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Christmas Wishes
Leanne Burroughs, AnnMarie Bradley, Amber Dawn Bell, Billie
Warren Chai, Kimberly Ivey, Patty Howell, Cheryl Alldredge,
Shelli Stevens, Gerri Bowen, Kimberly Grant, Rebecca
Andrews, DeborahAnne MacGillivray
ISBN: 0974624918
Genre: Christmas Anthology
Publisher: Highland Press
If you were to buy one anthology this year of short
Christmas stories to settle in on a cold winters night than
you won't go wrong by picking up this entertaining
compilation of an even dozen featuring some bright and fresh
new talent. The stories run the gamut of contemporary to
historical and even a bit of time travel - but more
importantly they're all magical enough to warm the cockles
of your heart!
Christmas At Home / Leanne Burroughs - Prepare to be charmed
completely by Burroughs poignant tale as wounded WWII gunner
pilot Ryan Burgess discovers that a lovely widow and her
precocious daughter Becca are the perfect pair to help him
ring in Christmas with hope for the future. *** Have lots of
tissues nearby as Burroughs tugs your heartstrings with this
one.
The Christmas Store / Anne Marie Bradley - After finding her
fiancé in bed with another woman Aine is spending Christmas
up north with best friend Holly who takes her to The
Christmas Store with a Mr. & Mrs. Claus looking remarkably
like the real deal! Who knows what Christmas wishes would
come true when she and a cute orphan named Joey write their
wishes on golden stars to hang on Santa's tree! ***
Bradley's sweetly touching tale will make you believe in
Santa again!
Love's Eternal Hope / Amber Dawn Bell - Bell serves up every
older (mature) woman's fantasy with this gem of a story.
When Hope Lacey felt all had been lost a magical journey
sent her back to her Cherokee roots giving her back not only
her self-esteem but a very surprising gift on Christmas Eve.
*** Oh, so very satisfying.
Operation Family / Billie Warren Chai - Major Sean Spencer
wanted to be in control and wanted a stay at home wife.
Ava's career meant just as much to her as Sean's so
heartbreakingly, they split. Some months later when Sean
arrived to bail his crew out of jail he ran into a very
pregnant Ava and knew he was going to be a daddy. Sean, a
special ops specialist knew changes were called for and put
Operation Family into overdrive in order to convince the
woman of his dreams that marriage would be the best
Christmas gift ever. *** You gotta love take charge guys who
know how to make Christmas special!
The Gift of You / Kimberly Ivey - After suffering groping
attempts and abuse from her slime ball boss Liliana Brooks
quit her job knowing the worse would come later when telling
her parents. Little did she know the worst would come sooner
than that. Jake Dellatore wasn't looking to be a hero but
after saving Liliana from being raped he felt more alive
than he had since losing his wife and child five years
before. Perhaps this Christmas would bring Liliana and Jake
a gift both had lost all hope of ever receiving. *** Ivie
offers up a lovely spun sugar Christmas romance served up
sweetly sensual.
The Patient Gift / Patty Howell - Patty Howell delivers a
delightful and emotionally moving tale of love when she
brings together Lea and Durham during a winter storm. With a
little bit of coaching from a very smart canine called Basil
they would discover that hearts could be mended with a
little bit of help from a furry friend. *** A tissue nearby
would not go to waste while reading this beautifully moving
and magically inspirational tale.
In Time For Christmas / Cheryl Alldredge - When Beth Markham
made a wish upon a very old and ancient box sent to her
after being handed down through many generations, she'd
never guessed that her wish for a family would bring such a
delightful turn of events. *** Alldredge's time travel will
take you back to medieval Norway and one very sexy Norseman.
Oh my, the sensuality is sure to keep you warm on a cold
winter's night!
Once Upon a Snowflake / Shelli Stevens - Stevens tells a
light hearted tale featuring a young woman and her son who
find the perfect home for Christmas - and strong arms to
keep her safe and warm all winter long. *** Lovely imagery,
very nicely done - sweet!
Joy's Christmas Wishes / Gerri Bowen - Gerri Bowen will
delight you with a blast from the past - Regency style -
complete with darling children, friends and relatives as
eleven year old Joy makes a couple of Christmas wishes that
ultimately come true for Lady Emily and her papa. ***
Absolutely darling, the characters and the wish come true
theme. Loved it.
Miracles and Mistletoe / Kimberly Grant - Marla wanted more
than anything a future with the most thrilling man she'd
ever met, Chance Yardley. Would a raging blizzard keep the
results of Marla's latest medical test results keep them
from truly enjoying a very special Christmas and life
together. *** Ms. Grant packs a terrific punch in this
powerfully moving story. Very nice.
The Christmas Wish / Rebecca Andrews - Rebecca Andrews will
delight readers with young Kevin's Christmas Wish to bring
him a new mom and someone nice for his dad. Holly St. Nick
turned out to be just perfect in all ways, for him and for
his dad. *** Sweetly sensual - a delightful treat!
