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New Orleans' Ladies #1
La magie de Noël
Un joli conte de Noël, un hommage à Dickens.
Un milliardaire ? Mary Paige n'en revient pas. Elle croyait avoir apporté un café à un sans-abri, et voilà qu'elle découvre que derrière les traits de ce vieillard frigorifié se cache un milliardaire excentrique. Et elle n'est pas au bout de ses surprises: pour la remercier, celui-ci lui propose d'incarner l'Esprit de Noël pour sa prochaine campagne de charité ... en échange d'un chèque de deux millions de dollars. Seule contrainte: travailler avec son petit-fils Brennan, un businessman certes séduisant, mais qui voit cette campagne d'un mauvais oeil. Et pour cause: il déteste Noël...
Un milliardaire ? Mary Paige n'en revient pas. Elle croyait avoir apporté un café à un sans-abri, et voilà qu'elle découvre que derrière les traits de ce vieillard frigorifié se cache un milliardaire excentrique. Et elle n'est pas au bout de ses surprises: pour la remercier, celui-ci lui propose d'incarner l'Esprit de Noël pour sa prochaine campagne de charité ... en échange d'un chèque de deux millions de dollars. Seule contrainte: travailler avec son petit-fils Brennan, un businessman certes séduisant, mais qui voit cette campagne d'un mauvais oeil. Et pour cause: il déteste Noël...
392 pages, Paperback
First published November 27, 2012
21 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
Liz Talley
69 books929 followersI unashamedly read, write and love romance books. I adore the weight of a book in hand and the anticipation of a happy ending. I love the journey, the word play and the magic of story. Nothing's better than reading a good book...except writing one. You can learn more about me and my award-winning romances at http://www.liztalleybooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
December 13, 2019
En voulant aider un clochard dans la rue, Mary Paige se voit récompensée par un chèque de plusieurs millions et reçoit la proposition de représenter cet Esprit de Noël pour une campagne de pub d'un grand magasin. Après un instant de doute, la jeune femme accepte de remplir son contrat : s'exhiber partout en ville aux bras de l'héritier qui exècre les fêtes de fin d'année.
Et pour cause, Brennan est un type cynique, persuadé que son grand-père est frappé de sénilité. Or celui-ci tente de le convaincre qu'après avoir failli mourir d'une attaque cardiaque - et réalisé la vacuité de son existence - il a aujourd'hui besoin de répandre le bien. Après tout, Noël n'est pas qu'une affaire de gros sous et d'opulence ; c'est aussi une fête qui célèbre la générosité et la bienveillance.
Aussi, lorsque Brennan rencontre pour la première fois la douce Mary Paige, il ne peut s'empêcher de la désarçonner en lançant des piques bien senties sur l'hypocrisie de la situation. Mais notre héroïne a bien compris son manège et n'entend pas être prise pour une gourde. Certes, l'homme est séduisant et très attirant. Il se montre également attentionné et joue admirablement le jeu lors de leurs prouesses publiques.
Il s'en faudrait de peu qu'elle succombe à son numéro de charme ! HA HA HA. Ce suspense de malade...
M'enfin, voilà une jolie romance de Noël, douce, attachante et féerique. La lecture est sans prétention et met du baume au cœur en plus de vous coller un doux sourire niais sur le visage. Franchement mignon ! 😜
Et pour cause, Brennan est un type cynique, persuadé que son grand-père est frappé de sénilité. Or celui-ci tente de le convaincre qu'après avoir failli mourir d'une attaque cardiaque - et réalisé la vacuité de son existence - il a aujourd'hui besoin de répandre le bien. Après tout, Noël n'est pas qu'une affaire de gros sous et d'opulence ; c'est aussi une fête qui célèbre la générosité et la bienveillance.
Aussi, lorsque Brennan rencontre pour la première fois la douce Mary Paige, il ne peut s'empêcher de la désarçonner en lançant des piques bien senties sur l'hypocrisie de la situation. Mais notre héroïne a bien compris son manège et n'entend pas être prise pour une gourde. Certes, l'homme est séduisant et très attirant. Il se montre également attentionné et joue admirablement le jeu lors de leurs prouesses publiques.
Il s'en faudrait de peu qu'elle succombe à son numéro de charme ! HA HA HA. Ce suspense de malade...
