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Circle of Friends #3.5 - A Holiday Fling
Christmas Revels
A collection of intriguing holiday tales, in which five very different couples receive a valuable lesson in love.
Includes A Holiday Fling, an original, modern-day novella, as well as four classic Regency romances―The Christmas Cuckoo, Sunshine for Christmas, The Christmas Tart, and The Black Beast of Belleterre.
Includes A Holiday Fling, an original, modern-day novella, as well as four classic Regency romances―The Christmas Cuckoo, Sunshine for Christmas, The Christmas Tart, and The Black Beast of Belleterre.
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 5, 2002
79 people are currently reading
447 people want to read
About the author
Mary Jo Putney
167 books2,262 followersShe writes young adult fiction as M.J. Putney.
Mary Jo Putney was born on 1946 in Upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. After earning degrees in English Literature and Industrial Design at Syracuse University, she did various forms of design work in California and England before inertia took over in Baltimore, Maryland, where she has lived very comfortably ever since.
While becoming a novelist was her ultimate fantasy, it never occurred to her that writing was an achievable goal until she acquired a computer for other purposes. When the realization hit that a computer was the ultimate writing tool, she charged merrily into her first book with an ignorance that illustrates the adage that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Fortune sometimes favors the foolish and her first book sold quickly, thereby changing her life forever, in most ways for the better. (“But why didn't anyone tell me that writing would change the way one reads?”) Like a lemming over a cliff, she gave up her freelance graphic design business to become a full-time writer as soon as possible.
Since 1987, Ms. Putney has published twenty-nine books and counting. Her stories are noted for psychological depth and unusual subject matter such as alcoholism, death and dying, and domestic abuse. She has made all of the national bestseller lists including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USAToday, and Publishers Weekly. Five of her books have been named among the year’s top five romances by The Library Journal. The Spiral Path and Stolen Magic were chosen as one of Top Ten romances of their years by Booklist, published by the American Library Association.
A nine-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA, she has won RITAs for Dancing on the Wind and The Rake and the Reformer and is on the RWA Honor Roll for bestselling authors. She has been awarded two Romantic Times Career Achievement Awards, four NJRW Golden Leaf awards, plus the NJRW career achievement award for historical romance. Though most of her books have been historical, she has also published three contemporary romances. The Marriage Spell will be out in June 2006 in hardcover, and Stolen Magic (written as M. J. Putney) will be released in July 2006.
Ms. Putney says that not least among the blessings of a full-time writing career is that one almost never has to wear pantyhose.
Mary Jo Putney was born on 1946 in Upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. After earning degrees in English Literature and Industrial Design at Syracuse University, she did various forms of design work in California and England before inertia took over in Baltimore, Maryland, where she has lived very comfortably ever since.
While becoming a novelist was her ultimate fantasy, it never occurred to her that writing was an achievable goal until she acquired a computer for other purposes. When the realization hit that a computer was the ultimate writing tool, she charged merrily into her first book with an ignorance that illustrates the adage that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Fortune sometimes favors the foolish and her first book sold quickly, thereby changing her life forever, in most ways for the better. (“But why didn't anyone tell me that writing would change the way one reads?”) Like a lemming over a cliff, she gave up her freelance graphic design business to become a full-time writer as soon as possible.
Since 1987, Ms. Putney has published twenty-nine books and counting. Her stories are noted for psychological depth and unusual subject matter such as alcoholism, death and dying, and domestic abuse. She has made all of the national bestseller lists including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USAToday, and Publishers Weekly. Five of her books have been named among the year’s top five romances by The Library Journal. The Spiral Path and Stolen Magic were chosen as one of Top Ten romances of their years by Booklist, published by the American Library Association.
A nine-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA, she has won RITAs for Dancing on the Wind and The Rake and the Reformer and is on the RWA Honor Roll for bestselling authors. She has been awarded two Romantic Times Career Achievement Awards, four NJRW Golden Leaf awards, plus the NJRW career achievement award for historical romance. Though most of her books have been historical, she has also published three contemporary romances. The Marriage Spell will be out in June 2006 in hardcover, and Stolen Magic (written as M. J. Putney) will be released in July 2006.
