The Christmas Gift

The Christmas Gift is the third book in Jeanne Savery's "The Six" series. The book is a serious tale of one man's battle to overcome his disability, leavened with many bits of humor. All of the characters from the previous two volumes in the series are largely integrated into the story and two plot lines started in the previous two books are continued. Jack Princeton has returned from the Peninsular War a cripple. Severely depressed by his changed circumstances, it takes the intervention of two of his closest friends to drag him from his isolation. However, not even the company of his friends can help him escape the black moods that have taken possession of him. What the men can not do, though, a stubborn widow accomplishes rather quickly. Soon, Jack has a new lease on life, but new circumstances conspire against him and his pursuit of the widow.There is a lot going in The Christmas Gift. In addition to the main romance, there are three other couples in the book. Story lines from the previous novels are advanced, with foreshadowing of the next volume. This makes for a very fast paced book.Jack was a well drawn and somewhat endearing character. Patricia, the heroine, was very strong, but vulnerable as well. Both characters complimented the other's strengths and weaknesses very nicely. The interplay between "The Six" friends was, as ever, lively and interesting. The only criticisms I have are that Patricia's past was not sufficiently explored for my tastes and that the plot was very similar to the first book in this series, Taming Lord Renwick. My problem with Patricia's past is that the author did not use it for anything. She had no hang-ups due to her past, nor did it affect her relationship with Jack in any way. In the beginning of the book, it seemed Patricia would act differently because of her past experiences than she ended up doing. As for my other criticism, Taming Lord Renwick had a very similar plot line: man returns from foreign country wounded, woman helps him get over it. The main difference between the two novels is in tone. Taming Lord Renwick is the more serious story, while The Christmas Gift is much more light-hearted. The Christmas Gift is a lovely, sweet Christmas story, definitely a book to curl up with in front of a fire. This book will remain one of my favorites for sometime to come.

Jack Princeton has been wounded in the campaign in Portugal. He will never have full use of wounded leg. Riding, one of his passions, is now only a memory for him. When he realizes that Black, a sergeant wounded in the same battle, has lost his arm and will most likely be forced to beg for food. Jack hires Black as his man servant. They soon find themselves in his brother's house in York where everything of any value at all has been taken by his brother George's creditors. The house itself is Jack's; he had bought it from his brother. His friends find him there and decide to take him with them to recuperate further. Patricia Haydon, a widow, has been living in her cousin's house. When Alex Merwin writes to tell her he is coming and bringing Lord Tony Wendover and Jack Princeton with him, she readies herself to face the first man she fell in love with. Jeanne Savery has written another charming story. This is the third in a series, and the story arc will continue in the Spring 01. Each novel is well written enough to stand on its own, but the reader will enjoy the full range of the story in reading the full set.