A Joyful Christmas: 6 Historical Stories 

Paperback – ebook, audio

September 1, 2020

by Cynthia Hickey  (Author), Liz Johnson  (Author), Vickie McDonough  (Author), Liz Tolsma (Author), Carrie Turansky (Author), Erica Vetsch  (Author)

• Paperback : 448 pages
• ISBN-13 : 978-1643526348
• Publisher : Barbour Books

A Christmas Collection to Warm the Heart
Grab a warm cup of tea and watch as romance is kindled and joy is restored to broken lives during six bygone era Christmas celebrations.
 
A Christmas Castle by Cynthia Hickey
Married by proxy in Missouri, Annie Morgan sets off for Tombstone, Arizona, to join her new husband as a cattle rancher. But too soon she finds herself a widow with an unexpected daughter and butting heads with her handsome neighbor.

My thoughts: Written in Hickey's fast-pace style, Annie is an unconventional heroine, who takes the unexpected knocks  in life with grit and determination.  
 
A Star in the Night by Liz Johnson
Wounded within Confederate territory, Union officer Jedediah Harrington finds refuge at the tiny cabin of Cora Sinclair and her grandfather. Still haunted by what she saw as a battlefield hospital volunteer, Cora finds that only Jed can understand. But, though she longs to give him her heart, the risks to both of them are too great.

My thoughts: Definitely a favorite in this collection. I  love Ms. Johnson's romances. Cora is a sweet, caring heroine.

 
An Irish Bride for Christmas by Vickie McDonough
When Jackson Lancaster’s brother and wife die, he takes his three-year-old niece home. But a meddling busy-body makes the judge give her custody “because an unmarried man shouldn’t raise a little girl.” Now Jackson has until Christmas to find a bride or lose his niece forever. Larkin Doyle is grateful her employer took in the orphan and believes Jackson abandoned his niece. When her heart says otherwise, will romance blossom? 

My thoughts: Different from Ms. McDonoughs' previous books I've read, this was a page-turner with a tiny touch of suspense.

 
Under His Wings by Liz Tolsma
Adie O’Connell, orphaned and left alone in a dangerous Wisconsin logging camp, seeks the stability she once knew when both her parents lived. Despite the compassion and friendship offered by Noah “Preacher Man” Mitchell, she refuses to consider marriage to a man always drifting from one job to another for God.

My thoughts: Ms. Tolsma brings the dangers of a north woods lumber camp to life with this sweet  romance.

 
Shelter in the Storm by Carrie Turansky
The daughter of a wealthy Tennessee doctor, Rachel Thornton begins nursing James Galloway, a wounded artist-war correspondent. As James recovers, their hearts draw closer together. Having already lost one sweetheart to the war, Rachel is hesitant to reveal her feelings for James, who insists on returning to the front lines. Would she be safer in the arms of another man?

My thoughts: Another  favorite in this collection and the first I've  read by Ms. Turansky. Set near Ms.Johnson's story at the same time period. A unique twist to the Civil War.
 
Christmas Service by Erica Vetsch
Beth Sorensen has been put in charge of the Christmas pageant at the little log church, and this year she wants something different. But she didn’t count on a Minnesota blizzard paralyzing the whole town. Can the blacksmith teach this preacher’s daughter about what it means to serve one another in love through the storm?

My thoughts:  A sweet romance--and another favorite--the woman  knows her heart and he is not it.

My thoughts overall (lvh):  I have read three of the six stories before--all six were previously published--but I enjoyed getting to refresh my memory.  I am usually not a fan of formula historical romances, Thankfully my three favorites veered slightly away from the norm.

If you are looking for a good historical romance Christmas collection you will love this book.

 I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.