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mimireadsromance's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this anthology. It's a nice assortment of holiday stories. My favorite of the stories was Karen Erickson's, followed closely by Sophie Barnes' and Vivienne Lorret's. All of these authors were "new to me", but I'll definitely be reading their books in 2013!
lemmous's review
3.0
First two were dull but the last three had some charm making it worth continuing to the end.
ssejig's review
3.0
My mother bought this book and I figured, what the heck, it's Christmas, might as well give it a try.
Mistletoe Magic by Sophie Barnes
A year after her mother's death, Leonora Campton is inducted into The Ring of Protectors, a group dedicated to helping the wallflowers of society find an eligible mate. Her first prospect only seems interested in one man, someone the Earl of Redfirn is backing. Leonora isn't sure about either man but the Earl is especially intriguing.
An okay story. Maybe three out of five.
His Perfect Gift by Karen Erickson
Lady Eleanor Fitzsimmons is part of a family that is good ton, but very poor. The Duke of Ashton had proposed to her two years ago, when he was just a second son. He knows that he shouldn't still love her but his circumstances have changed. Can he hope to change her mind as well?
Okay story.
War of the Magi by Rena Gregory
Eugenia (Ginny) Overton, daughter to the owner of a general goods store in South Dakota, has been interested in Phin Baldwin, journalist, for quite some time. But he hasn't really noticed her in that way. Then he wins the chance to retain the town's magi statues and make a Christmas wish (one that always comes true). When he scoffs at their community tradition, Ginny decides to help teach him the true meaning of Christmas.
Again, an okay story.
Her Christmas Knight by Sandra Jones
Lady Nia De Brionne and her sister are to be the prizes at a fair being held by her father. But someone is trying to sabotage the proceedings. She is trying to find out who with her recently returned first love, Caerwyn. She had innocently thought that making him jealous would secure him to his side, not send him away forever. But now he's back and learning that this is not the same girl he left behind.
This is an interesting story, but still no more than three stars.
Tempting Mr. Weatherstone by Vivienne Lorret
Penelope Rutledge is tired of not being married. She wants the happiness that her sister found. But she's been in love with family friend Ethan Weatherstone for too many years. He is her ideal, but doesn't seem to know that she's a woman. Even when he does seem to notice, it causes more consternation to him than joy.
Best story of the lot.
Probably would have given the whole thing two and a half stars if possible, but in the spirit of Christmas, I rounded up.
Mistletoe Magic by Sophie Barnes
A year after her mother's death, Leonora Campton is inducted into The Ring of Protectors, a group dedicated to helping the wallflowers of society find an eligible mate. Her first prospect only seems interested in one man, someone the Earl of Redfirn is backing. Leonora isn't sure about either man but the Earl is especially intriguing.
An okay story. Maybe three out of five.
His Perfect Gift by Karen Erickson
Lady Eleanor Fitzsimmons is part of a family that is good ton, but very poor. The Duke of Ashton had proposed to her two years ago, when he was just a second son. He knows that he shouldn't still love her but his circumstances have changed. Can he hope to change her mind as well?
Okay story.
War of the Magi by Rena Gregory
Eugenia (Ginny) Overton, daughter to the owner of a general goods store in South Dakota, has been interested in Phin Baldwin, journalist, for quite some time. But he hasn't really noticed her in that way. Then he wins the chance to retain the town's magi statues and make a Christmas wish (one that always comes true). When he scoffs at their community tradition, Ginny decides to help teach him the true meaning of Christmas.
Again, an okay story.
Her Christmas Knight by Sandra Jones
Lady Nia De Brionne and her sister are to be the prizes at a fair being held by her father. But someone is trying to sabotage the proceedings. She is trying to find out who with her recently returned first love, Caerwyn. She had innocently thought that making him jealous would secure him to his side, not send him away forever. But now he's back and learning that this is not the same girl he left behind.
This is an interesting story, but still no more than three stars.
Tempting Mr. Weatherstone by Vivienne Lorret
Penelope Rutledge is tired of not being married. She wants the happiness that her sister found. But she's been in love with family friend Ethan Weatherstone for too many years. He is her ideal, but doesn't seem to know that she's a woman. Even when he does seem to notice, it causes more consternation to him than joy.
Best story of the lot.
Probably would have given the whole thing two and a half stars if possible, but in the spirit of Christmas, I rounded up.
prationality's review
3.0
I will, as normal, review each story separately then the collection as a whole.
"Mistletoe Magic" by Sophie Barnes
What better way for Connor Talbot, Earl of Redfirn to spend the holidays than convincing Leonora Compton that the only match she needs to make is with him!
This a cute story--Lenora and Redfirn are at cross purposes in regards to the charges they are trying to marry off, so it makes for some funny moments. I'm not wholly convinced by the romance though, Lenora is more understandable then Redfirn who seems to just suddenly decide 'This chit ain't half bad!'.
"His Perfect Gift" by Karen Erickson
The Duke of Ashton has had three years to plan for his perfect Christmas present-the Lady Eleanor Fitzsimmons as his wife. Now, all he has to do is convince the reluctant lady…
I liked this story far more. I feel bad for Ashton since he's getting one hell of a mother-in-law, but he seems happy enough. I thought when everything was finally laid out between Eleanor and Ashton, it was done well, but Erickson's inclusion of the younger brother's romantic foibles went nowhere really, so I'm not entirely sure why they were included.
"War of the Magi" by Rena Gregory
Phin Baldwin does not believe in Christmas magic….until the clever and beautiful Ginny Overton gets it into her head to show him how wonderful it can be when wishes come true.
This was an amusing story that had a couple surprises. This another story with the hero has a sudden epiphany that is largely told to us, not shown. I liked Ginny, her loyalty to her neighbors and father did her credit and her clever ruse certainly made for a great way to bring holiday cheer!
"Her Christmas Knight" by Sandra Jones
Just returned from the Crusades, marriage is the last thing on Sir Caerwyn’s mind. But will he be able to resist Lady Nia, the thief of his boyhood heart, when she tempts him yet again?
Unfortunately this one wasn't for me. I'm not fond of medieval set romances and had a hard time really getting into the story as a result (which isn't to say Jones can't write, just...wrong genre for me.)
"Tempting Mr. Weatherstone" by Vivienne Lorret
Responsible Ethan Weatherstone is determined to save Penelope Rutledge-and her reputation-from her silly scheme, but can he save himself from the temptation of her lips?
This was by far my favorite story. It was so well-rounded and well-thought out. Even knowing how it would end out (its a romance after all), I found myself feeling utterly heart broken for first Penelope because Ethan is such a dunderhead and then Ethan because he obviously cared far too much. Lorret did a wonderful job and I think was the perfect compliment to the season.
These stories may have been better served by not having the couples anticipate their wedding night so often. In a few cases it just didn't make sense because the couple didn't know each other that long (looking at you Lenora and Redfirn). of the five only two felt like they had a beginning, middle and end (Lorret and Gregory's). Its my understanding that only Barnes is a previously published author--this certainly makes me hope to see more from the others!
"Mistletoe Magic" by Sophie Barnes
What better way for Connor Talbot, Earl of Redfirn to spend the holidays than convincing Leonora Compton that the only match she needs to make is with him!
This a cute story--Lenora and Redfirn are at cross purposes in regards to the charges they are trying to marry off, so it makes for some funny moments. I'm not wholly convinced by the romance though, Lenora is more understandable then Redfirn who seems to just suddenly decide 'This chit ain't half bad!'.
"His Perfect Gift" by Karen Erickson
The Duke of Ashton has had three years to plan for his perfect Christmas present-the Lady Eleanor Fitzsimmons as his wife. Now, all he has to do is convince the reluctant lady…
I liked this story far more. I feel bad for Ashton since he's getting one hell of a mother-in-law, but he seems happy enough. I thought when everything was finally laid out between Eleanor and Ashton, it was done well, but Erickson's inclusion of the younger brother's romantic foibles went nowhere really, so I'm not entirely sure why they were included.
"War of the Magi" by Rena Gregory
Phin Baldwin does not believe in Christmas magic….until the clever and beautiful Ginny Overton gets it into her head to show him how wonderful it can be when wishes come true.
This was an amusing story that had a couple surprises. This another story with the hero has a sudden epiphany that is largely told to us, not shown. I liked Ginny, her loyalty to her neighbors and father did her credit and her clever ruse certainly made for a great way to bring holiday cheer!
"Her Christmas Knight" by Sandra Jones
Just returned from the Crusades, marriage is the last thing on Sir Caerwyn’s mind. But will he be able to resist Lady Nia, the thief of his boyhood heart, when she tempts him yet again?
Unfortunately this one wasn't for me. I'm not fond of medieval set romances and had a hard time really getting into the story as a result (which isn't to say Jones can't write, just...wrong genre for me.)
"Tempting Mr. Weatherstone" by Vivienne Lorret
Responsible Ethan Weatherstone is determined to save Penelope Rutledge-and her reputation-from her silly scheme, but can he save himself from the temptation of her lips?
This was by far my favorite story. It was so well-rounded and well-thought out. Even knowing how it would end out (its a romance after all), I found myself feeling utterly heart broken for first Penelope because Ethan is such a dunderhead and then Ethan because he obviously cared far too much. Lorret did a wonderful job and I think was the perfect compliment to the season.
These stories may have been better served by not having the couples anticipate their wedding night so often. In a few cases it just didn't make sense because the couple didn't know each other that long (looking at you Lenora and Redfirn). of the five only two felt like they had a beginning, middle and end (Lorret and Gregory's). Its my understanding that only Barnes is a previously published author--this certainly makes me hope to see more from the others!
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