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Twas the Night
What do a Blue Angels pilot, a bounty hunter and an ex-NFL football player have in common? The three bad-boy bachelors of Snowdon, Maine have to make a friend's Christmas Eve wedding on time or die trying! They're willing to risk anything to make that happen-even dashing through the snow in the goofiest bus on Earth, bright red and filled with a bunch of merry, meddling senior citizens known as the Santa Brigade. All too soon, these men will have met their matches in three special women: a woman from their past, a forest ranger so hot she ought to be declared a fire hazard, and a woman on the run.
Ho, ho, OH!
While serving up holiday cheer with the Santa Brigade, the guys will discover 'tis the season for good will and folly. Wise men or not, they are well and truly caught, which means these roguish St. Nicks are willing to jingle a few bells along the way if that's what it takes to find what they truly want for Christmas nestled in their beds after the stockings are stuffed and the gifts placed under the tree.
Ho, ho, OH!
While serving up holiday cheer with the Santa Brigade, the guys will discover 'tis the season for good will and folly. Wise men or not, they are well and truly caught, which means these roguish St. Nicks are willing to jingle a few bells along the way if that's what it takes to find what they truly want for Christmas nestled in their beds after the stockings are stuffed and the gifts placed under the tree.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2001
53 people are currently reading
967 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Hill
92 books1,313 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Sandra Hill is a graduate of Penn State and worked for more than 10 years as a features writer and education editor for publications in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Writing about serious issues taught her the merits of seeking the lighter side of even the darkest stories. She is the wife of a stockbroker and the mother of four sons.
This biography was provided by the author or their representative.
Sandra Hill is a graduate of Penn State and worked for more than 10 years as a features writer and education editor for publications in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Writing about serious issues taught her the merits of seeking the lighter side of even the darkest stories. She is the wife of a stockbroker and the mother of four sons.
This biography was provided by the author or their representative.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
November 21, 2015
All aboard for the Santa Brigade!!
When I requested this book from netgalley, I was expecting your standard holiday anthology. But as I tried to determine which stories were 1, 2, and 3, I was surprised to learn that this was not an anthology at all, but a single story written “round robin” style by 3 authors. I’m glad I didn’t know that upfront because I probably would have passed on it. Why is that, you ask? Well, with an anthology, if you start 1 story and don’t like it – maybe the story itself isn’t appealing, or you don’t like the author’s writing, you can move on to the next. But with a book like this, you’re kind of forced to read through the "bad" to get to the good. Well, I’m happy to tell you that there was no "bad," and I’m so glad I had the chance to read this book.
‘Twas the Night is a contemporary romance, however there are actually three couples involved, each the focus of their own happily ever after. The way it was written was ingenious, if you ask me. Each author was writing about a different hero, with all three stories overlapping. Chapter 1 was about Sam, chapter 2 was about Kevin, and chapter 3 was about Stan. Then in chapter 4 we're back to Sam, chapter 5 is Kevin again and so on and so on. We were seeing similar scenes, the same happenings, but through different eyes, and I loved how seamlessly it all flowed together.
Now on to the story itself.
Imagine this – It’s a few days before Christmas and Sam, Kevin and Stan are trying to make their way back to Snowdon, Maine for their dear friend and mentor George’s wedding. Well, it just so happens that there’s a horrible snow storm and all planes have been grounded and trains halted. So how are they going to make it back home in time for the wedding? The Santa Brigade, of course! The Santa Brigade is made up of a bunch of senior citizens and others who spend their holiday on a bus traveling from one homeless shelter to another, spreading Christmas cheer to young and old alike. It was such a funny, heartwarming part of the story that I found myself cheering them on as they made their way to each place, sometimes having to call in hilarious favors for snow plows and assistance breaking into stores, as much as I did the couples and their budding relationships.
I just can’t emphasize enough, what a wonderful, feel good story this was. There was nothing intensely thought provoking or life altering to the story, but the romances were touching and there was enough steam to keep things interesting. It was definitely cheesy in places but really, it was worth every minute of every hour it took to read it.
I wavered between a 3.5 or a 4 star rating, but because in the end I was left with fond memories of their exploits and a huge smile on my face, I'm giving this story a full 4 stars. 'Tis the season, after all!
***Slight Spoiler/Question For Anyone Who Might Know***
This story was first published 9 years ago and what I read was the newly republished version. The epilogue invites us to the wedding of the three couples taking place in July 1st, 2011. Does anyone know If there’s another story related to this one being released at that time?
December 20, 2011
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I started reading this book written by three different authors. Each author took a character, wrote their romance, passed it on to the next, round-robin style, and then linked them together as one story. Beautifully done, and if I didn’t know better I would have assumed it was written by one person.
