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Four beloved authors share tales of miracles, mayhem, mystery, and holiday romance. “Mister Christmas” by Fern Michaels A week before Christmas, attorney Claire O’Brien is summoned to Ireland to change her wealthy client’s will—only to encounter resistance from his handsome nephew. Will Claire be forced to spend the holidays up close and personal with her irresistible Irish nemesis? “The Yellow Rose of Christmas” by Marie Bostwick Though Miss Velvet Tudmore wrote off romance years ago, rumor has it she has a secret admirer. And when her surprise suitor promises to reveal himself at the annual Christmas ball in Too Much, Texas, Velvet starts to is it ever too late to find love? “Nightmare on Elf Street” by Laura Levine Aside from the mortifying costume, how bad can a gig as a mall Santa’s elf be? Jaine Austen finds out when she’s teamed up with the Santa from Hell. But things go from bad to worse when he’s found murdered on the job—and Jaine is a suspect. Now all she wants for Christmas is to find the real killer . . . “Room at the Inn” by Cindy Myers When a Rocky Mountain blizzard forces Barb and her husband to spend Christmas in a remote Colorado cabin with their fellow travelers, Barb struggles to cope—especially when her husband reveals troubling news. But sometimes a holiday shake-up is all a woman needs to discover what she’s truly made of . . . “A delightful assortment of Christmas short stories filled with everything one expects from the season.” —Fresh Fiction
397 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
240 people are currently reading
1306 people want to read
About the author
Fern Michaels
424 books6,521 followersFern Michaels isn’t a person. I’m not sure she’s an entity either since an entity is something with separate existence. Fern Michaels® is what I DO. Me, Mary Ruth Kuczkir. Growing up in Hastings, Pennsylvania, I was called Ruth. I became Mary when I entered the business world where first names were the order of the day. To this day, family and friends call me Dink, a name my father gave me when I was born because according to him I was ‘a dinky little thing’ weighing in at four and a half pounds. However, I answer to Fern since people are more comfortable with a name they can pronounce.
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
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December 12, 2014
Secret Santa is an anthology of four short Christmas stories. Three of these I thoroughly enjoyed and were all light and enjoyable.
Mister Christmas by Fern Michaels RATING 3.5 STARS
Thirty-four year old Claire O’Brien is a high powered lawyer in Los Angeles and has spent her adult life climbing the corporate ladder. This year she is determined to spend the Christmas Holiday with her family in Colorado. That is, until her very rich and elderly client in Ireland demands he is on his death bed and she fly over to him and take care of matters immediately. Little did she know, he had ulterior motives to getting her to Ireland. It seems his nephew is single and he has decided Claire is the perfect match for him. There was one particular hilarious scene involving a broken heel, an airport and a little too much to drink!
“More than anything, Claire O’Brien wanted to be loved. And she would accept nothing less.”
This was a cute story and I did enjoy it. It would be every girl’s dream to jet off to a huge Irish Castle and meet a dashing single man there. The flow of the story for me seemed a little choppy and I never felt connected or invested in the characters, though. Still, it was a short fun read.
The Yellow Rose of Christmas by Marie Bostwick DNF
I never dnf a book, always trying to find something good in them. Sadly, I couldn’t find it here.
Nightmare on Elf Street by Laura Levine RATING 4 STARS
I was feeling a little discouraged by now and contemplated quitting the whole book. I am so very glad I didn’t. This one was hilarious and I loved it. I have never read anything by Laura Levine and was surprised in such a good way.
Jaine Austen is a freelance writer but not doing much writing. She accepts a gig as an elf for the mall Santa Claus at a ritzy mall hoping that it will lead to a future writing gig.
“Well! If she thought I was the kind of person who would sacrifice my dignity and self-respect just to better my chances at landing a job—she was absolutely right.”
Things are off to a rough start when one of the Santas has a slight addiction to tequila. Jaine is also obsessed with trying to get her cat to pose for pictures wearing reindeer antlers. Chaos ensues when she takes the cat to the photographer at the mall, the cat escapes and Santa turns up dead. Jaine becomes a suspect in the murder so she dubs herself an “undercover detective elf” and attempts to solve the murder to clear her own name.
This story was hilarious. Jaine certainly has a knack for getting herself into crazy situations and I loved it. I would definitely love to read more by Laura Levine.
Room At The Inn by Cindy Myers RATING 4 STARS
Barb Stanowski and her husband Jimmy are on their way to Colorado to spend Christmas with Barb’s friend. They are surprised by a blizzard and are stranded on the highway along with another couple and their two young boys, and Reuben who is the tractor trailer driver they had been following. All of them are transported to a somewhat remote fishing camp which the owner has re-opened her cabins to house them until the roads are re-opened. The days spent there turn out to be the best thing that could have happened to Barb. Her husband admits to a major career change which leaves Barb struggling to find direction in her own life. As these families get to know each other and try to make Christmas special for the two little boys, bonds are formed and futures are changed.
This was a touching and sweet Christmas story and a fitting end to this book. The way they all came together in a scary and unsettling situation was so special. You couldn’t help but to get the warm and fuzzies.