M'enfin, voilà une jolie romance de Noël, douce, attachante et féerique. La lecture est sans prétention et met du baume au cœur en plus de vous coller un doux sourire niais sur le visage. Franchement mignon ! 😜
December 8, 2012
Good book. I loved the theme that there is more to life than making money - a kind of A Christmas Carol story. Brennan's grandfather had had a heart attack several months earlier and realized that his life sucked, so he decided to do something about it. While posing as a homeless man, he was helped by Mary Paige who he then asked to be the face of his "Spirit of Christmas" campaign. He used this campaign to get the people of the city to start being kinder to each other. Brennan was an all-business kind of guy who saw his grandfather's plan as a bunch of hooey, but decided to humor him. I liked Mary Paige a lot. She was a pretty down-to-earth person who was also very compassionate to those less fortunate. She also tended to see the good in people. She wasn't sure she wanted to do the promotion but was willing to try because of the good she thought she could do with the money she was offered. She wasn't happy at first at having to work with the cynical Brennan, but hoped that maybe she could open his eyes a little. She was worried about her attraction to him, but was pretty sure that he'd have no interest in her. The more time they spend together the more they like each other and things start to take off. Brennan is still something of a hard nut to crack and I love some of the things Mary Paige does that show him how she feels. Brennan doesn't like the Christmas season. His parents died at Christmas and he has worked very hard to protect his feelings ever since. He thinks his grandfather is growing senile but humors him anyway. He doesn't quite know what to think of Mary Paige, but she intrigues him because she is so different than anyone he has ever known. The more time he spends with her, the more he finds himself changing. There is a huge misunderstanding where he really blows it with her, but manages to see the light before it is too late (of course). I liked Brennan's grandfather a lot, and his romance was sweet.
October 20, 2012
The Spirit of Christmas by Liz Talley
Mary paige Gentry was having quite the day when she stopped off at the convenience store to get a pair of glitzy socks for her uncles gift at the annual bash tonight.
She got the coffee for the homeless man near the dumpster and also gave him the socks for her uncle. He asked her name and wrote it on the paper he held and gave her a check for 2 million dollars as another man in the distance wrapped a cashmere coat around the man. She resembled the spirit of Christmas. She was to be the new poster girl for the campaign of the spirit of Christmas if she signed and cashed the check.
Brennan Henry runs MBH but his grandfather Malcolm Henry is in the picture still. Malcolm will get what he wants, he always does. He told Brennan to take Mary out for a cup of coffee so they could discuss strategies about the campaign. He takes the contracts to her house where she finally throws Simon out of her apartment along with his new girl.
Love the spirit of giving and not needing anything in return. it's what I do year round when I knit for other local organizations. There is no better feeling so I can imagine how Mary feels. Hope she can persuade Brennan to get over his troubles, they do talk while on kitchen duty and she learns why he really hates the holidays.
This story also follows the love interests of Malcolm...
Mary and Brennan are each having sexual thoughts and what their relationship could lead to, if they only let it... Love the idea Malcolm has for the big gala and how others need to be told what it's really all about.
Love banter her and Mitzi have when they want to have a girls day shopping.
Never had a motorcycle ride sound so erotic, whoa!
Brennan's cousin Asher steps in between them and talks to Mary, the mishap causes his grandfather to collapse and he has a medical emergency..
Great story, great sex.
Mary paige Gentry was having quite the day when she stopped off at the convenience store to get a pair of glitzy socks for her uncles gift at the annual bash tonight.
She got the coffee for the homeless man near the dumpster and also gave him the socks for her uncle. He asked her name and wrote it on the paper he held and gave her a check for 2 million dollars as another man in the distance wrapped a cashmere coat around the man. She resembled the spirit of Christmas. She was to be the new poster girl for the campaign of the spirit of Christmas if she signed and cashed the check.
Brennan Henry runs MBH but his grandfather Malcolm Henry is in the picture still. Malcolm will get what he wants, he always does. He told Brennan to take Mary out for a cup of coffee so they could discuss strategies about the campaign. He takes the contracts to her house where she finally throws Simon out of her apartment along with his new girl.
Love the spirit of giving and not needing anything in return. it's what I do year round when I knit for other local organizations. There is no better feeling so I can imagine how Mary feels. Hope she can persuade Brennan to get over his troubles, they do talk while on kitchen duty and she learns why he really hates the holidays.
This story also follows the love interests of Malcolm...
Mary and Brennan are each having sexual thoughts and what their relationship could lead to, if they only let it... Love the idea Malcolm has for the big gala and how others need to be told what it's really all about.
Love banter her and Mitzi have when they want to have a girls day shopping.
Never had a motorcycle ride sound so erotic, whoa!
Brennan's cousin Asher steps in between them and talks to Mary, the mishap causes his grandfather to collapse and he has a medical emergency..
Great story, great sex.
January 14, 2016
Il est temps de lire la romance de Noël, celle qui repose la tête et donne le sourire si elle est bien écrite. Mode cucuterie de Nöel
December 11, 2017
I need to start by saying that I listened to this book while taking care of a sick 2 year old and trying to get the house ready for Christmas. So it didn't always get my full attention and I might have felt differently if it had. Still...
This felt like two separate books to me, written by two very different writers. The first part was squeaky clean, talking about doing unto others, etc. It has a heroine who is idealistic and seems to have high morals. In fact, after a while I felt like I was listening to a Christian novel. Then one of the couples jumped into bed and I had to stop and check what I was listening to. Then the heroine went to bed with the hero and showed up at a business party in a see-through dress and lingerie. It just felt weird to me.
Aside from that I thought the relationship between the two MCs didn't make sense. He's supposed to be a playboy, she's the sweet young thing who doesn't even swear, (Oh jiminy), and they don't like each other at all when they first meet. Enemies to lovers can work but the author has to give me reasons to believe the characters are changing their minds. I didn't get that here. Suddenly the hero just changes his mind completely. Honestly, they're better off apart, as they have nothing in common - not values or morals or world view anything. So the story over all just didn't work for me. I did like the heroines best friend and would read a book about her instead. :)
This felt like two separate books to me, written by two very different writers. The first part was squeaky clean, talking about doing unto others, etc. It has a heroine who is idealistic and seems to have high morals. In fact, after a while I felt like I was listening to a Christian novel. Then one of the couples jumped into bed and I had to stop and check what I was listening to. Then the heroine went to bed with the hero and showed up at a business party in a see-through dress and lingerie. It just felt weird to me.
Aside from that I thought the relationship between the two MCs didn't make sense. He's supposed to be a playboy, she's the sweet young thing who doesn't even swear, (Oh jiminy), and they don't like each other at all when they first meet. Enemies to lovers can work but the author has to give me reasons to believe the characters are changing their minds. I didn't get that here. Suddenly the hero just changes his mind completely. Honestly, they're better off apart, as they have nothing in common - not values or morals or world view anything. So the story over all just didn't work for me. I did like the heroines best friend and would read a book about her instead. :)
August 14, 2018
I think Maria Luis has spoiled me on depictions of New Orleans because despite the mention of familiar places and traditions, I forgot I wasn't in New York or somewhere else half the time. Still a pretty good book. Despite the hero's sort of tone deaf attitude toward the inner city kids, I still liked him. I love a man who isn't afraid to cry tears of joy.
February 29, 2020
A very easy quick read!
November 25, 2013
Mary Page is just a regular girl with a big heart who just happened to stop at the right place and the right time. Needing to pick up a gift for to take to her Uncle Christmas party stopping into a convenience store on the way she notices an homeless man, who is rude to her when but she still goes out of her way to give him coffee and on noticing his bare feet she offers him the socks she had bought for the party and offers to take him to a shelter for a hot meal and warm bed. This act of kindness changes her life.
Brennan Henry is does not like Christmas, it brings back to many painful memories. He is hard working and all he can think about the bottom line and preparing to run his Grandfathers company one day.
Malcolm Henry Jr is a new man after he suffered a heart attack. All his life it was only about work, success and making money. But none of that did him any good when he spent days alone in the hospital. Days that gave him time to think about the important things in life and how what he thought was were really not at all. So he comes up with an idea, that will help both his company, the community, and hopefully his grandson Brennan. Love and kindness towards others, helping those who have less then you. Finding the really meaning of Christmas, the spirit of Christmas. And to him Mary Page is that.
Sweet Christmas, about how love and kindness can change your life for the better. Very enjoyable and heartwarming, with little bit of spice and humor.
Brennan Henry is does not like Christmas, it brings back to many painful memories. He is hard working and all he can think about the bottom line and preparing to run his Grandfathers company one day.
Malcolm Henry Jr is a new man after he suffered a heart attack. All his life it was only about work, success and making money. But none of that did him any good when he spent days alone in the hospital. Days that gave him time to think about the important things in life and how what he thought was were really not at all. So he comes up with an idea, that will help both his company, the community, and hopefully his grandson Brennan. Love and kindness towards others, helping those who have less then you. Finding the really meaning of Christmas, the spirit of Christmas. And to him Mary Page is that.
Sweet Christmas, about how love and kindness can change your life for the better. Very enjoyable and heartwarming, with little bit of spice and humor.
October 30, 2012
Cute, even though the heroine WAS a bit "too good to be true" (though that was kind of the point of her character). Review to follow.
November 20, 2017
C'est tout simplement un coup de coeur ! Effectivement, c'est un beau clin d'oeil au conte de Dickens et à Scrooge ^^
Si au début j'ai eu peur que Mary Paige soit une Mary-Sue, il s'avère que pas du tout ! Oui, elle est gentille, un peu naïve, souvent bonne poire mais elle n'est pas cruche ni pseudo parfaite. Ses maladresses et ses coups de gueule la rendent encore plus attachante que son côté bon samaritain. Il y a même des situations dans lesquelles je me suis retrouvée :)
Brennan est un grincheux qui cache un cœur peut-être pas guimauve non plus mais fondant et je n'avais qu'une envie : que MP perce la coquille ! Mais c'était tellement bon que ça prenne du temps ! J'ai eu bien le temps de cerner les personnages, de les apprécier, de craquer pour eux. MP, Brennan mais aussi le grand-père par qui tout commence.
J'ai trouvé que tout était bien amené, sans que je m'attende à tout ce qui allait se passer. Il y a même quelques scènes "inédites". En lisant j'avais carrément l'impression de voir un film et je pense aussi que c'est ça qui m'a autant emballée.
La magie de Noël que j'adore est bien présente dans ce roman et j'ai adoré découvrir certaines facettes de La Nouvelle-Orléans. J'ai aussi eu très faim ahah car ils mangent pas mal XD
Vous l'aurez compris : je vous le recommande vivement pour la période de Wowel ! Bien calé(e) sous le plaid avec un bon chocolat chaud - totalement cliché mais qu'est-ce que c'est bon, pas vrai ?!
Bisous !
Casting ? http://lireoudormir.blogspot.fr/2017/...
Si au début j'ai eu peur que Mary Paige soit une Mary-Sue, il s'avère que pas du tout ! Oui, elle est gentille, un peu naïve, souvent bonne poire mais elle n'est pas cruche ni pseudo parfaite. Ses maladresses et ses coups de gueule la rendent encore plus attachante que son côté bon samaritain. Il y a même des situations dans lesquelles je me suis retrouvée :)
Brennan est un grincheux qui cache un cœur peut-être pas guimauve non plus mais fondant et je n'avais qu'une envie : que MP perce la coquille ! Mais c'était tellement bon que ça prenne du temps ! J'ai eu bien le temps de cerner les personnages, de les apprécier, de craquer pour eux. MP, Brennan mais aussi le grand-père par qui tout commence.
J'ai trouvé que tout était bien amené, sans que je m'attende à tout ce qui allait se passer. Il y a même quelques scènes "inédites". En lisant j'avais carrément l'impression de voir un film et je pense aussi que c'est ça qui m'a autant emballée.
La magie de Noël que j'adore est bien présente dans ce roman et j'ai adoré découvrir certaines facettes de La Nouvelle-Orléans. J'ai aussi eu très faim ahah car ils mangent pas mal XD
Vous l'aurez compris : je vous le recommande vivement pour la période de Wowel ! Bien calé(e) sous le plaid avec un bon chocolat chaud - totalement cliché mais qu'est-ce que c'est bon, pas vrai ?!
Bisous !
Casting ? http://lireoudormir.blogspot.fr/2017/...
February 24, 2017
Avis en demi-teinte pour ce livre. Je ne dirais pas que j'ai était déçue par l'histoire mais plutôt par les personnages principaux !
Romance Harlequin, sympathique mais pas inoubliable. Joli conte de noël qui est une lecture parfaite en période de fêtes.
Petit bémol sur les personnages principaux que j'ai trouvés trop caricaturés. Mary-Paige avait presque l'air d'une cruche par moment, sa naïveté, son comportement de « bonne poire » m'ont plus d'une fois au cours de ma lecture exaspérée…
Et ce n'est pas le personnage de Brennan qui a arrangé les choses. Il avait tellement stéréotypé que je n'ai pas réussi à m'y attaché… Par contre j'ai adorée le personnage de Mitzi !
Pour conclure, j'ai trouvé cette romance pas désagréable, voire sympathique, mais sans plus !
Romance Harlequin, sympathique mais pas inoubliable. Joli conte de noël qui est une lecture parfaite en période de fêtes.
Petit bémol sur les personnages principaux que j'ai trouvés trop caricaturés. Mary-Paige avait presque l'air d'une cruche par moment, sa naïveté, son comportement de « bonne poire » m'ont plus d'une fois au cours de ma lecture exaspérée…
Et ce n'est pas le personnage de Brennan qui a arrangé les choses. Il avait tellement stéréotypé que je n'ai pas réussi à m'y attaché… Par contre j'ai adorée le personnage de Mitzi !
Pour conclure, j'ai trouvé cette romance pas désagréable, voire sympathique, mais sans plus !
January 15, 2021
Vous avez déjà regardé des films de Noël ? Alors retranscrivez n'importe quel film de ce type et vous aurez ce livre.
Alors attention ceci n'est pas un point négatif pour moi. J'ai adoré retrouvée cet esprit mignonnet des films de Noël où la pauvre altruiste rencontre le bougon millionaire et qu'il tombent amoureux, un amour semé d'embuche mais qui triomphe malgré tout.
Enfin bref, c'était super à lire pour changer un peu des feuilletons à la TV et je recommencerais volontiers l'expérience l'année prochaine, surtout que c'est le genre de livre facile à lire partout, un petit peu dans le bus, un petit peu avant de dormir...
Alors attention ceci n'est pas un point négatif pour moi. J'ai adoré retrouvée cet esprit mignonnet des films de Noël où la pauvre altruiste rencontre le bougon millionaire et qu'il tombent amoureux, un amour semé d'embuche mais qui triomphe malgré tout.
Enfin bref, c'était super à lire pour changer un peu des feuilletons à la TV et je recommencerais volontiers l'expérience l'année prochaine, surtout que c'est le genre de livre facile à lire partout, un petit peu dans le bus, un petit peu avant de dormir...
December 29, 2022
This story started out with Mary Paige heading to a party at her Uncles and she was in a bit of a hurry. She had the cab driver wait for her while she ran inside to get a gag gift for the party. She sees an old man in wet cardboard box and decides to grab him a coffee. The gift she picked out was a pair of socks with bells on them.
When she gives the old man his coffee she realizes that his feet were bare so she offers him the socks to wear. What she didn't realize was that he was not a bum as she thought, but he was actually the owner of a store.
Check out the book I think you will enjoy it as much as I did.
When she gives the old man his coffee she realizes that his feet were bare so she offers him the socks to wear. What she didn't realize was that he was not a bum as she thought, but he was actually the owner of a store.
Check out the book I think you will enjoy it as much as I did.
December 23, 2020
Une romance de Noel au schéma prévisible, mais qui se lit en mode cocooning pour la période hivernale. C'est plein de bon sentiments, et ça ne prends pas la tête. C'est la lecture qu'il faut pour se changer les idées. Les personnages sont attachants, l'esprit de noël se prend au jeu. Mary Paige est une femme normale avec une gaucherie attachante, Brennan est un homme qui a enfoui ses blessures au plus profond de lui pour ne plus souffrir. La rencontre et leur collaboration fera revivre la magie de Noel.
A lire bien au chaud sous la couette.
A lire bien au chaud sous la couette.
January 12, 2018
J'avais besoin d'un livre très léger sous le thème de Noël pendant les vacances et j'ai misé juste. Bon, on ne réinvente pas la roue, c'est cliché mais d'une belle douceur. De beaux tableaux, de bons repas, le bel hiver, le beau petit fils pas gentil et la charmante paumé de la ville. On sait déjà comment ça finit, mais malgré tout, ce fût une lecture agréable.
December 18, 2019
Fun little Christmas holiday love story via audiobook vs Hallmark. Mary Paige’s good deed has her crossing paths with a rich successful heir who is a little scroogie this season... Luckily Mary Paige embodies the Spirt of Christmas and has enough goodness for both of them.
December 12, 2017
Une lecture de noël. Legere et sympathique.
Un peu cucul quand même.
Un peu cucul quand même.
December 26, 2018
Une romance de Noël fort sympathique, inspiré d'Un Chant de Noël de Dickens. J'ai passé un très bon moment avec les personnages aux caractères bien affirmés.
February 16, 2020
Romance avec tous les clichés mais bon moment de lecture
March 10, 2020
Une petite romance pendant la période de Noël, ça fait du bien à n'importe quel moment de l'année.
July 16, 2020
Sweet holiday HEA. Not a single surprise, but nice.
October 31, 2020
Did not like it, it was quite boring. Np
October 27, 2022
Une romance clichée et plutôt mal écrite.
December 28, 2022
Le début est un peu long et c’est écrit à la 3eme personne
December 9, 2016
Une bonne surprise, et de saison!
December 12, 2012
Kitty's review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4 Stars
What a light and fun Christmas book “The Spirit of Christmas” was! A little bit of sass and a lot of Scrooge.
Mary Paige and Brennan are thrown together by Brennan’s Uncle, Malcolm Henry, Jr. of Henry Department Stores to be the faces of Christmas for the department store chain. See, he had an epiphany after he took a heart attack – he was alone. Yes, he had money, he had work associates, he had a nephew that he raised to be just like him but he had no one that thought enough of him to even visit him in the hospital. Brennan did adore him, but, he was just like his Uncle … raised to believe that money was the bottom line. So Uncle Malcolm turns over a new leaf and starts turning his life around before it’s to late. He starts donating his time to the charities he has been funding, buys himself a dog and has come up with the scheme for the holidays.
Mary Paige is just your plain old accountant. As she is heading to her uncle’s house for a pre-Christmas party, she stumbles upon a “bum” in an alleyway when she stops at a convenient store to buy a “white-elephant” Christmas gift. After much debate with herself and a few mishaps, she offer’s him a coffee and then a pair of socks. What she didn’t know, in doing this, she proved to the old man in the street that she was one of the few giving and loving people left in New Orleans. His gift back to her was a check for 2 million dollars. See, the “bum” was actually Malcolm Henry, Jr and all she had to do was spread her feelings of giving throughout the community as a spokes-woman for Henry Department Stores. The catch – she had to do it with Brennan Henry – New Orleans biggest playboy, most eligible bachelor and SCROOGE. Bah humbug!
The Spirit of Christmas was a wonderful turn on the classic “A Christmas Carol”. Even though there were no “Spirits” visiting Brennan, the true meaning of Christmas was brought to him in Mary Paige and even Uncle Malcolm The back-stories of Mary Paige’s life, how Brennan was raised and Uncle Malcolm’s life all added meaning to this wonderful, heart-warming book. There were parts where you laughed-out-loud (loved Mary Paige and her Spanx) and cried. Being a woman, you wanted to slap Brennan up-side of the head when everything he ever needed was right in front of him and he couldn’t see it. But, in the end, he was redeemed and I absolutely loved the marriage proposal.
I’d be remiss in this review if I didn’t mention two very important back-stories in The Spirit of Christmas that drove home what the real meaning of Christmas is….giving. Mary Paige did not want the responsibility of the 2 million dollars, she just didn’t know what she would do with it (when you read about how she was raised you’ll understand). Her Christmas presents were truly amazing and wonderful – a breast reconstruction for her best friend Mitzi after her double mastectomy, a gaming system for her brother Caleb that synced with his wheel-chair and computers and, finally, the funding for the Crosshatch Charter School so that children with disabilities didn’t have to fight the system any more.
Liz Talley’s writing was light and fresh. She mixed the perfect batch of Christmas cookies: A pinch of salt (Brennan), a tablespoon of sugar (Mary Paige), a touch of Anise flavoring (Mitzi), and a cup of flour (Uncle Malcolm) to bind them all together. God Bless us, everyone!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
4 Stars
What a light and fun Christmas book “The Spirit of Christmas” was! A little bit of sass and a lot of Scrooge.
Mary Paige and Brennan are thrown together by Brennan’s Uncle, Malcolm Henry, Jr. of Henry Department Stores to be the faces of Christmas for the department store chain. See, he had an epiphany after he took a heart attack – he was alone. Yes, he had money, he had work associates, he had a nephew that he raised to be just like him but he had no one that thought enough of him to even visit him in the hospital. Brennan did adore him, but, he was just like his Uncle … raised to believe that money was the bottom line. So Uncle Malcolm turns over a new leaf and starts turning his life around before it’s to late. He starts donating his time to the charities he has been funding, buys himself a dog and has come up with the scheme for the holidays.
Mary Paige is just your plain old accountant. As she is heading to her uncle’s house for a pre-Christmas party, she stumbles upon a “bum” in an alleyway when she stops at a convenient store to buy a “white-elephant” Christmas gift. After much debate with herself and a few mishaps, she offer’s him a coffee and then a pair of socks. What she didn’t know, in doing this, she proved to the old man in the street that she was one of the few giving and loving people left in New Orleans. His gift back to her was a check for 2 million dollars. See, the “bum” was actually Malcolm Henry, Jr and all she had to do was spread her feelings of giving throughout the community as a spokes-woman for Henry Department Stores. The catch – she had to do it with Brennan Henry – New Orleans biggest playboy, most eligible bachelor and SCROOGE. Bah humbug!
The Spirit of Christmas was a wonderful turn on the classic “A Christmas Carol”. Even though there were no “Spirits” visiting Brennan, the true meaning of Christmas was brought to him in Mary Paige and even Uncle Malcolm The back-stories of Mary Paige’s life, how Brennan was raised and Uncle Malcolm’s life all added meaning to this wonderful, heart-warming book. There were parts where you laughed-out-loud (loved Mary Paige and her Spanx) and cried. Being a woman, you wanted to slap Brennan up-side of the head when everything he ever needed was right in front of him and he couldn’t see it. But, in the end, he was redeemed and I absolutely loved the marriage proposal.
I’d be remiss in this review if I didn’t mention two very important back-stories in The Spirit of Christmas that drove home what the real meaning of Christmas is….giving. Mary Paige did not want the responsibility of the 2 million dollars, she just didn’t know what she would do with it (when you read about how she was raised you’ll understand). Her Christmas presents were truly amazing and wonderful – a breast reconstruction for her best friend Mitzi after her double mastectomy, a gaming system for her brother Caleb that synced with his wheel-chair and computers and, finally, the funding for the Crosshatch Charter School so that children with disabilities didn’t have to fight the system any more.
Liz Talley’s writing was light and fresh. She mixed the perfect batch of Christmas cookies: A pinch of salt (Brennan), a tablespoon of sugar (Mary Paige), a touch of Anise flavoring (Mitzi), and a cup of flour (Uncle Malcolm) to bind them all together. God Bless us, everyone!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
January 13, 2016
Je suis tombée sous le charme de ce récit tout plein de magie, il m'a mit du baume au cœur et m'a permis de prolonger encore un peu cette douce ambiance de Noël.
Au cours de notre lecture, nous suivons l'aventure de Mary Paige, jeune femme avec le cœur sur la main, toujours prête à aider son prochain et une adepte inconditionnelle de Noël. Mary Paige c'est également une femme aux physique normal, généreux, simple et d'une gentillesse à toutes épreuves, mais également un peu empotée ! J'ai beaucoup ri d'elle la pauvre, car elle est un peu miss poisse. Seulement, à quelques semaines de Noël, ce qui lui arrive est tout sauf banal (et poisseux). Suite à cet événement impromptu, elle se retrouve projetée en plein un conte de fée. Cependant, c'était sans compter sur son partenaire de campagne publicitaire : un Scrooge tout ce qu'il y a de plus détestable, mais aussi de plus délicieux visuellement !
Ce Scrooge, c'est Brennan, petit-fils de l'excentrique milliardaire qui a mis au point cette campagne de pub pour leur entreprise. Brennan est un homme plein d'argent, arrogant, prétentieux, qui se moque totalement de son prochain et ne pense qu'a faire des profits.
Néanmoins, cette aventure qu'ils vivent à deux va les changer. Brennan, au contact de Mary Paige, va s'ouvrir, très très lentement, et fissurer peu à peu sa carapace. Mais il est tellement renfermé dans ses blessures, dans son passé, qu'un événement va venir tout bouleverser et tout remettre en question.
J'ai adoré me plonger dans ce roman car toute la magie de Noël est omniprésente. L'écriture de l'auteur est fluide, douce, empreinte de charme. Nous nous mettons à espérer, comme Mary Paige, à espérer que Brennan libère ses chaines, qu'il arrive à voir les bons côtés de la vie, ces petites choses qui vous apportent le bonheur et l'amour. Au fil des pages, vous passerez aisément du fou-rire aux larmes, à l'émotion intense d'une phrase, d'un mot, d'une situation. Ces deux personnages sont attachants, bien que Brennan soit parfois un tantinet agaçant, voir exaspérant.
Les personnages secondaires sont tout aussi importants à ce récit, car ils apportent la lumière sur la personnalité, le passé et le présent de nos deux protagonistes. J'ai beaucoup aimé le grand-père de Brennan, c'est un homme qui a réussi à se remettre en question, à réfléchir sur sa vie, sur ce qu'il a perdu et sur ce qu'il souhaite. Il est très attendrissant, tout comme l'amie de Mary Paige, qui sous ses airs de femme sûre cache une sensibilité et une peur à fleur de peau, suite à ce qui lui est arrivé. Vraiment, ce sont des personnages tous bien travaillés et qui ne font pas figuration dans le roman.
En bref, un excellent moment de détente pour moi, une lecture très agréable qui m'a transportée en plein cœur de Noël, avec une histoire romantique à souhait, comme je les aime, avec des quiproquos, des malentendus, des gaucheries, de l'amitié, du partage, de la générosité et beaucoup d'amour, dans tous les sens du mot. La plume de l'auteur, si délicate, m'a fait ressentir tout un panel d'émotions, de la plus douce à la plus émouvante. J'ai beaucoup apprécié aussi ce rapport au conte de Dickens : juste parfait.
Alors, la magie de Noël va-t-elle fonctionner ou bien Mary Paige perdra sa pantoufle de vair après minuit le jour de Noël ?
A vous de le découvrir et à vous de vous laisser transporter dans ce cocon de féerie, bien installé au fond de votre fauteuil, devant la cheminée, avec un café bien chaud.
Au cours de notre lecture, nous suivons l'aventure de Mary Paige, jeune femme avec le cœur sur la main, toujours prête à aider son prochain et une adepte inconditionnelle de Noël. Mary Paige c'est également une femme aux physique normal, généreux, simple et d'une gentillesse à toutes épreuves, mais également un peu empotée ! J'ai beaucoup ri d'elle la pauvre, car elle est un peu miss poisse. Seulement, à quelques semaines de Noël, ce qui lui arrive est tout sauf banal (et poisseux). Suite à cet événement impromptu, elle se retrouve projetée en plein un conte de fée. Cependant, c'était sans compter sur son partenaire de campagne publicitaire : un Scrooge tout ce qu'il y a de plus détestable, mais aussi de plus délicieux visuellement !
Ce Scrooge, c'est Brennan, petit-fils de l'excentrique milliardaire qui a mis au point cette campagne de pub pour leur entreprise. Brennan est un homme plein d'argent, arrogant, prétentieux, qui se moque totalement de son prochain et ne pense qu'a faire des profits.
Néanmoins, cette aventure qu'ils vivent à deux va les changer. Brennan, au contact de Mary Paige, va s'ouvrir, très très lentement, et fissurer peu à peu sa carapace. Mais il est tellement renfermé dans ses blessures, dans son passé, qu'un événement va venir tout bouleverser et tout remettre en question.
J'ai adoré me plonger dans ce roman car toute la magie de Noël est omniprésente. L'écriture de l'auteur est fluide, douce, empreinte de charme. Nous nous mettons à espérer, comme Mary Paige, à espérer que Brennan libère ses chaines, qu'il arrive à voir les bons côtés de la vie, ces petites choses qui vous apportent le bonheur et l'amour. Au fil des pages, vous passerez aisément du fou-rire aux larmes, à l'émotion intense d'une phrase, d'un mot, d'une situation. Ces deux personnages sont attachants, bien que Brennan soit parfois un tantinet agaçant, voir exaspérant.
Les personnages secondaires sont tout aussi importants à ce récit, car ils apportent la lumière sur la personnalité, le passé et le présent de nos deux protagonistes. J'ai beaucoup aimé le grand-père de Brennan, c'est un homme qui a réussi à se remettre en question, à réfléchir sur sa vie, sur ce qu'il a perdu et sur ce qu'il souhaite. Il est très attendrissant, tout comme l'amie de Mary Paige, qui sous ses airs de femme sûre cache une sensibilité et une peur à fleur de peau, suite à ce qui lui est arrivé. Vraiment, ce sont des personnages tous bien travaillés et qui ne font pas figuration dans le roman.