The plot centers around three men, Sam, Kevin and Stan, who formed a brotherly bond as young boys after they met in the orphanage where they were raised. Their friend and mentor, George Garrison, town veterinarian of Snowden Maine is getting married on Christmas Eve and they are trekking their way back to attend his wedding. Fourteen years earlier, they all left and went on to become successful men. Thinking the townsfolk were happy to be rid of them and their hell raising ways, they never returned. Little do they know how proud the town of Snowden is of their native sons, but they are soon to find out when they board the Santa Brigade!
Sam and Reba were childhood friends and sweethearts. She is on the Santa Brigade with the residents of Winter Haven, a retirement community that she is director of. Due to the bad weather, Sam’s flight has been cancelled, and through George’s finagling, he is able to hitch a ride on the bus where he runs into Reba. No denying they are still in love with each other, they just need to find a way to make it work. Their story is funny, touching, filled with amusing banter and the renewed passion they have for each other.
Kevin is a private investigator, and he’s looking for a woman who has a warrant out for her arrest. Callie, the fugitive, literally runs into him at the train station in a very comical encounter. He too finds out that his mode of transportation has been cancelled, and finds his way onto the Santa Brigade hand-cuffed to the irate, spit-fire, Callie. The funniest of the three romances, but no less charming, they were a delightful couple.
Stan is an ex-football player, his career cut short by a tragic accident. By George’s request he’s picking up Dana, who lives in Vermont, and he’s not happy about it. Until he meets her. Now all roads have closed and they snowmobile their way over to the Santa Brigade. They have a slow, sweet, heartwarming romance that left me tingling.
The best part of the story is the interaction that they all have with the Winter Haven residents and the people that they meet, spreading Christmas joy traveling on the Santa Brigade. The realization that the townsfolk never forgot these boys, would welcome them back in a heartbeat, brought tears to my eyes. Somewhat unrealistic at times, but what Christmas story isn’t! It’s still a charming, magical book, filled with delightful characters and lots of love!
The plot centers around three men, Sam, Kevin and Stan, who formed a brotherly bond as young boys after they met in the orphanage where they were raised. Their friend and mentor, George Garrison, town veterinarian of Snowden Maine is getting married on Christmas Eve and they are trekking their way back to attend his wedding. Fourteen years earlier, they all left and went on to become successful men. Thinking the townsfolk were happy to be rid of them and their hell raising ways, they never returned. Little do they know how proud the town of Snowden is of their native sons, but they are soon to find out when they board the Santa Brigade!
Sam and Reba were childhood friends and sweethearts. She is on the Santa Brigade with the residents of Winter Haven, a retirement community that she is director of. Due to the bad weather, Sam’s flight has been cancelled, and through George’s finagling, he is able to hitch a ride on the bus where he runs into Reba. No denying they are still in love with each other, they just need to find a way to make it work. Their story is funny, touching, filled with amusing banter and the renewed passion they have for each other.
Kevin is a private investigator, and he’s looking for a woman who has a warrant out for her arrest. Callie, the fugitive, literally runs into him at the train station in a very comical encounter. He too finds out that his mode of transportation has been cancelled, and finds his way onto the Santa Brigade hand-cuffed to the irate, spit-fire, Callie. The funniest of the three romances, but no less charming, they were a delightful couple.
Stan is an ex-football player, his career cut short by a tragic accident. By George’s request he’s picking up Dana, who lives in Vermont, and he’s not happy about it. Until he meets her. Now all roads have closed and they snowmobile their way over to the Santa Brigade. They have a slow, sweet, heartwarming romance that left me tingling.
The best part of the story is the interaction that they all have with the Winter Haven residents and the people that they meet, spreading Christmas joy traveling on the Santa Brigade. The realization that the townsfolk never forgot these boys, would welcome them back in a heartbeat, brought tears to my eyes. Somewhat unrealistic at times, but what Christmas story isn’t! It’s still a charming, magical book, filled with delightful characters and lots of love!
December 28, 2011
Twas The Night was my first experience reading a Round-Robin-style book (a story written collaboratively by a group of authors, each taking a turn writing a chapter). While the writing was good and the story flow was impressive, I have to admit, I'm not a fan of this style of writing. I definitely didn't care for the three different plots, separated by chapters, intwined as one story. I prefer a book's focus to remain on one main couple. That being said, Twas The Night was a fun and enjoyable Christmas read.
December 22, 2010
So I just realized why looking up the stats for this book, that it is nearly 9 years old! With the kindle version just having been released, I thought that this book was more recent - but honestly, you couldn't even tell. I think that's definitely the sign of a great author (or authors in this case); when you're book can be so old, and yet still be enjoyable today.
