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*****
Super Collection of Great
Stories!, November 29, 2006
CHRISTMAS
WONDERLAND by Leanne Burroughs -
When Samantha Noelle was talked
into replacing her friend
Monique as one of Santa's
helpers at Nickels Department
store she was less than thrilled
with the divinely handsome store
manager who laughed at her in
her green elf costume. Sam
thought Mr. Giovanni should have
been called Mr. Grumpy and would
have liked to just stay out of
his way but his precocious young
daughter was going to show them
both how much they all needed
one another. *** Burroughs has
an incredible voice whether
writing a Scottish historical or
a contemporary love story.
THE POWER OF LOVE by Kemberlee
Shortland - Life was pretty much
perfect for Elaine (Lany) and
Ethan and even though they
hadn't planned to start a family
right away their love was strong
enough to sustain anything as
long as they would be together.
They would discover that love is
the most powerful gift of all
especially when St. Nicholas is
around on Christmas eve to help
miracles happen. *** Shortland
writes a powerfully emotional
story that moved me to tears
with an intensity that took my
breath away.
SEMPRE by Aleka Nakis - When
you're young you often make
unwise choices and Amanda,
standing all alone on Christmas
Eve had reason today to regret
the choice that changed her
life. Not all of it, after all
she had her son Jason just not
the man who captured and still
held her heart today. Yet, when
Marco appeared on the
observation deck with her
perhaps miracles could happen
and she would have a second
chance at love. *** A lovely
sweet story that proves once
again that love is the best
miracle of all -- any time of
the year.
CHRISTMAS MASQUERADE by Michele
Ann Young - The Earl of Dart had
no use for Christmas so buried
himself chopping firewood at his
gamekeepers cottage. Seeing a
vision coming thru the blowing
snow he first thought he'd died
and went to heaven, but more
likely she was just another
damsel looking to ensnare him in
a parson's mousetrap. Well,
she'd find out he wasn't about
to succumb to her feminine
wiles, but then again, maybe she
really didn't know who he was.
On the other hand wouldn't he be
surprised to learn who she was
as well? *** Ms. Young writes a
lovely tale of two people fate
was kind enough to bring
together on a snowy Christmas
Eve. Well done and a sweetly
sensual tale to take the chill
off a cold and snowy night.
BALLOU'S CHRISTMAS WISH by
Keelia Greer - Not only will you
be rooting for Melody to have
her Christmas wish come true in
this charming dog-lovers story
but even her West Highland
terrier Ballou gets his wish
too! *** This was a totally
delightful story that put a
smile on my face from beginning
to end.
THE CHRISTMAS CURSE by Rachel
Michaels - All her life it
seemed Jenna was a walking
disaster around the Christmas
holidays. Just once - one time -
could she have a pleasant
Christmas? Well, it was worth a
shot to wish on a star, just
this one time and maybe magic
could happen. *** This was a
very cute story proving
sometimes wishes do come true.
Sweet.
MAGGIE AT CHRISTMAS by Diane
Davis White - Maggie Donaldson
wasn't quite so sure offering
the hospitality of her home to
Professor Ethan Spencer was such
a good idea especially when she
felt such an amazing attraction.
Ethan hadn't thought he'd ever
want to get tied down again but
Maggie Donaldson was kind and
compassionate and the complete
opposite of his ex-wife - with
Maggie he saw an end to
loneliness. *** A tremendous
love story and four foster kids
that will steal your heart. Have
tissues near by for this one!
RACHEL'S LIGHT
by Victoria Houseman
- As governess to Samuel Stein's
children Rachel Levine knew her
place yet couldn't help but wish
to take away the pain and
bitterness she saw in Samuel's
beautiful eyes. Samuel was
bitter over what life had dealt
him after losing his wife and
the pain from his mangled leg
but most of all hated that he
hurt Rachel with his drunken
tirades, a lovely gentle young
woman who deserved better. ***
Houseman writes a powerfully
beautiful love story of
redemption as a gentle young
woman brings light and promise
to man who once thought his life
bleak.
THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL by
Candace Gold - After having been
jilted by her fiancé Claudia
wasn't in the mood to go to any
dance but once there met a guy
too good to be true. Things
progressed nicely until he was
called up to serve in the Iraqi
war and Claudia's world fell
apart again when he was reported
MIA. *** Well written and
emotional - have the tissues
handy! Lovely.
VICTORIANA by Heather Hiestand -
Hiestand has come up with an
exceptionally creative and
original story when Robyne
Arthur, a young woman stumbles
upon an old Victorian `cracker'
and is transported from Tacoma,
Washington to Victorian England.
Only it's an England that has
been frozen in time. The Earl of
Chester points out that Robyne
holds the key to saving them but
she would forfeit any chance to
return home. The more she gets
to know the kindly Earl of
Chester, she may just decide
that staying with him is where
she wants to be. *** Loved this
very original time travel from
the very first pages. A step
back into Victorian England.
Sweetly satisfying.
TEMPT ME TWICE by Anna Kathryn
Lanier - Lady Meghan had given
her heart to the Duke of
Prestwick many years ago only to
discover that he was betrothed
and would marry another. In
flight to the continent, she
married another and bore a
daughter. Seven years later they
are both free, but would the
Duke be able to tempt an older
and wiser Meghan again? *** A
beautiful story of betrayal,
lost love, and redemption
written with an eloquent and
passionate voice that simmered
with sensuality.
BLUE CHRISTMAS CAT by
DeborahAnne MacGillivray - Dara
Seaforth had loved Rhys St. John
since she was eleven years old -
still remembered the one and
only kiss she'd given him at
eighteen. When on Christmas Eve
and Dara was more lonely than
ever, a stray cat with a name
tag of Elvis showed up on her
doorstep. Rhys had returned to
the village and been looking for
a reason to approach Dara.
Following his silly cat's tracks
through the snow he was
overjoyed to discover they led
straight to Dara's door! ***
This was a charming little story
that proves that someone is
bound to listen when one's heart
is pure to grant special wishes
at Christmas time. MacGillivray
writes with a pleasing sensual
voice and wonderful character
development for both human and
feline.
This is a terrific collection of
stories that sets the mood for
ringing in the holiday spirit
with warm loving feelings, faith
and charity. You can't miss with
this lovely fine-tuned
collection with a bit of
something for everyone's taste.
Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers
International Organization
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