Ms. Putney says that not least among the blessings of a full-time writing career is that one almost never has to wear pantyhose.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
May 5, 2017
3.5 stars for the entire collection. As usual with anthologies, quality varies from one novella to the next, some are better written or more romantic or more appealing to particular tastes. My favourite was the closing novella, The Black Beast of Belleterre by Mary Jo Putney, an author that's completely new to me (although not unknown by name only), which was a pleasant surprise as she turned out to be a crafty storyteller. Her contribution I'd rate higher than the average for the whole book.
As a rule, I don't have a stellar track record with romances set in 1800s Britain for a host of reasons that are closer to a lack of attraction to the period first and formulaic writing after, but Putney escaped the, er, curse. I think what worked for her "Beauty and the Beast in The Shire" (heh!) retelling was the novella format, because the more retellings I read, the more convinced I am that this particular plotline doesn't flourish in standard-length novel format (the best ones I found are short-stories or novellas), and secondly that she's quite aware what the Beast figure is supposed to be metaphor-wise, so she makes Lord Falconer conform to character. There's also the profligate father, the debt, the rose, the abandonment, and the redemption. The children book illustration side plotline alluding to the actual fairy tale was a very clever and creative touch also, because the story is set in roughly the same time period when the first fairy tale books with now very sought-after illustrations were published in Britain for the first time.
As a rule, I don't have a stellar track record with romances set in 1800s Britain for a host of reasons that are closer to a lack of attraction to the period first and formulaic writing after, but Putney escaped the, er, curse. I think what worked for her "Beauty and the Beast in The Shire" (heh!) retelling was the novella format, because the more retellings I read, the more convinced I am that this particular plotline doesn't flourish in standard-length novel format (the best ones I found are short-stories or novellas), and secondly that she's quite aware what the Beast figure is supposed to be metaphor-wise, so she makes Lord Falconer conform to character. There's also the profligate father, the debt, the rose, the abandonment, and the redemption. The children book illustration side plotline alluding to the actual fairy tale was a very clever and creative touch also, because the story is set in roughly the same time period when the first fairy tale books with now very sought-after illustrations were published in Britain for the first time.
August 20, 2024
I read only "The Black Beast of Belleterre" and I loved it. One of the most touching stories I have ever read. It was very emotional (especially the letters), romantic & heart wrenching. This story brought tears to my eyes, that's why it's going on my 'favorites' shelf.
November 19, 2018
You can find this review in English below.
Primero lo importante: Gracias Lyuda & Linda por la recomendación. De verdad, de verdad que necesitaba algo para acabar con el mal bache.
:)
A Holiday Fling. 3,5- 4 stars.
No recuerdo la última vez que me encontré con personajes tan encantadores, honestos y con los pies en la tierra. Me ha encantado esta historia sobre dos personas que se vuelven a encontrar en el momento perfecto. Y como es Navidad y el espíritu navideño nos inunda, pasaré por alto que ha sido tododemasiado perfecto. Y como tengo debilidad por los personajes inseguros y a los que les cuesta la misma vida pregonar sus sentimientos por miedo a no ser correspondidos, no me ha quedado otra que disfrutar de esta historia.
The Christmas Cuckoo. 4,5 stars.
Pues esta historia está llena de espíritu navideño. Y de romance. Y es muy dulce y también sencilla. Y eso me parece complicado partiendo de la base de que se trata de una historia de malentendidos. Pero la señora Putney lo hace magistralmente bien. Y creo que la clave es la madurez de sus personajes. Me ha encantado. No hay drama pero sí muchos sentimientos. Y esto sólo podría pasar en Navidad, por supuesto ;)
Sunshine for Christmas. 5 stars.
Elizabeth Walker huyó a Italia años atrás para escapar de la pena. Lord Randolph lo ha hecho justo ahora para escapar de unas Navidades vacías y sin sentido. Y en cuanto ella lo rescata de una situación más que complicada se convierten en amigos. Después en confidentes. Y después se dan cuenta de que la pena del pasado es algo que los une, no que los separa. Un fantásticamente bien hecho malentendido más tarde se convierten en el uno para el otro.
Me encanta como esta autora es capaz de coger los sentimientos con las manos y plasmarlos en el papel.
Christmas Tart. 1 star.
