It seems hard to believe that another year is almost over, but it’s over. This month’s news is “Festive mood”” reminds us of all kinds of holiday fun. Over the years we’ve explored a variety of holidays, and this year both Kaz and Lynn have featured warm and charming Christmas books. Kaz chose historical romance between men and women, and Rin chose Harlequin’s medical category romance. What festive stories will you read this season?
angel of summerfield Written by Kim Fielding
angel of summerfield This is the second book by multiple authors. christmas angel The seven titles (all novellas and can be read in any order) are set in a variety of historical times and locations, from the Regency era to the present day, and feature the eponymous angel, viz. Linked by Christmas decorations. The miracle of true love for those lucky enough to find it.
Just before Christmas in 1888, cowboy and former rancher Albie Boyle traveled from Nebraska to New York City in search of his family, who had been evicted at age 13. After 17 years in the West, he’s no stranger to the sights, sounds, and smells of busy city streets, but he’s drawn to department store windows. There, a beautiful doll sits on his Christmas tree, which is decorated with lights, glittering ribbons and baubles. An angel with shining red hair appears to be smiling at him. After seeing enough, Alby turns his back on him and steps off the curb, but is pulled back so hard that he trips and lands on his butt as the carriage passes.
Looking up into the face of his rescuer–tall, handsome, well-dressed, probably a few years shy of his 30s–Alby slowly rises to his feet and rescues his hat from the puddle it had fallen into. After Alby expresses her gratitude, she asks the stranger if she can show him to Baxter Street. The other man expresses her concerns and reveals what kind of area Alby is heading to, but he shows her the way and they part.
That night, Albie goes to bed in a gloomy Bowery dormitory, unable to find out what happened to his mother and siblings. Haunted by unpleasant memories of the harsh winter that caused her to leave the ranch where she has lived and worked for over ten years, Alby desperately searches for something that will satisfy her heart, and she finds Angel’s I remember that. She is in his mind’s eye, her golden dress sparkling, her wings flapping, gesturing him to look beyond her…to the young man who pulled him from the trolley path. is. Alby falls asleep smiling.
The next morning, Alby finds himself drawn back to the angel in the shop window, even though he knows it is utter foolishness to stand outside and daydream. As he was about to turn his back on him, he heard a hand grab his arm and a familiar voice jokingly asked if he was about to be trampled by his horse again. For as long as Alby could remember, the young man had been as handsome and bubbly as ever — Xenocrates Varnum-Summerfield, or Xeno for short — and he had introduced himself as Xeno, and that he should go here rather than go to the flea trap on the Bowery that night. That’s what I suggest to Alby. YMCA instead. You’ll get better accommodation and decent food for the same price. Although Alby is skeptical, she agrees to consider it and the two go their separate ways. It’s not that long.
angel of summerfield A fascinating and magical story about two very different men living in very different worlds whose paths keep crossing ‘by chance’. The historical background of the story is wonderful. Kim Fielding really brings late 19th century New York to life, with its street urchins and miscreants, the hustle and bustle of Broadway, the stench of the city, and its dreary, dilapidated tenements. The Bowery is a simple but necessary work done by the YMCA to provide shelter for working men who don’t have a place of their own. All are attractive and have great finishes.
The story is told entirely from Albee’s perspective, and he is a wonderfully rounded central character. His story is a tragic one. He stole to support his family, but he was caught and shipped west, eventually working on a ranch, where he remained until the devastating winter of 1886-1887. big die up) As a result, all the cattle there were wiped out. His sense of loneliness and isolation is palpable as he wanders around New York looking for the place where he grew up. Life hasn’t been kind to him, but Albie has survived in a good way. He’s realistic because he knows there’s no point in looking back or dwelling on all the bad things his life has thrown at him. Instead, he tries to find the good in his situation and create good memories that will support his future self.
I liked Zeno. He is kind, loving, irrepressible, a real force of nature type, full of ideas and enthusiasm. However, he is not as fleshed out as Alby and, unfortunately, their romance is rushed. In fact, the first half of this novel is so completely engrossing that it took me a while to realize that the romance hadn’t even begun yet. They’re sweet together and despite their differences, they’re just a “good fit” – but I wish they had spent more pages together and the author had time to build a deeper connection between them. I think so.
Generally I don’t like Christmas stories very much as they are often too syrupy sweet for my taste, but Kim Fielding manages to inject just enough sweetness into this story without going completely overboard. has been successful. Perhaps it’s unlikely given the times that Zeno’s father would accept his sexuality so easily, but hey, this is a story about a magical wooden angel who helps people find true love, So why not?
angel of summerfield This is a moving and heartwarming read that provides everything you could want from a Christmas romance. A little bit of magic, a soup of sweetness, and a lot of love. The first half is definitely stronger than the second, and while the ending may wrap things up a little too neatly, it’s a lovely story worth adding to his Christmas TBR.
Grade: B Sensuality: Warm
~ Kaz Owens
Please purchase at Amazon
Christmas with the Single Father Doctor Written by Annie O’Neill
This time of year, I love to indulge in some festive, lighthearted romance. My tolerance for cheesiness is much higher, as I think many others are as well. After all, there’s got to be a reason why so many people love Hallmark holiday movies. If you’re looking for a warm and cheerful holiday romance, Christmas with the Single Father Doctor It’s a solid read.
This book, set in Cornwall, is Carrie Cove Midwife. As the book begins, we meet Chiara Baxter, a midwife preparing to start her new job at Carey House. We quickly learned two things about her. First of all, she loves Christmas and all holiday decorations. Despite having just moved to Cornwall, she throws herself into extravagant Christmas decorations to enjoy her favorite season and spread some good cheer to her neighbourhood. We also quickly learn that Chiara has moved to Cornwall to start over with her. After experiencing a bad breakup in London, she felt the need to escape to a completely new place.
Coincidentally, Chiara’s new home attracts the attention of three-year-old Harry, who passes by every day with his father on the way to work and nursery school. Like many young children, Harry is fascinated by the Christmas magic that surrounds the mistletoe hut. And, coincidentally, his father, Lucas Wilde, is a doctor who works at Chiara’s clinic.
Chiara and Lucas are instantly attracted to each other. But Chiara was still recovering from a breakup, and after losing her wife three years earlier, widowed Lucas wasn’t thinking about dating or remarrying. So the reader gets an early sense of the relationship and chemistry between these two, but there’s enough tension to be believable.
I liked how the author kept bringing Chiara and Lucas together in such a way that they built a friendship before they felt comfortable starting a relationship. The two have a good working relationship at Carey House and Harry loves both Chiara and her magical Christmas home, so it’s sweet and incredible that they often meet outside . I couldn’t help but smile when Lucas and Harry started inviting Chiara to local events to make her feel more at home in Carey Cove.
The romance in this book feels almost inevitable, but it’s so charming. There is a sense of tension in the story as both Lucas and Chiara are hurt by their pasts. However, the tone of this book is more warm and welcoming than dark and disturbing. A charming and comforting Christmas read. I needed some warm fuzz and this certainly helped.
Grade: A- Sensuality: Warm
~Lynn Spencer
Please purchase at Amazon