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Coming Home for Christmas: Christmas Angel\Unexpected GiftNavy Joy
Three stories salute the romance of holiday homecomings
Christmas Angel by Lindsay McKenna
When Navy SEAL Kyle Anderson gets a call saying Anna Campbell needs him, he doesn't think twice. On the Montana ranch where they grew up, holiday magic permeates every acre, kindling long-awaited love. But will duty trump desire?
Unexpected Gift by Delores Fossen
Tailed by a camera crew, Air Force Captain Gabe Brenner returns to Texas to deliver a Christmas message to his best friend's sister Kelly Coburn. But she's had her own delivery: beautiful baby Noel…Gabe's daughter.
Navy Joy by Geri Krotow
Chief Petty Officer Ian Cairne arrives stateside for Christmas with a four-legged friend: his late buddy's military service dog. Fortunately, the beautiful town vet Wendi Cooper is willing to take this odd couple into her home—and her heart.
Christmas Angel by Lindsay McKenna
When Navy SEAL Kyle Anderson gets a call saying Anna Campbell needs him, he doesn't think twice. On the Montana ranch where they grew up, holiday magic permeates every acre, kindling long-awaited love. But will duty trump desire?
Unexpected Gift by Delores Fossen
Tailed by a camera crew, Air Force Captain Gabe Brenner returns to Texas to deliver a Christmas message to his best friend's sister Kelly Coburn. But she's had her own delivery: beautiful baby Noel…Gabe's daughter.
Navy Joy by Geri Krotow
Chief Petty Officer Ian Cairne arrives stateside for Christmas with a four-legged friend: his late buddy's military service dog. Fortunately, the beautiful town vet Wendi Cooper is willing to take this odd couple into her home—and her heart.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
29 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay McKenna
359 books2,501 followersI've lived six lives in one and it all shows up in the books I write, one way or another.
I was always a risk taker and broke mustangs at thirteen years old in Oregon. I learn to break them with love, not threat or pain.
At 17 years old, I picked night-crawlers (worms) out in our Oregon orchards from 9pm to midnight, every night. I earned enough money to buy my school clothes and book. I also plunked down $600 to a flight company at the Medford, Oregon airport and asked them to teach me...a girl...to fly. I soloed in 12 hours, which is average. From that time until I left for the US Navy at 18, I had accrued 39 hours of flight time in my Cessna 150 single engine airplane.
I was in the US military and was an AG3 (weather forecaster). There was no airplane club, so I couldn't fly when I was in the Navy. But I could look at the clouds in the sky ;-).
Later, I flew in a B-52 bomber for a day and night mission (18 hours total), a T-38 Talon jet, USAF, where I was riding in a "chase plane" on a test flight in a Dragonfly jet.
I was one of the first AFLA (American Fencing League of America) women fencers to fence with epee and sabre. These weapons were closed to women because they were too 'heavy' for a female to handle. I said baloney and fought the males and won half my bouts. I was part of a surge of women fencers on the East Coast in the 1970's to push for equality in the sport. Together, we changed the sport and changed the mind of the men. Today? In the Olympics? Women now fence in foil, epee and sabre, thanks to what we did as a vanguard showing the world it could be done.
I then became a volunteer firefighter when I was a civilian once more, the first woman in an all - male fire department in West Point, Ohio for three years. I became a local expert not only in firefighting, driving the engine and tanker trunks, but also had training in hazardous material (Reynoldsburg Fire Academy, Columbus, OH).
My books always reflect what I experienced. If you like edgy, gritty, deeply and emotionally intense love stories with sympathetic heroes and heroines, check out my newest series that will be available mid-Oct. 2015, and it incorporates much of what I have lived.
I was always a risk taker and broke mustangs at thirteen years old in Oregon. I learn to break them with love, not threat or pain.
At 17 years old, I picked night-crawlers (worms) out in our Oregon orchards from 9pm to midnight, every night. I earned enough money to buy my school clothes and book. I also plunked down $600 to a flight company at the Medford, Oregon airport and asked them to teach me...a girl...to fly. I soloed in 12 hours, which is average. From that time until I left for the US Navy at 18, I had accrued 39 hours of flight time in my Cessna 150 single engine airplane.
I was in the US military and was an AG3 (weather forecaster). There was no airplane club, so I couldn't fly when I was in the Navy. But I could look at the clouds in the sky ;-).
Later, I flew in a B-52 bomber for a day and night mission (18 hours total), a T-38 Talon jet, USAF, where I was riding in a "chase plane" on a test flight in a Dragonfly jet.
I was one of the first AFLA (American Fencing League of America) women fencers to fence with epee and sabre. These weapons were closed to women because they were too 'heavy' for a female to handle. I said baloney and fought the males and won half my bouts. I was part of a surge of women fencers on the East Coast in the 1970's to push for equality in the sport. Together, we changed the sport and changed the mind of the men. Today? In the Olympics? Women now fence in foil, epee and sabre, thanks to what we did as a vanguard showing the world it could be done.
