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Title: Regency Christmas Wishes: 5 New Holiday Tales by Sandra Heath, Carla Kelly, Emma Jensen, Barbara Metzger, Edith Layton ISBN: 0-451-21044-1 Publisher: Signet Pub. Date: 07 October, 2003 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.33 (3 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: one of the better series anthologies
Comment: Typically I like single-title romances better than series romances and full-length novels better than short stories/novellas. In this book none of the tales were awful, some were entertaining, and at least one was quite good.
One of the shorter tales, "The Lucky Coin" by Barbara Metzger was fun and reminiscent of Dickens. A good story; the hero is immediately likeable.
"Following Yonder Star" by Emma Jensen was a study in discovering new pleasures and interests as a reluctant master comes to appreciate his new responsibilities. In addition, it starts with a letter that nearly broke my heart and set up the story is the best possible way. At first you really doubt the hero, but he comes through. A pleasant read.
Sandra Heath's "The Merry Magpie" started well, but became annoying. I hate that bird. Much of the story is done in flashbacks, and it's rather predictable.
Edith Layton's "Best Wishes" was often annoying. I hated both of the groups the couple visited for Christmas. While her family was certainly infinitely better than his pre-marriage friends, I felt very sorry for Jonathan having to put up with that boring family. I never bought into this tale. I kept expecting the couple to decide to resolve their differences by creating new Christmas traditions of their own. A disappointment.
Saving the best for last brings us to Carla Kelly's "Let Nothing You Dismay." It might be worth it to get this book for this story alone. Strong characterizations, poignancy, deep emotional conflicts, and, finally, a story that deals with the deeper issues of love, hope, and other Christmas themes. For this story alone, I'd give the book 3 stars instead of 2.
Rating: 3
Summary: A pleasant enough read but ultimately a disappointment
Comment: Every year I look forward to Signet's Regency Christmas anthology with great anticipation because it nearly always is a showcase for their best writers. Unfortunately, this time, these authors (some of whom are auto-buys for me) did not come up to scratch.
The exception in the collection was Carla Kelly who has written another of her exquisitely polished little gems. As ever, she gives us a beta hero caught in a poignant situation helped by a wise and understanding heroine. Edith Layton's story, however, was no way up to her usual high standards. Emma Jensen's offering was simply too boring to catch my attention and Sandra Heath's shallow and a little absurd. Barbara Metzger's story was light and amusing but she can do better.
Worth reading but not as good a Signet's previous offerings. I wonder if this is because Mary Balogh has her own Christmas anthology this year and did not appear in this one.
Rating: 4
Summary: Nice
Comment: In "The Lucky Coin" by Barbara Metzger, Adam Standish has hit rock bottom. He hasn't a penny in his pocket--until a stranger in a carriage offers him "a penny for his thoughts." With this new penny in his possession, Adam Standish's luck begins to change. He meets lovely Jenna, and starts to believe that wishes come true. This is a fun story, and I've always been a fan of Metzger's humor. My only qualm lies within the tepid heroine. 4 stars.
In "Following Yonder Star" by Emma Jensen, Alice Ashe is preparing to have an Irish Christmas--without Gareth, the beau who abandoned her years ago. When he shows up for the Christmas festivies, Alice has mixed feelings about his unexpected arrival. Gareth, who plans to leave after Christmas, starts to wonder if he'll have a reason to stay. He still have feelings for Alice. ...This was an interesting story, aside from the fact that it veered from the plot sometimes. 3 stars.
In "Merry Magpie" by Sandra Heath, Charlie Neville blames the downfall of his marriage on his estranged wife's aunt's... bird. It was because of the drunken (yes, drunken) magpie that his infidelity was exposed. 5 years later, he returns as a more mature man, hoping to get a second chance. This story was pleasantly different in the way it consisted of mostly flashbacks, which eventually led up to a 10 page reunion between the couple. In spite of the lack of interaction between the main characters, I still enjoyed it. 4 stars.
In "Best Wishes" by Edith Layton, newlyweds Pamela and Jonathan suddenly find themselves at odds with each other. They can't agree on anything, and both spouse and husband end up being miserable during different parts of the holidays. Together, they must search for some common ground. I really wanted to enjoy this story, but I was irritated by Jonathan's controlling behavior, and by Pamela's whininess. 2 1/2 stars.
In Carla Kelly's "Let Nothing You Dismay," Miss Cecilia Ambrose finds herself in close quarters with the family of her pupil, Lucinda. She is intrigued by Lucinda's uncle, who is both caring and intelligent. But Uncle Trevor harbors a secret--he blames himself for a tragedy that happened many Christmases ago. Somehow, Cecilia must help him to rid himself of his sorrows. As I would expect of Carla Kelly, the character developement is superb. 4 1/2 stars.
To sum things up: This collection of Christmas stories (all written by popular writers of the genre) is pleasant in every way, and does an adequate job of presenting the spirit of the season.
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Title: Under the Mistletoe by Mary Balogh ISBN: 0451209788 Publisher: New American Library Pub. Date: 28 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: His Lordship's Holiday Surprise (Zebra Regency Romance) by Kate Huntington ISBN: 082177493X Publisher: Zebra Books (Mass Market) Pub. Date: October, 2003 List Price(USD): $4.99 |
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Title: A Viscount for Christmas (Zebra Regency Romance) by Catherine Blair ISBN: 0821775529 Publisher: Zebra Books (Mass Market) Pub. Date: October, 2003 List Price(USD): $4.99 |
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Title: Emily's Christmas Wish (Zebra Regency Romance) by Sharon Stancavage ISBN: 0821776045 Publisher: Zebra Books (Mass Market) Pub. Date: October, 2003 List Price(USD): $4.99 |
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Title: A Yuletide Treasure (Zebra Regency Romance) by Cynthia Pratt ISBN: 0821774891 Publisher: Zebra Books (Mass Market) Pub. Date: October, 2003 List Price(USD): $4.99 |
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