Stomri's Review: A Heartwarming Holiday: 15 Connected Sweet Holiday Romances by various authors
Reviewer Purchase
Publisher: IndieWrites, Inc
Released: October 11, 2016
Genre: Holiday, Romance, Clean & Wholesome
Format: ebook
Author Link: Anna Adams |Melinda Curtis |Amie Denman | Liz Flaherty | Roz Denny Fox| Shirley Hailstock |Cheryl Harper | Dana Mentink |Tara Taylor Quinn |
Tara Randel| Leigh Riker | Carol Ross | Anna J. Stewart | Amy Vastine |
Buy Link:
Blurb:
Your favorite Harlequin Heartwarming authors are back with fifteen all new stories set in charming Christmas Town, Maine. Save on your next Heartwarming purchase. Details inside the book. This holiday season, warm your heart with 15 connected sweet, clean & wholesome holiday romances set in Christmas Town from 15 Harlequin Heartwarming authors who are USA Today, national bestselling, and award-winning authors. There are five connected books in A Heartwarming Holiday. That means each set of three novellas shares characters and storylines! This collection of PG-rated holiday romances are all set in Christmas Town, Maine, a location introduced in the 2014 Harlequin Heartwarming release Christmas, Actually. A Heartwarming Holiday will bring you laughter, tears, and happily-ever-afters (no cliffhangers), for more than 1200 pages. Book 1: Once Upon a Holiday by Anna Adams, Anna J Stewart & Melinda Curtis: Three former college roommates start a business to bring the magic of the holidays to everyone in Christmas Town. Novella 1: Once Upon a Thanksgiving by Anna Adams, award-winning, USA Today bestselling, Harlequin Heartwarming author Novella 2: Once Upon a Christmas by Anna J Stewart, award-winning, USA Today bestselling, Harlequin Heartwarming author Novella 3: Once Upon a New Year’s Eve by Melinda Curtis, award-winning, USA Today bestselling, Harlequin Heartwarming author Book 2: Holiday Heroes by Leigh Riker, Tara Randel & Cari Lynn Webb: Three former Navy SEALs come together to restore an outdated resort. Novella 1: Thankfully Yours by Leigh Riker, award-winning, USA Today bestselling, Harlequin Heartwarming author Novella 2: Cooking Up Christmas by Tara Randel, Barnes and Noble bestselling, USA Today bestselling, Harlequin Heartwarming author Novella 3: Countdown to Romance by Cari Lynn Webb, USA Today bestselling, Harlequin Heartwarming author Book 3: 24 North Pole Lane by Carol Ross, Amy Vastine & Cheryl Harper: Romance is being delivered to 24 North Pole Lane this holiday season. Novella 1: Hers by Thanksgiving by Carol Ross, USA Today bestselling, Harlequin Heartwarming author Novella 2: Peace, Love, and Baby Joy by Amy Vastine, USA Today bestselling, Harlequin Heartwarming author Novella 3: Never Say Never on New Year’s by Cheryl Harper, USA Today bestselling, Harlequin Heartwarming author Book 4: Magic Moments by Tara Taylor Quinn, Shirley Hailstock & Liz Flaherty: Three different times, three different stories. They all bring magic to Christmas Town. Novella 1: Christmas Past by Tara Taylor Quinn, USA Today bestselling, Harlequin Heartwarming author Novella 2: It Only Happens in Christmas Town by Shirley Hailstock, Harlequin Heartwarming author Novella 3: The Magic Stocking by Liz Flaherty, USA Today bestselling, Harlequin Heartwarming author Book 5: Nutcracker Sweethearts by Dana Mentink, Roz Denny Fox, & Amie Denman: As the stage production of the Nutcracker unfolds in Christmas Town, three couples find love with the help of a little holiday magic! Novella 1: Thanksgiving Duet by Dana Mentink, Harlequin Heartwarming author Novella 2: Christmas Curtain Call by Roz Denny Fox, Harlequin Heartwarming author Novella 3: Set for New Year’s by Amie Denman, Harlequin Heartwarming author If this boxed set appeals to you, look for our previous holiday anthology: A Heartwarming Christmas.