All I Want for Christmas is a HulaHoop.and a Mother /
DeborahAnne MacGillivray - Take one precocious five year old
angel, a devastatingly handsome dad, a sexy ballet teacher,
one fat cat, a pony, and a blizzard - tuck them away in a
snug cabin in the country and you'll have all the
ingredients needed to make one magical Christmas where
everyone's wish comes true. *** MacGillivray once again
proves whether writing a long Medieval or Contemporary she
is entirely up to the challenge of packing a wallop of
entertainment into a short story! This is one very talented
wordsmith!
~ Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International
Organization, The Mystic Castle, CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
Christmas is a magical time and twelve talented authors
answer the question of what happens when CHRISTMAS WISHES
come true in this incredible anthology.
Leanne Burroughs opens up this phenomenal anthology with
"Christmas at Home". World War II has been tough on Allison
Monroe and her five year old daughter, Becca. She's lost her
husband and is now forced to live on ration coupons. There's
never enough money for the extras, like candy and dolls.
Things are about to change as Allison meets injured pilot,
Ryan Burgess, and both learn to appreciate "Christmas at
Home".
Leanne Burroughs weaves an absolutely beautiful story! Her
heart warming tale is sure to resonate with readers as she
evokes the true spirit of Christmas in this poignant story
of two broken souls who heal one another with the miracle of
love. Ms. Burroughs has a talent of crafting charming
romances that pull at your emotions and this gift is never
more evident than in "Christmas at Home."
In "The Christmas Store" by Anne Marie Bradley, Aine Ross
makes a very special wish after seeing her marriage hopes
shattered. Aine is reluctant to trust in love again but Mr.
and Mrs. Claus reassure her that CHRISTMAS WISHES come true
at "The Christmas Store" if only she will believe.
Ann Marie Bradley's spectacular skill at creating ambiance
is fully demonstrated in "The Christmas Store". Whether the
backdrop is a wintry scene with Mr. and Mrs. Clause or the
warmth of Hawaii, Ms. Bradley excels at crafting just the
right atmosphere to match her particular characters and
storyline. Readers will cherish this hauntingly sweet tale.
"Love's Eternal Hope" by Amber Dawn Bell is the deeply
emotional tale of Hope Lacey as she recovers from losing
everything in a bitter divorce. A wish upon a Cherokee
Christmas ornament, a nunne'hi, transports her back to her
true love, Wolf. See what happens in this lyrical tale of
"Love's Eternal Hope".
Amber Dawn Bell writes a superb time travel demonstrating
how the power of love transcends time. The attraction
between Hope and Wolf is instantaneous as the reader is
carried back into a different time. The intricate details
make this tale come alive and the reader will cheer for Hope
as she overcomes the depths of despair caused by her
divorce.
Billie Warren Chai shows what happens when Major Sean
Spencer commences with "Operation Family". Sean is anxious
when he is called to pick up several of his men who are
being held at the Sheriff's Office where the lovely Ava
Jefferson still works. After all, Ava broke his heart when
she refused to quit her job to marry him. When Sean spots
the very pregnant Ava, he realizes that things will have to
change as "Operation Family" begins.
Billie Warren Chai's tale is sure to touch the hearts of all
who read it. The dilemma of whether to be a stay-at-home
mother or pursue a career is one so many women face and
"Operation Family" vividly portrays Ava's struggle over this
issue. Billie Warren Chai has a talent for tackling tough
topics and creating beautiful romances out of these
difficult situations.
"The Gift of You" by Kimberly Ivey is the heart-warming tale
of Liliana Brooks and Jake Delacorte. Abused by life after
having a child out of wedlock in the 1970s, Liliana quits
her job when her groping boss makes yet more unwanted and
lewd advances. Jake is her reluctant rescuer from the evils
encountered by a single woman out alone. Will CHRISTMAS
WISHES come true for Liliana and Jake?
"The Gift of You" captures the heart of the Christmas
spirit. Liliana's devotion to her son, Nicky, shines through
as a beacon of hope and provides a startling contrast to the
negative attitude of others towards Liliana. This
beautifully crafted tale of love against all odds is certain
to charm readers during any season.
In "The Patient Gift" by Patty Howell, Lea Novak has allowed
grief to numb her heart. Durham North's fortuitous need for
a tow truck sends him knocking on Lea's door and a Christmas
miracle is about to occur.
"The Patient Gift" is a powerful testament to love
overcoming all obstacles, including the dark despair grief
can cause. Patty Howell has created a true hero in Durham
North as his sensitivity and patience are exactly what Lea
needs. And who doesn't need a dog like Basil? Patty Howell
is guaranteed to garner some new fans with this enchanting
holiday tale.
