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Legend, Colorado #2
Síla lásky
Pět královen romantického žánru spojilo své síly, aby potěšily čtenářky kouzelnou atmosférou příběhů, jejichž hlavním tématem je láska.
Jude Deveraux nás seznámí s Kathryn, která prchá před lidskou záští do zapadlého městečka a přijímá práci guvernantky. Zůstane až do konce života odkázána jen na sebe, nebo se najde muž, který jí ukáže, jak velkou moc má láska? (Učitelka – TEACHER)
Maragaret Allison nám představí osamělou malířku Kim, která musí v krátké době vyřešit dva problémy. Najde znovu cestu ke svému nemocnému otci, který s ní před léty přerušil veškeré styky? A dokáže poslechnout hlas svého srdce, které ji táhne k muži, jenž znenadání vstoupil do jejího života? (Splněná přání – CHRISTMAS MAGIC)
V povídce z pera Stef Ann Holm neznámý dobrodinec vypíše v městečku prazvláštní soutěž s lákavou odměnou. Isabela a John, kteří si byli až do této chvíle zcela cizí, spojují své síly, aby zvítězili. Bude však výhra v soutěži to jediné, co svým rozhodnutím získají? (Vánoční cesmína – JOLLY HOLLY)
Hrdinové povídky Mariah Stewart se setkávají po dlouhých letech odloučení. V hloubi duše oba vědí, že se nikdy nepřestali milovat. Otevřou si však navzájem svá srdce? (Druhá šance – ONLY IN MY DREAMS)
Prostřednictvím Lindy Howard se ocitneme na horské chatě spolu s třicátnicí Hope, která před několika lety ovdověla. Když na dveře zabuší promrzlý muž, samozřejmě mu podá pomocnou ruku a velmi se s ním sblíží, ale pak se v rádiu ozve hlášení o uprchlém zločinci… Mohl by to být on, nebo jde jen o souhru náhod? (Bílé zatmění – WHITE OUT)
V každé povídce najdete hluboký lidský příběh o odvěké touze všech žen po lásce a štěstí. Nechejte se přesvědčit, že navzdory všem trablům může mít dobrý konec i zdánlivě neřešitelná situace. Těchto pět příběhů vás naplní nadějí a jistě se k nim budete rádi vracet.
Anotace - http://www.cervenaknihovna.com/
Jude Deveraux nás seznámí s Kathryn, která prchá před lidskou záští do zapadlého městečka a přijímá práci guvernantky. Zůstane až do konce života odkázána jen na sebe, nebo se najde muž, který jí ukáže, jak velkou moc má láska? (Učitelka – TEACHER)
Maragaret Allison nám představí osamělou malířku Kim, která musí v krátké době vyřešit dva problémy. Najde znovu cestu ke svému nemocnému otci, který s ní před léty přerušil veškeré styky? A dokáže poslechnout hlas svého srdce, které ji táhne k muži, jenž znenadání vstoupil do jejího života? (Splněná přání – CHRISTMAS MAGIC)
V povídce z pera Stef Ann Holm neznámý dobrodinec vypíše v městečku prazvláštní soutěž s lákavou odměnou. Isabela a John, kteří si byli až do této chvíle zcela cizí, spojují své síly, aby zvítězili. Bude však výhra v soutěži to jediné, co svým rozhodnutím získají? (Vánoční cesmína – JOLLY HOLLY)
Hrdinové povídky Mariah Stewart se setkávají po dlouhých letech odloučení. V hloubi duše oba vědí, že se nikdy nepřestali milovat. Otevřou si však navzájem svá srdce? (Druhá šance – ONLY IN MY DREAMS)
Prostřednictvím Lindy Howard se ocitneme na horské chatě spolu s třicátnicí Hope, která před několika lety ovdověla. Když na dveře zabuší promrzlý muž, samozřejmě mu podá pomocnou ruku a velmi se s ním sblíží, ale pak se v rádiu ozve hlášení o uprchlém zločinci… Mohl by to být on, nebo jde jen o souhru náhod? (Bílé zatmění – WHITE OUT)
V každé povídce najdete hluboký lidský příběh o odvěké touze všech žen po lásce a štěstí. Nechejte se přesvědčit, že navzdory všem trablům může mít dobrý konec i zdánlivě neřešitelná situace. Těchto pět příběhů vás naplní nadějí a jistě se k nim budete rádi vracet.
