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Magic and Miracles: A Multi-Author Anthology
Escape with thirteen short stories donated from best selling authors to benefit Primary Children's Hospital.
From magic retellings to contemporary miracles, we have a story for everyone.
From magic retellings to contemporary miracles, we have a story for everyone.
788 pages, Hardcover
Published April 30, 2024
96 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 10, 2024
A Crack in the Stone
I have yet to read Follow by Frost, but that’s did not deter from my enjoyment of this story. From the first paragraph, I could feel the magic written there. I found this story incredibly intriguing and I want more of it. I am definitely going to pick up Followed by Frost now so I can enjoy more of this world!
I have yet to read Follow by Frost, but that’s did not deter from my enjoyment of this story. From the first paragraph, I could feel the magic written there. I found this story incredibly intriguing and I want more of it. I am definitely going to pick up Followed by Frost now so I can enjoy more of this world!
May 22, 2024
This collection of 13 novellas has something for everyone: contemporary, historical, fantasy, fairy tale retelling, and more, and each one is a clean story with a happy ending. I love anthologies because some of my favorite authors are included and I can discover new authors too. Each story is the length of a novella, which is great if you only have a small amount of time to read. I've read most of the stories in the collection snatching time here and there. I bought it, not only because of the authors participating, but because the proceeds are going to Primary Children's Hospital.
May 28, 2024
Mixed reviews
I liked the first and last stories the best. There were 1 or 2 others that were okay, and the other stories were really odd, in my opinion.
I liked the first and last stories the best. There were 1 or 2 others that were okay, and the other stories were really odd, in my opinion.
June 16, 2024
Anthologies aren't usually my thing but I heard about this charity one from an author I follow so went ahead and checked it out while it was still available. At the very least, I'm sure I'll love Holmberg's short....and at the most, I'll find a couple of more authors to check into!
That said, I read each novella between a full book read to help pace myself.
An Unexpected Miracle by Traci Hunter Abramson
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Loved the coach/mentor that will do everything possible to help someone succeed because they can see the potential. Unfortunately, the circumstances shown regarding the school is an all too familiar one where students (especially with ADHD though this is not labeled in this story) are not given the chance to succeed. In addition, the whole team coming together as a team. While a little hard to believe that teenage boys did this...that's what miracles are made of.
Worth the Wait by Nancy Campbell Allen
3 stars. Cute read and I loved the atmosphere of it being vaguely Victorian steampunk. Age gap romancers will flock to this one. That said, as with usual reasons why I don't normally like anthologies, this one didn't have enough page time to really establish it's backdrop. It was extremely hard for me to believe that a revolution somehow happened off-page while the main events of the novella were happening.
The Emperor's New Armor by Adam Berg
5 stars. HOLY WOW. I absolutely looooooooved this spin on The Emperor's New Clothes. Weavers are able to essentially take elements of nature and craft them into magical garments. The Emperor is so afraid of death that he has visitors stripped so that there is no way a weapon can make it into his presence, surrounds himself with a large majority of his armed forces for his personal safety, and taxes his people into the ground. When he learns of this particular weaver, he commissions armor that will protect him from all dangers. She does so...but with a twist. And it was MASTERFUL. I'm definitely going to be checking into this author's other works.
The Rumpled Gentleman: A Retelling of Rumpelstiltskin by Sally Britton
DNF. It's me, not it. I'm just not a fan of Rumpelstiltskin anything.
Making Magic by Rebecca Connolly
5 stars. The beginning of this one confused me greatly because I was getting high Victorian society vibes and then it threw in cell phones and crop tops. However, it wasn't long before I didn't care about anything besides Marco and Dahlia. This one was INCREDIBLY sweet and I will absolutely revisit it again in future when I need a cute, light, and swoony read. I need to sit with my happy warm bubblies for a while. *squee*
A Crack in the Stone by Charlie N. Holmberg
3 stars. Firstly: while this is set in the world of Followed by Frost, this can absolutely be read by itself (I read FBF so long ago that I can't actually remember how this connects though my suspicion is the prior interest with the guard). That said, it was a cute read but wasn't really hitting me.
On Broken Glass by Serene Heiner
A cute Cinderella-esque retelling. As with my problem with most anthologies, this one didn't have enough page time to really establish itself into full believability for the romance department (though Cam is a dream).
