Bestselling authors Jude Deveraux and Judith McNaught present their most dazzling and wonderful Christmas tales -- the perfect treat for every romantic at heart... Jude Deveraux In the snow-covered hills of Virginia, a young widow finds that miracles really do come in the least expected packages, in "Just Curious," praised as "one of Deveraux's best" (Philadelphia Inquirer). "Change of Heart," set in modern-day Colorado, is the touching story of a clever twelve-year-old who plays matchmaker for his bighearted, impractical mother. Judith McNaught This celebrated author magically portrays Regency London in "Miracles," the enchanting tale of a world-weary lord -- and an outrageous proposal. In "Double Exposure," a determined young woman arrives to photograph a magnificent wedding at a reclusive tycoon's Newport estate, and manages to unlock the secrets of a man's heart.
Judith McNaught is a #1 New York Times Best-Selling Author, with more than forty million copies of her novels in print, in over eighty countries and more than thirty languages. She was also the first female executive producer at a CBS radio station. McNaught is credited with inventing the modern Regency Historical romance subgenre.
Well I have only read two short stories from this pack: Miracles and Double Exposure.
This will be my "Miracles" review. I had not really liked the character of Nick much cause of all his "cherry" crap, and also because i liked Clayton Westmoreland more, but I was still curious to read his story. But now that I have read it, I don't feel very linked to his character at all. I mean, I knew more about this guy from "Whitney, my love" and "until you". The characters have not been explored deeply or let me put it simply; not explored at all. I don't know why Judith McNaught even bothered with writing this novelette about Nick when she clearly was too busy to do justice to the characters. The female lead role which I vaguely remember from "Until you" popped up into a full fledged girl in the novelette only because of her link with her grand mother. That is all McNaught was able to share about her. There is no sign of romance on any level and yet in the end, every thing falls into a perfect shape in a single page. I found that very infuriating that when the novel was supposed to begin, it abruptly ended, leaving me dumbstruck. It shocked me that, that was that with the novel. But I forget it was not a novel but a novelette. But Nick I think deserved more, the poor guy. I actually feel sorry for him. after being dumped by Whitney and rolled around for two whole novels he ended up with only fifty three pages to his credit.
Okay, I admit I only read two of the stories in this book. My ultimate bias - Judith McNaught.
HOW I can forget to read this book? Thank God, I saw Mai update her status, and I was like "EH? Is this a new cover?" Then I checked my folder. I have it since years and I thought I read it. T___T
Double sad is because Miracles is Nicki's story. OMG! Despite the story is good - well, what do you expect from JM rather than perfectly twisting our emotions. my only comment is IT IS TOO SHORT FOR NICKI'S STORY! He already in Whitney, my love. He is one of the main characters. So it is fair enough to give him one separate book with 500 pages, isn't it?
Triple sad is because I don't know Double Exposure is the first story of Foster saga. I mistook is as Double Standards so I thought I already read it. Bravo yuni. Walla...oh my...how I wish I was there to watch the wedding. Must be sweet. Again, my only comment is it is too short. This couple need their own novel. Not novella. Yes, I'm a greedy reader and I'm proud with it.
I’m not going to comment on the other stories in this book, they well all fine. I only want to talk about the Judith McNaught one -Miracles because that is the reason I read this book.
I LOVE Whitney My Love it is hands down with absolutely no contest my favourite historical/regency romance. And Nicholas DuVille has always been an issue for me, when does he get his HEA?! And now I’ve been handed this crap! 44 pages!! I am sorry but the most eligible Lord in 2 countries (now that the Westmoreland Brothers are happily married) deserves a whole book!! I’m beyond disappointed.
What a wasted opportunity. Nick’s story could have and should have been great!
Um livro composto por 4 contos leves e simples ,com uma escrita muito acessível bem ao estilo destas duas escritoras conceituadas. Foram contos amorosos muito bons para entreter nesta altura de quarentena ,embora houvesse partes nalguns contos um pouco surreais. 🤔 Adoro a capa deste livro , acho-a linda e o meu conto preferido foi o primeiro "Simplesmente curioso".
The reader might know about Julianna Skeffington (if you have read Until You), the protege of Sherridan Westmoreland. You might also remember what dowager duchess said about how can be Lord and Lady Skeffington had child as beautiful as Julianna. Hahahahahaha...
I don't know why Judith McNaught (JM) didn't make a novel about Nicholas and Julianna instead of an anthology. It just too short for someone like Nicki. I love him so much as big as I love Clayton and Stephen. Just 12 chapter and an epilogue, I didn't get satisfy enough even though the story is good.
Yet I could feel the characters emotion, how hurt Julianna was, how deep her love was, and how she yearn and yearn and yearn till she cried. Fortunately, the last chapter and epilogue satisfied me. It also made me laugh because of the Westmoreland's brothers teased Nicki about his fear due to his wife labor.