I then became a volunteer firefighter when I was a civilian once more, the first woman in an all - male fire department in West Point, Ohio for three years. I became a local expert not only in firefighting, driving the engine and tanker trunks, but also had training in hazardous material (Reynoldsburg Fire Academy, Columbus, OH).
My books always reflect what I experienced. If you like edgy, gritty, deeply and emotionally intense love stories with sympathetic heroes and heroines, check out my newest series that will be available mid-Oct. 2015, and it incorporates much of what I have lived.
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November 23, 2025
Coming Home for Christmas provides three holiday military home comings novellas to devour right before the Holiday Season begins.
With all novellas you get a little bit of everything, with Coming Home for Christmas you get each author’s signature writing style…so there is something for everyone.
Christmas Angel by Lindsay McKenna was a cute romance but a bit flowery for my personal tastes. I liked it but didn't love it.
I loved Unexpected Gift by Delores Fossen. She captured the essences of the holiday home coming with a heartfelt but difficult reunion.
Navy Joy by Geri Krotow was a highly entertaining story. I found it to be a little rushed but you couldn’t help but fall in love with the niece and the menagerie of animals. Heartwarming and utterly charming!
If you are looking for a little something to get you into the holiday spirit, Coming Home for Christmas would be a marvelous start.
I received this ARC copy from Coming Home for Christmas from Harlequin Anthology in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication November 5, 2014.
With all novellas you get a little bit of everything, with Coming Home for Christmas you get each author’s signature writing style…so there is something for everyone.
Christmas Angel by Lindsay McKenna was a cute romance but a bit flowery for my personal tastes. I liked it but didn't love it.
I loved Unexpected Gift by Delores Fossen. She captured the essences of the holiday home coming with a heartfelt but difficult reunion.
Navy Joy by Geri Krotow was a highly entertaining story. I found it to be a little rushed but you couldn’t help but fall in love with the niece and the menagerie of animals. Heartwarming and utterly charming!
If you are looking for a little something to get you into the holiday spirit, Coming Home for Christmas would be a marvelous start.
I received this ARC copy from Coming Home for Christmas from Harlequin Anthology in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication November 5, 2014.
April 18, 2023
BOOK 16 of my 2023 Valentine reading rush where I read romance books with men on the cover and a color of the rainbow.
featured color: white
Too late, like too fucking late for Valentine's HAHAHAHA. And how does white come into play in the rainbow thing? Well, the whole ROYGBV starts from white light (or so we're taught).
Anyways, there are 3 novellas and all of them surround 3 SEAL men finding love after they come home for Christmas. I'm gonna rate these stories individually.
Christmas Angel - 4/5
Unexpected Gift - 3.5/5
Navy Joy - 3/5
Eh, just ok. Short, sweet, and very few conflicts. The sex scenes are also not hot, but the chemistry's there. The first two are second chance romances, so I might be a little biased lol.
featured color: white
Too late, like too fucking late for Valentine's HAHAHAHA. And how does white come into play in the rainbow thing? Well, the whole ROYGBV starts from white light (or so we're taught).
Anyways, there are 3 novellas and all of them surround 3 SEAL men finding love after they come home for Christmas. I'm gonna rate these stories individually.
Christmas Angel - 4/5
Unexpected Gift - 3.5/5
Navy Joy - 3/5
Eh, just ok. Short, sweet, and very few conflicts. The sex scenes are also not hot, but the chemistry's there. The first two are second chance romances, so I might be a little biased lol.
December 21, 2014
Due to my husband serving in the Navy, I’m usually a huge fan of military romances. When I saw that this book was made up of three Military romances that take place during Christmas, well sign me up! I felt like I had hit the jackpot and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.
Now normally I will find one novella that I just love and one that is just ok and one that is just not my favorite in a book like this. Unfortunately all three novellas were just ok. In fact I actually struggled wanting to read them after I got started. I really wish it wasn’t the case but not one of these novellas really stood out for me in the way of a plot or chemistry with the characters.
I am giving this book three stars because while it didn’t meet the high hopes that I had for it, it still was a decent enough way to spend a quiet afternoon.
Now normally I will find one novella that I just love and one that is just ok and one that is just not my favorite in a book like this. Unfortunately all three novellas were just ok. In fact I actually struggled wanting to read them after I got started. I really wish it wasn’t the case but not one of these novellas really stood out for me in the way of a plot or chemistry with the characters.
I am giving this book three stars because while it didn’t meet the high hopes that I had for it, it still was a decent enough way to spend a quiet afternoon.
