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Those Manning Men
Christmas Kisses
"Mackenzie's Magic" / Linda Howard (Mackenzie Family #3.5)
Meet Maris MacKenzie. . . and the handsome stranger she woke up to find in her bed! Unfortunately, she had no memory of Alex MacNeil. . . the previous day. . . or the prize Thoroughbred she had apparently stolen.
"Silver Bells" / Debbie Macomber (Those Manning Men #5)
Celebrate the magic of Christmas with the Manning family. .
It wasn't easy for Phillip Lark to single-handedly raise his rambunctious teenage daughter. But the girl had hatched a plot to find her father a wife, and lovely Carrie Weston seemed to fit the bill. Phillip claimed he wasn't interested in remarriage, but would the magic of the holiday season--and Carrie's wonderful charms--help him change his mind?
this story was also published in the anthology That Holiday Feeling
"The Wild West Christmas" / Linda Turner (The Wild West #5.5)
Years ago Priscilla Rawlings gave Wyatt Chandler her innocence. He repaid her by running out on her. Now he'd come back to the Rawlings ranch for Christmas, and Priscella had to face the one man who had broken her heart. . . but whom she'd never stopped loving.
Meet Maris MacKenzie. . . and the handsome stranger she woke up to find in her bed! Unfortunately, she had no memory of Alex MacNeil. . . the previous day. . . or the prize Thoroughbred she had apparently stolen.
"Silver Bells" / Debbie Macomber (Those Manning Men #5)
Celebrate the magic of Christmas with the Manning family. .
It wasn't easy for Phillip Lark to single-handedly raise his rambunctious teenage daughter. But the girl had hatched a plot to find her father a wife, and lovely Carrie Weston seemed to fit the bill. Phillip claimed he wasn't interested in remarriage, but would the magic of the holiday season--and Carrie's wonderful charms--help him change his mind?
this story was also published in the anthology That Holiday Feeling
"The Wild West Christmas" / Linda Turner (The Wild West #5.5)
Years ago Priscilla Rawlings gave Wyatt Chandler her innocence. He repaid her by running out on her. Now he'd come back to the Rawlings ranch for Christmas, and Priscella had to face the one man who had broken her heart. . . but whom she'd never stopped loving.
377 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1996
4 people are currently reading
720 people want to read
About the author
Linda Howard
223 books7,182 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Linda S. Howington is an American best-selling romance author writing under the pseudonym Linda Howard. After 21 years of penning stories for her own enjoyment, she submitted a novel for publication which was very successful. Her first work was published by Silhouette in 1982. She is a charter member of Romance Writers of America and in 2005 Howard was awarded their Career Achievement Award.
Linda Howard lives in Gadsden, Alabama with her husband, Gary F. Howington, and two golden retrievers. She has three grown stepchildren and three grandchildren.
Linda S. Howington is an American best-selling romance author writing under the pseudonym Linda Howard. After 21 years of penning stories for her own enjoyment, she submitted a novel for publication which was very successful. Her first work was published by Silhouette in 1982. She is a charter member of Romance Writers of America and in 2005 Howard was awarded their Career Achievement Award.
Linda Howard lives in Gadsden, Alabama with her husband, Gary F. Howington, and two golden retrievers. She has three grown stepchildren and three grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 14, 2020
Puedes encontrar esta reseña en español al final.
Mackencie´s Magic.
This is the easiest review of my life.
There is one problem and only one with this author: She doesn´t know what consent is. This is not the first time I read something like this in her stories, in this one, the hero is a molester, although the author sees this as a joke.
Her idea is that a man who gets naked to join in bed an unconscious woman (therefore incapable of say yes, nor anything for that matter) is ok. I´m utterly and completely appalled. It can´t be clearer: if a woman (for whatever reason) can´t give her consent then, all that happens is a rape. Easy-peasy. Simple. Common sense in all its glory. I don´t know what crossed her mind while writing this story.
So, we have a hero who molests a unconscious woman and a heroine who, when awakes, tell him she is going to marry him. (FYI: they had just met)
Hideous.
****
Esta reseña es muy fácil de escribir. El problema principal es la idea de consentimiento que la señora Howard tiene. No es la primera vez lo que lo leo en sus historias, en esta el héroe roza peligrosamente lo de ser un violador, aunque la autora se lo tome a broma.
La idea de esta autora es que desnudarse para acostarse junto a una mujer que sufre una concusión y es incapaz de comunicarse está ok. Porque cómo sólo te vas a rozar con ella, y nada más, pues todo está ok. Yo estoy horrorizada. Porque es que no puede ser más fácil, señora Howard: si una mujer, por la razón que sea, no puede decir sí, entonces es violación. Fácil. Claro. De sentido común. No sé lo que le pasó por la cabeza cuando escribió esta historia.
Así que, tenemos un héroe se propasa con una mujer semiinconsciente y una heroína que despierta de una conmoción y decide que se va a casar con él. (Por cierto, no se conocen de nada)
Alucinante.
Mackencie´s Magic.
This is the easiest review of my life.
There is one problem and only one with this author: She doesn´t know what consent is. This is not the first time I read something like this in her stories, in this one, the hero is a molester, although the author sees this as a joke.
Her idea is that a man who gets naked to join in bed an unconscious woman (therefore incapable of say yes, nor anything for that matter) is ok. I´m utterly and completely appalled. It can´t be clearer: if a woman (for whatever reason) can´t give her consent then, all that happens is a rape. Easy-peasy. Simple. Common sense in all its glory. I don´t know what crossed her mind while writing this story.
So, we have a hero who molests a unconscious woman and a heroine who, when awakes, tell him she is going to marry him. (FYI: they had just met)
Hideous.
****
Esta reseña es muy fácil de escribir. El problema principal es la idea de consentimiento que la señora Howard tiene. No es la primera vez lo que lo leo en sus historias, en esta el héroe roza peligrosamente lo de ser un violador, aunque la autora se lo tome a broma.
La idea de esta autora es que desnudarse para acostarse junto a una mujer que sufre una concusión y es incapaz de comunicarse está ok. Porque cómo sólo te vas a rozar con ella, y nada más, pues todo está ok. Yo estoy horrorizada. Porque es que no puede ser más fácil, señora Howard: si una mujer, por la razón que sea, no puede decir sí, entonces es violación. Fácil. Claro. De sentido común. No sé lo que le pasó por la cabeza cuando escribió esta historia.
Así que, tenemos un héroe se propasa con una mujer semiinconsciente y una heroína que despierta de una conmoción y decide que se va a casar con él. (Por cierto, no se conocen de nada)
Alucinante.
December 27, 2022
Esta miniantología se llama "Cuentos de Navidad" en su edición en español. Como no está en GR por el momento hago la reseña en su edición original.
Contiene tres relatos navideños, conozco a dos de las tres autoras pero compré este libro por coleccionismo ya que Linda Howard es una de mis escritoras favoritas de Romántica. Esta lectura ha sido un fracaso, la verdad:
⁕Navidades mágicas de Linda Howard aka la razón por la que compré este desastre de antología: ⭐⭐⭐ (2.5 estrellas)
Este relato forma parte de la serie Los Mackenzie, esta serie me gusta pero no es de mis favoritas de la autora porque es un poco Romántica de la vieja escuela. Con esos clichés que me sacan de los nervios y de los que he hablado muchísimo en mis reseñas del género. Esta historia también tiene algunos de ellos y, encima, no es de los mejores de la autora. Para mí es precipitado y si lo lees aparte, sin estar inmersa en la lectura del resto de la serie, pues pierde bastante la gracia. Es la historia de Maris Mackenzie y cómo conoce a su pareja. Tiene un toque navideño pero es, básicamente, una pequeña historia de Romántica de suspense. Maris y Alex, un agente del FBI infiltrado en los establos donde trabaja como encargada, intentan averiguar quién está matando caballos por dinero de los seguros.
⁕Lo mejor de todo de Debbie Macomber: ⭐ (1.5 estrellas)
En esta historia Carrie conoce a Mackenzie la hija de su vecino divorciado Luke, que está convencida de que están hechos el uno para el otro y tienen que casarse. Una Celestina de 13 años, vamos. Tanto en esta historia como en la tercera el toque navideño también es mínimo.
No me ha gustado demasiado pero por lo menos lo he podido terminar. Y es que Macomber no es que sea de mis autoras favoritas, de hecho, es una de las que tengo marcadas como "no son para mí". Entre otros motivos, por sus tramas tradicionales que no me van nada de nada. A ver, no es que huya de este tipo de historias pero tienen que ser excelentes para que me gusten, resaltar por algo porque sino me aburren y terminan enfadándome.
⁕Encuentro en el Oeste de Linda Turner: ⭐⭐ (2 estrellas)
Una historia de segundas oportunidades. Cilla regresa al rancho de sus primos donde solía pasar todas las vacaciones. Allí se reencuentra con Wyatt quien le rompió el corazón cuando tenía 17 años y la dejó de una forma muy bestia.
No conocía a esta escritora, creo. No sé si me gusta o no. Si me llama la atención algún libro suyo le daré otra oportunidad.
Este relato podría haber estado bien si no fuese porque, para mi gusto, la autora juega demasiado con los malentendidos y el "lo hago por tu bien" para mi gusto. En fin, son esos clichés de los que hablo antes. Se usaban mucho en los 80 y 90 y no han envejecido nada bien. Para mi gusto, eso siempre.
Creo que ese es el gran problema de esta antología, lo mal que ha envejecido porque usa clichés sexistas y que, a día de hoy, son problemáticos o como mínimo incómodos.
Evidentemente, podría deshacerme de la copia en físico si no fuese por mi colección de libros de Linda Howard. Tendría motivos, no solo porque no me gusten demasiado las historias, además la cubierta es feísima y la traducción deja mucho que desear. Publicada en 1997 por Harlequin Ibérica, para variar no especifica quién es el traductor.
Contiene tres relatos navideños, conozco a dos de las tres autoras pero compré este libro por coleccionismo ya que Linda Howard es una de mis escritoras favoritas de Romántica. Esta lectura ha sido un fracaso, la verdad:
⁕Navidades mágicas de Linda Howard aka la razón por la que compré este desastre de antología: ⭐⭐⭐ (2.5 estrellas)
Este relato forma parte de la serie Los Mackenzie, esta serie me gusta pero no es de mis favoritas de la autora porque es un poco Romántica de la vieja escuela. Con esos clichés que me sacan de los nervios y de los que he hablado muchísimo en mis reseñas del género. Esta historia también tiene algunos de ellos y, encima, no es de los mejores de la autora. Para mí es precipitado y si lo lees aparte, sin estar inmersa en la lectura del resto de la serie, pues pierde bastante la gracia. Es la historia de Maris Mackenzie y cómo conoce a su pareja. Tiene un toque navideño pero es, básicamente, una pequeña historia de Romántica de suspense. Maris y Alex, un agente del FBI infiltrado en los establos donde trabaja como encargada, intentan averiguar quién está matando caballos por dinero de los seguros.
⁕Lo mejor de todo de Debbie Macomber: ⭐ (1.5 estrellas)
En esta historia Carrie conoce a Mackenzie la hija de su vecino divorciado Luke, que está convencida de que están hechos el uno para el otro y tienen que casarse. Una Celestina de 13 años, vamos. Tanto en esta historia como en la tercera el toque navideño también es mínimo.
No me ha gustado demasiado pero por lo menos lo he podido terminar. Y es que Macomber no es que sea de mis autoras favoritas, de hecho, es una de las que tengo marcadas como "no son para mí". Entre otros motivos, por sus tramas tradicionales que no me van nada de nada. A ver, no es que huya de este tipo de historias pero tienen que ser excelentes para que me gusten, resaltar por algo porque sino me aburren y terminan enfadándome.
⁕Encuentro en el Oeste de Linda Turner: ⭐⭐ (2 estrellas)
Una historia de segundas oportunidades. Cilla regresa al rancho de sus primos donde solía pasar todas las vacaciones. Allí se reencuentra con Wyatt quien le rompió el corazón cuando tenía 17 años y la dejó de una forma muy bestia.
No conocía a esta escritora, creo. No sé si me gusta o no. Si me llama la atención algún libro suyo le daré otra oportunidad.
Este relato podría haber estado bien si no fuese porque, para mi gusto, la autora juega demasiado con los malentendidos y el "lo hago por tu bien" para mi gusto. En fin, son esos clichés de los que hablo antes. Se usaban mucho en los 80 y 90 y no han envejecido nada bien. Para mi gusto, eso siempre.
Creo que ese es el gran problema de esta antología, lo mal que ha envejecido porque usa clichés sexistas y que, a día de hoy, son problemáticos o como mínimo incómodos.
Evidentemente, podría deshacerme de la copia en físico si no fuese por mi colección de libros de Linda Howard. Tendría motivos, no solo porque no me gusten demasiado las historias, además la cubierta es feísima y la traducción deja mucho que desear. Publicada en 1997 por Harlequin Ibérica, para variar no especifica quién es el traductor.
