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A review by bookwyrm_lark
Christmas Miracles by Mary Balogh
4.0
These three stories/novellas by Mary Balogh (long out of print) combine the joy and hope of Christmas with Regency romance.
“The Wassail Bowl” is the only one I had read before; it’s also my favorite of the three, in part because the character development and emotional growth are surprisingly deep for a novella. The pain and anger of John, Earl of Wyndham, and his estranged wife Antonia contrasts well with the innocence and happiness of the two children, Jeffrey and Jane. Often the quarrel between a fictional couple seems contrived or blown out of proportion, but in this story it is both believable and heartbreaking. Their eventual reconciliation is as heartfelt and as believable, making “The Wassail Bowl” one of Balogh’s best novellas, Christmas or otherwise.
“The Bond Street Carolers” is the weakest of the three stories. Lord Heath, a music patron, overhears a young boy soprano caroling on the street, and is determined to have him sing at Heath’s annual musicale, but Fanny, the boy’s mother, does not want to exploit him. The story advances the relationship between Heath and Fanny much too quickly, though the two children, Matthew and Katie, are adorable.
I am tempted to say that “Guarded by Angels” is the most overtly religious of the three tales. It’s certainly the only one to include angels as characters! But there are more than a few religious/spiritual references and themes in “The Wassail Bowl” as well — though no angels. The beings in “Guarded by Angels” owes more to angels like Clarence (It’s a Wonderful Life) or Debbie Macomber’s Mrs. Miracle than to the awesome messengers of the Bible, making the story a comforting, charming tale of estranged lovers brought together.
If you’re looking for heartwarming historical romance set at Christmas-time, you don’t have to look much further than this collection; all three stories are enjoyable, and “The Wassail Bowl” is excellent.
Review originally published on The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
“The Wassail Bowl” is the only one I had read before; it’s also my favorite of the three, in part because the character development and emotional growth are surprisingly deep for a novella. The pain and anger of John, Earl of Wyndham, and his estranged wife Antonia contrasts well with the innocence and happiness of the two children, Jeffrey and Jane. Often the quarrel between a fictional couple seems contrived or blown out of proportion, but in this story it is both believable and heartbreaking. Their eventual reconciliation is as heartfelt and as believable, making “The Wassail Bowl” one of Balogh’s best novellas, Christmas or otherwise.
“The Bond Street Carolers” is the weakest of the three stories. Lord Heath, a music patron, overhears a young boy soprano caroling on the street, and is determined to have him sing at Heath’s annual musicale, but Fanny, the boy’s mother, does not want to exploit him. The story advances the relationship between Heath and Fanny much too quickly, though the two children, Matthew and Katie, are adorable.
I am tempted to say that “Guarded by Angels” is the most overtly religious of the three tales. It’s certainly the only one to include angels as characters! But there are more than a few religious/spiritual references and themes in “The Wassail Bowl” as well — though no angels. The beings in “Guarded by Angels” owes more to angels like Clarence (It’s a Wonderful Life) or Debbie Macomber’s Mrs. Miracle than to the awesome messengers of the Bible, making the story a comforting, charming tale of estranged lovers brought together.
If you’re looking for heartwarming historical romance set at Christmas-time, you don’t have to look much further than this collection; all three stories are enjoyable, and “The Wassail Bowl” is excellent.
Review originally published on The Bookwyrm's Hoard.