The Heart of Christmas

I've always had a soft spot for Christmas anthologies. I enjoy anthologies and short series romances in general as a change of pace from the single titles, but the best Christmas anthologies often have an extra dose of emotion that makes the stories extra special for me. I enjoyed all of the stories in The Heart of Christmas and it's definitely one to add to my stack of good holiday reads.

European Historical Romance (Regency England)
Sensuality: Subtle

Mary Balogh's A Handful of Gold, originally published in The Gifts of Christmas, was the strongest story in the anthology for me. As always, her writing style is superb, and she tells a deeply emotional story in rather understated language.

The jaded Julian Dare has decided to allow himself a Christmas of debauchery before doing his family duty by marrying his parents' chosen lady and producing heirs. Finding himself rather taken with opera dancer Blanche Heyward, he offers her 500 pounds if she will accompany him to the country home of a friend for the holidays. Unknown to Julian, Blanche is actually Verity Ewing, an impoverished young lady who works as a dancer in order to procure medicine for her ill sister.

At the beginning, Balogh lays things on rather thick with descriptions of Verity's innocence and perfect ladylike nature. Verity is pure as the driven snow, but willing to martyr herself and sell her virginity in order to save her sick sister. Balogh writes good martyr heroines, but this one started off a little too perfect. However, just as I thought I was going to be rolling my eyes during the entire story, Balogh made Verity much more intelligent and interesting, and told a very heartwarming Christmas story. If you like stories that contain religious messages without being heavily preachy or necessarily having to follow the CBA restrictions required of inspirationals, you will probably like this one.

European Historical Romance (Regency England)
Sensuality: Warm

I've actually already read The Season for Suitors, another reprinted story, however, I'm always glad for an excuse to read Nicola Cornick. Though the set-up of this story is a tad contrived, the execution is handled very well, and it's both entertaining and a very sweet read.

Beset by fortune hunters, heiress Clara Davencourt contacts Sebastian Fleet, a notorious rake. She figures that as a rake with a bad reputation, Sebastian can use his experience to tutor her in handling the men who try to compromise her in the hope of forcing a marriage. However, Clara also has a history with Sebastian and we learn very quickly that she once (unsuccessfully) asked him to marry her.

On the weaker side, Clara starts off a little too far in feistiness territory and she and Sebastian spend a shade too much time bickering and refusing to be honest with themselves about their emotions. However, they also have good chemistry and, after their initial encounters, reveal themselves to be likable characters. Very little tutelage about the ways of rakes occurs, but the resulting story is enough of a joy that I really didn't care. And in my opinion, getting away from the initial contrived set-up actually improves the story.

European Historical Romance (1822 England)
Sensuality: Hot

The final story in the anthology comes from debut author Courtney Milan. This Wicked Gift was probably the hardest one to grade. It definitely has some original touches to it and the author uses the law of the time in very clever fashion. However, it did take longer than it should have for the chemistry between the leads to seem believable and that made it difficult for me to feel immersed in the story until the second half.

Unlike many Regency historical authors, Milan writes about ordinary people rather than lords and ladies. Due to her father's illness, Lavinia Spencer manages the family lending library. Needless to say, she makes very little at it. However, she has saved some money to give her family a Christmas like the ones they enjoyed when her mother was still alive. It looks like all is lost when we learn that Lavinia's brother has not only lost the Christmas money but has been taken advantage of by a swindler demanding yet more from him.

Rescue comes in the unlikely form of an impoverished clerk named William Q. White. William and Lavinia have intrigued one another since William opened his subscription at the library, and a turn of events brings them together near Christmas. Though the author tells a rather steamy tale, the chemistry just didn't seem to work right away and things felt a little rushed at first. The use of too much narrative that tells rather than shows in the opening chapters may have contributed to this problem. However, things start to gel in the second half of the story and, as the author lets the characters speak, an intelligent, clever voice shows through. For those who like this story, it should also be noted that the hero of Milan's January 2010 novel makes an appearance here as well.

Though Christmas is still a couple months away, The Heart of Christmas contains three strong stories that will get readers ready for the season. It's not often that I find an anthology where I enjoy all of the stories, but I certainly did with this one and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good holiday read.

-- Lynn Spencer

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