This is a highly-rated book of Regency tales for Christmastime. Although I've read something short by Jennifer Moore, the other authors are new to me. At the end, I will list my favorites to least favorite story (by author's name). Frankly, I was less impressed with these stories than other readers. Overall score = G+
LOVE AND JOY COME TO YOU (Jennifer Moore) --
There's been no real Christmas joy at Lord Covington's country estate since his sister and father died. Since his mother is still grieving, he'd planned a quiet holiday. However, he suddenly finds four Weatherby's and their aunt in his home -- invited for Christmas by his mother. The Weatherby's have recently lost their parents and are just hoping for a normal Christmas, with a Yule log and pudding.
A CHRISTMAS COURTING (Chalon Linton) --
Christopher Shepherd is coming to London to court the woman he wants to marry. Keturah Hensley is delighted until she realizes it can't be her. They were the best of friends as they were growing up. Now, there are so many better choices, so she is devastated. This story was so-o-o-o obvious.
MISTLETOE MEMORIES (Jen Geigle Johnson) --
Patrick, the future Duke of Montrose, and Alice Tarrington always intended to marry and reform England together. However, his family sent him on a two-year Grand Tour first. They promised they would wait for each other but Patrick got word that Alice married another. When he returned, he found conditions different from what he expected. I do not like stories that are told mostly in the past tense. Most of the drama is missing when most of the action happened in the past.
SECOND-HAND CHRISTMAS ( Heidi Kimball) --
When Gerard asks Francie to marry him and she refuses, it sets their long-term friendship on a dangerous course. Gerard has been waiting for Francie to grow up but Francie wants to keep things as they are -- best friends. However, in the weeks before Christmas, things have changed. Gerard's mother invites a friend with two adult children for the holidays. Gerard tries to act as though he could fall in love with someone else, namely, one of the guests. Francie feels jealousy for the first time and then realizes she may lose Gerard to another.
**Rating of the stories from fave to least (using the author's last name) -- Kimball, Moore, Johnson, Linton.
LOVE AND JOY COME TO YOU (Jennifer Moore) --
There's been no real Christmas joy at Lord Covington's country estate since his sister and father died. Since his mother is still grieving, he'd planned a quiet holiday. However, he suddenly finds four Weatherby's and their aunt in his home -- invited for Christmas by his mother. The Weatherby's have recently lost their parents and are just hoping for a normal Christmas, with a Yule log and pudding.
A CHRISTMAS COURTING (Chalon Linton) --
Christopher Shepherd is coming to London to court the woman he wants to marry. Keturah Hensley is delighted until she realizes it can't be her. They were the best of friends as they were growing up. Now, there are so many better choices, so she is devastated. This story was so-o-o-o obvious.
MISTLETOE MEMORIES (Jen Geigle Johnson) --
Patrick, the future Duke of Montrose, and Alice Tarrington always intended to marry and reform England together. However, his family sent him on a two-year Grand Tour first. They promised they would wait for each other but Patrick got word that Alice married another. When he returned, he found conditions different from what he expected. I do not like stories that are told mostly in the past tense. Most of the drama is missing when most of the action happened in the past.
SECOND-HAND CHRISTMAS ( Heidi Kimball) --
When Gerard asks Francie to marry him and she refuses, it sets their long-term friendship on a dangerous course. Gerard has been waiting for Francie to grow up but Francie wants to keep things as they are -- best friends. However, in the weeks before Christmas, things have changed. Gerard's mother invites a friend with two adult children for the holidays. Gerard tries to act as though he could fall in love with someone else, namely, one of the guests. Francie feels jealousy for the first time and then realizes she may lose Gerard to another.
**Rating of the stories from fave to least (using the author's last name) -- Kimball, Moore, Johnson, Linton.