Mister Christmas by Fern Michaels RATING 3.5 STARS
Thirty-four year old Claire O’Brien is a high powered lawyer in Los Angeles and has spent her adult life climbing the corporate ladder. This year she is determined to spend the Christmas Holiday with her family in Colorado. That is, until her very rich and elderly client in Ireland demands he is on his death bed and she fly over to him and take care of matters immediately. Little did she know, he had ulterior motives to getting her to Ireland. It seems his nephew is single and he has decided Claire is the perfect match for him. There was one particular hilarious scene involving a broken heel, an airport and a little too much to drink!
“More than anything, Claire O’Brien wanted to be loved. And she would accept nothing less.”
This was a cute story and I did enjoy it. It would be every girl’s dream to jet off to a huge Irish Castle and meet a dashing single man there. The flow of the story for me seemed a little choppy and I never felt connected or invested in the characters, though. Still, it was a short fun read.
The Yellow Rose of Christmas by Marie Bostwick DNF
I never dnf a book, always trying to find something good in them. Sadly, I couldn’t find it here.
Nightmare on Elf Street by Laura Levine RATING 4 STARS
I was feeling a little discouraged by now and contemplated quitting the whole book. I am so very glad I didn’t. This one was hilarious and I loved it. I have never read anything by Laura Levine and was surprised in such a good way.
Jaine Austen is a freelance writer but not doing much writing. She accepts a gig as an elf for the mall Santa Claus at a ritzy mall hoping that it will lead to a future writing gig.
“Well! If she thought I was the kind of person who would sacrifice my dignity and self-respect just to better my chances at landing a job—she was absolutely right.”
Things are off to a rough start when one of the Santas has a slight addiction to tequila. Jaine is also obsessed with trying to get her cat to pose for pictures wearing reindeer antlers. Chaos ensues when she takes the cat to the photographer at the mall, the cat escapes and Santa turns up dead. Jaine becomes a suspect in the murder so she dubs herself an “undercover detective elf” and attempts to solve the murder to clear her own name.
This story was hilarious. Jaine certainly has a knack for getting herself into crazy situations and I loved it. I would definitely love to read more by Laura Levine.
Room At The Inn by Cindy Myers RATING 4 STARS
Barb Stanowski and her husband Jimmy are on their way to Colorado to spend Christmas with Barb’s friend. They are surprised by a blizzard and are stranded on the highway along with another couple and their two young boys, and Reuben who is the tractor trailer driver they had been following. All of them are transported to a somewhat remote fishing camp which the owner has re-opened her cabins to house them until the roads are re-opened. The days spent there turn out to be the best thing that could have happened to Barb. Her husband admits to a major career change which leaves Barb struggling to find direction in her own life. As these families get to know each other and try to make Christmas special for the two little boys, bonds are formed and futures are changed.
This was a touching and sweet Christmas story and a fitting end to this book. The way they all came together in a scary and unsettling situation was so special. You couldn’t help but to get the warm and fuzzies.
September 24, 2023
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰
This is an kindle e-book from the local library.
Four will written holiday season murder mysteries by four different authors. Each story is different with interesting well developed characters lots of action, misdirection, and violence leading to each conclusion. I would recommend this novel and author to 👍 readers looking for a holiday season murder mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡🏡🎅
This is an kindle e-book from the local library.
Four will written holiday season murder mysteries by four different authors. Each story is different with interesting well developed characters lots of action, misdirection, and violence leading to each conclusion. I would recommend this novel and author to 👍 readers looking for a holiday season murder mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡🏡🎅
February 19, 2015
Mister Christmas by Fern Michaels
A week before Christmas, attorney Claire O'Brien is summoned to Ireland to change her wealthy client's will--only to encounter resistance from his handsome nephew. Will Claire be forced to spend the holidays up close and personal with her irresistible Irish nemesis?
Enjoyable story, though because of its length the events were rather rushed. Claire is a lawyer for a big firm in California. The week before Christmas she gets a call from one of her biggest clients. He says he is dying and needs her to come to Ireland immediately to make changes to his will. She suspects that he is lying, but postpones her plans to be with her family for the holiday and rushes off to Ireland. There she discovers that he is perfectly healthy, but is attempting to engineer a relationship between her and his nephew Quinn. In spite of her immediate attraction to him, she is furious and determined to leave immediately.
Though their initial meeting was a bit rocky, I enjoyed seeing Claire and Quinn together. When Claire arrived she was tired, jet lagged, and pretty pissed off about what she discovered. Quinn's behavior was a bit on the silly side, using his sense of humor to jerk her chain a bit. But he completely agrees with Claire's feelings about what has been done to them both. He goes out of his way to help Claire make it back to her family for the holidays. Spending all that time together as they return to the States, has a quick connection developing between them. They spend that time getting to know each other.
Quinn takes care of Claire, doing all kinds of things to make her trip go easier. He also gets involved in helping a young woman that she met on the plane going to Ireland, making Claire realize just how nice a guy he is. They fall for each other quite quickly.
There were some funny moments and some really sweet ones. Claire's fear of flying gets her in some trouble involving alcohol and some wardrobe issues. The whole airport scene is pretty funny. Later on, Quinn's innate kindness shows as he helps Claire make a huge difference in the young woman's life. There's also an encounter with danger that has them realizing what is important in life.
This story is connected to stories in previous holiday anthologies, making it possible to check in on those other characters and see how they are doing.
The Yellow Rose of Christmas by Marie Bostwick
Though Miss Velvet Tudmore wrote off romance years ago, rumour has it she has a secret admirer. And when her surprise suitor promises to reveal himself at the annual Christmas ball in Too Much, Texas, Velvet starts to wonder: is it ever too late to find love?