Desafortunadamente esta es la historia que menos me ha gustado. No la he llegado a terminar. Una inocente chica que es injustamente despedida de la casa en la que trabaja como costurera y, a las 24 horas, decide aceptar la proposición de 2 desconocidos y convertirse en prostituta para sacarse algún dinero.
The Black Beast of Belleterre. 3 stars.
Ya había leído esta historia en la antología Christmas Roses: Love Blooms in Winter. En su momento no me gustó mucho esta versión del cuento de la Bella y la Bestia. En esta ocasión lo he disfrutado más pero sigue sin convencerme la heroína. Después de lo rápido que se percata de lo que va mal, tarda mucho en enmendarlo…
Creo que esta ha sido una de las mejores antologías de romances navideños que he leído. Totalmente recomendable.
***
First things first: Lyuda & Linda, thank you so, so much for the rec. I was in really need of something good to end my tirelessly long bad streak.
:)
A Holiday Fling. 3,5- 4 stars.
I don´t remember the last time I meet characters so lovely, honest and down-to-earth. I loved this story about two nice people who met again at the perfect time. And being Christmas and having Christmas Spirit everywhere, I totally can overlook the too much perfection that surrounded the story.
And because I have a fondness for unsure and shy characters who find it difficult to share their feelings for fear of not being reciprocated, there was nothing left to do for me but to enjoy the story.
The Christmas Cuckoo. 4,5 stars.
So this story is full of Christmas Spirit. And full of romance. And it´s sweet and simple. And all of that is difficult to achieve when we began with a big misunderstanding. But Ms. Putney did it splendidly. And I think the key is her characters´ maturity. I loved it. There was hardly any drama but a lot of feelings. And all of this can happen only at Christmastime, of course ;)
Sunshine for Christmas. 5 stars.
Elizabeth Walker fled to Italy years ago to left her deep sorrow behind. Lord Randolph just did it to left a lonely and empty Christmas behind. But as soon as she rescued him from a difficult situation they become friends. Then, they become confidents. And then, they realized that their past sorrows are something that pulls them together more than distance them… And after a phenomenally well done misunderstanding they become made for each other.
I love the way this author captures the feelings and put them into words.
Christmas Tart. 1 star.
Sadly, this is the story I liked less. I didn´t finish it. A naïve and innocent girl is unfairly tossed out from the house where she worked as a seamstress and, after 24 hours in the streets, decides to accept a proposition from two strangers to become a prostitute to earn some money.
The Black Beast of Belleterre. 3 stars.
I had read this story in the anthology Christmas Roses: Love Blooms in Winter. At the time I didn´t love this Beauty and the Beast retelling. But now I have enjoyed it. It still bothers me the heroine. She is so perceptive of the hero´s problems but she really takes her time to act and help him.
I think this is one of the best anthologies I have ever read. Totally recommendable.
Primero lo importante: Gracias Lyuda & Linda por la recomendación. De verdad, de verdad que necesitaba algo para acabar con el mal bache.
:)
A Holiday Fling. 3,5- 4 stars.
No recuerdo la última vez que me encontré con personajes tan encantadores, honestos y con los pies en la tierra. Me ha encantado esta historia sobre dos personas que se vuelven a encontrar en el momento perfecto. Y como es Navidad y el espíritu navideño nos inunda, pasaré por alto que ha sido todo
The Christmas Cuckoo. 4,5 stars.
Pues esta historia está llena de espíritu navideño. Y de romance. Y es muy dulce y también sencilla. Y eso me parece complicado partiendo de la base de que se trata de una historia de malentendidos. Pero la señora Putney lo hace magistralmente bien. Y creo que la clave es la madurez de sus personajes. Me ha encantado. No hay drama pero sí muchos sentimientos. Y esto sólo podría pasar en Navidad, por supuesto ;)
Sunshine for Christmas. 5 stars.
Elizabeth Walker huyó a Italia años atrás para escapar de la pena. Lord Randolph lo ha hecho justo ahora para escapar de unas Navidades vacías y sin sentido. Y en cuanto ella lo rescata de una situación más que complicada se convierten en amigos. Después en confidentes. Y después se dan cuenta de que la pena del pasado es algo que los une, no que los separa. Un fantásticamente bien hecho malentendido más tarde se convierten en el uno para el otro.
Me encanta como esta autora es capaz de coger los sentimientos con las manos y plasmarlos en el papel.