Cheryl Alldredge's "In Time for
Christmas" is a stunning time travel back to when Vikings
plundered. Gunnar meets a small boy, Jon, and feels
compelled to say a prayer to the Christian God. His prayer
for good fortune, and the gift of a box to Beth in the
present day, send Beth hurtling back where she and Gunnar
find love "In Time for Christmas".
Cheryl Alldredge's heartfelt story brings the time of the
Vikings to vivid life. Her incredible gift at encapsulating
details and emotions will leave readers yearning for more
stories by this talented author. This compelling time travel
beautifully juxtaposes the beliefs of the Vikings with those
of the Christians to create a fascinating and sensitive
portrait of Christmas.
"Once Upon a Snowflake" by Shelli Stevens is a magical tale
of how Lilly Rawson's escape from her past sends her
crashing into the arms of Logan. Lilly and her four year old
son, Ben, are headed to a job Lilly doesn't truly want when
she wrecks her car in the snow. Will Lilly take a chance on
love this Christmas?
Shelli Stevens' tale of finding hope in an unlikely place is
both heartwarming and charming. Ben is an endearing
character as he makes exactly the sort of remarks one
expects from a four year old. Shelli Stevens has a
phenomenal career ahead of her with such beautiful stories
as "Once Upon a Snowflake".
Gerri Bowen's regency era tale, "Joy's Christmas Wishes" is
a delightful tale of an 11 year old girl's wish for a new
mother. Her dad, Geoffrey, and Lady Emma are attracted to
one another. But will it cause a family rift as Geoffrey's
brother wants Emma's hand in marriage as well?
"Joy's Christmas Wishes" is a sweet tale emphasizing the
true heart of Christmas. Gerri Bowen's elegant prose brings
to vivid life the sheer joy of Christmas through the eyes of
a child. Joy's unwavering faith that her CHRISTMAS WISHES
will come true shines through while the sweet romance
between Geoffrey and Emma evokes images from a time long
past.
Kimberly Grant's "Miracles and Mistletoe" is the dramatic
tale of Marla Anders' fears over her cancer test results as
Christmas approaches. Chance Yardley, urges her to keep the
faith as he prays for a Christmas miracle regarding her
health.
"Miracles and Mistletoe" contains all of the sights and
sounds of Christmas in such vivid detail! Kimberly Grant's
wonderful imagery of Christmas truly showcases her
phenomenal writing talent. Her skill at evoking strong
emotions is very apparent as one can feel Marla's deep
anguish over the potential test results. What a powerful
story!
"The Christmas Wish" by Rebecca Andrews is the poignant
story of six year old Kevin O'Connor's wish for a mom. His
supermodel mom has died, and his father, Ryan, is stunned
when they see Holly St. Nick and she is the spitting image
of Kevin's mom. Will "The Christmas Wish" of Kevin come true
this year?
Rebecca Andrews has a winner with "The Christmas Wish"! This
beautifully written story is sure to leave readers reaching
for the Kleenex. Kevin's firm belief in Santa granting his
wish makes this story work as Ms. Andrews does a phenomenal
job with character development. This sweet romance is
perfect for the holiday season.
"All I Want for Christmas is a HulaHoop... and a Mother" by
DeborahAnne MacGillivray is the charming tale of Keon
Challenger, his daughter Allison, and her ballet teacher,
Leslie Seaforth. Allison wants a mother for Christmas and
she believes Leslie is the perfect choice for her daddy.
Will Leslie and Keon find love in the midst of the holiday
blizzard?
DeborahAnne MacGillivray concludes this superb anthology
with a sweet but sensual tale. "All I Want for Christmas is
a HulaHoop... and a Mother" is a splendid blend of humor and
romance set against the backdrop of the Christmas season.
Readers will enjoy the depth of Ms. MacGillivray's
characters while appreciating her quick wit. DeborahAnne
MacGillivray is definitely an author to keep an eye on as
she writes a fantastic story, no matter what the setting may
be!
CHRISTMAS WISHES shows just how phenomenal a themed
anthology can be. Each of these highly skilled authors
brings a slightly different perspective to the Christmas
theme to create a book that is sure to leave readers
satisfied. What a joy to read such splendid stories! This
reviewer looks forward to more anthologies by Highland Press
as the quality is simply astonishing.
Reviewer: Deborah Wiley (Winter Haven, FL)
COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND
KRITIQUES
"A full dozen of
stories that will keep you smiling and happily humming
carols even while you are being crushed in the shopping
crowds by grumps. Once you finish this anthology, be sure to
place it on your bookshelf or boxed among your decorations
so you may reread this gem each December."
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
"This is a
charming collection of holiday stories that celebrate the
emotions of the season. From precocious children to hopeful
adults there is a story here that will touch your heart and
make you believe in happy ending. This is the perfect way to
spend a holiday evening."
Reviewed by
Kristi Ahlers
