Because I'm reading this book as an audiobook, I did not have an opportunity to check the publisher's date for the individual stories. The first story is a reprint from A PIONEER CHRISTMAS COLLECTION (published in 2014). This book was printed in 2020. I just heard the publication dates at the end of the story and they were all well before the 2020 publication date of this book. Therefore, there's a strong chance that you have read some, or all, of these stories in other volumes. Overall score = G+.
A CHRISTMAS CASTLE (Cynthia Hickey) -- VG
This story occurs in Arizona Territory, two years after the Civil War (1867). Annie marries by proxy (in Missouri) and travels to meet her husband in Arizona. However, when she arrives, her husband is dead, she has inherited a daughter and men who want her ranch. The only one who is interested in stopping the avalanche of trouble coming toward Annie is her new neighbor, Drake Carter. It seems that there were a few things Annie's deceased husband neglected to mention in his letters to Annie.
A STAR IN THE NIGHT (Liz Johnson) -- G+
Cora Sinclair finds a wounded Union officer (Capt.Jedediah Harrington) not far from their cabin. Cora and her grandfather tend to Jedediah's wounds and he stays with them until Christmas. Cora is haunted by the sights and smells as a battlefield hospital volunteer. Cora and Jedediah become close (partly because he helps Cora with her nightmares), but he must leave to return to his important work and Cora is afraid to give him her heart.
AN IRISH BRIDE FOR CHRISTMAS (Vickie McDonough) -- VG
Jackson Lancaster is reeling from the news that his brother and sister-in-law were killed in a stagecoach hold-up. Jackson has become the instant guardian of his 4-year-old niece. While he's still taking that in, the mayor's wife convinces the judge to give Rose (the new orphan) to them. When Jackson objects, the judge gives him a month to find a wife -- or the child will permanently stay with the mayor's family.
Larkin Doyle is told by the mayor's wife that Jackson does not want the child and when she meets him, she is sharp with the man. He is devastated to be turned away without seeing his niece. This is an interesting story.
UNDER HIS WINGS (Liz Tolsma) -- VG
When Adie O'Connell's father is suddenly killed in a logging accident, Adie becomes an orphan, with no one to protect her from the rough lumberjacks in camp. Her father asked Noah 'Preacher Man' Mitchell to take care of Adie if anything happened to him. Within hours, Adie is attacked and she decides to accept the marriage (of convenience) proposal from Noah. However, she does not think the marriage will be serious because Noah plans to become a preacher (and travel for his work). She dreams of a stable home and family.
SHELTER IN THE STORM (Carrie Turansky) -- G+
When James Galloway, wounded as an artist-war correspondent, arrives at the Thornton family home, Rachel takes care of him. She is the elder daughter of the respected doctor, who treats all - North and South injured. Rachel becomes interested in James but is reluctant to love another because she's already lost someone else in the war. I thought this story was rather blah.
CHRISTMAS SERVICE (Erica Vetsch) -- G
Beth Sorensen believes that she was meant to serve God as a helper to a minister, like generations of her forefathers and mothers. Thus, when a young blacksmith asks for her hand, she is uninterested. But a Minnesota blizzard put a stop to her Christmas pageant and the blacksmith helps her see the light.
A CHRISTMAS CASTLE (Cynthia Hickey) -- VG
This story occurs in Arizona Territory, two years after the Civil War (1867). Annie marries by proxy (in Missouri) and travels to meet her husband in Arizona. However, when she arrives, her husband is dead, she has inherited a daughter and men who want her ranch. The only one who is interested in stopping the avalanche of trouble coming toward Annie is her new neighbor, Drake Carter. It seems that there were a few things Annie's deceased husband neglected to mention in his letters to Annie.
A STAR IN THE NIGHT (Liz Johnson) -- G+
Cora Sinclair finds a wounded Union officer (Capt.Jedediah Harrington) not far from their cabin. Cora and her grandfather tend to Jedediah's wounds and he stays with them until Christmas. Cora is haunted by the sights and smells as a battlefield hospital volunteer. Cora and Jedediah become close (partly because he helps Cora with her nightmares), but he must leave to return to his important work and Cora is afraid to give him her heart.
AN IRISH BRIDE FOR CHRISTMAS (Vickie McDonough) -- VG
Jackson Lancaster is reeling from the news that his brother and sister-in-law were killed in a stagecoach hold-up. Jackson has become the instant guardian of his 4-year-old niece. While he's still taking that in, the mayor's wife convinces the judge to give Rose (the new orphan) to them. When Jackson objects, the judge gives him a month to find a wife -- or the child will permanently stay with the mayor's family.
Larkin Doyle is told by the mayor's wife that Jackson does not want the child and when she meets him, she is sharp with the man. He is devastated to be turned away without seeing his niece. This is an interesting story.
UNDER HIS WINGS (Liz Tolsma) -- VG
When Adie O'Connell's father is suddenly killed in a logging accident, Adie becomes an orphan, with no one to protect her from the rough lumberjacks in camp. Her father asked Noah 'Preacher Man' Mitchell to take care of Adie if anything happened to him. Within hours, Adie is attacked and she decides to accept the marriage (of convenience) proposal from Noah. However, she does not think the marriage will be serious because Noah plans to become a preacher (and travel for his work). She dreams of a stable home and family.
SHELTER IN THE STORM (Carrie Turansky) -- G+
When James Galloway, wounded as an artist-war correspondent, arrives at the Thornton family home, Rachel takes care of him. She is the elder daughter of the respected doctor, who treats all - North and South injured. Rachel becomes interested in James but is reluctant to love another because she's already lost someone else in the war. I thought this story was rather blah.
CHRISTMAS SERVICE (Erica Vetsch) -- G
Beth Sorensen believes that she was meant to serve God as a helper to a minister, like generations of her forefathers and mothers. Thus, when a young blacksmith asks for her hand, she is uninterested. But a Minnesota blizzard put a stop to her Christmas pageant and the blacksmith helps her see the light.
