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The Christmas Assortment Box
Cowboys, Babies, Family, Steamy Romance and Edgy Young Adult!
SILENT NIGHT
Nurse Joanie Russell still dreams of having a family of her own. Unmarried with no prospects…surely that time has passed. But on Christmas Eve 1966, Joanie is drawn on a search that makes her question. What is the sound echoing through the hospital corridors? Whispers from the past or prayers being answered on this holiest of nights?
THE AVOIDABLE ORPHAN
Recently widowed Rodger de Jonge is losing his bond with his daughters. He’s a man of the African bush, and coping with ‘girlie feelings’ was always Helene’s department, not his. When an orphaned baby elephant is found during the Christmas holidays, Rodger sees an opportunity that might help him reconnect with his children. But interfering with the orphan goes against his usual conservation methods. It will require a new approach to save both the baby and his family.
SELENA'S BODYGUARD
Selena MacShaw’s presidential mother was killed on Christmas day, but Selena is not afraid to live her own life. She wants to settle in the Australian Outback and stop running from her mother’s enemies.
After his army buddies died in a mission gone wrong, ex Special Forces, Dallas Anderson, accepts an offer from Selena’s father. Dallas is Selena’s undercover bodyguard in the guise of a head stockman. But when Dallas’ secret is exposed, will Selena love him for his valour or hate him for his lies?
RUNNING OUT OF TIME
All Nicole Drummond wants for Christmas is to take her mom away from her abusive drug-running step father. Like that’ll happen anytime soon. He totally controls their lives. But when her step father threatens to stop paying for her mom’s life-saving meds if Nicole doesn’t run drugs for him, she knows time has run out. And her options are few.
THE BILLIONAIRE'S MISTLETOE BABY
Laurel Ashwood needs a miracle. All her six-week old daughter wants for Christmas is a daddy...just for the holidays while Nana visits from Montana. Laurel and former boss, construction tycoon Nick St. John, used to share a chemistry. But will Nick want to cooperate? Six months ago, she’d left him without a word.
SILENT NIGHT
Nurse Joanie Russell still dreams of having a family of her own. Unmarried with no prospects…surely that time has passed. But on Christmas Eve 1966, Joanie is drawn on a search that makes her question. What is the sound echoing through the hospital corridors? Whispers from the past or prayers being answered on this holiest of nights?
THE AVOIDABLE ORPHAN
Recently widowed Rodger de Jonge is losing his bond with his daughters. He’s a man of the African bush, and coping with ‘girlie feelings’ was always Helene’s department, not his. When an orphaned baby elephant is found during the Christmas holidays, Rodger sees an opportunity that might help him reconnect with his children. But interfering with the orphan goes against his usual conservation methods. It will require a new approach to save both the baby and his family.
SELENA'S BODYGUARD
Selena MacShaw’s presidential mother was killed on Christmas day, but Selena is not afraid to live her own life. She wants to settle in the Australian Outback and stop running from her mother’s enemies.
After his army buddies died in a mission gone wrong, ex Special Forces, Dallas Anderson, accepts an offer from Selena’s father. Dallas is Selena’s undercover bodyguard in the guise of a head stockman. But when Dallas’ secret is exposed, will Selena love him for his valour or hate him for his lies?
RUNNING OUT OF TIME
All Nicole Drummond wants for Christmas is to take her mom away from her abusive drug-running step father. Like that’ll happen anytime soon. He totally controls their lives. But when her step father threatens to stop paying for her mom’s life-saving meds if Nicole doesn’t run drugs for him, she knows time has run out. And her options are few.
THE BILLIONAIRE'S MISTLETOE BABY
Laurel Ashwood needs a miracle. All her six-week old daughter wants for Christmas is a daddy...just for the holidays while Nana visits from Montana. Laurel and former boss, construction tycoon Nick St. John, used to share a chemistry. But will Nick want to cooperate? Six months ago, she’d left him without a word.
212 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 27, 2015
5 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Robyn Grady
330 books76 followersRobyn received a book from her big sister and immediately fell in love with Cinderella. Sprinklings of magic, deepest wishes come true - she was hooked! Picture books with glass slippers later gave way to romance novels. When she was older, she wanted to write one.
However, in junior high, Robyn hit a stumbling block - a disheartening grade of one out of ten for a book review. Confused and hurt, she asked her hundred-and-thirty-year-old English teacher why the low mark? The wizened schoolmarm sniffed, "You obviously had a senior do it for you." Thankfully Robyn's business teacher was a honey.
Following a fifteen-year career behind the scenes in television, Robyn knew the time was right to pursue her dream of becoming a published author. Late in 2004, she received a phone call from a London editor. She'd submitted a manuscript to the Sweet line, which were featuring lighter, sexier stories to be released under the Tango banner. The editor was very interested in her story, but for a brand new line.
Robyn didn't stop smiling for a week, but sometime later learned her revised manuscript hadn't hit the mark. Then she received another call and another request for revisions to a second manuscript! That didn't sell either. On a third manuscript she received a very long, very detail email, asking for, what would turn out to be, a complete rewrite. Having torn out most of her hair, but with 13 contest finals in 2006 (including winning the Golden Pen and Where the Magic Begins), she finished the rewrite then contacted a New York agent. That wonderful agent took her on, and Robyn sold in a matter of weeks, first to Silhouette Desire, then Modern Heat (Sexy Sensation/Presents) with a two book deal! She is currently writing manuscript number fourteen.
Robyn lives with her own modern-day hero on Australia's Sunshine Coast with their three little princesses, as well as two poodles and a cat called Tinkie. She has majors in English literature and psychology, and loves new shoes, worn jeans, visits to the theatre and lunches at picturesque Moffat Beach with her writer friends.
However, in junior high, Robyn hit a stumbling block - a disheartening grade of one out of ten for a book review. Confused and hurt, she asked her hundred-and-thirty-year-old English teacher why the low mark? The wizened schoolmarm sniffed, "You obviously had a senior do it for you." Thankfully Robyn's business teacher was a honey.
Following a fifteen-year career behind the scenes in television, Robyn knew the time was right to pursue her dream of becoming a published author. Late in 2004, she received a phone call from a London editor. She'd submitted a manuscript to the Sweet line, which were featuring lighter, sexier stories to be released under the Tango banner. The editor was very interested in her story, but for a brand new line.
Robyn didn't stop smiling for a week, but sometime later learned her revised manuscript hadn't hit the mark. Then she received another call and another request for revisions to a second manuscript! That didn't sell either. On a third manuscript she received a very long, very detail email, asking for, what would turn out to be, a complete rewrite. Having torn out most of her hair, but with 13 contest finals in 2006 (including winning the Golden Pen and Where the Magic Begins), she finished the rewrite then contacted a New York agent. That wonderful agent took her on, and Robyn sold in a matter of weeks, first to Silhouette Desire, then Modern Heat (Sexy Sensation/Presents) with a two book deal! She is currently writing manuscript number fourteen.
Robyn lives with her own modern-day hero on Australia's Sunshine Coast with their three little princesses, as well as two poodles and a cat called Tinkie. She has majors in English literature and psychology, and loves new shoes, worn jeans, visits to the theatre and lunches at picturesque Moffat Beach with her writer friends.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 11, 2015
SILENT NIGHT
I loved it. It was a bit hard to get in to at first but by the time I finished it, I had goosebumps all over. It's the sort of Christmas story that I enjoy. My favorite story in this collection.
RUNNING OUT OF TIME
It was a bit unusual for a Christmas story and it didn't feel Christmasy to me but I enjoyed reading it.
THE AVOIDABLE ORPHAN
This was my second favorite. It was cute (because of the baby elephant)and emotional showing a father's bond with his daughter after they'd lost their mother.
SELENA'S BODYGUARD
The prologue put me off the story. I couldn't finish it, after reading half of chapter one I gave up.
THE BILLIONAIRE'S MISTLETOE BABY
Too short, it would have been great if it was just a tad longer but it was sweet and I really liked it.
The best thing about this collection was the variety , it truly had something for every taste!
From Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
I loved it. It was a bit hard to get in to at first but by the time I finished it, I had goosebumps all over. It's the sort of Christmas story that I enjoy. My favorite story in this collection.
RUNNING OUT OF TIME
It was a bit unusual for a Christmas story and it didn't feel Christmasy to me but I enjoyed reading it.
THE AVOIDABLE ORPHAN
This was my second favorite. It was cute (because of the baby elephant)and emotional showing a father's bond with his daughter after they'd lost their mother.
SELENA'S BODYGUARD
The prologue put me off the story. I couldn't finish it, after reading half of chapter one I gave up.
THE BILLIONAIRE'S MISTLETOE BABY
Too short, it would have been great if it was just a tad longer but it was sweet and I really liked it.
The best thing about this collection was the variety , it truly had something for every taste!
From Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
December 4, 2015
This was an interesting holiday book. There were five stories, each different in its own way.
