for the Romance Writers of America RITA award.
Originally from Australia, Stefanie lives in Toronto with her very own hero and is doing her best to travel the world. She frequently indulges in her passions for good coffee, lipstick, romance novels and anything zombie-related.
Stefanie’s books have been called “genuinely entertaining and memorable” by Booklist, and “elegant, descriptive and delectable” by RT magazine. Her stories have won multiple industry awards, including the HOLT Medallion and OKRWA National Reader's Choice Award, and she has been nominated for the Romance Writers of America RITA award.
Originally from Australia, Stefanie lives in Toronto with her very own hero and is doing her best to travel the world. She frequently indulges in her passions for good coffee, lipstick, romance novels and anything zombie-related.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 20, 2015
So I got Stefanie London's November release, A Dangerously Sexy Christmas in the mail today at about 3 o'clock, by 8 o'clock I had read it from cover to cover. (and it only took me that long cause I had to keep cooling off reading it!)
Talk about heat! You could feel it the moment jewelry designer Rose Lawson met former Aussie police officer turned security agent Max Ridgeway. You were salivating over the attraction between the two by the time you hit the second chapter. By the time you hit the third chapter your fingers were being singed while seeing how Rose and Max gave into their instantaneous attraction and started burning up the sheets. Can we say hot?
I honestly had to go jump in the shower to cool off enough to continue reading this one!!!
After the shower I thought I'd be good to go... I was lying to myself cause by the time I was halfway though the book I was back in the bathroom running a cold bath and hubby was grinning at me like an idiot as he told me, " guess I'm getting lucky tonight!".
I'm pretty sure the cool baths and the grin on my face gave it away but how was I supposed to keep a straight face when I could feel the heat from A Dangerously Sexy Christmas giving me a sunburn on my face?!
I loved this book and couldn't stop reading it. I had to know if they'd find a way to be together. If they'd solve the mystery of who was stalking her and why.
I wanted to know if they'd figure it out before Christmas or would the end up alone for the holidays.(Holiday Romances are my all time favorite since I married my best friend a couple days before Christmas many moons ago so I feel a deep connection to them to begin with.)
I can only hope that Stefanie London doesn't end Rose and Max's romance here, but I hope and pray she revisits them in another romance soon.... Like Max's best friend , fellow agent Owen who doesn't believe in love (I personally would like to see him fall big time) or another fellow agent Quinn (she's a force to behold and I'd love to see her fall in love too) maybe with each other even.....
So if you want to read a scorcher of a romance I'd run out and get a copy of Stefanie London's , A Dangerously Sexy Christmas before they're all gone and see if you can survive the heat. God knows you won't need a blanket when you read this one cause the heat they generate is more than enough to keep you warm!
Talk about heat! You could feel it the moment jewelry designer Rose Lawson met former Aussie police officer turned security agent Max Ridgeway. You were salivating over the attraction between the two by the time you hit the second chapter. By the time you hit the third chapter your fingers were being singed while seeing how Rose and Max gave into their instantaneous attraction and started burning up the sheets. Can we say hot?
I honestly had to go jump in the shower to cool off enough to continue reading this one!!!
After the shower I thought I'd be good to go... I was lying to myself cause by the time I was halfway though the book I was back in the bathroom running a cold bath and hubby was grinning at me like an idiot as he told me, " guess I'm getting lucky tonight!".
I'm pretty sure the cool baths and the grin on my face gave it away but how was I supposed to keep a straight face when I could feel the heat from A Dangerously Sexy Christmas giving me a sunburn on my face?!
I loved this book and couldn't stop reading it. I had to know if they'd find a way to be together. If they'd solve the mystery of who was stalking her and why.
I wanted to know if they'd figure it out before Christmas or would the end up alone for the holidays.(Holiday Romances are my all time favorite since I married my best friend a couple days before Christmas many moons ago so I feel a deep connection to them to begin with.)
I can only hope that Stefanie London doesn't end Rose and Max's romance here, but I hope and pray she revisits them in another romance soon.... Like Max's best friend , fellow agent Owen who doesn't believe in love (I personally would like to see him fall big time) or another fellow agent Quinn (she's a force to behold and I'd love to see her fall in love too) maybe with each other even.....
So if you want to read a scorcher of a romance I'd run out and get a copy of Stefanie London's , A Dangerously Sexy Christmas before they're all gone and see if you can survive the heat. God knows you won't need a blanket when you read this one cause the heat they generate is more than enough to keep you warm!
October 30, 2015
This entertaining romance mixes a little suspense with lot of sexy heat and is the story of Max and Rose. When Rose's estranged father hires Max as a personal bodyguard for Rose after her jewelry shop is broken into, she's not at all pleased, wishing she'd never told her father about the incident on one of his many calls to reconnect their relationship. But when her home gets broken into as well, she's willing to admit that having Max around isn't so bad as she feared. In fact, she's quite willing to take things to a more personal level. Max's best efforts to keep things business only fall by the wayside when Rose makes it clear that she's willing to engage in a no-strings attached affair while things get sorted out. But danger stalks Rose even with her faithful bodyguard around, and when the pieces fall into place, she's going to have to decide where her heart really lies.
I really enjoyed this story! It had just the right balance for me of steamy sex scenes and a believable couple intertwined with a compelling suspense plot. I love that Rose is a very strong, opinionated character who doesn't back down from a fight nor run at the first sign of danger. She's definitely a handful for Max, but to his credit he understands her feelings about his bodyguard status and takes them into account even as he doesn't shirk from his duty to protect her at all costs. Rose's relationship with her father is a difficult one, and is the basis for a lot of what has happened in her life, the good and the bad. He's a key character in the story, as his desire for reuniting with Rose and his hiring of Max to protect her clash with her desire to stay independent of him. Though Max and Rose start out having an ill-advised (but so tempting!) fling, it quickly develops into something deeper for them both, even though they've professed to wanting no relationship. I liked that they both had to be willing to make some changes in order for their affair to go any further. The ending wrapped everything together nicely. 4.5 stars.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the author for review.
I really enjoyed this story! It had just the right balance for me of steamy sex scenes and a believable couple intertwined with a compelling suspense plot. I love that Rose is a very strong, opinionated character who doesn't back down from a fight nor run at the first sign of danger. She's definitely a handful for Max, but to his credit he understands her feelings about his bodyguard status and takes them into account even as he doesn't shirk from his duty to protect her at all costs. Rose's relationship with her father is a difficult one, and is the basis for a lot of what has happened in her life, the good and the bad. He's a key character in the story, as his desire for reuniting with Rose and his hiring of Max to protect her clash with her desire to stay independent of him. Though Max and Rose start out having an ill-advised (but so tempting!) fling, it quickly develops into something deeper for them both, even though they've professed to wanting no relationship. I liked that they both had to be willing to make some changes in order for their affair to go any further. The ending wrapped everything together nicely. 4.5 stars.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the author for review.
October 12, 2015
Woohoo what a fantastic story this one is it has all the right things that a very sensual romance would need to make this one a book you will not want to put down.
Rose Lawson is an aspiring jewellery designer and has just moved back to new York to live after spending many years in England with her mother but her mother has passed on now and her only relative is her estranged father who is still living in New York so can she change her relationship with her father and can Rose who is very much a loner build a life for herself maybe but when things start to happen and her father sets a body guard to watch over her a very sexy body guard things will start to change for her.
Max Ridgeway has left his family and his job as a police officer in Melbourne Australia after he loses someone close and comes to New York and starts work at a security firm he misses his family and his old job but he really needs to prove a few things to himself. He is now appointed to be Rose's body guard after a few robberies and he is convinced that there is something sinister going on and he will do anything to protect Rose.
