This duo of holiday Urban Fantasy novellas is a mixed bag. I didn’t like The Gift, but I loved Home for the Holidays. I’m not impressed with the Argeneau vampires, but I want to read more about Bones’ and Cat’s makeshift family.
Continue reading...Christmas
Izzie Harper – Murder at the Christmas Carols
Ellie Blix seems to see herself as the next coming of Mrs. Marple when she starts to investigate a former friend’s suspicious death. That is all well and good. Unfortunately, she appears to be on the verge of a mental breakdown throughout most of the book. Nevertheless, a fun small-town cast keeps things interesting, with Sylvia as a standout that makes up for Ellie’s shortcomings.
Continue reading...Anthology – How The Dukes Stole Christmas
How the Dukes Stole Christmas is another anthology that didn’t match my expectations. I have enjoyed stories from Tessa Dare and Sarah MacLean in the past, so I was hopeful that I would at least enjoy their novellas. Unfortunately, Tessa Dare’s Meet Me in Mayfair was the only one I liked.
Continue reading...Mary Jo Putney – Christmas Revels
The great thing about anthologies entirely by an author I enjoy is that I know I will like all of the novellas, which is the case with this one. Mary Jo Putney’s collection of Christmas stories shines. The stories were written between 1990 and 2002, but they all hold up well. I laughed, smiled, and ended the book wanting to read more.
Continue reading...Anthology – Kissing Under The Mistletoe
A wonderful historical romance anthology, Kissing Under the Mistletoe**, from authors Suzanne Enoch, Amelia Grey, and Anna Bennett!** In GREAT SCOT by Suzanne Enoch, Jane Bansil knows...
Review: Anthology – Once Upon A Christmas Wedding
The worst part about this anthology is its massive size. 27 novellas is a lot to work through, and the similarities between them are accentuated the further you get. Most of these Christmas romances are set in the Regency era, but some forays are into the Medieval, Victorian, and Edwardian eras.
Continue reading...Review: Anthology – Christmas Brides
I picked up this anthology for the Suzanne Enoch story. Sadly, it was the only one that I truly enjoyed.
Continue reading...Review: Anthology – 12 Rogues of Christmas
I usually have trouble with anthologies because they tend to be a mixed bag. This one is no different, and it was hard to keep going because I didn’t like the first three novellas. Fortunately, some standouts are worth reading. Four Calling Cards, Eight Ships A’sailing, and Nine Years ‘Til Christmas were my favorites.
Continue reading...Review: Mary Jo Putney – The Black Beast of Belleterre
The Black Beast of Belleterre does not hide that it is a Beauty and the Beast retelling and is all the better for it. Instead, it embraces reimagining the fairytale in Victorian England.
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