Overall, I enjoyed this past paced, quick read! I personally do not enjoy “racier” bedroom scenes, so the multiple encounters were not something I enjoyed. I did, however, love the storyline! I love winter, snowy reads and this one did not disappoint.

I have always enjoyed Mary Burton novels and this one was fun; a good crime novella set at Christmas. A quick and satisfying read.

This is a fast-paced and action-packed novella that is perfect for those who enjoy mystery and suspense series. Set at Christmastime in Virginia, the book has a heroine named Nicole who has fled her abusive and well-connected husband on the west coast. Settled in Virginia now with her baby girl, Nicole is happily pursuing her career as a photographer when she gets an unwelcome and unexpected package from Richard. Nicole is frightened but asks David Ayden, a local homicide detective, for help in tracking down what is going on and what Richard really wants. This is a thriller about a serial killer that fans of Mary Burton will not want to miss!

Photographer Nicole Piper is trying to rebuild her life after the death of her abusive husband. She's looking forward to spending Christmas in her new home with her baby daughter. But then she receives a package from her dead husband which provides details on the murder of the woman who helped Nicole escape her abusive marriage. Nicole, joined by homicide detective David Ayden goes on a road trip to try to put the pieces of the puzzles together. I thoroughly enjoyed this steamy, fast-paced romantic suspense novella! The plot was compelling and twisted, and the characters were interesting and well developed. This was a quick, easy read that kept me on the edge of my seat and I was very pleased with the sweet ending. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this novella. This is Nicole Piper and David Ayden’s story. There’s twists and turns and some suspense. The chemistry between David and Nicole is scorching plus there is the added bones of a baby and Christmas to make this story wonderful! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Reprint short story. Intense, suspenseful. Domestic abuse survivor, rebuilding her life after leaving husband. New love with a widower. Great, thrilling suspense story. Characters have good chemistry

Christmas Past was an interesting, slightly festive short story. That see's single mum Nicole and her friend, Detective David Ayden travel from Richmond to D.C. on the hunt for an elusive killer's identity. After Nicole is sent a dvd, with a sinister message about the slaying of the woman who helped her escape her abusive ex husband. And with just the right amount of suspense and romance for the length of the story, it really was great to read. Not to mention well written, well paced and engaging, and I would happily recommend it to others.

I needed a change from my usual detective thrillers through too much psychopathic killers/child abusers and thought that this might hit the button. Sadly not. It's essentially a rather steamy and unrealistic romance with bouts of a potentially good story about recovering from an abusive relationship. Nichole moved to Virginia, changing her identity after a nasty abusive relationship but during which the manipulative and nasty husband died as did her friend running the Retreat. 18 months later she, now with a baby daughter, receives a dvd from her dead husband via his lawyer. She and her Detective would-like-to-be-boyfriend-but-giving-her-time head off to see the lawyer but not taking any identification of her previous name and leaving behind 11 month old baby, etc.. Murder happens, Steamy bedroom scenes happen, attempted murder happens, more steamy bedroom scenes then we're back in Virginia with the killer dead and back into the bedroom. Nichole's problems coping with the aftermath of her abusive marriage and being knocked back by the continuing attempts by husband to manipulate her after his death were well written. I just wanted a more detailed side of that story. Too short to do this so we are stuck with the sex. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Christmas Past was a fast-paced, suspenseful read. Ayden and Nicole were endearing characters with great chemistry.. Both of them had suffered in the past but, together they were beginning to. heal. That is until her past caught up with her. it This is a wonderful romantic suspense and I would definitely recommend it.

Christmas Past was a good quick read. It intrigued me enough in the first chapter to want to keep reading wishing there were more!

When you read a title "Christmas Past" you never imagine a thriller that will spook you.

Description
From New York Times bestselling author Mary Burton comes a captivating tale of romantic suspense set in the heart of a rugged winter. Photographer Nicole Piper moved to Virginia hoping to put a troubled past behind her and start fresh with her baby daughter. But those hopes are dashed when she receives a very unwelcome Christmas gift—from her late husband. It’s a letter that holds clues to an elusive killer’s identity. The victim had helped save Nicole’s life—and paid with her own. Nicole owes it to her to follow the letter’s trail, and perhaps put to rest the fear that stalks her once and for all. But she can’t do it alone. When Homicide Detective David Ayden first met Nicole, he was looking for a fresh start too. Widowed and raising two teenage boys, Nicole was the only woman who’d stirred his interest—and the attraction was mutual. But that was months ago and she wasn’t ready to trust again. Maybe she still isn’t. All that matters now is that she needs his help—even if it means embarking on a road trip that will take them both into the heart of danger—and desire . . .