Rose is so very stubborn and is not happy about having a body guard but he is sexy as all get up and when they are thrown together the electrical spark is so strong and neither can deny it for long so while protecting her and uncovering what is going on Max does something he should not and they have such a sinfully sensual affair that leads to both of them opening up to each other in more ways than one. This is a wonderful story that will not disappoint don't miss this one I highly recommend it you will be fanning yourself and smiling throughout hmmm awesome story.
Rose Lawson is an aspiring jewellery designer and has just moved back to new York to live after spending many years in England with her mother but her mother has passed on now and her only relative is her estranged father who is still living in New York so can she change her relationship with her father and can Rose who is very much a loner build a life for herself maybe but when things start to happen and her father sets a body guard to watch over her a very sexy body guard things will start to change for her.
Max Ridgeway has left his family and his job as a police officer in Melbourne Australia after he loses someone close and comes to New York and starts work at a security firm he misses his family and his old job but he really needs to prove a few things to himself. He is now appointed to be Rose's body guard after a few robberies and he is convinced that there is something sinister going on and he will do anything to protect Rose.
Rose is so very stubborn and is not happy about having a body guard but he is sexy as all get up and when they are thrown together the electrical spark is so strong and neither can deny it for long so while protecting her and uncovering what is going on Max does something he should not and they have such a sinfully sensual affair that leads to both of them opening up to each other in more ways than one. This is a wonderful story that will not disappoint don't miss this one I highly recommend it you will be fanning yourself and smiling throughout hmmm awesome story.
January 18, 2016
A Dangerously Sexy Christmas by Stefanie London is dangerously sexy – the title says it all! The storyline just pops with sizzle and fire. The romance is steamy and pulsing, the dialogues carry weight and the fresh prose just grabs your shirtfront and doesn’t let go. Rose Lawson aspires to become a jewelry designer and only recently moved back to New York from England after the death of her mother who she’d lived with for a number of years. Her father who she shares a strained relationship with is now the only family she has left. So it is up to Rose to build a bridge between her and her daddy dearest. But when a series of robberies take place her father is forced to hire a bodyguard to protect her. Max Ridgeway gave up his life in Australia and traveled to New York after he’d been dealt with a wrong set of cards in his life. He works at a security firm and is hired to protect Rose. It is on the job where Max finds himself by protecting Rose. Though Rose is headstrong and stubborn, the electrical spark between her and Max ignites the pages and makes this a satisfying read!
Recommended
4 Stars
August 14, 2017
"November is definitely the sexiest month of Blaze in 2015. New to the line, London brings a fresh and sensual voice that readers will appreciate" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
November 9, 2015
Heather's review from Smut MattersMy first thought upon meeting Max was something along the lines of "Great. Another alphole." He's been hired by Rose's father to be her bodyguard after the jewelry store where she works was broken into. She's not interested in his security services, and he doesn't care. As far as he's concerned, she's not his client, her father is, and he's going to follow her around and stalk her whether she wants him to or not. And she very much does not want him to. I was forced to revise my opinion when Max was almost immediately proven right about Rose's safety, or lack thereof. Turned out, Rose was in danger, and Max wasn't an alphole at all. He was just a regular old alpha, one who knew what he was doing, and was determined to keep Rose safe, first because it's his job, later because she's the woman he's sleeping with, then even later because he's grown to care about her. Once Rose realized he was right to be worried, she revised her opinion about him, too. So I wasn't alone there.
The attraction between them starts out as purely physical, and deepens pretty quickly, like the best of them do. The heat between them was apparent from that first meeting, even through their bickering about him following her around. And, really, what is good bickering besides the best kind of foreplay? Rose was my favorite kind of heroine - she was confident, savvy, smart enough to know when to fight and when to back off, and just smart in general. She never let Max walk all over her or make all of her decisions for her, but she knew when to listen to him and when to stand her ground. And I love it when the heroine knows what she wants and goes after it. In this case, Rose wanted Max, so she went after him and got him. I love seeing heroines make the first move and go after what they want. It's not exactly rare, but it's not as common as I'd like it to be.