In the first one, we find a nurse at Crest Haven Psychiatric hospital. Joanie Russell has been at the hospital for years and, in the story, muses and expresses regret for a myriad of things she has experienced or not experienced in life. In the story, the author introduces the reader to some of the patients: a young woman who found her husband with her best friend, a stripling young man who suffered an accident at work, Laura Beal who blamed herself for a terrible tragedy as a result of a fire and who waited for who some sign, and, a young girl who obviously had wandered away from the children’s area. In addition, the nurse meets an investigative reporter, researching information on the hospital and its patients for an investigative story, and Matron Flynn who rules with an iron grip and sometimes has ideas that seemed foreign and ill-suited to Nurse Russell. The story was okay, but not great. The transition from past musings, which became the current reality in the story, to the present at the end was done very poorly. While reading I had to stop to figure out what exactly was going happening, as it was not very clear to me and happened so suddenly. In addition, as I read I expected more on the other patients mentioned—why else include them and their back stories? However, these stories were left hanging. In a short piece such as this one, it is difficult to write a good plot since the space and timing is so short. Putting extra items into the story only serves to confuse the reader and to make the reader wish the story was longer, in my opinion. Finally, I never really did understand the story well, which did not settle well with me.
The second story finds a young girl in a difficult, if not impossible, situation, trying to escape a malicious step-father and still take care of an ailing mother. The story was, for the most part, a dark one. It had little or nothing to do with Christmas and did little to put me in any holiday or festive mood.
The third story was just weird, in my opinion. I found it difficult to relate to the characters, and the setting was very unique for me. I am not sure I would like to read more about Rodger de Jonge or his family after reading this one.
The fourth story was okay, but also kind of strange. I felt little or no connection to the characters, and I thought there was little development beyond the development of Selena and Dallas, and the ending could have been done much better. I wish the author had developed the character of her father and new body guard better.
The last story was the shortest, but was, in my opinion, a fairly good holiday story. It was the kind of story I expected in this collection.
This may be a good collection of holiday stories for someone looking for something a little bit different. It may also appeal to other readers who look for and can relate to things I normally don’t. I received this from the author through NetGalley to read and review.
In the first one, we find a nurse at Crest Haven Psychiatric hospital. Joanie Russell has been at the hospital for years and, in the story, muses and expresses regret for a myriad of things she has experienced or not experienced in life. In the story, the author introduces the reader to some of the patients: a young woman who found her husband with her best friend, a stripling young man who suffered an accident at work, Laura Beal who blamed herself for a terrible tragedy as a result of a fire and who waited for who some sign, and, a young girl who obviously had wandered away from the children’s area. In addition, the nurse meets an investigative reporter, researching information on the hospital and its patients for an investigative story, and Matron Flynn who rules with an iron grip and sometimes has ideas that seemed foreign and ill-suited to Nurse Russell. The story was okay, but not great. The transition from past musings, which became the current reality in the story, to the present at the end was done very poorly. While reading I had to stop to figure out what exactly was going happening, as it was not very clear to me and happened so suddenly. In addition, as I read I expected more on the other patients mentioned—why else include them and their back stories? However, these stories were left hanging. In a short piece such as this one, it is difficult to write a good plot since the space and timing is so short. Putting extra items into the story only serves to confuse the reader and to make the reader wish the story was longer, in my opinion. Finally, I never really did understand the story well, which did not settle well with me.
The second story finds a young girl in a difficult, if not impossible, situation, trying to escape a malicious step-father and still take care of an ailing mother. The story was, for the most part, a dark one. It had little or nothing to do with Christmas and did little to put me in any holiday or festive mood.
The third story was just weird, in my opinion. I found it difficult to relate to the characters, and the setting was very unique for me. I am not sure I would like to read more about Rodger de Jonge or his family after reading this one.
The fourth story was okay, but also kind of strange. I felt little or no connection to the characters, and I thought there was little development beyond the development of Selena and Dallas, and the ending could have been done much better. I wish the author had developed the character of her father and new body guard better.
The last story was the shortest, but was, in my opinion, a fairly good holiday story. It was the kind of story I expected in this collection.
This may be a good collection of holiday stories for someone looking for something a little bit different. It may also appeal to other readers who look for and can relate to things I normally don’t. I received this from the author through NetGalley to read and review.
November 29, 2015
5 Stars for 5 Wonderful Stories! No two were alike and all have a message for this Holiday Season!
Silent Night by Robyn Grady is women’s fiction that spans decades. Joanie Russel has been a psych nurse for 20 years and believes her future will not change though she has always dreamed of having a family and all that goes with it. What happens on Christmas Eve in 1966 may just provide the Christmas miracle she hopes for!
Running Out of Time by Sara Hantz is a gritty YA novella that has Nicole looking for a way out for her and her mother. A 17 year old loner never allowed time to be a child while caring for her mother and avoiding her stepfather has created tension and more for Nicole. She contemplates options but her time to make changes seems to have run out. A bit of romance might help or might make things worse for her. Great story that made me think.
