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One Starry Christmas
Hark the Harried Angels by Lynna Banning
Adam Garnett thought he had nothing to offer Irina Likov. Until meddlesome, matchmaking strangers intervened. Now his decision to give Irina a Christmas she'll remember gives Adam the greatest gift of all.
Stormwalker's Woman by Carolyn Davidson
Half-breed Jesse Stormwalker knew associating with Molly Thompson could ruin the young widow's reputation. But he sensed that only he could mend Molly's broken spirit, and Jesse hoped that the miracle of Christmas would make all things possible.
Home for Christmas by Carol Finch
When Seth Gresham brought his friend's estranged daughter home for Christmas, the former bounty hunter never suspected they'd both been had. But once Olivia discovered that her father wasn't dying — just matchmaking — would Seth's love make her stay?
Adam Garnett thought he had nothing to offer Irina Likov. Until meddlesome, matchmaking strangers intervened. Now his decision to give Irina a Christmas she'll remember gives Adam the greatest gift of all.
Stormwalker's Woman by Carolyn Davidson
Half-breed Jesse Stormwalker knew associating with Molly Thompson could ruin the young widow's reputation. But he sensed that only he could mend Molly's broken spirit, and Jesse hoped that the miracle of Christmas would make all things possible.
Home for Christmas by Carol Finch
When Seth Gresham brought his friend's estranged daughter home for Christmas, the former bounty hunter never suspected they'd both been had. But once Olivia discovered that her father wasn't dying — just matchmaking — would Seth's love make her stay?
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 4, 2005
About the author
Carolyn Davidson
69 books91 followersCarolyn Davidson began writing in 1986, knowing absolutely nothing about the craft. Her first three books were rejected by Harlequin.
She met Dixie Browning at a Harlequin dinner in Charleston, South Carolina, and told Dixie she was writing, but that she feared she was too old to begin such an undertaking. Dixie's response spurred Carolyn to pursue her dream. Dixie said, in her own inimitable fashion, "Well, honey, you can't start any younger!" And she was right.
Having spent her life as a wife, mother, grandmother, and working woman, she's privileged to have a career that makes her dreams possible. Writing historical romance gives her the opportunity to travel, to visit all those places where our forefathers staked their claim on this country of ours. And then she goes home and writes their stories, maybe not exactly as they lived them, but as her imagination portrays them.
Carolyn lives in the South, where romance thrives, and where the sun shines almost every day of the year. In fact, some days it is difficult to stay glued to her computer, especially when the birds are singing and the flowers are in full bloom.
She lives not far from the ocean, close to Charleston, South Carolina, one of the most romantic cities in the world. Moreover, time at the beach is easy to come by. Does she enjoy her life? You bet! Harlequin allows her to write the books she loves, and her editor is patient with her quirks and foibles. Her family, though scattered in various states, is supportive, and her husband is a constant source of inspiration.
She met Dixie Browning at a Harlequin dinner in Charleston, South Carolina, and told Dixie she was writing, but that she feared she was too old to begin such an undertaking. Dixie's response spurred Carolyn to pursue her dream. Dixie said, in her own inimitable fashion, "Well, honey, you can't start any younger!" And she was right.
Having spent her life as a wife, mother, grandmother, and working woman, she's privileged to have a career that makes her dreams possible. Writing historical romance gives her the opportunity to travel, to visit all those places where our forefathers staked their claim on this country of ours. And then she goes home and writes their stories, maybe not exactly as they lived them, but as her imagination portrays them.
Carolyn lives in the South, where romance thrives, and where the sun shines almost every day of the year. In fact, some days it is difficult to stay glued to her computer, especially when the birds are singing and the flowers are in full bloom.