Christmas Tart. 1 star.
Desafortunadamente esta es la historia que menos me ha gustado. No la he llegado a terminar. Una inocente chica que es injustamente despedida de la casa en la que trabaja como costurera y, a las 24 horas, decide aceptar la proposición de 2 desconocidos y convertirse en prostituta para sacarse algún dinero.
The Black Beast of Belleterre. 3 stars.
Ya había leído esta historia en la antología Christmas Roses: Love Blooms in Winter. En su momento no me gustó mucho esta versión del cuento de la Bella y la Bestia. En esta ocasión lo he disfrutado más pero sigue sin convencerme la heroína. Después de lo rápido que se percata de lo que va mal, tarda mucho en enmendarlo…
Creo que esta ha sido una de las mejores antologías de romances navideños que he leído. Totalmente recomendable.
***
First things first: Lyuda & Linda, thank you so, so much for the rec. I was in really need of something good to end my tirelessly long bad streak.
:)
A Holiday Fling. 3,5- 4 stars.
I don´t remember the last time I meet characters so lovely, honest and down-to-earth. I loved this story about two nice people who met again at the perfect time. And being Christmas and having Christmas Spirit everywhere, I totally can overlook the too much perfection that surrounded the story.
And because I have a fondness for unsure and shy characters who find it difficult to share their feelings for fear of not being reciprocated, there was nothing left to do for me but to enjoy the story.
The Christmas Cuckoo. 4,5 stars.
So this story is full of Christmas Spirit. And full of romance. And it´s sweet and simple. And all of that is difficult to achieve when we began with a big misunderstanding. But Ms. Putney did it splendidly. And I think the key is her characters´ maturity. I loved it. There was hardly any drama but a lot of feelings. And all of this can happen only at Christmastime, of course ;)
Sunshine for Christmas. 5 stars.
Elizabeth Walker fled to Italy years ago to left her deep sorrow behind. Lord Randolph just did it to left a lonely and empty Christmas behind. But as soon as she rescued him from a difficult situation they become friends. Then, they become confidents. And then, they realized that their past sorrows are something that pulls them together more than distance them… And after a phenomenally well done misunderstanding they become made for each other.
I love the way this author captures the feelings and put them into words.
Christmas Tart. 1 star.
Sadly, this is the story I liked less. I didn´t finish it. A naïve and innocent girl is unfairly tossed out from the house where she worked as a seamstress and, after 24 hours in the streets, decides to accept a proposition from two strangers to become a prostitute to earn some money.
The Black Beast of Belleterre. 3 stars.
I had read this story in the anthology Christmas Roses: Love Blooms in Winter. At the time I didn´t love this Beauty and the Beast retelling. But now I have enjoyed it. It still bothers me the heroine. She is so perceptive of the hero´s problems but she really takes her time to act and help him.
I think this is one of the best anthologies I have ever read. Totally recommendable.
December 1, 2014
Wow! A Holiday Anthology I am giving a 5 star review to! It was that good. While the sexy times are kisses or pulled back camera types, the romances are all so lovely, they make you want to stand under a kissing bough and wait for yours.
"A Holiday Fling," 5 Star. I love this little contemporary set in the English Countryside which thinks carefully about what our expectation cause to happen. Loved the plain hero and the down to earth actress heroine who takes an emotionial risk.
"The Christmas Cuckoo" 4 stars The underlying cuckoo metaphor makes this little historical tale transcend the mistaken identity fun and makes the love story something more.
"Sunshine for Christmas" 3 stars. Set in Naples, this Plain Jane Governess meet a very handsome stranger tales is a quick and pleasant read. It made me hungry.
"The Christmas Tart" 3 stars. Mistaken for a harlot, a down on her luck seamstress gets rescued and falls in love.
"The Black Beast of Belleterre" The perfect Beauty and the Beast retelling with every detail wonderfully reenvisioned.
"A Holiday Fling," 5 Star. I love this little contemporary set in the English Countryside which thinks carefully about what our expectation cause to happen. Loved the plain hero and the down to earth actress heroine who takes an emotionial risk.
"The Christmas Cuckoo" 4 stars The underlying cuckoo metaphor makes this little historical tale transcend the mistaken identity fun and makes the love story something more.