Once I got past my incorrect initial impression of Max, I really liked him. He tried to fight off his attraction to Rose for a bit, but once they went for it, he didn't wallow in angst over it. He was smart enough to figure out what was happening and who was behind the attacks on Rose. He didn't want to tell her until he was certain, but when she insisted, he told her. None of that "I'm keeping secrets from you for your own good" bullshit. He knew she was uncertain about having him around in the beginning, and he took that into consideration while still doing what he thought he needed to in order to keep her safe. Neither of them was willing to compromise their own beliefs, but they weren't going to bulldoze the other into doing what they were told, either. They were a believable couple, even in the midst of the drama they were dealing with.
The story takes place around Christmas, but there's not much of the holiday to it, so if you're looking for a Christmasy read, this probably won't do it for you. But I really enjoyed this book. I didn't know how Rose and Max were going to resolve their potential geographical differences in the end. The way they managed to felt real to me; they both had to make some changes and adjustments in their lives, but neither of them had to give up everything. That was the strongest impression I came away with after finishing this book - a sense of realness. Even though Rose and Max were in a situation most of us are never going to face, their actions and decisions felt authentic. Stefanie London never made it seem like either of her main characters were doing something just for the sake of amping up the drama.
The next book in the series is coming out in April. I thought I knew who it would center on, but looking at London's website, I was only half right. I hope the other half of my guess gets a book, too. Stefanie London is a new author to me, I've only read 2 of her books, but I really like them. Even her side characters are well-drawn enough for me to be interested in. Pick this one up!
The attraction between them starts out as purely physical, and deepens pretty quickly, like the best of them do. The heat between them was apparent from that first meeting, even through their bickering about him following her around. And, really, what is good bickering besides the best kind of foreplay? Rose was my favorite kind of heroine - she was confident, savvy, smart enough to know when to fight and when to back off, and just smart in general. She never let Max walk all over her or make all of her decisions for her, but she knew when to listen to him and when to stand her ground. And I love it when the heroine knows what she wants and goes after it. In this case, Rose wanted Max, so she went after him and got him. I love seeing heroines make the first move and go after what they want. It's not exactly rare, but it's not as common as I'd like it to be.
Once I got past my incorrect initial impression of Max, I really liked him. He tried to fight off his attraction to Rose for a bit, but once they went for it, he didn't wallow in angst over it. He was smart enough to figure out what was happening and who was behind the attacks on Rose. He didn't want to tell her until he was certain, but when she insisted, he told her. None of that "I'm keeping secrets from you for your own good" bullshit. He knew she was uncertain about having him around in the beginning, and he took that into consideration while still doing what he thought he needed to in order to keep her safe. Neither of them was willing to compromise their own beliefs, but they weren't going to bulldoze the other into doing what they were told, either. They were a believable couple, even in the midst of the drama they were dealing with.
The story takes place around Christmas, but there's not much of the holiday to it, so if you're looking for a Christmasy read, this probably won't do it for you. But I really enjoyed this book. I didn't know how Rose and Max were going to resolve their potential geographical differences in the end. The way they managed to felt real to me; they both had to make some changes and adjustments in their lives, but neither of them had to give up everything. That was the strongest impression I came away with after finishing this book - a sense of realness. Even though Rose and Max were in a situation most of us are never going to face, their actions and decisions felt authentic. Stefanie London never made it seem like either of her main characters were doing something just for the sake of amping up the drama.
The next book in the series is coming out in April. I thought I knew who it would center on, but looking at London's website, I was only half right. I hope the other half of my guess gets a book, too. Stefanie London is a new author to me, I've only read 2 of her books, but I really like them. Even her side characters are well-drawn enough for me to be interested in. Pick this one up!
