Snowbound with the CEO by Shannon Stacey

Snowbound with the CEO by Shannon Stacey
Published: November 4, 2013 by Carina Press
Source: Purchased from B&N

Adrian Blackstone built a million-dollar business with hard work and determination—and by remaining professional at all times. Denying his longtime attraction to his beautiful executive assistant hasn't been easy but it's necessary. She's indispensable, and he can't stand the thought of losing her if things didn't work out.

For more than a year, Rachel Carter has been quietly dreaming of all the ways she'll never seduce her sexy, buttoned-up boss. She's worked too hard to get where she is to cross that line, no matter how badly she'd like to act on her fantasies. But then a wicked snowstorm leaves them stranded in a romantic winter wonderland…

What begins as a single kiss and a few bad Santa jokes turns into a weekend full of breathless passion and hopes for something more. But with Monday comes a return to their complicated reality—and Adrian must prove that promises made are promises kept, especially at Christmastime. [goodreads]

Looking for a quick, delightful holiday read? Then I recommend this festive romance from Shannon Stacey.  I've really enjoyed her previous adult novels, even a summer novella that proved she could write an engaging story no matter its length.  I sat down with a hot cup of cocoa on a cold, wintery night and devoured this novel -- it was the perfect read for such a moment.

Adrian Blackstone is on a business trip with his assistant Rachel Carter at one of his cozy, delectable resorts in the snowy mountains of Vermont.  The trip is meant to be short and sweet, landing a deal with a potential client's hotel renovations.  But mother nature has different plans and decides to throw these two a twist that will leave them snowed in for the weekend with nothing more to do than give in to their over due sexual attraction.

Without the office colleagues around to judge, both Adrian and Rachel give in to a passionate weekend, where no one will ever know.  But what happens when the roads open back up and they must return to reality in the big city, surrounded by their work?  The passion between Adrian and Rachel was HOT!  Shannon Stacey did an excellent job of building it up in just the right amount of pages to make it believable.  Then to follow it up with consequences that brought just enough drama to deepen the plot.

I've come to expect happy endings with her novels and this one did not disappoint.  It's a fast, festive read that held my interest and left me yearning for more holiday romances.  I recommend grabbing this one to cozy up to and keep you warm.