En bref, un excellent moment de détente pour moi, une lecture très agréable qui m'a transportée en plein cœur de Noël, avec une histoire romantique à souhait, comme je les aime, avec des quiproquos, des malentendus, des gaucheries, de l'amitié, du partage, de la générosité et beaucoup d'amour, dans tous les sens du mot. La plume de l'auteur, si délicate, m'a fait ressentir tout un panel d'émotions, de la plus douce à la plus émouvante. J'ai beaucoup apprécié aussi ce rapport au conte de Dickens : juste parfait.
Alors, la magie de Noël va-t-elle fonctionner ou bien Mary Paige perdra sa pantoufle de vair après minuit le jour de Noël ?
A vous de le découvrir et à vous de vous laisser transporter dans ce cocon de féerie, bien installé au fond de votre fauteuil, devant la cheminée, avec un café bien chaud.
November 27, 2012
The Spirit of Christmas by Liz Talley
4 STARS
It is a good reminder to be kinder to those all around us. It actually has two love stories in the book. Thier a few love scenes in the book that I skipped over them.
It plays a little of Christmas carol.
Mary Paige Gentry is in a hurry to buy a gift for a family party and she will be late if she does not hurry. She sees a homeless man and asks him if he is okay and she gets a finger.
while she finds a perfect white elephant gift a pair of Christmas socks that are gawdy and bright. Since its so cold she decides to buy the man a cup of coffee to warm him up. Mary goes to give him a cup of coffee. The old man takes it and the newspaper he is using to cover him shows he is not wearing socks and his feet are so cold.
Mary decides he needs the socks worse. so she even goes to put them on him. After that a guy with a vidoe camera jumps out of trash container and says he got it. The old guy gave her a check for 2 million dollars.
He is a billionare and a few months ago had a heart attack. That changed his life. He wants Mary to represents his company and teach people to be kinder and have the spirit of Christmas.
Brennan Henry works for his grandfathers business and he is dealing with the company after his grandfathers heart attack. He only thinks of business to make money. He does not like christmas.
Now his grandfather has a scheme to have been to teach the city to be kinder and have him escort Mary to different events showcaseing service to others.
It is a nice message. Mary and Brennan start to change each other. Brennan opens his heart.
Good Christmas romance.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange for honest review from Netgalley.
11/29/2012 PUB Harlequin Imprint Harlequin Superromance
4 STARS
It is a good reminder to be kinder to those all around us. It actually has two love stories in the book. Thier a few love scenes in the book that I skipped over them.
It plays a little of Christmas carol.
Mary Paige Gentry is in a hurry to buy a gift for a family party and she will be late if she does not hurry. She sees a homeless man and asks him if he is okay and she gets a finger.
while she finds a perfect white elephant gift a pair of Christmas socks that are gawdy and bright. Since its so cold she decides to buy the man a cup of coffee to warm him up. Mary goes to give him a cup of coffee. The old man takes it and the newspaper he is using to cover him shows he is not wearing socks and his feet are so cold.
Mary decides he needs the socks worse. so she even goes to put them on him. After that a guy with a vidoe camera jumps out of trash container and says he got it. The old guy gave her a check for 2 million dollars.
He is a billionare and a few months ago had a heart attack. That changed his life. He wants Mary to represents his company and teach people to be kinder and have the spirit of Christmas.
Brennan Henry works for his grandfathers business and he is dealing with the company after his grandfathers heart attack. He only thinks of business to make money. He does not like christmas.
Now his grandfather has a scheme to have been to teach the city to be kinder and have him escort Mary to different events showcaseing service to others.
It is a nice message. Mary and Brennan start to change each other. Brennan opens his heart.
Good Christmas romance.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange for honest review from Netgalley.
11/29/2012 PUB Harlequin Imprint Harlequin Superromance
January 6, 2013
The Spirit of Christmas by Liz Talley is a touching and beautiful story about the true meaning of Christmas.
Brennan Henry doesn’t have time for the holidays or his grandfather giving away money to strangers just because he thinks that he has found the true meaning of Christmas. So when he meets the woman his grandfather has given two million dollars just to because she is the true spirit of Christmas and wants her to become their new image, he decides that he will try anything to make her go away. That is until he can’t believe that she won’t fall for his charm as easily as other women and sees her as a challenge. Read More..
Brennan Henry doesn’t have time for the holidays or his grandfather giving away money to strangers just because he thinks that he has found the true meaning of Christmas. So when he meets the woman his grandfather has given two million dollars just to because she is the true spirit of Christmas and wants her to become their new image, he decides that he will try anything to make her go away. That is until he can’t believe that she won’t fall for his charm as easily as other women and sees her as a challenge. Read More..
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