November 19, 2015
I've read Stefanie London's previous books and am constantly amazed at how different they all are, but how her unique voice still shines through. This first book for the Harlequin Blaze series blew me away. Not only was the writing superb - both seamless and engaging - but the characters were well developed, the sex scenes sizzled and the plot was full of suspense with plenty of twists and a very satisfying ending.
The hero, Max, really did it for me. I'm not usually one to go for alpha guys, but he was the perfect mix of take charge action vs comfort and concern. The heroine, Rose, was extremely likable and I was rooting for her from the first page. A strong, determined woman with just the right touch of vulnerability to soften the edges.
The sexual tension as they fought their attraction in the beginning was perfect and when they finally gave in, it was worth the wait. The love scenes in this book were scorching hot and every one of them had their place in the developing romance between the characters. These two more than deserved their happy ever after.
I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
The hero, Max, really did it for me. I'm not usually one to go for alpha guys, but he was the perfect mix of take charge action vs comfort and concern. The heroine, Rose, was extremely likable and I was rooting for her from the first page. A strong, determined woman with just the right touch of vulnerability to soften the edges.
The sexual tension as they fought their attraction in the beginning was perfect and when they finally gave in, it was worth the wait. The love scenes in this book were scorching hot and every one of them had their place in the developing romance between the characters. These two more than deserved their happy ever after.
I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
November 27, 2015
I just finished this book, and it was fantastic. I loved the chemistry between Rose and Max. They sizzled from page 1 until the end. I really enjoyed Rose's spirit and spunk. She doesn't take any crap from anyone and can hold her own. And while Max is the classic Alpha male, it was refreshing to see his vulnerabilities. This is definitely a keeper.
December 27, 2015
I loved it. Loved the storyline and the characters. A very entertaining read!
February 22, 2016
Great Christmas read! I enjoyed the chemistry between the characters, getting to know them and discovering what would happen to make their happy ending happy, and how the mystery would be solved.
November 22, 2017
eh, not bad, but also nothing memorable. Fairly typical.
November 24, 2015
Hot, Sexy read where the chemistry between the characters sparks off the page. Loved it.
December 12, 2016
A well written romance and mystery.
The male and female leads are well written and complex characters with specific motivations for their actions. The internal settings are well described but the city of New York could just as easily have been anywhere else in the world and it would not have changed the descriptions of the external settings.
The plot was based on a mystery and was well paced.
The male and female leads are well written and complex characters with specific motivations for their actions. The internal settings are well described but the city of New York could just as easily have been anywhere else in the world and it would not have changed the descriptions of the external settings.
The plot was based on a mystery and was well paced.
December 31, 2024
Half the top reviews here feel to me like they were written by an ad department, but to my relief this really was a good book. Pulled me right in and never let go. My biggest gripe is that it isn't very Christmas-y, which isn't a big deal. I'd rather have a good romance with less Christmas than a ton of Christmas but a bad romance, and it's the latter that is far more common.
March 5, 2021
This was a sexy, fluffy read for me. I liked the tension between Max and Rose, and the mystery was a fun bonus. At the same time, it was hard for me to believe in their relationship because everything seemed so mercurial between them, sort of back and forth in an abrupt way.
June 12, 2017
Not bad. Romance had lots of sex but not much heat, IMHO, but the mystery was pretty good, albeit easy to solve.
September 22, 2018
Labai banali istorija. Siužetas visiškai nuspėjamas, o labiausiai nepatiko pagrindinė veikėja, kuri jau pirmą pažinties dieną užsimanė suvilioti vyrą.
August 28, 2020
Never came to life for me. The heroine was stubborn, pushy and totally unappealing. The sex felt mechanical and I really never believed in the ‘Love’. Sorry - I found this boring and predictable.
December 23, 2020
Max and Rose's story will keep you guessing until the end. Wonderfully written to make for a great read. Great story line that keeps you turning the pages. So good.
April 10, 2016
A Dangerously Sexy Christmas by Stefanie London sizzles with a robbery, a super sexy bodyguard and a woman who is convinced that she doesn’t need help. I must give a shout out to the team at Harlequin Blaze and this fantastic cover!