February 17, 2015
Christmas Angel by Lindsay McKenna
When Navy SEAL Kyle Anderson gets a call saying Anna Campbell needs him, he doesn't think twice. On the Montana ranch where they grew up, holiday magic permeates every acre, kindling long-awaited love. But will duty trump desire?
Kyle and Anna had grown up together on the Montana ranch where his father was foreman. They started out as friends, but grew to love each other as they got older. They talked about plans for their future together, but when Kyle was eighteen, he left the ranch for the Navy SEALs. On a visit home when he was twenty-two he proposed, but Anna turned him down, unable to face the kind of life they'd have away from the ranch. Heartbroken, Kyle left, cutting off all contact with her. Seven years later he learned that she's been critically injured in an accident, and he goes back to help her.
Seeing each other again is both amazingly easy and incredibly hard. The love they have for each other is still there but can they overcome the hurts of the past? I loved seeing the way that Kyle was so determined to help Anna recover. His feelings for her were as strong as ever, and with maturity he has begun to realize what is most important in his life. Anna had tried moving on past her feelings for Kyle, but it hadn't worked out and had only made things worse. I loved seeing them reach out to each other, sharing the changes in their lives, and wanting to make things work.
Unexpected Gift by Delores Fossen
Tailed by a camera crew, Air Force Captain Gabe Brenner returns to Texas to deliver a Christmas message to his best friend's sister Kelly Coburn. But she's had her own delivery: beautiful baby Noel - Gabe's daughter.
Gabe and Ross Coburn had been friends for a long time. Ross's younger sister had had a crush on Gabe for almost as long, but as Ross's little sister, Gabe had never looked at her that way. A least not until last Christmas, when shared worry over Ross and a little too much to drink had them taking comfort in each other's arms. When Kelly discovered she was pregnant she didn't tell Gabe, not wanting him to be distracted while he was in a combat zone.
Fast forward a year and Gabe has come to deliver a Christmas gift to Kelly from her brother. He's met there by a camera crew, who is there to film the event (The crew was notified by Ross, and it was never explained why). Gabe is stunned to discover that Kelly has had his baby and that he knew nothing about it.
Kelly had meant to tell him but could never quite figure out the best way to do it. Now the two of them have to decide what to do. Kelly had never thought that Gabe would be interested in being a father as he is known for being a bit of a player. She's surprised by how quickly Gabe takes to fatherhood, and his sweetness with baby Noel only deepens her love for him.
Gabe can see no other solution than for he and Kelly to marry as soon as possible. One obstacle is that she doesn't want to leave her small town home and Gabe's Air Force duties take him all over the world. And while Kelly knows that she's in love with Gabe, she has no idea if he feels the same way, and she doesn't want to marry for anything but love.
Ross's surprise arrival creates some stress with his reactions to what he finds. It also forces both Kelly and Gabe to face their fears and decide what they really want. I really enjoyed the Christmas presents and what each one meant to the recipients.
Navy Joy by Geri Krotow
Series: Whidbey Island (Book 3.5)
Chief Petty Officer Ian Cairne arrives stateside for Christmas with a four-legged friend: his late buddy's military service dog. Fortunately, the beautiful town vet Wendi Cooper is willing to take this odd couple into her home - and her heart.
Ian has arrived back on Whidbey Island, grieving the loss of his best friend. With him is Integrity, his buddy's military dog. Unfortunately, his house is uninhabitable thanks to a broken water pipe and he needs a place to live that accepts dogs. Local veterinarian Wendi has a guest cottage on her property that she's willing to rent to him for as long as he needs. Wendi is suffering herself, having recently lost her twin sister and becoming guardian to her three year old niece.
Both Ian and Wendi feel an immediate attraction, but neither feels ready for a relationship. Ian is grieving, trying to bond with the dog, and doesn't allow himself to get in too deep with women anyway. As a military guy long separations are hard on relationships and he hasn't had good luck. Wendi has had a few relationships with military guys and they haven't worked out. The last one ended when the man moved on to another woman. Now that she has Emma, she feels that she doesn't have the time necessary to make a relationship work.
I loved seeing the way that Ian and Wendi connected. First through Wendi's knowledge of dogs and the things that Ian needs for Integrity. She also recognizes Ian's grief, as she's experiencing the same thing. She can't help reaching out to him. Ian is drawn to Wendi, though he tries to resist. The warmth of the life she has created with Emma is far different than what he had as a child and it is immensely appealing. Over the next few weeks, as they are thrown together, the attraction grows stronger and the connection deeper. I loved Christmas Eve and Ian's gift was adorable.
I enjoyed all three stories. Each was a wonderful example of the kind of thing a military member faces around the holidays. I loved seeing each of the heroes find a home for his heart also.
When Navy SEAL Kyle Anderson gets a call saying Anna Campbell needs him, he doesn't think twice. On the Montana ranch where they grew up, holiday magic permeates every acre, kindling long-awaited love. But will duty trump desire?
