jjares reviewed on 1/29/2013 + 3413 more book reviews

Often, anthologies are short stories by different authors around one theme (i.e.: Christmas). Here, another theme was added all of the stories took place in and around Kasota Springs, Texas. Thus, the characters and stories were gently interwoven. I felt it added so much!

A CHRISTMAS WISH: Samuel Thompson is part of an unusual clan that doesnt like visitors, questions about their business or spending time in town (Kasota Springs, Texas).

Since the death of her parents, Maggie has run the general store on her own. Samuel and Maggie shared a special friendship during the one year Sam went to school. He feels that he needs to help Maggie because he's overheard men talking about robbing the store and molesting the young woman.

After Sam foils the attempt, he takes Maggie to his isolated home to avoid the ringleader who has vowed to kill them both.

Jodi Thomas entry was a serious disappointment! Thomas has such skill that she enchants the reader from the first page; however, I had some problems with the story:

1) While together, they decide to act as if they are married. (???)

2) The author tells us that both Maggie and Samuel are ostracized by the community. However, she doesnt explain why Maggie would be isolated, except to say she was bossy and controlling. In the story, she shows none of these behaviors.

3) Ive read almost all of Thomas books (Im still looking for 3) and she uses the rules far too often. Another reviewer said that she thought it was to create conflict between characters. I agree.

NAUGHTY OR NICE (DeWanna Pace): This is a lovely story about an outcast saloon-keeper, Anna Ross, who is coming back to Kasota Springs with a wagon-load of liquor.

The year 1877 had one of the most severe blizzards in Texas Panhandle history. Anna is struggling to get home, but finds a New England-bred tenderfoot lost in a drift: James Elliott the Third.

THE CHRISTMAS BELL (Linda Broday): Sloan Sullivan owns a ranch near the railroad and notices that the train is stalled due to snow drifts covering the tracks. He loads up supplies and food and takes it to the train riders.

There he finds trouble aplenty: one man has scarlet fever and an extremely-pregnant woman is on board. Tess Whitgrove, the bankers daughter, has been assigned the task of helping the passengers. Theres no love lost between Sullivan and Whitgrove. However, theres more work than she can do alone and Sullivan stays on the train.

To prove to the town that shes not just a poor little rich girl, Tess has traveled to bring the new church bell to the town in time for Christmas. If they remain on the tracks, the bell wont arrive in time.

There were 2 oddities about this story:

1) Of course, the pregnant lady has her baby on the train, during the blinding blizzard! During those days, pregnant women did not travel during the last 3 or 4 months. Half the mothers in America lost their lives during child-birth. It was important for a woman to be near the medical help she might need.

2) Why was Tess considered to be a poor little rich girl? In communities, family members of prominent citizens were treated with deference not condescension!

AWAY IN THE MANGER (Phyliss Miranda): This is my favorite because it really captured the magic of Christmas. The plot was very predictable, but charming.

Randall Humphrey is the towns blacksmith; hes just going through the motions of life. The towns major pain-in-the-pants has hired him to make sure her niece plus twins are brought to her as soon as they arrive.

Sensing Sarahs reluctance to stay with her aunt, Rand tells the aunt her relatives will come as soon as they are up from naps. By the time they are awake, the blizzard is at its worst. The 3 stay with Randall in his home.

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