Ghosts & Garlands

A Stitch in Time #3.5

by Kelley Armstrong

Victorian novelist Miranda Hastings is in London for a modern-day Christmas with the man she loves, and they want to see everything. Luckily, they have friends who are going to make sure they get their wish. They’re sent on a whirlwind holiday adventure, following their friends’ mysterious messages…until an encounter with a ghost who was part of an infamous gang of highwaymen. Murder, mystery, and a ghost in need? Now that’s Miranda’s idea of a holiday treat.

Note: this is a holiday novella not a full-length book. This novella is also included in the paperback and audiobook compilation "Christmas at Thorne Manor".

Genres: Romance, Time Travel, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal, Historical Romance, Fiction

98 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 15, 2022

About the author

Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.

Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.

Reviews

[Jeannine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought Bronwyn and William were my favorite couple, but I think Miranda and Nico have nudged then out of the way. Their reactions to present-day London are sweet and their relationship is beautiful. What a charming novella!

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfectly charming and very slight holiday novella! Liked the couple in it a lot more here than in their actual book, which probably says something about my reading attention span this fall.

[Debrac2014 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed having another adventure with Miranda and Nico!

[Mackey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book in this series but each subsequent one has been worse than the one before it. There are so many great time travel and paranormal books being written today but this series just doesn't reach the mark.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fun of this one was seeing Miranda and Nico experience the modern world, to see things from their time now and how different things fit together. I laughed at how disappointed Miranda ended up in Dick Turbin, seemed like it was a big let down for her. I also loved how Nico left a trail of old coins around the city every where he went.

[Viktoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word - “Magical”!
I loved it! Great story to enjoy during Holidays. Can wait for next one!!!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghosts & Garlands is a holiday novella. It is #3.5 in A Stitch in Time series. It should be read after A Turn Of The Tide.

This is Miranda's holiday novella. In it she spends holidays in modern London.

One of the things that I had missed in Miranda's novel is that she did not get to go to the present. So I was very happy to get to see her and Nico try to deal with modern day technologies. I do wish that we had gotten to see the other characters more (Bronwyn, Rosalind...). But overall this was such a fun read!

[Monica Hills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute short story. I really love this series. I just wish this one was longer.

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The events in Ghosts & Garlands take place after the novel, A Turn of the Tide, and take place in modern day London. Miranda Hastings and Nico are on a vacation of sorts after their latest time slips. It seems they’ve been quite busy.

It was absolutely delightful seeing them navigate the city and, of course, August, Rosalind and William and Bronwyn aided them from clothing to clever adventures. Along the way, they meet a ghost and offer aid.

Bakeries, books, museums and libraries await you in this magical adventure. It was delightful from learning details about the future to tales of Dick Turpin, the highwayman. It was a blast watching these two navigate the modern world and learning about their plans for the future.

While this works as a standalone story, there are spoilers for at least two of the full-length novels. It also sets up the next full-length novel and I cannot wait for news of its release date. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Nicole (bookwyrm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute novella, and a perfect holiday read if you want a themed story. However, I also find that I don't enjoy Miranda's encounters with ghosts nearly as much as I want to. I don't know why, but it was a problem in her full novel and it's still a problem in this novella. If you enjoyed Miranda and Nico as a couple in their full-length novel, or if you want a time-travel Christmastime romance, this could be a good pick for you. But if you didn't enjoy A Turn of the Tide as much as you wanted to (especially if it was due to the same ghost issues I had) then you might want to reconsider this one. ... Or, of course, you can do what I did and savor the holiday themed parts while skimming the ghost tracking part.

proper rating: 3.5 stars

[Mae Crowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing my tradition of reading these novellas on Thanksgiving! This was a cute little reconnect with Miranda and Nico, and it's sweet to get a glimpse at the sort of adventures they've been up to. It's not my favorite of the holiday novellas, but it was still a nice little jaunt back into this beloved world with these beloved characters. 💖

[Diana Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous Christmas story from Kelley featuring Miranda and Nicolas from A turn of the tide in A Stitch through time series! Miranda and Nicolas are spending Christmas in the 21st Century and have been gifted a wonderful Christmas treasure hunt! I loved reading it, and as always I wanted more! There is a nice hint for the next book too!

[Dream Catcher (Lisa M) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun adventure. Recommend it.

[Rainbow Unicorn · Rating 3 out of 5]

These "point five" books in the series are very enjoyable, a way of giving us a bit more of the main characters lives after the main books have ended, a little bit of a "and a few moments later". They are novellas in my mind and the length of them is perfect.

[Kathy Kennerley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! My smile didn't fade for even a moment the entire time I was reading this novella. Very funny and very sweet. This is my favorite couple in the series.

[LaDonna Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started to drag as a series can tend to do. One more sister.... one more book. 🙂

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute holiday addition to the series.

[Maureen ~Bitch Can Write A Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

I book 1, Bronwyn & Williams story but I gotta say that Nico & Miranda are a close second. I literally was reading on treadmill and started to cry. This series is EPIC. It has a bit of everything…mystery, action, adventure, ghosts and EPIC love stories.

I am about to start the last book and I’m sad this is it. This author is so talented. Her array of stories in Dj many genres is amazing. I have read probably 75% of her books and WOW. I have been reading her for over 20 years. And I’m in awe of her. I highly recommend you check her out!

[Karissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series Info/Source: This is the 3.5 book in the "A Stitch in Time" series. I bought a copy of this on ebook.

Thoughts: This is a wonderful novella that features the characters from "A Turn of the Tide", Miranda and Nico. Miranda and Nico go on holiday to modern London to experience Christmas there. Their friends have planned a wonderful scavenger hunt for them that allows them to visit all the wonders of a modern London during Christmas. Things get more complicated when they run into the ghost of an infamous highwayman and Miranda is determined to unravel the mystery behind him.

This was a very well written, engaging and sweet little novella. I greatly enjoyed visiting London at Christmastime and it was so much fun to watch Miranda and Nico learn to navigate the modern world. They are smart characters that love each other a ton and enjoy exploring the modern marvels so much. The whole book just makes you feel happy and excited for them.

The mystery that is thrown into their holiday is very well done and I enjoyed it a lot. It keeps the story engaging and moving forward at a fast pace.

My Summary (5/5): Overall I absolutely loved this. This was the perfect time of year to read such a fun, interesting and uplifting story. I love Nico and Miranda as characters and their adventures in modern London would've been entertaining even without the delicious ghost mystery thrown in. I would recommend this for all readers who enjoy fantasy time travel books but especially for fans of the "A Stitch in Time" series.

[Darla Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miranda and Nico have finally traveled to the 21st century and are experiencing a modern day Christmas. Their friends have set things up for the couple to have some adventures. Then they come across a ghost who was once a highwayman and Miranda sets out to help him.

Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite authors and I am really enjoying this series. I like the time travel genre and Kelley has done it well. This novella was well-written and has wonderful characters. I love Miranda and Nico! This was a quick, fun read with some romance and mystery. I was drawn into this engaging story and kept hooked from beginning to end. I'm looking forward to the next book and highly recommend both book and series. I suggest you read the series in order for the most benefit and enjoyment.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really do enjoy these holiday epilogues from this series which really teases into the next book. Definitely need to read them in order! Miranda and Nico are somehow able to travel to the present now and are on a scavenger hunt thanks to their friends and family, and to donate the gladius to the British museum. I love their discovery of the modern world and figuring out smartphones and the realization that an interracial couple doesn't stand out like in the 18th and 19th century. It was a fun romp that involved a mystery to solve of course which kept the pacing moving. I can't wait to read the next book (with no release date!) As Portia seems really lonely and is in need of a Highwayman to love her. Maybe.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these little Christmas novellas in between the main books of The Stitch in Time series! They let me see the previous couple still happy and in love with each other, while setting up the plot and circumstances for the next book.

Miranda and Nicolas are doing well. For this Christmas they get to visit modern day England. Though, they've have plenty of adventures travelling through time, both forward and back. They end up back in her original time, Victorian era, and celebrate with her other sisters at Thorne Manor, the location of the stitch, which can transport people in time.

Portia was there and heard Miranda speak of the ghost who needs help. Could she be the one to help him find peace in his time? Hint hint - read book 4 of the series!

[Hollie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miranda and Nico travel to 21st century London (during Christmas) with Miranda's family sending them on adventures to see things. Naturally they encounter a ghost in a museum and promise to help him. What disappointed me about this novella is the fact it never continued with Miranda and Nico's original story. Their book ended with the both of them needing to go to another time and solve a mystery, yet nothing. Same with this novella ending, they're supposed to go to a point and time and give money to the ghost in the museum's family, but nothing.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only complaint is the same one most folks have about novellas - too short, could have been fleshed out into a full-length novel. I understand the formula at play with this series, but I read this right on the heels of finishing the full-length novel featuring Miranda & Nico, so it felt like the author passed over a lot of opportunities to provide more detail and action.

I am definitely looking forward to Portia's story, which is what installment #4 is promised to be.

[Shawna Kissell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merry Christmas to me!

I love Kelley's romances because they get to where they ought to go in all the most unusual ways. A man from the 1790s who is rescued by a seer in the 1830s who first met him as a ghost in her own time? And then they vacation at Christmas in the 21st century and help a ghost there who's trying to steal from the British museum? T here is nothing typical about that!

[Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.25 stars. M/F romance novella.
I really didn’t like Miranda and Nico as a couple in Book 3 but here they were the least annoying.
This is a light read with Miranda and Nico enjoying the holidays in the future. I did appreciate their more realistic reactions to this world and its norms than the unrealistic assimilation of her sister.
My favorite book remains the first one while the rest have been uncharacteristically mediocre.

[Sandra Lockhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghosts & Garlands is a novella (#3.5) in A Stitch in Time series by Kelley Armstrong. As the novella is about time travel, the reader has no idea what period of time the characters will visit. Miranda and Nico the time travellers of book #3 visit London at Christmas time in the 21st century. Miranda's brother-in-law, August, has provided them a lovely hotel and Rosalind and Bronwyn have designed lovely things for them to do. This is the third holiday novella of the series.

[Goddess of Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

"...in the pursuit of altruism and answers?”"

Miranda and Nico adventure for the best of reasons -- they enjoy helping others to the best of their abilities.

In this novella they are on vacation in modern London just before Christmas, and Miranda's family has set up some extra fun to help them truly enjoy their time in the city.

A fun read, this story feels like it is helping set up the next book in the series while telling a heartwarming seasonal tale.

[Cathrine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miranda and Nico are finally in the 21st century

Sent their for a vacation with treasure hunting clues for things to do set up by their relatives “back home”. With only one piece of business to take care of which is to donate the short sword Nico gave her when they first met. While they visiting the British Museum Miranda encountered the ghost of a highwayman who was double crossed by his compatriot, and she and Nico attempt to bring him peace.

[Terry Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Time Travel Adventures

This was as enjoyable as all the Stitch in Time novels have been, my only complaint was it wasn't long enough, you just start getting into the story when everything ends leaving you a little frustrated and looking forward to the next book. Continue the good work and let us have the next instalment soon.