I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
The Christmas Heirloom by Becky Wade, Karen Witemeyer, Kristi Ann Hunter, Sarah Loudin Thomas Published by Baker Publishing Group on October 2, 2018
Genres: Christian, Collections & Anthologies, Fiction, Holiday, Romance
Pages: 384
Source: NetGalley
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In Kristi Ann Hunter's "Legacy of Love," Sarah Gooding never suspected returning a brooch to an elderly woman would lead to a job . . . and introduce her to the woman's grandson, a man far above her station.
In Karen Witemeyer's "Gift of the Heart," widow Ruth Albright uses the family brooch as collateral for a loan from the local banker. But the more she comes to know the man behind the stern businessman, the more she hopes for a second chance at love.
In Sarah Loudin Thomas's "A Shot at Love," Fleeta Brady's rough-and-tumble childhood means she prefers hunting to more feminine activities. She never expected her family's brooch might be how a fellow hunter turns her attention from competition to romance.
In Becky Wade's "Because of You," Maddie Winslow has spent years in love with a man whose heart was already spoken for. When a church Christmas project brings them together and she stumbles upon an old family brooch, might it finally be her turn for love?
Legacy of Love by Kristi Ann Hunter
Sarah Gooding never suspected returning a brooch to an elderly woman would lead to a job . . . and introduce her to the woman’s grandson. While he may be far above her station, she can’t help but notice that his desire to make this Christmas special for his grandmother matches her own.
Nothing is harder for me to review than Novellas, as I’ve shared more than a few times. I was excited to get my hands on this particular collection however as it has some favorite authors, it’s Christmas-y, and they all tie together with one little brooch. Kristi Ann Hunter starts it off so amazingly with a sweet story about a 3rd son of an earl, a dowager’s companion of dubious past, and a dowager that doesn’t fit into any mold despite a family that tries to make it so. I was a bit disappointed that we fell into almost insta-love though. I mean, I guess they did know each other, kinda, for a year. However, their togetherness was sporadic at best and he was turned off by her mousiness so he was completely uninterested until a bit of spitfire at a family dinner. She was cow eyed for him but then again. . . what is a girl of lowly station to do. Forget the insta-love for a second because every thing else was absolutely captivating. The love that Randall (third son with no future) and Sarah (companion with no past) have for Lady Densbury is endearing and sweet. The lengths they go to ensure her life ends as lovely as it was lived is beyond tender. The love she helped them find will only bring more love for every person their lives touch. That is why I loved this snapshot and these people. I leave you here with this quote from Lady Densbury (Grandmother).
Gift of the Heart by Karen Witemeyer
Widow Ruth Albright uses the family brooch as collateral for a loan from the local banker. But the more she comes to know the man behind the stern businessman, the more she hopes for a second chance at love as the holidays draw near.
Four generations later we meet Ruth. Still in possession of the brooch that was handed down from Lady Desnbury to Sarah to her daughter Rosemary (named for Lady Densbury) to her daughter (Ruth’s mother though I never caught her name just the initials REH) to Ruth and then eventually to Ruth’s Daughter Naomi. This history of the brooch is so integral to these stories and builds on the theme of love. Not just the romance of falling in love but the love of family and generations of history. Enough about history let’s talk about that love. I love Ruth, she’s had so many setbacks but she’s got gumption and fortitude. She’s not afraid to find a way to get what she needs, for herself and for her daughter despite her lack of financial means. And Bo, Beauregard. I mean, how do you not fall for someone named Beauregard? He’s had his own setbacks as well but instead of developing gumption he developed a means to staying in the shadows while building an empire of sorts with unlimited financial means. Until Ruth. Though I’m pretty sure that Naomi helped to spur them into their own bout of insta-love. I truly loved watching these two find each other, and in honesty a part of themselves in the process. I can almost forgive the insta-love though at the sweetness of these three branching out and growing into a family despite the obstacles of money and pride and community to overcome.
A Shot at Love by Sarah Loudin Thomas
Fleeta Brady’s rough-and-tumble childhood means she prefers hunting to more feminine activities. She never expected her mother’s brooch might be how a fellow hunter turns her attention from competition to romance one December.