Kyle and Anna had grown up together on the Montana ranch where his father was foreman. They started out as friends, but grew to love each other as they got older. They talked about plans for their future together, but when Kyle was eighteen, he left the ranch for the Navy SEALs. On a visit home when he was twenty-two he proposed, but Anna turned him down, unable to face the kind of life they'd have away from the ranch. Heartbroken, Kyle left, cutting off all contact with her. Seven years later he learned that she's been critically injured in an accident, and he goes back to help her.
Seeing each other again is both amazingly easy and incredibly hard. The love they have for each other is still there but can they overcome the hurts of the past? I loved seeing the way that Kyle was so determined to help Anna recover. His feelings for her were as strong as ever, and with maturity he has begun to realize what is most important in his life. Anna had tried moving on past her feelings for Kyle, but it hadn't worked out and had only made things worse. I loved seeing them reach out to each other, sharing the changes in their lives, and wanting to make things work.
Unexpected Gift by Delores Fossen
Tailed by a camera crew, Air Force Captain Gabe Brenner returns to Texas to deliver a Christmas message to his best friend's sister Kelly Coburn. But she's had her own delivery: beautiful baby Noel - Gabe's daughter.
Gabe and Ross Coburn had been friends for a long time. Ross's younger sister had had a crush on Gabe for almost as long, but as Ross's little sister, Gabe had never looked at her that way. A least not until last Christmas, when shared worry over Ross and a little too much to drink had them taking comfort in each other's arms. When Kelly discovered she was pregnant she didn't tell Gabe, not wanting him to be distracted while he was in a combat zone.
Fast forward a year and Gabe has come to deliver a Christmas gift to Kelly from her brother. He's met there by a camera crew, who is there to film the event (The crew was notified by Ross, and it was never explained why). Gabe is stunned to discover that Kelly has had his baby and that he knew nothing about it.
Kelly had meant to tell him but could never quite figure out the best way to do it. Now the two of them have to decide what to do. Kelly had never thought that Gabe would be interested in being a father as he is known for being a bit of a player. She's surprised by how quickly Gabe takes to fatherhood, and his sweetness with baby Noel only deepens her love for him.
Gabe can see no other solution than for he and Kelly to marry as soon as possible. One obstacle is that she doesn't want to leave her small town home and Gabe's Air Force duties take him all over the world. And while Kelly knows that she's in love with Gabe, she has no idea if he feels the same way, and she doesn't want to marry for anything but love.
Ross's surprise arrival creates some stress with his reactions to what he finds. It also forces both Kelly and Gabe to face their fears and decide what they really want. I really enjoyed the Christmas presents and what each one meant to the recipients.
Navy Joy by Geri Krotow
Series: Whidbey Island (Book 3.5)
Chief Petty Officer Ian Cairne arrives stateside for Christmas with a four-legged friend: his late buddy's military service dog. Fortunately, the beautiful town vet Wendi Cooper is willing to take this odd couple into her home - and her heart.
Ian has arrived back on Whidbey Island, grieving the loss of his best friend. With him is Integrity, his buddy's military dog. Unfortunately, his house is uninhabitable thanks to a broken water pipe and he needs a place to live that accepts dogs. Local veterinarian Wendi has a guest cottage on her property that she's willing to rent to him for as long as he needs. Wendi is suffering herself, having recently lost her twin sister and becoming guardian to her three year old niece.
Both Ian and Wendi feel an immediate attraction, but neither feels ready for a relationship. Ian is grieving, trying to bond with the dog, and doesn't allow himself to get in too deep with women anyway. As a military guy long separations are hard on relationships and he hasn't had good luck. Wendi has had a few relationships with military guys and they haven't worked out. The last one ended when the man moved on to another woman. Now that she has Emma, she feels that she doesn't have the time necessary to make a relationship work.
I loved seeing the way that Ian and Wendi connected. First through Wendi's knowledge of dogs and the things that Ian needs for Integrity. She also recognizes Ian's grief, as she's experiencing the same thing. She can't help reaching out to him. Ian is drawn to Wendi, though he tries to resist. The warmth of the life she has created with Emma is far different than what he had as a child and it is immensely appealing. Over the next few weeks, as they are thrown together, the attraction grows stronger and the connection deeper. I loved Christmas Eve and Ian's gift was adorable.
I enjoyed all three stories. Each was a wonderful example of the kind of thing a military member faces around the holidays. I loved seeing each of the heroes find a home for his heart also.
October 26, 2018
Military Christmas stories
I loved each one of these stories. All slightly different, but heartwarming. I appreciated the military heroes and their daily struggles.
I loved each one of these stories. All slightly different, but heartwarming. I appreciated the military heroes and their daily struggles.
April 14, 2015
To read this review and others like it check out my site at www.homelovebooks.com
So this book is another collection of Christmas stories with a military twist, I seem to be on a short story Christmas kick the past few days.
Christmas Angel: Lindsay McKenna was my favorite of the short stories out of the three. I really think the reason why it was easy for me to like this story more than the others is because the characters had a long term relationship before hand, so it was easy to see how a relationship could be rekindled in the very short amount of time the short story provided for. Kyle and Anna were childhood sweethearts, and when he joined the military he broke her heart. It's really easy to read the pain between these two characters, but at the same time the love they have for each other is palpable from the beginning of the story. It was really easy to pull for these two to find a way to work it out, and I just really liked the characters in this one.
Unexpected Gift: Delores Fossen was probably my least favorite, but it was more of a personal hang up then a problem with the writing. So Gabe comes home to find that Kelly, his best friends little sister, has had a baby girl, and the baby is his. Yeah, talk about a dramatic entrance. I really don't like women who don't tell the father of their child they are pregnant (unless there is some kind of legit reason, like they tried to find them and couldn't or it was an abusive situation or something, barring that, it's hard for me to ever be okay with it). So from the beginning Kelly and I really didn't mesh. I also thought she was really wishy-washy. Gabe I liked, I liked that he was an honorable guy, I liked that he took his daughter immediately, and I liked that he tried to do considerate things for Kelly. I did think the insta-love needed a bit more fleshing out to be believable though.
Navy Joy: Geri Krotow I liked for the most part, I really liked the inclusion of animals into the story. Wendi is a vet who has more than a few animals at home and has recently adopted her twin sisters' three year old daughter after her sister and her husband died. Ian is recovering from the loss of his friend, the previous owner of his dog, and needed to find a place to stay that was pet friendly, enter Wendi. I liked the two of them individually and together, I liked how the animals all interacted with each other, and were catalysts for the two of them getting closer. I did think that the end of the story was more than a little rushed, but you will have to read it to understand why I think that.
Overall, I thought this was a cute collection of Christmas stories, and I did appreciate the military twist (who doesn't love a guy in a uniform). That said, the stories were a little two quick to have the development they needed in my opinion, so it felt an awful lot like insta-love rather than taking the time to develop something more organically. But if you want something quick and sweet with a Christmas feel, this would definitely be your cup of tea.
So this book is another collection of Christmas stories with a military twist, I seem to be on a short story Christmas kick the past few days.
Christmas Angel: Lindsay McKenna was my favorite of the short stories out of the three. I really think the reason why it was easy for me to like this story more than the others is because the characters had a long term relationship before hand, so it was easy to see how a relationship could be rekindled in the very short amount of time the short story provided for. Kyle and Anna were childhood sweethearts, and when he joined the military he broke her heart. It's really easy to read the pain between these two characters, but at the same time the love they have for each other is palpable from the beginning of the story. It was really easy to pull for these two to find a way to work it out, and I just really liked the characters in this one.
Unexpected Gift: Delores Fossen was probably my least favorite, but it was more of a personal hang up then a problem with the writing. So Gabe comes home to find that Kelly, his best friends little sister, has had a baby girl, and the baby is his. Yeah, talk about a dramatic entrance. I really don't like women who don't tell the father of their child they are pregnant (unless there is some kind of legit reason, like they tried to find them and couldn't or it was an abusive situation or something, barring that, it's hard for me to ever be okay with it). So from the beginning Kelly and I really didn't mesh. I also thought she was really wishy-washy. Gabe I liked, I liked that he was an honorable guy, I liked that he took his daughter immediately, and I liked that he tried to do considerate things for Kelly. I did think the insta-love needed a bit more fleshing out to be believable though.
Navy Joy: Geri Krotow I liked for the most part, I really liked the inclusion of animals into the story. Wendi is a vet who has more than a few animals at home and has recently adopted her twin sisters' three year old daughter after her sister and her husband died. Ian is recovering from the loss of his friend, the previous owner of his dog, and needed to find a place to stay that was pet friendly, enter Wendi. I liked the two of them individually and together, I liked how the animals all interacted with each other, and were catalysts for the two of them getting closer. I did think that the end of the story was more than a little rushed, but you will have to read it to understand why I think that.
Overall, I thought this was a cute collection of Christmas stories, and I did appreciate the military twist (who doesn't love a guy in a uniform). That said, the stories were a little two quick to have the development they needed in my opinion, so it felt an awful lot like insta-love rather than taking the time to develop something more organically. But if you want something quick and sweet with a Christmas feel, this would definitely be your cup of tea.
October 7, 2015
This book is about a veteran and his love story. When he was young he dated a girl named Anna her father owned a ranch that Kyle worked on. When he got older he asked her to marry him she declined. After that he decided he wanted to join the seals. (book skips 5 years into the future) he learns that she had gotten hurt when the tractor she was in tipped over and fell into a pond the man she was with died. When he arrived home she had explained to him that she had been married before to a man named Tom. Tom, however was abusive because Anna had two miscarriages Tom said this happened because she still loved Kyle. When she revealed this Kyle got furious so to make it up to her he went out and got her a Christmas tree. And along the way they fell exposed their true feelings for each other. Kyle had never stopped loving Anna and she had never stopped loving him. After the thirty days Kyle had spent at the ranch him and Anna had gotten engaged Anna had become pregnant d their relationship had blossomed. But Kyle had to go back to the SEALS. Kyle hadn’t wanted to go but he had too so he shipped out when he returned they had a wedding and Anna had a beautiful baby girl.
Who might be interested in this book? Why?
I think the only people interested in reading this book are grandmothers, teenage girls and, people who forget they have to get a book for English class until the day of. The reason grandmothers would like this book because they want this kind of passion in their relationship because now that they’re all old their husband is super boring and lame. the reason teenage girls would like this book because they want this kind of relationship in their life because all the guys in their grade are to brain dead to think like this .The last person I think would like this is people who forget they have to bring a book for English class until the day of the reason they read this book is that they want to pass their English class instead of getting a zero for the first independent reading grade.
Overall Satisfaction. Explain.
Overall I think I liked the book it wasn’t what I expected I expected a super boing love book and this book had its moments but overall it was interesting. I think that the chapters were longer than other books but other than that the author wrote the book very well and he put the story together well. The only thing
I think the writer should have changed is that he should have not mad it end so abrupt and let the end drag on a little more. He also could have gone in more detail about their child hood because they were little the “BAM” now their adults, he could have just explained the childhood more because I had some questions like how did she meet Tom and how did she survive the tractor crash also why did the tractor crash. I think the author dint develop Kyles military carrier he just joined the navy SEALS that’s the end of it nothing else.
Who might be interested in this book? Why?
I think the only people interested in reading this book are grandmothers, teenage girls and, people who forget they have to get a book for English class until the day of. The reason grandmothers would like this book because they want this kind of passion in their relationship because now that they’re all old their husband is super boring and lame. the reason teenage girls would like this book because they want this kind of relationship in their life because all the guys in their grade are to brain dead to think like this .The last person I think would like this is people who forget they have to bring a book for English class until the day of the reason they read this book is that they want to pass their English class instead of getting a zero for the first independent reading grade.
Overall Satisfaction. Explain.
Overall I think I liked the book it wasn’t what I expected I expected a super boing love book and this book had its moments but overall it was interesting. I think that the chapters were longer than other books but other than that the author wrote the book very well and he put the story together well. The only thing
I think the writer should have changed is that he should have not mad it end so abrupt and let the end drag on a little more. He also could have gone in more detail about their child hood because they were little the “BAM” now their adults, he could have just explained the childhood more because I had some questions like how did she meet Tom and how did she survive the tractor crash also why did the tractor crash. I think the author dint develop Kyles military carrier he just joined the navy SEALS that’s the end of it nothing else.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2014
For this review and more visit my blog
Coming Home for Christmas is a festive anthology made up of three stories. Christmas Angel by Lindsey McKenna, Unexpected Gift by Delores Fossen and Navy Joy by Geri Krotow.
Normally I quite enjoy anthologies epically Christmas ones but I really struggled with Coming Home for Christmas and only enjoyed one out of the three stories. I had really been looking forward to this because I love Christmas stories and enjoy military romances also in the fact that each of the authors served in the military so I really thought this would be the one for me but I ended up disappointed.
The anthology started with Lindsey McKenna’s Christmas Angel. It’s not a secret that I’ve struggled with this authors work in the past. I thought I would give it another shot thinking that maybe I would prefer her style in a novella but if anything it was even worse. McKenna isn’t it bad writer it’s her style of writing that irritates me. there is just too much detailed explanations of ‘feelings’ the characters cannot even have sex without stopping to have a conversations about how they are feeling. These descriptions are also incredibly cheesy. Here is an example:
‘Anna would swear she’d gained five pounds. It was Kyle’s love for her, she realized, that was feeding her soul, infusing her heart and body.’
Riiiiiiiight ok then.
I have read quite a lot of McKenna’s books now but I think it’s time I admit defeat and give up.
The second book in the anthology is Unexpected Gift by Delores Fossen. Frankly this story saved this book for me. I really, really liked this and wish it had been featured in a different collection. It ticked all the boxes for me. It was funny, romantic and sweet. The storyline was great and Fossen’s timing when it came to humour was spot on. Gabe and Kelly were great characters who I felt I knew despite the story only being short. I could have happily read a few hundred more pages of this.
Bring up the rear is Geri Krotow’s Navy Joy which much like McKenna’s Christmas Angel just didn’t do it for me. I preferred the writing but didn’t like the characters I found both Ian and Wendi really annoying and presumptuous. In the end I skimmed this one.
The publisher provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
September 10, 2015
I enjoyed reading all three stories. Each story is about a military person coming home at Christmas time. They are each independent from each other and novella size. So great if you just have a short time to enjoy a book.
Lot of tender moments and memories. Some love scenes easy to skip over. Leaves you with good feelings when your done reading them.
Christmas Angel by Lindsay McKenna
I love the ideas for the Christmas ornaments for the tree. The memories are special.
US Navy Seal Kyle Anderson has come home to the Montana ranch he was raised on. He has not been back for years. He was notified that Anna Campbell had been in a bad accident.
He has not seen her for years since he asked her to marry him and she turned him down.
Unexpected Gift by Delores Fossen
Air Force Captain Gabe Brenner has come home to deliver a gift from his best friend to his sister followed by a news camera. When he is the one surprised to find Kelly Coburn with a baby Noel his daughter.
I love how he falls for Noel right away. He tries right away to figure out how he can be a big part of her life.
Lots of cute tender scenes. Love what he buys for Christmas presents.
Navy Joy by Geri Krotow
Chief Petty Officer Ian Cairne arrives home to find he can't stay at his home. He inherited a military dog. So he has to find place to rent that accepts pets. His first pet too.
Wendi Cooper has a place on her property to rent. She is in mourning too. She has just adopted her two year old niece. Has lots of pets. Helps give Christmas a helping hand.
I really like watching them together.
There is so much love (not just romantic love) in these three stories. It is what Christmas should be not expensive decorations and presents. Helping and sharing.
I was given this ebook to read by Netgalley and Harlequin. In return I agreed to give a honest review of Coming Home for Christmas.
December 6, 2014
Shelly‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4 STARS
Review copy provided for an honest review
Three great homecomings that will warm your heart, make you smile, laugh and make you want to sit by the fire while turning the pages to some great love stories.
Kyle takes leave to come home and help Anna after finding out she was in an accident. Kyle left Anna years ago after she turned down his proposal, but neither of them really understood the full meaning behind the turn down. After some growing up and understanding he comes to realize that Anna is worth the wait and he loves her still. Anna has lost a lot over the years and seeing Kyle here to help her brings back memories and love that never died.
Gabe returns home for Christmas to deliver his best friends sister a message only to be surprised by a little bundle of joy that he realizes is his from a one night stand with Kelly. Kelly had good intentions of telling Gabe about Noel, but just never quite knew how. This is a funny, romantic and sweet read of coming home to more than you expected.
Wendi is suffering from the loss of her sister and trying to ada
4 STARS
Review copy provided for an honest review
Three great homecomings that will warm your heart, make you smile, laugh and make you want to sit by the fire while turning the pages to some great love stories.
Kyle takes leave to come home and help Anna after finding out she was in an accident. Kyle left Anna years ago after she turned down his proposal, but neither of them really understood the full meaning behind the turn down. After some growing up and understanding he comes to realize that Anna is worth the wait and he loves her still. Anna has lost a lot over the years and seeing Kyle here to help her brings back memories and love that never died.
Gabe returns home for Christmas to deliver his best friends sister a message only to be surprised by a little bundle of joy that he realizes is his from a one night stand with Kelly. Kelly had good intentions of telling Gabe about Noel, but just never quite knew how. This is a funny, romantic and sweet read of coming home to more than you expected.
Wendi is suffering from the loss of her sister and trying to ada
October 26, 2014
3.5 stars - All three of these authors have experience with military homecomings - how hard up it must be to be away from love ones more often than not. So here's some guys coming home for the holidays and getting a HEA for Christmas.
Christmas angel - Lindsay McKenna - A reunion for a SEAL, And a long time love that finally gets its HEA. I liked this even though this is sort of meandering.
Unexpected Gift - Delores Fossen -I am not fond of the secret baby as a trope, and it adds in love with the best friend sister into the mix - I did like how fast he fell in love with his child.
Navy Joy - Geri Krotow - This was my favorite of all the stories, a soldier and a pet vet connected by grief find love at Christmas time.
ARC via Netgalley - 11/4 release date
Christmas angel - Lindsay McKenna - A reunion for a SEAL, And a long time love that finally gets its HEA. I liked this even though this is sort of meandering.
Unexpected Gift - Delores Fossen -I am not fond of the secret baby as a trope, and it adds in love with the best friend sister into the mix - I did like how fast he fell in love with his child.
Navy Joy - Geri Krotow - This was my favorite of all the stories, a soldier and a pet vet connected by grief find love at Christmas time.
ARC via Netgalley - 11/4 release date
November 10, 2014
This warm and wonderful Christmas anthology is a terrific read to jump start your holiday season.
