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Currier & Ives Christmas: Dreams and Secrets / Snow Storm / Image of Love / Circle of Blessings
The artistry of renowned lithographers Currier & Ives captures the beauty and nostalgia of simpler days and Christmases past. Yet, while a picture may be worth a thousand words, there are times when even the best illustrations leave viewers with a yearning to know more. Inspired by the classic American art of Currier & Ives, these seasonal love stories delve deep inside the artists' portrayals to imagine and illustrate the untold tales behind each wintry scene. Look beyond the art to discover the heartwarming stories of holiday love of yesteryear in A Currier & Ives Christmas.
348 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2002
4 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
DiAnn Mills
129 books1,976 followersDiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who invites her readers to step into stories where suspense meets adventure and romance warms the heart. Known for crafting unforgettable characters tangled in unpredictable plots, DiAnn believes every breath we take unfolds a story waiting to be told—so why not make it thrilling?
Her novels have consistently landed on bestseller lists including CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly, and have won prestigious awards such as the Christy, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol awards.
DiAnn is a founding board member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Conference Advisor for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers. She actively participates in Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, International Thriller Writers, Outliers Writing University, and The Christian Pen. DiAnn passionately invests in helping fellow authors succeed through mentoring, book coaching, and editing. She travels nationwide speaking and teaching engaging writing workshops.
A proud coffee snob who roasts her own beans, DiAnn also enjoys diving into good books, experimenting in the kitchen, and unabashedly spoiling her grandchildren—whom she insists are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband make their home under the sunny skies of Houston, Texas.
Connect with DiAnn online for behind-the-scenes glimpses, writing tips, and lively discussions on any of the following social media platforms:
Website: https://diannmills.com/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/diann...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diannmills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diannmillsa...
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannmills/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/diannmills/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/diannmills
X: https://twitter.com/diannmills
Her novels have consistently landed on bestseller lists including CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly, and have won prestigious awards such as the Christy, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol awards.
DiAnn is a founding board member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Conference Advisor for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers. She actively participates in Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, International Thriller Writers, Outliers Writing University, and The Christian Pen. DiAnn passionately invests in helping fellow authors succeed through mentoring, book coaching, and editing. She travels nationwide speaking and teaching engaging writing workshops.
A proud coffee snob who roasts her own beans, DiAnn also enjoys diving into good books, experimenting in the kitchen, and unabashedly spoiling her grandchildren—whom she insists are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband make their home under the sunny skies of Houston, Texas.
Connect with DiAnn online for behind-the-scenes glimpses, writing tips, and lively discussions on any of the following social media platforms:
Website: https://diannmills.com/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/diann...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diannmills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diannmillsa...
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannmills/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/diannmills/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/diannmills
X: https://twitter.com/diannmills
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 27, 2016
Happy endings in all 4 Christmas stories. These are happy real pick me up stories!
August 11, 2021
Four Stories of Love Come to Life from the Canvas of Classic Christmas Art
All four of these romances are feel-good stories set in historical snowy settings at Christmas.
In Lynn A. Coleman’s The Snow Storm, a widower needs to somehow push his grief for his wife aside and make Christmas special for his two sons. He rescues Angela, a young woman caught in a snow storm. Stranded at the cabin with her rescuer’s family, Angela cooks and cleans and prepares them for the holidays. She doesn’t expect to fall in love with her rescuer. The characters in this story captivated my heart, especially the two boys.
JoAnn A. Grote’s Image of Love is set in beautiful Minnesota in 1869. I loved this story about Mantie, a sister who shared responsibilities of raising her niece and nephew with her brother. With her brother and his new wife expecting a child, Mantie worries that they’ll want her to leave. Lane, a newcomer raising his little brother, captures her attention in this lighthearted romance. This story includes pearls of wisdom along the way.
Dreams and Secrets by DiAnn Mills is a story that has stayed with me, perhaps because the heroine, Emma Leigh, works so hard to help her ailing father provide for her large family. They are poverty-stricken and often go to be hungry. Thad, a man she’s known since childhood, wants to help them but her father is proud. Emma Leigh fears that her family needs her pay too much for the her to marry. I loved this touching story of love and sacrifice.
In Circle of Blessings by Deborah Raney, James has worked hard to make up for past mistakes. He needs to tell Stella about his past before their courtship gets too serious. Stella, a student at the college where he teaches, tries to make her overprotective father comfortable about her relationship with James. I loved the characters and the story. It was an added bonus to glimpse college life in 1871.
