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Book Review of Upon a Midnight Clear: The Teacher / Christmas Magic / Jolly Holly / If Only in My Dreams / White Out

robinmy avatar reviewed on + 2050 more book reviews


I read two stories in this Christmas anthology:

Jolly Holly by Stef Ann Holm - Bellamy Nichlaus, the richest guy in a small California town, posts notices all over town about the Jolly Holly Contest he is holding. The person who picks the most holly berries in the next two weeks to decorate the town Christmas tree, will win "riches beyond their wildest dreams". When Isabel Burche reads the notice, she knows she can win this contest. She knows the area and is sure she is aware of berry patches no one has discovered. She's stunned to find someone else has beat her to the best berries. John Wolcott is usually warming in a stool in the local saloon. He is determined to win this contest so he can open his own business. Everywhere he goes to pick berries, Isabel shows up. Everytime Isabel finds a large berry patch, John is right behind her. The duo quickly decide they may have to work together to win this contest.

This is a cute historical romance with enjoyable characters. It is actually a prequel to Holm's "Brides for All Seasons" series. My rating: 4 Stars.

White Out by Linda Howard - Lodge owner Hope Bradshaw is bemoaning the fact that her biological clock is ticking and she wants a baby, but doesn't have a man. She makes up her mind to do something about it while she is preparing her cabins for the winter storm that is brewing. As the blizzard winds start to howl and snow quickly builds up, Hope hears something on her porch. Opening the door, she finds a Sheriff's Deputy Price Tanner half frozen and drags him into her home. Stripping him of his wet, frozen clothing, Hope uses her body heat to warm him up. After spending day and night keeping him warm (over and over again), Hope hears news on the radio of a prison transport that had wrecked a few miles from her home. Two deputies are dead. Authorities were looking for three escapees who may be dangerous. Hope begins to question who the man is that is spending so much time in her bed.

Linda Howard always writes and interesting story. Hope seemed a bit calculating about wanting Price to be her baby daddy even though she didn't know him. But she did finally come clean to him about it. I did like the little mystery of Price's identity. That was a nice twist. My rating: 3 Stars.