If you read the synopsis of this book, you might think...'Pass!'. That was my first thought as well. It sounded confusing and weird and I wasn't sure what to expect. But if you all know me - which by now you should! - you know that I LOVE CHRISTMAS! And I will read pretty much anything that has to do with Christmas, lol.
So let me tell you about this book: I thought it was extremely sweet, romantic, cheesy, funny, adorable and full of Christmas cheer. The three male characters were all charming, good-looking and with an entirely different story to tell. By the end of the book, you would've been happy dating either one of them! The three female characters were independent (which I love), intelligent, and most of the time, they were the ones actually saving the day!
But beyond the main characters, I think the true stars of this novel were all the side characters. All the senior citizens on the Santa Brigade bus, especially their driver "Bad-Ass Betty". I loved how these people became your friends and you wanted to join the brigade just to get to ride around with them!
This book was filled with lots of the Christmas Spirit - generosity, caring, love and family. It was a fun, quick read that I think even nine years later, anyone would be lucky to pick up :)
5 out of 5 stars.
If you read the synopsis of this book, you might think...'Pass!'. That was my first thought as well. It sounded confusing and weird and I wasn't sure what to expect. But if you all know me - which by now you should! - you know that I LOVE CHRISTMAS! And I will read pretty much anything that has to do with Christmas, lol.
So let me tell you about this book: I thought it was extremely sweet, romantic, cheesy, funny, adorable and full of Christmas cheer. The three male characters were all charming, good-looking and with an entirely different story to tell. By the end of the book, you would've been happy dating either one of them! The three female characters were independent (which I love), intelligent, and most of the time, they were the ones actually saving the day!
But beyond the main characters, I think the true stars of this novel were all the side characters. All the senior citizens on the Santa Brigade bus, especially their driver "Bad-Ass Betty". I loved how these people became your friends and you wanted to join the brigade just to get to ride around with them!
This book was filled with lots of the Christmas Spirit - generosity, caring, love and family. It was a fun, quick read that I think even nine years later, anyone would be lucky to pick up :)
5 out of 5 stars.
December 21, 2010
Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5
Picking up Twas the Night, I expected an anthology of stories. To my delight, although the book is co—written by three authors, the story flows in one seamless narrative.
Each author writes a chapter from their hero/heroine’s point of view. In the beginning I found it a tad jarring to swap from one perspective to another; by a quarter of the way in to the story you hardly notice the voice changes.
The plot revolves around three childhood friends — Sam, Kevin (‘J.D’) and Stan. Brought up in a children’s home they became firm friends and were taken under the wind of a local resident, George. All are trying to get home to attend his wedding. When snow sets in, their only hope is a bus full of senior citizens who call themselves the ‘Santa Brigade’. Throw into the mix three feisty heroines and you have a perfect Christmas romantic light read on your hands.
I adored this book. I laughed, I cried, I cheered as different stories unfolded. With Twas the Night you get three times as much romance as three couples are fighting to get together. I keep trying to decide who my favourite couple are — Sam and Reba, JD and Callie or Stan and Dana. It’s a tough choice and I can’t choose!
If you are looking for a fun, heart warming read that tugs at the holiday heartstrings, I highly recommend you pick up Twas the Night.
Picking up Twas the Night, I expected an anthology of stories. To my delight, although the book is co—written by three authors, the story flows in one seamless narrative.
Each author writes a chapter from their hero/heroine’s point of view. In the beginning I found it a tad jarring to swap from one perspective to another; by a quarter of the way in to the story you hardly notice the voice changes.
The plot revolves around three childhood friends — Sam, Kevin (‘J.D’) and Stan. Brought up in a children’s home they became firm friends and were taken under the wind of a local resident, George. All are trying to get home to attend his wedding. When snow sets in, their only hope is a bus full of senior citizens who call themselves the ‘Santa Brigade’. Throw into the mix three feisty heroines and you have a perfect Christmas romantic light read on your hands.
I adored this book. I laughed, I cried, I cheered as different stories unfolded. With Twas the Night you get three times as much romance as three couples are fighting to get together. I keep trying to decide who my favourite couple are — Sam and Reba, JD and Callie or Stan and Dana. It’s a tough choice and I can’t choose!
If you are looking for a fun, heart warming read that tugs at the holiday heartstrings, I highly recommend you pick up Twas the Night.
December 1, 2011
"'Twas the Night" is a light-hearted, feel-good romantic Christmas story which I can see myself reading each year to get me into the Christmas mood. I loved the camaraderie of the characters; it made me want to be on the Santa Brigade bus with them.
When I read that the book was written as a 'round robin' instead of the usual anthology format I wasn't sure how I would like it, but I think it worked out brilliantly. Each author writes from the point of view of a different couple – there are three couples with three love stories – and they rotate around a chapter at a time. The ongoing story continues seamlessly with all the characters involved.