I enjoyed this collection of light-hearted, easy-to-read romances!
All four of these romances are feel-good stories set in historical snowy settings at Christmas.
In Lynn A. Coleman’s The Snow Storm, a widower needs to somehow push his grief for his wife aside and make Christmas special for his two sons. He rescues Angela, a young woman caught in a snow storm. Stranded at the cabin with her rescuer’s family, Angela cooks and cleans and prepares them for the holidays. She doesn’t expect to fall in love with her rescuer. The characters in this story captivated my heart, especially the two boys.
JoAnn A. Grote’s Image of Love is set in beautiful Minnesota in 1869. I loved this story about Mantie, a sister who shared responsibilities of raising her niece and nephew with her brother. With her brother and his new wife expecting a child, Mantie worries that they’ll want her to leave. Lane, a newcomer raising his little brother, captures her attention in this lighthearted romance. This story includes pearls of wisdom along the way.
Dreams and Secrets by DiAnn Mills is a story that has stayed with me, perhaps because the heroine, Emma Leigh, works so hard to help her ailing father provide for her large family. They are poverty-stricken and often go to be hungry. Thad, a man she’s known since childhood, wants to help them but her father is proud. Emma Leigh fears that her family needs her pay too much for the her to marry. I loved this touching story of love and sacrifice.
In Circle of Blessings by Deborah Raney, James has worked hard to make up for past mistakes. He needs to tell Stella about his past before their courtship gets too serious. Stella, a student at the college where he teaches, tries to make her overprotective father comfortable about her relationship with James. I loved the characters and the story. It was an added bonus to glimpse college life in 1871.
I enjoyed this collection of light-hearted, easy-to-read romances!
July 22, 2017
I was in the mood for a little Christmas in July in the sweltering heat and humidity of Georgia, so I "borrowed" this book from a pile of things my daughter made on a recent visit of things she wanted to give away. It includes stories (based on Currier & Ives lithographs) by four female Christian authors whose work I don't remember ever reading prior to this book. The stories did take my mind off our unusually high temperatures with all their descriptions of snow, biting wind, ice-skating and sleigh rides, though the plots were somewhat thin and extremely predictable. However, I wasn't expecting anything deep and these stories were refreshingly sweet and simple.
December 28, 2022
This is 4 novellas all taking place in the 1800's. I really enjoyed all of them but my favorite was A Circle of Blessings. This is the story of a boy who stole money from his employer, continued working for that employer with 1/2 his salary paying back what he stole, the desire to attend college and someone anomalously leaving a $5.00 tip which is what he needed to attend. Then several years later he is working for the college and meets a girl. Yes, all this is important to remember throughout the story.
December 23, 2025
The perfect vintage store book find! All the old-time Christmas feelings are there, beautifully imbedded faith elements, and the romance is so wholesome. Now I'm researching more short story collections like this book because it was a true comfort read.
October 21, 2020
An enjoyable Christmas read. Four lovely quick reads set back in time when Christmas was more about people than things. Delightful way to start the holiday season, even if a little early!
December 29, 2020
I really enjoyed these stories of the past. Lynn Coleman took four stories told through the eyes of those looking at four classic Currier & Ives paintings. Very entertaining and heartfelt.
Read
January 13, 20214 stories from the past. Excellent way to travel back in time. Great love stories for the Christmas season.
Want to read
March 16, 2021
October 26, 2023
Stories were good. Very disappointed that there were no Currier & Ives prints to match the stories.
December 31, 2009
Shortly before Christmas I posted that I was going to read "A Currier and Ives Christmas." And I did. Overall, it was a pleasant read especially for the Christmas holiday season. Lots of snow!!! BRRRR!
The first story, The Snow Storm by Lynn A Coleman reminded me of that saying, "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach." Michael is a widower raising two young sons by himself on a farm. Its the middle of winter a few days before Christmas and a blizzard is coming in quickly. He happens upon a young woman passed out in the storm and takes her home, saving her life. In the end, she "saves" his life from loneliness and poor cooking by brightening up their home and cooking meals the man and his two sons haven't tasted in some time. When the blizzard is over, he doesn't want her to leave...is it love at first sight or is it just her cooking?
The second story is Image of Love by JoAnn A Grote. Lane moves to a new town with his younger brother in tow. He hopes this is a fresh start and possibly the place God has placed his future wife. It just so happens, the family in town that invites them in and makes them a part of their lives has someone who just might fit that bill. She however does not want to give up grieving a lost love and let Lane in to her heart. Lane has his work cut out for him.
The third story, Dreams and Secrets by DiAnn Mills was a tale of two childhood friends destined to be together, but lifelong trials have made the obvious, not so obvious. Thad has been in love with Emma Leigh his whole life. His own tragic circumstances and Emma Leigh's family trials have placed doubts in his mind as to whether or not he really should pursue his dreams.
The final story, Circle of Blessings by Deborah Raney is about an unlikely pair falling into likely love. A young university student falling in love with the young college professor who has a past. Its the circle of blessings one family bestows on someone every year, that come full circle and bring this unlikely couple together at Christmas.
If you are looking for some pleasant, heartfelt short stories to read by the fire during your holiday season...pick this book up and dive into the lithograph prints like Mary Poppins and imagine a world blanketed in snow and love and dreams come true.
The first story, The Snow Storm by Lynn A Coleman reminded me of that saying, "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach." Michael is a widower raising two young sons by himself on a farm. Its the middle of winter a few days before Christmas and a blizzard is coming in quickly. He happens upon a young woman passed out in the storm and takes her home, saving her life. In the end, she "saves" his life from loneliness and poor cooking by brightening up their home and cooking meals the man and his two sons haven't tasted in some time. When the blizzard is over, he doesn't want her to leave...is it love at first sight or is it just her cooking?
The second story is Image of Love by JoAnn A Grote. Lane moves to a new town with his younger brother in tow. He hopes this is a fresh start and possibly the place God has placed his future wife. It just so happens, the family in town that invites them in and makes them a part of their lives has someone who just might fit that bill. She however does not want to give up grieving a lost love and let Lane in to her heart. Lane has his work cut out for him.
The third story, Dreams and Secrets by DiAnn Mills was a tale of two childhood friends destined to be together, but lifelong trials have made the obvious, not so obvious. Thad has been in love with Emma Leigh his whole life. His own tragic circumstances and Emma Leigh's family trials have placed doubts in his mind as to whether or not he really should pursue his dreams.
The final story, Circle of Blessings by Deborah Raney is about an unlikely pair falling into likely love. A young university student falling in love with the young college professor who has a past. Its the circle of blessings one family bestows on someone every year, that come full circle and bring this unlikely couple together at Christmas.
If you are looking for some pleasant, heartfelt short stories to read by the fire during your holiday season...pick this book up and dive into the lithograph prints like Mary Poppins and imagine a world blanketed in snow and love and dreams come true.
January 1, 2015
I think the third story in this collection was my favourite, but the others were pretty sweet too. It's been a while since I read one of Barbour's novella collections and I'd forgotten how in-your-face they are with the spiritual threads and the very defined gender roles, so this book felt a bit cheesy to begin with, but ultimately it was a sweet, easy read for the Christmas period. I don't think I could read several of these collections in a row, but they work well when I don't have a lot of time to focus on reading.
December 29, 2012
Four inspirational stories of love “come to life from the canvas of classic Christmas art.” These historical romance stories
are comfortable and heartwarming. The characters all seek God’s help in finding them the right mate. The cover has a C&I print that actually is a scene in the first story. Unfortunately there are no other prints in the book and no reference for the prints that inspired the other three stories. I would have been curious and looked them up.
are comfortable and heartwarming. The characters all seek God’s help in finding them the right mate. The cover has a C&I print that actually is a scene in the first story. Unfortunately there are no other prints in the book and no reference for the prints that inspired the other three stories. I would have been curious and looked them up.
November 15, 2010
It seems like I've been reading lots of books that are depressing and/or
with a lot of violence and death so I thought I'd try something lighter. I have been
turned off by the lurid sex in some of the modern romance genre, but these were
just too trite and sweet for me. There must be a happy medium.
September 24, 2008
I had a little email exchange with Deb Raney, the author of one of the stories in this book, so I read her story. I *loved* it. I started reading her novel Beneath a Southern Sky; I'm not finished yet, but I love it already. She has a great style.
December 29, 2010
A set of four sweet love stories that take place around Christmas. All of the character have strong Christian beliefs. Very well written, just a little too sweet for my liking.
December 20, 2011
A good, warm fuzzy feeling book of four stories centered on Christmas and faith. All take place in post-Civil War America.
January 5, 2016
Nice little Short stories in one book. Old fashioned Christmas's. Light reading.
January 26, 2016
Not particularly good writing. Time frame doesn't fit in the first story. Wouldn't recommend it except as a quick read...
October 21, 2010
I really enjoy Christmas romances. This one does not disappoint. Clean Christian book!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews