Three siblings find love during one magical Christmas season.
Christmas, Actually
by Anna Adams, Anna J. Stewart, & Melinda Curtis
Clean Contemporary Romance
Paperback and Ebook, 202 pages
November 1st 2014 by Harlequin Heartwarming
Discover the magic of Christmas Town, Maine!
Three lonely strangers come to Christmas Town, Maine, and find love with three Banning siblings in the town that celebrates the holidays by decorating its square with lights and ribbons and a holiday pageant on Christmas Eve. Tradition has it that a kiss beneath the mistletoe that night means marriage for the couple in the new year.
The Christmas Gift by Anna Adams:
Jack Banning promised to support the mother of his unborn child. But she doesn't need money; she only needs him.
The Christmas Wish by Anna J. Stewart:
Callie Banning's student has declared war on Christmas, so it's up to her to help the little girl--and her widowed father--believe again.
The Christmas Date by Melinda Curtis:
Gina Vernay is about to meet her online mystery date--and she's in for the surprise of a lifetime!
The Christmas Gift: This novella provides a nice introduction to Christmas Town and its citizens. While I liked both Jack and Sophie, I did think his behavior was a bit far-fetched, even for someone suffering from PTSD. But it's a sweet novella with a happy ending, and I could easily see it as an entry in Hallmark or Lifetime's Christmas lineup. 3 stars.
The Christmas Wish: I enjoyed The Christmas Wish, a sweet story about Callie, a teacher who takes a troubled student under her wing and ends up falling for the student's single father. 3-1/2 stars.
The Christmas Date: The instant I started reading this story, I knew I was going to love it. There's just something about those You've Got Mail-esque stories that I love. Nick and Gina are both so likeable, and their chemistry lept off the page. This was easily my favorite of the three stories! 5 stars.
As a whole, I think this collection would have worked better if the novellas hadn't been connected. All three of these stories are supposed to take place during the same Christmas season in the same small town to people from the same family. Yet, as a whole, these siblings know nothing about the others' romances. (The exception is Callie's knowledge of Nick's feelings for Gina.) I think the series would have played better had the stories taken place in different years or been connected solely by Christmas Town. Still, the stories are enjoyable, and they're perfect for reading in front of a cozy fire. 3-1/2 stars.
The Christmas Gift: This novella provides a nice introduction to Christmas Town and its citizens. While I liked both Jack and Sophie, I did think his behavior was a bit far-fetched, even for someone suffering from PTSD. But it's a sweet novella with a happy ending, and I could easily see it as an entry in Hallmark or Lifetime's Christmas lineup. 3 stars.
The Christmas Wish: I enjoyed The Christmas Wish, a sweet story about Callie, a teacher who takes a troubled student under her wing and ends up falling for the student's single father. 3-1/2 stars.
The Christmas Date: The instant I started reading this story, I knew I was going to love it. There's just something about those You've Got Mail-esque stories that I love. Nick and Gina are both so likeable, and their chemistry lept off the page. This was easily my favorite of the three stories! 5 stars.
As a whole, I think this collection would have worked better if the novellas hadn't been connected. All three of these stories are supposed to take place during the same Christmas season in the same small town to people from the same family. Yet, as a whole, these siblings know nothing about the others' romances. (The exception is Callie's knowledge of Nick's feelings for Gina.) I think the series would have played better had the stories taken place in different years or been connected solely by Christmas Town. Still, the stories are enjoyable, and they're perfect for reading in front of a cozy fire. 3-1/2 stars.
Anna Adams wrote her first romance in wet sand. The Atlantic Ocean washed it away, but Anna kept going. Her stories are of love, like the proverbial stone in a lake, making ripples that spread and contract and involve. From Iceland to Hawaii, and points in between, Anna and her own hero share with children and family and friends who?ve become family. All this living and loving gives Anna plenty of fodder for stories of love set in real life. Come along and live them with her!
Anna J. Stewart can't remember a time she didn't have a book in her hand or a story in her head and credits her mother never saying no to a book for turning her into a writer. Anna lives in Northern California with an overly attentive cat named Snickers and is happiest when setting her heroes and heroines on their road to happily ever after amidst family, fun and laughter.
Melinda Curtis grew up on an isolated sheep ranch, where mountain lions had been seen and yet she roamed unaccompanied. Being a rather optimistic, clueless of danger, sort she took to playing "what if" games that led her to become an author. She spends days trying to figure out new ways to say "He made her heart pound." That might sound boring, but the challenge keeps her mentally ahead of her 3 kids and college sweetheart husband.
A themed tour through Prism Book Tours.
Tour-Wide Giveaway
- Gift Card Prize Pack: $20 Amazon gift card and ebook of Christmas, Actually (open
internationally)
- US Prize Pack: Paperback of Christmas, Actually and three Christmas ornaments
(US only)
- 3 ebooks of Christmas, Actually (open internationally)
Ends November 30th
11/12
11/13
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11/16
11/17
11/18
11/19
11/20
11/21
11/23 - Grand Finale
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review through Prism Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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