This is a collection of four novellas. I just read the one titled Miracles, by Judith McNaught, featuring the highly acclaimed Nicholas DuVille.. What can I say... but more PERFECTION!!!!! I'l try to add more to my review soon... as it's quickly approaching 3am... I really should sleep!!! Just wanted to say... LOVED THIS!!!!
I read this to find out about Nicki's love story and I liked it. I was fond of Nicki since he showed up in Whitney, My Love and is happy to read it. I can't help hoping it would be longer. I believe Nicki deserved a whole book for himself.
*22.”Change of Heart”(Holiday of Love)H Frank Taggert h Miranda Stowe Frank is 40 and a Billionaire and his brothers are Mike (Samantha) and Kane (Cale). Miranda has a genius son Eli with an IQ of 200. Eli and his best friend Chelsea matchmakers got Miranda and Frank together. Frank and Miranda are expecting a baby.
*23.”Just Curious “ (Gift of Love) H MacAlistair Taggert and Karen Lawrence. Karen looked at a picture of his twin brother and asked if it was his brother. No one else could tell them apart. He asked her to accompany him to a wedding and he’d pay her. Instead of money she asked him to donate his sperm so she could have a baby.
An anthology of four short stories about love at Christmas time.
The Series Jude Deveraux's "Just Curious" (Taggert, 4.5) Judith McNaught's "Miracles" (Westmoreland, 4) Jude Deveraux's "Change of Heart (Taggert, 4.6) Judith McNaught's "Double Exposure" (Foster Sisters, 1)
The Stories Jude Deveraux's "Just Curious" finds Karen Lawrence in an informal internship at Mac Taggert's company learning everything she can about running a corporation. Having sold her half of her deceased husband's share of the hardware store, Karen intends to open her dream baby store. Only, Karen gets sidetracked one Christmas when she encounters her cold, womanizing boss and gets hired to be his date for a matrimonial weekend.
Very cute and sweet. I loved how smart Karen was about business and that she put it out there. Also in A Gift of Love.
Judith McNaught's "Miracles" is a cute historical romance about Nicki du Ville and Juliana. Nicki just wants to play the field while Juliana is more interested in escaping her scheming mother and pursuing her writing career.
While it was rather simplistic, it was cute. Also in A Holiday of Love.
Jude Deveraux's "Change of Heart" is another Taggert but with the older brother, Frank. He had a thaw in his frozen exterior two years ago when he became friends with the brilliant and very young Elijah Harcourt. Now Frank has had his wake-up call with that broken arm. His billions aren't going to cry one tear if he dies.
Another cute one. I'd better put Deveraux on my reading list. Also in A Holiday of Love.
Judith McNaught's "Double Exposure" is a sweet tale of redemption. Of teen love finally being rewarded when Foster Living magazine receives an offer to photograph a dream wedding in Newport, Rhode Island. An unexpected reunion for Corey Foster with the love of her life, Spence Addison. I just love the idea of the Fosters' philosophy and magazine. Like Martha Stewart's Living but with warmth and a sense of family.
The Cover and Title The cover is perfect. A white background with a red satin ribbon rising up the left side and across the top meeting in a bow in the upper left corner with a gift tag attached reading Simple Gifts with its implication of for us.
Kāpēc es bibliotēkā paņēmu lasīt grāmatu, kam pirms 5 gadiem ieliku 3 zvaigznes? Jo es gribēju kaut ko ļoti saldu, latviski un Ziemassvētku tematikā - tādu grāmatu skaits ir ierobežots un konkrētajā bibliotēkas filiālē un turklāt uz vietas tūlīt un tagad ir vēl ierobežotāks. Bet sanāca kā gribot cepumus "Oreo", bet ieraugot, cik lētāki ir "Neo", nopērkot tos. It kā jau ir, bet galīgi nav. Visi stāsti likās kā uzmetumi kam garākam - sižeta uzmetums ir, bet tādas īstas dzīvības uz kauliem nav. Vērtējumu nemainu.
Atsauksme 31.08.2016 - 3 zvaigznes: Ziemassvētku stāsti februārī – kāpēc gan ne? It sevišķi, ja tos rakstījušas Devero un Maknota, kuras iepazītas jau sen. Lasot diemžēl konstatēju, ka stāts tomēr nav tas žanrs, kurā lasīt šāda tipa literatūru – kaut kā likās, ka kaut kā pietrūkst, darbība rit pārāk strauji, it kā lasītu darbības aprakstu, kas nav apaudzēts ar fonu, lai sanāktu romāns...
I can't lie, I only read one of these four stories: 'Miracles' and I have zero interest in reading the others. I just wanted to read Nicki's story from Whitney My Love because he was my favorite character. This was the perfect story for him and I absolutely loved it! I don't know how she did it but Judith McNaught managed to write a very sweet and believable love story for Nicki that did not feel to rushed in just 73 pages! I feel satisfied now knowing that Nicki also got his HEA :)
I only read the short story, Miracles, from this book because I really liked Nicholas Duville from Whitney, My Love and Until You. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed in this story. It was WAY too short and rushed that I couldn't connect with the heroine and her connection to Nicholas. He deserved a better story than this.
