The Christmas Visit

Wednesday League #3.5

by Gail Ranstrom

Comfort and Joy by MARGARET MOORE
After a terrible accident, Griffin Branwynne had given up on the joys of Christmas—until the indomitable Gwendolyn Davies arrived on his doorstep and turned his world topsy-turvy. Could the earl resist a woman who wouldn't take no for an answer?

Love at First Step by TERRI BRISBIN
While visiting friends in England for the holidays, Lord Gavin MacLeod cast his eye upon the mysterious Elizabeth. She was more noble beauty than serving wench, and Gavin vowed to uncover her past at any cost....

A Christmas Secret by GAIL RANSTROM
Miss Charity Wardlow expected a marriage proposal from her intended while attending a Christmas wedding. But when Sir Andrew MacGregor arrived at the manor, Charity realized she wanted no one but the Scotsman with the sensual smile....

Genres: Historical Romance, Christmas, Romance, Anthologies, Harlequin, Historical, Novella

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 1, 2004

Reviews

[Melann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Je n'ai lu que la 1ère nouvelle, celle qui m'interessait.

[Jo Reads Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, Christmas romances
4 stars

As the title suggests - this collection of three Mills and Boon stories all revolve around a Christmas visit which result in some lovely festive romance!

Comfort and Joy by Margaret Moore (Wales, 1860)
Griffin Branwynne, Earl of Cym Rhyss has hidden himself away from society after a terrible accident left him scarred and bitter. But then the feisty Gwendolyn Davies, matron of the local orphanage, shows up on his doorstep asking for a donation for the children and turns his quiet life upside down.

This is a very enjoyable, sweet Christmas story that really gets you in the Christmas mood with the snowstorms, candles and good cheer. The chemistry between the two main characters is engaging and their interactions are amusing and very enjoyable.


Love at First Step by Terri Brisbin (England, 1199)
While visiting friends in England for the holidays, Lord Gavin MacLeod cannot help but find the serving wench Elizabeth attractive. But she has secrets that Gavin vows to uncover at any cost.

This story was the only bad one of this anthology in my opinion. The language was false and very stilted as the author clearly attempted to have her characters talk as if from medieval times. And personally, Christmas or not, the idea of a lord and a prostitute (or anyone and a prostitute for that matter!) is not my idea of romance.


A Christmas Secret by Gail Ranstrom (Oxfordshire, 1819)
Miss Charity Wardlow was expecting a proposal from her beau while attending her friend's Christmas wedding. But when she overhears some potentially scandalous gossip, she realises she must try and get to the bottom of all the secrets of the wedding guests. But what is she to do when the roguish Scotsman Sir Andrew MacGregor is determined to find out all of her secrets?

This was an absolutely delightful story. The two main characters were wonderful and their interactions so much fun. This story was slightly more sensual than the first which was also an added bonus. A definite keeper for Christmas.


Overall, despite the terrible middle story - I would still recommend this book as the first and last stories really do make up for it. They alone are worth the price of the book and give you that warm festive feeling when you read them.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is rare to find all of the stories enjoyable in a compilation like this, but The Christmas Visit succeeded in keeping me entertained all the way through. This book is a keeper, and I don't keep a lot of books.
I especially loved the Margaret Moore story called Comfort and Joy. I have a feeling I will be hunting down more of her work.

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Margaret Moore's 'Comfort and Joy' was the best of the three. The other two were alright. If you are looking for some short historical romances where the HEA takes place within days this book is for you.

[Monique Takens · Rating 3 out of 5]

De verhalen waren alle 3 goed maar ik kreeg bij geen van allen een "kerst"gevoel . Misschien dat de kerst verhalen van Mary Balogh de lat te hoog hebben gelegd .

[Spinster · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do not consider myself a fan of novellas, yet every December I start reading holiday romance novellas like it's my job. WHY.

Comfort and Joy: A reclusive earl discovers love when he's snowed in with a sassy nurse who manages the town orphanage. This was fine! I always get a kick out of romance novels set in Wales...Welsh people are treated like exotic zoo animals.

Love at First Step: I'm not big on medieval romances or highlanders so I skimmed a lot of this one. YMMV.

A Christmas Secret: The hero of this one is also Scottish, but there are no "dinnas" to be seen. I liked the main characters and world enough that I wished this one were longer. The heroine is part of a secret society of Regency women who get revenge on scoundrels, or something? That's my brand of nonsense. The romance moves very quickly, always an issue with novellas, but there was enough moving the plot along to help me ignore that bit.

Overall 3 enjoyable novellas; none of them had the shmoopy Christmas emotional thing but they were exactly what I'm capable of reading right now.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is comprised of 3 100 page novellas with 3 different authors. At has been 40 years since I have read a Harlequin romance. I was surprised at the in depth sexual spice it contained. It wasn't like that years ago. It personally won't be trying another Harlequin.

[Zinnia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Läster Confort and Joy av Teri Brisbin lättsam och snäll. En julsaga ett tidsfördriv. Ibland skönt med en bok som denna.

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, just okay. My favorite story was Love at First Step. I thought it was more poignant and contained more depth than the other two.

[Caro · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I liked all three stories and would read them again. This is a great book to read for cuddling up, especially during the Christmas season. There was humor, mostly in the last story, emotions, gallantry, bravery and touching moments. It's not really a page-turning event, but you still want to finish reading and find out how everything turns out. I liked the order the stories were in too. Leaves a great ending to reading the book and a smile on my face. Great HEAs. Enjoy

[Anne Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, a nice collection of quick romances of the fairytale sort. The first story is a nice, classic romance, with a traditional Christmas theme - redemption (3/5). The second one was sadly depressing and a bit unpleasant (2/5). The third, youthfully light, cute and humourous, with a rakish bachelor and a clever bluestocking-lite (3.5/5). Altogether, the collection makes a simple, pleasurable read (for the most part), and I'm likely to read the first and last stories again in the future.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book rating (average of three stories)= 3.67 stars

Comfort and Joy by Margaret Moore
3.5 stars

Love at First Step by Terri Brisbin
4 stars

A Christmas Secret by Gail Ranstrom
3.5 stars

[Frances · Rating 2 out of 5]

All twos

[Misslea007 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comfort and Joy by Margaret Moore - 4 stars

Love at First Step by Terri Brisbin - 3.5 stars

A Christmas Secret by Gail Ranstrom - 4.5 stars