I made it 60% of the way through before I decided to call it quits but it isn't the book! It is most definitely me and not wanting to read any more shorts...so I shall update with more reviews whenever I pick this back up again.
That said, I read each novella between a full book read to help pace myself.
An Unexpected Miracle by Traci Hunter Abramson
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Loved the coach/mentor that will do everything possible to help someone succeed because they can see the potential. Unfortunately, the circumstances shown regarding the school is an all too familiar one where students (especially with ADHD though this is not labeled in this story) are not given the chance to succeed. In addition, the whole team coming together as a team. While a little hard to believe that teenage boys did this...that's what miracles are made of.
Worth the Wait by Nancy Campbell Allen
3 stars. Cute read and I loved the atmosphere of it being vaguely Victorian steampunk. Age gap romancers will flock to this one. That said, as with usual reasons why I don't normally like anthologies, this one didn't have enough page time to really establish it's backdrop. It was extremely hard for me to believe that a revolution somehow happened off-page while the main events of the novella were happening.
The Emperor's New Armor by Adam Berg
5 stars. HOLY WOW. I absolutely looooooooved this spin on The Emperor's New Clothes. Weavers are able to essentially take elements of nature and craft them into magical garments. The Emperor is so afraid of death that he has visitors stripped so that there is no way a weapon can make it into his presence, surrounds himself with a large majority of his armed forces for his personal safety, and taxes his people into the ground. When he learns of this particular weaver, he commissions armor that will protect him from all dangers. She does so...but with a twist. And it was MASTERFUL. I'm definitely going to be checking into this author's other works.
The Rumpled Gentleman: A Retelling of Rumpelstiltskin by Sally Britton
DNF. It's me, not it. I'm just not a fan of Rumpelstiltskin anything.
Making Magic by Rebecca Connolly
5 stars. The beginning of this one confused me greatly because I was getting high Victorian society vibes and then it threw in cell phones and crop tops. However, it wasn't long before I didn't care about anything besides Marco and Dahlia. This one was INCREDIBLY sweet and I will absolutely revisit it again in future when I need a cute, light, and swoony read. I need to sit with my happy warm bubblies for a while. *squee*
A Crack in the Stone by Charlie N. Holmberg
3 stars. Firstly: while this is set in the world of Followed by Frost, this can absolutely be read by itself (I read FBF so long ago that I can't actually remember how this connects though my suspicion is the prior interest with the guard). That said, it was a cute read but wasn't really hitting me.
On Broken Glass by Serene Heiner
A cute Cinderella-esque retelling. As with my problem with most anthologies, this one didn't have enough page time to really establish itself into full believability for the romance department (though Cam is a dream).
I made it 60% of the way through before I decided to call it quits but it isn't the book! It is most definitely me and not wanting to read any more shorts...so I shall update with more reviews whenever I pick this back up again.
November 11, 2024
Quite a variety of stories, both modern and period pieces, both fantasy and real-life-almost-magic, both retelling fairy tales and not, and of course some are more enjoyable than others.
