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The Heart of Christmas : A Handful of Gold / The Season for Suitors / This Wicked Gift
Author:
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
107
Author:
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
107
Review Date: 12/14/2009
Helpful Score: 3
The third story in this collection, Courtney Milan's debut, is interesting purely from the fact that unlike virtually all historicals I've read, it follows the lives of the working class. It makes for an intriguing difference.
Hot Blooded: Dark Hunger / Awaiting Moonrise / The Night Owl / Seduction's Gift
Author:
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
617
Author:
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
617
Review Date: 12/14/2009
I thought Feehan's story was okay, I didn't care for Shayne's story, Holly's story was much better than I expected, and I loved, loved, loved Knight's story.
Review Date: 12/14/2009
Helpful Score: 1
For me, the subplot about a mistress ruined any appeal of the love story.
Review Date: 12/30/2009
I really liked this story up until the very end. I haven't read any other Nicholas Sparks books, so I don't know if this is his usual approach, but he uses what I consider a cheap author trick at the ending. The book *ends* with you thinking a main character has died. It's only by the 3rd page of the 4 page long epilogue that you realize in a very oblique way that the character actually survived. If an author wants to pull emotionally manipulative crap like that, they should do it earlier in the story. You just do NOT have the last sentence of the story end on a lie. The epilogue can be used to tie things together, sure, but it shouldn't be used to introduce completely new information. The *only* reason for an author to use this method is emotional manipulation beyond the story itself - in other words, the story isn't strong enough on its own, so let's add in a lie to make it stronger. Cheap. Author. Trick.
Review Date: 12/14/2009
Helpful Score: 2
As another member mentioned, the h/h's past history really isn't that gory. I see that as the major flaw of the book. The entire story you're told that she hates him for what he did to her all those years ago. By the end of the book, you're prepared for something horrible to justify her feelings. However, once the final backstory chapter happens, you can't help feeling disappointed, as it's such a minor issue.
Review Date: 12/14/2009
The love story was only slightly believable, and as someone else mentioned, the ghost aspect seemed a bit off.
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