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Dumont #3.5
The Christmas Visit
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....
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 2004
About the author
Margaret Moore
226 books175 followersThere is more than one author with this name
Award-winning author Margaret Moore actually began her career at the age of eight, when she and a friend concocted stories featuring a lovely, spirited damsel and a handsome, misunderstood thief nicknamed "The Red Sheik."
Unknowingly pursuing her destiny, Margaret graduated with distinction from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. During that time, she also became a Leading Wren with the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve, where she learned to use a variety of weapons and had the weepy experience of being tear-gassed.
In addition to being a wife and mother of two, she's also been an award-winning public speaker, synchronized swimmer, an archer, and studied fencing and ballroom dancing.
Margaret sold her first historical romance and the premiere book of her Warrior series, A WARRIOR'S HEART, to Harlequin Historicals® in 1991. Since that time, she's written over 25 historical romance novels and novellas. She has also written for Avon Books, as well as a young adult historical romance for HarperCollins Childrens Books. She now writes for Harlequin's new single title imprint, HQN.
Her books have been published in France, Italy, Germany, Great Britain, Australia, Belgium, Switzerland, Brazil, Korea, Japan, Sweden, the Netherlands, Russia, Poland and India.
Award-winning author Margaret Moore actually began her career at the age of eight, when she and a friend concocted stories featuring a lovely, spirited damsel and a handsome, misunderstood thief nicknamed "The Red Sheik."
Unknowingly pursuing her destiny, Margaret graduated with distinction from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. During that time, she also became a Leading Wren with the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve, where she learned to use a variety of weapons and had the weepy experience of being tear-gassed.
In addition to being a wife and mother of two, she's also been an award-winning public speaker, synchronized swimmer, an archer, and studied fencing and ballroom dancing.
Margaret sold her first historical romance and the premiere book of her Warrior series, A WARRIOR'S HEART, to Harlequin Historicals® in 1991. Since that time, she's written over 25 historical romance novels and novellas. She has also written for Avon Books, as well as a young adult historical romance for HarperCollins Childrens Books. She now writes for Harlequin's new single title imprint, HQN.
Her books have been published in France, Italy, Germany, Great Britain, Australia, Belgium, Switzerland, Brazil, Korea, Japan, Sweden, the Netherlands, Russia, Poland and India.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 9, 2013
Je n'ai lu que la 1ère nouvelle, celle qui m'interessait.
January 28, 2021
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.
December 29, 2010
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.
I especially loved the Margaret Moore story called Comfort and Joy. I have a feeling I will be hunting down more of her work.
July 27, 2013
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.
December 14, 2020
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.
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.
December 31, 2023
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.
December 1, 2020
Läster Confort and Joy av Teri Brisbin lättsam och snäll. En julsaga ett tidsfördriv. Ibland skönt med en bok som denna.
December 23, 2024
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.
November 26, 2022
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
June 8, 2014
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.
September 13, 2016
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
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
December 17, 2017
All twos
November 16, 2014
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 .
January 2, 2016
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
Love at First Step by Terri Brisbin - 3.5 stars
A Christmas Secret by Gail Ranstrom - 4.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews