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Married Under The Mistletoe
Daniel Stephens has just discovered he is related to the famous Valentine Dynasty. He's not convinced that he fits into their world... until he meets beautiful "Bella Lucia" manager Stephanie Ellison and is captivated by her feisty yet vulnerable spirit. Stephanie has surrounded herself with barriers to protect her from a devastating past. Now she's slowly warming to Daniel's gentle charm. This really could be a Christmas to remember, but first Daniel must show Stephanie that she can't hide behind her fears forever... .
184 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2009
About the author
Linda Goodnight
218 books524 followersNY Times and USA Bestseller, Linda Goodnight writes novels of faith and family that point to hope through Christ. Her emotional stories have won the RITA , the Carol, the Reviewer’s Choice, and numerous other industry awards. Her two great passions are faith in Jesus and her large extended family. (And pie. she loves pie.)
Readers may connect with Linda through her website at www.lindagoodnight.com or on Facebook.
Readers may connect with Linda through her website at www.lindagoodnight.com or on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 11, 2015
3.25, very fast read. Almost a novella
Decent story, actually more than decent. One adult abused as a child physically and emotionally, the other emotionally. Could have been a lot heavier but it delved into the topic enough to satisfy but bring a nice feeling of coming out on top.
Not really a Christmas novella it just happens that's the way they got married.
I was looking for something a little more christmasy but still a decent read.
Decent story, actually more than decent. One adult abused as a child physically and emotionally, the other emotionally. Could have been a lot heavier but it delved into the topic enough to satisfy but bring a nice feeling of coming out on top.
Not really a Christmas novella it just happens that's the way they got married.
I was looking for something a little more christmasy but still a decent read.
September 9, 2017
Daniel Stevens reluctantly acquaints himself with his long lost father and extended family as he needs money to fund his project. He rooms with Stephanie Ellison, who works at the family's restaurant, Bella Lucia. Neither of them are looking for romantic relationships, but they cannot deny their attraction to each other.
The two protagonists are easily likable, even though Daniel's reticence at accepting his family does seem a little petty at times. The reasons of his distrust is made plain and eventually turns into a lesson about believing in the goodness of people again. Daniel's and Stephanie's relationship moves a little too fast, given the circumstances of their past, but they are the kind of people you want to have a happy ending. The family dynamics in the story are heartwarming, but, alas, incomplete as the series extends to several other books.
The story does not have much to do with Christmas: Christmas comes and goes, but it is not stock full of Santa and decorating Christmas trees and caroling and all of the expected activities. This does not detract from the story in any way.
The two protagonists are easily likable, even though Daniel's reticence at accepting his family does seem a little petty at times. The reasons of his distrust is made plain and eventually turns into a lesson about believing in the goodness of people again. Daniel's and Stephanie's relationship moves a little too fast, given the circumstances of their past, but they are the kind of people you want to have a happy ending. The family dynamics in the story are heartwarming, but, alas, incomplete as the series extends to several other books.
The story does not have much to do with Christmas: Christmas comes and goes, but it is not stock full of Santa and decorating Christmas trees and caroling and all of the expected activities. This does not detract from the story in any way.
September 19, 2021
*SPOILERS*
This story is, up to now, the best one for me. Stephanie was horribly abused by her stepfather. She had scars all over her body and the trauma impacted everything in her daily life. She is a neat freak, a perfectionist and extremely guarded about sharing her feelings and physical space. In comes Daniel Stephens, John Valentine's son from an affair 40 years ago.
When the dust settled and Daniel accepted Stephanie's love it was really beautiful how he was there for her as she dealt with the last blow her stepfather inflicted on her after he died. She faced her demons and turned the mansion left to her by that despicable man into a place where abused women and their children could find peace and rebuild their lives. Yeah, I really liked this story.
This story is, up to now, the best one for me. Stephanie was horribly abused by her stepfather. She had scars all over her body and the trauma impacted everything in her daily life. She is a neat freak, a perfectionist and extremely guarded about sharing her feelings and physical space. In comes Daniel Stephens, John Valentine's son from an affair 40 years ago.
When the dust settled and Daniel accepted Stephanie's love it was really beautiful how he was there for her as she dealt with the last blow her stepfather inflicted on her after he died. She faced her demons and turned the mansion left to her by that despicable man into a place where abused women and their children could find peace and rebuild their lives. Yeah, I really liked this story.
November 30, 2008
Wow! This book is a wonderful read, and the writing along with the story left me speechless. Married Under the Mistletoe is the fifth in The Brides of Bella Lucia series and in some ways is the most emotional yet.
Stephanie has every reason to be an ice-maiden yet I found myself warming to her from the beginning. Daniel is a roguish barbarian, who becomes sexier by the second as he falls in love with not just Stephanie but his new-found family.
Linda Goodnight's prose is vibrant throughout and she makes each and every setting come alive. My particular favourite were the scenes Stephanie and Daniel shared along the bank of the river Thames. I love London and Linda Goodnight captures the essence of this city in a way I didn't know was possible. Not only did I fall in love with the characters but I remembered why I love (and miss!) London so much.
There is a serious note to this book, yet as horrific as the scars are that Stephanie has, they never overshadow the romance even though they are powerful enough. This book is both a delight and a weepy, culminating in a read I will never forget.
Stephanie has every reason to be an ice-maiden yet I found myself warming to her from the beginning. Daniel is a roguish barbarian, who becomes sexier by the second as he falls in love with not just Stephanie but his new-found family.
Linda Goodnight's prose is vibrant throughout and she makes each and every setting come alive. My particular favourite were the scenes Stephanie and Daniel shared along the bank of the river Thames. I love London and Linda Goodnight captures the essence of this city in a way I didn't know was possible. Not only did I fall in love with the characters but I remembered why I love (and miss!) London so much.
There is a serious note to this book, yet as horrific as the scars are that Stephanie has, they never overshadow the romance even though they are powerful enough. This book is both a delight and a weepy, culminating in a read I will never forget.
July 27, 2011
Daniel Stephens has just arrived in London to get to know John Valentine, the man who has admitted he is Daniel and his twin Dominic's long-lost father. So Daniel is staying for the time being above the Bella Lucia restaurant that is part of his father's legacy, with reluctant roommate Stephanie Ellison, its manager.
Despite their initial attraction, Daniel finds Stephanie extremely reserved and guarded; Stephanie finds Daniel wholly too intrusive and big and somewhat intimidating.
There are some story elements involving the Valentine family that make it clear this is part of a series; otherwise this is a pleasing, easy-to-read story. Daniel and Stephanie are easy to like.
Despite their initial attraction, Daniel finds Stephanie extremely reserved and guarded; Stephanie finds Daniel wholly too intrusive and big and somewhat intimidating.
There are some story elements involving the Valentine family that make it clear this is part of a series; otherwise this is a pleasing, easy-to-read story. Daniel and Stephanie are easy to like.
March 6, 2012
4 1/2 Stars! ~ This is a powerful love story about two kindred spirits that help each other heal their painful and scarring childhoods. Both Daniel and Stephanie are afraid of love, though in Daniel's case he firmly believes his heart is incapable. Stephanie has had nothing be rejection and torment in her life and refuses to allow another human to get too close. Ms. Goodnight handles this very serious and sensitive topic of child abuse admirably. I love how their relationship develops at a slower pace, keeping in tune with their insecurities. This is a beautiful love story well worthy of its 2006 RT Best Romance nomination.
February 26, 2008
Very, very, very boring. Silly heroine and not a nice hero.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews