The Magical Christmas Cat

Breeds #12.5 (Christmas Heat)

by Lora Leigh, Linda Winstead Jones, Erin McCarthy

Put a little "meow" in their stocking this year with these tales of Christmas and felines―from four beloved bestselling authors!

New York Times bestselling authors Lora Leigh and Nalini Singh, as well as top-selling authors Erin McCarthy and Linda Winstead Jones, have a special gift for readers this year: heartwarming holiday stories featuring passionate romance, paranormal adventure, and a distinctly alluring feline touch. With four new stories, this is a collection packed with more surprises than Christmas morning, and more chills than the snowiest winter night . . .

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Romance, Anthologies, Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Christmas

372 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Lora Leigh is a New York Times bestselling author of erotic romance novels. Leigh started publishing with electronic publisher Ellora's Cave in 2003. Leigh's longest-running series is The Breeds. She won the 2009 RT Award for erotica. Leigh was born in Ohio and raised in Martin County, Kentucky, US.


https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6...

Reviews

[Sophia Triad · Rating 5 out of 5]

(The review is only for Lora Leigh’s story: Christmas Heat)
Breeds 17
Feline Breeds 11
Featured Couple: Noble (Jaguar) & Haley (Human)

Noble is a Breed Enforcer and he already knows for some time now that librarian Haley is his mate. Noble is trying to avoid the mating because he is scared for Haley’s safety.

Haley has overheard some information about the people plotting against the Breeds and Noble runs to protect her. When the mating heat kicks in, Noble is trying really hard to suspend it and to give Haley a choice.

I was not disappointed with the story. The buildup of sexual attraction and the resulting mating was hot and we also learn the fate of Alaiya, the phony mate from Mercury's War.

And there are cookies, gifts and Christmas' spirit for all the Breeds in the end!

[Julie (jjmachshev) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Magical Christmas Cat" is a collection of four hot stories by four well-known paranormal romance authors. I enjoyed that each author used a different 'take' on the whole cat theme. In this anthology we have a leopard shifter, a witch's familiar, a demon that resides in a jade cat, and a Jaguar 'breed' enforcer.

Stroke of Enticement by Nalini Singh. A Psy-Changeling story about Zach, a sexy leopard shifter who meets his mate, a human...and will use both his instincts, cat and man, to lure her to him.

Christmas Bree by Erin McCarthy. She's a goth witch. He's an uptight GQ lawyer. But since their only meeting one year ago, both of them have been having seriously hot, wet dreams...about each other. What happens when they meet again and realize they've been sharing those dreams?

Sweet Dreams by Linda Winstead Jones. Ruby is a single, shy woman who just lost the last of her family. At the neighborhood Christmas party she's surprised to receive an 'extra' gift from a secret admirer, a very old small jade statuette of a cat. She's even more surprised when her neighbor, absent minded parapsychology Professor Benedict suddenly doesn't want to leave her alone.

Christmas Heat by Lora Leigh. Noble has known Haley is his mate for a year now, but he's used the violence and distance his job as a Breed Enforcer requires to delay deepening their platonic relationship. But when she becomes entangled in a plot against the breeds and becomes a target to keep her from testifying, Noble knows the time has come to claim his mate.

I'm still fanning myself. In order of enjoyment: Lora Leigh and Nalini Singh were a tie for first, followed by Erin McCarthy and then Linda Winstead Jones. "The Magical Christmas Cat" will definitely heat up your holidays!!

[Grecia Robles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Estas historias cortas las he disfrutado mucho.
Creo que le dan frescura a la serie ya que los libros prinicpales tienden a ser pesados después de estar leyendo tantos seguidos.

Además que es bonito ver las historias de las parejas ya consolidadas.

En este caso tenemos a Zach un cambiante Leopardo que pertenece al Clan de los DarkRiver y a Annie una profesora que es humana.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really really like Zach and Annie. I hope we get to see more of them in the main series. I only read the Psy-Changeling story by Nalini Singh)

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for queuemyreview.com book release October 08

The Magical Christmas Cat is a romantic and sometimes erotic anthology featuring a few of my favorite authors. Each story has the distinction of a little “feline” touch. We have a paranormal romance from Nalini Singh about a leopard changeling falling in love with a reluctant schoolteacher. In Erin McCarthy’s story we have a witch with a matchmaking kitty-cat. Linda Winstead Jones gives us a demonic story about a possessed cat shaped knick-knack, and last but certainly not least, Lora Leigh gives us a story from her breed series about a leopard in mating heat. Whew! Here are a couple I liked...

In Stroke Of Enticement by Nalini Singh, we have the story of Annie, a human schoolteacher that teaches young changeling kids in an Elementary School in Darkriver territory. When she has a little disciplinary trouble with a student and “Uncle Zach” comes to take care of it, neither one of them has any idea how intense it might get. Zach realizes that Annie is his mate, however with Annie’s overbearing mother and loveless father, can Annie trust Zach enough to let the mating bond take over?

Christmas Heat by Lora Leigh is about a human librarian named Haley who falls for a Leopard Breed named Noble. When Haley hears something she shouldn’t and her life is in danger, Noble is sent to protect her. When Noble realizes he is in mating heat, he has to convince Haley that he’ll never leave her. Can he do that while at the same time protecting her life?

Out of all these stories Nalini Singh’s and Lora Leigh’s were my favorites. They had the most heat and excitement and great character development. Sweet Dreams by Linda Winstead Jones was my least favorite of all the stories because I just didn’t really connect with the main characters at all and Christmas Bree by Erin McCarthy was just okay for me. Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and if you are looking for a little bit of every kind of romance, this is the perfect book for you!

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stroke of Enticement by Nalini Singh:
4 Stars

Annie a human teacher with Zach a leopard changeling from the Dark River Pack meet and fall in love.

Nice little romance in the Psy-Changeling world!



Christmas Bree by Erin McCarty:
4 Stars

Liked this paranormal opposites attract, destined to be together romance! Might have to read Abby's story.

[Kathrynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed each of the four stories in this slightly smaller trade paperback/Christmas anthology:

1. "Stroke of Enticement" by Nalina Singh (Psy-Changeling, #7) and wow. Made me rush out and buy #1 in her series. The characters were Zach Quinn and Annie Kildaire.

Rated PG-13 (4 1/2 Stars)

2. "Christmas Bree" by Erin McCarthy (Murphy Sisters, #2) was okay, but it was all about sex. The characters were Bree Murphy and Ian Carrington in Cuttersville, Ohio. For me, this one was like eating a sandwich with meat and bread only. Okay and satisfied the hunger, but could have been mouth-watering with additional toppings (character development).

Per Auntee (thank you!), this is part of a series involving three sisters that are witches. Bree Murphy's story frustrated me abit. Grandmother Murphy passed away and left each of the sisters a considerable inheritance. As this story progressed, it turned out Grandmother Murphy owed $80,000 in back taxes on the house she left Bree. Come on! She left one sister $200,000, another a Tea Shop and she owed $80,000 in back taxes on her home? I don't think so.

Rated R (3 Stars)

3. "Sweet Dreams" by Linda Winstead Jones didn't belong in this Christmas romance book, IMO. It was NOT a romance, but a horror story. Very good horror story centering around Christmas time when the moon is at its fullest, but that's the extent of the Christmas theme it had. The characters were: Zane Benedict, Ruby Kincaid and took place in Minville, Alabama.

Rated PG-13 (4 1/2 Stars)

4. "Christmas Heat" by Lora Leigh is #17 of her Breed series and it was WONDERFUL. My favorite of all the stories! No arguing amongst the main characters: Haley McQuire, Noble Chavin (Jaguar breed enforcer).

This story was very romantic--especially the ending. There is a suspense theme and the way Haley "did" Christmas and explained the holiday to Noble...wow. She was his breath of fresh air. She was a very likable character and he was so darn neat.

Tissue alert for this one!

Several previous characters were either mentioned or appeared briefly in this short story. Per Melissab, there is a major spoiler to "Mercury's War" (Breed, #16) in this one. So FYI! Other characters that are in or mentioned in this one: Jonas Wyatt (of course and when are we going to get his story?), Dane and Leo Vanderale, Zane Taggert (human sheriff), Mordecai (and his pet), Blade Travers, Mercury, Lawe, and Rule, the ever mysterious Uriel, Alaiya Jennings...

Rated Erotic (5 Stars)

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please note that this rating/review is only for Nalini Singh’s Stroke of Enticement

If Singh writes anything set in the Psy-Changeling world, then I’m going to read it! Stroke of Enticement is about Annie, a super cool human (and I’m not just saying that because we share the same name!) and a super sexy changeling named Zach.

Most of the magical romance happens within the first 48 hours of meeting each other. But Singh does fast track a month after to see the dynamics of relationship. The fast-forward is significant because Annie has a problem with commitment. She’s afraid to fall completely for the dangerous and alluring changeling because she fears that Zach’s passion for her will fade. But the cat in Zach isn’t about to give up.

This short story is too cute to miss out on! All Psy-Changeling fans need to read this ASAP! Just don't look at the creepy cat on the cover.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread (Jul 11, 2014)

The way Nalini writes her changeling men *shivers*

Originally read (Apr 18, 2013)

Zach and Annie have had brief mentions and appearances throughout this series and now we finally get to read their story. I loved these two so much!

Zach is just so deliciously possessive. I love the way Nalini write her changeling men. They are just so toe curlingly amazing. And I really liked Annie. It wouldn't have been easy to watch her parents marriage fall to pieces and become cold and distant. But Zach proved his adoration, devotion and affection for her and made her see what happened with her parents marriage would never, in any lifetime, happen between mated couples.

I will definitely read this short, sexy and incredibly sweet novella again.

[AℳY♔Queen of Fat cats♔Ain't no lie Baby Byebyebye]

cover♥

[Ronda · Rating 5 out of 5]

PSY-CHANGELING 3.5

I wasn't really expecting too much from a short novel so reading this was an exceptional surprise. I love Annie and Zach and the story of how they met and mated and as well as their story, the pack members were included too. A book well worth reading!!!

[Talltree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read/rated only the NS and EM stories.

[Mojca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised, and pleasantly so, by Nalini Singh's contribution. It's the first story I've read by this author and I have to say I'm literally itching to read more about the Psy-Changeling universe. I know the market is inundated with shifter stories, yet this series apparently has a slightly different angle and I loved what I've read so far.
The characters were alive and well-developped, the conflict more than believable, and the plot, though holiday oriented and not much of a shocker was nicely delineated. The story flowed nicely, and the Christmasy touch added that little extra something special to make this story a little more sweeter and cuter than it already was...Talk about season for miracles. ;)

The middle two stories by Erin McCarthy and Linda Winstead Jones were the "pebble in the shoe" for this anthology. While McCarthy's strove for a bit of paranormal ending up with a shared dream was still passable, though not a great achievement (the characters seemed a little cold and the whole falling into each other's arms - despite the dream - was a bit too rushed to be believable), Winstead Jones' contribution was simply meh.
The weakest of them all, in suspense, though it tried really hard (and the ending of the first chapter was promising), characters and story. And what was with the constant use of the Italian? Wouldn't it been enough to use the word once and then revert back to English? But I guess it sounded fancier...At least if you decide to sound fancy and use a foreign language, at least try to use it correctly. A dictionary is a good help, sometimes. Il Collettore is spelled with two T's and not one as you did, Ms. Winstead Jones. Also, the Italians tend to use an apostrophe when the noun begins with a vowel so the correct use would be d'Anima and if we're using strict grammar, soul should be plural (he needs nine)...Il Collettore d'Anime. Just for the record.

Lora Leigh is simply Lora Leigh. I like all her stories (some more some less, depending on the publisher LOL) and this one was no exception. Yet another nice mix of action, romance, and steam, just the way I lik'em. Also, the Christmas backdrop added a nice warm, homey touch to the romance between Noble and Haley.
The story was nicely tied in to the previous books, Noble getting shot in Dawn's Awakening and the party and mate issues from Mercury's War. I love it when the bad guys go down and that b**** had it coming. *evil grin*

So the first and fourth novellas earned this anthology its 4-star rating because these two were worth the money spent on this book (which isn't often the case with anthologies). So I recommend this for Leigh and Singh fans...And for those who need a Christmas fix in the middle of the year. ;)

[Fanny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solo lei la novela de Nalini Singh, que narra la historia de Zach, uno de los leopardos del clan DarkRiver y Annie, una chica humana.
Creo que ya lo he dicho pero me encantan estas historias cortas dentro de la saga Psi-Cambiantes, son ligeras, divertidas y con un desarrollo mas que aceptable, en esta ocasion encontramos una lectura agil y amena, no me hubiera molestado que tuviera mas paginas pero en general fue un libro muy entretenido y sencillo.

2.5 Estrellas!

[Midu Hadi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stroke of Enticement by Nalini Singh: ★★
Zach, a changeling, falls for his nephew's teacher. We're shown a glimpse of Lucas & Sachsa too.

Christmas Bree by Erin McCarthy: ★★
Three witch sisters. One of them predicts the other will meet her soulmate who will be wearing a "pink" shirt!

Sweet Dreams by Linda Winstead Jones: ★★
Why you shouldn't accept gifts from secret admirers! Demon cats and ancient brotherhoods too.

Christmas Heat by Lora Leigh: ★★★
A breed finds his mate in the witness he's supposed to protect.

[AlwaysV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nalini Singh's Stroke of Enticement is such a magical novella. A wish from a lonely little girl has materialized in a form of the DarkRiver leopard. There is also a bonus for me, personally :) I've noticed Kaleb for the very first time!

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mini review I only read two stories out of this book
 
"Stroke of Enticement" by Nalini Singh
This is the first story I have ever read in the Psy-Changeling series where we have a human and changeling match and you know what I loved it!! As a child Annie is in an accident that almost takes her life but she does not walk away completely unscared. Now she lives with a limp that often causes her pain but for the most part Annie is at peace with her life. Until the day Zach walks into her classroom and changes Annie’s world forever.
 
Only Nalini Singh can write a short story that leave you just as satisfied as if you had read the whole novel. I may be biased because Zach is my favorite kind of hero – handsome, charming, quick wit, funny and protective – sigh what is not to love lol.
 
5 stars "Christmas Heat" by Lora Leigh Haley is in danger because she has overheard some information about the people plotting against the Breeds. Even though the Breeds are trying to protect her people around her have been hurt  and now Haley is trying to protect everyone she cares about including Noble, a Jaguar Breed. Noble on the other hand has always known that Haley is his mate but Noble wants Haley to want him because of him and not the heat. But as the danger against Haley grows his instincts take over and now all bets are off.
 
It is a good story, but it feels like we just get a lot of cameo’s from other characters which for me took away from the story. The other issue for me was  the sex got to be a bit much in some parts. Then the action scene seemed a bit anticlimactic. In the end it was a good story but it does feel like a novella.
 
3 ½ stars

[Sydney M Neblett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The spirit of giving
I purchased this book for the Breeds story, but I couldn’t help but fall in love with the other books along the way.

Stroke of Enticement by Nalini Singh
What’s up teach
This sly cat loves to play, luckily his human mate loves to indulge him. The author put so much detail into this short story that it felt like a full length novel. I love the growth of the characters and that we got to visit with the pack again. There were so many layers to their love story and I throughly enjoyed peeling back each one. This book was a fantastic read and I can’t wait to see what happens next with this band of playful cats.
5 stars

Sweet Dreams by Linda Winstead Jones
Dreaming of a better life
This author did a fantastic job of spinning her tale! I love the characters, even the annoying tie dyed hippie who seems to have the best luck. They seemed so real and the way they quickly grew together was the perfect holiday romance. The taste of danger, the woowoo, and the past added that extra bit of spice and kept me entertained until the HEA. This was a wonderful addition to the collection and I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.
5 stars

Christmas Heat by Lora Leigh
Finished with waiting
I think this is one of my favorite couples to find love in the Breeds series. I love her sweet innocence! You can feel it in her joy of a snow storm, the loss of her friends, the joy of holiday giving, and the love of her man. And what a man he is. So long in denial, but when it matters most he will never let go. I love watching these two find their HEA, and I especially enjoyed watching the traitor meet their fate. This is a fantastic holiday story and I can’t wait to read it again next year.
5 stars

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE MAGICAL CHRISTMAS CAT - 2.875 STARS

"Stroke of Enticement" by Nalini Singh - 4.5 stars
This story was very cute. Zach and Annie were very cute, I loved Bryan, and I liked the Mercy cameo. The only thing that sucked was that apparently I can't even get through a damn novella without Sascha popping up somewhere!

Favorite Quote:
"Strength is for protecting, not hurting."
(Page 8)

"Christmas Bree" by Erin McCarthy - 4 stars
Okay, this story was hilarious, just like the one about Charlotte, Bree's older sister, in An Enchanted Season. Ian and Bree were so cute together, and I love that they had been having the same dreams for a year. Like with Will and Charlotte, though, I just wish that this story could have been a full-length novel because I would have loved to see the story and characters developed even further.

Favorite Quote:
"What the hell is a good-ass day?"

Bree saw nothing amusing about it. "You know, when your butt looks good in whatever you're wearing, when it's sort of living up to its fullest potential, being the best butt your butt can be."
(Page 108)

"Sweet Dreams" by Linda Winstead Jones - 2.5 stars

"Christmas Heat" by Lora Leigh - .5 stars

[Barbara ★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ok. Nalini Singh and Lora Leigh's short stories were good but the other two were merely average. Please keep in mind that I'm not a fan of anthologies. I like my stories with a little more development and a little more meat to them.

Stroke of Enticement - Nalini Singh
Excellent story with a sweet romance. Human Annie has trust issues and shifter Zach falls instantly in love.

Christmas Bree - Erin McCarthy
I didn't like this one...too trite. Strangers Bree and Ian have been having the same dream for a year and finally meet and re-enact the dream. I couldn't connect with either character. blah blah blah.

Sweet Dreams - Linda Winstead-Jones
A strange story about demons coming back into power through Ruby, a woman Zane has been secretly watching. Now Zane doesn't know whether to continue with the plan or stop it from happening. Pretty boring with hard to like characters.

Christmas Heat - Lora Leigh
If you like Lora Leigh's Breed stories, then you will like this one too. It's pretty much the same scenario - the whole mating heat thing but with two new participants - Haley and Noble. Enjoyable but nothing new.

[Pepito · Rating 4 out of 5]

IMPORTANT : I only read Nalini Singh's novella.

This is a really sweet and short story, definitely worth your time. In it we read about a DarkRiver soldier who finds out his mate is a human. Annie is not the woman you picture while describing the perfect heroine ... She is a human teacher, not power whatsoever. Not only that, but she wasn't the most pretty out there, nor the one with the strongest will or character. She is a sweet woman who adores kids and wishes to be happy. It may sound boring but it was great.

What I loved the most was to read a story from someone's POV who wasn't alpha or sentinel. To see and get to know more about the rest of the pack was terrific.

Just a quick, fun, lovely short story, really worth your time. Not as good as the first short story about Nate and Tammy but still nice. Really helped my waiting for Hawke's book,LOL.

[Angela (Angel's Book Nook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

** Please note that this rating/review is only for Lora Leigh's "Christmas Heat" only.

Christmas Heat - Rated: 4 Stars

This one takes place near Sanctuary.

We have Haley a human librarian and Noble a breed. They have been friends, but both feel more for the other, yet they don’t show it. When Haley’s life is endangered Noble is going to protect her and confront his feelings.

It was a sweet, sexy, hot and entertaining Christmas Novella. I enjoyed watching these two finally come together after denying their feelings for each other.

[Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only read "Stroke of Enticement".

I really enjoyed this short, sweet psy-changeling story about Annie, a human, and Zack, a changeling. It's basically about them meeting and falling in love. I enjoyed it because it was short and sweet and there were no subplots or bad guys to worry about. But that being said, it was no where as intense ~ or hot ~ as the rest of the psy-changeling books. Definitely worth reading though.

Loved this:

"Are you calling me your gift?"

"Yes." She smiled. "How do you feel about that?"

"Like it's my turn to be unwrapped."

He nibbled at her mouth. "Do it slow."

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating for Stroke of exitement

I had only read a tiny bit about Zach in Mine to Possess. But since the story takes place in the familiar DarkRiver pack, it feels like home!

I enjoyed the changeling world way too much!! and when humans are involved , its even better! :)

the story it self its pretty separate from the series, so you dont have to worry about reading it in order.

overall it was 4 shiny stars!! to Anny and Zach

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story available in print format in The Magical Christmas Cat anthology.

Merged review:

Read:
- 'Stroke of Enticement' by Nalini Singh (5 stars)
- 'Christmas Bree' by Erin McCarthy (3 stars)
- 'Christmas Heat' by Lora Leigh (4 stars)

Did Not Read:
- 'Sweet Dreams' by Linda Winstead Jones

[Lynsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stroke of Enticement - Nalini Singh
Loved this one, 5 stars

Christmas Bree - Erin McCarthy
Liked this one, 3.5 stars

Sweet Dreams - Linda Winstead-Jones
This one was a little 'meh' for me. I wasn't too keen on the heroine but thought Zane was quite intersting, 2 stars

Christmas Heat - Lora Leigh
Liked this one, 4 stars

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally read Lora Leigh's Breed story back in July 2011 and finally got around to Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling story October 2013

[Megan Fall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This breed story was shorter as it is part of an anthology, but man was it good! The characters were great and there was lots of action. Sometimes shorter is better!

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stroke Of Enticement- Nalini Singh 4 star
Annie is a human teacher who also have some Changelings in her group of students. One of them, Bryan, is in detention and waiting for uncle Zach to come pick him up. Annie heard about uncle Zach before but she never would have imagine he was so sexy :p A sweet romance with a charming hero. I read almost all the books from the series and like I already said, I prefer the Changeling to the Psy so I was really happy with this short story.


Christmas Bree- Erin McCarthy 5 star
Cute and funny with a little disagreement in between
Dreams meet reality
Magic and premonition
Cat and mistletoe
A delightful story with a hot chemistry


Sweet dreams- Linda Winstead Jones 4 star
An evil statue wreak havoc in Ruby's life and put her in contact with the standoffish professor who live accross the street. A really good plot but the romance was less stellar and a little awkward at times.


Christmas Heat-Lora Leigh 2 star
Hiding in the library, Haley overhear a plot that put her life in danger. For her protection, she'll have to share quarter with a Breed enforcer. But little did she know that Noble is her mate and he intent to make her his. I never read any Breed books before and I liked the idea of the enhanced human created with animal instinct and characteristics but unfortunately, it was just too intense for me. It was more erotic than romantic and I was a little uncomfortable with the oppressive feeling I felt about the hero's seduction.

[Malinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only borrowed this to read the first story, Stroke Of Enticement by Nalini Singh, so this rating doesn't count towards the other 3 stories.

Stroke Of Enticement
4.5-5 stars

This was a great short story, that I really enjoyed reading. Annie is a human teacher that works in a school close to DarkRiver territory and has a number of leopard shifter children in her class. Zach is a leopard shifter that's part of the DarkRiver pack and works as a park ranger in Yosemite National Park. Zach gets called to the school for something having to do with a nephew and meets Annie. Annie is attracted but has some trust issues that makes her reluctant to get into a relationship, especially anything serious. Thankfully, Zach is able to get past Annie's defenses (with a little good advice from a packmate) and the story ends with Annie and Zach happily together and starting towards a HEA. :)