Velvet is sixty-four and has never been in any kind of relationship. She doesn't have a very high opinion of the men in her small town. She runs the local historical society and prides herself on her ability to pass on the history of their town. When a new history teacher is hired for the high school, she is smitten by the handsome and intelligent Thaddeus Delacorte.
Shortly after his arrival, she begins receiving a yellow rose a day from an unknown source. Convinced that Mr. Delacorte is her secret admirer, Velvet begins to take more interest in her appearance and makes changes that surprise everyone in town. When her admirer promises to reveal himself at the ball, Velvet has high hopes for a happy outcome.
I liked seeing the changes that Velvet made. She started out as pretty uptight, definitely the epitome of the old maid. It was amazing to see what a difference a bit of attention made to the way she saw herself. I loved seeing the new confidence she had in herself.
The Christmas Ball was excellent and I loved seeing what happened with Velvet and the yellow roses. It was all very sweet. Even better was the day after the ball and the visitor that Velvet had.
Nightmare on Elf Street by Laura Levine
Aside from the mortifying costume, how bad can a gig as a mall Santa's elf be? Jaine Austen finds out when she's teamed up with the Santa from Hell. But things go from bad to worse when he's found murdered on the job--and Jaine is a suspect. Now all she wants for Christmas is to find the real killer...
Story of Jaine as she works as a mall elf in order to get an advertising job for the same mall. One of the Santas is a sweet older man and one is a young, out of work actor with a majorly bad attitude. Scotty hates kids, flirts with the good looking moms and nannies, drinks tequila like it's water, and bad mouths everyone. So it's no real surprise when he ends up dead.
Jaine is an amateur sleuth and sets to work trying to figure out who the murderer is. She works her way through all the people who have reason to want him dead, including herself, until she stumbles on the guilty party.
This story reminded me of Stephanie Plum, but not nearly as much fun. Not sure why it was included in this anthology other than the Christmas theme, as the others are romances.
Room at the Inn by Cindy Myers
When a Rocky Mountain blizzard forces Barb and her husband to spend Christmas in a remote Colorado cabin with their fellow travelers, Barb struggles to cope - especially when her husband reveals troubling news. But sometimes a holiday shake-up is all a woman needs to discover what she's truly made of..
Good story. Not so much a romance as Barb and Jim reconnecting. On a trip to Colorado to spend Christmas with friends, they are caught in a blizzard that closes the roads. Along with several other travelers, they are taken to some fishing cabins to wait out the storm.
Barb starts out as kind of whiny. They're stuck in a cabin instead of being with their friends. All she can really think about it what she is missing. She's a bit frustrated with her husband who seems to be taking it all in stride. It gets worse when he breaks the news that he's quit his well paying job to start a business with their college dropout son. She's upset that he didn't discuss it with her first, and can't help thinking about the changes it will mean.
Barb also can't help being a bit jealous that Jim has had this dream and is now pursuing it. She doesn't have anything like that in her life. She grew up poor, determined to make a better life, which she did by marrying well. She has spent her life trying to be the perfect wife and mother, But doesn't see where anything she has done has made things better for anyone.
While stuck in the cabin, Barb finds herself making friends with the owner of the cabins, and getting to know the other travelers. Her ability to talk to people brings them together to help make a better Christmas for them all. In the process, she learns more about herself and what she really can do.
A week before Christmas, attorney Claire O'Brien is summoned to Ireland to change her wealthy client's will--only to encounter resistance from his handsome nephew. Will Claire be forced to spend the holidays up close and personal with her irresistible Irish nemesis?
Enjoyable story, though because of its length the events were rather rushed. Claire is a lawyer for a big firm in California. The week before Christmas she gets a call from one of her biggest clients. He says he is dying and needs her to come to Ireland immediately to make changes to his will. She suspects that he is lying, but postpones her plans to be with her family for the holiday and rushes off to Ireland. There she discovers that he is perfectly healthy, but is attempting to engineer a relationship between her and his nephew Quinn. In spite of her immediate attraction to him, she is furious and determined to leave immediately.
Though their initial meeting was a bit rocky, I enjoyed seeing Claire and Quinn together. When Claire arrived she was tired, jet lagged, and pretty pissed off about what she discovered. Quinn's behavior was a bit on the silly side, using his sense of humor to jerk her chain a bit. But he completely agrees with Claire's feelings about what has been done to them both. He goes out of his way to help Claire make it back to her family for the holidays. Spending all that time together as they return to the States, has a quick connection developing between them. They spend that time getting to know each other.
Quinn takes care of Claire, doing all kinds of things to make her trip go easier. He also gets involved in helping a young woman that she met on the plane going to Ireland, making Claire realize just how nice a guy he is. They fall for each other quite quickly.
There were some funny moments and some really sweet ones. Claire's fear of flying gets her in some trouble involving alcohol and some wardrobe issues. The whole airport scene is pretty funny. Later on, Quinn's innate kindness shows as he helps Claire make a huge difference in the young woman's life. There's also an encounter with danger that has them realizing what is important in life.
This story is connected to stories in previous holiday anthologies, making it possible to check in on those other characters and see how they are doing.
