Genre: Romantic Anthology

Author: . Linda Bleser, Leta Nolan Childers, Elizabeth Delisi, Kathleen Culligan Techler

Line/Publisher DiskUs Publishing http://www.diskuspublishing.com

ISBN:1-58495-281-4

Interesting read ... Recommended ... 5 stars

Linda Bleser’s Home For Christmas, the lead off in this group of four Holiday tales introduces the reader to Holly Bright. Holly is a cynical young business woman who has never known the happiness of the Christmas season. When she agrees to go along with the local ‘Secret Santa’ promotion at the behest of her employer at Copperfield Square it is with mixed feelings. Before long Holly finds herself looking forward to the daily visits of Santa. Holly’s Secret Santa plays a pivotal role in helping Holly realize she has only to open herself to the enjoyment of the happiness of Christmas.

Leta Nolan Childers’ Mistletoe in the Mountains brings a chuckle to the reader as the tale of two old coots and their determination to provide their young partner with the perfect Christmas gift unfolds. Set in the Black Hills of Dakota Territory the tale is filled with humor and more than a little fun. Patrick is not sure just what he should do with his present. He doesn’t want to hurt Harry and Amos, on the other hand it is the beginning of a bitter long cold winter and the gift is not one he would have chosen for himself.

Elizabeth Delisi’s A Carol of Love takes another approach as Mara Parker faces Christmas alone with her unborn child. Following the death of her husband Stephen, Mara’s father-in-law bitterly blames her for Stephen’s death, orders her from the family home Mr Parker had given to Stephen as a wedding gift and sends over the check he says has come from Stephen’s life insurance. Mara grieves alone in the small Colorado cabin she and Stephen had purchased unbeknownst to his father. Mara is awakened late one cold stormy night when a stranger needing help appears at her door. Doug Swanson may or may not be all he seems to be.

Kathleen Culligan Techler’s A Christmas for Carol rounds out the work. School teacher Carol agrees to housesit Aunt Minnie’s Florida condo over the holidays. Charlie the bird must be fed while Minnie is off on a cruise, Carol’s divorced parents and married siblings are all busy with their own lives. When Carol meets Joe at a Christmas Tree lot near the condo she is drawn to him, he is busy helping care for the grandmother who raised him but fits in a trip around the bay in his boat for Carol. When Grandma becomes ill following Carol’s leaving a Meals on Wheels tray by her door Carol is sure Grandma is suffering from food poisoning.

I enjoyed each of the four short tales presented in the work. Each well known, talented writer brings her own special style and writing prowess to her particular offering. The widely scattered locales from modern day mall to the late 1800s Dakotas, snowy Colorado to the sun and sand of Florida together with diverse, distinct plots offered insure that the individual tales will stand alone without overlapping into the next.

Characters presented in each narrative are nicely developed, conversations are interesting and believable.

Romance is subtle, and writer Delisi even thrown in a bit of the mystery writing for which she is famous.

This is a perfect book for the holidays when busy folks have little time to sit and read one long tale. The short story format is perfect for the busy holiday season reading when the reader has a lull in the day for taking a little ease. Put your feet up, get a mug of hot spiced cider and enjoy.

. Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend.

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Reviewed by: Molly's Reviews

molly martin  

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