The Avoidable Orphan by T. M. Clark is General Fiction that is bittersweet. This one had me in tears a couple of times but they were good tears. The ideas of loss, love, grief, family and more were all explored and though there was sadness there was also hope for the future and a coming together of friends, family and animals to make this one a treasure! It also opened my eyes to issues related to elephants that I was not aware of before.
Selena’s Bodyguard by Mel Teshco was short, steamy and dealt with the issue of trust. Though short it was action packed and interesting.
The Billionaire’s Mistletoe Baby by Tabitha Robbins is a sweet holiday short story that has a new mother asking a wealthy man that she worked for in the past to help her out for a few days. There is a happily ever after for Laurel, her daughter and Nick that made me feel good and provided a great way to end the anthology.
Thank you to Net Galley and Hat Publishing for the ARC to read and review.
Silent Night by Robyn Grady is women’s fiction that spans decades. Joanie Russel has been a psych nurse for 20 years and believes her future will not change though she has always dreamed of having a family and all that goes with it. What happens on Christmas Eve in 1966 may just provide the Christmas miracle she hopes for!
Running Out of Time by Sara Hantz is a gritty YA novella that has Nicole looking for a way out for her and her mother. A 17 year old loner never allowed time to be a child while caring for her mother and avoiding her stepfather has created tension and more for Nicole. She contemplates options but her time to make changes seems to have run out. A bit of romance might help or might make things worse for her. Great story that made me think.
The Avoidable Orphan by T. M. Clark is General Fiction that is bittersweet. This one had me in tears a couple of times but they were good tears. The ideas of loss, love, grief, family and more were all explored and though there was sadness there was also hope for the future and a coming together of friends, family and animals to make this one a treasure! It also opened my eyes to issues related to elephants that I was not aware of before.
Selena’s Bodyguard by Mel Teshco was short, steamy and dealt with the issue of trust. Though short it was action packed and interesting.
The Billionaire’s Mistletoe Baby by Tabitha Robbins is a sweet holiday short story that has a new mother asking a wealthy man that she worked for in the past to help her out for a few days. There is a happily ever after for Laurel, her daughter and Nick that made me feel good and provided a great way to end the anthology.
Thank you to Net Galley and Hat Publishing for the ARC to read and review.
December 21, 2015
I was given a gifted copy by Story Cartel in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t think the first two stories are adequate for this anthology and that is why I only give it 3 stars.
Silent Night by Robyn Grady is a strange story you don’t understand until the very end which surprise me as I didn’t see it coming.
Running Out Of Time by Sara Hantz is a story about abuse and drugs and children. Not a very nice theme for Christmas unless you just focus on the end.
The Avoidable Orphan by TM Clark is a nice story for all ages. It’s about how some people dedicate their lives to rescue animals in danger and give them love and care till they are able to live by themselves.
Selena's Bodyguard by Mel Teshco is a nice story about the extent a person can reach to protect a loved one.
The Billionaire's Mistletoe Baby by Tabitha Robbins a sweet story I wish it had been longer.
I don’t think the first two stories are adequate for this anthology and that is why I only give it 3 stars.
Silent Night by Robyn Grady is a strange story you don’t understand until the very end which surprise me as I didn’t see it coming.
Running Out Of Time by Sara Hantz is a story about abuse and drugs and children. Not a very nice theme for Christmas unless you just focus on the end.
The Avoidable Orphan by TM Clark is a nice story for all ages. It’s about how some people dedicate their lives to rescue animals in danger and give them love and care till they are able to live by themselves.
Selena's Bodyguard by Mel Teshco is a nice story about the extent a person can reach to protect a loved one.
The Billionaire's Mistletoe Baby by Tabitha Robbins a sweet story I wish it had been longer.
December 31, 2015
Originally reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
I enjoyed this collection very much. Each is a unique Christmas Romance with enjoyable characters in believable situations. Of course, I enjoyed some more than others – no not telling – but that’s to be expected in any collection.
If you’re looking for Christmas Romance to liven up your holiday reading list then Christmas Assortment Box of romances should be on your to read list. Hey, it’s hard to pass up five stories for one price, ya know?
*I received an e-ARC of Christmas Assortment Box from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
I enjoyed this collection very much. Each is a unique Christmas Romance with enjoyable characters in believable situations. Of course, I enjoyed some more than others – no not telling – but that’s to be expected in any collection.
If you’re looking for Christmas Romance to liven up your holiday reading list then Christmas Assortment Box of romances should be on your to read list. Hey, it’s hard to pass up five stories for one price, ya know?