The Yellow Rose of Christmas by Marie Bostwick
Though Miss Velvet Tudmore wrote off romance years ago, rumour has it she has a secret admirer. And when her surprise suitor promises to reveal himself at the annual Christmas ball in Too Much, Texas, Velvet starts to wonder: is it ever too late to find love?
Velvet is sixty-four and has never been in any kind of relationship. She doesn't have a very high opinion of the men in her small town. She runs the local historical society and prides herself on her ability to pass on the history of their town. When a new history teacher is hired for the high school, she is smitten by the handsome and intelligent Thaddeus Delacorte.
Shortly after his arrival, she begins receiving a yellow rose a day from an unknown source. Convinced that Mr. Delacorte is her secret admirer, Velvet begins to take more interest in her appearance and makes changes that surprise everyone in town. When her admirer promises to reveal himself at the ball, Velvet has high hopes for a happy outcome.
I liked seeing the changes that Velvet made. She started out as pretty uptight, definitely the epitome of the old maid. It was amazing to see what a difference a bit of attention made to the way she saw herself. I loved seeing the new confidence she had in herself.
The Christmas Ball was excellent and I loved seeing what happened with Velvet and the yellow roses. It was all very sweet. Even better was the day after the ball and the visitor that Velvet had.
Nightmare on Elf Street by Laura Levine
Aside from the mortifying costume, how bad can a gig as a mall Santa's elf be? Jaine Austen finds out when she's teamed up with the Santa from Hell. But things go from bad to worse when he's found murdered on the job--and Jaine is a suspect. Now all she wants for Christmas is to find the real killer...
Story of Jaine as she works as a mall elf in order to get an advertising job for the same mall. One of the Santas is a sweet older man and one is a young, out of work actor with a majorly bad attitude. Scotty hates kids, flirts with the good looking moms and nannies, drinks tequila like it's water, and bad mouths everyone. So it's no real surprise when he ends up dead.
Jaine is an amateur sleuth and sets to work trying to figure out who the murderer is. She works her way through all the people who have reason to want him dead, including herself, until she stumbles on the guilty party.
This story reminded me of Stephanie Plum, but not nearly as much fun. Not sure why it was included in this anthology other than the Christmas theme, as the others are romances.
Room at the Inn by Cindy Myers
When a Rocky Mountain blizzard forces Barb and her husband to spend Christmas in a remote Colorado cabin with their fellow travelers, Barb struggles to cope - especially when her husband reveals troubling news. But sometimes a holiday shake-up is all a woman needs to discover what she's truly made of..
Good story. Not so much a romance as Barb and Jim reconnecting. On a trip to Colorado to spend Christmas with friends, they are caught in a blizzard that closes the roads. Along with several other travelers, they are taken to some fishing cabins to wait out the storm.
Barb starts out as kind of whiny. They're stuck in a cabin instead of being with their friends. All she can really think about it what she is missing. She's a bit frustrated with her husband who seems to be taking it all in stride. It gets worse when he breaks the news that he's quit his well paying job to start a business with their college dropout son. She's upset that he didn't discuss it with her first, and can't help thinking about the changes it will mean.
Barb also can't help being a bit jealous that Jim has had this dream and is now pursuing it. She doesn't have anything like that in her life. She grew up poor, determined to make a better life, which she did by marrying well. She has spent her life trying to be the perfect wife and mother, But doesn't see where anything she has done has made things better for anyone.
While stuck in the cabin, Barb finds herself making friends with the owner of the cabins, and getting to know the other travelers. Her ability to talk to people brings them together to help make a better Christmas for them all. In the process, she learns more about herself and what she really can do.
August 28, 2024
Room at the Inn - Cindy Myers - one of four novellas.
A delightful little Christmas story that would be a good blueprint for our country to emulate. These stranded strangers turned an adverse situation into one of joy and happiness vs gloom and doom. They respected religion and tradition of another culture and joined in the festivities. Consumerism and materialism were set aside and they all joined in to make do with what was available. They all experienced empathy and good will toward one another. What a merry Christmas it was.
It just goes to show what can be accomplished if we put our differences aside and embrace our sameness.
I didn’t read Fern Michaels or Marie Bostwick - not my cup of tea.
A delightful little Christmas story that would be a good blueprint for our country to emulate. These stranded strangers turned an adverse situation into one of joy and happiness vs gloom and doom. They respected religion and tradition of another culture and joined in the festivities. Consumerism and materialism were set aside and they all joined in to make do with what was available. They all experienced empathy and good will toward one another. What a merry Christmas it was.
It just goes to show what can be accomplished if we put our differences aside and embrace our sameness.
I didn’t read Fern Michaels or Marie Bostwick - not my cup of tea.
August 19, 2021
Secret Santa is a collection of four Christmas short stories by authors Fern Michaels, Marie Bostwick, Laura Levine and Cindy Myers. I purchased this for the Jaine Austen story which I loved and was the best of the four. This was the only murder mystery story, the rest being romances which is not what I enjoy.
May 17, 2025
I love the character Jaine Austen written by Laura Levine. I’ve read all the books in the Jaine Austen series. In this book is a short story with the character, Jaine Austen, with two other Christmas themed short stories which I did not read.
“Nightmare on elf Street” was very funny! I love the Author’s writing. I can always visualize what’s happening. She is so fun. Her stories are just a delight to read. I was disappointed when I recently learned she is done writing this series. I will miss the books and my anticipation of her next book. I recommend it if you want a funny Christmas story!
“Nightmare on elf Street” was very funny! I love the Author’s writing. I can always visualize what’s happening. She is so fun. Her stories are just a delight to read. I was disappointed when I recently learned she is done writing this series. I will miss the books and my anticipation of her next book. I recommend it if you want a funny Christmas story!
December 18, 2018
Book contained 4 shorter stories.
- Mister Christmas 2.5/5. An ok short story minus the awkward and rushed hostage situation. Would’ve been a 3 otherwise.
- The Yellow Rose of Christmas 4.5/5. Adorable.
- Nightmare on Elf Street. 3/5. Entertaining.
- Room at the Inn. 3.5/5. Would’ve been a 4 with proper editing (name mistakes).
- Mister Christmas 2.5/5. An ok short story minus the awkward and rushed hostage situation. Would’ve been a 3 otherwise.
- The Yellow Rose of Christmas 4.5/5. Adorable.
- Nightmare on Elf Street. 3/5. Entertaining.
- Room at the Inn. 3.5/5. Would’ve been a 4 with proper editing (name mistakes).
February 18, 2017
I enjoyed 2 out of the four stories it's a nice read
January 7, 2015
I chose an overall rating for the book, but I also rated each individual contribution in this review.
The four short stories are tied together by theme - that theme is Christmas.
I bought this book because I truly enjoy Laura Levine's Jaine Austen series and was delighted in another one of Jaine's zany adventures as woman sleuth; this one taking place during the Christmas season.
This story was definitely entertaining for this series fan - I rate it five stars! Jaine never fails to delight me!
Two of the other stories were romance stories which is not a favourite genre of mine. I found the offerings by Fern Michaels and Marie Bostwick charming, but I would not seek out their books. I rate each story three stars.
The last story by Cindy Myers was very disappointing. It may have intended to be similar to those provided by Michaels and Bostwick, but fails far short of the mark. The premise of several strangers stuck in a snow storm over Christmas and gathering to celebrate was boring.
This story could have used a heavier editor's pen. There are glaring errors. The heroine, Barbara Stanowski, was referred erroneously as Barbie Sue Bowman instead of the previously established Barbie Sue Brown when story events referred to her past before her marriage. As second character, Reuben, was also called Moe without an explanation for this name change.
I rate Myers's contribution one star. I know I shall never seek another one of her stories or books again.
I wish this collection would have included more stories similar to that of Laura Levine; this Jaine Austen adventure was the highlight of the collection for me.
The four short stories are tied together by theme - that theme is Christmas.
I bought this book because I truly enjoy Laura Levine's Jaine Austen series and was delighted in another one of Jaine's zany adventures as woman sleuth; this one taking place during the Christmas season.
This story was definitely entertaining for this series fan - I rate it five stars! Jaine never fails to delight me!
Two of the other stories were romance stories which is not a favourite genre of mine. I found the offerings by Fern Michaels and Marie Bostwick charming, but I would not seek out their books. I rate each story three stars.
The last story by Cindy Myers was very disappointing. It may have intended to be similar to those provided by Michaels and Bostwick, but fails far short of the mark. The premise of several strangers stuck in a snow storm over Christmas and gathering to celebrate was boring.
This story could have used a heavier editor's pen. There are glaring errors. The heroine, Barbara Stanowski, was referred erroneously as Barbie Sue Bowman instead of the previously established Barbie Sue Brown when story events referred to her past before her marriage. As second character, Reuben, was also called Moe without an explanation for this name change.
I rate Myers's contribution one star. I know I shall never seek another one of her stories or books again.
I wish this collection would have included more stories similar to that of Laura Levine; this Jaine Austen adventure was the highlight of the collection for me.
December 19, 2013
SECRET SANTA by Fern Michaels, Marie Bostwick, Laura Levine, and Cindy Myers is an interesting collection of Christmas stories. Four talented authors have put together four interesting stories. Filled with Christmas spirit, miracles, mayhem, murder, mystery, and love. Each story is set in a different area, such as Ireland, Texas, Colorado, and in a Mall. For a sure to cheer you up, pick up "Secret Santa". Heartwarming stories of the Christmas spirit. If you are looking for a cute, sweet, holiday read, than I would recommend "Secret Santa",it is a great read! Received for an honest review from the publisher.
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: SWEET
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: SWEET
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
December 27, 2013
Four Christmas novels - two romance, one mystery, and one chick lit. I bought it for Laura Levine's mystery novella featuring her sleuth Jaine Austen. I loved it as always. Two of the other stories were enjoyable, but Fern Michaels's contribution was just plain bad on all fronts.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
March 1, 2015
**I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
I always love stories by Fern Michael. Especially her Christmas ones. Therefore, I new that her story in this collection would be one I would like. I was right.
I also enjoyed the other stories by the rest of the authors. This collection is perfect to cuddle up by the fireplace during the winter time.
I always love stories by Fern Michael. Especially her Christmas ones. Therefore, I new that her story in this collection would be one I would like. I was right.
I also enjoyed the other stories by the rest of the authors. This collection is perfect to cuddle up by the fireplace during the winter time.
January 22, 2014
Four Christmas time stories. Enjoyed Nightmare on Elf Street which ties in nicely with author Laura Levine’s Jaine Austen mystery series.
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December 13, 2022I only read "Nightmare on Elf Street" by Laura Levine. I loved that short story. It was very entertaining and kept me guessing until the end.
December 2, 2022
I was kinda suckered by "Secret Santa" and it was only after finishing the first story, written by Fern Michael, that I realised it was actually four novellas.
A couple of chapters into "Secret Santa" I was seriously considering pulling the plug on it.
It's completely unbelievable and the attempt to recreate Irish accents was pretty awful.
My inner Grinch was coming to the fore - bah and humbug!
I kept going for a bit and things looked up - though the instalove between the two main characters tried my patience.
It takes a while for the story to settle down - Chapter 9 is when it gets interesting.
And then it ends just a chapter later.
"The Yellow Rose of Christmas" by Marie Bostwick is a slightly twisted fairytale in which a woman in her 60s, convinced that love is impossible for her, finds a secret admirer.
I didn't think I would like it yet the ending is seriously sweet and Christmassy.
"Nightmare on Elf Street" by Laura Leving features a bad Santa, he's been naughty and it's only a matter of time before he gets his comeuppance. Jaine Austen, employed as a Elf, gets to work on solving the crime - if she doesn't she won't be able to spend time with her family at Christmas.
It's a piece of manic fluff with a couple of good one-liners. And Prozac, the cat, plays a starring role!
"Room at the Inn" by Cindy Myers is by far the best tale and gets up close and personal with the spirit of Christmas.
One time cheerleader Barbie Sue Bowman grew up poor. Now now 41, happily married with a grown-up son, she, her husband, a trucker and a Mexican family are stranded by a snowstorm in fishing cabins. They're not going anywhere until the snow is cleared.
It's just before Christmas and Barbie has plenty of time to reflect on her privileged life - money, a nice home, loving husband, a son and routine ... but she realises that she is not really happy and has never achieved much.
Stuck in the middle of nowhere Barb comes up with an idea to make it a memorable Christmas for all.
"Time to get started with the rest of her life, and show the world - and herself - that Barb Stanowski is more than a pretty face."
It's a 3 Star anthology lifted to 3.5 Stars by "Room at the Inn."
A couple of chapters into "Secret Santa" I was seriously considering pulling the plug on it.
It's completely unbelievable and the attempt to recreate Irish accents was pretty awful.
My inner Grinch was coming to the fore - bah and humbug!
I kept going for a bit and things looked up - though the instalove between the two main characters tried my patience.
It takes a while for the story to settle down - Chapter 9 is when it gets interesting.
And then it ends just a chapter later.
"The Yellow Rose of Christmas" by Marie Bostwick is a slightly twisted fairytale in which a woman in her 60s, convinced that love is impossible for her, finds a secret admirer.
I didn't think I would like it yet the ending is seriously sweet and Christmassy.
"Nightmare on Elf Street" by Laura Leving features a bad Santa, he's been naughty and it's only a matter of time before he gets his comeuppance. Jaine Austen, employed as a Elf, gets to work on solving the crime - if she doesn't she won't be able to spend time with her family at Christmas.
It's a piece of manic fluff with a couple of good one-liners. And Prozac, the cat, plays a starring role!
"Room at the Inn" by Cindy Myers is by far the best tale and gets up close and personal with the spirit of Christmas.
One time cheerleader Barbie Sue Bowman grew up poor. Now now 41, happily married with a grown-up son, she, her husband, a trucker and a Mexican family are stranded by a snowstorm in fishing cabins. They're not going anywhere until the snow is cleared.
It's just before Christmas and Barbie has plenty of time to reflect on her privileged life - money, a nice home, loving husband, a son and routine ... but she realises that she is not really happy and has never achieved much.
Stuck in the middle of nowhere Barb comes up with an idea to make it a memorable Christmas for all.
"Time to get started with the rest of her life, and show the world - and herself - that Barb Stanowski is more than a pretty face."
It's a 3 Star anthology lifted to 3.5 Stars by "Room at the Inn."
May 29, 2020
Reading a Xmas book in May? Sure! Why not!
"Mister Christmas" by Fern Michaels
This started out so strong! Xmas time set in Ireland? YAS! However, I started yawning partway through. I barely remember much of what happened. Next thing I knew the two were together and in LOVE and then it ended. I feel like I missed what had happened. Meh for me. 2 stars.
"The Yellow Rose of Christmas" by Marie Bostwick
Cute, cute, cute, CUTE! This was a really cute one. The names were funky....super funky...but it is a funky town with a funky town name. All makes sense. I liked the ending! Did I mention this was super cute? 4 stars.
"Nightmare on Elf Street" by Laura Levine
This was a fun one. Completely different than the others. We had a murder mystery and no realy romance here. We had some sparks, but that was about it. I'm bummed we didn't get see Jaine in lovvveeeee, but I did enjoy the mystery. I loved that dang cat! She was a little devil. 3 stars
"Room at the Inn" by Cindy Myers
At first I was bored and didn't really care about these characters, but then a certain event happened and it made me sit on the edge of my seat. I grew to adore everyone here. There was a romance, but not your typical one. Barb and her hubbie are given a second chance. On top of that Barb realizes she needs to make herself happy too. I really enjoyed this. I think this is ended up being tied for first place. I'll give this 4 stars.
OVERALL
I really liked this. I think I needed a nice book full of Xmas miracles and joy. Like everyone I have had my bad days because of the social distancing and lock down we are in. This was nice and needed. I'll give this 3 stars. A couple really good, one okay, and one...not for me.
"Mister Christmas" by Fern Michaels
This started out so strong! Xmas time set in Ireland? YAS! However, I started yawning partway through. I barely remember much of what happened. Next thing I knew the two were together and in LOVE and then it ended. I feel like I missed what had happened. Meh for me. 2 stars.
"The Yellow Rose of Christmas" by Marie Bostwick
Cute, cute, cute, CUTE! This was a really cute one. The names were funky....super funky...but it is a funky town with a funky town name. All makes sense. I liked the ending! Did I mention this was super cute? 4 stars.
"Nightmare on Elf Street" by Laura Levine
This was a fun one. Completely different than the others. We had a murder mystery and no realy romance here. We had some sparks, but that was about it. I'm bummed we didn't get see Jaine in lovvveeeee, but I did enjoy the mystery. I loved that dang cat! She was a little devil. 3 stars
"Room at the Inn" by Cindy Myers
At first I was bored and didn't really care about these characters, but then a certain event happened and it made me sit on the edge of my seat. I grew to adore everyone here. There was a romance, but not your typical one. Barb and her hubbie are given a second chance. On top of that Barb realizes she needs to make herself happy too. I really enjoyed this. I think this is ended up being tied for first place. I'll give this 4 stars.
OVERALL
I really liked this. I think I needed a nice book full of Xmas miracles and joy. Like everyone I have had my bad days because of the social distancing and lock down we are in. This was nice and needed. I'll give this 3 stars. A couple really good, one okay, and one...not for me.
September 17, 2019
Three and a half stars.
Mister Christmas by Fern Michaels
A case of Christmas insta-love.
The Yellow Rose of Christmas by Marie Bostwick
Miss Velvet Tudmore has long resigned herself to remaining single, but she seems to have picked up a secret admirer when the new history teacher arrives in town.
Nightmare on Elf Street by Laura Levine
Jaine Austen winds up with a temporary job as a mall Santa's elf. Worse, she's paired with the Santa, or should she say Satan, from hell. Even worse still? When he ends up dead and she's the prime suspect. An entertaining cozy mystery...
Room at the Inn by Cindy Myers
An unexpected blizzard strands Barb and her husband Jimmy with some fellow travelers at a remote set of hunting cabins in Colorado. A lovely story of one woman finding herself as she and her new friends rediscover how to best celebrate Christmas.
Mister Christmas by Fern Michaels
A case of Christmas insta-love.
The Yellow Rose of Christmas by Marie Bostwick
Miss Velvet Tudmore has long resigned herself to remaining single, but she seems to have picked up a secret admirer when the new history teacher arrives in town.
Nightmare on Elf Street by Laura Levine
Jaine Austen winds up with a temporary job as a mall Santa's elf. Worse, she's paired with the Santa, or should she say Satan, from hell. Even worse still? When he ends up dead and she's the prime suspect. An entertaining cozy mystery...
Room at the Inn by Cindy Myers
An unexpected blizzard strands Barb and her husband Jimmy with some fellow travelers at a remote set of hunting cabins in Colorado. A lovely story of one woman finding herself as she and her new friends rediscover how to best celebrate Christmas.
December 21, 2024
These four stories range in tone from Hallmark Christmas movie instalove to a Christmas murder mystery but all of them contain that warm, fuzzy feeling that comes when you sit down in your coziest, warmest pajamas in front of a fire to drink hot cocoa and eat cookies. Honestly, the first of the bunch is the weakest, given it was an entire plot crammed into only about 100 pages, but after that the stories proved to be absolutely charming.
While the second and last ones are very heartwarming, being tales of making Christmas magic in the purest sense, it's the third one that's a cozy murder mystery that really stood out for me. I enjoyed it so much I plan I looking up more Jaine Austen murder mysteries to read. It appears this little series of short stories may have given me the best Christmas present of all: a new book series to enjoy and devour. It doesn't get much better than that!
While the second and last ones are very heartwarming, being tales of making Christmas magic in the purest sense, it's the third one that's a cozy murder mystery that really stood out for me. I enjoyed it so much I plan I looking up more Jaine Austen murder mysteries to read. It appears this little series of short stories may have given me the best Christmas present of all: a new book series to enjoy and devour. It doesn't get much better than that!
January 18, 2018
This book was Kind of sweet. I felt Fern Michael’s story dragged on a bit but was cute. I skimmed through Nightmare on Elf Street because I couldn’t stand the authors quirky humor. The Yellow Rose is Christmas was adorable. Very different from the usual romance novel because it involves older people. I especially enjoyed the last one in the series of four books. It made me ponder, and think. That’s a good thing to do once in a while when you’re reading a book. Just appreciate what we have and all of our blessings and make the most of our lives. I would read this book even if it was just for that last story by Cindy Myers called ROOM AT THE INN.
November 21, 2017
There are 4 stories in this book. I read the first one, Mister Christmas. Lots of fantasy and make believe in the story. Far fetched, but of course turns out beautiful. Sometimes these hallmark type stories are all the same, such unusual things happen, but love seems to conquer all. Life is not really like this, but they try to make things happy and I guess that why most of us like the romance part and wish life was This Easy.....lol.......I decided not read the next 3 stories, since I have many other books to catch up on. This was cute, but not much depth......
December 24, 2018
Great Holiday Novellas
Secret Santa has Four Fun Filled Holiday Novellas inside. I really enjoyed them all. They are all complete stories that stand alone. I also think most of these stories have other books that involve some of the same characters. So if you really enjoyed a certain story you could pick up more books from that Author and continue on. I borrowed this book from my Online Library.
Secret Santa has Four Fun Filled Holiday Novellas inside. I really enjoyed them all. They are all complete stories that stand alone. I also think most of these stories have other books that involve some of the same characters. So if you really enjoyed a certain story you could pick up more books from that Author and continue on. I borrowed this book from my Online Library.
December 31, 2018
Picked this up from the library on a whim - 'tis the Santa season and thought it'd be a nice change of pace from what I usually read. The first 2 stories were meh. I liked the third and will look for more of Laura Levine's novels. The fourth was ok, though I'm not sure I'd seek out more. Nice light reading to end out the year and my Book Challenge for 2018. I started with a 12 book goal and rounded out with 40!
September 21, 2020
4 short stories by 4 good authors. Just the type of book you can read and not have to think so much. Fern Michaels wrote Mister Christmas
Marie Bostwick wrote The Yellow Rose of Christmas
Laura Devine wrote Nightmare on Elf Street
Adnd Cindy Myers (new author for me) wrote Room at the Inn. Which I really liked, but all were good stories!
Some were just fun and others showed the kindness that can bring people together.
Marie Bostwick wrote The Yellow Rose of Christmas
Laura Devine wrote Nightmare on Elf Street
Adnd Cindy Myers (new author for me) wrote Room at the Inn. Which I really liked, but all were good stories!
Some were just fun and others showed the kindness that can bring people together.
December 13, 2020
Mr Christmas and The Yellow Rose of Christmas were enjoyable. They were well written with strong capable women as heroines.
Nightmare on Elf Street was just a nightmare to read. I am not a fan of the klutzy, not going anywhere, whining about her size heroines. And her obligatory over the top gay self centered best friend. Ugh.
Room at the Inn was not a romance but a nice Christmas story and worth reading.
Nightmare on Elf Street was just a nightmare to read. I am not a fan of the klutzy, not going anywhere, whining about her size heroines. And her obligatory over the top gay self centered best friend. Ugh.
Room at the Inn was not a romance but a nice Christmas story and worth reading.
February 11, 2024
Mister Christmas – humorous situations, but I was surprised the nephew went along with the uncle’s plan.
Yellow Rose of Christmas – fun to see Velvet come out of her shell, and the reaction of the townspeople, too.
Nightmare on Elf Street – Jaine’s accused of murdering a mall Santa. Lots of silly antics.
Room at the Inn – I liked this one the best, could see these events actually taking place.
The first story by the headliner, Fern Michaels, was probably the weakest.
Yellow Rose of Christmas – fun to see Velvet come out of her shell, and the reaction of the townspeople, too.
Nightmare on Elf Street – Jaine’s accused of murdering a mall Santa. Lots of silly antics.
Room at the Inn – I liked this one the best, could see these events actually taking place.
The first story by the headliner, Fern Michaels, was probably the weakest.
December 24, 2018
Nightmare on Elf Street: Laura Levine.
Of course another hilarious story. Laura Levine never seems to disappoint...neither does the trouble Jaine gets into. This was perfect for the Halliday season with all the stress and prepping, it was a great way to just relax and laugh!!!! Well done!!! Happy Reading :)
Of course another hilarious story. Laura Levine never seems to disappoint...neither does the trouble Jaine gets into. This was perfect for the Halliday season with all the stress and prepping, it was a great way to just relax and laugh!!!! Well done!!! Happy Reading :)
December 22, 2019
Some pleasant reading. This book contains four stories by four authors. I especially enjoyed "Mister Christmas" by Fern Michaels. "The Yellow Rose of Christmas" by Marie Bostwick and "Room at the Inn" were very sweet. "The Nightmare on Elf Street" had a very different quality - humorous, but there was a murder in it, so not sweet at all.
March 15, 2022
In the interest of full disclosure, the only story that I read from this book was “Nightmare on Elf Street” - it was charming and adorable.
I’ve just stumbled upon a small number of Laura Levine books that I had not previously read; so I’m on a mini Jaine Austen reading spree (it’s like reuniting with a friend after a long separation!) and don’t want to miss a single quirky adventure.
I’ve just stumbled upon a small number of Laura Levine books that I had not previously read; so I’m on a mini Jaine Austen reading spree (it’s like reuniting with a friend after a long separation!) and don’t want to miss a single quirky adventure.
November 26, 2023
Absolutely loved Nightmare on Elf Street! Laura Levine packed it with SO much humor and Christmas spirit. I highly recommend her series! It's too much fun, and Jaine's cat, Prozac, was in top form.
*I only read Nightmare on Elf Street by Laura Levine (I couldn't find an individual story to add).
*I only read Nightmare on Elf Street by Laura Levine (I couldn't find an individual story to add).
January 6, 2018
I only read the first story, that was all that I could stomach. I love a good love story,but give me a break. It was so nauseatingly sweet my teeth ached. Certainly not one of Fern Michaels finest. The second one was a murder mystery. Christmas murder, I think not!
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