3 - An Unexpected Miracle by Traci Hunter Abramson - (not a romance) high school swim team, one of the boys is almost failing and not allowed to swim for one semester; because the state championships are a week into the next semester, the rest of the team bands together to qualify for state in 3 medley races so that he can compete if he gets his grades up
3 - Worth the Wait by Nancy Campbell Allen - (is a romance) goes with "Jacklyn and the Beanstalk" in Once Upon a Fairytale; he needs an airship pilot and mechanic to rescue his downed shipment, she runs a company that does airships and she is the only one who can help him given the huge storm
3 - The Emperor's New Armor by Adam Berg - (not a romance) she "weaves" characteristics into fabric and she is the best at it, the selfish emperor demands a cloack that will protect him from anything
4 - The Rumpled Gentleman: A Retelling of Rumpelstiltskin by Sally Britton - he is the duke's illegitimate son, she's trying to cover for her doddering father, together they make it look like there are strands of gold mixed in with the flax
3 - Making Magic by Rebecca Connolly - solid romance, they are both high society at a wealthy house party, he is well known as a player, her reputation is that she is ice-cold, gradually the barriers come down
3 - A Crack in the Stone by Charlie N. Holmberg - he is some sort of death figure, she is one of the few who can see him
4 - On Broken Glass by Serene Heiner - she is recently widowed with a resentful teenage stepdaughter, her husband had huge debts and a strange woman helps he find a new place to live, so they move into a tiny apartment; he lives across the hall and offers to help; when the stepdaughter needs help to be ready for prom, the strange woman makes it happen, but then disappears
4 - Carter Goodwyn's Fairy Godmother by Krista Jensen - his stepfather has taken over his father's estate and his stepbrothers beat and abuse the servants; she is a witch that was cursed years ago and appears to people to grant wishes if they can solve the riddle; with her help, he finds a magic house where the servants can live while he works to rescue his mother and kick out the steps
3 - A Light So Fleeting by Clarissa Kae - she chooses to stay in the tower because of the pox marks on her face, he enjoys traveling the world then returning to share it all with her, wishes made in the tower come true; they are very close friends, takes a while to realize they love each other too; there was a lot of detail in the story that didn't get fleshed out, would have been better to either write a longer story or shave off those extraneous bits
3.5 - The Last Wish by Jo Perry - she is hopelessly in love with the duke she grew up with, but she is a servant and that doesn't work; he loves her and wishes class differences didn't keep them apart, he holds a masquerade ball and makes sure she comes; she has a box handed down in the family that says "one wish left."
3 - The Case of the Deadly Diner: A Maggie Malone Mystery by Ann Sutton - murder mystery, she is a kitchen maid and an aristocratic lady is allergic to, and killed by, a prawn
3 - Just a Bit of Magic by Mindy Burbidge Strunk - regency, some elements of a reverse princess and the frog; she falls out of a carriage and looses her memory, he agrees to take care of her if she fishes his cricket ball out of the pond
4 - Forever Fair: A Modern-Day Snow White by Julie Wright - her father meant her to have the company, but her stepmother runs it and controls everything, the company tech is that you can experience places virtually, she uses that to see her father's hologram; he runs the company that the stepmother wants to merge with
3 - An Unexpected Miracle by Traci Hunter Abramson - (not a romance) high school swim team, one of the boys is almost failing and not allowed to swim for one semester; because the state championships are a week into the next semester, the rest of the team bands together to qualify for state in 3 medley races so that he can compete if he gets his grades up
3 - Worth the Wait by Nancy Campbell Allen - (is a romance) goes with "Jacklyn and the Beanstalk" in Once Upon a Fairytale; he needs an airship pilot and mechanic to rescue his downed shipment, she runs a company that does airships and she is the only one who can help him given the huge storm
3 - The Emperor's New Armor by Adam Berg - (not a romance) she "weaves" characteristics into fabric and she is the best at it, the selfish emperor demands a cloack that will protect him from anything
4 - The Rumpled Gentleman: A Retelling of Rumpelstiltskin by Sally Britton - he is the duke's illegitimate son, she's trying to cover for her doddering father, together they make it look like there are strands of gold mixed in with the flax
3 - Making Magic by Rebecca Connolly - solid romance, they are both high society at a wealthy house party, he is well known as a player, her reputation is that she is ice-cold, gradually the barriers come down
3 - A Crack in the Stone by Charlie N. Holmberg - he is some sort of death figure, she is one of the few who can see him
4 - On Broken Glass by Serene Heiner - she is recently widowed with a resentful teenage stepdaughter, her husband had huge debts and a strange woman helps he find a new place to live, so they move into a tiny apartment; he lives across the hall and offers to help; when the stepdaughter needs help to be ready for prom, the strange woman makes it happen, but then disappears
4 - Carter Goodwyn's Fairy Godmother by Krista Jensen - his stepfather has taken over his father's estate and his stepbrothers beat and abuse the servants; she is a witch that was cursed years ago and appears to people to grant wishes if they can solve the riddle; with her help, he finds a magic house where the servants can live while he works to rescue his mother and kick out the steps
3 - A Light So Fleeting by Clarissa Kae - she chooses to stay in the tower because of the pox marks on her face, he enjoys traveling the world then returning to share it all with her, wishes made in the tower come true; they are very close friends, takes a while to realize they love each other too; there was a lot of detail in the story that didn't get fleshed out, would have been better to either write a longer story or shave off those extraneous bits
3.5 - The Last Wish by Jo Perry - she is hopelessly in love with the duke she grew up with, but she is a servant and that doesn't work; he loves her and wishes class differences didn't keep them apart, he holds a masquerade ball and makes sure she comes; she has a box handed down in the family that says "one wish left."
3 - The Case of the Deadly Diner: A Maggie Malone Mystery by Ann Sutton - murder mystery, she is a kitchen maid and an aristocratic lady is allergic to, and killed by, a prawn
3 - Just a Bit of Magic by Mindy Burbidge Strunk - regency, some elements of a reverse princess and the frog; she falls out of a carriage and looses her memory, he agrees to take care of her if she fishes his cricket ball out of the pond
4 - Forever Fair: A Modern-Day Snow White by Julie Wright - her father meant her to have the company, but her stepmother runs it and controls everything, the company tech is that you can experience places virtually, she uses that to see her father's hologram; he runs the company that the stepmother wants to merge with
April 9, 2024
At the moment, I'm working my way through this anthology, so I'll add to this review each time I read another story.
1) First story read: "A Crack in the Stone" by Charlie Holmberg.
If you've read Charlie Holmberg's book Followed by Frost, you may have been intrigued by the character Sadriel/Death... May even have wished to know more about him, given his interesting character arc towards the end of that book. THIS is your Sadriel story!
The nice thing is that you CAN enjoy this story without having read FBF, although prior knowledge definitely adds to the pleasure. Charlie crushed my heart with this one, but in the nicest way. Sadriel is intriguing, otherworldly, and true to character... He doesn't simply become a perfect love interest with typical human responses and motivations, yet I yearned for companionship for him. His love interest is an emotionally strong woman who's a perfect match for Death, and the conclusion of their story felt inevitable... Not because it was a romantasy, but because these two fit together so well that you can't imagine any other conclusion.
World building is beautiful, as always... The contrast between Sadriel's realm and the human world Vee inhabits is well done, with enough intriguing details to make me crave more stories about this particular subject. The ending is perfect and slightly bittersweet, as any romance with Death ought to be. Absolutely satisfying and worth the cost of the anthology all by itself.
1) First story read: "A Crack in the Stone" by Charlie Holmberg.
If you've read Charlie Holmberg's book Followed by Frost, you may have been intrigued by the character Sadriel/Death... May even have wished to know more about him, given his interesting character arc towards the end of that book. THIS is your Sadriel story!
The nice thing is that you CAN enjoy this story without having read FBF, although prior knowledge definitely adds to the pleasure. Charlie crushed my heart with this one, but in the nicest way. Sadriel is intriguing, otherworldly, and true to character... He doesn't simply become a perfect love interest with typical human responses and motivations, yet I yearned for companionship for him. His love interest is an emotionally strong woman who's a perfect match for Death, and the conclusion of their story felt inevitable... Not because it was a romantasy, but because these two fit together so well that you can't imagine any other conclusion.
World building is beautiful, as always... The contrast between Sadriel's realm and the human world Vee inhabits is well done, with enough intriguing details to make me crave more stories about this particular subject. The ending is perfect and slightly bittersweet, as any romance with Death ought to be. Absolutely satisfying and worth the cost of the anthology all by itself.
May 4, 2024
My sole reason for buying this anthology was the short story by Charlie Holmberg, in the same universe as her novel "Followed by Frost," which I read eight years ago and vaguely recall. My review of that book at the time was an unqualified rave.
This short story features the character of Death from "Frost," but spends more time with a woman who intrigues him. It was slightly interesting, but I could have lived without it.
I found two typos in that story. "Led" is the past tense of the present tense verb "lead," and should have been used in the sentence "...the hallway that lead back to the private rooms." Words are out of order on the next page in "...a greed-stricken man broken who had from his company...." That sounds like Yoda-speak. It should be "...man who had broken from..."
The rest of the stories in this collection I found to be dull and amateurish. I wasn't able to finish a single one.
This short story features the character of Death from "Frost," but spends more time with a woman who intrigues him. It was slightly interesting, but I could have lived without it.
I found two typos in that story. "Led" is the past tense of the present tense verb "lead," and should have been used in the sentence "...the hallway that lead back to the private rooms." Words are out of order on the next page in "...a greed-stricken man broken who had from his company...." That sounds like Yoda-speak. It should be "...man who had broken from..."
The rest of the stories in this collection I found to be dull and amateurish. I wasn't able to finish a single one.
May 4, 2024
This is such a fun set of stories! I haven't had time to read all of them, so I'll share my review for Sally Britton's story, "The Rumpled Gentleman."
The Rumpled Gentleman is a fairy tale retelling of Rumplestiltskin. It is set in London in the 1800's, with a confused father who is convinced that his alchemy can produce gold. A duke finds out about his claims, and forces him to spend time in his castle until he can produce him the gold that the duke desires. His young adult daughter finds out about his quandry and works to free her father from her commitment. Filled with magic, a touch of romance, and sheer willpower, this story will take you on a journey you were least expecting. I enjoyed every minute of it!
Thank you to the author for the advance copy of this book. A review was not required.
The Rumpled Gentleman is a fairy tale retelling of Rumplestiltskin. It is set in London in the 1800's, with a confused father who is convinced that his alchemy can produce gold. A duke finds out about his claims, and forces him to spend time in his castle until he can produce him the gold that the duke desires. His young adult daughter finds out about his quandry and works to free her father from her commitment. Filled with magic, a touch of romance, and sheer willpower, this story will take you on a journey you were least expecting. I enjoyed every minute of it!
Thank you to the author for the advance copy of this book. A review was not required.
May 23, 2024
A sincere offering from multiple authors
I felt like I gave so little for a book that offers so much- different genres, time periods, writing styles, but all sincere and each story delightful; some really reflective short reads too.
A big thank you to the authors for this fund-raiser which also delivers so much magic to the reader.
I felt like I gave so little for a book that offers so much- different genres, time periods, writing styles, but all sincere and each story delightful; some really reflective short reads too.
A big thank you to the authors for this fund-raiser which also delivers so much magic to the reader.
May 20, 2024
I'm working my way through this book whenever I have time for a novella-length story.
It takes you from anytime to anywhere, and I'm intrigued to see what each author does. I'm loving it!
Happy reading!
It takes you from anytime to anywhere, and I'm intrigued to see what each author does. I'm loving it!
Happy reading!
April 9, 2025
Mixed bag anthology for me. Some stories I had to make myself finish & some I enjoyed very much. A few stories were chronological sequels to novellas in the ‘Once Upon a Fairy Tale’ collection which I might not have realized had I not read them back-to-back in such a short time.
July 17, 2025
Some of these stories were great! But unfortunately, most had hurried endings. I found myself with whiplash as I would turn a page, and the story would wrap up in a most unsatisfying way – primarily because the story hadn’t been flushed out to support the ending.
May 25, 2024
I loved all of them ❤️
Such great stories and I got to read some new authors so that was fun too! I highly recommend this book!
Such great stories and I got to read some new authors so that was fun too! I highly recommend this book!
June 19, 2024
I enjoyed some of the stories more than others but overall I enjoyed the book quite a bit.
November 10, 2024
As always happens with an anthology, there were some of these stories I enjoyed more than others. But overall, this was a lovely book. I wish I could spend more time in some of these worlds.
January 3, 2025
clean romance
I enjoyed the various authors and their spins and revisions of fairy tales. It was a fun experience to see how different they all were.
I enjoyed the various authors and their spins and revisions of fairy tales. It was a fun experience to see how different they all were.
March 31, 2025
Some I liked and some I didn’t as much but overall, it was a good collection. 🙂
April 17, 2025
There is a good variety of stories in this anthology. As would be typical, I enjoyed some more than others. A little something for everyone I assume.
An Unexpected Miracle - Traci Hunter Abramson
A sweet sports story. The coach was masterful and the person every parents would dream of having for their child. 5 stars
Worth the Wait - Nancy Campbell Allen
This second chance, steampunk story and a little mild language & innuendo. The make up scene seemed to come quickly and problems were easily forgiven. Steampunk isn't a fav for me but I still liked the story enough for 4 stars.