Five Boundless Stars
Let me just start off by saying I LOVE holiday books, especially at this time of year. They just put me in a great mood. I was asked to review this box set and I jumped at the chance. What's better than reading 1 holiday book? That's right...reading 15!!! This set includes 5 Books. Each book has 3 Novellas each. Each of these 3 stories are connected. Each book in this set takes place in the same location, a small and wonderful town called Christmas Town in Maine. So that is the way I split up my review (just to help you understand my review a little better). This set presents the reader with holiday cheer, romance, and family.
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BOOK 1: ONCE UPON A HOLIDAY
Once Upon A Thanksgiving: Anna Adams (4 STARS)
In this story you meet Micheal who is trying to care for his grandparents who ran away from their assisted living facility to go back to their hometown. You also meet Lacey who was hired by them to decorate their house for the upcoming holidays. She helps run a company called Boxes and Boughs with her two best friends. Soon Micheal and Lacey find themselves at odds with what they see is right for his grandparents, but they also can't deny the attraction building between them.
This story was so good. It told a tale of holiday cheer, a search for independence, and the love a family.
Once Upon A Christmas: Anna J. Stewart (5 STARS)
In this book you see Charlotte from Boxes and Boughs help two young kids have a Christmas they want, but won't get this year. With their mother dead, they now live with their reclusive uncle who doesn't seem to care much for the holidays. Charlotte is on a mission to help these kids have a good Christmas no matter what. While in the process she may find a little something she has been missing too.
This book was awesome. It literally grabbed me and had me crying in the first chapter. The kids really made the story. It also made me very happy. This is a great short story filled with love and Holiday cheer.
Once Upon A New Years Eve: Melinda Curtis (5 STARS)
In this book you see Gavin, the other partner from Boxes and Boughs. Gavin is fighting his grief over the death of his friend and trying to decide to stay when he feels like he needs to keep going. Amelia is a vet who is trying to find her place in Christmas town alone. Together, they help each other heal, with the help of none other than a playful dog.
This book was so cute. The dog was the winner of this story. I love my animals so this story won me over fast. This story was a wonderful story of healing and love.
BOOK 2: HOLIDAY HEROES
Thankfully Yours: Leigh Riker (5 STARS)
Ash lost his leg while he was a Navy Seal. He has came to Christmas Town to take over the Blue Spruce Mountain Resort, a ski resort that his father owns. He battles daily with his pain from losing his leg and his confidence. Jill is a teacher facing her own daily pain. She lost her husband 3 years back after he had an accident while skiing on Blue Spruce Mountain. This connection makes her dislike the resort and Ash from the beginning. Soon she can't deny the connection that they have, despite all the pain that surrounds them.
I'm all about books with our military in them. My husband is a disabled vet and so I feel for them all. I know how to relate I guess. This story was awesome and touching. Sometimes its hard to heal both mentally and physically. This story shows that and so much more.
Cooking Up Christmas: Tara Randel (5 STARS)
Simon is the new chef at Blue Spruce. He's helping out Ash while also trying to follow his dream of owning his own restaurant. Gabi is the general manager of the resort and so its her job to make sure things run smoothly. Her and Simon clash a lot, but soon their attraction to each other is something they can't ignore.
This story was a great addition to to this book. I really liked the story and the characters. This story was about following not only your dreams, but also your heart.
Countdown To Romance: Cari Lynn Webb (5 STARS)
Zach is a friend to Ash and Simon. Hes an ex Navy Seal and is now the handy (do it all) man at Blue Spruce. Emily is a friend of Gabis and the sister to Chris, the Sheriff of Christmas Town. Emily is also an ER nurse. In this story Emily is trying to run from her family commitments and her past while Zach is determined to save her from herself and to make her stop running.
This was a really good story. Both Zach and Emily have rough pasts and together they fight to get past it and build into something neither of them could have imagined. It was very action packed and was an awesome story.
BOOK 3: 24 NORTH POLE LANE
Hers By Thanksgiving: Carol Ross (5 STARS)
C.J. is coming back to his Uncle Johns horse ranch after he passed away. While he is dealing with his grief, his fiancee, Krista,starts handling things with the horses. Allison, a friend and employee of Johns, has a horse named Nash who she has raised from just a baby. She loves this horse and will fight to finish paying for her. He was sold to C.J.'s Uncle and sh was in the process of buying Nash back when John died. She is hoping that C.J. will still honor the deal, even without proof. Soon the horse is not the only thing up for grabs.
I love my animals and so this book was very touching. The love for these horses really makes this book. Its filled with love for animals and romance and it was so very good.
