Lovely holiday short story collection
356537
Finally a quiet morning and read Fifty Shades of Santa, a wonderful collection of twelve short stories. All are well-written and carry the meaning of Christmas and romance. You won't find any harshness or SM here and that's what makes it so delightful. Friendly tales with mall Santas, angels, cats, dogs, Santas carrying the true message of Christmas to a Grinchy man... and of course Santas bringing romance to the lonely and unemployed. So, get a cup of hot cocoa, your favorite blankie and curl up with this warm-hearted collection of romantic Santa stories.
2543774
In this terrific new anthology, Avon brings together the best of both worlds to give readers their share of mystery and romance--all full of holiday cheer, of course.

Medical insurance investigator Pauline Sokol stars in Lori Avocato's "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth."  In the course of investigating a Christmas-addicted dentist accused of defrauding a lonely senior out of his dentures, she finds that things are not always as they seem.

In "The Lords of Misrule," Dana Cameron, author of the popular Emma Fielding mysteries, takes us to early eighteenth-century England.  This intelligent, atmospheric tale features Margaret Chase, a smart young woman forced to apply her problem-solving abilities within the confines of gentle society when a treasure of gems is stolen from her father on Christmas Eve.

Mary Daheim's "The Ghost of Christmas Passed" will delight fans of her bed-and-breakfast mystery series and newcomers alike.  B&B owner Judith Flynn and the rest of the family, including one who passed away years earlier, gather at the Hillside Manor for the holidays.

Cait London's "Partners in Crime" features professional organizer, Cecilia Lattimer, who needs help straightening out her own life.  Her car won't start, her house has been burgled, and she's pretty sure the chief of police is out to get her.  The only question now is whether the ruggedly handsome stranger who enters her life is there to help or to make things worse.

"Holly Go Lightly," Suzanne Macpherson's touching addition to the anthology, features a holiday-lovin' spirit who gets one last chance to correct an earthly mistake and help her former fianc find happiness.  But will her machinations lead Nick to beautiful Carol and her baby, Joy, before it's too late?

In Kerrelyn Sparks' "A Very Vampy Christmas," sweet vampire Maggie O'Brian helps amnesia victim/soap star Don Orlando, a.k.a "the greatest lover in the vampire world," discover the secret of his past.  The camp hilarity of this story both mirrors and gently mocks daytime TV with its dramatic pauses and far-fetched plot twists.  As always, Sparks brings home the love through the laughter in this fun tale.

If you're short on time and holiday cheer, this is the perfect anthology for you.  The wide range of stories pulls readers into interesting and distinct settings, and the short tales are pitch-perfect to set the holiday mood.  Happy reading!
808214
Wonderful collection of three uplifting Christmas novellas.  These were very moving and spoke to my heart.  Each had their own unique style.  I loved that in the second one you did not know who the romance would be until in the middle of the story.  All 3 of these I will want to read again.
2316581
This is a great collection of short stories, all taking place around Christmas time.  The stories are short enough to be read in one sitting, and engaging enough that you will want to read them all in that same sitting (I did!).

Nora Cook Smith takes subject matter that is sometimes very dark and somehow manages to turn it into uplifting stories that will leave you feeling good.
2755188
These stories all take a unique and delightful speculative twist on LDS concepts. They also share themes of getting back in touch with our humanity, healing, and drawing closer to our families and those we love. My favorite story in this collection is Millys Gift. The characters cling to hope of a bright future while working to rebuilt their devastated world. I fell in love with the characters (and the fact there was a functional LDS Family Search Center that played prominently into the storyso cool!), and became intrigued about other stories Angie has set in this particular sphere. This is a delightful LDS sci-fi collection, perfect for the holiday season.
2271053
Really enjoyed these holiday stories. This is my first read by author so thanks Nicole. Think I may need to acquire some others from Alluring Indulgence,  Club Destiny and Sniper 1 Security series.
1946445
'Tis the season for holiday entertainment, and if Hallmark channel movies are your thing, then this is the book for you. All is Calm, All is Bright by Colleen Coble is a two-novella collection set in two of the author's most popular fictional settings, Bluebird Ranch and Hope Beach. Though I have not personally read many of the stories set in either place, I enjoyed these two short stories. (Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for my review.) They are short and sweet reads to get you in the holiday spirit.

In All is Calm, Lauren flees to the ranch she remembers fondly from childhood to escape danger surrounding a death she witnessed. There, she meets Brendan, a friend of the ranch's owner, who is recovering from a military injury. Together, they try to get to the bottom of the mystery, and in the meantime, they discover a mutual attraction.

In All is Bright, Delilah is in the midst of planning a friend's wedding when her car is run off the road. Connecting that incident with the strange phone calls she's been receiving, she is forced to admit there is more to the threats than a simple prank. Helping her uncover the source of the threat is Tom, the local sheriff, a widower who has been interested in Delilah for a while. He aims to keep her safe from danger and offer her an unforgettable gift on Christmas, if she survives till then.

Both stories remind me of why I've enjoyed Coble's writing in the past. Sweet romance with a side of suspense makes for a page-turning read. Throw in the holiday settings and you've got a great recipe for Christmas reading.
941596
This is a collection that grabs your interest with each story.  Each one has a unique idea about the holiday season and the characters are all delightful in their particular parts.
3741305
This book is a lovely reminder of what Christmas is all about -- God's gift of love to the world in the form of his son, Jesus Christ.  This collection of short stories from various perspectives fills the reader with the magic of this glorious season.
3727303
A good clean romantic read-by-the-fire type book collection. Short stories for this busy time of year are easy to finish in a day.  I thoroughly enjoyed them.
1591082
Loved the short stories, all lovely little gems.  Each could be the genesis of a novel.  I recommend this book to anyone, especially at Christmas time.
1048079
I was surprised when this turned out to be a selection of novellas. A nice selection of story lines. Just what I was looking for during the Holidays.
4810569
One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is to read a few Christmas romances as a treat for myself. This year I chose to read A Plain and Sweet Christmas Romance Collection. The stories are full of the plain faith, community, love and the spirit of Christmas. With authors such as Melanie Dobson, Lauralee Bliss, Ramona Cecil, Diane Christner, Jerry Eicher, Olivia Newport, Rachael Phillips, Claire Sanders and Anna Shmidt .... how could it not be a wonderful Christmas read!

I highly recommend A Plain and Sweet Christmas Romance Collection and I plan on visiting these enchanting stories again and again throughout the year to keep the Christmas spirit alive all year long.

Thank you to Barbour Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book. I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
47131
Every now and then Contemporary-books.com comes across a book that isn't among the genres we usually cover, and we like it when a book can gravitate us towards a whole new experience in reading. Season of Magic is a collection of Novellas that showcase love stories that are centered around the magical season of Thanksgiving, Chanukah and Christmas. And bonus, the collection includes unique recipes curated by the authors after each of their stories.

Noel, Noel, Noel by Merry Holly features an endearing narrator who finds herself falling for a man with a dark secret. A Cinderella Christmas by Cara Marsi is a witty and magical story about Jessica and how with the help of a fairy god-mother finds love in trapped elevator. Matchmaker-Matchmaker by Bobbi Lerman is our favorite out of the collection. It features a robbery, a rescue and surviving a holiday dinner with a colorful family. The storys heroine is humorous, smart and lovableand falls for an equally likable hero. The chemistry between the heroine of Holiday Disaster by Vicki Batman, and Mr Maintenance man is absolutely irresistible. The Yuletide Bride by Gerri Brousseau is a very refreshing historical romance novella, full with moments of glamour, humor and love.

Each of these stories addresses people who no longer believe in love, and the events that conspire around the holiday season to make them believe otherwise. A quick and easy read, Season of Magic was read while wrapped up in a warm blanket with a cup of tea on hand and we highly recommend that you read it that way too.

Originally posted on Contemporary-Books.com
542751
This is a charming collection of novellas. A novella is a bit longer than a short story and about 1/3 the length of a full novel. A collection is great to have on hand to pick up for quick, easy reading. The plots are not usually as intricate as a full novel, but lots more satisfying than a short story.

I was already familiar with a couple of these authors, especially Vannetta Chapman. I have reviewed several of her delightful books. This is a publication of Thomas Nelson Publishing and you can count on their books as being good.

Each of the stories was satisfying to read. I especially enjoyed some of the characters a bit more than the others. I like Seth in "Love Birds," Ezra in "A Bid for Love," Will in "Sweeter than Honey," and David in "Love in  Store." I found that each of these men were strong and sensitive.

The ladies in the stories each had their merit. The four stories dealt with Amish customs, the process and pitfalls of love, and in Vannetta Chapman's a touch of mystery.

I enjoyed this collection and can highly recommend it to anyone who wants a gentle read.
4648298
This is a cute collection of short stories by wonderful authors, many of which I already enjoy reading, and a few I will be checking out later. These short stories are wonderful for a quick read when you can't devote a lot of time to a full length novel.
3314608
Where Treetops Glisten is a really sweet and well-integrated collection of stories about one family's experiences throughout WWII. The way the collection is structured is really clever, and the novellas definitely put me in the Christmas spirit. Now that November is here, I'm feeling ready for some more Christmas music, movies, and books!

The collection begins on a gentle note. White Christmas is more of a quiet story about coming together to solve a mystery and find hope during the holidays. The romance didn't completely sweep me off my feet, but I appreciated the tenderness of it, and I especially enjoyed the details about Abigail's workplace (Glatz Candies) and the fact that Jackson works at a puzzle factory. How fun is that?

The second story, I'll Be Home for Christmas, was my favorite of the three. I love Sarah Sundin's writing - the way she so poignantly depicts themes and sketches details about the era and the characters' personalities. She even does a magnificent job of portraying the secondary characters! But the romance between Pete and Grace especially shines with sweet moments and second chances. Not to mention Pete's interactions with Linnie (Grace's daughter). Cuteness all around! And the message of the story really resonates, especially in a season where we tend to lean on others the most.

As for Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, I liked the change of pace. The hints of suspense kept the story moving along, despite a good dose of introspection. It's a story about making a difference and having the courage to do what's right...even when that means accepting something good you'd never thought you'd be able to have.

All in all, the war-time setting of these novellas really brings out the hope of Christmas. The family connections are wonderful, and even though the stories don't bring a lot of unexpected plot twists or engaging action, they're still sweet and enjoyable reads for the holidays. And the additions of the prologue and epilogue tie the collection together in a satisfying way.

*With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion, to be shared during the Litfuse Publicity blog tour.*