Friday, December 25, 2015

Love's Gift

Love's Gift: 8 Christian Romances Celebrating the True Meaning of Christmas 

Kindle Edition

by Krista Phillips  (Author), Belle Calhoune  (Author), Debra Lynn Collins  (Author), Valerie Comer  (Author),Christina Coryell  (Author), Heather Gray  (Author), Elizabeth Maddrey  (Author), Lee Tobin McClain  (Author)

  • Print Length: 770 pages
  • Publisher: OWD Publishing (October 13, 2015)
  • Publication Date: October 13, 2015
  • ASIN: B015YLZ7DO



Collection of Eight Christian romance novellas celebrating the true meaning of Christmas! 

Each of these never-before-released inspirational romances has an uplifting holiday message that will help you relax, forget your worries, and focus on the real meaning of Christmas: Jesus, God's gift to the world. 

Join eight beloved Christian romance writers as they weave tales about all kinds of Christmas romance. 

Can you go home again for Christmas? Belle Calhoune’s inspirational romance novella says yes, and it’s particularly exciting when you find your Mistletoe in Montana.  I didn't care too much for this story. It was well-written, but I couldn't connect with the characters. Brianna was your typical spoiled princess, and Luke has loved her forever, but even though he is angry at her (understandably) for jilting him in favor of marriage to an older movie director who owned a mansion, less  than two hours after her arrival back in town he's trying to kiss her.  I didn't like either him or her and even though Ms. Calhoune is traditionally published (thus the well-written part) I wasn't impressed enough with her voice or style to look up any of her previous books. 2 stars. 

Debra Lynn Collins wonders if you can actually give someone a man for Christmas… and A Match Made for Christmas is one Christian romance that answers that question! This one was definitely a 5 star review for me. LOVED A Match Made for Christmas. A very sweet romance by an author I hadn't read before I will look up more of her books. 

Valerie Comer introduces us to a disillusioned toy store clerk and a mall Santa who don't see eye-to-eye on the whole Christmas season, but that's nothing a few Merry Kisses can't cure. Loved, loved, loved this story. So cute. You can see the full review earlier on my blog.  I loved how the heroine improvised on saying the forbidden Merry Christmas and instead, accidentally said, Merry Kisses.  I also loved the faith message in this story. Valerie Comer is one of my favorite contemporary authors. 5 stars. 

And Christina Coryell’s Unwrapped takes traditional Christmas celebrations to the next level when heroine Trina Miller falls for her best friend’s brother. Another new to me author and a 5 star read. LOVED getting to know Trina and Charlie, and I will definitely look up more of Christina's books. I like the voice in these stories. First person in Trina's POV, but Charlie is very good at letting us know what he is thinking.  A sweet Christmas romance.  

If you like Christian fiction with hospital settings, Heather Gray’s An Informal Christmas will warm your heart as her hero and heroine overcome their differences to help sick kids.  This story started out with the hero and heroine disliking each other, but as the chaplain so aptly put it, when someone brings out the worst in each other they usually end up in bed together... Rather shocking statement, that, but the point is the worst turned to the best and it turned out Zach had a lot on his mind and heart and what he was doing was beyond beautiful.  Riley started out rather unlikable but with her warming up to Zach came a new, softer character that wasn't all business and was actually nice. Good story, good message, recommended. 4 stars. 

Christmas isn’t everyone’s favorite time of year. In fact, Christmas light displays take on a whole new meaning when you hate Christmas! But the hero of Elizabeth Maddrey’s Christian romance novella Operation Mistletoe won’t let heroine Victoria Spencer stay a Scrooge for long.  Ah, sweet. Tori believes Christmas is not the  holiday for her, Everything that can possibly go wrong does -- and always for Christmas. This year she gets her dream opportunity to write for a big newspaper. The catch? Write an article exposing Gabe, the man behind Operation Mistletoe. Tori is willing to do it, because she knew Gabe in college. But things are not always as they seem. And while it still may be an awful Christmas (who's to tell?) at least she'll have her by-line in a major newspaper.  Good story, enjoyed it. Recommended. 4 stars. 

In the Christian romance A Bond for the Holidays, a family almost falls apart when a terrible secret is revealed… but this inspirational novella by Lee Tobin McClain shows how God’s love can work a miracle.   This story was kind of sad. A family almost falling apart, a troubled, runaway teen, a long buried secret with  bitter, long reaching roots...  It made me want to cry. But despite everything, it had a beautiful ending that shows God's love in a way you'd never imagine.  I thought at first I'd give this one 3 stars, but I am reevaluating, and going with 4 stars because of the wonderful ending. 

Maybe you prefer celebrating Christmas 365 days a year in the Smoky Mountains. In Krista Phillips’inspirational holiday novella, A (kinda) Country Christmas a woman does just that—until a handsome, world traveler shows up and ruins everything.  What could be more fun than a Christmas themed store?  I picture Bronners, in Frankenmuth, Michigan, but this one is in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Add a clutzy hero who knocks a tree over about meeting, and an "evil" pastor, set on matchmaking. I liked the daughter. She added a nice touch.  4 stars.

Join eight Christian romance writers on a journey that will warm your heart this holiday season, deepen your faith, and help you embrace the true gifts of Christmas.

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