Anotace - http://www.cervenaknihovna.com/
385 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
13 people are currently reading
1078 people want to read
About the author
Jude Deveraux
201 books7,075 followersJude Gilliam was born September 20, 1947 in Fairdale, Kentucky. She has a large extended family and is the elder sister of four brothers. She attended Murray State University and received a degree in Art. In 1967, Jude married and took her husband's surname of White, but four years later they divorced. For years, she worked as 5th-grade teacher.
She began writing in 1976, and published her first book, The Enchanted Land (1977) under the name Jude Deveraux. Following the publication of her first novel, she resigned her teaching position. Now, she is the author of 31 New York Times bestsellers.
Jude won readers' hearts with the epic Velvet series, which revolves around the lives of the Montgomery family's irresistible men. Jude's early books are set largely in 15th- and 16th-century England; in them her fierce, impassioned protagonists find themselves in the midst of blood feuds and wars. Her heroines are equally scrappy -- medieval Scarlett O'Haras who often have a low regard for the men who eventually win them over. They're fighters, certainly, but they're also beauties who are preoccupied with survival and family preservation.
Jude has also stepped outside her milieu, with mixed results. Her James River trilogy (River Lady, Lost Lady, and Counterfeit Lady) is set mostly in post-Revolution America; the popular, softer-edged Twin of Fire/Twin of Ice moves to 19th-century Colorado and introduces another hunky-man clan, the Taggerts.
Deveraux manages to evoke a strong and convincing atmosphere for each of her books, but her dialogue and characters are as familiar as a modern-day soap opera's. "Historicals seem to be all I'm capable of," Jude once said in an interview, referring to a now out-of-print attempt at contemporary fiction, 1982's Casa Grande. "I don't want to write family sagas or occult books, and I have no intention of again trying to ruin the contemporary market." Still, Jude did later attempt modern-day romances, such as the lighthearted High Tide (her first murder caper), the contemporary female friendship story The Summerhouse, and the time-traveling Knight in Shining Armor. In fact, with 2002's The Mulberry Tree, Deveraux seems to be getting more comfortable setting stories in the present, which is a good thing, since the fans she won with her historical books are eager to follow her into the future.
Jude married Claude White, who she later divorced in 1993. Around the same time she met Mohammed Montassir with whom she had a son, Sam Alexander Montassir, in 1997. On Oct. 6th, 2005, Sam died at the age of eight in a motorcycle accident.
Jude has lived in several countries and all over the United States. She currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and has an additional home in the medieval city of Badolato, Italy.
She began writing in 1976, and published her first book, The Enchanted Land (1977) under the name Jude Deveraux. Following the publication of her first novel, she resigned her teaching position. Now, she is the author of 31 New York Times bestsellers.
Jude won readers' hearts with the epic Velvet series, which revolves around the lives of the Montgomery family's irresistible men. Jude's early books are set largely in 15th- and 16th-century England; in them her fierce, impassioned protagonists find themselves in the midst of blood feuds and wars. Her heroines are equally scrappy -- medieval Scarlett O'Haras who often have a low regard for the men who eventually win them over. They're fighters, certainly, but they're also beauties who are preoccupied with survival and family preservation.
Jude has also stepped outside her milieu, with mixed results. Her James River trilogy (River Lady, Lost Lady, and Counterfeit Lady) is set mostly in post-Revolution America; the popular, softer-edged Twin of Fire/Twin of Ice moves to 19th-century Colorado and introduces another hunky-man clan, the Taggerts.
Deveraux manages to evoke a strong and convincing atmosphere for each of her books, but her dialogue and characters are as familiar as a modern-day soap opera's. "Historicals seem to be all I'm capable of," Jude once said in an interview, referring to a now out-of-print attempt at contemporary fiction, 1982's Casa Grande. "I don't want to write family sagas or occult books, and I have no intention of again trying to ruin the contemporary market." Still, Jude did later attempt modern-day romances, such as the lighthearted High Tide (her first murder caper), the contemporary female friendship story The Summerhouse, and the time-traveling Knight in Shining Armor. In fact, with 2002's The Mulberry Tree, Deveraux seems to be getting more comfortable setting stories in the present, which is a good thing, since the fans she won with her historical books are eager to follow her into the future.
