Under the Mistletoe

My only issue with anthologies is that just when you are getting into it, and falling in love with the characters and their story, it all comes to an abrupt end! That never seemed more true than with this anthology. I loved each and every one of these stories and fell in love with the characters that brought them to life. I wanted to know more about them and I wanted their stories to go on and on. One thing I love about Mary Balogh is how true to the period she is, the manners and customs of 'the Ton' and society. She didn't stray one iota and it's very refreshing. What's more, even though the stories were told separately, there was a point where it felt as though the characters each could be experiencing the same Christmas simultaniously, they blended so well. Thank you, Ms. Balogh.

If you are a fan of a good Christmas Holiday Regency Romance, this is one to treasure. Mary Balogh is one of the true masters of the "traditional" Regency Romance. She makes this period of history come alive with her characters so true to life that the reader feels they are there in England with "The Ton" and all of the beauty and pagentry of the time. The new story "A Family Christmas" just happens to be the best of them all, although the reprints of Ms. Balogh's Regency Christmas classics are a real treat. These stories will make you a believer in true love and the miracles of Christmas. A definite keeper and one that will warm your heart. So curl up with an afghan, a good cup of hot chocolate, tea, or holiday cider; around the lights of the Christmas tree, and bring Regency Christmas into your heart and home. Don't miss reading this holiday romance this season!

This compilation was such a treat. I usually await each of Balogh's full-length books with great anticipation because she's absolutely the best Regency writer on the market, bar none. So, when I saw this short story collection, I was thrilled. Yes, there are two stories that may be slightly poorer than the others, but even those are written better than anything else that's on the market now. Each story is geared to pointing the reader towards the true meaning of Christmas. She strips away all the hubris attached to the holiday season and helps us focus on what's really important: being with family, giving selflessly of all that we have and are, and most importantly, the birth of Christ. I hadn't read any of these shorts before, so I came to them with an open mind. I discovered, as I suspected, that Balogh can still tell a moving, well-written, character-driven tale in a compact form. They're all lovely stories. I was weeping at the end of each one.

I know that if you read Regencies, you must recognize Mary Balogh is really one of the best writers of this genre. She writes with so much soul and class that it places her far above other Regency authors. I am certain I have read everything she has ever published and have her books stored away. Therefore, it's a lot easier to buy a new, albeit recycled version of her stories than it is to dig out the old ones. I thoroughly enjoyed this anthology and was surprised that I did not remember all of the stories. Yes, they're brief...and resolution comes quickly, but that's the nature of an anthology collection. I think if you're a huge Mary Balogh fan, you will enjoy this. And buy it...so she can continue to write the type of Regencies we crave!

"A Family Christmas". Lady Templar detests the fact that her son-in-law Edwin is coming home for Christmas though he owns the estate because she believes he is beneath her. Her daughter Elizabeth married Edwin as Templar needed money. Both actually wed due to the respect they have for his now deceased father, but neither know that what they feel for each other is love."The Star of Bethlehem". Ellen tells her husband Allan that she lost the Star of Bethlehem diamond that he gave her. Angry he informs her she will go into exile. Though they love one another, this marriage looks dead even when three betrothal rings surface."The Best Gift". Warren's sister dumps her teenage daughter on him. Needing a companion for his niece, he obtains the services of teacher Jane, who has no family. Jane and Warren fall in love during their family Christmas."Playing House". Lilas asks Stephen for "payment" for the times her dad tutored him without remittance. She wants a last Christmas together for her younger siblings before they are scattered as orphans, but has no means of doing so. He agrees to host a grand holiday, but soon he and Lilas fall in love."No Room at the Inn". The storm is so bad that everyone stops at the White Hart Inn seeking shelter even with Christmas coming. When Lisa goes into labor, Edward gives up his room for her and her spouse. Pamela sees Edward in a kind light and soon they fall in love.These five Christmas tales are delightful historical romantic gifts of the magi that fans of the author, sub-genre, or the holiday cheer will appreciate.Harriet Klausner