She lives not far from the ocean, close to Charleston, South Carolina, one of the most romantic cities in the world. Moreover, time at the beach is easy to come by. Does she enjoy her life? You bet! Harlequin allows her to write the books she loves, and her editor is patient with her quirks and foibles. Her family, though scattered in various states, is supportive, and her husband is a constant source of inspiration.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 27, 2022
Three Holiday stories set around the turn of the 20th century in WY, OK, & OR. Stormwalker's Woman brings together a half-breed horse trainer and a scarred widow over the care of an abandoned broods of puppies; Home for Christmas has a matchmaking father send his neighbor to bring home his estranged daughter by claiming he is dying; and Hark the Harried Angels has 3 French sisters bring together a homesick Russian emigre boarding house owner and her exonerated convict neighbor who is having trouble adjusting to non-prison life. The first 2 were pretty standard romance stories but the last was very different and more intriguing.
September 9, 2018
3 different stories, set in the old west. All at Christmas: a young widow and a half-breed who find each other in spite of the gossiping town folks who don’t approve. A homesteader who travels to bring his friend’s estranged daughter home, and falls in love on the way. A man who spent 15 years in prison, wrongfully accused of murder, and the Russian woman who lives next door and slowly reaches his heart. All 3 are good stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2018
This averaged it to like 3.66 stars so it’s rounded up to four. I really like the first two stories but didn’t so much like the last one. See my reading updates for reviews on each story.
March 26, 2020
Yet another book I that I found myself really struggling to get through.
March 11, 2026
These 3 tales are exactly what the title says: Historic romances.
All 3 stories are narrated very well. I liked the last one the best.
All 3 stories are narrated very well. I liked the last one the best.
January 12, 2011
From the back cover:
Three unforgettable women discover that holiday wishes do come true in this heartwarming Christmas collection.
"Stormwalker's Woman" by Carolyn Davidson
Half-breed Jesse Stormwalker knew associating with Molly Thompson could ruin the young widow's reputation. But he sensed that only he could mend Molly's broken spirit, and Jesse hoped that the miracle of Christmas would make all things possible.
"Home for Christmas" by Carol Finch
When Seth Gresham brought his friend's estranged daughter home for Christmas, the former bounty hunter never suspected they'd both been had. But once Olivia discovered that her father wasn't dying--just matchmaking--would Seth's love make her stay?
"Hark the Harried Angels" by Lynna Banning
Adam Garnett thought he had nothing to offer Irina Likov. Until meddlesome, matchmaking strangers intervened. Now his decision to give Irina a Christmas she'll remember gives Adam the greatest gift of all.
And my review.
"Stormwalker's Woman" was soooo good. The characters were both very likeable, and their struggles and hangups real and poignant without being depressing. I felt that the pacing in this story was excellent, and the relationship didn't feel at all rushed. And I just loved how honorable Jesse was. How many men would be willing to wait until his wedding night before making love to the woman he loves? It was such a refreshing change from the normal "man jumps the woman's bones within minutes of meeting her" theme. I really felt that by doing this, the author made the relationship grow in a wonderful way, rather than taking the easy way out and just making it about sexual attraction. A true falling-in-love story, rather than a falling-in-lust story like you find so often these days. I believe that this story makes it worth the purchase price of the book. This novella was so close to being five stars, but as I've read other Christmas novellas that I've enjoyed just that little bit more, I'm forced to give it four stars.
"Home for Christmas" was one that had a lot of potential, but fell far short. Though the older relative pretending to be sick in order to matchmake has been very overdone, I was still willing to give this story a chance. Though Olivia was not at all likeable in the first chapter, she quickly grew on me, as did Seth. However, the author had these two falling-in-lust, and falling into bed together after having been together for maybe three days. I am so sick of this happening. It's not even realistic, given the time period this story is set in. I know that not everyone followed the rules back then, but I still find it hard to believe that a young woman would have no qualms about giving away her virginity, and along with it, her reputation (which was a woman's most prized possesion in those days), without a single thought of regret. Did no one even stop to consider the very real risk of pregnancy, and the ruin it would bring to an unmarried woman's life in that time? Most would be thrown out to starve or become prostitutes to survive. Besides this complaint, I really felt that having the characters sleep together under these circumstances was lazy on the part of the author. It's difficult to write good romance without taking the easy way out and resorting to sex to hold your characters together. One star.
