Christmas Miracles by Mary Balogh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Heartwarming Christmas Novellas
CHRISTMAS MIRACLES is a compilation of three novellas that were previously published as part of the Signet annual Regency Christmas anthology.
THE WASSAIL BOWL — John Beattie, Earl of Wyndham has been estranged from his wife Antonia because he believes she has been unfaithful to him. A visit at Christmas provides an opportunity for them to begin again. This story has surprising emotional complexity considering its short length. I also liked that Christmas was a real part of the story and not just a gloss over a story that could occur at any time. Rating: 4 stars.
THE BOND STREET CAROLERS — Roderick Ames, Baron Heath is a promoter of music and musical talent. Walking down Bond street he is arrested by a beautiful voice of a young boy. Fanny Berlington, a widow, devotes herself to her two children. Before her marriage, she had a small crush on the Baron, but she is wary of this man who wants to promote her son at his musicale. This story is sweet, but the romance was less convincing because of the little amount of time that the hero and heroine spend together. I wish this story had been a bit longer because I thought the characters were very interesting. Rating: 3.5 stars.
GUARDED BY ANGELS — Elliott Nichols, Viscount Garrett and June Nichols, Viscountess Garrett have been married for five and a half years and separated for five and one-quarter years. Married young, the two had difficulties because Elliott had just returned from war when they married and had not dealt with his issues caused by his service. Instead, it infected their marriage and caused their separation. This story had a very magical theme and it worked well because of the existing connection between the characters. I thought their problems dissolved quickly once they talked but the quick resolution was understandable considering the length of the story. Rating: 4 stars.