Mistletoe Memories

Title: MISTLETOE MEMORIES

Authors: Jennifer AlLee, Carla Olson Gade, Lisa Karon Richardson, Gina Welborn

Publisher: Barbour Books

August 2013

ISBN: 978-1624161278

Genre: Christmas historical romance novellas

Christmas is the time to make a house a home…

Tis the Season by Carla Olson Gade: In 1820, Stephan Yost is the resident carpenter of Schooley’s Mountain, New Jersey’s fashionable resort. When he finds himself enamored by spirited Annaliese Braun, he vows to build her a home by Christmas. Both Stephan and Annaliese have some Christmas surprises. A sweet story. Very tightly written. All the passion was written out of it. 

Mercy Mild by Gina Welborn: Heartbroken Civil War widow Marianne Plum thanks the Lord every day that she never had children, especially as Christmas draws near. Then the charming and joyful Ezekiel Norcross begs her to give an orphaned girl a place to stay. This was an enjoyable story!  I absolutely loved Ezekiel and Polly and Marianne. It made me smile many times, and the best line of the book is in this story. Totally loved this one. Best story in the book.

Midnight Clear by Lisa Karon Richardson: Olympia Paris never had a family outside the orphanage she grew up in and now manages. On the brink of another lean Christmas in 1910, Theodore Carstairs arrives with plans to revitalize the town by rebuilding the resort. Too bad he’ll have to tear down the orphanage to do it.  This was a sweet story. Olympia and Teddy had sparks from the beginning, because it seemed he was deliberately out to destroy her and take her home--as well as the home she provides for orphans. A former orphan himself, Olympia wonders how Teddy could be so heartless. The ending was good, if predictable. 

Comfort and Joy by AlLee: When funding dries up a month before Christmas, Joy Benucci declares she’ll do everything in her power to keep a transitional home for foster kids operating. Even if she has to turn to modern-day Scrooge Evan Lancaster to do it.  Ms. AlLee is a very talented author and this was a sweet story. A bit contrived, but very well written and engaging. It turned out the way I thought it would.  Nice wrap-up for the collection. 

Will Christmas be the season of miracles in their lives?

If you are looking for a Christmas collection to read then don't miss MISTLETOE MEMORIES. While each story is written in a different time period, they all center around the same house and orphans (or foster children).  Recommended.  $7.99. 355 pages.