Peace, Love, and Baby Joy: Amy Vastine (5 STARS)
Lucas is helping his family when his ex Valerie shows up. Hes shocked when he sees her and gets even more of a shock when he notices she is pregnant. Their families have been rivals for years, a rivalry that led to their relationship falling apart to begin with. Now Valerie is back in town and pregnant. Maybe, through all the fussing and drama, they can be a real family. FINALLY.
This story was so cute. Valerie and Luke find themselves in a very awkward mess, but it all tells a good story. Holiday and Family Rivalry and a new baby....what could go wrong?
Never Say Never On New Year's: Cheryl Harper (4 STARS)
Chris is raising his daughter Sydney alone after his wife Amanda dies. Ren was Amanda's best friend who left Christmas Town to make her way in London. Now she's back home for a new start. Along the way she may find something she didn't even know she wanted.
This book was a touch sad at times, but it was still good. It was a heartwarming and gentle romance and story.
BOOK 4: MAGIC MOMENTS
Christmas Past: Tara Taylor Quinn (5 STARS)
Bella has a special gift. She can feel what others feel. Sheriff Chad is on the search for a little girl that has gone missing. Chad and Bella pair up to help find the little girl before its too late. These two together are hoping to not only find the little girl, but to find what they each are missing in their own lives as well.
This story was a fast paced story. It was a really scary, but wonderful tale of using a gift, even one you don't to have, for good. The ending to this story was indeed magical.
It Only Happens In Christmas Town: Shirley Hailstock (5 STARS)
Whitney has had a rough year. Her fiancee dies, shes having problems with her business, and a strange woman came to her telling her she needed to do 2 things. She soon finds herself in Christmas Town on a magical journey. Trent finds himself enamored with Whitney when he meets he. He was told by a gypsy woman that Emerson needed his help, so he makes it his work to win, and help, Whitney.
This book is all about magic and fate. It was a very good story and was magical from the very first page. This story told a tale of healing and holiday spirit. It was awesome.
The Magic Stocking: Liz Flaherty (5 STARS)
Ellie is on her own for the first time. She runs a small sock and glove store called Fingers and Feet. She is only expecting to stay in Christmas Town till the holiday season is over. Pat runs a tree farm and magically (cough cough) meets Ellie. They begin dating and in no time the magic that is Christmas Town has them both falling for each other.
This book was so sweet. I love short romances. This one had moments where I was scared it may get a bit ugly. I mean that's what you would expect when exes and parents get involved. It wasn't like that though. It was short and sweet and filled with holiday cheer. And of course it had tons of romance and magic.
BOOK 5: NUTCRACKER SWEETHEARTS
Thanksgiving Duet: Dana Mentink (5 STARS)
Pippa is a new mother. Her best friend died and left her in charge of little Viola. She is in Christmas Town working with the Orchestra for the holidays. Brodie met Pippa by chance when Viola wondered off and was in need of help. He has no intention of ever letting a woman close enough to hurt him. She is all business and trying to make it with her new little girl in tow. Maybe together they can heal old wounds and make new memories.
This book was a bit sad, but it told a good story. I loved the characters and the story. It had a great ending.
Christmas Curtain Call: Roz Denny Fox (5 STARS)
Giselle is working as a ballet director at the theater in Christmas Town. Connor works for the paper while raising his daughter, Misty, alone after his wife's sudden death. Conner is dealing with budgeting issues, while trying to help keep Giselle in a job, since he is her benefactor. Together they begin to bond and soon they find themselves falling for each other, thanks to Misty.
This book was so cute. Misty is the real star of this book. She is so innocent that know one knows what she is really doing, but it's really easy to pick up on. This was a great story, start to finish.
Set For New Year's: Amie Denman (4 STARS)
Jenny is the costume maker for the big Nutcracker production in Christmas town. Neil is the set builder. Neil is off limits and very closed off, but poor Jenny can't help but notice him. Soon the same goes for him. Jenny is something he never thought he'd want.
This story was good. Both Jenny and Neil are loners it seems. Their romance is slow forming and so sweet. Wonderful story.
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As a whole, this box set was amazing. Each individual novella presented a great tale. I loved how the 3 novellas made up each book. It made each book so much easier to love. I loved all the romance, family, and holiday cheer in this set. I will definitely be recommending this wonderful set....Stormi