Simple Gifts is a compilation of four short stories by Judith McNaught and Jude Devereux.
Just Curious by Jude Devereux is a story of a widowed lady, Karen, who works as a secretary for a very handsome rich man, McAllister Taggert. During the Christmas party slightly ebriated Karen has an unexpected encounter with McAllister which leads to him falling in love with her at first sight.
I enjoyed this story even though it did have the typical rich man loves poor woman plot.
4.0 stars
Miracles by Judith McNaught is a historical romance and unfortunately I am not a fan of that genre.
2.0 stars
Change of Heart by Jude Devereux is a story of a teenager Elijah who is extremely intelligent. Both he and his friend Chelsea decide to play matchmakers so that his mother, Randy, is married before he leaves for college. Eli decides that the perfect man to take care of his mom is Frank Taggert.
Again another rich man marries poor woman story but wasn't quite as well executed as Just Curious.
3.5 stars
Double Exposure by Judith McNaught is a story of Corey who is a professional photographer meets up with Spencer, the guy who she had a childhood crush.
Unfortunately, I didn't care much for this story because the author tends to make a habit of having the male love interest treat the female love interest like crap in the beginning of the story.
2.5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
REREAD THIS FOR THE NOSTALGIA AND IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT! THE MOST INSTA OF INSTALOVE, DESCRIPTIONS OF WIDE-LEGGED TROUSERS AND LACQUERED HAIR, STRAIGHT-FACED REFERENCES TO "LOVEMAKING," WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE!!!
Fofinho, foi essa a impressão que fiquei no final, pelo menos nos contos da Judith, voltamos a ver personagens que já apareceram nos outros livro dela!
RESUMEN: La hermosa viuda Karen Lawrence no confía en los hombres, en particular en su jefe MacAllister Taggert. Ella cree que es un playboy que salta de una mujer a otra tan rápido como cambia de ropa. Sin embargo, Karen tiene un secreto anhelo de tener un hijo antes de que expire su reloj biológico, y ella encuentra a su jefe el perfecto donante de esperma por su físico y salud. Cuando ella descubre un espionaje en la oficina, de repente se convierte en objeto de atracción de MacAllister. Esperando ser despedida, se sorprende con la propuesta de hacerse pasar por su novia y acompañarlo a la boda de su primo y como retribución ella puede pedir lo que quiera. Karen está de acuerdo y le dice abiertamente que ella quiere que él sea el donante de esperma para su bebé. MacAllister da su consentimiento y lleva a Karen a Maine, donde tiene lugar la boda.A medida que pasa más tiempo con él y su numerosa y bulliciosa familia, ella no puede evitar caer en el embrujo MacAllister. ¿Puede Karen protegerse de lo que ella percibe como una gran angustia o puede confiarle a MacAllister su corazón?
Um livro dividido em quatro pequenas histórias, duas de cada autora. Gostei muito de fica a conhecer a autora Jude Deveraux e de voltar a reencontrar personagens de livros que tenho lido nas histórias apresentadas pela Judith McNaught. Só houve um ponto de que não gostei, foi o facto de as histórias serem curtas, pois quando estamos a apreciar o enredo e a querer que ele seja mais desenvolvido aparece o final. De resto foram histórias muito doces bem ao estilo destas duas autoras.
33.ª leitura deste período de afastamento social. E... este livro bem que se podia chamar: "Aconteceu no Natal", "Milagres do Coração" ou talvez "Gémeos - Como Foi", não há nada na sinopse, capa ou título que indique qualquer um destes possíveis títulos, que têm a ver com os temas que, com certeza, serviram de mote para as escritoras quando escreveram estes 4 romances. Não é que me chateie minimamente o título atribuído, os quatro romances, no meu ponto de vista, são fantásticos (está claro que gostei mais de uns do que dos outros, mas não é em vão que dei 5 estrelas a este livro, porque será um livro a reler muitas outras vezes!). Duas autoras diferentes mas que se complementam num excelente livro! Gostei bastante (principalmente do primeiro e do terceiro, que curiosamente são da mesma autora!)
WARNING: If you already have A Holiday of Love and A Gift of Love, you have these novellas.
A slight rant - this was a reprint of 4 short stories that had been previously featured in the 1996 and 1997 anthologies listed above. The publishers probably made a mint in 1998 from people who thought that they were getting NEW Deveraux and McNaught stories, when all of these had appeared in anthologies just the last two years before. Very misleading and underhanded - I was confused and I worked in a bookstore at the time!
Loved it-sweet stories-not terribly long...dumb, prideful men and sweet, innocently naive girls. Quick read and perfect for the first night in Ireland!