Christmas Spirit

by Elaine Fox, Leigh Greenwood, Linda Winstead Jones

Celebrating the joy, warmth, and romance of the holidays, this trio of stories includes Leigh Greenwood's "Bah, Humbug!," in which an advertising executive, longing to go somewhere hot for Christmas, gets his wish when his beautiful neighbor opens up her home and her heart to him. Reissue.

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Anthologies, Fiction, Contemporary Romance

360 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1997

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Reviews

[Jo Reads Romance]

Magical Christmas Anthology
4 stars

A set of three Christmas stories where each of the characters find true love with the help of some ghosts of Christmas past, Christmas present and Christmas yet to come.


BAH, HUMBUG! - Leigh Greenwood
Advertising Executive Nate Jerome spends his whole year making Christmas commercials so he really hates the holiday season and plans to escape by flying to Aruba. But his plans change when he meets his beautiful neighbour Milly Thurston who adores Christmas as she shows him that there's much more to life than work.

This was an okay story but nothing special and I actually found it too long and drawn out. The characters changed their feelings at the turn of a page and I didn't think they spent nearly enough time together for me to believe in their happily ever after.


CHRISTMAS PRESENT - Elaine Fox
When Susannah Murphy comes home for Christmas she is sure she will hate every minute of the small town life that she tried so hard to escape from. Things don't start well when she crashes her car and has to rely on Joe Cameron for help - the one man in town that could turn her life around.

This was a sweet story with plenty of Christmas cheer and romance. The love story felt realistic and the man helping the couple on their way to true love was a nice festive touch. Very enjoyable.


BLUE CHRISTMAS - Linda Winstead
Jess Lennox is determined to spend a quiet, calm Christmas on her own in her flat. When musician Jimmy Blue invites her to spend the holidays with him she refuses as she has vowed never to date another musician. Alone in her flat that night she is visited by a Christmas Spirit who shows her just what will happen unless she learns to open her heart.

This was a delightful story which had a nice 'Christmas Carol' feel about it. I really loved the concept of seeing into the future and then changing the present and how the imperfect is sometimes the most perfect. It sounds quite cheesy but this really was a sweet, sensual and festive story that I very much enjoyed. This has become a story I return to time and time again - it just really caught my attention and has stayed with me.


Overall this is an enjoyable set of stories each with a magical twist. The last two stories really stand out and make this anthology well worth picking up if you're looking for a quick read during the hectic Christmas season or at any time of the year.

[Debby · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Bah, Humbug!" by Leigh Greenwood. Nate Jerome is married to his job as a Christmas ad exec and he hates Christmas as a result. His new neighbor, Milly Thurston, is the opposite. All of the important things in her life happened on Christmas and she goes all out. Very attracted to each other, they have to work through the quirks, including a nosy neighbor who died 2 years ago. Clean.
"Christmas Present" by Elaine Fox. Susannah Murphy is returning home to Crossport, ME for Christmas when her car goes off the road when she tries to avoid hitting a pedestrian. When a tow truck shows up a few minutes later with her high school nemesis, Joe Cameron, weird things start to happen. Joe dropped out of medical school to become a mechanic. She's a reverse snob. Eventually with the help of a spirit named Quinn they realize their love. Clean.
"Blue Christmas" by Linda Winstead. Jess Lenox works for a recording studio, but won't date musicians after a bad experience, even though she's very attracted to their new star, Jimmy Blue. After a spirit comes to show her two possible futures - in 3 years - she changes her mind and they live happily ever after.
Not great with the paranormal elements, but clean.

[Peggy Nixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, I was surprised! I have read so many stories with the Christmas theme lately and most have been rather hum-drum but CHRISTMAS SPIRIT was actually rather nice. It was a pleasant package of three short contemporary romances with characters and story lines that were refreshing.

Leigh Greenwood's BAH, HUMBUG! was the longest about an advertising exec who finds the holidays something best forgotten. That is until he meets a financial investor who helps him find those special memories that make it the most wonderful season. 4 Stars

Elaine Fox's CHRISTMAS PRESENT has a young lady visiting her hometown during the holidays. Competitiveness and money were synonyms that her mother threw at Susannah while she was growing up. Her love for her father brings her back and, unexpectedly, she meets a man that she never thought she'd have feelings for. Can Santa bring everybody together? 4 Stars

Linda Winstead's BLUE CHRISTMAS takes a woman on a journey to show her what her life would be like if she misses out on the man who pursues her. Heartbroken once before Jess Lennox refuses to date musicians. But Jimmy Blue isn't just a singer. He has thought she was special from the moment he first met Jess. He only asks that she give him a chance. 4 Stars

This is a Christmas anthology that has stories that are better than the norm. If you are looking to take a break from all the holiday fuss grab something warm to drink, a blanket and cozy up in your rocker for a relaxing time. I think you will enjoy these satisfying moments.

[Anna Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Christmas three-popper... and a lackluster one, at that.

First was 'Bah Humbug' by Leigh Greenwood. Which was about an ad exec who does the Christmas thing all year and is DONE with it. His neighbor is Susie Homemaker and Happy Holly-days, and together they find luv. There was nothing to actually draw anyone into this - no twist, no personality quirks... it was just meh, all the way.

Next was 'Christmas Present', in which a wealthy big-city woman comes home and - with the help of 'Santa' (?? We're never told) falls for the guy who threw society and wealth away to be a auto mechanic (but happy). It was cliched to an almost painful level, but slightly cuter than the first one.

I did not read the third one. It sounded stupid, and I couldn't bring myself to, after the first two.

[Dancer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet and uplifting stories that will warm even the coldest of hearts from three very talented writers. In Leigh Greenwood's "Bah, Humbug!", ad exec Nate Jerome longs for a holiday in the tropics, but finds heat right next door. In Elaine Fox's "Christmas Present, " Susannah Murphy returns home for Christmas to a late-night savior who teaches her the meaning of true love. And in Linda Winstead's "Blue Christmas, " Jess Lennox realizes that her self-imposed rule of not dating musicians may be holding back he ability to find happiness.

The stories are easy reads and set the mood for the holiday spirit.

[Kel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only read the first two stories.

[Chelsie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyed the first story. Was very hard to get into the second. Just couldn't finish it.

[Peni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please see individual stories for review.