*I received an e-ARC of Christmas Assortment Box from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
December 23, 2015
3.5 Stars!!
ARC kindly provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this assortment of Christmas books. I snuggled up by my Christmas tree 2 nights in a row and read through these stories. I liked that they were short stories and that there are 5 of them in the book. Each one is unique and is a different genre, but all are romance stories. I liked all of them, but Selena's Bodyguard was my favorite. There's just something about a cowboy. Thanks again for the ARC!
ARC kindly provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this assortment of Christmas books. I snuggled up by my Christmas tree 2 nights in a row and read through these stories. I liked that they were short stories and that there are 5 of them in the book. Each one is unique and is a different genre, but all are romance stories. I liked all of them, but Selena's Bodyguard was my favorite. There's just something about a cowboy. Thanks again for the ARC!
December 15, 2015
Holiday Spirit
This assortment of Christmas books really helped put me in the holiday mood. I received this assortment box as a gift for an honest review.
This assortment of Christmas books really helped put me in the holiday mood. I received this assortment box as a gift for an honest review.
December 30, 2017
SILENT NIGHT by Robyn Grady
Silent Night was a great beginning to this collection of short stories. It's Christmas Eve 1966. Nurse Joanie Russell still dreams of having a family of her own. She's unmarried and doesn't see a way to get her life going in the direction she wants. One night, she hears a mysterious sound coming from the hospital corridors and wonders what it is, so gors searching........... This story has more to it than I thought it would from the synopsis, but I was caught up in it and Joanie's character as well as the others in the story. The mystery in the synopsis compelled me to read more.
THE AVOIDABLE ORPHAN by Sara Hantz
Rodger de Jonge is losing his bond with his daughters. He's a widow and lives in the the African bush, and finds it hard to connect with his daughters, especially where girl problems are concerned and feels his deceased wife, Helene, was much better equipped to deal with that side of life than he is. He doesn't really feel "cut out" for his new reality without Helene by his side. Will an orphaned baby elephant be the opportunity Rodger needs to reconnect with his children? But interfering with the orphan goes against his usual conservation methods. It will require a new approach to save both the baby and his family.
I loved this story- I really got a sense of the vastness of the African plains and the loneliness Rodger and his family felt after Helene's death. It was really emotional and sad, but there were some tender, happy moments too. I just felt it was very "real."
SELENA'S BODYGUARD by T.M. Clarke
Selena MacShaw’s presidential mother was killed on Christmas day, but Selena is not afraid to live her own life. She wants to settle in the Australian Outback and stop running from her mother’s enemies.
After his army buddies died in a mission gone wrong, ex Special Forces, Dallas Anderson, accepts an offer from Selena’s father. Dallas is Selena’s undercover bodyguard in the guise of a head stockman. But when Dallas’ secret is exposed, will Selena love him for his valour or hate him for his lies?
I was rooting for Selena and she was a character I liked as she is strong and a fighter. However, I didn't find this storyline too interesting because I have read similar stories. It seemed similar to those.
RUNNING OUT OF TIME by Mel Teshco
All Nicole Drummond wants for Christmas is to take her mom away from her abusive drug-running step father. Like that’ll happen anytime soon. He totally controls their lives. But when her step father threatens to stop paying for her mom’s life-saving meds if Nicole doesn’t run drugs for him, she knows time has run out. And her options are few.
This story really got my attention. I liked Nicole amd was worried and scared for her and her mother at times. For their lives, their safety and their wellbeing. All the characters are very well fleshed out and I wanted this story to be longer. I really didn't like Nicole's stepfather.
THE BILLIONAIRE'S MISTLETOE BABY by Tabitha Robbins
Laurel Ashwood needs a miracle. All her six-week old daughter wants for Christmas is a daddy...just for the holidays while Nana visits from Montana. Laurel and former boss, construction tycoon Nick St. John, used to share a chemistry. But will Nick want to cooperate? Six months ago, she’d left him without a word.
This story was very simple, but I did like the characters. It ended too abruptly and I felt the characters could have been fleshed out more, and the book could have had more of a Christmassy feel.
If all the stories were as strong and powerful as Silent Night and Running Out Of Time, then I'd have given the book a higher rating. 3 5 stars seems fair to me given that not all the stories really hooked me, in either plot or chararacter development. I enjoyed the play on words that was the title of story #2, The Avoidable Orphan, and, as I mentioned earlier in this review, I liked the story, too.
I prefer my stories with drama and emotional pull or impact on the reader, and the stories I liked most in this collection have that. However, I feel this will be an enjoyable anthology whatever your taste, despite the fact that the title is a little misleading as there's less of a mention of Christmas that I first thought.