The Emperor's New Armor - Adam Berg
This was an interesting story or maybe it should be called a fable? The weaver was fantastic at listening to nature to know what steps to take. 4.5 stars
The Rumpled Gentleman - Sally Britton
This story uses magic, not to turn straw into gold but to make plant matter look like it has turned to gold. The Duke was evil. There is a romance involved but only a hope for a HEA. As a reader I only felt hope for them for the next few days. I would like to know what happens after that, so I would have enjoyed a little longer story. 5 stars
Making Magic - Rebecca Connolly
This is an enemies to love trope. I enjoyed the setting for this story. I liked the epilogue. The story has lots of kissing and the guy does ask for sex but got turned down. 4 stars
A Crack in the Stone - Charlie N. Holmberg
I know others will love this story but it was too mystical for me. It wasn't my cup of tea and I just didn't really understand the story well enough. But like I said, others will love it. 3 stars
On Broken Glass - Serene Heiner
This is a Cinderella type retelling. I loved Cam. A great hero. 5 stars
Carter Goodwin's Fairy Godmother - Krista Jensen
A Cinderella type retelling but unique. A good deal of angst but a lovely happily-ever-after. 5 stars
A Light So Fleeting - Clarissa Kai
A Rapunzel retelling with a slow burn. It took them a long time to figure things out. I loved that he didn't see her scars. 5 stars
The Last Wish - Jo Perry
Love over title, status, the Ton etc. Their childhood to adult romance was sweet. I'd really like a look at that dress. I'm having trouble envisioning it. 5 stars
The Case of the Deadly Diner - Ann Sutton
I thought the mystery stood well on its own. It didn't need the little romance element. 5 stars
Just a Bit of Magic - Mindy Burbidge Strunk
Amnesia trope. The hero didn't start out heroic but it didn't take long to be overcome with adoration and willing to do anything for the heroine. 4.5 stars
Forever Fair - Julie Wright
I think this was my favorite of the bunch. I loved it. Very satisfying happily-ever-after. 5 stars
An Unexpected Miracle - Traci Hunter Abramson
A sweet sports story. The coach was masterful and the person every parents would dream of having for their child. 5 stars
Worth the Wait - Nancy Campbell Allen
This second chance, steampunk story and a little mild language & innuendo. The make up scene seemed to come quickly and problems were easily forgiven. Steampunk isn't a fav for me but I still liked the story enough for 4 stars.
The Emperor's New Armor - Adam Berg
This was an interesting story or maybe it should be called a fable? The weaver was fantastic at listening to nature to know what steps to take. 4.5 stars
The Rumpled Gentleman - Sally Britton
This story uses magic, not to turn straw into gold but to make plant matter look like it has turned to gold. The Duke was evil. There is a romance involved but only a hope for a HEA. As a reader I only felt hope for them for the next few days. I would like to know what happens after that, so I would have enjoyed a little longer story. 5 stars
Making Magic - Rebecca Connolly
This is an enemies to love trope. I enjoyed the setting for this story. I liked the epilogue. The story has lots of kissing and the guy does ask for sex but got turned down. 4 stars
A Crack in the Stone - Charlie N. Holmberg
I know others will love this story but it was too mystical for me. It wasn't my cup of tea and I just didn't really understand the story well enough. But like I said, others will love it. 3 stars
On Broken Glass - Serene Heiner
This is a Cinderella type retelling. I loved Cam. A great hero. 5 stars
Carter Goodwin's Fairy Godmother - Krista Jensen
A Cinderella type retelling but unique. A good deal of angst but a lovely happily-ever-after. 5 stars
A Light So Fleeting - Clarissa Kai
A Rapunzel retelling with a slow burn. It took them a long time to figure things out. I loved that he didn't see her scars. 5 stars
The Last Wish - Jo Perry
Love over title, status, the Ton etc. Their childhood to adult romance was sweet. I'd really like a look at that dress. I'm having trouble envisioning it. 5 stars
The Case of the Deadly Diner - Ann Sutton
I thought the mystery stood well on its own. It didn't need the little romance element. 5 stars
Just a Bit of Magic - Mindy Burbidge Strunk
Amnesia trope. The hero didn't start out heroic but it didn't take long to be overcome with adoration and willing to do anything for the heroine. 4.5 stars
Forever Fair - Julie Wright
I think this was my favorite of the bunch. I loved it. Very satisfying happily-ever-after. 5 stars
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews