Tag Archives: An Enchanted Season

Gifts of the Magi by Jean Johnson

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for an enchanted season book cover

Title: Gift of the Magi
Author: Jean Johnson
In: An Enchanted Season (Nalini Singh, Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy & Jean Johnson)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: God forgives when it’s with good intentions.

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Synopsis

Rachel is trying to run an inn with her fiance and things haven’t quite been going as planned. Then, just before Christmas, three strangers arrive on the cusp of a blizzard and things start to get… miraculous.

Thoughts

It took me longer than it should have to realise that this novella featured the three wise men. Although, in this case, they’re not necessarily men. But, the story was still amazing, and that moment at the end of the story, when I finally clicked as to who they were made it all the more enjoyable. Not only as an ending to a fantastic novella, but also as an ending to a great Christmas collection.

Unlike most of the romance stories that I read, this one isn’t about those initial, fall madly in love, love at first sight moments. It’s a love story about a couple that have been together a long time, are about to get married, and sometimes struggle to find the passion in amongst the daily grind of life. It’s the point that I’m at. Those first moments of a relationship are beautiful, but it isn’t until that first courtship is over, that relationships find their staying power and pace. So it was incredible to read a novella which takes this and still inspires love, passion and makes you swoon a little.

I liked the Christmas theme in this story. And although I’ve never experienced my own white Christmas, it was fun imagining one near a wedding and being swept away by this.

 <- Beat of Temptation ReviewAn Enchanted Season Review ->
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Charlotte’s Web by Erin McCarthy

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for an enchanted season book cover

Title: Charlotte’s Web
Author: Erin McCarthy
Series: Cuttersville #2.25
In: An Enchanted Season (Nalini Singh, Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy & Jean Johnson)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: But this is Ohio’s most haunted town according to those paranormal investigators.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

Charlotte has been in love with Will for almost ten years, and this Christmas, something in their relationship is going to seriously change. Hopefully for the better.

Thoughts

I keep trying to find other things to read after finishing this novella. But nothing seems to compare to the vibrant and gorgeous innocence that runs rampant throughout this. Actually, the moment that I finished this, I jumped online and bought the other stories in the series. But, since I don’t tend to like reading ebooks, I now have to wait another month or more (probably more being Christmas time) until they arrive…

I was expecting something incredibly sad with the title of this story. I am still scared from the tale of the pig and the spider to be honest. So it was a pleasant surprise to find that there was nothing sad about this story what so ever. Charlotte has been in love with Will for years, and he with her. And, somehow the combination of Christmas and yearning helps to unleash Charlotte’s inner power. Or, you know… supernatural talents.

The combination of Christmas, romance, and passionate sex made this story hard to put down. Not the overbearingly cheesey Christmas story, but one that inspires love, romance and accepting your family… even if they are a little odd.

 <- Heiress for Hire ReviewChristmas Bree Review ->
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Melting Frosty by Maggie Shayne

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for an enchanted season book cover

Title: Melting Frosty
Author: Maggie Shayne
In: An Enchanted Season (Nalini Singh, Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy & Jean Johnson)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Paranormal romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: Merry Christmas.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

Holly and Matt both have tragedies occurring around Christmas. Twelve years later, they’re thrown together and have to learn how to deal with their pasts, if there is any hope for the future.

Thoughts

This was a great, easy, happy Christmas read. One that reminded me of the reasons I love Christmas and making me want to go absolutely insane with the Christmas decorations this year. The title of this novella led me to believe that it would primarily be about snowmen and the song “Frosty the Snowman” kept playing in my head. It wasn’t, but it was still fun reading with the Christmas carol playing in the background.

I love the parallel stories of Matt and Holly in Melting Frosty. Both suffer a tragedy the Christmas near when they’re twelve. The trauma shapes both of the leads in completely separate ways. But somehow, this makes them perfectly matched for one another, and highlights the love and importance of family. It’s enjoyable watching the different ways in which very similar stories can affect two different people – in one it creates a sense of fully living in the moment, and the other, a need to completely distance himself from Christmas and all of the joy it involves.

There is something about Christmas that makes anything possible. I’m not sure if it’s all of the stories and movies that we always see during the holiday season, or just something that is culturally entrenched. Melting Frosty is a reminder that Christmas is all about love and treasuring one another. And one that I wish I could read again and again and again…

 <- An Enchanted Season ReviewCharlotte’s Web Review ->
Image source: Amazon

An Enchanted Season by Nalini Singh, Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy & Jean Johnson

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for an enchanted season book cover

Title: An Enchanted Season
Author: Nalini Singh, Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy & Jean Johnson
In: An Enchanted Season (Nalini Singh, Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy & Jean Johnson)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Paranormal romance, Short story collections
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: Merry Christmas.

Synopsis

It’s the time of year when dreams come true, miracles happen every day, and love is the greatest gift of all. The holidays always seem to bring out the best in everyone, with heartfelt hugs for long-missed friends, sincere smiles in the spirit of the season, and a feeling of magic in the air…

This scintillating collection of paranormal romances celebrates the holidays as never before. From a shape-shifting leopardess who wants a packmate to be her soul mate to a sudden snow-storm that brings a surprise gift, these four tales by Nalini Singh, Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy, and Jean Johnson will stir your spirit in all the right places.

Thoughts

Naw. This collection left me with such happy, Christmassy, gooey feelings. All four of these novellas are simple, cute and incredibly sweet. They encompass the feelings of love and giving that to me is the true spirit of Christmas. After finishing every single one of these novellas, I not only bought something by each of the authors, but I just sat there with a feeling of bliss and happiness that there is still goodness in the world.

I know that the storyline is really good and sweet when it makes me tear up a bit. The fact that every single story in this collection did that to me is a fantastic indication of just how special this entire collection is. If you need something feel good and beautiful, this is certainly a reflection worth reading!

 <- Gifts of the MagiMelting Frosty ->

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