Wow, once in a great while I have the privilege of reading that rare can't-put-it-down book. This is one of those books.

Candis Terry is a completely new author to me. I stumbled upon her via an email from Avon announcing some 99-cent books. I noticed the kitten sitting on a football and bought it immediately. I never expected it to be anything special, but I'd just finished a book and was in the mood for a sports romance. Boy, was I in for a treat with this book.

First of all, I read some reviews for this book in which the readers were disappointed as the title of the book gives you the impression it's a Christmas romance. It isn't. In fact, only the first part of the book takes place over the holidays. The title is unfortunate because this author received some undeserved poor reviews because of the misleading title.

I didn't care about that. Not one bit because she hooked me in the first chapter, and I never looked back. In fact, thanks to Ms. Terry I didn't get any writing done yesterday because I couldn't drag myself away from this book.

I fell in love with Dean, the hero, in the first chapter and never stopped loving him. He was a real person, multi-dimensional, and the type of hero any writer would be proud to have created. An added bonus is that Ms. Terry knows her football.

The heroine, Emma, was just as deep and enjoyable.

I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book. And Ms. Terry is now on my auto-buy list. I'm heading to Amazon right now to buy the other books in this series. ( )

I was really enjoying this until about 3/4 of the way through. Then the heroines "poor me" routine got old. She was selfish and immature.

I hate that everyone - including her - blamed the hero for everything. She was the one who kept pushing him away and judging him based on things that happened in her past. Yet he was in the wrong? No. Just no.

I enjoyed the first book in this series enough that I'll read the next book. I hope its better than this one. ( )

In this novel we learn what happens to the second Silverthorne sibling, Dean and how he finds his happily-ever-after.

This was a different look into the Silverthorne family and just slightly less perfect than Second Chance at the Sugar Shack: A Sugar Shack Novel. While Dean has to overcome his worst nightmare and the author does that quite well, the romance just didn't seem to have the same heat as in the first novel nor did the relationship seem to have that same sense of urgency as in the first novel. There was much less conflict between Dean and Emma,and what conflict there was made Emma look a bit like a *itch. Thankfully the author does pull it all together in the last 25% of this novel.

Dean comes home for Christmas and to recover from an injury sustained while playing his beloved football. While home, Dean finds that he is attracted to an unlikely female - Emma Hart, a very private person, a Kindergarten teacher who has a soft spot for a child with Autism.

With Dean's ghostly Mom still in the picture, giving her somewhat cryptic advice and adding some comic relief, this was a charming novel that will give you several hours of fun with perhaps a half hour of tears!

Somebody Like You: A Sugar Shack Novel will be the story of Kelly and will be released on the 19th of June. ( )

I TOTALLY dug Ms. Terry's novel! I loved Dean, I loved Emma, and I LOVED LOVED LOVED Letty! I love the writing style of Ms. Terry's awesome plot line. She doesn't disappoint her readers and keeps bringing them something new with each new page.

Dean. Now THAT'S a guy a woman could love. He's adorable, he's great with kids, and his mama loves. His mama loves him SO much that's she's helping in the romance department......from the other side of the grave! Yup, she's dead, but she's determined to help Dean where he's not so talented. Off the football field and in the romance realm. She wants to see him happily married off to a wonderful, sweet young woman.

Dean, on the other hand, has his hands full. Dealing with an injured arm, meeting Emma at his sister's wedding, having fun meeting the kids that Emma teaches, and well, just all around fighting an attraction to the beautiful teacher.

Emma. I totally LOVED her sweet, charming character. She had a lot on her plate as a teacher and personal loss, but her feelings for Dean weren't unnoticed. Like Dean, she tried to fight it. But by the end....well you'll just have to get your copy NOW to see what happens at the end. Could be good.....could be bad.....but I know that I was surprised!

Sadly, though, this isn't the first book in the Sugar Shack series. Nope. I missed the first one, Dean's sister Kate's story. But, that's OKAY. Because Ms. Terry does an excellent job at keeping the reader up to date and makes the story like a stand-alone title. I wasn't confused in away, but I am now a devoted fan and can NOT wait to go back and get Kate's story! If it's anything like this 5 Book worthy,laugh out loud, lovable, romantic story of Dean's, well I know I will fall in love with it too AND be ready with bells on for another installment! Fabtastical job, Ms. Terry!!! ( )

Any Given Christmas is the second 'Sugar Shack' novel by Candis Terry and just as sweet as the first. With Kate Silverthorne happily married the author turns her attention to Kate's older brother, NFL Quarterback, Dean. He is home in Deer Lick for Christmas, sidelined from the game he loves due to a nasty shoulder injury but planning to get back on the football field just as soon as he heals. His enforced rest period is enlivened when he meets kindergarten teacher Emma, who is unusually resistant to his many charms. Despite Emma's disdain, Dean is intrigued by the woman and determined to win her over, encouraged by his dearly departed mother who continues to have a presence in the lives of her children despite being, well, dead.

I enjoyed this romance that has quite a bit of heat as well as a charming courtship. The pairing of seeming opposites - celebrity playboy, footballer Dean and straight-laced school teacher Emma - is a common trope but Terry ensures her protagonists are well rounded personalities. I enjoyed learning more about the characters as they opened up to one another about their pasts as well as their dreams for the future. Of course the relationship has it's missteps and fumbles but eventually things work out with a satisfying happily ever after.

Despite the title this isn't a Christmas themed romance but it does have a little seasonal flavour and is sure to leave you in a cheery mood. Any Given Christmas can be read as a stand alone but is a sweet follow up to Second Chance at the Sugar Shack. Be quick and grab this title for free in electronic format at Amazon ( )