Silent Night was a great beginning to this collection of short stories. It's Christmas Eve 1966. Nurse Joanie Russell still dreams of having a family of her own. She's unmarried and doesn't see a way to get her life going in the direction she wants. One night, she hears a mysterious sound coming from the hospital corridors and wonders what it is, so gors searching........... This story has more to it than I thought it would from the synopsis, but I was caught up in it and Joanie's character as well as the others in the story. The mystery in the synopsis compelled me to read more.
THE AVOIDABLE ORPHAN by Sara Hantz
Rodger de Jonge is losing his bond with his daughters. He's a widow and lives in the the African bush, and finds it hard to connect with his daughters, especially where girl problems are concerned and feels his deceased wife, Helene, was much better equipped to deal with that side of life than he is. He doesn't really feel "cut out" for his new reality without Helene by his side. Will an orphaned baby elephant be the opportunity Rodger needs to reconnect with his children? But interfering with the orphan goes against his usual conservation methods. It will require a new approach to save both the baby and his family.
I loved this story- I really got a sense of the vastness of the African plains and the loneliness Rodger and his family felt after Helene's death. It was really emotional and sad, but there were some tender, happy moments too. I just felt it was very "real."
SELENA'S BODYGUARD by T.M. Clarke
Selena MacShaw’s presidential mother was killed on Christmas day, but Selena is not afraid to live her own life. She wants to settle in the Australian Outback and stop running from her mother’s enemies.
After his army buddies died in a mission gone wrong, ex Special Forces, Dallas Anderson, accepts an offer from Selena’s father. Dallas is Selena’s undercover bodyguard in the guise of a head stockman. But when Dallas’ secret is exposed, will Selena love him for his valour or hate him for his lies?
I was rooting for Selena and she was a character I liked as she is strong and a fighter. However, I didn't find this storyline too interesting because I have read similar stories. It seemed similar to those.
RUNNING OUT OF TIME by Mel Teshco
All Nicole Drummond wants for Christmas is to take her mom away from her abusive drug-running step father. Like that’ll happen anytime soon. He totally controls their lives. But when her step father threatens to stop paying for her mom’s life-saving meds if Nicole doesn’t run drugs for him, she knows time has run out. And her options are few.
This story really got my attention. I liked Nicole amd was worried and scared for her and her mother at times. For their lives, their safety and their wellbeing. All the characters are very well fleshed out and I wanted this story to be longer. I really didn't like Nicole's stepfather.
THE BILLIONAIRE'S MISTLETOE BABY by Tabitha Robbins
Laurel Ashwood needs a miracle. All her six-week old daughter wants for Christmas is a daddy...just for the holidays while Nana visits from Montana. Laurel and former boss, construction tycoon Nick St. John, used to share a chemistry. But will Nick want to cooperate? Six months ago, she’d left him without a word.
This story was very simple, but I did like the characters. It ended too abruptly and I felt the characters could have been fleshed out more, and the book could have had more of a Christmassy feel.
If all the stories were as strong and powerful as Silent Night and Running Out Of Time, then I'd have given the book a higher rating. 3 5 stars seems fair to me given that not all the stories really hooked me, in either plot or chararacter development. I enjoyed the play on words that was the title of story #2, The Avoidable Orphan, and, as I mentioned earlier in this review, I liked the story, too.
I prefer my stories with drama and emotional pull or impact on the reader, and the stories I liked most in this collection have that. However, I feel this will be an enjoyable anthology whatever your taste, despite the fact that the title is a little misleading as there's less of a mention of Christmas that I first thought.
January 6, 2016
There are five stories in all and each one tells a different tale.
Silent night- Robyn Grady - Joanie Russel is a nurse that works for a hospital for people who are not wanted or need help. It tells the story of Joanie and all the people she interacts with at the hospital, the reporter, the ballerina and coworkers. I won't tell anymore because it would give it away.
Running out of time -Sara Hantz - Nicole and her very sick mom live with her stepfather Chad who is a drug dealer and not very nice. Nicole has to do what Chad tells her or he won't give her money for her mothers medication. One day Chad tells her she has to make a drug run for him because he has no one else. Nicole refuses but he tells her that her precious mother could die for all he cares so she agrees. That's when she begins to plan his murder but while she is in the library she meets a guy called Hunter who agrees to help her research her book on how to plan the perfect murder. Chad ends up asking her again to deliver drugs and she decides that's it, does she kill him? What about Hunter and her mom?
Avoidable Orphan - T.M. Clark - Rodger lost his wife Helene to cancer and left him and his daughters Peta and Courtney with so much loss. Rodger feels like he can't be his wife until a call from his friends needing help with a baby elephant that finally brings the girls closer to their dad and makes for a different kind of Christmas.
