I’m going to start the post by saying that The Season doesn’t feature contemporary category romances simply because I do not have the manpower to feature them ALL. Plus, eHarlequin.com already does a fabulous job showcasing the massive catalogue of their books on their website. But I got my start reading romances with Harlequin Presents, so I’m a category advocate. And when I spot an author I think stands out, I like to yell it from the rooftops–or my blog now, as it were.
That said, let’s talk Sarah Mayberry. I discovered Sarah back in 2006 with the release of her second Harlequin Blaze, Cruise Control. This book was sooooo good I had to email her and tell her (this was back when I never felt compelled to write an author if I loved their book). She was gracious as always and, of course, happy I loved her book. I then began to turn as many romance readers as I knew on to her. In short, I sang her MAJOR praises. Readers, she’s THAT GOOD! And with Cruise Control she became an ‘instant buy’ for me. Unfortunately, Cruise Control is out of print but I’ve linked the book cover to the e-book format available on eharlequin.com. If you love SERIOUS sexual tension, fabulous emotional conflict, and a fantastic romance, READ THIS BOOK! If you don’t read category romances and you’re willing to give them a try, I urge you to start here. (Honestly, the first scene in the limo when they first make eye contact…one word, HOT!)
Cruise Control
Author: Sarah Mayberry
Publisher: Harlequin Blaze
Pub. Date: May 2006
ISBN-13: 978-0263855968
256 pagesWhat good is a second chance if you don’t take a risk? That’s what limo driver Anna Jackson asks when the seriously hot Marc Lewis climbs in her car. She’s changed her looks, her career and now it’s time to shed the conservative habits of a lifetime. And seducing Marc is the best way to do that. Sure, he’s her client—sort of off-limits—but she’s not wrong about the invitation in his eyes.
All she has to do is remember three simple rules—never stay overnight, make no plans for the future and never, ever talk about emotions. Once they hit the sheets, however, the rules aren’t so easy to follow. And once they spend the night, can feelings be far behind?
What is it about Sarah’s books that have me completely hooked? She writes sexual tension, conflict, and a compelling romance like a pro. And your heart? Expect to have that organ wrung. You know that constricted ache in your heart you get when you’re completely immersed in the feelings and experiences of the characters. Yep, that’s what she does so well. She makes you care. She makes you feel. And the sexual tension, the sexual heat…well, let’s just say you won’t be disappointed. 
Some other memorables from Sarah are Amorous Liaisons, All Over You, Take On Me. Again, I’ve linked the covers to the e-book on eharlequin.com. I guarantee in all you will get Sarah’s trademark, heat, tension and compelling romance.
In March of 2009, I got news that Sarah had written a Super Romance. A Super Romance?? Wow. Now since I don’t usually read Super Romances I wondered what that book would be like. It would have less heat, I thought, for sure. Supers definitely aren’t as hot as Blazes. And aren’t they about home hearth and family. Not that there’s anything wrong with that (reliving an episode of Seinfeld right now). Would I be disappointed? I bought A Natural Father, sat down and read it straight through. Can this woman do no wrong? Does she not take one shaky step? Nope, Sarah pulled off her first Super Romance as if she’d mastered the darn thing years ago. So now I’m hooked on Sarah’s Supers too.
Which brings us to the focus of today’s review (which as you know, I don’t do): Home for the Holidays, which is Sarah’s second Super Romance. Dear readers, it is soooooo GOOD! If you don’t win a copy today, check your stores and see if any remain on the shelves (there are none at my local Walmart or Target anymore) because you need to buy it.
Home for the Holiday
Author: Sarah Mayberry
Publisher: Harlequin Super Romance
Pub. Date: November 2009
ISBN-13: 978-0373715992
256 pagesJoe Lawson has a thing for his new neighbor Hannah Napier. As a single dad, he shouldn’t be thinking what he is about her. Still, that doesn’t stop them from getting close. And the way she connects with his kids, it’s as if they’re a family.
Turns out it’s too good to be true. Seems Hannah has plans that don’t include staying in Melbourne. Joe won’t stand between her and her dreams, even though letting her go is nearly impossible. The holidays are looking grim, with him and his kids missing Hannah like crazy. But it is the season of surprises, and Hannah may have one for them!
What I love about Home for the Holidays is that Sarah takes these unconventional heroines and totally makes you connect with them. Hannah is a mechanic who rides a motorcycle and was recently dumped by her ex-fiance. Joe is a widower with two kids who just moved in next door. They meet over the loud roar of her motorcycle that she is fixing one night in her garage while his kids are trying to sleep. As you can imagine he’s none too pleased with her, her bike, and that is evident in their exchange. Needless, to say they don’t get off to a wonderful start. I’ll be the first one to admit, I’m a sucker for a book that starts with immediate animosity between the heroine and hero but an immediate physical attraction.
As expected, their attraction supersedes their animosity and eventually, after a sizzling kiss, they are ‘dating’. But all is not home free. Joe has two children and his thirteen-year-old son does not readily accept Hannah as the new woman in his father’s life. He has reasons and they wrench at your heart. Contrarily, Joe’s daughter thinks Hannah is the bees knees, that is why she’s utterly devastated when Hannah is intent on leaving to follow her dreams.
On both sides, there is family patching up that needs to go on (Hannah and her sister, Joe, his son and Hannah) before they can reach their HEA. What I love about Sarah’s books, is that she doesn’t get you there in the expected way. Right when you think you know what is going to happen, she drops something else on you that leaves you surprised, shocked, sometimes heartbroken. It takes the story to a whole different level, further engages you to take you on another emotional ride. That’s what she did here, and while my eyes smarted with tears, I threatened a boycott if she didn’t give us an epilogue. Of course, Sarah didn’t disappoint. She knows what must be done to give her readers a completely satisfying, emotional, and sexy read. With Home for the Holidays she masterfully succeeds.
My Rating: 9 / 10 Stars, Top Pick
Fire away, Sarah will be stopping by to answer questions. Any delay on Sarah’s part is because she’s on deadline and she’s in New Zealand.
Two commenters will win a copy of her Super Romance, Home for the Holidays. Winners will be posted November 24 (early morning).
Yay!!! Sarah is also going to giveaway 2 (two) advance copies of her January Blaze release, Her Secret Fling. I WANT ONE!!! Here’s the blurb.
Jake Stevens – star reporter and celebrated literary genius – is a snake. How else to explain the way he turns Poppy Birmingham’s hero worship into loathing with a single conversation? So what if she’s got a lot to learn about journalism? Aren’t they coworkers now? On the same team? Jake can take his attitude and…
Then during a job-related road trip, their relationship goes from antagonistic to hedonistic in no time flat. And suddenly Poppy can’t think of anything more delicious than having a secret fling with Jake. But with all this intensity, can she really keep it no-strings-attached?
Beverly and LibraryPat, Bee knees, cat’s pajamas, ants pants and cat’s meow are four of my favorite sayings! Probably very old fashioned, now I come to think of it…Hope you have a lovely Christmas, too, Pat.
Hello Sarah ~
Congrats on the release of Home For the Holidays. I’ve got it and will read it when I’m finished with my current read. I just started reading your books this year and have enjoyed every one of them. I’m always looking for your OOP books and was lucky enough to find Can’t Get Enough. Looking forward to reading it as well.
Hi Leslie, thanks for dropping by. Can’t Get Enough was my very first book! I can still remember the opening lines: “Claire was late. She hated being late almost as much as she hated Brussel sprouts…”
The funny thing is, I put that line in because I have always hated Brussel sprouts with a passion. Thought they were the Devil’s own work. But I had some recently and am now quite fond! My taste buds must have finally matured, I guess. Hope you enjoy it and Home For The Holidays. Cheers.
Ooh, I definitely am putting Her Best Friend on the calendar, Sarah–April, you say? BTW, can you give a quick run-down of what’s coming down the pike for you? Please?
What’s coming up? Hmmm. Let me think. Birthday this week – yay! – and a trip to Sydney. Then the move back to Melbourne. Buying a house and a car…..
Release wise, I have “Her Secret Fling” in January for Blaze. Then “Her Best Friend” in April. I’m finishing a Blaze now that is scheduled for later in the year. I don’t know that that will be called yet (they NEVER use my names) but it’s out in September. I think I might have another Super scheduled toward the end of the year, too – haven’t written that one yet! Eeek.
The unnamed Blaze is about a very well behaved, dutiful, rather prim Englishwoman who is about to marry a rather dutiful, well-behaved Englishman when she finds out that the man she always thought was her father is actually her stepfather (and dead, like her mother, in a boating accident when she was 7), and her real father is alive and well in Australia. Her grandparents, who have raised her and are quite controlling in their own quiet, manipulative way, have kept this info from her to “protect her”. As has her fiance, she learns when she confronts her grandfather – they told him when he proposed and he’s since kept it from her, too. She has a flash that she is making a terrible mistake marrying this man and takes off to find her real father. Instead, she finds Nathan, who is living like a beach bum on Philip Island, a little place about an hour and a half out of Melbourne. Nate’s not even close to being as easy-breezy as he first appears – in fact, he’s facing down some major demons. This had turned into quite a dark book, although it has some nice fun moments. And I think I am going to have to cut the subplot out. Oh, for an endless page count!!! If this happens, I will offer the subplot to readers as a free download at my website when the book is released.
The Super Romance is about a lady lawyer who gets to 38 and realises she’s single and that the family she’s always wanted – ie children – ain’t going to happen unless she does something drastic. So she explores going to a sperm bank, and one of her colleagues (who just happens to be v. handsome but v. averse to commitment) winds up offering his “services”. What starts as a very dry arrangement quickly becomes heated and Things Happen.
After that I have one more Super Romance to get stuck into, then I’ll have to put my thinking cap on again…
Hi Sarah,
I love The Season for the very fact I get to meet
“new to me Authors”.
I look forward to catching up on your books and keeping fingers crossed for Home For The Holidays. Wishing you success with your release.
Carol L.
Hi Carol, nice to “meet” you too. This is a great blog – can’t believe how many people have dropped by. Thanks for the best wishes on the book – fingers crossed the world likes it! Cheers
Hi Sarah! I haven’t read any of your books, I’m afraid, but I will definitely see if I can get my hands on some. I love reading well executed Harlequin books. And I love reading about single dads! Are your books released later in the UK?
Sarah, no worries ! Anticipation is a good thing too
Plus, I wouldn’t take you away from you’re writing !!!
Hi Sarah,
. It’s like the last piece of chocolate… I can never eat that before I can refill my stock of chocolate, because it’ll only leave me craving for more 
.
I love your Blaze books, all of them. Except I haven’t read the last one yet, because I’m saving that one for when your new novel is out. Luckily it’s only one more week
A few of my favorites are Below the Belt (WOW), Can’t Get Enough, Cruise Control and Amorous Liaisons, but I enjoyed every single one. The Super Romance books I haven’t read yet, but they sound great as well, because I love it when a story makes my heart ache (provided there’s a HEA of course).
Hugs,
ErotRomReader
Hello Sarah -
I didn’t see it mentioned in this article but my favorite book of yours is “Below the Belt”. What a great story!
Hi Sarah! It’s nice to meet you!
I really enjoy the SuperRomance line so it’s great to see you writing for it! How do you like writing SuperRomances after writing Blazes for many years? Do you have a preference over which of the two (Supers or Blazes) that you like writing better? Also, are there any other Harlequin/Silhouette lines you’d like to write for in the future? Intrigue maybe?
Happy Holidays!!!
Hi Sarah,
I will have to look for your book because the review sounds great. Are you writing for both lines or have you switched to Superromance?
Please enter me in the giveaway for your January release.
All these books sound wonderful. I will add Sarah Mayberry’s name to authors I’d like to read.
Thanks for introducing me to another new author, Beverly! Sarah sounds like a fantastic writer. I’m going to B&N and I’ll see if I can find her book there.
Please enter me in the contest. Thanks!
Oh, a regency historical romance?! I think I just heard Beverley spontaneously combust from joy. I think you should write in all the genres so everyone can be happy. No pressure, of course
Sarah~
Wow. with at review like that how can I not want to pick up this book? I’ve never been big into Harlequin Blaze, but recently I’ve heard about some great stories coming from there, so I’ll definitely be checking out your books.
Hope you have a wonderful holiday season. I would say Thanksgiving, but I recently found out that Aussie’s don’t celebrate Thanksgiving…
Hi, Sarah!
I have never read any of your books, but they sound yummy! I’ve found another author to add to my must have library. That’s what I love about the Season. You are introduced to new authors (to you).
Please enter me into your drawing. Thanks!
Enjoyed reading the comments. I would like to win this book since I am always looking for different authors to read. I like reading the Harlequins.
Happy Thanksgiving
I’m going to look for HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS next time I’m out. I need something to get me into the Christmas spirit!
Sarah, how far in advance do you have to submit a holiday story? How do you muster Christmas spririt, say in February?
Thanks.
wow love her books they are so hottttttttt
love below the belt
How do u spend your holdiays, favoirte food and fav christmas song?
Please countm e in. would love to read her new blaze
great cover and great reviews
whooo
I discovered Sarah Mayberry when she wrote the “Secret Lives of Daytime Divas” trilogy for Blaze and I’ve been hooked on everything she’s written ever since. Keep it up Sarah, your books are HOT, compelling and very hard to put down!
Squeee! Squeeee! One of my favorite writers is on the Season. Thanks so much, Bev, for inviting Sarah to be your guest. I think she’s the bee’s knees too! And the cat’s PJs! And the canary’s water dish. Hmm, that one kinda missed its target, didn’t it? How about the canary’s water dish just after it’s been cleaned out of all the urky bits? She’s Pavarotti’s Puccini! She’s American steak (yes, I think you guys do do steak better than we do – and that means I’m about to get chucked out of my home country!). Hmm, I’m starting to feel like Cole Porter here. “You’re the top…”
Seriously, Sarah is a fabulous writer. I only discovered her in the last year too and I’ve devoured her backlist. Bev’s description of how she really touches your heart while still writing a wonderfully sexy story is absolutely spot on!
Wow i just read the excerpts for Her secret fling and it sounds intriging. I am always looking to read authors i’ve never had the chance to before and these blogs are one of the ways i find them. Then i get sucked right into all the books they’ve written. I’ll be looking for your books my next trip to the book store which is weekly!!
Lisa
So I go to bed, and everybody comes out to play! Damn those time zones! Starting from the top:
Hi Maered – I have only just started writing for Super Romance and I haven’t received any UK versions of my books yet – with Blazes it’s really unpredictable when they will be released, so it might be the same with Supers. Sorry, that’s not very helpful, is it? I will ask the question and get back to you sometime today! Happy holidays!
ErotRomReader – I promise there is always a happy ending. I don’t do unhappy endings – in fact, I get all bent of shape when a book ends unhappily. Someone was telling me how Her Sister’s Keeper ends (the book, not the movie) the other day, and I couldn’t believe it. I mean, really? Happy is good. There’s enough of the other in the real world.
Hi Susan Laura – As I said in one of the other posts, Below the Belt is definitely one of my faves, too. Jamie was a fun heroine to write, so ballsy but also so vulnerable, and Cooper was dreamy. And yes, in the privacy of my own imagination, these people are real to me!!! Glad you enjoyed the read.
