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A Gift of Love (Taggert #5)

by Jude Deveraux (Goodreads Author), Judith McNaught, Kimberly Cates, Andrea Kane (Goodreads Author), Judith O'Brien

3.73 · rating details · 866 ratings · 23 reviews

Nothing is more precious than the gift of love. In this dazzling new collection, two leading ladies of romance, New York Times bestsellers Judith McNaught and Jude Deveraux, along with the rising stars Kimberly Cates, Andrea Kane, and Judith O'Brien, present wonderful, original love stories to warm our hearts on a cold winter's day. A Gift of Love captures holiday magic as...more

Mass Market Paperback, 464 pages

Published November 1st 1996 by Pocket

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Aug 29, 2010

Kimberly rated it

Shelves: contemporary-romance, favorites, historical-romance, own-copy

Five short stories with two from my favorite romance writers McNaught (Double Exposure) and Deveraux (Just Curious). Just curious is one of my favorites of Deveraux. "I don't believe in miracles" first line from main character Karen. A widow whose lost her spark working as a secretary for a major corp. owned by a Taggert- one of Deveraux reoccuring families. Taggert handsome, cold-hearted whose inability to get a women to sign a pre-nup has given him quite the reputation. Karen fi...more

· see review

Jul 07, 2011

Kathy rated it

Shelves: romance, short-stories, christma

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Double Exposure - Judith McNaught
Corey Foster & Spencer Addison... today Corey is a well known photographer of the magazine Beautiful Living, showcasing her mother & grandmother's Foster Way of entertainment... Spencer is a successful businessman... 15 years ago Corey had a tremendous crush on the older Spencer - and he tolerated her attentions & enjoyed the time with her loving family - a memorable scene when she is 17, and wants him to kiss her - and she makes up a story about kissing bo...moreDouble Exposure - Judith McNaught
Corey Foster & Spencer Addison... today Corey is a well known photographer of the magazine Beautiful Living, showcasing her mother & grandmother's Foster Way of entertainment... Spencer is a successful businessman... 15 years ago Corey had a tremendous crush on the older Spencer - and he tolerated her attentions & enjoyed the time with her loving family - a memorable scene when she is 17, and wants him to kiss her - and she makes up a story about kissing boys, and wanting to know when to stop - and she gouds him into kissing her, and he starts to get carried away, and is ashamed of himself - but neither forgot the kiss... until he 'broke her heart', and Corey gave him up... now his little half sister is getting married, and they want Beautiful Living to showcase the wedding, so the family is going to his east coast home to set up & photograph... and Corey is wary of Spencer - Spencer realizes he loves Corey... and manipulates things so that they are married in his sister's stead (she ran off with the busboy to elope)... and he makes it right a month later, when he gets her to come to his grandmother's house to sign something, and instead she finds Christmas - which is when she had wanted to be married - and she finally trusts in his love for her....

Just Curious by Jude Deveraux
MacAlister Taggart and Karen Lawrence... Karen - 30 years old, well loved, but lost her husband to an accident... she lost the hardware business she shared with her husband, and 2 years later, and she wants a baby... she works in the typing pool for the Taggart corp... MacAlister, jilted at the alter 3 years earlier, engaged many times - he has pre nup agreements that leave nothing for the women, and they break the engagement... Karen doesn't think much of MacAlister - she types his work (helping out the elderly supervisor)...

but it is christmas, and she's sad, and she finishes up the typing while the others are partying... and she indulges herself with a look in the bosses' office... and when startled when he shows up, she drops a picture... she asks who the family member is as she didn't recognize him, but then leaves his office sure she has lost her job... and then he asks for her help... he's gathered as much informaiton about her as he can - he has fallen in love (for the first time), and she knew the picture of his twin was not of him (Taggarts marry the woman who can tell them apart)... he was scheduled to be in the wedding party of a friend, and coerces them - he tells Karen that he needs someone to stand in for one of the bridesmaids, that the woman who jilted him will be there, and that he will pay her to join him for the weekend ... she asks for his sperm in a cup as payment... and then he bamboozles her... with his family, with his generosity, by listening and funding her business plans, etc... and convinces her to marry him ahhhhhh

Gabriel's Angel - Kimberly Cates
Alaina MacShane and Tristan Ramsey... Alaina, poor - trying to sell music sheets & her father will drink away any money she brings home... 10 year old Tristan, a merchant's son, a warm happy family... Christmas Day... Alaina sees two men taking a pony down the street - and she can't help but follow... and when they leave him outside, she approaches and touches the horse... and young Tristan runs out, excited, and is generous - sharing the moment with Alaina, and giving her his Christmas guinea coin... she runs off, but returns when they go back into the house to watch them through the window... and she finds hope and knowledge that there is more... and she returns every christmas, soaking up his family's love & fun... until he marries - and she watches him with his dainty wife, and only returns 7 years later, when she is getting ready to go to America...( she has worked hard, holding onto her virginity, finding education, and working in a millinery shop and saving every penny).

and what she finds breaks her heart... Tristan's wife is dead, Tristin is holding himself separate from his son, and his son is so sad... and she hears him make a Christmas wish - to give all of his wishes so that his father would smile again...

and Alaina decides to bring christmas cheer... she breaks in to decorate... and he catches her (literally, as she falls off the chair)... and Gabriel knows she is the angel he had been asking for...

and reluctantly, Tristan opens his heart, forgives himself, reaches out to his son, rediscovers his art and loves... and Alaina learns the truth of his wife's sucking the life out him due to her insecurities and jealousies - and they find love in each other's arms - in spite of their different stations... and he is going back to his art... a tear jerker, as Gabriels little heart so much wants his father's happiness, to the sacrifice of his own... and his joy as Alaina and his father share Christmas with him. ahhhh

Yuletide Treasure - Andrea Kane
Eric Bromleigh - rich, left at a young age to raise his little sister -perhaps her inate character, perhaps his spoiling, perhaps both, but she turned out to be a selfcentered, uncaring b---- - and she left him at the age of 18 when he was 'poor' (relatively speaking), returned to give birth on Christmas day, and left 3 months later, dying of influenza before the year was out... and hurt, and afraid he would ruin Noelle, he sequestered himself in his mansion, and farmed Noelle out to the parish families - and unfortunately, in 4 years, and 16 families later, smart, insecure, lonely Noelle is too much of a handful... when the last family returns her, Eric goes to the parish priest and tells him he needs a nanny to come raise Noelle and keep her away from him... the priest says it would not be right to have an unmarried woman living with them - so he says he'll marry her...

and the priests granddaughter (just 19) - and the local schoolteacher shows up, rescues Noelle from being hurt by a carriage as she tried to rescue her stuffed kitty... and Brigette has just the right touch of firmness, pleasentness, and humor to deal with Noelle - and accepts Eric's offer... she has been watching him for her whole life, and feels he is her calling... and he spends many days watching them from his window... and after a month, Brigette goes to him to insist on a birthday party - and they have sex - and he pushes her away... but her presence, but also through Noelle's manipulations (falling into the lake, needind rescueing) and her gentleness, he comes to forgive himself and open himself up to love - just in time for Christmas... ahhhh

Five Golden Rings - Judith O'Brien
Emma Graham - 5 years a teacher, satisfied with her average looks and her average life... this year she has a young, shy, new student - Asa - and she has not been able to get a hold of his dad to get some background... the class is performing 12 days of christmas, and she asks each member of the class to bring in a prop, and Asa is asked to bring in 5 rings - she tells him 5 shower rings would be fine, and she'd help him paint them... he brings in shower rings, as well as a real ring - a well worn ring, where the inscription is worn... she tries to get a hold of dad again... and takes the ring home ... and that night she slips the ring onto her finger, and wakes up in Indiana 150 years earlier - married to a handsome man, a brilliant lawyer, whose grandmother was Indian,so he faces prejudice, and he champions the underserved... he takes his wife (Emma?) from Philadelphia to Indiana, and their 1 year old son dies... Emma has been bedridden for months... until our Emma steps into her - and knows some things if she doesn't think about it... and she responds to her husband, who has been caring for her the best he can... and he is happy... and she manipulates it to be the schoolteacher... and they have sex... and after a week, happily settleing in to bed, she wants to look at the rings' inscription, and she wakes up in her own bed... and she goes to school, and Asa's father shows up... and it is Michael - and he had the same dream - and she tells her she lost the ring, and he tells her they are a set and are back together... and Asa smiles... hmmmmm (less)

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Sep 29, 2011

Sadia rated it

Shelves: short-stories

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I think this was a wonderful collection of stories. In order of my preference:

Gabriel's Angel - The story of Tristan and Alaina. Yes, this one is my favorite out of the bunch. I just love the wholesome jubilant atmosphere. The Christmas festivity, gifts, holly and scrumptious things to eat. It read to me like a fairy tale, with Christmas wishes, angels and all things divine. A story of 3 people, with such sad hearts is captured in the moment of celebration, each having to learn so mu...moreI think this was a wonderful collection of stories. In order of my preference:

Gabriel's Angel - The story of Tristan and Alaina. Yes, this one is my favorite out of the bunch. I just love the wholesome jubilant atmosphere. The Christmas festivity, gifts, holly and scrumptious things to eat. It read to me like a fairy tale, with Christmas wishes, angels and all things divine. A story of 3 people, with such sad hearts is captured in the moment of celebration, each having to learn so much from the other and be lost in the wonderful magic of love. Tristan was such a sweetheart when he was boy and he was so jaded as a man, waiting all those years to crush the walls of cynicism in him. I'm definitely going to read more of Ms. Kimberly Cates work.

Double Exposure - The story of Spencer and Corey. No stranger to the works of Ms Judith McNaught, I do love her style of story telling. I fell in love with the Fosters when I read Remember when and I remember even how much I was intrigued back then as to how Corey's obsessive crush on Spencer led to such a wonderful ending. I finally got to read their side of the story too. I thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful memories Corey shared with us when they were both younger. I have to say it was a bit dramatic, no scratch that. It was overly dramatic! And a bit crazy and unbelievable. But I've loved these two characters too much to let this bother me. I only wish we'd have a much longer story.

Just Curious - Another wonderful couple. The story of Karen, a young widow who's given up hopes of finding love ever since her husband's death and McAllister Taggert, a man known for his devilish charm and a long line of jilted females as his conquest. Everyone seems to love the boss at the workplace, everyone except Karen who knows what exactly Taggert is - a cold hearted monster, who incapable of loving or sharing anything with another....or so she thought. Until that Christmas, when she finds herself at the receiving end of a very odd proposal. Though I loved their story, the drama level was pretty high in this one too and the unrealistic story about Taggert concocting a whole story and spending money just to try to make a woman fall in love. Very fairy tale like.

Yuletide Treasure - Two very unlikely characters Brigitte and Eric bound together by fate and the lovely little Noelle, Eric's unmanageable 4 year old niece. I really liked the first half of the story, it was wonderful to read about the little girl who wanted nothing more than some love and affection from her brooding uncle. And Eric, with all his demons and the guilt he lives with. I felt for these two people, who've been shunned from society for no apparent reason. Then Brigitte enters their life and the bond she makes with Noelle is beautiful to watch. I just felt the relationship between Eric and Brigitte was rushed. Things happened way too fast, at least on Eric's end since Brigitte was already in love with him for a long time. But overall, it was a sweet tale.

Five Golden Rings - Brought me back to a modern day classroom where Emma taught. For some reason this one didn't interest me too much. For one, I really don't like time travel unless it's some wonderfully magnificent, mesmerizing tale. So, I skimmed though it just enough to know what happens in the end.

(less)

· see review

Nov 24, 2010

Kathy Davie rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: romance

Jude Deveraux's Change of Heart was not quite. Great storyline with a unique approach that was rather tritely written.

Judith McNaught's Miracles (Westmoreland, 4) was sweet although its title's pertinence was stuck on at the very end...could have done better by incorporating the miracle concept somewhere else in the story as well.

Jill Barnett's Daniel and the Angel was a treat! Novel concept that was handled very well. I must check out more of her books!

Arnette La...more

· see review

Jul 20, 2011

Talkit rated it

Shelves: christmas-theme, best-friends-sibling-or-siblings-be, met-as-children, much-younger-heroine, poor-heroine-rich-hero, contemporary

Judith McNaught's story I would give 4 Stars. Contemporary story

Jude Deveraux's story I would give 3 Stars. Contemporary story (a lot like the old 1980's Harlequin

Kimberly Cates story I would give 4 Stars for Christmas themed story. It would make a wonderful Hallmark movie. Historical story.

Judith Obrien's story I would give 2 Stars. The story felt rushed about half the way through. Historical story.

Andrea Kane's story I would give 2 1/2 stars, but th...more

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May 12, 2010

Stacy Ziegler rated it

I really enjoyed these stories. The majority of the stories were historical romance which I really like. The first two stories "Double Exposure" and "Just Curious" were not quite as believable as the others. You didn't get a chance to see the characters fall in love. It was almost instantaneous. All five of the stories could have been longer. Despite this, I found myself liking each story more than the one before it. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like...more

· see review

Mar 16, 2011

Melowin rated it

Contains the prelude to McNaught's book, Remember When, in the story "Double Exposure", which tells the story of Corey Foster's childhood infatuation with Spencer Addison, which comes to a head years later when they meet again at his estate.

Also contains a Jude Deveraux story "Just Curious", about a modern-day Taggert descendant, McAllister J. Taggert, and a young widow, Karen Lawrence, who fall in love over a weekend wedding that he has hired her to attend as his ...more

· see review

Oct 31, 2010

Patricia Solla rated it

Shelves: books-i-own

A very nice anthology of holiday stories. One contemporary, one starts in the present and goes back in time, the other two are historical set in England. All involve something that happens to the two main characters at christmas time to bring them together.

· see review

Oct 04, 2010

Bree rated it

Shelves: contemporary, romance

I actually enjoyed teh Deveraux story the most in this book - McNaught's Double Exposure, the long-awaited story of Corey and Spencer, felt under-developed. I really think they deserved a book, moreso than Donna and Cole did.

· see review

Oct 26, 2010

Julie rated it

Shelves: romance

The stories in this novel are touching, sweet, and heart-warming. I wish I could track down my copy, I used to read it every year around the holidays.

· see review

Jan 26, 2011

Andrea rated it

Shelves: favorites

This book was fantastic. All very talented authors with wonderful romantic Christmas stories. Each one was well written and characters were realistic. I really enjoyed reading this one.

· see review

Apr 14, 2011

Mary rated it

These were nice romantic short stories all centered around a Christmas theme, all but one were quite sexually graphic.

· see review

Jan 04, 2012

Rachel added it

Shelves: january-books

I was absolutely mesmerized in every story of this book! I loved the last story the most, by judith McNaught. :-)

· see review

May 24, 2010

Camille rated it

Shelves: historical-romances, romance, contemporary-romance

With five ammazing authors in one book. Every story is as good as the next one.

· see review

Nov 30, 2011

Joy rated it

Good short holiday reads...Quick reads during a busy holiday season...

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Dec 22, 2011

Marianne rated it

Shelves: romance

Only liked the Jude Deveraux story.

· see review

Nov 04, 2009

Tina rated it

Shelves: judith-mcnaught, jude-deveraux

The rating is purely on Judith McNaught's Double Exposures. I have yet to read the other SS in the book. I love Corey and Spence! They both have a great chemistry that gives me goosebumps! :) It's the perfect light read if you have nothing to do!

· see review

Jan 03, 2011

Hxhvsspiders added it

a nice morning christmas book

· see review

Nov 09, 2010

Heather rated it

loved all these stories!!

· see review

Feb 05, 2012

Susan rated it

Cont NYC, VA, 1832 Indiana, 1860 England

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Sep 09, 2007

Angela Ang rated it

Recommends it for: anyone

I cried even after I read it the third time. So touching, it just fills my heart. Kudos to the other writers, just wonderful.

· see review

Jun 19, 2009

KatLynne rated it

Shelves: anthology, g-historical-romance

Judith McNaught - Double Exposure = 4

Jude Deveraux - Just Curious = 4

· see review

Feb 09, 2012

Cayti Burch rated it

Feb 08, 2012

Candace marked it as to-read

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About Jude Deveraux

Jude Deveraux was born in Fairdale, Kentucky, the eldest of a family of three girls and one boy. After earning a degree in art from Murray State University and studying teaching at the University of New Mexico, she taught fifth grade in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She left when her first book, The Land of Enchantment, was accepted for publication by Avon books.
Jude’s first books were historical, c...more

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A Gift of Love (Taggert #5)

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