Selena's bodyguard -Mel Teshco - Selena's mother was gunned down at a political function and Selena was only saved by emergency C section. Selena's father Charlie is terrified that something will happen to her. Fast forward 25 years and Selena is a young woman still living with her dad but they move so frequently for her safety she has no real friends. Enter Dallas the horse handler that she has had sex with but is too proud to admit she has feelings for him. Dad brings on a bodyguard for her, his old buddy Mack but Dallas doesn't trust him plus Dallas is keeping his own secret that he is/was Selena's bodyguard. They all go out riding and corralling the bulls on her birthday when something happens.
One Christmas Eve in New York - Tabitha Robbins - Nick met Laurel when she worked for his company but after she resigned he never heard from her again but now she called to ask if she could come over. When Nick opened the door he was surprised to see Laurel and a little tiny baby girl which he could have never guessed she would have. She explained that she was hoping he could pretend to be her boyfriend so her grandmother wouldn't be upset. After talking to each other Nick offers to have her spend the night in the guest room she wakes to a breakfast being made for her and a crib for the baby. Nick has a car service pick the grandmother and bring her over and when he gives the grandmother a tour showing the nursery and Laurels office all of which he had done overnight. He surprises Laurel with a few other gifts but you have to read the story to find out.
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha
Silent night- Robyn Grady - Joanie Russel is a nurse that works for a hospital for people who are not wanted or need help. It tells the story of Joanie and all the people she interacts with at the hospital, the reporter, the ballerina and coworkers. I won't tell anymore because it would give it away.
Running out of time -Sara Hantz - Nicole and her very sick mom live with her stepfather Chad who is a drug dealer and not very nice. Nicole has to do what Chad tells her or he won't give her money for her mothers medication. One day Chad tells her she has to make a drug run for him because he has no one else. Nicole refuses but he tells her that her precious mother could die for all he cares so she agrees. That's when she begins to plan his murder but while she is in the library she meets a guy called Hunter who agrees to help her research her book on how to plan the perfect murder. Chad ends up asking her again to deliver drugs and she decides that's it, does she kill him? What about Hunter and her mom?
Avoidable Orphan - T.M. Clark - Rodger lost his wife Helene to cancer and left him and his daughters Peta and Courtney with so much loss. Rodger feels like he can't be his wife until a call from his friends needing help with a baby elephant that finally brings the girls closer to their dad and makes for a different kind of Christmas.
Selena's bodyguard -Mel Teshco - Selena's mother was gunned down at a political function and Selena was only saved by emergency C section. Selena's father Charlie is terrified that something will happen to her. Fast forward 25 years and Selena is a young woman still living with her dad but they move so frequently for her safety she has no real friends. Enter Dallas the horse handler that she has had sex with but is too proud to admit she has feelings for him. Dad brings on a bodyguard for her, his old buddy Mack but Dallas doesn't trust him plus Dallas is keeping his own secret that he is/was Selena's bodyguard. They all go out riding and corralling the bulls on her birthday when something happens.
One Christmas Eve in New York - Tabitha Robbins - Nick met Laurel when she worked for his company but after she resigned he never heard from her again but now she called to ask if she could come over. When Nick opened the door he was surprised to see Laurel and a little tiny baby girl which he could have never guessed she would have. She explained that she was hoping he could pretend to be her boyfriend so her grandmother wouldn't be upset. After talking to each other Nick offers to have her spend the night in the guest room she wakes to a breakfast being made for her and a crib for the baby. Nick has a car service pick the grandmother and bring her over and when he gives the grandmother a tour showing the nursery and Laurels office all of which he had done overnight. He surprises Laurel with a few other gifts but you have to read the story to find out.
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha
December 26, 2015
I'm sorry, but every story in this "assortment box" read as if it were missing something.
For some it seemed as if they were a continuation of a story already in progress, except no one told me what the previous story was.
Yet other stories seemed to start in the middle of the story.
-Silent Night - you find Joanie Russell, a nurse who works at Crest Haven. The story had me on the edge of my seat as I eagerly turned each page in what seemed to be a mystery story. So disappointed and confused at the ending if the story. To top it off, the whole tone of the writing changed as if a different oerson stepped in and took over the writing if the story. Had the making of a great mystery story to solve, and the. It fell apart.
- Running Out of Time- I didn't realize it was a Young Adult story until I got to the end of it. Young Nicole with a sick mother (as in ailing health) and an even sicker stepfather (as in sadistic and depraved). Just to get money from Her stepfather to get her mother medicine Nicole is forced to work for her stepfather. Once again, the ending was strange and abrupt.
