A Holiday of Love

I remembered reading this set of short stories many years ago and finally found a copy. They’re still great holiday romances.

I don’t like anthologies, but buy them to sample new (to me) writers. McNaughts story was well told and somewhat different, although I find the whole transformative love in a day hard to take! Lambs was neither interesting nor credible - the characters left me cold (actually more frustrated!). Devereaux’s story was rather trite, again with stereotypical characters doing annoying stereotypical things. Barnett’s story I left for last anticipating something better (in fact she was the sole reason for the purchase). And her story WAS the best, just not HER best.

I originally bought this book for Judith McNaught's short story about Nicholas DuVille. It's actually one of my least favorites, but I don't mind because it led me to two of the most delightful stories I've ever read. The first story is Jude Deveraux's story, Change of Heart. It's was my first Jude Deveraux book, and my introduction to the Taggert family. It's just a beautiful, heartwarming story. I'll agree with other reviewers that it wasn't long enough. This could have been a great book, but I'll settle for what we got. Within the confines of a short story, Jude Deveraux was able to create warm, rich characters that I love to revisit time and time again. She was even able to portray likable preteens, a rare feat since teenagers are usually portrayed as adorable, helpless children, or sullen, emotional headcases. Everyone has such great attitudes in this story, well, except for the broody, tortured hero (lol) but he gets over it fairly quickly and sees the light with his heroine, Randy. I don't know if it's because this was released during the holidays, but it was so nice to read. Jude Deveraux is kind of hit and miss with me but this one was a winner. Second story is Judith McNaught's book, Miracles. I bought this anthology for this book alone and well, I was disappointed. This didn't seem like the Nicholas DuVille I knew from previous books. Judith McNaught does the same flip with Nicki's character as she had done with Stephen Westmoreland's character in Until You. Completely changed his personality. I didn't care for that. I liked the meddling, charismatic frenchman and unfortunately, in his own book, Nicki came across as a cruel boar. It uses one of my most hated plot contrivances. The hero, who knows better, seduces the lady he knows despite how she dresses, is really an innocent, virginal young girl that he should be a million miles away from. He just can't help himself and when he gets caught, he blames the girl for tricking him. Well, keep it in your pants next time, you dumba**. He's forced to marry her, dumps her in one of his countryhouses, then proceeds to ignore her and get on with his life. For a moment I thought Julianna would succeed with her plan to leave him and become an authoress but unfortunately Nicki comes to his senses and returns Julianna's love. Pity. The third story is Jill Barnett's, Daniel and the Angel. *sigh* My favorite of the short stories and one of my favorite stories all around. This is just a beautiful, rich story, that makes you cry and laugh and smile. Even after all these years, the story of Daniel and his angel can still make me cry. The actual outline of the story doesn't matter. It only matters that the emotion that comes off the pages will blow you away. This story is better then chicken soup when your feelings are down. I would have loved for Jill to have made this into a full length book but that would have been just a scoop of ice cream next to an already perfect slice of cake. This short sto

Every year I look forward to getting a few of the Christmas Story books to read. The 4 short stories in each book are put together with a talented hand, and it goes without saying that during the Christmas season, I get quite busy. We host the dinner for the family with our 4 children, 13 grand children and 6 great grand children. While my husband is at work it is marvelously peaceful and my favorite time of the day actually because I can get my current book out and read to my hearts content without interruptions. This years "A Holiday of Love" was the best of all that I have read before. Judith McNaught, Jude Deveraux, Jill Barnett and Arnette Lamb really complimented each other, and I will no doubt go back and read this particular book many times. The romance, the flair for fun and a bit of comedy put in for good measure was really the best of the best.

A HOLIDAY OF LOVE is a delightful collection of short stories and is very enjoyable!

This book is also on my keeper shelf as it is a continuation of the Whitney My Love and Until You series from Judith McNaught. They had me crying and reading 'til all hours of the night. This and a Gift of Love finished up the series.

I thought that this book showcases some of the most talented romance writers. I loved all the stories that were in it, and I always like to read them over. I already heard of Jude Deveraux and also Judith McNaught, and their stories were excellent as usual. I was introduced to both Kimberly Cates, and also Arnette Lamb, and I added both of those names to my list of romance authors to read. This book was one of the best collection of romance writers. A true thumbs-up.