July 5, 2017
เป็นเรื่องสั้นๆ สั้นมาก ไม่รู้จะว่าไงดี 5555 เอาเป็นว่าก็ชอบแล้วกัน
เป็นเรื่องของลูกสาวคนเดียวในตระกูลแมคเคนซี่ มาริส นั่นเอง เธอตื่นมาบนเตียงและพบหน้าคุ้นแต่จำชื่อไม่ได้
เขาคือ อเล็กซ์ แมคนีล ตอนแรกหล่อนไม่รู้ว่าเขาคือใคร
คนทั้งคู่หลบหนีมาด้วยกันเพราะขโมยม้ามา และมีคนตามล่าอยู่
สุดท้ายความจริงก็เปิดเผย
เป็นเรื่องของลูกสาวคนเดียวในตระกูลแมคเคนซี่ มาริส นั่นเอง เธอตื่นมาบนเตียงและพบหน้าคุ้นแต่จำชื่อไม่ได้
เขาคือ อเล็กซ์ แมคนีล ตอนแรกหล่อนไม่รู้ว่าเขาคือใคร
คนทั้งคู่หลบหนีมาด้วยกันเพราะขโมยม้ามา และมีคนตามล่าอยู่
สุดท้ายความจริงก็เปิดเผย
November 12, 2025
Three stories by Linda Howard, Debbie Macomber, and Linda Turner had no particular theme. The only thing that really stuck out about these stories was Ms. Macomber's ability to bring her characters to life. You recognize them in some way. There's a sense of reality, not just a story.
April 4, 2012
Mackenzie's Magic was a great short read. I LOVED the ending. Gotta love Nick. I would definitely read this book again too. I liked the humor, suspense, emotions, and the action. It was written well too, took me right into the story and didn't let me go until the end. Silver Bells was a pretty good short read. It was kinda sweet and I liked the emotions and the persistence shown by the daughter. I liked the irony too. I would read this book again, but more for passing the time than searching it out. My favorite aspect was the variety of characters as the neighbors in the complex. That was golden. A Wild West Christmas was really good too. I liked the emotions, a little suspense that was thrown in, and the self-discovery. I would definitely read this book again. It made me 'get something in my eye' at the end and was really touching. I liked the family too. I've always wanted a family like that too. Overall, this was a pretty good book and I think I'll keep it on my shelf. I would read all these books again and they were a good fit to being in this book together. Enjoy
March 25, 2018
I loved all three stories in this book but the story by Linda Howard is by far my favorite. I have read almost the whole series about the Mackenzie's and I love them !!! I was so hard to put down which made me read it in a day . Highly recommend it !!!
Read
May 23, 2020This was a great book, the only thing I can say is I wish it was longer. I love that it answered the question of how the only female Makinzie turned out and if she was ever able to find love with that streak of stubbornness that runs through her blood lines.
August 3, 2017
See review for MacMountain
Read
July 30, 2022Read the Linda Howard book Mackenzie’s magic.
January 4, 2024
I read this book during the Christmas season and it was delightful.
January 11, 2025
Ever log those books that you don’t remember any details but you remember the cover and enjoying reading it?
January 16, 2020
This paperback collection of Christmas novellas has been on my shelves for a long time. The paperback finally fell apart during my decade ending bookshelf cleanup. Since I didn’t remember any of the stories I decided to give these a re-read.
Most of this were basically ok but not fantastic. The first two novellas: “Mackenzie’s Magic” and “Silver Bells” are part of long-running series and some of the context is lost. I found them passable with Silver Bells being the weaker of the two as there was hardly any interaction between the leads. I think they spent about three scenes together and then the story moved to an epilogue showing their wedding.
The third novella "The Wild West Christmas" by Linda Turner, worked the best as a complete story. But just five days later I remember very little which was memorable about the story. As a result I am giving this a 2 star average rating.
Most of this were basically ok but not fantastic. The first two novellas: “Mackenzie’s Magic” and “Silver Bells” are part of long-running series and some of the context is lost. I found them passable with Silver Bells being the weaker of the two as there was hardly any interaction between the leads. I think they spent about three scenes together and then the story moved to an epilogue showing their wedding.
The third novella "The Wild West Christmas" by Linda Turner, worked the best as a complete story. But just five days later I remember very little which was memorable about the story. As a result I am giving this a 2 star average rating.
September 10, 2016
MACKENZIE'S MAGIC
This novella was what started my obsession for the Mackenzie family. Like, crazy obsessed! When I first came across this, I did not even know that there was a series in existence. Hello, this was BGR times--before Goodreads. I would be lucky to find the books I really want to get my hands on!
But reading about the entire Mackenzie family and their crazily adorable family dynamics made me fall in love everyone. From this novella, I was left itching to read how the stories of the couples in this story came about.
Don't get me wrong though, Maris and Alex was a fun read. Had I read the previous books in the serious, I would say a full-length novel would've been appreciated for these two characters and especially for Maris, being the only girl. Oh, well.
This novella was what started my obsession for the Mackenzie family. Like, crazy obsessed! When I first came across this, I did not even know that there was a series in existence. Hello, this was BGR times--before Goodreads. I would be lucky to find the books I really want to get my hands on!
But reading about the entire Mackenzie family and their crazily adorable family dynamics made me fall in love everyone. From this novella, I was left itching to read how the stories of the couples in this story came about.
Don't get me wrong though, Maris and Alex was a fun read. Had I read the previous books in the serious, I would say a full-length novel would've been appreciated for these two characters and especially for Maris, being the only girl. Oh, well.
March 8, 2011
Linda Howard's story 4 stars-- the Mackenzie's are great. I love them. I wish Maris had had a whole book but it did work out well, she just loved Mac. I really enjoyed the end when we see the whole big Mackenzie family. I love Joe but Zane is starting to grow on me.
Debbie Macomber's story 2 stars-- the people in this story did not hold my interest at all. The guy, Philip was a jerk the whole story. I have no idea how the girl fell in love.
Linda Turner's story 4 stars--- I really liked this one. The family sounded like fun. It makes me want to go and find their stories. I just think Wyatt should have had to work harder and be a little more contrite.
Debbie Macomber's story 2 stars-- the people in this story did not hold my interest at all. The guy, Philip was a jerk the whole story. I have no idea how the girl fell in love.
Linda Turner's story 4 stars--- I really liked this one. The family sounded like fun. It makes me want to go and find their stories. I just think Wyatt should have had to work harder and be a little more contrite.
September 3, 2012
This book is an anthology of three Christmas-themed romance novellas by Linda Howard, Debbie Macomber and Linda Turner. All three are light enjoyable reads. The first is "Mackenzie's Magic" by Howard and it is the fourth installment in the Mackenzie family series. Macomber's tale, "Silver Bell", concludes the Manning family series. "A Wild West Christmas" is the novella by Linda Turner.
February 20, 2011
Good read - has a Linda Howard Mackenzie story [Maris, the only daughter - the confrontation between the Mackenzie men and the man who had been sleeping with their baby girl, too funny!] and a Debbie Macomber Manning story along with a Priscilla Rawlings western.
November 29, 2010
Ok, admittedly, I skipped and skimmed, but I did enjoy the general story. Linda Howard is a new author for me, and based on the bits of the short story in this, I'm going to give more of her books a try.
July 15, 2010
Mackenzie Magic: Maris (the baby and only girl of the Mackenzie clan, horse trainer extrordinaire) meets Nick (FBI, sly but lovable). She steals a horse, bumps her head and it's all goofy from there. The story isn't anywhere near as fun or entertaining as the previous three.
June 1, 2013
I picked this up at the library, as I am a sucker for Christmas romance stories. This set of three stories was fairly predictable, and not really outstanding. Still, I enjoyed the storis although I am glad that I picked the book up for only a quarter.
July 26, 2007
I really liked Mackenzie's Magic. Silver Bells - not so much.
July 27, 2008
This one was pretty good...a bit short though
February 7, 2009
It's shorter than I thought it would be =)
Read
March 14, 2009Linda Howard = MacKenzie's magic
July 9, 2009
Anthology (her bk is `Mackenzie's Magic); Bk 4 in Mackenzies series. Favorite series. Maris Mackenzie (horse trainer) & Alex MacNeil.
April 17, 2010
These novellas are some of my favorite Christams stories. Well written all around.
February 17, 2011
Great story!
April 27, 2012
'Mackenzie's Magic' by Linda Howard (Maris Mackenzie & Alex MacNeil)
'Silver Bells' by Debbie Macomber (Carrie Weston)
'A Wild West Christmas' by Linda Turner (Priscilla Rawlings)
'Silver Bells' by Debbie Macomber (Carrie Weston)
'A Wild West Christmas' by Linda Turner (Priscilla Rawlings)
May 24, 2015
Loved it! Only read the Mackenzie story thus 3 star rating
did-not-finish
December 16, 2015Read the Linda Howard story, but not a fan of the other authors.
April 11, 2016
Enjoyed it, but short shrift for the McKenzie daughter.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews