Date published October 2007
ISBN 978 0425217856
Romance Paranormal
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Pam
Four short stories with a paranormal Christmas theme, which can be read at anytime.
MELTING FROSTY by Maggie Shayne
Matt and Holly had traumatic experiences in their youth during the Christmas holiday season. They both end up having very different outlooks and feelings about the time of year. Holly looks for the joy and love in all things, while Matt expects only emptiness and sorrow. Holly loves and embraces the season, while Matt hates it.
Is this fate or is the universe laughing at them? Matt is scared of feeling, but wonders, can the feelings he has for Holly be real.
Brought together by a series of miracles, stranded together by a snowstorm, this pair will have an everlasting effect on each other. They are both surprised at the way they feel about their time together.
It’s a story that could make people believe in miracles - especially the miracle of love. This reviewer was truly touched by the contrast of Matt's despair and Holly's hope. Both were palpable in their intensity and made for an unforgettable and heart-warming read.
The story starts out a little bit far fetched but turned into an enjoyable Christmas tale of two strangers, who find they more in common than they thought. A well crafted plot considering it was set around the journey of a hat.
CHARLOTTE'S WEB by Erin McCarthy
Charlotte and Will have been best friends for a long time and also secretly in love with each other. Neither seems to know how to change their friendship into a more intimate relationship. As luck would have it Charlotte's sisters, who fancy themselves witches, have some ideas on how to get them together. They both want the friendship, but they both yearn for far more and there seems to be no resolution. It's time for Charlotte and her sisters to tap into the magic of the holiday season and their family's witchy heritage. Charlotte will agree to almost any thing to catch Will's attention in a romantic way.
This is a very enjoyable story with a lovely plot and plenty going on. Charlotte and Will are very likeable and along with some funny moments they generate heat and sexual chemistry. It’s a delightful romance as the friends who have loved each other from afar for too long, finally come together. With barely hidden desire and Charlotte's long-stifled magical abilities, this is a fun tale to read.
BEAT OF TEMPTATION by Nalini Singh
Within the changeling leopard pack they should always feel safe, but another pack has destroyed the feeling. Nate and Tamsyn are changelings, who know that their souls are connected so they’re fated to be mates. Always drawn together but it is years before most shape shifters find their mate, during that time they enjoy independence and sexual freedom with multiple partners. Because of their age difference Nate has put off consummating their relationship, claiming he wants Tammy to see the world before they settle down.
Now she’s nineteen and the packs healer, she feels it is time. But still, Nate is determined to allow her the space and freedom to mature and find herself before he claims her.
Not very seasonal as far as a Christmas story but linked by a tree, as we follow their journey to acceptance. The concept is well written as we feel how the very space and freedom the hero gives his mate tortures them both. This reviewer enjoyed the Psy-Changeling world Ms. Singh has constructed. The premise made it easy to lose ones self in the story and relate to the characters. They were very believable and the emotional journey was very clear and brings their feelings to the readers.
GIFTS OF THE MAGI by Jean Johnson
Rachel and Steve have taken over his family Bed and Breakfast, but when a tornado damages the building their insurance company claims bankruptcy. They are close to losing their home and the business, with no idea how to change things. In the middle of a snow storm three strangers come to stay and things seem to change.
A twist on the three wise men traveling from far away, for this reviewer it wasn’t believable enough. Some of the dialogue was unbelievable and is my least liked in the anthology. The story was very slow at times making it a bit boring and preachy. This story lost its way soon after it began and the ending was hard to take. It never matched up to the other three stories in any way.
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