"Hark the Harried Angels" was quite enjoyable. I liked the three matchmaking french women who had a touch of magic at their disposal. I felt it added a lot to the story. The romance was sweet and squeaky clean, if that's what you're looking for. My complaint with this was that the sensuality factor was a zero. The hero and heroine don't even kiss, not even when he proposes! Not something I would bother re-reading, but good for a one-time read. Three stars.
As always with romance anthologies, this is a mixed bag. Still, I think the first story is good enough to justify the purchase of this book.
Three unforgettable women discover that holiday wishes do come true in this heartwarming Christmas collection.
"Stormwalker's Woman" by Carolyn Davidson
Half-breed Jesse Stormwalker knew associating with Molly Thompson could ruin the young widow's reputation. But he sensed that only he could mend Molly's broken spirit, and Jesse hoped that the miracle of Christmas would make all things possible.
"Home for Christmas" by Carol Finch
When Seth Gresham brought his friend's estranged daughter home for Christmas, the former bounty hunter never suspected they'd both been had. But once Olivia discovered that her father wasn't dying--just matchmaking--would Seth's love make her stay?
"Hark the Harried Angels" by Lynna Banning
Adam Garnett thought he had nothing to offer Irina Likov. Until meddlesome, matchmaking strangers intervened. Now his decision to give Irina a Christmas she'll remember gives Adam the greatest gift of all.
And my review.
"Stormwalker's Woman" was soooo good. The characters were both very likeable, and their struggles and hangups real and poignant without being depressing. I felt that the pacing in this story was excellent, and the relationship didn't feel at all rushed. And I just loved how honorable Jesse was. How many men would be willing to wait until his wedding night before making love to the woman he loves? It was such a refreshing change from the normal "man jumps the woman's bones within minutes of meeting her" theme. I really felt that by doing this, the author made the relationship grow in a wonderful way, rather than taking the easy way out and just making it about sexual attraction. A true falling-in-love story, rather than a falling-in-lust story like you find so often these days. I believe that this story makes it worth the purchase price of the book. This novella was so close to being five stars, but as I've read other Christmas novellas that I've enjoyed just that little bit more, I'm forced to give it four stars.
"Home for Christmas" was one that had a lot of potential, but fell far short. Though the older relative pretending to be sick in order to matchmake has been very overdone, I was still willing to give this story a chance. Though Olivia was not at all likeable in the first chapter, she quickly grew on me, as did Seth. However, the author had these two falling-in-lust, and falling into bed together after having been together for maybe three days. I am so sick of this happening. It's not even realistic, given the time period this story is set in. I know that not everyone followed the rules back then, but I still find it hard to believe that a young woman would have no qualms about giving away her virginity, and along with it, her reputation (which was a woman's most prized possesion in those days), without a single thought of regret. Did no one even stop to consider the very real risk of pregnancy, and the ruin it would bring to an unmarried woman's life in that time? Most would be thrown out to starve or become prostitutes to survive. Besides this complaint, I really felt that having the characters sleep together under these circumstances was lazy on the part of the author. It's difficult to write good romance without taking the easy way out and resorting to sex to hold your characters together. One star.
"Hark the Harried Angels" was quite enjoyable. I liked the three matchmaking french women who had a touch of magic at their disposal. I felt it added a lot to the story. The romance was sweet and squeaky clean, if that's what you're looking for. My complaint with this was that the sensuality factor was a zero. The hero and heroine don't even kiss, not even when he proposes! Not something I would bother re-reading, but good for a one-time read. Three stars.
As always with romance anthologies, this is a mixed bag. Still, I think the first story is good enough to justify the purchase of this book.
June 15, 2019
Stormwalker’s Woman (Carolyn Davidson) Being half-white and half-Indian must have been very difficult if the person decided to live in the white culture. Accepted by neither group, people of mixed ethnicity were looked upon with suspicion and (usually) loathing.