Rose Lawson has returned to the states to make a name for herself with her unique and creative jewelry designs. Max Ridgeway is a cop from Australia who has decided it’s time to head back home after this last job, Rose’s case.
Secrets from Rose’s past still haunt her and Max can’t come to terms with why he left Australia. What will happen when things heat up? Can Max focus to keep her safe? Will Rose be able to trust him? Can Max and Rose keep their hands off each other as they work together to solve this mystery? Or, will they have to scratch that “itch” first before they discover who is behind it all?
Harlequin Blaze and Stefanie London do not disappoint us dear readers in this hot Christmas read. Stefanie is a fabulous author who hooks you in from the first chapter and creates characters that will have you e-mailing her asking for more. Yes, I did and I will patiently wait for the next story.
I received this ARC from the author for a fair and honest review.
For mature readers, 18+
Rose Lawson has returned to the states to make a name for herself with her unique and creative jewelry designs. Max Ridgeway is a cop from Australia who has decided it’s time to head back home after this last job, Rose’s case.
Secrets from Rose’s past still haunt her and Max can’t come to terms with why he left Australia. What will happen when things heat up? Can Max focus to keep her safe? Will Rose be able to trust him? Can Max and Rose keep their hands off each other as they work together to solve this mystery? Or, will they have to scratch that “itch” first before they discover who is behind it all?
Harlequin Blaze and Stefanie London do not disappoint us dear readers in this hot Christmas read. Stefanie is a fabulous author who hooks you in from the first chapter and creates characters that will have you e-mailing her asking for more. Yes, I did and I will patiently wait for the next story.
I received this ARC from the author for a fair and honest review.
For mature readers, 18+
June 16, 2016
Sorry, this book did not work for me. From the first chapter I disliked the Heroine. I found her brittle and annoying, then the Hero was introduced as judgmental and unsympathetic, but I forced myself to keep reading, assuming things might improve.
Besides continuing to dislike the characters, throughout I found the writing style awkward and choppy and the use of odd metaphors derailed the story for me; "roided-up G.I Joe wannabe"?, and the Heroine finds "his jawline was sharp enough to cut Thanksgiving Turkey"??? Sigh, just snort and replusive!)
This made the read very, very, very hard going and I finally gave up and hit my DNF point and skimmed to the end to take in the resolution, but very disappointed. So not my cup of tea.
Score: 1.5 Stars, Will Toast from my EBook Library.
Besides continuing to dislike the characters, throughout I found the writing style awkward and choppy and the use of odd metaphors derailed the story for me; "roided-up G.I Joe wannabe"?, and the Heroine finds "his jawline was sharp enough to cut Thanksgiving Turkey"??? Sigh, just snort and replusive!)
This made the read very, very, very hard going and I finally gave up and hit my DNF point and skimmed to the end to take in the resolution, but very disappointed. So not my cup of tea.
Score: 1.5 Stars, Will Toast from my EBook Library.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2015
Rose has bad memories associated with her parents divorce. Her mom is now passed and she has just moved back to NY where her father, that she hasn't seen in a dozen years, lives. He seems willing to rekindle that relationship. But should she? He hires Max to protect Rose after a breakin at the jewelry store she works in. Good idea, as her house was next? Nothing was stolen. What could they be looking for?
I like Rose, understand her need to keep people at a distance. Max has his own demons as to why he left his native Australia. Can these two mend each other and make Christmas a time of joy? Tune in and see!
I like Rose, understand her need to keep people at a distance. Max has his own demons as to why he left his native Australia. Can these two mend each other and make Christmas a time of joy? Tune in and see!
September 21, 2016
was good, but a little predictable.
December 18, 2020
Wasn't too crazy about this, but it's a solid start to the series. Would recommend for a relatively quick read.
November 26, 2015
Couldn't really get into it.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews