Laura P. (hemmputnam) reviewed on 11/30/2009 + 1154 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 3

I had never read any of these authors before, so the short story format was a good way to try them out. I enjoyed the Fern Michaels story about the psychologist from a women's shelter finding sanctuary from a storm with a depressed Olympic skier. Someone needs to explain to the editors that psychologist, social worker, and counselor are not entirely equivalent words. It may feel the same if the you are the client on the couch, but there are different educational tracks, licensing requirements, and underlying belief systems!

The Bostwick story was my least favorite - no escapist romance here, just an overworked pastor with a pregnant feeling ignored wife and briefly challenging teen daughter. It was an accurate short story about the good and bad of church politics - not what I'm looking for in my escapist reading!

McMahan's story at least had a romance, but the heroine was conflicted because she was in the middle of divorce proceedings. Classy, passionate artist new love won out over blue collar, unsophisticated husband. Nice description of the Biltmore at Christmas, but I won't be seeking out additional work by this writer.

I LOVED the Noonan story about a hard working cop who is starting to feel bitter about his profession when a Christmas miracle occurs. I was literally moved to tears!

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