Christmas in America

by Holly Bush

The celebration of Christmas is a magical time for love. A new anthology filled with America's rich history and Christmas traditions from four of your favorite historical romance authors.

“Christmas at Mount Holly” by Donna Thorland

The Jerseys, December 23rd, 1776 - The American Revolution is on the brink of total collapse. The Rebels have lost New York, the Continental Army has endured a disastrous retreat through New Jersey, and Washington is about to lose what remains when enlistments expire on New Year’s Eve. The cause needs a miracle, but Christmas is a time for wonders: as Angela Ferrers—the woman known to history as the Widow of Mount Holly—will discover when she sets a honey trap for Hessian Colonel Count Carl Emil Urich von Donop, only to find herself ensnared in mutual attraction.

“Miracle on Ladies’ Mile” by Joanna Shupe

New York, 1895 - After losing his beloved wife, department store owner Alexander Armstrong seems incapable of anything other than work, despite his ache to be a better father to his daughter. When the pair encounters Grace, a charming shop girl designing the store’s Christmas window displays, he struggles to accept that perhaps miracles do happen in the most unlikely of places…

“The Cowboy’s Christmas” by Piper Huguley

Smithson, Oklahoma Territory, 1893 - Postponing her missionary trip to Africa, apprentice teacher Serena Newcomb must travel west to face the unrequited love of her past -- rebel cowboy Baxter Smithson. Banished from his Georgia home for the crime of falling in love with the wrong woman, Baxter is surprised that his Christmas gift is a grown-up Serena, ready to confront him for ignoring his duty and to show him that the true meaning of Christmas is love.

“Into the Evermore” by Holly Bush (67 pages)

Virginia, 1842 - Eleanor McManus, upright daughter of a minister, is rescued from kidnappers somewhere in the deep forest wilderness by a rough and tumble fur trader, Beauregard Gentry. With his help, Eleanor makes her way back to her intended groom who declares her soiled, and she finds herself alone, pressured to make life decisions without benefit of family or others she can trust. Beauregard and Eleanor agree to begin a life together, build their legacy together, and their growing devotion to each other is witnessed one cold, crisp Christmas morning.

Genres: Historical Romance, Christmas, Holiday, Romance, Historical Fiction, Anthologies

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 27, 2016

About the author

“Love always has something to say. Sometimes it shouts from the highest hill, and sometimes it whispers so softly one must listen closely to hear. Do not turn away. It is a rare and precious commodity. Treasure it.” The Gentrys of Paradise

Holly's newest series is a historical mystery set in Baltimore in 1867, The Browns of Butcher's Hill. The first book is available called Kidnapped. Blackmailed releases in August of 2025 and Murdered in November of 2025.


Holly's historical romances are set in the US during the turbulent and transformative years of the late 1800’s.

The Thompsons of Locust Street, Philadelphia, chronicles five siblings from Scotland with some danger and mystery surrounding their move to America. The series order is The Bachelor's Bride, The Bareknuckle Groom, The Professor's Lady, and The Captain's Woman. The final book in the series will release in 2024.

The Gentrys of Paradise begins with the novella Into the Evermore where readers meet Virginia horse breeders, Eleanor and Beauregard Gentry. The following books feature their children, Adam, Matthew, and Olivia in For the Brave, For This Moment, and For Her Honor.

The Crawford Family Series following the fortunes of the three Boston born Crawford sisters and includes Train Station Bride, Contract to Wed, Her Safe Harbor, and companion novella, The Maid’s Quarters.

Cross the Ocean and Charming the Duke are both British set Victorian romances. Fan favorites stand-alone historical romance novels include Romancing Olive and Reconstructing Jackson. Holly's books are described as ‘emotional, with heartfelt, sexy romance.’

She also writes General Fiction under the name of Hollis Bush.

Holly makes her home with her husband, one happy Labrador Retriever, a clever Jack Russell rescued from the pound, and two difficult cats in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Connect with Holly at www.hollybushbooks.com, on Twitter @hollybushbooks, and on Facebook at Holly Bush. Follow Holly on her Amazon author page to receive new release updates and on BookBub to check out her reviews and get sale information.

Reviews

[Jonetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This rating is only for the first story, Into the Evermore.

Beau Gentry rescues Eleanor McManus from an abductor following the tragic loss of her family. He was on his way to Winchester, Virginia to claim his recently deceased uncle's property and her family was on their way further to Charleston.

This was a really sweet story of a relationship borne out of Eleanor's dire circumstances. While it may appear to be an instant romance, it is appropriate for the era and societal norms of the time (1842). They are two people who found each other despite what threw them together. It's a perfect story for the holidays and a nice setup for the upcoming series, the Gentry Family. And, it's no secret that Holly Bush is one of my auto-read authors.

(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review)

[Keri · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars! All wonderful reads and well crafted. Holly Bs book is an introducing a new series, but I wish I hadn't read the snippet...l will leave at that. The Joanna S book is in her Guilded Age series and although it was good it didn't feel finished, so I am hoping we get more of this couple later on. Donna Ts. Wow what can I say other than this one was extremely bittersweet and if you have read the series then you know what happen to these two.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

I'm done with Black Friday shopping and am curled up with this sweet collection of Christmas stories. Just the thing to start to Christmas Season. I liked the first two stories well enough, but the last two were outstanding. They are being reviewed first.

Christmas at Mount Holly by Donna Thorland
Set on December 23rd, 1776 in the Jerseys Christmas at Mount Holly is a story about Hessian Colonel Count Carl Emil Urich von Donop and a woman who could give James Bond lessons. Angela Ferrers is an American spy and her mission is to delay Colonel Donop for three days over Christmas in Mount Holly. Playing the part of a widowed doctor's wife, she sets a cozy trap for Donop, but ends up ensnared herself. 5-Stars

Miracle on Ladies Mile by Joanna Shupe
Set in 1895 New York City, Miracle on Ladies Mile reveals the world of the working girl at the turn of the century. Woman's Lib has sure changed society's mores, especially regarding women and work. Grace is just scraping by dressing Christmas windows, but sees this job as the start of what she really wants to do, which is to design dresses for this store, so, she does the very best job she can, working long hours for slave wages. Alexander Armstrong, the store owner, lost his beloved wife and has closed out the world, including his daughter. He sees Grace dressing the windows and sets to know her. She is funny, vivacious and genuine. 5-Stars

Into the Evermore by Holly Bush
Set in 1842 Virginia, Into the Evermore is the story of a Eleanor who is beset by baddies who kill her family and take her prisoner. She is rescued by Beau who nurses her and returns her to the nearest town only to find that the church people there were more concerned with her damaged reputation than with the loss of her family. Beau proves himself to be an honorable man and the two live happily ever after. 3-Stars.

A Cowboy's Christmas by Piper Huguley
Set in 1893 Smithson, Oklahoma Territory, A Cowboy's Christmas tells the story of a black man, Baxter Smithson, who founded the town of Smithson, OK as a place for people of color to make a life free of the threats and prejudice of the South. Baxter's mother sends him a woman, Serena, and her brother and his wife, to help him settle his town. I'm quite sure that Baxter's mother meant for Serena to "settle" Baxter too. 3 1/2-Stars.

[ErinMickC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Into the Evermore by Holly Bush
More heroes like Beauregard Gentry please! Seriously, what’s not to love about Beau? He was strong, and brave and he fought for Eleanor’s love and honor. And Eleanor, geez girlfriend, you got yourself in a pickle. Good thing Beau is here to save you...actually they kinda saved each other and that made this little Christmas novella all the better.

The Cowboy’s Christmas by Piper Huguley
I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that I was lost for a good part of this novella. Ella what? Milford where? For some reasons the pieces just weren’t coming together for me. That doesn’t mean I didn’t like the novella, it just took me a long time to catch up. In the end I kept reflecting upon The Cowboy’s Christmas over and over again. I’m finding new morsels to nibble on and savor still. The gist of my noodling? Serena was just so darn good and sweet that it hurt my heart that Baxter didn’t see her as his own personal angel for most of the story. Their HEA was especially sweet since it brought Serena joy and it, thankfully, got Baxter’s own head out of his a**.

Miracle on Ladies’ Mile by Joanna Shupe
Shupe’s The Knickerbocker Club books are some of my favorite historicals of 2016. I love the Gilded Age setting and the characters, but most of all I love Shupe’s intense, almost lyrical, writing style. Until Shupe's next The Knickerbocker Club release, Baron, Miracle on Ladies’ Mile held me over. It was the perfect little Christmas novella. If you read this book and don’t fall head over heels in love with Grace, Alex and Sarah I would be supremely shocked. Alex was a particularly interesting character due to his previous loss, his deception and his unavoidable, all-out attraction to Grace.

Christmas at Mount Holly by Donna Thorland
Donna Thorland’s Revolutionary War novella had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. Donop and Angela just didn’t seem like good bet for most of this novella, but never fear romance fans, Christmas at Mount Holly does have a HEA. Our heroine, Angela, was so unexpected that I found it hard not to root for her both in love and in her mission. I haven’t read a lot of Revolutionary War romance but I think I’ll add Thorland’s Renegades of the Revolution series to my TBR list for the future.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

As is usually the case with collections, I liked some stories more than others. I'm giving this one four stars primarily because of Donna Thorland, author of the Renegades of the Revolution series. Her bittersweet (to those of us who've read the books) Christmas story fills in a gap in the history of one of the recurring characters, incidents that were referred to but never clarified.

The other tales were enjoyable, and in keeping with the season, but Thorland's offering really hit the mark. Her research and writing are outstanding.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable anthology for anyone who enjoys historical romance set in America, novellas and short stories, or stories that have a Christmas setting. I was interested in this book mainly for the story written by Donna Thorland, Mount Holly. It has tie-ins to her Renegades of the American Revolution series, which is one of my favorite series. Mount Holly can be read as a standalone or at any point along the Renegades series, although it is sure to have special delight for readers familiar with the series.

While Mount Holly was my particular favorite, and Miracle on Ladies' Mile, which takes place during the gilded age, was the novella that was my next personal pick, each of the four stories in this collection was quite good. One thing I liked was that the stories were not tied together in any way, taking place in different locations and eras with unrelated characters, yet they felt like a cohesive collection.

As of now, this book is only available as an electronic book. I hope that it will be published as a print book at a later date so that the fabulous cover can be admired and displayed the way it deserves.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

i was delighted to find a collection of historical stories with romance mixed with faith and kindness. Really captures the spirit of Christmas and the historical settings add to the enjoyment. I am passing the title on to my friends.

[Peggyzbooksnmusic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collection of short historical fiction stories. Rated the first two 2 stars. Rated the third and fourth 4 stars so averaged out to 3 stars.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Bates waits for, anticipates, and relishes every volume of Donna Thorland’s “Renegades of the American Revolution” series. She is especially intrigued by Thorland’s cold-blooded, single-mindedly-devoted-to-the-cause American spy, Angela Ferrars. Thorland’s author’s note to “Christmas At Mount Holly” (in the Christmas In America Anthology) offers fascinating information about Ferrers: she is based on a historical character; we don’t know much about her except she was the cause of the hero’s loss of face and Washington’s triumph at an important Revolutionary War battle; she mentors the first book’s heroine in the interest of creating a female figure who is cunning spy, instrumental in America’s victory against the British, and unusually characterized as female mentor to female-neophyte-spy. In this short, moving, and beautifully-written story, Thorland gave Miss Bates what she and other readers long for: Angela Ferrars stripped of craftiness and uncompromising devotion to the American cause, Angela Ferrars weakened by desire, liking, maybe even, in the end, love. Thorland gave her a worthy hero: strong, ruefully amusing, loving, honest, kind, and most importantly, capable of showing The Widow a glimpse of another life, one of connection in place of conflict, love in place of hate, hope in place of resignation.