"Sunshine for Christmas" 3 stars. Set in Naples, this Plain Jane Governess meet a very handsome stranger tales is a quick and pleasant read. It made me hungry.
"The Christmas Tart" 3 stars. Mistaken for a harlot, a down on her luck seamstress gets rescued and falls in love.
"The Black Beast of Belleterre" The perfect Beauty and the Beast retelling with every detail wonderfully reenvisioned.
Currently reading
July 18, 2010The Black Beast of Belleterre: A beauty and beast story - I really liked this lovely tale. 5 Stars
The Christmas Cuckoo: Meg went to the post station to bring back her brother's friend Jack Howard to spend the holiday with their family. At the Inn she found a slightly tipsy Jack Howard and took him in... but is it the right one? Charming story. 4 Stars
A Holiday Fling: The contemporary story of the lot. Actress Jenny Lyme asks cameraman Greg Marino to help filming the christmas stage production she is directing to raise some money for her village community center. They had an affair year ago...
Very likable protagonists. 3.5 Stars
Sunshine for Christmas
The Christmas Tart
The Christmas Cuckoo: Meg went to the post station to bring back her brother's friend Jack Howard to spend the holiday with their family. At the Inn she found a slightly tipsy Jack Howard and took him in... but is it the right one? Charming story. 4 Stars
A Holiday Fling: The contemporary story of the lot. Actress Jenny Lyme asks cameraman Greg Marino to help filming the christmas stage production she is directing to raise some money for her village community center. They had an affair year ago...
Very likable protagonists. 3.5 Stars
Sunshine for Christmas
The Christmas Tart
February 24, 2012
This book has one of my all time favorite short stories, "The Christmas Cuckoo," and that's what the five star rating is based on. However, the other stories are also uniformly good. Quite often, the quality is very uneven in a book of short stories, but not here. I even liked the contemporary story, and I often skip those. It's a very satisfying read all around.
January 1, 2019
This book of novellas was a lot of fun and perfect for Christmas. I rarely ever read short stories but this collection was just great. I have my favourites of course and as with many other reviewersI also have to agree that the last novella “The Black Beast of Belleterre” was my favourite. I would read it again in a heart beat. I like that with novellas I could easily read a short story in one sitting, the plot moves quickly, character building is straight to the point and when you just need a break from the Christmas craziness; this collection was fabulous.
I will now seek out more novellas when the mood strikes.
I will now seek out more novellas when the mood strikes.
March 29, 2019
well this was freaking delightful.
February 20, 2017
I read the last story in this book "THE BLACK BEAST OF BELLE-TERRE" and really liked it! I have been in the mood for beauty and the beast themed books and this was so good...... sad as well , they were to lonely people for different reasons. The Hero was shunned because of the way he looked and yet his kindness was endless, the Heroine led a lonely existence but found life bearable through her love of art. I haven't read the rest of the book (3 other stories) but will and will rate them as I read them.
February 22, 2016
Christmas Revels es una novela que recopila cuatro historias de amor y la leí porque me recomendaron "The Black Beast of Belleterre". En realidad, es lo primero que leo de esta autora y me parecio interesante la trama. Esta historia en particular no es muy larga, pero la adore ♡
La Bestia negra de Belleterre es como un pequeño relato semejante a La Bella y la Bestia y lo he disfrutado más que otras novelas largas que usan la misma inspiración. La historia es sencilla, no se complica y es muy muy linda. Con unos hermosos personajes principales. Ariel es una joven adorable, tierna y valiente, es como un sol alegre y brillante, mientras James es un caballero, es generoso, educado y preocupado por los demás. Ambos son realmente increíbles aunque hayan tenido vidas díficil, sobretodo, James. Él cree que no merece el amor de las personas por que es "feo" y le cuesta abrirse y confiar en otros. Sentí simpatía rápidamente hacia él porque es una gran persona, que recoge animales necesitados y salva la vida de las personas perdidas. Lo he adorado!! Es obvio porque Ariel terminó enamorandose de él.
En cuanto a su romance, sinceramente quisiera que el libro tuviera 200 o 300 páginas más para poder disfrutar más de la compañia y el amor que se profesan ambos. Me gusto como evolucionó su relación. Como poco a poco ambos fueron adecuandose al otro y como tuvieron un final feliz. En pocas páginas me convencieron de su amor y por eso quisiera saber más de ellos *-*
En general, esta novela es una pequeña sorpresa. Es simple, tierna y muy bien escrita.
La Bestia negra de Belleterre es como un pequeño relato semejante a La Bella y la Bestia y lo he disfrutado más que otras novelas largas que usan la misma inspiración. La historia es sencilla, no se complica y es muy muy linda. Con unos hermosos personajes principales. Ariel es una joven adorable, tierna y valiente, es como un sol alegre y brillante, mientras James es un caballero, es generoso, educado y preocupado por los demás. Ambos son realmente increíbles aunque hayan tenido vidas díficil, sobretodo, James. Él cree que no merece el amor de las personas por que es "feo" y le cuesta abrirse y confiar en otros. Sentí simpatía rápidamente hacia él porque es una gran persona, que recoge animales necesitados y salva la vida de las personas perdidas. Lo he adorado!! Es obvio porque Ariel terminó enamorandose de él.
En cuanto a su romance, sinceramente quisiera que el libro tuviera 200 o 300 páginas más para poder disfrutar más de la compañia y el amor que se profesan ambos. Me gusto como evolucionó su relación. Como poco a poco ambos fueron adecuandose al otro y como tuvieron un final feliz. En pocas páginas me convencieron de su amor y por eso quisiera saber más de ellos *-*
En general, esta novela es una pequeña sorpresa. Es simple, tierna y muy bien escrita.
September 29, 2017
I liked three of ,the stories. The other two were meh. So 3 stars it is.
January 7, 2023
It's Christmas: No Grinches Allowed
These Christmas stories actually revolve around Christmas, unlike many others that just throw a bit of holly in the mix.
Sunshine for Christmas follows a broken hearted Lord Randolph as he flees the joys of a big family Christmas to visit sunny Naples instead. There he meets Elizabeth, an expat governess, who saves him from a conniving beautiful Italian teenager and a conniving adult British matron. There can be no snow storm to isolate the H and h while they get to know each other better, but Putney comes up with a great and creative substitute.
The Christmas Cuckoo was my favorite. Major Jack Howard (a man with a very common name) is running away from his overbearing family. He gets off the stagecoach at an inn for dinner, winds up hopelessly drunk, and is found by a lovely local whose soldier-brother sent her to pick up his best friend and comrade in arms, Jack Howard. Major Jack falls in love with the whole family, their traditions, and warmth. Then the other Jack Howard shows up.
The Christmas Tart follows Nicole Chambord, a French emigre down on her luck. She has a job as seamstress for a wealthy woman, but is thrown out a few days before Christmas when she is wrongfully accused of theft. She is mistaken for a light skirt and sent as a Christmas present to Philip Selbourne. The two of them have heart melting adventures followed by a happy ending.
The Black Beast of Belleterre, one of Putney's best known stories, has James Markland, a scarred recluse, marrying the beautiful Ariel. You can fill in a lot of the story yourself. She reads a copy of Beauty and the Beast and learns to stand by her man. This one wasn't a favorite. I felt I had read it all before (in Beauty and the Beast).
The Holiday Fling, the only contemporary story, is a second chance romance featuring Jenny, a famous and beautiful movie star, and Greg, an Oscar-winning lighting genius. Jenny is trying to save her little towns tithe barn-community center and sends for Greg. They dither and don't admit to loving each other until the end. This was my least favorite. It was very predictable, but included many interesting English Christmas details. Few of them made sense to me. I have never understood mummers or Morris dancers. Not my fault really. My home is where the buffalo used to roam and not where the red deer and mummers play.
These Christmas stories actually revolve around Christmas, unlike many others that just throw a bit of holly in the mix.
Sunshine for Christmas follows a broken hearted Lord Randolph as he flees the joys of a big family Christmas to visit sunny Naples instead. There he meets Elizabeth, an expat governess, who saves him from a conniving beautiful Italian teenager and a conniving adult British matron. There can be no snow storm to isolate the H and h while they get to know each other better, but Putney comes up with a great and creative substitute.
The Christmas Cuckoo was my favorite. Major Jack Howard (a man with a very common name) is running away from his overbearing family. He gets off the stagecoach at an inn for dinner, winds up hopelessly drunk, and is found by a lovely local whose soldier-brother sent her to pick up his best friend and comrade in arms, Jack Howard. Major Jack falls in love with the whole family, their traditions, and warmth. Then the other Jack Howard shows up.
The Christmas Tart follows Nicole Chambord, a French emigre down on her luck. She has a job as seamstress for a wealthy woman, but is thrown out a few days before Christmas when she is wrongfully accused of theft. She is mistaken for a light skirt and sent as a Christmas present to Philip Selbourne. The two of them have heart melting adventures followed by a happy ending.
The Black Beast of Belleterre, one of Putney's best known stories, has James Markland, a scarred recluse, marrying the beautiful Ariel. You can fill in a lot of the story yourself. She reads a copy of Beauty and the Beast and learns to stand by her man. This one wasn't a favorite. I felt I had read it all before (in Beauty and the Beast).
The Holiday Fling, the only contemporary story, is a second chance romance featuring Jenny, a famous and beautiful movie star, and Greg, an Oscar-winning lighting genius. Jenny is trying to save her little towns tithe barn-community center and sends for Greg. They dither and don't admit to loving each other until the end. This was my least favorite. It was very predictable, but included many interesting English Christmas details. Few of them made sense to me. I have never understood mummers or Morris dancers. Not my fault really. My home is where the buffalo used to roam and not where the red deer and mummers play.
August 24, 2025
Delightful! Five wonderful stories: three Regency, one Victorian, and one contemporary. I've read them all before, and I enjoy them every time I read them.
December 14, 2014
***Rating is for The Black Beast of Belleterre***
June 11, 2022
A storyteller divine.
Ms. Putney is a wonderful writer whose prose is like poetry. I remember overhearing her in an elevator at a writers convention years ago as she discussed her craft with another writer and revealed her dedication to perfecting her work.
These novellas are the sweet romances which I prefer. They just make me want more.
Unfortunately, I did notice a need for more editing of small things like a wrong verb tense or the wrong word every now and then.
Mary Jo Putney is still one of the best.
Ms. Putney is a wonderful writer whose prose is like poetry. I remember overhearing her in an elevator at a writers convention years ago as she discussed her craft with another writer and revealed her dedication to perfecting her work.
These novellas are the sweet romances which I prefer. They just make me want more.
Unfortunately, I did notice a need for more editing of small things like a wrong verb tense or the wrong word every now and then.
Mary Jo Putney is still one of the best.
January 16, 2024
I was in a reading slump before I stumbled on MJP in my library's collection of ebooks. I loved all the stories! They had great pacing and actually likeable characters who weren't unnecessarily mean to each other. My favorites were the historical romances, but I did enjoy the contemporary one, too. One of the stories did have quite a few typos, which was odd, but the story itself was still solid, and the rest did not have that issue at all. I'd definitely recommend if you like sweet romances with characters who communicate and work together to solve problems.
October 9, 2017
Cute short stories to get you in the mood for Christmas
I think I liked the last 2 stories the best. The Beauty and the Beast spin off and the modern story of two film people who knew each other previously were great. I liked the Christmas Cuckoo a lot too, simply because Jack and Meg and all the rest were so sweet.
If you like historical romances (mostly!), Mary Jo Putney, or short Christmas stories, I think you will like these. Try it and see! Enjoy
I think I liked the last 2 stories the best. The Beauty and the Beast spin off and the modern story of two film people who knew each other previously were great. I liked the Christmas Cuckoo a lot too, simply because Jack and Meg and all the rest were so sweet.
If you like historical romances (mostly!), Mary Jo Putney, or short Christmas stories, I think you will like these. Try it and see! Enjoy
December 3, 2020
Very solid christmas collection by Ms Putney.
"Christmas Tart" is maybe the weakest story and "The Black Beast of Belleterre" is my absolute favorite.
I would say that these novellas are clean-ish. I think in two of them there is no sex and in others it's only mentioned without very descriptive sex scenes.
"Christmas Tart" is maybe the weakest story and "The Black Beast of Belleterre" is my absolute favorite.
I would say that these novellas are clean-ish. I think in two of them there is no sex and in others it's only mentioned without very descriptive sex scenes.
December 10, 2021
Currently making my way through this collection of Christmas tales.
They span traditional, historical and contemporary in theme and travel across Europe including British, Italian and French fair.
My fave of the collection is The Black Beast of Belleterre which is a take on Beauty and the Beast.
Yup - it’s a rendering of Belle and her Library and Christmas.
It’s a #bookstagrammers delight!
They span traditional, historical and contemporary in theme and travel across Europe including British, Italian and French fair.
My fave of the collection is The Black Beast of Belleterre which is a take on Beauty and the Beast.
Yup - it’s a rendering of Belle and her Library and Christmas.
It’s a #bookstagrammers delight!
March 26, 2023
All of these Novellas screamed with unmitigated joy
I haven't read a book by Mary Jo Putney that I didn't love. However, I have not read any that weren't placed in the past. The first four just verified how much her writing style and adept insight into fleshing out her stories and characters bring joy to my heart. The last contemporary novella just expanded on her versatility.
I haven't read a book by Mary Jo Putney that I didn't love. However, I have not read any that weren't placed in the past. The first four just verified how much her writing style and adept insight into fleshing out her stories and characters bring joy to my heart. The last contemporary novella just expanded on her versatility.
December 15, 2024
CHRISTMAS REVELS: 5 Holiday Novellas by Mary Jo Putney
SUNSHINE FOR CHRISTMAS
THE CHRISTMAS CUCKOO
THE BLACK BEAST OF BELLETERRE
THE CHRISTMAS TART
A HOLIDAY FLING
Out of the five novellas, I love THE BLACK BEAST OF BELLETRERRE best because of its' beauty and beast twist. They're all delightful stories.
SUNSHINE FOR CHRISTMAS
THE CHRISTMAS CUCKOO
THE BLACK BEAST OF BELLETERRE
THE CHRISTMAS TART
A HOLIDAY FLING
Out of the five novellas, I love THE BLACK BEAST OF BELLETRERRE best because of its' beauty and beast twist. They're all delightful stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2017
One of the Anthologies I normally reread each Christmas. One of my favorite stories in this is A Christmas Cuckoo. This anthology also includes a touching retelling of Beauty and the Beast, The Black Beast of Belleterre.
January 9, 2020
Christmas Diversion!
If you need to escape from the frantic holiday schedule, pick up this wonderful collection of Christmas stories. Each one is unique and enjoyable. It’s like taking a little vacation in the middle of chaos. I do love reading Mary Jo Putney!
If you need to escape from the frantic holiday schedule, pick up this wonderful collection of Christmas stories. Each one is unique and enjoyable. It’s like taking a little vacation in the middle of chaos. I do love reading Mary Jo Putney!
November 5, 2022
Charming Collection
Every story in this anthology is a winner. (One needed a little proofreading, but not enough to spoil the story. ) If you are a fast reader, one a night will get you in the holiday mood; others will want to start by Thanksgiving.
Every story in this anthology is a winner. (One needed a little proofreading, but not enough to spoil the story. ) If you are a fast reader, one a night will get you in the holiday mood; others will want to start by Thanksgiving.
January 15, 2024
A quick and easy read to fill a prompt, 5 sweet romance stories, nothing spicy. Honestly, story #5 had a Beauty and the Beast vibe, and could be turned into a book, it was definitely the most interesting and emotional.
July 30, 2017
Read only The Black Beast of Belleterre by Mary Jo Putney and loved it.
November 11, 2017
4 * stars for "Sunshine for Christmas"
3 * (previously read) for "The Christmas Cuckoo"
5* for "The Black Beast of Belleterre". Loved this one!
3 * (previously read) for "The Christmas Cuckoo"
5* for "The Black Beast of Belleterre". Loved this one!
December 26, 2018
A Holiday Fling - 3 stars
The Christmas Cuckoo - 5 stars
Sunshine for Christmas - 3 stars
The Christmas Tart - 4.5 stars
The Black Beast of Belleterre - 5 stars
The Christmas Cuckoo - 5 stars
Sunshine for Christmas - 3 stars
The Christmas Tart - 4.5 stars
The Black Beast of Belleterre - 5 stars
January 8, 2020
Good read even though I owned the last two stories previously. Enjoyed them again. I liked all the characters and plots and look forward to reading more from Putney.
July 28, 2020
Touching and sweet; stalwart and true men plus overlooked and good women. Just what you need some times, a fairytale romance with a happy ending.
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