The Magic of Christmas: An Anthology

I have read a number of Carolyn Davidson's books and so this is why I ordered this volume. Also, I do like Christmas anthologies. "A Christmas Child" was more YA than adult romance but it is a pleasant story with a moral message that love, loyalty, helpfulness and family is really what matters. I didn't particularly care for "The Christmas Dove" by Victoria Bylin; I've never read anything by her before and won't be seeking her out. The story was a little thin and I did not particularly like either the hero or heroine. In all honesty, I skipped over it pretty quickly to get to Cheryl St John's "A Baby Blue Christmas" which was charming and another sweet story of how important love and family are. This story, like Davidson's tells a moral tale but the story goes down smoothly and I liked the prickly and sad hero a lot. A nice way to spend an hour or two; nothing outstanding and nothing memorable but at least two of these stories are sweet, warming and gave a good feeling about the importance of goodness in a sometimes bad world.

"A Christmas Child" by Carolyn Davidson. With no options since her parents died, Marianne Winters decides to leave her infant brother in the church manger as she figures someone will come along shortly to care for him. Instead, Preacher David McDermott catches her as she sadly leaves. He hires her to care for his home. Love blossoms as he knows God works in mysterious ways. "The Christmas Dove" by Victoria Bylin. After being away forever, Maddie Cutler returns home with a newborn hiding in the barn. Her first teen crush Dylan McCall, whom she ignored as a bad boy finds her there cold and cute as he hopes this Christmas his wish comes true. "A Blue Baby Christmas by Cheryl St. John. The livery owner widower Turner Price finds Gabby snooping around and assumes she is the mother of deserted twins. Having lost a wife and an infant to death, he is intolerant about caring for kids and demands she take care of her children; although Gabby is not their mom she tries her best. With two mischievous matchmakers, Gabby and Turner fall in love. With babies starring as matchmaking imps, fans will enjoy these three gentle sweet second chances at love historical romances. Harriet Klausner