jjares reviewed Upon a Midnight Clear: The Teacher / Christmas Magic / Jolly Holly / If Only in My Dreams / White Out on + 3413 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
These are five original tales about the spirit of Christmas.
THE TEACHER (Jude Deveraux) The only other thing Id read by this author was LAVENDAR MORNING, which I thought was awful. However, this short story about a gutsy teacher (Kathryn de Longe) who tames the wildest child in Legend, Colorado, is a keeper. I loved it so much Ive reread it several times.
CHRISTMAS MAGIC (Margaret Allison) Artist Kim Risson gets a call that her estranged father (head of a surgical department in a major hospital) needs emergency surgery. Kim immediately travels to her father and meets the doctor who is going to do his surgery. Kim stays at her old home; she learns a great deal about her father and herself. With forgiveness, Kim and her father form a new bond.
JOLLY HOLLY (Stef Ann Holm) This story was really original but I just couldnt get into it. It took forever to finish it; Im glad I did. John Wolcott and Isabel Burche were both lonely and dirt poor. A contest brings them together and Santa is a unique character in this tale.
IF ONLY IN MY DREAM (Mariah Stewart) This story about soul mates Quinn Hollister and Cale McKenzie is dazzling in its simplicity and beauty. Planning to elope 12 years ago, their meeting didnt take place and each went his own way. Now a blizzard brings Quinn to Cales old home and they meet again. It is obvious that they still love each other and Cales twin sons bring them back together.
WHITE OUT (Linda Howard) Caught in a blizzard, Price Tanner stumbles upon an isolated cabin owned by Hope Bradshaw. She saves his life but soon learns that there are escaped felons and police officers loose in the storm. This leads to an interesting mystery of who Price really is. I was stunned by their first sexual encounter Hope was almost unconscious when it occurred. Hmmmm.
THE TEACHER (Jude Deveraux) The only other thing Id read by this author was LAVENDAR MORNING, which I thought was awful. However, this short story about a gutsy teacher (Kathryn de Longe) who tames the wildest child in Legend, Colorado, is a keeper. I loved it so much Ive reread it several times.
CHRISTMAS MAGIC (Margaret Allison) Artist Kim Risson gets a call that her estranged father (head of a surgical department in a major hospital) needs emergency surgery. Kim immediately travels to her father and meets the doctor who is going to do his surgery. Kim stays at her old home; she learns a great deal about her father and herself. With forgiveness, Kim and her father form a new bond.
JOLLY HOLLY (Stef Ann Holm) This story was really original but I just couldnt get into it. It took forever to finish it; Im glad I did. John Wolcott and Isabel Burche were both lonely and dirt poor. A contest brings them together and Santa is a unique character in this tale.
IF ONLY IN MY DREAM (Mariah Stewart) This story about soul mates Quinn Hollister and Cale McKenzie is dazzling in its simplicity and beauty. Planning to elope 12 years ago, their meeting didnt take place and each went his own way. Now a blizzard brings Quinn to Cales old home and they meet again. It is obvious that they still love each other and Cales twin sons bring them back together.
WHITE OUT (Linda Howard) Caught in a blizzard, Price Tanner stumbles upon an isolated cabin owned by Hope Bradshaw. She saves his life but soon learns that there are escaped felons and police officers loose in the storm. This leads to an interesting mystery of who Price really is. I was stunned by their first sexual encounter Hope was almost unconscious when it occurred. Hmmmm.
Rolinda B. reviewed Upon a Midnight Clear: The Teacher / Christmas Magic / Jolly Holly / If Only in My Dreams / White Out on + 9 more book reviews
Especially enjoyed the story by Linda Howard "White Out"...I am familiar with her hardback thrillers, so it was fun to see an old fashioned romance by her. Also, Jude Deveraux, always fun to see the town of Legend.
Debra M. (dreamer) reviewed Upon a Midnight Clear: The Teacher / Christmas Magic / Jolly Holly / If Only in My Dreams / White Out on + 380 more book reviews
Great Christmas reading - A spirited Irishwoman comes to a rugged Colorado town to govern a young ruffian and learns a love lesson from the boy's father...In the midst of a blizzard, a snowbound woman offers shelter to a mysterious stranger....Home for the holidays, an artist proves opposities can attract when she falls for an unconventional doctor...A holly berry-picking contest in the California hills brings two determined hearts together for the greatest prize of all...A lively family reunion on a Montana ranch brings on a flurry of memories for a beautiful young writer and a winter storm that rekindles an old flame.
Kristie C. (zeldabel) reviewed Upon a Midnight Clear: The Teacher / Christmas Magic / Jolly Holly / If Only in My Dreams / White Out on + 160 more book reviews
Contains five holiday stories - including two by romance superstars Jude Deveraux and Linda Howard.
Amberly B. (Amberly) reviewed Upon a Midnight Clear: The Teacher / Christmas Magic / Jolly Holly / If Only in My Dreams / White Out on + 117 more book reviews
Great set of stories. Made me want to read more Linda Howard books.
Maria P. (BklynMom) - , reviewed Upon a Midnight Clear: The Teacher / Christmas Magic / Jolly Holly / If Only in My Dreams / White Out on + 541 more book reviews
Neat little stories all about Christmas and beleiving. Very diverse settings, great writers, solid story lines.
Jo Anne B. (bookworm212) reviewed Upon a Midnight Clear: The Teacher / Christmas Magic / Jolly Holly / If Only in My Dreams / White Out on
Al of these writers are good
Gladys G. (chichi) reviewed Upon a Midnight Clear: The Teacher / Christmas Magic / Jolly Holly / If Only in My Dreams / White Out on + 68 more book reviews
the last story was not a christmas story... but a good read.
Jeanette B. (jnet) reviewed Upon a Midnight Clear: The Teacher / Christmas Magic / Jolly Holly / If Only in My Dreams / White Out on + 147 more book reviews
Heartfelt joy, enduring hope, and dazzling romance...Share the brightest treasures of the season with this acclaimed collection of holiday tales by five shining romance stars.
Julie A. (Julesa) reviewed Upon a Midnight Clear: The Teacher / Christmas Magic / Jolly Holly / If Only in My Dreams / White Out on + 69 more book reviews
A nice collection of holiday stories
Katie H. (kathavery) reviewed Upon a Midnight Clear: The Teacher / Christmas Magic / Jolly Holly / If Only in My Dreams / White Out on + 33 more book reviews
4 Stars!
Robin M. (robinmy) -
I read two stories in this Christmas anthology:
Jolly Holly by Stef Ann Holm - Bellamy Nichlaus, the richest guy in a small California town, posts notices all over town about the Jolly Holly Contest he is holding. The person who picks the most holly berries in the next two weeks to decorate the town Christmas tree, will win "riches beyond their wildest dreams". When Isabel Burche reads the notice, she knows she can win this contest. She knows the area and is sure she is aware of berry patches no one has discovered. She's stunned to find someone else has beat her to the best berries. John Wolcott is usually warming in a stool in the local saloon. He is determined to win this contest so he can open his own business. Everywhere he goes to pick berries, Isabel shows up. Everytime Isabel finds a large berry patch, John is right behind her. The duo quickly decide they may have to work together to win this contest.
This is a cute historical romance with enjoyable characters. It is actually a prequel to Holm's "Brides for All Seasons" series. My rating: 4 Stars.
White Out by Linda Howard - Lodge owner Hope Bradshaw is bemoaning the fact that her biological clock is ticking and she wants a baby, but doesn't have a man. She makes up her mind to do something about it while she is preparing her cabins for the winter storm that is brewing. As the blizzard winds start to howl and snow quickly builds up, Hope hears something on her porch. Opening the door, she finds a Sheriff's Deputy Price Tanner half frozen and drags him into her home. Stripping him of his wet, frozen clothing, Hope uses her body heat to warm him up. After spending day and night keeping him warm (over and over again), Hope hears news on the radio of a prison transport that had wrecked a few miles from her home. Two deputies are dead. Authorities were looking for three escapees who may be dangerous. Hope begins to question who the man is that is spending so much time in her bed.
Linda Howard always writes and interesting story. Hope seemed a bit calculating about wanting Price to be her baby daddy even though she didn't know him. But she did finally come clean to him about it. I did like the little mystery of Price's identity. That was a nice twist. My rating: 3 Stars.
Jolly Holly by Stef Ann Holm - Bellamy Nichlaus, the richest guy in a small California town, posts notices all over town about the Jolly Holly Contest he is holding. The person who picks the most holly berries in the next two weeks to decorate the town Christmas tree, will win "riches beyond their wildest dreams". When Isabel Burche reads the notice, she knows she can win this contest. She knows the area and is sure she is aware of berry patches no one has discovered. She's stunned to find someone else has beat her to the best berries. John Wolcott is usually warming in a stool in the local saloon. He is determined to win this contest so he can open his own business. Everywhere he goes to pick berries, Isabel shows up. Everytime Isabel finds a large berry patch, John is right behind her. The duo quickly decide they may have to work together to win this contest.
This is a cute historical romance with enjoyable characters. It is actually a prequel to Holm's "Brides for All Seasons" series. My rating: 4 Stars.
White Out by Linda Howard - Lodge owner Hope Bradshaw is bemoaning the fact that her biological clock is ticking and she wants a baby, but doesn't have a man. She makes up her mind to do something about it while she is preparing her cabins for the winter storm that is brewing. As the blizzard winds start to howl and snow quickly builds up, Hope hears something on her porch. Opening the door, she finds a Sheriff's Deputy Price Tanner half frozen and drags him into her home. Stripping him of his wet, frozen clothing, Hope uses her body heat to warm him up. After spending day and night keeping him warm (over and over again), Hope hears news on the radio of a prison transport that had wrecked a few miles from her home. Two deputies are dead. Authorities were looking for three escapees who may be dangerous. Hope begins to question who the man is that is spending so much time in her bed.
Linda Howard always writes and interesting story. Hope seemed a bit calculating about wanting Price to be her baby daddy even though she didn't know him. But she did finally come clean to him about it. I did like the little mystery of Price's identity. That was a nice twist. My rating: 3 Stars.
Cathy K. (chattycathy) reviewed Upon a Midnight Clear: The Teacher / Christmas Magic / Jolly Holly / If Only in My Dreams / White Out on + 65 more book reviews
Great short stories. Just right for light reading.
Linda F. (BamaReader) reviewed Upon a Midnight Clear: The Teacher / Christmas Magic / Jolly Holly / If Only in My Dreams / White Out on + 28 more book reviews
Great stories by great writers
