New York Times bestselling author Virginia Henley whisks us back to the reign of King Charles II, as a beautiful governess discovers unexpected passion--and learns a lesson in love.
Katherine Kingsley, winner of a Romantic Times Career Achievement award, introduces us to a young blind woman who helps a desperate artist rekindle his genius as she brings the true spirit of the season to light.
Rebecca Paisley, winner of two Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Awards, weaves an enchanting tale set in nineteenth-century England, where a magical girl transforms a cynic with the power of love.
Critically acclaimed newcomer Stephanie Mittman turns the tables when a thoroughly unsuitable heroine surprises a disillusioned tycoon with the one gift his money cannot buy.
With four acclaimed authors and four unforgettable stories, A Christmas Miracle is a collection to cherish--a holiday gift to savor throughout the year.
Virginia Syddall was born on December 5, 1935 in England, where her father, Thomas Syddall, taught her to love history. She obtained a degree in History in the University. In 1956, Virginia married Arthur Henley. They moved to America, and now they live most of the year in St. Petersburg, Florida, and they spend the hot summers in Ontario, Canada, where they have their two adult children and three grandsons.
Virginia Henley is a New York Times bestselling writer of historical novels. Her work has been translated into fourteen languages. She is the recipient of more than a dozen writing awards, including a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award, a Waldenbooks' Bestselling Award, and a Maggie Award for Excellence from the Georgia Romance Writers.
I can't even remember what year I started reading this book, but it has been on my Christmas reading list for a long time. There are four stories and four authors in this book about finding love and the miracle of Christmas.
Christopher y Nicholas Hatton perdieron a su madre el día de su nacimiento. Eso determina el futuro de ambos, ya que su padre vuelca el poco amor del que hace gala únicamente sobre Christopher, su primogénito, mientras que Nicholas, al que culpa de la muerte de su esposa, crece sin el cariño de un padre ni los privilegios de ser el hijo de un noble.
Tras la muerte de su padre, Kit se convierte en el heredero de toda la fortuna familiar mientras que Nick debe alistarse en el ejército para forjarse un futuro y alejarse de la mujer a la que ama.
La premisa de la que parte esta novela es bastante original, es la historia de dos hermanos físicamente idénticos, a los que nadie es capaz de distinguir. Los Hatton aprovechan esa semejanza para intercambiar sus identidades, casi siempre, para resolver los entuertos que provoca Christopher con su falta de responsabilidad.
Por otra parte, tenemos a Álex, una joven muy adelantada a su época y decidida a salvar a su familia de la ruina económica en la que se halla. A priori este tipo de personajes femeninos de carácter fuerte son mis favoritos, sin embargo, esta vez no me ha gustado nada el enfoque que la autora le ha dado a la protagonista. No he congeniado en absoluto con ella, con su rebeldía y, muchísimo menos, con su forma de afrontar los problemas económicos.
Uno de los puntos fuertes de esta historia era el posible triángulo amoroso que podía darse entre Álex y los hermanos Hatton, pero de nuevo la autora me ha decepcionado en este aspecto, porque el lector sabe desde el minuto cero de cuál de los hermanos está enamorada Álex y además, ese sentimiento es correspondido. Pero lo que peor llevo, en esta y en cualquier otra historia, es que un conflicto que separa durante meses e incluso años a una pareja que supuestamente está enamorada hasta las trancas, se solucione cruzando solo cuatro palabras. Siento decirlo, pero no puedo emocionarme con una historia de amor que no he visto crecer, en la que no veo evolución alguna y que se resuelve en dos páginas. No me resulta creíble.
Poco más que decir de una novela en la que lo más interesante de todo me ha parecido la etapa en la que Nick se alista en el ejército y se traslada a España para luchar contra las tropas francesas.
A true holiday delight. From the court of Charles II, to Regency England, to a tale of pure whimsy,to Gilded Age New York, tehre is a holiday tale for everybody's fancy, by four talented authors at the top of their games.
This book included mostly very sweet, tender love stories. The exception was Henley's contribution, "Love and Joy". Yes, there was romance there, but I've decided I don't really like her writing style. I don't believe she has as great a talent as the other writers featured in this anthology. However, I'm sure that those who enjoy Henley's work will like this offering as well.
I only read Virginia Henley historical romance which I liked although it was heavy with period oppression of women. Unjustly fired, Joy seeks job as governess for daughter of Lord Noel. My rating is 3.5* because his behavior near end was overboard for true love.
This book contains four short stories by various authors. I like this book because it was historical romance instead of contemporary. The story lines were good and the characters were interesting.