|
The Marrying Kind by Kathleen Y’Barbo
Peony Potter takes the only way out of her dreadful situation living in her mother’s brothel. She accepts the task of accompanying one of her mother’s clients elderly father’s out west.
Circumstance leads Peony to stop her journey half way. But, she is determined to open her own dress shop. She works for six months earning money and then ‘chance’ has her meet a certain traveling newspaper man who holds the key to Peony’s future in Cut Corners, Texas.
Sherriff Rafe Wilson collides with petite Peony Potter as soon as she takes possession of the former newspaper office in Cut Corners, Texas. When a small crime spree erupts he can’t help but suspect she’s the reason – all clues lead to the tiny beauty.
Here Comes The Bride -- Cathy Marie Hake
Prim and proper Lacey Mather puts her plans on hold so she can help her injured Aunt Millie run the restaurant in Cut Corners, Texas. Locals love the improvements Lacey brings to the otherwise unusual fare offered, and really don’t want Millie take over cooking again.
Handsome, quiet Jeffrey Wilson is Cut Corners bachelor blacksmith. He has little need or desire for high falutin’ women like the Millie’s fancy niece. But, he does enjoy watching the other men fall over themselves trying to catch her eye. When, suddenly, he discovers he’s rather smitten with her as well, he wonders if he’ll be able to woo her to stay, when she’s clearly got other plans?
Unexpected Blessings – Vicki McDonough
Anna Campbell would love to keep her charges Mark and Molly as her own. For the past two years she has bonded with the children and come to love them as her own. But the children’s parents Will clearly stated, in case of their death, the children were to be raised by their Uncle Erik in Cut Corners, Texas.
Anna arrives in Cut Corners with a heavy heart at leaving the children she loves, and, when they meet Erik Olson, his cold response and accusations make her contemplate the order of the Will.
Erik Olson can’t believe this young women, would actually use the two young children to deceive him. His only brother died years earlier so there is no way these two could be his brother's children. Why would she try to trick him? Erik’s Uncle Lars does a little scheming and tries to play the role of a matchmaking angel.
Is Anna telling the truth or is Erik correct in his speculation?
Christmas Chronicle -- Pamela Griffin
Travis McCoy is a photographer who travels from tow to town, chronicling the west. He knows he’ll never marry or raise a family. What woman in her right mind would want such a nomadic life?
Clumsy, societal misfit Vivian Sager can’t help but stumble in her ventures. When newcomer Travis asks to escort her to the town dance, she suspects he was put up to it as some sort of trickery, but his good looks and demeanor make her accept the offer.
Their relationship gets off to a rough start but somewhere along the line, God develops a picture for the two that could frame them both, for life.
I enjoyed every story in this sweet collection but my favorite is Unexpected Blessings. The angst Anna feels at losing her two heart-children to a man who seems cold and callous, broke my heart!
The meddlin’ men – the four retired matchmakers, had me chuckling, too.
A delightful group of Christmas Stories, sure to make the reader smile!
This will make a great hostess gift or stocking stuffer.
Reviewed by Linda Mae Baldwin
for The Road to Romance
December 8, 2005
|
