jjares reviewed It's a Wonderful Regency Christmas: Six Merry & Bright Holiday Novellas on + 3273 more book reviews
Unfortunately, I read this collection immediately after reading a Barbara Metzger assortment of short stories. They are both excellent authors, but Ms. Metzger is funny, while Edith Layton is more serious. However, this collection shows Ms. Layton's range and imagination.
THE DUKE'S PROGRESS -- VG
At the story's opening (which took too long), the reader learns that the Duke of Austell has become the guardian of the young son of his friend Randall. His friend died suddenly, leaving the Duke to care for the young boy, Randall. When the young boy is sad about not going home for Christmas, the Duke agrees to take him there and meets the vicar's daughters.
IT'S A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS -- G
This is a story about the old religion of England and its effects on the citizens of 1835 in a remote area. Lady Maude thinks she's unimportant until Mr. Clarence allows her to see what life would have been like without her kind and gentle influence. This is a redo of the film -- IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed). I wasn't impressed with a reworking of a famous movie.
THE GINGERBREAD MAN -- VG
This is the whimsical tale of a young man who smells gingerbread in his dreams and worries about what it means.
THE LAST GIFT -- G
This is a recreation of the Sleeping Beauty story. I don't care for reimagined fairy tales.
THE AMIABLE MISER -- E
This is my favorite story in this book. Alfred Minch took in two females when they had nowhere to go. Joy Ayres takes care of the bookstore, and the other woman takes care of the home. Their cat takes care of the mice. Note that everyone has a job; Mr. Minch is a miserly man who expects people to pay their way. When something valuable is found in one of the books, Alfred sends Joy to check on the owner with each lady in the lending library. Wonderful things happen
THE DOGSTAR -- E
This is another delightful story. A magical dog who grows and gets smaller -- as the need arises -- captivates a lonely young child. This is a story for dog lovers.
THE DUKE'S PROGRESS -- VG
At the story's opening (which took too long), the reader learns that the Duke of Austell has become the guardian of the young son of his friend Randall. His friend died suddenly, leaving the Duke to care for the young boy, Randall. When the young boy is sad about not going home for Christmas, the Duke agrees to take him there and meets the vicar's daughters.
IT'S A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS -- G
This is a story about the old religion of England and its effects on the citizens of 1835 in a remote area. Lady Maude thinks she's unimportant until Mr. Clarence allows her to see what life would have been like without her kind and gentle influence. This is a redo of the film -- IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed). I wasn't impressed with a reworking of a famous movie.
THE GINGERBREAD MAN -- VG
This is the whimsical tale of a young man who smells gingerbread in his dreams and worries about what it means.
THE LAST GIFT -- G
This is a recreation of the Sleeping Beauty story. I don't care for reimagined fairy tales.
THE AMIABLE MISER -- E
This is my favorite story in this book. Alfred Minch took in two females when they had nowhere to go. Joy Ayres takes care of the bookstore, and the other woman takes care of the home. Their cat takes care of the mice. Note that everyone has a job; Mr. Minch is a miserly man who expects people to pay their way. When something valuable is found in one of the books, Alfred sends Joy to check on the owner with each lady in the lending library. Wonderful things happen
THE DOGSTAR -- E
This is another delightful story. A magical dog who grows and gets smaller -- as the need arises -- captivates a lonely young child. This is a story for dog lovers.