These special stories were written by 3 exceptional female Veterans who have served our country well.
What better sources to share their valued insights and first hand experiences of the true meaning
of “Coming Home for Christmas”.
In Lindsay McKenna’s Christmas Angel, Delores Fossen’s Unexpected
Gift and Geri Krorow’s Navy Joy we are shown that LOVE universally triumphs over all else.
We should always welcome home our service members with open arms and open hearts filled with love!
These special stories were written by 3 exceptional female Veterans who have served our country well.
What better sources to share their valued insights and first hand experiences of the true meaning
of “Coming Home for Christmas”.
In Lindsay McKenna’s Christmas Angel, Delores Fossen’s Unexpected
Gift and Geri Krorow’s Navy Joy we are shown that LOVE universally triumphs over all else.
We should always welcome home our service members with open arms and open hearts filled with love!
April 25, 2017
This was my first time reading all three of these authors. I really enjoyed the stories Christmas Angel by Lindsay McKenna and Unexpected Gift by Delores Fossen. They had great characters and good story lines. The usual highs and lows but they made to their HEA. Navy Joy by Geri Krotow was a good story but I am trying to say this without giving anything away. The story was good and the characters were good but it felt like it jumped from the beginning right to the end without anything in the middle. Things seemed to happen too fast at the end but it was a good story. Only three and a half stars for this one.
March 9, 2015
I really loved all three of the stories in this collection. The first one started off a little slow for me and there's a lot of repetition but overall the store it was really nice.
The second one was my favorite story in the book by far! It wasn't anything I just liked about it was awesome!
The third story was a really good read as well but like the first one there was some repetition in the pacing was a little slow for me.
The second one was my favorite story in the book by far! It wasn't anything I just liked about it was awesome!
The third story was a really good read as well but like the first one there was some repetition in the pacing was a little slow for me.
Read
March 9, 2015great stories
I really loved all three of the stories in this collection. The first one started off a little slow for me and there's a lot of repetition but overall the store it was really nice.
The second one was my favorite story in the book by far! It wasn't anything I just liked about it was awesome!
The third story was a really good read as well but like the first one there was some repetition in the pacing was a little slow for me.
I really loved all three of the stories in this collection. The first one started off a little slow for me and there's a lot of repetition but overall the store it was really nice.
The second one was my favorite story in the book by far! It wasn't anything I just liked about it was awesome!
The third story was a really good read as well but like the first one there was some repetition in the pacing was a little slow for me.
October 15, 2014
Three wonderful novellas with military men returning home for the Christmas holidays. What could be more perfect. Written by three authors who served themselves, they have created three romances that will curl your toes.
November 13, 2014
I enjoyed each one of these stories. They are a quick read packed with tons of emotional rides for each of the couples. I love stories that involve finding love at Christmas time, these were all amazing.
I was given a copy by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was given a copy by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 22, 2014
Winter reads with a bit of steam. I loved how different yet amazing each of the books were. I loved each character and the chemistry between each character was great. Perfect for you book lovers who want a little escape from the holiday stress. Great holiday book highly recommend!
December 21, 2015
I liked all three of the stories. I thought the ending of the Krotow story came in a little fast but was satisfied with it. I think my favorite was the McKenna story because there was so much to the main couple to overcome.
January 14, 2016
I enjoyed the three stories, especially knowing that all three authors have first hand knowledge of the military and what service men and women -- and their families -- live through each and every day. Great Christmas reads.
August 11, 2016
Sweet stories (3) written by three women who served in the military. Each story contains a returning military service person at Christmastime. What's not to love?! Quick stories but still contain all the elements of love and special Christmas feeling.
December 30, 2016
Three Christmas Stories
Featuring men in the service and their ladies and assorted babies, brothers, dogs and other relatives and friends!
Short stories; but with character development and plots!
Featuring men in the service and their ladies and assorted babies, brothers, dogs and other relatives and friends!
Short stories; but with character development and plots!
January 15, 2017
I really liked this anthology. The first story, by Lindsay McKenna, was my favorite. Totally believable storyline, and the shorter length really worked for it. The two other stories not so much. The last one, Navy Joy by Geri Krotow, was good but felt like it ended abruptly.
November 28, 2014
Loved the first novella with Anna and Kyle. Great warming story
January 1, 2015
I did not care for this book. I did enjoy the final story in the collection of three but the other two were not up to my enjoyment.
December 17, 2014
Three great stories in 1 book.
December 25, 2014
I enjoyed each story and it's significance. Each Author has her own style of writing and it is compilations such as this one that makes it possible to appreciate each style.
January 4, 2015
So much repetition and whineyness from the main female character.... Read it fast and feel like I didn't miss anything. Super predictable.
June 5, 2015
cute quick reads
January 4, 2016
The stories are enjoyable and short. Love that all the authors are former military. Worth reading.
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