Having read ‘The Sound of Rain’ earlier this year I was thrilled to go back and reconnect with some beloved characters in the Mountains of West Virginia. I have no idea how the brooch made it’s way to Bethel but I do know that Naomi married and had a daughter named Marion who had a daughter named Fleeta. And with a name like Fleeta you know it’s going to be interesting. (I LOVE that name!) Fleeta is as different and unique as her name, she is the antithesis of feminine. She’s only seen in a dress at holidays and church, she can out-shoot any man on the mountain, and her life goal is to become a gunsmith. Oh, and she can’t cook a lick but she can assure there is meat for the table. Hank, on the other had is a ‘flat-lander’ from South Carolina where he met Judd and provided him the opportunity to learn logging that pathed his future in ‘The Sound of Rain’. Hank has some dreams of his own that just might include Fleeta. There was a lot going on in this brief story and while they found themselves falling in insta-love it wasn’t. You know why? It wasn’t all tied up neat and forever after! I loved that Thomas took this snapshot of these people in this place and just told the story as it was. No need to ensure it was all tied up, no need to jump ahead and show the resolution, just a snapshot of the time they had together. Nothing more, nothing less.
Because of You by Becky Wade
Maddie Winslow has spent years in love with a man whose heart was already spoken for. When a church Christmas project brings them together and she stumbles upon an old family brooch, might it finally be her turn for love?
Two generations later Fleeta’s daughter Laura drops the ball and stashes the brooch away and promptly forgets about it. Her daughter Maddie finds it on accident, while she is dealing with her long standing crush on her best friends widower. Yup, she fell for him the same time her bestie did. But, bestie rules. . . she saw him first. I love that they build on a relationship that had shared for years, nothing more than friends – of sorts – but something solid to start with. No insta-love here and for that I feel ever so grateful. I also loved that nothing had to be tied up so neatly at the end. They found their feelings and agreed to explore them and see where it lead. I loved that this novella was perfectly crafted as a snapshot in time. I loved that it took depth of emotions and history and embraced it while tackling it head on as well. The theme of the brooch running throughout these stories, these lives, these loves was refreshing. No matter where the story took us both generationally or geographically the brooch tied it all together. No matter the writing style, no matter the romance style, the brooch made it cohesive. ‘Because of You’ was the perfect tie for this collection.
About Becky Wade
During her childhood in California, Becky frequently produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins. These plays almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy ending. She’s been a fan of all things romantic ever since.
Becky and her husband lived overseas in the Caribbean and Australia before settling in Dallas, Texas. It was during her years abroad that Becky’s passion for reading turned into a passion for writing. She published three historical romances for the general market, put her career on hold for many years to care for her kids, then eventually returned to writing. She loves penning sweet contemporary romances laced with sizzling chemistry, mystery, faith, banter, and humor. Her novels have been recognized with Carol Awards, INSPY awards, and a spot in the Christy Award Hall of Fame.
When she’s not at her computer, you’ll find her power-walking her neighborhood, driving carpool, eating chocolate, doing yoga, or admiring her Cavalier spaniel.
About Karen Witemeyer
Christy Award finalist and winner of the ACFW Carol Award, National Reader’s Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, and Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, CBA bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes Christian historical romance for Bethany House, believing the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She is an avid cross-stitcher and makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children.
About Kristi Ann Hunter
Kristi is the RITA® award winning author of Regency romance novels from a Christian worldview. Her titles include A Noble Masquerade, An Elegant Façade, and An Uncommon Courtship. Beyond writing, she is also speaker, teaching classes in writing as well as Biblical and spiritual topics. She has spoken to writers’ groups, schools, and young women’s groups at churches.
When she is not writing or interacting with her readers, Kristi spends time with her family and her church. A graduate of Georgia Tech with a computer science degree, she can also be found fiddling with her computer in her free time. A born lover of stories she is also an avid reader. From very young she dreamed of sharing her own stories with others and praises God daily that she gets to live that dream today.
About Sarah Loudin Thomas
Sarah Loudin Thomas grew up on a 100-acre farm in French Creek, WV, the seventh generation to live there. Her Christian fiction is set in West Virginia and celebrates the people, the land, and the heritage of Appalachia. Her first novel, Miracle in a Dry Season, released August 2014 through Bethany House. Book #2, Until the Harvest, released May 2015. Sarah is represented by Wendy Lawton of Books & Such Literary Agency.
A graduate of Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC, Sarah once dreamed of being a marine scientist. But her love for words won out and she has spent much of her career in public relations and marketing. She currently oversees fundraising and communications for a Christian children’s home in Black Mountain, NC.
Sarah and her husband Jim live in the mountains of Western North Carolina with Thistle–the canine equivalent to a personal trainer pushing them to hike, run, and throw sticks. Sarah is active in her local church and enjoys cooking and–you guessed it–reading.
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