Jude married Claude White, who she later divorced in 1993. Around the same time she met Mohammed Montassir with whom she had a son, Sam Alexander Montassir, in 1997. On Oct. 6th, 2005, Sam died at the age of eight in a motorcycle accident.
Jude has lived in several countries and all over the United States. She currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and has an additional home in the medieval city of Badolato, Italy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
December 5, 2019
I read two stories in this Christmas anthology:
Jolly Holly by Stef Ann Holm - Bellamy Nichlaus, the richest guy in a small California town, posts notices all over town about the Jolly Holly Contest he is holding. The person who picks the most holly berries in the next two weeks to decorate the town Christmas tree, will win "riches beyond their wildest dreams". When Isabel Burche reads the notice, she knows she can win this contest. She knows the area and is sure she is aware of berry patches no one has discovered. She's stunned to find someone else has beat her to the best berries. John Wolcott is usually warming in a stool in the local saloon. He is determined to win this contest so he can open his own business. Everywhere he goes to pick berries, Isabel shows up. Everytime Isabel finds a large berry patch, John is right behind her. The duo quickly decide they may have to work together to win this contest.
This is a cute historical romance with enjoyable characters. It is actually a prequel to Holm's "Brides for All Seasons" series. My rating: 4 Stars.
White Out by Linda Howard - Lodge owner Hope Bradshaw is bemoaning the fact that her biological clock is ticking and she wants a baby, but doesn't have a man. She makes up her mind to do something about it while she is preparing her cabins for the winter storm that is brewing. As the blizzard winds start to howl and snow quickly builds up, Hope hears something on her porch. Opening the door, she finds a Sheriff's Deputy Price Tanner half frozen and drags him into her home. Stripping him of his wet, frozen clothing, Hope uses her body heat to warm him up. After spending day and night keeping him warm (over and over again), Hope hears news on the radio of a prison transport that had wrecked a few miles from her home. Two deputies are dead. Authorities were looking for three escapees who may be dangerous. Hope begins to question who the man is that is spending so much time in her bed.
Linda Howard always writes and interesting story. Hope seemed a bit calculating about wanting Price to be her baby daddy even though she didn't know him. But she did finally come clean to him about it. I did like the little mystery of Price's identity. That was a nice twist. My rating: 3 Stars.
Jolly Holly by Stef Ann Holm - Bellamy Nichlaus, the richest guy in a small California town, posts notices all over town about the Jolly Holly Contest he is holding. The person who picks the most holly berries in the next two weeks to decorate the town Christmas tree, will win "riches beyond their wildest dreams". When Isabel Burche reads the notice, she knows she can win this contest. She knows the area and is sure she is aware of berry patches no one has discovered. She's stunned to find someone else has beat her to the best berries. John Wolcott is usually warming in a stool in the local saloon. He is determined to win this contest so he can open his own business. Everywhere he goes to pick berries, Isabel shows up. Everytime Isabel finds a large berry patch, John is right behind her. The duo quickly decide they may have to work together to win this contest.
This is a cute historical romance with enjoyable characters. It is actually a prequel to Holm's "Brides for All Seasons" series. My rating: 4 Stars.
White Out by Linda Howard - Lodge owner Hope Bradshaw is bemoaning the fact that her biological clock is ticking and she wants a baby, but doesn't have a man. She makes up her mind to do something about it while she is preparing her cabins for the winter storm that is brewing. As the blizzard winds start to howl and snow quickly builds up, Hope hears something on her porch. Opening the door, she finds a Sheriff's Deputy Price Tanner half frozen and drags him into her home. Stripping him of his wet, frozen clothing, Hope uses her body heat to warm him up. After spending day and night keeping him warm (over and over again), Hope hears news on the radio of a prison transport that had wrecked a few miles from her home. Two deputies are dead. Authorities were looking for three escapees who may be dangerous. Hope begins to question who the man is that is spending so much time in her bed.
Linda Howard always writes and interesting story. Hope seemed a bit calculating about wanting Price to be her baby daddy even though she didn't know him. But she did finally come clean to him about it. I did like the little mystery of Price's identity. That was a nice twist. My rating: 3 Stars.
January 29, 2019
The Teacher - Jude Deveraux - 3 /5 - Kathryn is running from her son’s father, a wealthy Irishman, so she accepts a job in Legend, Colorado - a backwater mining town run by Cole Jordan, the man who hired her to teach his son. But when she arrives, Cole mistakes her for a woman of ill repute and a conniving actress looking to gain access to his money, so he refuses her the job. But Kathryn has a contract and desperately needs the job so she sues him for money so she can leave. Kathryn wins the case, but the stipulations mean she has to stay and teach Cole’s son. So she stays but does her best to avoid the man who humiliated her, even as he becomes frustrated that he’s falling in love with a woman who hates him. Kathryn is also falling in love, despite her efforts, but she knows they cannot have a future because her son’s father is still tracking her down and she is a wanted woman.
This reminds me of so many 90’s historical romances where the hero is actually a decent guy underneath it all, but basically acts like an ass in the beginning, and the heroine falls in love with him as he’s revealed to be good. I do wish however that there had been some more positive interactions between them to help me believe that they could have fallen in love with each other. It was more like a “falling in love from afar” thing. I loved that the heroine held her grudge through most of the story after the way the hero had treated her and that he actually suffered because of it. And then there’s the separation part, with a realistic anger from the hero that she was pregnant and hadn’t told him, but followed up by a loss of that anger and a gratitude that he’d found her. This also felt realistic because he didn’t seem all that moved by the pregnancy anyway…which is probably about right for 90’s historical heroes.
Christmas Magic - Margaret Allison - 3 /5 - Kim Risson hasn’t spoken to her father in 15 years, but when she gets the call that he’s had a heart attack she rushes to his bedside. Growing up he hadn’t been much a part of her life because he was so busy being a top-notch surgeon. Kim wants to re-establish that relationship. She meets her father’s surgeon, Tony, and the sparks fly. But she’s wary of a relationship with him - after all, her father doesn’t like him and she’d be setting herself up for the same pain her mother experienced being married to her father. But Tony is determined to win Kim’s heart and to prove that life with him would be different.
This was good. The relationship between Kim and Tony felt real and natural - nothing too fast or too insta-lusty, but a nice semi-slow burn relationship. Can’t be too slow burn, since this is a novella. And then Kim’s relationship was her father was also very interesting and quite heart-breaking considering. I think I wanted a bit more chemistry between Kim and Tony and a bit more emotional punch there at the end when they have their reunion. But this was a good, solid story.
Jolly Holly - Stef Ann Holm - 3.5 /5 - Set in California somewhere around 1900 or so, John Wolcott things Isabel Barache is an absolute loon with all the jobs she’s had and her determination to grow lemons in a property full or rocks. Isabel thinks John is an absolute slouch and a good for nothing alcoholic to boot. Then, Bellamy Nicklaus, local rich guy, holds a contest for who can bring in the most holly berries. Isabel and John end up teaming up in a pretty stiff competition and learn a lot about each other, even fall in love. But can they stay together if they don’t win the competition?
Cute story. I liked the characters and how Isabel was a self-sufficient, modern woman in older times and still struggled with the way people perceived her in light of that. Likewise, I liked that John was seriously flawed and grew through the story to realize that he needed to improve himself. I really liked how they fell in love gradually and nothing felt to instant or too fast for me. This didn’t really have a lot of romantic tension or angst - it was more about the characters themselves, their budding relationship and their personal growth. I think I also would have liked to see a bit more chemistry between the characters.
If Only In My Dreams - 2.5 / 5 - Quinn is back in town to spend Christmas with her family, but she doesn’t expect to run into her high school heartbreak and former professional baseball player, Cale and his twin four-year-old sons. Apparently 12 years earlier, Cale and Quinn were supposed to meet up and elope, but they each went to the wrong location and both left heartbroken at the loss of their love and moved on with their lives, never talking since. Now, thanks to a snow storm, Quinn is stuck in close quarters with Cale and his sons and she soon learns that neither of them ever stopped loving the other and maybe they can build a future together.
It’s not so much that this wasn’t well written or even an enjoyable story, but I honestly dislike second chance romance in novella form. And this one was no exception. Because of the length, once Cale and Quinn realize what had happened so many years ago and that no one really intentionally broke anybody’s heart, they just let it all go and enjoy their madly in love state. But although they’re satisfied with that, I’m not. I want them to deal with the fact that they lost 12 years together because neither of them had any faith in the other. I wanted them to hash out the fact that those boys could have been Quinn’s if maybe one of them had called the other to ask about why they weren’t there or even sent a letter. Why was that? Except for one wry comment about how they’d gotten together 12 years too late, not one of them seemed to have any regrets about this supposed heartbreak. That felt really unrealistic...or just overly optimistic to set all that by the wayside and just focus on how they get their second chance instead. Meh. Not my cup of tea.
White Out - Linda Howard - 3 /5 - Hope, a lonely widow, is riding out a blizzard in the hotel/lodge she owns, when a nearly frozen sheriff's deputy, Price Tanner, shows up at her door. She does what she can to prevent hypothermia and finds herself having sex with him, finally getting the sexual encounter she’s been longing for...and possibly the baby her biological clock has been ticking away for. She and Price engage in quite the affair before Hope hears on the radio about a prison bus break down and the prisoners that escaped. Suddenly, she realizes she has no idea who Price Tanner actually is and whether or not she can really trust him.
As a suspense story, pretty good because I definitely had my doubts about Price. The evidence mounts against him and I was pretty sure that he was definitely a villain. As for the romance, things happen fast, and I know that’s pretty much the point, since Hope has to realize that she doesn’t know Price at all, but while it worked for the suspense, it didn’t really work for the romance. I especially didn’t care much for the whole baby angle...but that’s kinda just personal tastes. I don’t love it when heroine’s realize they’ve had unprotected sex and start jonesing because they now might have a baby. Yeah, you also might now have an STD. And the whole initial sex scene...abrupt, startling and surprisingly sexy. I wasn’t quite sure if someone hadn’t just been raped, since neither of them was quite with it.
This reminds me of so many 90’s historical romances where the hero is actually a decent guy underneath it all, but basically acts like an ass in the beginning, and the heroine falls in love with him as he’s revealed to be good. I do wish however that there had been some more positive interactions between them to help me believe that they could have fallen in love with each other. It was more like a “falling in love from afar” thing. I loved that the heroine held her grudge through most of the story after the way the hero had treated her and that he actually suffered because of it. And then there’s the separation part, with a realistic anger from the hero that she was pregnant and hadn’t told him, but followed up by a loss of that anger and a gratitude that he’d found her. This also felt realistic because he didn’t seem all that moved by the pregnancy anyway…which is probably about right for 90’s historical heroes.
Christmas Magic - Margaret Allison - 3 /5 - Kim Risson hasn’t spoken to her father in 15 years, but when she gets the call that he’s had a heart attack she rushes to his bedside. Growing up he hadn’t been much a part of her life because he was so busy being a top-notch surgeon. Kim wants to re-establish that relationship. She meets her father’s surgeon, Tony, and the sparks fly. But she’s wary of a relationship with him - after all, her father doesn’t like him and she’d be setting herself up for the same pain her mother experienced being married to her father. But Tony is determined to win Kim’s heart and to prove that life with him would be different.
This was good. The relationship between Kim and Tony felt real and natural - nothing too fast or too insta-lusty, but a nice semi-slow burn relationship. Can’t be too slow burn, since this is a novella. And then Kim’s relationship was her father was also very interesting and quite heart-breaking considering. I think I wanted a bit more chemistry between Kim and Tony and a bit more emotional punch there at the end when they have their reunion. But this was a good, solid story.
Jolly Holly - Stef Ann Holm - 3.5 /5 - Set in California somewhere around 1900 or so, John Wolcott things Isabel Barache is an absolute loon with all the jobs she’s had and her determination to grow lemons in a property full or rocks. Isabel thinks John is an absolute slouch and a good for nothing alcoholic to boot. Then, Bellamy Nicklaus, local rich guy, holds a contest for who can bring in the most holly berries. Isabel and John end up teaming up in a pretty stiff competition and learn a lot about each other, even fall in love. But can they stay together if they don’t win the competition?
Cute story. I liked the characters and how Isabel was a self-sufficient, modern woman in older times and still struggled with the way people perceived her in light of that. Likewise, I liked that John was seriously flawed and grew through the story to realize that he needed to improve himself. I really liked how they fell in love gradually and nothing felt to instant or too fast for me. This didn’t really have a lot of romantic tension or angst - it was more about the characters themselves, their budding relationship and their personal growth. I think I also would have liked to see a bit more chemistry between the characters.
If Only In My Dreams - 2.5 / 5 - Quinn is back in town to spend Christmas with her family, but she doesn’t expect to run into her high school heartbreak and former professional baseball player, Cale and his twin four-year-old sons. Apparently 12 years earlier, Cale and Quinn were supposed to meet up and elope, but they each went to the wrong location and both left heartbroken at the loss of their love and moved on with their lives, never talking since. Now, thanks to a snow storm, Quinn is stuck in close quarters with Cale and his sons and she soon learns that neither of them ever stopped loving the other and maybe they can build a future together.
