jjares reviewed A Western Winter Wonderland: Christmas Day Family / Fallen Angel / One Magic Eve (Harlequin Historical) on + 3273 more book reviews
There are three novellas included in this book. I love Cheryl St. John's work and that was the basis upon which I chose this book. Of the two remaining authors, I'd read Jenn Kernan before (not a favorite), but had never read anything by Pam Crooks. Fortunately, the first story in the set was by Cheryl St. John.
CHRISTMAS DAY FAMILY (Cheryl St. John) -- Marvel Henley (how she got her first name is unique) has survived taking care of her elderly father for years. She's recently turned down a marriage offer by someone she considers more an uncle than a potential spouse. She's decided that her life as a spinster landlady of boarders suits her fine.
Her life is suddenly changed when the new doctor arrives to stay in her boarding house for a week while his office/home gets some needed repairs. However, Dr. Paxton arrives with 2 children (which he hadn't mentioned).
FALLEN ANGEL (Jenna Kernan) -- This plot was an enjoyable surprise. Abby March was accidentally caught in a crossfire between a murderer and a bounty hunter. Abby and her son, Daniel, were in the wilderness looking for a suitable Christmas tree when the shooting occurred.
Ford Statler was horrified that he'd harmed such an angelic-looking woman. Taking both a bleeding Abby and the young boy back to Durango, he enlisted the doctor's help. Ford checked around town and found that Abby and her son were in dire straits. Ford had a terrible backstory and he wasn't ready to settle down. However, Abby sent a message that couldn't be ignored.
ONE MAGIC EVE (Pam Crooks) -- Of the three, this story seemed the weakest. However, it had interesting elements. Sonja Kaplan is known as the Bird Lady. A small child approaches this woman, (whom the town avoids) because he has found an injured pup. This causes Beau's father, Chet Lattimer to cross paths with Sonja repeatedly. The ending was a bit corny, but it serves as a pleasant Christmas story.
CHRISTMAS DAY FAMILY (Cheryl St. John) -- Marvel Henley (how she got her first name is unique) has survived taking care of her elderly father for years. She's recently turned down a marriage offer by someone she considers more an uncle than a potential spouse. She's decided that her life as a spinster landlady of boarders suits her fine.
Her life is suddenly changed when the new doctor arrives to stay in her boarding house for a week while his office/home gets some needed repairs. However, Dr. Paxton arrives with 2 children (which he hadn't mentioned).
FALLEN ANGEL (Jenna Kernan) -- This plot was an enjoyable surprise. Abby March was accidentally caught in a crossfire between a murderer and a bounty hunter. Abby and her son, Daniel, were in the wilderness looking for a suitable Christmas tree when the shooting occurred.
Ford Statler was horrified that he'd harmed such an angelic-looking woman. Taking both a bleeding Abby and the young boy back to Durango, he enlisted the doctor's help. Ford checked around town and found that Abby and her son were in dire straits. Ford had a terrible backstory and he wasn't ready to settle down. However, Abby sent a message that couldn't be ignored.
ONE MAGIC EVE (Pam Crooks) -- Of the three, this story seemed the weakest. However, it had interesting elements. Sonja Kaplan is known as the Bird Lady. A small child approaches this woman, (whom the town avoids) because he has found an injured pup. This causes Beau's father, Chet Lattimer to cross paths with Sonja repeatedly. The ending was a bit corny, but it serves as a pleasant Christmas story.
