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MacLeod #2.8
Christmas Spirits
USA Today bestselling authors Lynn Kurland and Elizabeth Bevarly-along with Casey Claybourne and Jenny Lykins-present four magical ghost romances celebrating the miracle of love.
stories:
The Three Wise Ghosts by Lynn Kurland (de Piaget / MacLeod #3.5)
The English countryside. A quaint inn at Christmastime. Three matchmaking ghosts have found the perfect setting for a modern-day romance between a free-spirited American and a single-minded British executive.
Keeping Faith by Casey Claybourne
When a little orphaned girl is befriended by a ghost and saved from the streets of Regency London, she proves to be a Christmas miracle for a grieving couple.
Only Fifteen Shopping Days Left by Elizabeth Bevarly
When the jolly matchmaking ghost of a department-store Santa makes his Christmas gift list, he has a very special present planned for the busy store manager: one of Santa’s elves.
The Ghost of Christmas Present by Jenny Lykins
Alane was looking forward to spending a cold, snowy Christmas alone—until an unexpected visitor causes a change of heart.
stories:
The Three Wise Ghosts by Lynn Kurland (de Piaget / MacLeod #3.5)
The English countryside. A quaint inn at Christmastime. Three matchmaking ghosts have found the perfect setting for a modern-day romance between a free-spirited American and a single-minded British executive.
Keeping Faith by Casey Claybourne
When a little orphaned girl is befriended by a ghost and saved from the streets of Regency London, she proves to be a Christmas miracle for a grieving couple.
Only Fifteen Shopping Days Left by Elizabeth Bevarly
When the jolly matchmaking ghost of a department-store Santa makes his Christmas gift list, he has a very special present planned for the busy store manager: one of Santa’s elves.
The Ghost of Christmas Present by Jenny Lykins
Alane was looking forward to spending a cold, snowy Christmas alone—until an unexpected visitor causes a change of heart.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1997
3 people are currently reading
540 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Kurland
71 books1,556 followersLynn began her writing career at the tender age of five with a series of illustrated novellas entitled Clinton’s Troubles in which the compelling hero found himself in all sorts of . . . well, trouble. She was living in Hawaii at the time and the scope for her imagination (poisoned fish, tropical cliffs, large spiders) was great and poor Clinton bore the brunt of it. After returning to the mainland, her writing gave way to training in classical music and Clinton, who had been felled with arrows, eaten by fish and sent tumbling off cars, was put aside for operatic heroes in tights.
Somehow during high school, in between bouts of Verdi and Rossini, she managed to find time to submerge herself in equal parts Tolkien, Barbara Cartland and Mad Magazine. During college, a chance encounter with a large library stack of romances left her hooked, gave her the courage to put pen to paper herself, and finally satisfied that need for a little bit of fantasy with a whole lot of romance!
Somehow during high school, in between bouts of Verdi and Rossini, she managed to find time to submerge herself in equal parts Tolkien, Barbara Cartland and Mad Magazine. During college, a chance encounter with a large library stack of romances left her hooked, gave her the courage to put pen to paper herself, and finally satisfied that need for a little bit of fantasy with a whole lot of romance!
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 6, 2021
A Christmas romance anthology. All the stories involve a ghost or spirit of some kind.
Lynn Kurland's THE THREE WISE GHOSTS was the first story, and one I'd tried in another collection. You either like this author or you don't. Personally, I find her humor too forced and silly for my taste. DNF.
The second story was KEEPING FAITH by Casey Claybourne. I loved it. While a short story (less than 70 pages!) the author managed to tug on my heartstrings. This was a story about a husband and wife who had lost their beloved child, and who were on their way to losing each other. Thanks to a little orphan girl and some help from a ghost, they were able to find their way back to being a family. I will definitely be reading this one again. Five stars.
The third story was ONLY FIFTEEN SHOPPING DAYS LEFT..." by Elizabeth Bevarly. I didn't have high hopes for this one, as I've tried this author before, but her books were DNF for me. But I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this one. Probably the character of the ghost, a Santa-like character who prides himself on making a successful love match every christmas. Three stars.
The last story was THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT by Jenny Lykins. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The heroine's reaction when she first sees the hero (who is a ghost) was laugh out loud funny. While this was also a short story (less than 100 pages), the author was able to engage my emotions and make the romance believeable. I cried a little at the ending. I'll be reading this story again. Five stars.
Reread December 2013
Reread December 2021
Lynn Kurland's THE THREE WISE GHOSTS was the first story, and one I'd tried in another collection. You either like this author or you don't. Personally, I find her humor too forced and silly for my taste. DNF.