It’s not so much that this wasn’t well written or even an enjoyable story, but I honestly dislike second chance romance in novella form. And this one was no exception. Because of the length, once Cale and Quinn realize what had happened so many years ago and that no one really intentionally broke anybody’s heart, they just let it all go and enjoy their madly in love state. But although they’re satisfied with that, I’m not. I want them to deal with the fact that they lost 12 years together because neither of them had any faith in the other. I wanted them to hash out the fact that those boys could have been Quinn’s if maybe one of them had called the other to ask about why they weren’t there or even sent a letter. Why was that? Except for one wry comment about how they’d gotten together 12 years too late, not one of them seemed to have any regrets about this supposed heartbreak. That felt really unrealistic...or just overly optimistic to set all that by the wayside and just focus on how they get their second chance instead. Meh. Not my cup of tea.
White Out - Linda Howard - 3 /5 - Hope, a lonely widow, is riding out a blizzard in the hotel/lodge she owns, when a nearly frozen sheriff's deputy, Price Tanner, shows up at her door. She does what she can to prevent hypothermia and finds herself having sex with him, finally getting the sexual encounter she’s been longing for...and possibly the baby her biological clock has been ticking away for. She and Price engage in quite the affair before Hope hears on the radio about a prison bus break down and the prisoners that escaped. Suddenly, she realizes she has no idea who Price Tanner actually is and whether or not she can really trust him.
As a suspense story, pretty good because I definitely had my doubts about Price. The evidence mounts against him and I was pretty sure that he was definitely a villain. As for the romance, things happen fast, and I know that’s pretty much the point, since Hope has to realize that she doesn’t know Price at all, but while it worked for the suspense, it didn’t really work for the romance. I especially didn’t care much for the whole baby angle...but that’s kinda just personal tastes. I don’t love it when heroine’s realize they’ve had unprotected sex and start jonesing because they now might have a baby. Yeah, you also might now have an STD. And the whole initial sex scene...abrupt, startling and surprisingly sexy. I wasn’t quite sure if someone hadn’t just been raped, since neither of them was quite with it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2010
I always like to read anthologies because it introduces me to new authors outside what I would be reading. There are drawbacks because sometimes you read authors that quite frankly aren’t the best storytellers. This book had five different stories in it. The first by Jude Deveraux was interesting because it was connected to her book Legend. I would have liked to have a longer story, and if I had known this story existed I would have read this book sooner. As the fact of most anthologies there were some really good stories and some that weren’t as good. All of them were entertaining, but there was an author or two I would not try to find their books. The Jude Deveraux story was good, but confusing if you haven’t read the book Legend. It was tied up too tidily and more detail would have been nice. Overall a good quick read.
March 2, 2009
Finding 2 good stories out of the 5 included was not a very good holiday gift. Jude Deveraux's "The Teacher" was OK, but the shining star goes to Mariah Stewart for her "If Only in My Dreams". Linda Howard's "White-Out" was just ok and has been around for a while.
October 11, 2011
I only read Jude Deveraux story and it was ok. So much focus on the conflict between the two that I wondered if they would ever get to the romance. Christmas also didn't come into play until the very end. Kathryn goes to Colorado to be governess for Cole's son.
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March 8, 2009LINDA HOWARD = WHITE OUT
October 6, 2023
The local library had done a major clearing out of their fiction section and were giving away a ton of books. I picked this one up because I was familiar with Jude Deveraux's name but hadn't read much by her. Plus the fact that it was Xmas themed was kind of cute.
I have to say I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed the short stories, some more than others. Of the five, two were historical romances set in the West, Deveraux's "The Teacher" and "Jolly Holly by Stef Ann Holm. A genre I was unfamiliar with, the Western historical fiction was a pleasure because it was so different from what I normally read. Growing up in the U.S., even on the East Coast, the epic nature of the Old West is ingrained and it's easy to buy into the setting and enjoy the details of what life must have been like. Both stories were entertaining, using the trope of the hard-headed man and woman with grit who fall for each other. "Jolly Holly" was sweet because it had an element of magic to it, which is perfect for the holiday season.
