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1: A Failed Christmas Anthology
From the back cover:
Miracles that heal wounded hearts...
"Love And Joy" - New York Times bestselling author Virginia Henley whisks us back to the reign of King Charles II, as a beautiful governess discovers unexpected passion--and learns a lesson in love.
"Upon a Midnight Clear" - Katherine Kingsley, winner of a Romantic Times Career Achievement award, introduces us to a young blind woman who helps a desperate artist rekindle his genius as she brings the true spirit of the season of light.
"In A Twinkling" - Rebecca Paisley, winner of two Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Awards, weaves an enchanting tale set in nineteenth-century England, where a magical girl transforms a cynic with the power of love.
"Angels in the Snow" - Critically acclaimed newcomer Stephanie Mittman turns the tables when a thoroughly unsuitable heroine surprises a disillusioned tycoon with the one gift his money cannot buy.
With four acclaimed authors and four unforgettable stories, "A Christmas Miracle" is a collection to cherish--a holiday gift to savor thoughout the year.
And my review:
I didn't have high hopes for Virginia Henley's story, as I was not impressed with her story from the "Let it Snow" collection. And true to my instincts, this story disappointed me. This was yet another "falling-in-lust" story. I read romance for romance, not to read about people panting after each other's bodies after knowing each other for less than a day. While I don't mind sensuality, sexual tension needs to be handled well. Desire needs to be something extra that is a result of the growing feelings of love, not the sole motivation for a couple being together. One star.
Katherine Kingsley's story started off well, then dwindled to nothing. I liked the idea of a blind heroine helping an artist to truly see the world around him. But then the author had to make the heroine regain her sight (which she hadn't had in almost TWENTY YEARS) with no reasonable explanation as to why this occured, except, I suppose, to make the heroine perfect again. It was as if the author didn't believe that blind people can find true love or live fulfilling lives, which I thought was rather insulting to those who are permanently disabled. And apart from this complaint, the story got so boring near the end that it was a struggle to finish it. Two stars, as it started off well.
Rebecca Paisley's story was another that started off well, then failed to deliver. I love paranormal romances, so a story about an elf falling in love with a Scrooge was one I though I would like. I was wrong. Savin, the hero, was a bit of a jerk, in my opinion, and he seemed to feel like he was justified in acting that way. Harriet, the deaf niece, felt like a flat plot device rather than a real person. Lyrical, the heroine, was annoying, rather than endearing. She insisted on calling Harriet "Rainbow". I felt like I was reading about someone who had wandered away from a hippie commune. The lead characters didn't grow or develop. I got so bored halfway through that I gave up. Two stars, as again, it started off well.
I found Stephanie Mittman's story impossible to follow. This is one of those authors who throws around tons of dialogue fragments without really explaining who's speaking, leaving the reader confused as to what's really going on. Neither does this author bother to flesh out her characters. By the end of the first chapter, I still didn't know what they even looked like, let alone what their motivations where. No, instead the author just jumps into her plot, leaving the reader to try and sort everything out in the dark without a map or a compass. I gave up on this novella. One star.
I normally love Christmas romance anthologies, but this one stunk. There was not a single story in here even worth finishing. Do yourself a favor, save your money and skip this one.
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2: An Ok Book
This was not a book I would read a second time, but I did relax and enjoy the first time. If you want to read a book that goes straight to your heart, read Stolen Moments by Barbara Jeanne Fisher. . .It is a beautiful story of unrequited love. . .for certain the love story of the nineties. I intended to give the book a quick read, but I got so caught up in the story that I couldn't put the book down. From the very beginning, I was fully caught up in the heart-wrenching account of Julie Hunter's battle with lupus and her growing love for Don Lipton. This love, in the face of Julie's impending death, makes for a story that covers the range of human emotions. The touches of humor are great, too, they add some nice contrast and lighten things a bit when emotions are running high. I've never read a book more deserving of being published. It has rare depth. Julie's story will remind your readers that life and love are precious and not to be taken for granted. It has had an impact on me, and for that I'm grateful. Stolen Moments is written with so much sensitivity that it made me want to cry. It is a spellbinder. What terrific writing. Barbara does have an exceptional gift! This book was edited by Lupus specialist Dr. Matt Morrow too, and has the latest information on that disease. ..A perfect gift for someone who started college late in life, fell in love too late in life, is living with any illness, or trying to understand a loved one who is. . .A gift to be cherished forever.
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