The second story was KEEPING FAITH by Casey Claybourne. I loved it. While a short story (less than 70 pages!) the author managed to tug on my heartstrings. This was a story about a husband and wife who had lost their beloved child, and who were on their way to losing each other. Thanks to a little orphan girl and some help from a ghost, they were able to find their way back to being a family. I will definitely be reading this one again. Five stars.
The third story was ONLY FIFTEEN SHOPPING DAYS LEFT..." by Elizabeth Bevarly. I didn't have high hopes for this one, as I've tried this author before, but her books were DNF for me. But I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this one. Probably the character of the ghost, a Santa-like character who prides himself on making a successful love match every christmas. Three stars.
The last story was THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT by Jenny Lykins. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The heroine's reaction when she first sees the hero (who is a ghost) was laugh out loud funny. While this was also a short story (less than 100 pages), the author was able to engage my emotions and make the romance believeable. I cried a little at the ending. I'll be reading this story again. Five stars.
Reread December 2013
Reread December 2021
July 3, 2011
Again, because Megan and Gideon play roles in so many stories - I would have liked so much more! I'm not a fan of these smaller stories. We've fallen in love with both the DePiaget and the MacLeod Families' that I think each character deserves a full story.
November 28, 2022
Our bookstore at my public library was having a sale on all their Christmas romances recently. I bought this paperback along with many others. I gave all the short novellas in this book 2 stars. Unfortunately, I found nothing memorable about any of them.
November 16, 2012
A VERY short story. Felt much shorter than Kurland's other short stories. But that was fine with me. I finished it quickly. I do wish that she would have had it take place over at least a couple weeks though. I never think it's very believable when people fall in love in only about 2 days and then literally get engaged and start planning their future. I mean, come on. A week ago, you didn't even know this guy. Come on.
But other than that, I did like this sweet story. Two people, both current day, alone in an inn in Scotland, just before Christmas. Their ghost, match-making ancestors (Ambrose, Hugh and Fulbert) pair them up and do everything in their ghostly powers to make sure they are alone at the inn together, and that they can't really leave. It was nice to finally find out how Gideon and Megan got together, since I've been reading about them in so many of the dePiaget and MacLeod books now. Too bad it was so short though. I like that I've read almost all of both of their siblings books by this point though. Gideon's brother is Stephen, who married Peaches. Megan's sisters are Jennifer (who married Nicholas) and Victoria, who I know marries Connor, but theirs is the only story I haven't read yet. That always helps to put a short story in context though and to help it feel not so short. I wasn't being introduced to these characters for the very first time. I already knew quite a bit about them and their families, so that helped.
Anyway, it was a cute story. Not the most amazing romance ever, but definitely enjoyable light reading.
But other than that, I did like this sweet story. Two people, both current day, alone in an inn in Scotland, just before Christmas. Their ghost, match-making ancestors (Ambrose, Hugh and Fulbert) pair them up and do everything in their ghostly powers to make sure they are alone at the inn together, and that they can't really leave. It was nice to finally find out how Gideon and Megan got together, since I've been reading about them in so many of the dePiaget and MacLeod books now. Too bad it was so short though. I like that I've read almost all of both of their siblings books by this point though. Gideon's brother is Stephen, who married Peaches. Megan's sisters are Jennifer (who married Nicholas) and Victoria, who I know marries Connor, but theirs is the only story I haven't read yet. That always helps to put a short story in context though and to help it feel not so short. I wasn't being introduced to these characters for the very first time. I already knew quite a bit about them and their families, so that helped.
Anyway, it was a cute story. Not the most amazing romance ever, but definitely enjoyable light reading.
August 14, 2019
"The Three Wise Ghosts" by Kurland. three ghosts bring together their workaholic great nephew and can't keep a job... daughter.
"Keeping Faith" by Casey Claybourne. Faith is newly orphaned and found on the streets by a couple whose daughter has died.
"Only Fifteen Shopping Days Left" by Elizabeth Bevarly. Store Santa who died on the job haunts the store and plays matchmaker each year.
"The Ghost of Christmas Present" by Lenny Lykins. Jared Elliott was cursed by his mother-in-law just before he died 200 years ago. He's haunting the cabin Alane rests. They fall in love and he becomes real again.
"Keeping Faith" by Casey Claybourne. Faith is newly orphaned and found on the streets by a couple whose daughter has died.
"Only Fifteen Shopping Days Left" by Elizabeth Bevarly. Store Santa who died on the job haunts the store and plays matchmaker each year.
"The Ghost of Christmas Present" by Lenny Lykins. Jared Elliott was cursed by his mother-in-law just before he died 200 years ago. He's haunting the cabin Alane rests. They fall in love and he becomes real again.
November 20, 2017
Love these stories. Always a pleasure to read.
December 26, 2019
This was a fun bit of fluff. I really enjoyed the ghosts and the characters.
May 23, 2020
Bought this for the Lynn Kurland story and was disappointed.
October 15, 2020
I only read Lynn Kurland's "The Three Wise Ghosts." It was funny, though I feel like I was missing something since I haven't read anything for de Piaget series. Still, very enjoyable!
December 11, 2016
First I want to preface all of these short reviews with the thought that it must be very hard to write a good, solid story with just 100 pages and secondly that I know these stories are supposed to be easily enjoyable and reach the perfect light hearted pitch for a happy holiday read. BUT every Christmas season I pull out all my Christmas story collections and read them so I know that it is possible to have an excellent Christmas story written in 100 pages.
"The Three Wise Ghosts" by Lynn Kurland. I should say that I have not read any of her other books and did not even realize that this was part of a series until recently. I like this story - there is a homey quality to the setting and the three ghosts are utterly endearing. Megan and Gideon make a great example of opposites attracting, and balancing, one another. Though, I will agree with some of the other reviews and say that it seems unlikely for a couple to decide to get married after two days of knowing each other but the story is about ghosts, Christmas and magic so I think it works just fine in this case. Anyway, this is a good example of a good story written in less than a hundred pages.
"Keeping Faith" by Casey Claybourne. This story is one that proves that a truly poignant tale can be told in less than a hundred pages. It takes place in a matter of days and still manages to make a lump form in my throat. This is a very good story about letting love into your heart and the healing miracles of the Christmas season.
"Only 15 Shopping Days Left" by Elizabeth Bevarly. This has always been one of my favourite Christmas stories. I find the old ghost in this story so grandfatherly and sweet that if this character did exist I think he would be just as she wrote him. I also really like that at the heart of this story are so many of the Christmas ideals what we hold dear; being kind to others, giving gifts from the heart, and just a general sense of love and forgiveness.
"The Three Wise Ghosts" by Lynn Kurland. I should say that I have not read any of her other books and did not even realize that this was part of a series until recently. I like this story - there is a homey quality to the setting and the three ghosts are utterly endearing. Megan and Gideon make a great example of opposites attracting, and balancing, one another. Though, I will agree with some of the other reviews and say that it seems unlikely for a couple to decide to get married after two days of knowing each other but the story is about ghosts, Christmas and magic so I think it works just fine in this case. Anyway, this is a good example of a good story written in less than a hundred pages.
"Keeping Faith" by Casey Claybourne. This story is one that proves that a truly poignant tale can be told in less than a hundred pages. It takes place in a matter of days and still manages to make a lump form in my throat. This is a very good story about letting love into your heart and the healing miracles of the Christmas season.
"Only 15 Shopping Days Left" by Elizabeth Bevarly. This has always been one of my favourite Christmas stories. I find the old ghost in this story so grandfatherly and sweet that if this character did exist I think he would be just as she wrote him. I also really like that at the heart of this story are so many of the Christmas ideals what we hold dear; being kind to others, giving gifts from the heart, and just a general sense of love and forgiveness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2013
Short story that is just OK. Three ghost great great great...grandparents work to bring together their descendents.
The second story was too heartbreaking. Made me cry but I could have done without reading this.
I really don't care for novellas. I don't believe in the love in two days stories. Nor do I care much for the characters in these short story.
The only reason I have read these is to continue with the storyline.
The second story was too heartbreaking. Made me cry but I could have done without reading this.
I really don't care for novellas. I don't believe in the love in two days stories. Nor do I care much for the characters in these short story.
The only reason I have read these is to continue with the storyline.
May 5, 2010
Pretty good. Short but good. I only read the Lynn Kurland one... So that's the first one with the ghosts :-)
Gideon De Piaget & Megan MacLeod
Gideon De Piaget & Megan MacLeod
December 19, 2011
Ok. Mixed feelings about this. I liked the first and last best. The others had too many references for me.
May 17, 2012
Decent Christmas story - must believe in other wordly powers I guess :)
April 18, 2016
The Three Wise Ghosts by Lynn Kurland
December 2, 2013
Lvd ghosts, thm sttg up Megan & Gideon funny; thyr intrctn silly but cute
September 10, 2014
wanted a longer story........
February 23, 2016
Only read:
The Three Wise Ghosts by Lynn Kurland
The Three Wise Ghosts by Lynn Kurland
March 13, 2019
I really hate the shorter stories like this. I like a more in depth story where you can get t know the characters better.
April 25, 2015
I t was a great read it n a Sunday during the Christmas holidays!
April 19, 2017
Series do short stories about ghosts and Christmas. I liked the first one best
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews