A Time-Travel Christmas

This book both I and my daughter have read and both of us enjoyed the 4 stories within. Each story is by a different author that neither of us had read any books from before and I would certainly read other books from these authors. I would recommend this book to any who want a light romantic read.

The first story, A Christmas Portrait was definitely my favorite because it was so well-written. The scene in the store window was vividly described with such exquisite detail that it came alive to the reader as well as to the main character who was transported into it! I could feel the textile of the ball gowns and the decor of the home! As a New Yorker, I relished in the detailed illstrations of the city 100 years ago versus present times! The Spirit of Things to Come was also a well-written story that reminds us of the blessings we often take for granted. I love the strong main character Taylor and how she stood up for basic rights in the restrictive Puritanical society. Equally heartwarming was the tender way the smitty Jared treated her. The Ghost of Christmas Past was a cute story. I loved the dynamics between the characters, and how Jason was determined to change Annie's fate. In Twelfth Night, Aline was an admirable character who made a difference in the lives of all the people she interacted with.

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques The Christmas Portrait by Megan Daniel Cassie Douglass is a designer of window displays for a well-known department store in New York City. She puts huge amounts of time and effort into designing the Christmas window to duplicate the exact portrait of a famous Christmas Ball from 1882. As she stands looking at the window, she imagines what it must have been like to be at that party. Suddenly, Cass finds herself at the ball, and face to face with Nicholas Wright, the portrait artist in the flesh. As Christmas draws nearer, so do Cass and Nicholas, in spite of the mental scars he faces from a time in his past. Now Cass is frightened... will she be whisked back to her own time or will she remain with Nicholas and the love they have found? This was a delightful Christmas tale, taking place in a Victorian era New York City. Ms. Daniel paints a vivid imagery of the city at the peak of the holiday season. One will feel as if actually at the balls and galas, wearing the glittering jewels and fabulous gowns. The passion between Nicholas and Cass is immediately obvious, as is Nicholas' angst over his present lifestyle. The Spirit of Things to Come by Vivian Knight-Jenkins Taylor Kendall is a kindergarten teacher from Massachusetts, on her way to her parents' home, and dreading every minute of it. She sees a deer in the road ahead and swerves to miss it, sliding in the snow and going off the road, knocking her head on the steering wheel. When she comes to, she finds herself in 1692 Massachusetts, and in the heart of a puritanical town. She ends up in jail for openly and knowingly violating one of their laws she feels is stupid. Jared Branlyn, the local smithy, takes her in as his apprentice, keeping secret that she is a female. The more time he spends with her, the more attracted to each other they become. Taylor finds herself wishing she can stay with him, yet scared that her own time may call her back. This tale takes place in an often neglected period of American history. The restrictions placed on the every day lives of the Puritans makes one more appreciative of the rights found in today's society. This is a good story for making people remember just how special Christmas is. The Ghost of Christmas Past by Eugenia Riley Jason Burke is a news reporter for a New York paper, who has lost his drive to write and has no desire to pen a series of "fluff" articles on Christmas traditions in England. He is touring the old Simmons hotel and is led on his tour by the hauntingly beautiful Annie Simmons. He cannot get her out of his mind and when he returns to visit the hotel, he ends up in 1852 where he meets Annie alive and well. He realizes his purpose there is to save her from a horrible fate destined to occur on Christmas Eve... and he does just that, falling in love in the process. This is an excellent story with a paranormal twist like this reviewer favors. The way Jason focuses so completely on his self-proclaimed