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A review by nipomuki
A Timeless Romance Anthology: Silver Bells Collection by Lucinda Brant
4.0
In this strange and worrying time I had a hankering for Christmas stories. Also I had heard good things about Lucinda Brant, and thought this a good way to see if I‘d like her writing.
The six stories are very different from each other, and I find it hard to rate the collection as a whole.
Fairy Christmas by Lucinda Brant
This story was very charming, with some sweet and funny moments. It came closest to my expectations. I also was very happy with the secondary romance.
4 stars
A Christmas Promise by Sarah M. Eden
At first I was a bit surprised by the way this story was introduced. This romance centers not on the nobility, but on the people who work for them or view them from afar. Here love is not about balls, gowns and grand gestures, but about kindness, understanding, suitability. Also: Irland.
4 stars
Twelve Months by Heather B. Moore
Here we start out with a tragedy: the death of a dear friend. I really enjoyed how the friendship between the two mourners grows into romance. I also liked that the heroine did not accept at first, but also did not dither when things changed.
4 stars
A Fezziwig Christmas by Lu Ann Staheli
Again a working class romance, this time with two apprentices who want to court their employers beautiful daughters. There seems to be some reference to Dickens, which confused me.
3 stars
A Taste of Home by Annette Lyon
Here we meet two young people returning home for Christmas and after a change of plans spend a magical day together in Salt Lake City. I had a hard time with the romance, probably because of the backstory: I just can‘t with bullies, and „wanting a girls attention“ does not make it better.
3 stars
My Modern Girl by Becca Wilhite
I really liked the voice of the heroine, and I was very happy when I realized that the author did not intend to make a statement for good women staying at home. There is a lot of growth and learning about herself going on for this young women, and I enjoyed that journey with her.
4 stars
So all in all I liked four out of six stories very much, which makes me add a fourth star.
I liked reading about „normal“ working class people in historical times, and what makes their Christmas magical and their courtships romantic.
The six stories are very different from each other, and I find it hard to rate the collection as a whole.
Fairy Christmas by Lucinda Brant
This story was very charming, with some sweet and funny moments. It came closest to my expectations. I also was very happy with the secondary romance.
4 stars
A Christmas Promise by Sarah M. Eden
At first I was a bit surprised by the way this story was introduced. This romance centers not on the nobility, but on the people who work for them or view them from afar. Here love is not about balls, gowns and grand gestures, but about kindness, understanding, suitability. Also: Irland.
4 stars
Twelve Months by Heather B. Moore
Here we start out with a tragedy: the death of a dear friend. I really enjoyed how the friendship between the two mourners grows into romance. I also liked that the heroine did not accept at first, but also did not dither when things changed.
4 stars
A Fezziwig Christmas by Lu Ann Staheli
Again a working class romance, this time with two apprentices who want to court their employers beautiful daughters. There seems to be some reference to Dickens, which confused me.
3 stars
A Taste of Home by Annette Lyon
Here we meet two young people returning home for Christmas and after a change of plans spend a magical day together in Salt Lake City. I had a hard time with the romance, probably because of the backstory: I just can‘t with bullies, and „wanting a girls attention“ does not make it better.
3 stars
My Modern Girl by Becca Wilhite
I really liked the voice of the heroine, and I was very happy when I realized that the author did not intend to make a statement for good women staying at home. There is a lot of growth and learning about herself going on for this young women, and I enjoyed that journey with her.
4 stars
So all in all I liked four out of six stories very much, which makes me add a fourth star.
I liked reading about „normal“ working class people in historical times, and what makes their Christmas magical and their courtships romantic.