The Most Wonderful Time by Ferm Michaels, Stacy Finz, Sarah Title, Shirlee McCoy

Title: The Most Wonderful Time
Author: Fern Michaels, Stacy Finz, Sarah Title, Shirlee McCoy
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas
Length: 384 Pages
Publisher: Zebra
Release Date: October 25, 2016
Source: Amazon Vine
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 2
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

What goes better with mistletoe and merriment than the sweet beginnings of romance?

“Christmas Passed” by Fern Michaels
Three years after her husband’s death, Brandy Heyers still finds that celebrating the holidays without him is anything but jolly. Then handsome widower Ryan Rogers shows her that moving on is possible, and her frozen heart begins to melt…

“A Glory Junction Christmas” by Stacy Finz
When Hannah Baldwin hears her ex is getting remarried, she’s ready to give up on Christmas, not to mention love. But the best gifts come in unexpected packages, and old friend Josh Garner is just the man to convince her that the coming New Year is going to be the happiest yet…

“Moonshine and Mistletoe” by Sarah Title
A holiday fling is all Emma Fallader expects when she meets gorgeous fiddler Abe Tate at her friend’s wedding—but after just days together, it isn’t all she wants. Can the spirit of the season work its special magic for two people separated by more than miles?

“An Apple Valley Christmas” by Shirlee McCoy
Now that her beloved dad is gone, Emma Baily is facing the holidays alone—until her ex, Jack McAllister, shows up to help her close her father’s estate. After four years apart, only the magic of Christmas will show Emma that joy is a gift meant to be shared…

As with any anthology, some were better than others, but overall this set really hit the holiday spot.

Christmas Passed is a sad story that finds a twisty way to turn happy. Brandy is severely depressed after her husband dies and her children are paying the price. It's almost as if they've lost both parents instead of one. But Ryan sneaks into her life and helps her find the bright spots, one at a time. A very touching romance that just might make your cry.

A Glory Junction Christmas is a fun read. Hannah's ex is getting re-married and it seems like she's the only one in town not invited to the wedding. Christmas just isn't as much fun when you feel like you're being left behind and left out. Josh is determined to see her happy and smile again. A sweet romance, but it didn't stand out as much as some of the others in this collection.

Moonshine and Mistletoe is my favorite of the collection, by far. The whole situation that Emma and Abe find themselves in was perfect. It doesn't hurt that she's a librarian and he's a musician. The perfect pair in my mind. I can't even pick a favorite part, because I loved all of them so much! Great mix of humor, a little excitement, and the sweetest couple ever.

An Apple Valley Christmas is another sad starting one, and it takes awhile to turn around. I loved the history of Emma's house. The house is almost a character in the story on its own. A little different than some of the stories I've read. I really enjoyed the way it turned both of our characters around and slid them together.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Making Spirits Bright Anthology - Review

Title: Making Spirits Bright Anthology
Author: Anthology
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 433 pages
Publisher: Zebra
Release Date: November 5, 2013
Source: Contest Win
Rating: 4
Heat Rating: 2
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Secret wishes, sweet surprises, and gifts straight from the heart. Delight in this season's most joyous presents with these four sparkling tales...

Making Spirits Bright by Fern Michaels
Melanie McLaughlin desperately wants to adopt two orphaned siblings and give them a real home for Christmas. A just-for-the-holiday marriage to Bryce Landry fits her plan perfectly...until unexpected sparks have Melanie dreaming of forever by his side...

Runaway Christmas by Elizabeth Bass
A glass of wine, lounging in pajamas, ans catching up on movies - that's Heidi Bogue's idea of a perfect Christmas. Until her thirteen-year-old niece makes a surprise visit - and a snowstorm turns Heidi's cafe into a community refuge. Now one handsome cop is giving Heidi plenty more reasons to celebrate...

Home For Christmas by Rosalind Noonan
Jo Truman needs a replacement Santa for her gift shop's Christmas Eve party. She'll do whatever it takes to convince lonely soldier Sam Norwood that he's perfect for the part...and that the season for love is always...

Christmas on Cape Cod by Nan Rossiter
Maddie Carlson would do anything for her best friend. And helping Asa Coleman babysit a rambunctious puppy Christmas Eve night is her one chance to help the troubled teacher put his past to rest...and give the sweetest gift of all.

Making Spirits Bright:
This was a very cute story, but I wish she had done more research on the cat, it just wasn't very realistic at times. But while the animals were cute, they weren't part of the actual romance. Melanie really steals the show in this one in her quest to adopt a child. Her determination was amazing and was something she wanted with all her heart. Bryce was a great guy. He was fun and all, but a bit too much of "whatever you want I want". There really wasn't a conflict there. I don't need much, but a little would have been nice.

Runaway Christmas:
This was my favorite of the bunch! Heidi's world is really turned upside down this Christmas as everything seems to go wrong! Even the weather has it in for her and her dreams of a quiet, peaceful Christmas by herself are shattered. Her niece was just the right touch, but I'm not entirely sure how necessary she was to the story. It's almost as if she was added just to give another potential complication. There's a couple romances, and both are really sweet.

Home for Christmas:
This one had a back story and a lot going on for a novella. Very well layered, with a great small town versus big corporation running through it as well. Sam is a great hero - with lots of depth and a lot of development as we move along. Jo was a tad too sweet for my taste. Just a little to goodie.

Christmas on Cape Cod:
This one was my least favorite. A very sugary couple with a very sugary Christmas story. It just wasn't my style at all.

Overall, this was a great mix of Christmas tales. Some were better than others, but it was a great addition to my Christmas reading for the year.

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