-The Avoidable Orphan- this was painful to try to get through as it was confusing. I didn't even finish it.
-Selena's Bodyguard- this was one of the stories where I felt there must've been another story somewhere prior to this one!
-The Billionaire's Mistletoe Baby - I was hoping this would be the saving grace...alas it wasn't. Once again, the two main characters had a previous history which was hinted about, but as it was a short story we are left to fill in the details. Story was rushed through and the ending was strange.
Sorry if this seems harsh, but I received a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
For some it seemed as if they were a continuation of a story already in progress, except no one told me what the previous story was.
Yet other stories seemed to start in the middle of the story.
-Silent Night - you find Joanie Russell, a nurse who works at Crest Haven. The story had me on the edge of my seat as I eagerly turned each page in what seemed to be a mystery story. So disappointed and confused at the ending if the story. To top it off, the whole tone of the writing changed as if a different oerson stepped in and took over the writing if the story. Had the making of a great mystery story to solve, and the. It fell apart.
- Running Out of Time- I didn't realize it was a Young Adult story until I got to the end of it. Young Nicole with a sick mother (as in ailing health) and an even sicker stepfather (as in sadistic and depraved). Just to get money from Her stepfather to get her mother medicine Nicole is forced to work for her stepfather. Once again, the ending was strange and abrupt.
-The Avoidable Orphan- this was painful to try to get through as it was confusing. I didn't even finish it.
-Selena's Bodyguard- this was one of the stories where I felt there must've been another story somewhere prior to this one!
-The Billionaire's Mistletoe Baby - I was hoping this would be the saving grace...alas it wasn't. Once again, the two main characters had a previous history which was hinted about, but as it was a short story we are left to fill in the details. Story was rushed through and the ending was strange.
Sorry if this seems harsh, but I received a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
December 25, 2015
This is a wonderful collection of Christmas romances that are shorter than a normal book. These 5 stories are all different, ranging from a nurse in a mental health hospital, a stepdaughter forced to deliver drugs to save her mother, a bodyguard who loves his boss and a millionaire who decides to marry an employee. Varied but all about falling in love over Christmas.
April 19, 2016
A fab set of Christmas reads they each have there own plus points and each is enjoyable as the last one, my personal favourite was Robyn Grady i am a massive fan of hers and have been for years you cannot do wrong by any of her books.
January 1, 2016
This was truly an assorted set. If I tried I could find something tying them together but really they are all varied stories set during the winter holiday season.
Silent Night was perhaps not the best choide to start the set. It was different enough that readers will either quit before they get started or not get drawn into the box set. A surreal love story of another time.
Running out of Time also will have a limited set of fans. A gritty, base story of a seedy life and a 17 year old girl trying to protect her mother and escape.
The Avoidable Orphan was much more heartwarming and heart- ripping. Can a baby elephant heal the rift between a cratchity grieving father and his daughters? A sweet, intelligent tale of love and necessity.
Selena's Bodyguard is a love story with past military secrets and regrets. Can a Christmas miracle heal old wounds?
Billionaire's Mistletoe Baby is a sweet second chance at a family for Christmas and forever. I wish it could have been meatier. Has a hint of magic.
I did receive this set in exchange for an honest review.
Silent Night was perhaps not the best choide to start the set. It was different enough that readers will either quit before they get started or not get drawn into the box set. A surreal love story of another time.
Running out of Time also will have a limited set of fans. A gritty, base story of a seedy life and a 17 year old girl trying to protect her mother and escape.
The Avoidable Orphan was much more heartwarming and heart- ripping. Can a baby elephant heal the rift between a cratchity grieving father and his daughters? A sweet, intelligent tale of love and necessity.
Selena's Bodyguard is a love story with past military secrets and regrets. Can a Christmas miracle heal old wounds?
Billionaire's Mistletoe Baby is a sweet second chance at a family for Christmas and forever. I wish it could have been meatier. Has a hint of magic.
I did receive this set in exchange for an honest review.
November 9, 2018
Outstanding job ladies! I just finished this book with five outstanding stories that started out great and just kept getting better and better.
I am not going to give a synopsis of each story, you read that when you started considering this book. I will say that if you love a great HEA, you will get five of them is this book.
I cannot wait to read more from these great story tellers in the future.
Thank you for reading my review. Please, go ahead and “One-Click” this book you will not be disappointed!
I was gifted with a copy of this book for my honest review.
I am not going to give a synopsis of each story, you read that when you started considering this book. I will say that if you love a great HEA, you will get five of them is this book.
I cannot wait to read more from these great story tellers in the future.
Thank you for reading my review. Please, go ahead and “One-Click” this book you will not be disappointed!
I was gifted with a copy of this book for my honest review.
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