The other three stories were contemporary and took place in the Midwest and West. Margaret Allison's "Christmas Magic," set in Detroit, was the weakest link in the book. For a short story, it wasn't economical enough in its storytelling. I wanted to like the characters (Kim and Tony) and the set-up: a young attractive heart surgeon (Tony) doing surgery on his heart surgeon boss, Kim's father. Kim's intentions and actions felt stilted as they changed every few pages.
"If Only in My Dreams" by Mariah Stewart (Montana setting) was quite sweet with the protagonists, old high school sweethearts, trapped in a snowstorm and demonstrated even old dreams can be revived.
And the final story "White Out" by Linda Howard stole the thunder of all the other stories with its element of suspense and the most surprising, sexiest introduction to the main characters Hope and Price. Even though I said spoilers alert in this review, I am not going to say how they meet because it is really original and if you can read it on your own without the spoiler, please try to do so!
Totally recommend the book for a good fun holiday read.
And it's made me interested in the other books the writers have written. Even Margaret Allison. Some writers don't do well in short stories and need the entire novel to tell the story. I try not to hold it against a writer if they fall short of my expectations in short fiction.
I have to say I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed the short stories, some more than others. Of the five, two were historical romances set in the West, Deveraux's "The Teacher" and "Jolly Holly by Stef Ann Holm. A genre I was unfamiliar with, the Western historical fiction was a pleasure because it was so different from what I normally read. Growing up in the U.S., even on the East Coast, the epic nature of the Old West is ingrained and it's easy to buy into the setting and enjoy the details of what life must have been like. Both stories were entertaining, using the trope of the hard-headed man and woman with grit who fall for each other. "Jolly Holly" was sweet because it had an element of magic to it, which is perfect for the holiday season.
The other three stories were contemporary and took place in the Midwest and West. Margaret Allison's "Christmas Magic," set in Detroit, was the weakest link in the book. For a short story, it wasn't economical enough in its storytelling. I wanted to like the characters (Kim and Tony) and the set-up: a young attractive heart surgeon (Tony) doing surgery on his heart surgeon boss, Kim's father. Kim's intentions and actions felt stilted as they changed every few pages.
"If Only in My Dreams" by Mariah Stewart (Montana setting) was quite sweet with the protagonists, old high school sweethearts, trapped in a snowstorm and demonstrated even old dreams can be revived.
And the final story "White Out" by Linda Howard stole the thunder of all the other stories with its element of suspense and the most surprising, sexiest introduction to the main characters Hope and Price. Even though I said spoilers alert in this review, I am not going to say how they meet because it is really original and if you can read it on your own without the spoiler, please try to do so!
Totally recommend the book for a good fun holiday read.
And it's made me interested in the other books the writers have written. Even Margaret Allison. Some writers don't do well in short stories and need the entire novel to tell the story. I try not to hold it against a writer if they fall short of my expectations in short fiction.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2017
I know I finished this after the holidays, but it was great nonetheless. I grabbed this story collection on impulse at my local library, not really knowing what to expect, but I ended up enjoying it. The stories are all romances, with a mix of contemporary and historical. They all struck a good balance between fresh originality and the kind of wistful sentimentality you expect from Christmas stories. I think my favorite was the western historical romance “Jolly Holly,” where the main characters are brought together by a berry-picking contest.
January 2, 2022
This was a delightful collection of five Christmas-themed romance novellas. They were set in different time periods, so it was a nice mix of both historical and contemporary romances. All of the plots were quite different. I am familiar with the works of Jude Deveraux and Linda Howard, but had never read anything by Margaret Allison, Stef Ann Holm or Mariah Stewart. I thought all of the stories were well written.
September 22, 2023
like any anthology some of the stories are better than others, the last one in the book is rubbish but I did enjoy some of them as well. The western and rural locations made the stories interesting and if you are just looking for something to fill in the time this novel is fine. I probably wont read it again but that can be said of a lot of romances and I do prefer something that has a catch or a mystery that makes you think than a straight romance.
January 7, 2018
This is a wonderful anthology from authors you know you always wanted to read. The stories are short, steamy, and full of love. You absolutely cannot go wrong reading this book. And just as a note, this was the third time I've read through these stories, but had never written a review for them because considering the authors within, I didn't think it was needed. :-)
July 15, 2017
a collection of holiday stories by five authors. Five of the six stories were good. The story by jude deveraux was a good story but not as well written as the others. The book, which was written as a 18oo's western sounded more like the 1980's in tone. It distracted from what could have been a good story. 4 stars because the one story was just so so.
January 24, 2019
Five Christmas romance short stories by five different authors all packed into one entertaining read. I love Jude Deveraux books and have read several of her books. Will be looking for Legend now so I can read more about Cole Jordan and Legend, Colorado. As for the other four authors, they were all new to me but will look for their books too!
July 1, 2022
It was five short stories that were basically really bad hallmark movies. Bleh.
First one seemed fast forward with little detail, second one was the best with the surgeon and daughter of the patient, third was silly but cute, fourth was dumb because of a misunderstanding that wasted 13 years of their lives, and the fifth was SO dumb and unrealistic and gross.
First one seemed fast forward with little detail, second one was the best with the surgeon and daughter of the patient, third was silly but cute, fourth was dumb because of a misunderstanding that wasted 13 years of their lives, and the fifth was SO dumb and unrealistic and gross.
December 5, 2023
Read two of these and stopped. The first story is written by Jude Deveraux. The writing is stilted, the main characters have no chemistry and the plot is highly improbable.
The other story I read was by the usually-reliable Linda Howard. White Out is a insta-love, "oh his penis just fell into me before I could do anything about it" story.
DNF.
The other story I read was by the usually-reliable Linda Howard. White Out is a insta-love, "oh his penis just fell into me before I could do anything about it" story.
DNF.
October 12, 2025
Five great holiday romances. Some strangely out of the ordinary, but just as intriguing!! I wasn't sure if I would only read Jude Deveraux's story but was hooked with each one after hers! Even though the holidays aren't quite here yet, these stories started me planning for the months ahead!! HO HO HO!!
December 28, 2017
I really enjoyed each of these stories because they were so different from one another. They each had their own time period, setting, and story-line. Each was a very good read within it's self! Glad I happened upon this at the library!
August 3, 2021
ジュード先生のLegend番外編The Teacherのために購入。面白くて大満足😊
電子書籍でもオーディオでも売ってなかったので海外通販で紙の本を買った甲斐があった！
ヒストリカル物は苦手な私もジュード先生の作品だと楽しめちゃうのが不思議。Coleが大人になってからの話。
リンダ・ハワード先生のWhite Outもとても好きな作品（Strangers in the night収録作品で「見知らぬあなた」で日本語翻訳済）
電子書籍でもオーディオでも売ってなかったので海外通販で紙の本を買った甲斐があった！
ヒストリカル物は苦手な私もジュード先生の作品だと楽しめちゃうのが不思議。Coleが大人になってからの話。
リンダ・ハワード先生のWhite Outもとても好きな作品（Strangers in the night収録作品で「見知らぬあなた」で日本語翻訳済）
November 22, 2024
This was a book of short stories. The first one was written by Jude Deveraux takes place in Legend, Colorado and continues with the story of Cole and his ancestors.
The second story was about a Christmas miracle.
I stopped after realizing there was no common theme other than love.
The second story was about a Christmas miracle.
I stopped after realizing there was no common theme other than love.
December 30, 2017
Delightful collection of holiday tales by five great romance authors.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
July 30, 2017
This is a re-read, I first read this collection when it was published.
No stars for the Jude Deveraux story. Four stars for Linda Howard's White Out. The rest get threes.
No stars for the Jude Deveraux story. Four stars for Linda Howard's White Out. The rest get threes.
March 19, 2018
Loved Jolly Holly by Stef Ann Holm and White Out by Linda Howard
September 2, 2018
Jude Deveraux - The Teacher (Legend, Colorado #2)
June 29, 2019
Meh. Short stories are hard because there is so little character development.
August 20, 2019
Stef Ann Holm’s “Holly Jolly” was the only one I liked. The others... not my cup of tea.
January 13, 2020
These are five easy read Christmas stories from some of your favorite authors. In each one, love conquers all.
August 1, 2020
Five really good romance novellas. Great stories with a wide variety of plots. Recommended.
December 3, 2021
Great story
January 12, 2022
A very beautiful cover. I have read 3 out of the 5 stories and they are all 4 stars, though they aren't Christmassy. Will finis the rest this year.
September 11, 2024
I gave this book 3 stars because there were some of the stories that I would have given a 2, some a 3, and some a 4. They got better as the book went on.
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