Hi Paula – Which line do I enjoy more, Blaze or Super Romance? That’s a bit like asking do I prefer chocolate or vanilla – each has its place in my heart (and on my backside!). Blaze is fun and bold and sexy, and Super is full and rich. There are elements I enjoy to both, and it’s actually really nice switching between the two. At the moment, because I have not written as many of them, I find the Supers more challenging, which is both good and stressful sometimes. As for other Harlequin lines I might like to write for… Well, I don’t think I would be any good at Presents, as for Intrigue, I don’t know that “plotty” stories are my forte. I tend to be a character driven writer, rather than a “what happens next” writer, so I might struggle to pull all the suspense/mystery elements together. The great thing about Super Romance is that if I did come up with a suspense plot, they would run it there since the line is quite broad in that way. I wouldn’t mind trying a paranormal, so Nocturne could be interesting, but I haven’t got an idea that everyone else hasn’t done to death yet.
Hi Maureen – I’m writing for both lines at the moment. As long as they will both still have me!
Thanks for dropping by, JCP.
Hi Susan – Happy holidays, and thanks for dropping by.
Hi Mary – I love going book shopping. I do most of it on-line now since I discovered this fantastic on-line bookseller in Oz/Nz called fishpond. But there is nothing better than having a tower of TBR books by my bed. Happy sigh.
Hi Saphire – Great name! Happy holidays.
Devon – LOL! I’ll see what I can do!
Hi Dorthy – Blaze has some great writers working for the line. Tawny Weber is fabulous, and I keep hearing lots of great things about Kathleen O’Reilly. And I wish we had Thanksgiving – the food sounds awesome. I have always been fascinated by pumpkin pie….
Hi Cathy – I am a huge reader and I love finding new authors to consume ( and yes, I do gobble them up at a great rate of knots). I especially love finding someone with a HUGE backlist. I have recently just been on a Laura Kinsale glom, but have just read the last of her backlist. Cue sad violin music. But apparently she has a new book out in early 2010…
Hi Joye – Thanks for dropping by.
Hi Christiana – How do I muster Christmas spirit in February? One of the things us writers are good at is pretending! When I’m writing, it’s like a little movie is playing out in my mind and I’m watching my characters acting out the scenes, and I’m just taking dictation, trying to describe the scene as accurately as possible. With Christmas, I simply think about all the things I love about it – family, food, giving presents, the crazy shopping, eating too much, the post Christmas sales, etc, etc, and I’m away. Lots of strong memories to draw on there.
Hi KH – Lovely to see you over here. How do I spend my holidays? What’s my fave food? And fav Christmas song? Well, generally I spend holidays with my family. The past two years we’ve been in NZ and we’ve flown home to Melbourne for Christmas. This has meant we’ve been staying in someone’s spare room – my partner’s parents or mine – which makes for some very cozy holiday interaction! I am very luck in having found a sexy, funny, gorgeous man who can put up a shelf and fix a car but also likes to shop. Yes, I know, I should have him dipped in gold to preserve him for all eternity! So we like to hit the post-Christmas sales a little. And we usually do the rounds visiting all our friends. My favorite food at Christmas time is hands down my Nan’s plum pudding with brandy sauce. This a very simple recipe that my mother’s mother has made since the Year Dot. She’s gone now, but my sister and I make a pudding each every year. It’s supposed to be made in advance and hung in the pantry to mature, but we haven’t had a lot of luck avoiding mold so I tend to make mine a few weeks in advance and keep it in the fridge. It’s very simple – lots of fruit soaked in brandy, basically, eggs, sugar, flour, then boiled for 6 hours in a calico cloth. And the brandy sauce is simply a white sauce made with sugar and brandy to taste. But it’s soooooo good. Just…YUM. Am drooling in anticipation. And I don’t have a favorite Christmas song. I kind of try to avoid them because they’re so damn catchy you can never get them out of your head….
Hi Sarah Prime – Ta for your kinds words. I love those Diva books. I think because I wrote the three of them set in the same world, when I think back on them they feel very solid and real. I can remember writing each one thinking, oh these two are my favorite hero and heroine, and then I’d get to the next book and go, Oh, no, it’s got to be these two. The truth is, they’re all very different and that was why I had so much fun writing their stories.
Huge squee straight back at you, Ms Campell! Very nice to “see” you here. I should have known you would be well known to The Season with your fabulous Regency Noir novels. I hope Captive of Sin is rocking the best seller lists for you – it’s such a sexy, sad, wonderful read. I am almost finished – stayed up very late (VERY LATE) the other night to gobble up almost the whole book. Am hoping to finish my Blaze today which means I will be launching myself at the couch to finishing the last little bit. You have such a wonderful way with words – I will be writing you a private email to gush about the bits I love the most. And I happen to have a little parcel with your name on it that will be in the postman’s hands very shortly. It’s evening coming in brown paper – highly appropriate, some might say!
Hi Lisa – thanks for dropping by. I hope you enjoy my books if you can get your hands on some of them. I must say, that’s the blessing of ebooks – books are around for a lot long, and always available. I don’t have an ereader yet, but the idea of taking my whole library with me on holiday is very, very attractive so I am waiting for one to come out that tickles my fancy. I write on an Apple computer, and I keep hearing about this new Apple tablet computer thingy being on its way. Maybe it will be my Christmas present to myself (although, if I’m being honest, there have already been a few of those!) Happy holidays.
Ooh, double squeeing! Thanks for saying those lovely things about COS. I really look forward to your brown paper parcels – oh, no, now I’m singing these are a few of my favorite things! I’ve kept your supers as rewards for me when I reach significant moments in the wip – they’re the whip for the wip, you could say! Once I pick up one of your books, I can’t put it down!
You funny, Ms Campbell. Put that whip down!
Hey Sarah! *waving* Anna told me about this blog so I thought I’d pop over and say hi.
I’m in the middle of SHE’S GOT IT BAD and loving every minute of it.
Hi Mad. Great to see you. Glad you’re enjoying She’s Got It bad. I’m just powering toward the last scene and epilogue of my latest book. Woohooo! Then it will be revisions and editing time – the joy, the joy! But the important thing is that the first draft is almost done! Have a great day.
I don’t think I’ve ever read one of her books. Looks interesting.
Sarah, I have heard nothing but the best about you and your books! You have MANY fans out there. I’m really looking forward to reading your books!
Love holiday stories. Nice to see one where the roles are reversed. Makes things much more interesting. Super Romances are great books. Their length allows for more plot and character development. Will have to say I’ve read a Blaze or two and I still prefer the Super Romances.
Hope you have a great Holiday Season.
Hi Sarah! *waves*
I reallllly hope I’m not too late for the contest! Winning a Sarah Mayberry Blaze would cap my week, that’s for sure! Just last week I sent off my requested full to Blaze and it’s writers like Sarah who make me want to be a Blaze author. I loved her most recent one (I think it was called She’s Got It Bad?) and can’t wait to read more from her!
Hi Kelly, thanks for dropping by.
Hi Gannon – Ta for the kind words. I must say, I’ve been a little overwhelmed by the response here at The Season. You’ve all been very nice and my writer’s ego is feeling very well fed!
Hi LibraryPat – This it the joy of writing for two lines – something for everyone.(hopefully!)
Hi Cari – congrats on getting a request for a full. That’s fantastic news. Make sure you take the time to celebrate. Publishing is a tough biz and it helps to mark each step forward because there are plenty of knocks out there. So go have some bubbly or whatever floats your boat and savor the moment! And fingers crossed you hear good news.