Thorland’s story opens in Mount Holly, New Jersey, on December 23rd, 1776. Colonel Carl von Donop arrives with a double purpose, hoping for a Christmas break for his men and planning on withstanding a few thousand Rebels. Posing as a middle-class widow, Angela Ferrars welcomes him to her “home,” offering him and his officer sustenance, warmth, and comfortable beds. Angela also has a double purpose in Mount Holly: foil Donop and ease General George Washington’s way. With subterfuge and guile, the mistress of disguises, fed on “memories that defined her, and drove her,” (*sniff* we poor readers remain ignorant of her tragic back-story), Ferrars weaves a trap for Donop, except “there was nothing more inconvenient that discovering you rather liked a man whom you were about to destroy.”

Donop, on his part, is smitten: “his eyes lighted on her, and nothing else in the room could compete.” Thus begins Thorland’s lovely little dance of a romance. Donop is an honourable man; war may be his element, but it hasn’t stolen his humanity. Angela is a woman who shed her vulnerabilities and replaced, as Lady Macbeth did, her “milk” for “gall”. Unlike the self-serving false queen, Angela is an ideologue. She believes deeply in America’s potential: ” … America. A new land, full of hope and promise. But even the most fecund fields could be fallowed by greed, and proud men reduced to serfdom. She would not let it happen here.” Angela Ferrars may appear hardened, but she knows a “land of hope and promise” must be defended and protected with a soldier’s vigilance. She is that soldier, now in love with an enemy soldier, a man she knows deserves her loyalty, commitment, and love.

Though Thorland’s narrative is a mere snippet, she packs more agonized conflict in it than many lengthier romances. She paints a broad canvas, a sweeping historical one, and yet manages to convey intimacy and a growing “affinity” between two older (hurrah!), wiser protagonists. Miss Bates ached for Angela and Carl, caught in history’s tide, though they seemed to know their place in it and understand its stakes. Ah, but the heart, posits Thorland, and gives her warriors, at least for a while, shelter from history’s storm and their own hope and promise with a sly military metaphor: “She moved to him, into his arms, as though released, missile from catapult, by his words.” Miss Bates found more to highlight, nod over, and think about in this little slip of a story than lengthier ones. She loved every word of it. It is wonderfully written and beautifully imagined.

There are several fine stories in the anthology, by Holly Bush, Piper Huguley, and Joanna Shupe, as well as Thorland’s glorious one. At least for Thorland’s story, Misses Bates and Austen say “there is no charm equal to tenderness of heart,” Emma. Christmas In America: A Historical Romance Anthology was self-published by the authors. It was released on September 27th and is available as an e-book at your preferred vendors. Miss Bates received an e-ARC from the authors.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a compilation of short historical romance stories set during Christmas time. Since each story is independent of each other with what I felt was varying degrees of writing quality, I'll do a short review of each one.

Into the Evermore started off really well with a great hook to catch your interest but after that it was a little boring. It was like it climaxed at the opening and then nothing really happened after that. Additionally the writing quality wasn't great and probably needed an editor, or a better editor. Particularly in the beginning, there are a few paragraphs where literally every sentence in the paragraph starts with the same pronoun.

The Cowboy's Christmas was also a little lack luster. The characterization seemed good on the surface but I felt like there wasn't much depth. The writing was okay but the dialogue could be a little hokey sometimes.

Miracle on Ladies' Mile was an excellent Mr. Selfridge-esque story set in the Gilded Age. Great writing with compelling characters you just want to know more about. Just the right amount of humor in it too.

Christmas at Mount Holly. No surprise I loved this one. Donna Thorland is a great storyteller and she did not disappoint. We finally get a bit more of a glimpse into The Widow's backstory, an absolute must read for anyone following Thorland's series.

There's some very sexy scenes in here so not one for the clean romance fans (I say bring it on though).

So although I didn't love the first two stories, I adored the second two, and I guess that means the rating averages out to about 3 stars.

Historical Readings & Reviews

[Paganalexandria]

12/22/16 currently free on instafreebie https://www.instafreebie.com/free/PUvpm

[AnnMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Into the Evermore" by Holly Bush

The blurb for this story pretty much sums up everything that happens in this story. It's short, it's sweet, and it's got a happy ending. I enjoyed the fact that despite how quickly the story moved it still enabled you to learn enough about the characters enough for you to either love or hate them. It was even easy to believe how fast our heroine marries our hero despite all that she has been through. A girl just knows when she knows. This is deserving of a 4-star rating.


“The Cowboy’s Christmas” by Piper Huguley

A nice quick, sweet read involving a woman, Serena, in dire straits and a man from her past, Baxter, who comes to her rescue. She has found to her horror that people she had relied upon were, in fact, unreliable, and she was so pleased to have help from Baxter. He has had his heart broken and Serena helps Baxter to heal and to move on and visa versa.
This story was a bit too nice for me, I like a bit more drama and a little less bible talk, but it's still worthy of a healthy 4-star rating.

“Miracle on Ladies’ Mile” by Joanna Shupe

By far this is my favourite book in this anthology. It's set in New York in 1895. A widowed man, Alexander, with a young daughter, Sarah, is the owner of a top-notch department store. He finds himself falling for one of his staff, Grace. She is dressing a window when he first spots her, but her dream job is to be a fashion designer. There is an instant attraction between Grace and Alex. Unfortunately Alex doesn't tell her who he is, and a relationship built on lies can never work, or can it? This story is definitely worth a 5-star rating.

“Christmas at Mount Holly” by Donna Thorland

In every anthology, it can't be surprising that one perhaps doesn't shine as much as the others. For me, this is that story. It's set towards the end of the American Revolution and involves Angela Ferrers—the woman known to history as the Widow of Mount Holly. She sets a trap for Hessian Colonel Count Carl Emil Urich von Donop, in order to help the 'cause'. It's all interesting enough, but difficult to enjoy their budding relationship when all along you know she is going to be working against him. I wasn't happy with the ending as it very much left things up in the air, and I just wonder if an epilogue would have been fitting for this particular story. The story was OK especially as it was based on fact and is worthy of a 3-star rating.

All in all, I enjoyed this anthology, 4 quick reads all set around Christmas time can't help but have the reader smiling. I happily recommend this set.

[Deanna Lynn Sletten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll be completely honest here – I only read Holly Bush’s story in this anthology. But if the others are even half as good as hers is, then you are in for an amazing read.

Set in 1842, Into the Evermore starts out running and keeps up a good pace throughout. Eleanor McManus, the daughter of a devout minister, has been taken captive in the wilds of Virginia after her parents and siblings are murdered. Just as she is about to be sold to some ungainly men, Beauregard Gentry comes to her rescue. He escorts her to the nearest town where her betrothed decides she is unfit after what has happened to her. Again, Beau comes to her aid by helping her bury her family and then finds her a decent place to stay for the time being. As the two grow close, they decide to begin a life together.

Into the Evermore is the first in a new series by Holly Bush. It sets the stage nicely for the next installment. I truly enjoy Holly’s writing style and her expert dialogue. It’s easy and enjoyable to picture in your mind what her words are painting. I’m looking forward to this series and highly recommend you read this anthology.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I. Into the Evermore by Holly Bush: This story started with a bang – almost literally – when Beau Gentry saved Eleanor McManus from being sold to unsavory characters. Her time with Beau helped her decide who she could and could not trust and just what she would do with the rest of her life after her entire family was killed by human predators. Her Christian faith stands her in good stead throughout the story even if the church going people she encountered did not. (3.5 Stars)

II. The Cowboy’s Christmas by Piper Huguley: With the desire to share the fact that Oklahoma was home to the greatest number of all black towns in the USA the author set her story in that state. In this story a young man has to put his dreams of one woman behind him and look to what he wants in the future and that just happens to be someone that has always loved him without his being aware of it. The fact that she is religious, a teetotaler and rather vocal about what she thinks he should and should not be doing does not deter him in the end. (3 Stars)

III. Miracle on Ladies’ Mile by Joanna Shupe: The reason I requested this anthology is due to the fact that once I found this author’s work I have looked for and read every book in her Knickerbocker’s Club series as soon as I could get my hands on them. I was not disappointed and believe this is my favorite story in the anthology. Why? I loved Grace and her interactions with Alex and his daughter. This was a feel good story and all that I hoped it would be. (4 Stars)

IV. Mount Holly by Donna Thorland: This was a pleasant surprise for me. Set during the American Revolution with a female spy that captured my interest…and the interest of a Hessian colonel…it had me contemplating and wondering and enjoying their story then wanting to read more in the series… (4 Stars)

NOTE: I was not expecting this anthology to contain stories that were religious so feel the fact that half the stories do make reference to Christian beliefs should be mentioned.

Thank you to NetGalley and Holly Bush Books/Victory Editing for the copy of this ARC to read in exchange for my honest review.

3 to 4 Stars

[Anna Bowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woo, American historical Christmas romance anthology! Woo, an assortment of settings! Normally, one might expect such an anthology to contain wall to wall cowboys, but, though all historical westerns are American, not all American historicals are western. That's right, we have different times and places here, with a diverse cast, which makes a perfect treat for the holidays or any time of year.

Holly Bush gives us a good old-fashioned western, while Piper G. Huguley welcomes readers to the early days of an all-Black community after the Civil War, Joanna Shupe takes on the glitz and glitter of NYC's gilded age, and Donna Thorland goes truly /i> old school, all the way back to the American Revolution...and it's not a rebels and redcoats sort of tale. This anthology is full of surprises, romance, and historical atmosphere, sure to please regular readers of all four authors, and tempt new readers to discover the history and romance of their other works. Would love to see more of the same.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Donna Thorland's short peek into the Widow's true backstory! I've loved the character throughout the Renegades of the Revolution series and am glad we got to see what happened offscreen during the gap on the Turncoat. As always, the story was filled with fascinating historical details, this time about Christmas traditions in early America. I'm still holding out hope that the Widow faked her own death and is off with Colonel Donop somewhere.

Thank you to Donna Thorland and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Review is for The Gentrys of Paradise, #0.5 by Holly Bush -

My rating really would be between 3.5-3.75 stars. The story was good, Beau & Eleanor both have sad and angsty back stories - especially Eleanor. It is her tragedy that brings them together. He's there for her when her self-righteous fiance & church family blame her for what happened to her
but then when she is getting her self back together with Beau and his love & help they try to bring her back to their hypocritical fold. There is a neat "twist" that takes place on Christmas Day that made for a sweet ending.
As with most novellas I've read I wanted to get to know them more. There is a series about their kids that I will probably read.

[Clarissa Boggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good collection of stories

[Gemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought this for Joanna Shupe’s story. I enjoyed it, although it was a HFN instead of a HEA. All the other stories were DNF for me.

[Kazia Gemmill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unequal editing was my main issue. Shupe’s story was the best, had me in tears at points and was very detailed for a novella.

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Badly in need of editing.

[Jessica Calla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this anthology. Each is a well-written, sweet historical romance with memorable characters and interesting plots. Also, it put me into the holiday spirit... in October! :)

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the first story by Holly Bush, but did not enjoy the other stories.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanna Shupe has done it again with her Gilded Age story "Miracle on Ladies’ Mile". I loved this story. Grace and Alex's interactions with creating the window displays and Grace's interaction with Alex's daughter helping paint and putting together the displays are wonderful. The background of Christmas window displays makes you want to go to New York at Christmas and window shop.

I received a complimentary copy from the author through Netgalley.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost gave up on this book mid-way through the second story. The editing is terrible and painful to wade through in the second story.
After reading other reviews I decided to push through and I'm glad I did - the third and fourth stories are worth hanging in there for.