My Review
All Nicole wants to do is put her past behind her and forget about her abusive ex-husband. That of course cannot happen until she follows the instruction from the letter she receives from his lawyer. Much to her chagrin, Nicole along with Detective Ayden embark on a road trip to solve the mystery. Will she succeed?

I was provided this book free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion. My only negative feedback to this story is that is it not long enough for us to get to know all the characters and because of that I must give this a 4 Star.

It was an ok book for me. A quick read. Intrigue, romance, a baby and Christmas, a good combination.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Kensington Books and the author, Mary Burton, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of Christmas Past in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I thought this book provided a good quick read. The storyline was well written with compelling characters. I was hooked. Ms Burton certainly never fails to deliver a good read.
Worth a read.

I liked this quick read but wasn't drawn to the characters enough to be gripped emotionally. I found the premise interesting but difficult to believe which could be the result of the short format. I was hoping for more fear and tension but I did like the connection between Nicole and Ayden. It was steamy. It was just a shame that their new or "newish" relationship was plopped into a plot that could have been better as a longer, more complex story.

Christmas Past is a fast paced romantic suspense story about a woman who is trying to rebuild her life after the death of her abusive ex husband. She receives a letter telling her to contact his lawyer for more information so Nicole and David take a road trip. The mini scavenger hunt was enjoyable and I would have loved to have read a longer version of this. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this to read and review.


My review will be on Goodreads and Amazon on publication date!

Christmas Past is a well written, fast paced romantic suspense. I couldn’t put this book down. I read it in two sittings. Mary Burton always delivers a good read as was the case with this book. I highly recommend this book. Thanks to the publisher for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

This is a short story about Nicole, who was in a previous story by Burton. She left her abusive husband and started a new life. Her husband found her, he ended up dying. Fast forward 18 months later and Nicole is healing along with her baby. A lawyer’s letter turns her world upside down. Enter David Ayden, a detective that loves her. They go on a journey to see what her dead husband wants, only to get involved in his twisted games again. For Nicole, she learns how to love again. Ayden, well, he protects what’s his!!

A fast paced romantic suspense novella full of action. The characters are interesting, the plot twisted. I think being set at Christmas increases the tension. I wanted to reach into the pages and slap our heroine a few times and I felt sorry for David. I was glad when they were able to get their act together. This is a good short read.

This novelette features secondary characters from Richmond Series.

Nicole Piper manage to survive an abusive marriage to a man so obsessed he killed over it. Now dead Nicole is trying to put the pieces of her live back together surrounded by friends and her 11 month old son. Even though she has come a long way she put the brakes on a relationship with homicide detective David Ayden six months ago out of fear of the past.

A dvd from her dead husband finally makes its way to Nicole. It not only sets her back emotionally it also hints that the real killer of her friend that protected her when she first escaped is still out there. Even from the grave her psychotic ex husband is still torturing her.

David vows that even though Nicole pushed him away he is going to protect her and goes with her to follow the clues her dead husband has left.

This was a great blend of suspenseful and thrilling and romance all around the time of Christmas.

Christmas Past was an exciting, fast-paced read centered on a woman who wants to put her past behind her and the man who makes her long for the future.

Nicole Piper has built a new life for herself and her infant daughter in Virginia now that her abusive husband is dead. But on their first Christmas in their new home, Nicole receives an unwelcome surprise in the form of a video from her late husband which provides details on the murder of the woman who helped Nicole escape. Soon Nicole finds herself on a twisted scavenger hunt for the truth joined by homicide detective David Ayden. As Nicole and David follow the trail of evidence left in the video, they give in to their attraction only for their future together to be threatened by one final gift from Nicole's late husband.

Nicole and David's relationship began prior to the start of the story but the relationship stalled after Nicole wasn't ready for the next step. Nicole still has a number of lingering issues from her marriage and I understood why she wouldn't be ready to start something new. It's clear though from their first scene together that they both still have feelings for one another. When the pair's relationship eventually progresses physically, it's fantastically done with some great scenes. The final scene between the pair was wonderful and I loved watching the two find their way to happily ever after.

I found the pair searching for answers related to the video enjoyable and I liked how David didn't try to take over everything and instead followed Nicole's lead. The plot surrounding the video and the evidence in the murder was interesting and I liked the direction the author chose to take the story.

Overall I really enjoyed Christmas Past and would highly recommend it if you're looking for a quick romantic suspense to read.