Molly Thompson is a widow who was abused by her husband. She finds 4 newborn puppies and takes them where she thinks they belong – Jesse Stormwalker’s farm. This leads to a friendship between two lonely – and damaged – people.
This is the best story of the bunch; I enjoyed it a great deal.
Home for Christmas (Carol Finch) I enjoy this author’s stories because of the lively banter between the characters. Seth Gresham’s best (and only) friend begs him to get his estranged daughter before he dies. Olivia Ramsay isn’t interested, so Seth abducts her and takes her back to the Oklahoma Territory to see her father – only to find him chopping down a tree. Then the fun begins.
Hark the Harried Angels (Lynna Banning) This story started on a wonderful premise and fell apart. After many years, Adam Garnett has been released from prison for a crime he didn’t commit. He’s moved next door to Irina Likov, a widow whose husband died on the way to America on the ship. She’s been alone for 7 years; making a life for herself with her boarders.
Three French sisters take an interest in the two people living next door and things begin to happen.
Molly Thompson is a widow who was abused by her husband. She finds 4 newborn puppies and takes them where she thinks they belong – Jesse Stormwalker’s farm. This leads to a friendship between two lonely – and damaged – people.
This is the best story of the bunch; I enjoyed it a great deal.
Home for Christmas (Carol Finch) I enjoy this author’s stories because of the lively banter between the characters. Seth Gresham’s best (and only) friend begs him to get his estranged daughter before he dies. Olivia Ramsay isn’t interested, so Seth abducts her and takes her back to the Oklahoma Territory to see her father – only to find him chopping down a tree. Then the fun begins.
Hark the Harried Angels (Lynna Banning) This story started on a wonderful premise and fell apart. After many years, Adam Garnett has been released from prison for a crime he didn’t commit. He’s moved next door to Irina Likov, a widow whose husband died on the way to America on the ship. She’s been alone for 7 years; making a life for herself with her boarders.
Three French sisters take an interest in the two people living next door and things begin to happen.
January 19, 2024
1st Story 5 STARS
Jesse Stormwalker is one of my favorite heroes!! I love this story!! Two outcasts of society who meet and fall in love. It is a romance that endures!! No TSTL heroines and no secondary character stories. No complicated love story, and it is a SHORT story - my favorite type of hero and heroine.
And …best use of puppies in a romance. Because they had great chemistry and they fell immediately in love - these lovers go on my favorite couples list!!
ALPHA MALE 10
SPUNKY HEROINE 10++
SOME SEX 10
HEA(HAPPILY EVER AFTER) oh YES !!
PROLOGUE/EPILOGUE Epilogue only and it was great!!
Rating System
10 - Perfect! –Book is a keeper - if only for this story
Heat Level
4 – Hot –hot lovemaking scenes.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
2nd story - DNF
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
3rd Story -DNF
COVER COVERS IT: Cover reflects the one story I liked!!
Jesse Stormwalker is one of my favorite heroes!! I love this story!! Two outcasts of society who meet and fall in love. It is a romance that endures!! No TSTL heroines and no secondary character stories. No complicated love story, and it is a SHORT story - my favorite type of hero and heroine.
And …best use of puppies in a romance. Because they had great chemistry and they fell immediately in love - these lovers go on my favorite couples list!!
ALPHA MALE 10
SPUNKY HEROINE 10++
SOME SEX 10
HEA(HAPPILY EVER AFTER) oh YES !!
PROLOGUE/EPILOGUE Epilogue only and it was great!!
Rating System
10 - Perfect! –Book is a keeper - if only for this story
Heat Level
4 – Hot –hot lovemaking scenes.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
2nd story - DNF
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
3rd Story -DNF
COVER COVERS IT: Cover reflects the one story I liked!!
May 3, 2011
LOVE IT
August 28, 2014
Three short stories centered around Christmas. Plain old romance ones Nothing special!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews