I love a good Christmas novella. I love Becky Wade's writing. So when the two combine, well, that's magic 😃.
The Christmas Heirloom: Four Holiday Novellas of Love through the Generations is a collection of novellas, written by four popular inspy fiction writers, spanning from the 1820s through today. All are loosely connected to the others, and all are delightful.
In Kristi Ann Hunter's "Legacy of Love," Sarah Gooding never suspected returning a brooch to an elderly woman would lead to a job . . . and introduce her to the woman's grandson, a man far above her station.
In Karen Witemeyer's "Gift of the Heart," widow Ruth Albright uses the family brooch as collateral for a loan from the local banker. But the more she comes to know the man behind the stern businessman, the more she hopes for a second chance at love.
In Sarah Loudin Thomas's "A Shot at Love," Fleeta Brady's rough-and-tumble childhood means she prefers hunting to more feminine activities. She never expected her family's brooch might be how a fellow hunter turns her attention from competition to romance.
In Becky Wade's "Because of You," Maddie Winslow has spent years in love with a man whose heart was already spoken for. When a church Christmas project brings them together and she stumbles upon an old family brooch, might it finally be her turn for love?
This collection was so much fun to read! The connecting point among all four stories is a broach, passed down through the generations, that is supposed to bring love to its owner. It's a fun premise, and each individual novella is a great read in and of itself. 4-1/2 stars for the collection as a whole ... keep reading for my thoughts on each novella!
Legacy of Love (A Haven Manor novella) by Kristi Ann Hunter
It's a rare book that will make me both laugh and cry, but that's what happened as I read Legacy of Love. This novella is a love story, but it's much less of a romance between a man and a woman than it is about the love a dying old woman has for those around her. It's a beautiful, touching Christmas story. 4-1/2 stars.
Gift of the Heart by Karen Witemeyer
This is a take on the biblical story of Ruth. Bo Azlin (get it?) and Ruth have a beautiful love story, and Bo's letter to Ruth nearly had me swooning. 4-1/2 stars.
A Shot at Love (A Sound of Rain novella) by Sarah Loudin Thomas
While this novella felt just a touch too long, I still enjoyed it. Fleeta is such a unique heroine, and her relationship with Hank is very sweet. I also loved her relationship with her family. 4 stars.
Because of You (A Bradford Sisters Romance novella) by Becky Wade
This novella screams Hallmark Christmas movie! Single girl and widower working together to provide Christmas for a family in need? Adorable child who bonds with the single girl? Mother-in-law who isn't ready to see the widower move on? Somebody get Hallmark on the phone, STAT 😊.
This novella is simply delightful! Maddie and Leo are characters you root for, and their budding relationship is so sweet. Fans of Wade's Bradford Sisters novels will appreciate the check-in with Nora & John and Willow & Corbin ... and this serves to set up youngest sister Britt's story. However, you do not need to have read the other books to enjoy this novella—it's a wonderful story in its own right. Also, Wade had me at Les Mis. 5 stars.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of other books by Witemeyer, Hunter, Thomas, & Wade.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from one of the authors. 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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