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Title: Christmas Kisses: Mackenzie's Magic/ Silver Bells/ A Wild West Christmas
ISBN: 0373483287
Author:
Linda Howard
Debbie MacOmber
Linda Turner
Publicate Date: 1996-10-01
Publish: 1996-10-01
List Price: $5.99
Average Customer Rating: 4.0
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $19.48
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $6.74
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Not bad for short stories
Ok I only read Howard and Turner but I have to say I was torn. Its not that the Howard read was bad, but it was soo rushed and shallow despite being well over 100 pages and although entertained I was disappointed for a Mackenzie series edition. The others were so detailed and you became so involved. This was so superficial I never really cared except to see the other charaters in the series that I loved in the other books. Now Turner really showed you how a short story is done! She has fewer pages than Howard but the characters and story were very developed and entertaining. The book was worth it just for that story which I really loved and would like to read more by the author in the future.
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2: Best Series by Far
Over the last few years I have read and even reread (and for me that is amazing) the stories she wrote on the Mackenzies. It was the first Linda Howard books I read and by far the best. She has discribed these people well and yet made them so endearing. It is what everyone would and should expect from a hero. This was the last one that I finally got to read on the family (truly it is a sad day that I have finished the series). Again she does not disappoint as you read through the book. In fact if you have read them in order you truly will enjoy this one as the main character Maris is outspoken and leaves nothing to 'chance' (A Game of Chance is the next book in the series and the last). I saved this book especially for the time I was on vacation and am a little embarrased to admit that reading it was nearly the highlight of my day.
I expect that even though I don't reread books much (hers being an exception) I will be picking these books up again and again just to enjoy my favorite spots.
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3: I'd hoped for better
Book description:
"Mackenzie's Magic" by New York Times Bestselling author Linda Howard
Just in time for the holidays: author Linda Howard's beloved Mackenzies. Meet Maris Mackenzie--and the sexy stranger she woke up to find in her bed! Unfortunately, she had no memory of Alex MacNeil, the previous day...or the prize Thoroughbred she'd apparently stolen...
"Silver Bells" by bestselling writer Debbie Macomber
Celebrate the magic of Christmas with the Manning family.
It wasn't easy for Philip Lark to single-handedly raise his rambunctious teenage daughter. But the girl had hatched a plot to fin her father a wife, and lovely Carrie Weston fit the bill. Philip claimed he wasn't interested in remarriage, but would the magic of the holiday season--and Carrie's wonderful charms--help him change his mind?
"A Wild West Christmas" by Linda Turner
Years ago, Priscilla Rawlings gave Wyatt Chandler her innocence. He repaid her by running out on her. Now he'd come back to the Rawlings ranch for Christmas, and Priscilla had to face the one man who had broken her heart...but whom she had never stopped loving.
And my review:
I knew when I purchased this book that the stories were part of a series each author had written. I hadn't read any of the other books in any of the series, but I didn't let that deter me. Most authors who've produced series have managed to make each book capable of standing on its own. And after all, this was a Christmas romance anthology, and those are my not-so-secret passion. But I'm afraid I was dissapointed by this book.
I wasn't expecting much from Linda Howard's novella, as I have not been impressed by her work in the past. My instincts were correct. Right off the bat, this was a falling-in-lust story (which I've never liked) rather than a falling-in-love story. I have nothing wrong with sexual attraction between characters (in fact, it's necessary for a good romance) but it needs to be handled well. I need to see more motivation for a couple to be together than just wanting to jump each other's bones. The amnesia plot wasn't as well done as I've read in other books. One star.
I had much higher hopes for Debbie Macomber's story. While not very many of her books make it onto my keeper shelf, her stories are usually cute, heartwarming, and sensual without being too explicit - worth it for a one-time read. But this one felt much too rushed. The author touched on the characters without really fleshing them out. I couldn't really see why Carrie should be attracted to Philip, nor why, apart from the fact that she would make a great stepmother, he would want her. I found myself getting bored by the end and had to force myself to finish the story. Two stars. (If you want really good Christmas romance by this author, check out her "Angel" books, including 'Shirley, Goodness and Mercy', 'The Trouble With Angels', 'Touched by Angels', 'Season of Angels' and 'Those Christmas Angels', available at Amazon.com)
Linda Turner's main characters were just not likeable. Priscilla was a sour harpy, and Wyatt was a conceited jerk. The way he spurned her when she was a teenager was utterly unforgivable, yet he justifies it by saying that he did it for her own good. As if taking a barely-at-the-age-of-consent's virginity and then setting it up so that she finds you in the arms of another woman is anything other than reprehensible. I tried to push past this, but the book descended into a silly contrived scene where Priscilla tries to prove that he means nothing to her by kissing him, which of course backfires. Oh brother. I started rolling my eyes at this point. And Wyatt was so full of himself that I wanted to push him into a pile of horse manure. I couldn't even finish this one. One star.
I hate to give such a negative review, but this book just wasn't up to par. I would not recommend buying this book, unless you happen to be a hardcore fan of these authors, and/or want to complete the series collections that these novellas belong to. While any of these stories could stand on its own, (I wasn't confused, even though I didn't read any of the other books in any of the series) I didn't think they were good enough to justify the price of the book.
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4: SERIES ADDITIONS -- ALL THREE
The story of Maris Mackenzie should have been full length but the story was excellent in itself [if too short].
Meeting up with the FBI special agent Alex MacNeil and tumbling in love with him in the process of trying to catch horse killers was fascinating. I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes of setting up the sting and the complications.
But most enjoyable of all, of course, was going back to Mackenzie's Mountain and rejoining Wolf and Mary's family.Note that this is the 4th story in the Mackenzie series with Chance's story following to complete the series. Also be aware that Debbie Macomber's story is a follow-up of the Manning family series.
And Linda Turner's story is a follow-up to the Wild West series of the Rawlings family - Love these add ons. Just too short. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO ALL especially for family catch-ups.
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5: Satisfying
For once, I like all of the authors who contributed to this book. I got it because I wanted to read about Maris McKenzie. It was very satisfying to me. I love the McKenzie family.Debbie Macomber and Linda Howard also contributed a good story each. The only reason I give this book 4 stars is the stories were too short. I prefer these authors in longer formats.
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