When I read that the book was written as a 'round robin' instead of the usual anthology format I wasn't sure how I would like it, but I think it worked out brilliantly. Each author writes from the point of view of a different couple – there are three couples with three love stories – and they rotate around a chapter at a time. The ongoing story continues seamlessly with all the characters involved.
November 23, 2010
Picked this up as a Kindle freebie and thought it was entertaining. This is not a typical anthology. It's a "round-robin." Each author had a character and wrote from that character's point-of-view in turn, one chapter after another. It was interesting to read knowing that, since each author also had to write in dialog and description of the other leading characters in her own chapters. Keeping each person "in voice" had to be a challenge. I'm not sure they were 100% successful, because I felt like all the main characters were pretty much alike. But still. It was a sweet, entertaining read.
November 29, 2011
What do you get when you put three very different couples aboard the Santa Brigade Bus, along with a bunch of senior citizens traveling around playing Santa to the less fortunate while continually fighting a major snowstorm? Well, I certainly got more than I expected! "Twas the Night" was a delightfully fun-filled holiday treat with three separate love stories that will satisfy most romance lovers and a wonderful story to make your holidays complete. Truly an uplifting seasonal gift by three different authors writing one story in a round-robin type style.
to-read-ebook
November 5, 2011Free eBook! Sandra Hill's website says this will be available for FREE for two weeks in November, so keep an eye out for it. It is an old, reissue book written long ago. It is NOT an anthology, just one book written by three authors. (It is also available now at Netgalley.com for those of you who are approved members.)
November 16, 2011
Review:Twas The Night by Sandra Hill
5 STARS
This was a fun different book. There was three writers writing a chapter at a time about three different men who grew up together at a boys home. They are the best man at a wedding of George a vet who believed in them and mentored them. They were all trying to get back for the Christmas Eve wedding but the east coast was in the middle of hugh winter storm and all the flights were cancelled.
Sam Merrick was stuck in Philadelphia's airport when flights to Maine were cancelled. Sam is a Navy pilot and a Blue Angel pilot. He was the first to be picked up by the Santa Brigade. Santa Brigade was a group of senior citizens who traveled in a bus visiting homeless shelters and putting on christmas show with presents for the children. He knows the Santa Brigade members even though he has not been back to Maine since graduating high school. In fact the director was his ex-flame Reba. Sam was excited to see her again especially finding out she was divorced. Sandra Hill wrote the the Sam's chapters.
Trish Jensen wrote Kevin's chapters. Kevin who's nick name was JD which stood for Juvenile Delinquent. Kevin was called Juvenile Delinquent a lot in Snowdon by the adults. So his best friends Sam & Stan at the boy's home shorten it to JD. Kevin was a cop for 5 years than a P.I. and part time bounty hunter. Sam was stuck in a train station at Schenectady. Kevin was after Cassandra Lee Brandt and found her so handcuffed her and ended up taking her too on the Santa Brigade.
Stan Kijewski was a Quarterback for a NFL but recently got in an accident that ended his career. George had asked him to pick up Dana Freeman on his way to the wedding. Where they were trapped by closed roads, but the santa brigade was able to pick them up. His chapters were writtenby Kate Holmes.
All three guys were happy to see each other for longer but they also ended up part of the shows. The senior citizens where a lot of fun. Everyone on the bus ended up helping to give the kids a good show.
I enjoyed seeing all three couples fall in love. They all really enjoyed being part of Santa Brigade. Made me want to help more than I do. There was three love scenes that did not have to be thier in so much detail. That was the only part I disagree with. I was given this ebook to read in exchange for honest review from Netgalley.
5 STARS
This was a fun different book. There was three writers writing a chapter at a time about three different men who grew up together at a boys home. They are the best man at a wedding of George a vet who believed in them and mentored them. They were all trying to get back for the Christmas Eve wedding but the east coast was in the middle of hugh winter storm and all the flights were cancelled.
Sam Merrick was stuck in Philadelphia's airport when flights to Maine were cancelled. Sam is a Navy pilot and a Blue Angel pilot. He was the first to be picked up by the Santa Brigade. Santa Brigade was a group of senior citizens who traveled in a bus visiting homeless shelters and putting on christmas show with presents for the children. He knows the Santa Brigade members even though he has not been back to Maine since graduating high school. In fact the director was his ex-flame Reba. Sam was excited to see her again especially finding out she was divorced. Sandra Hill wrote the the Sam's chapters.
Trish Jensen wrote Kevin's chapters. Kevin who's nick name was JD which stood for Juvenile Delinquent. Kevin was called Juvenile Delinquent a lot in Snowdon by the adults. So his best friends Sam & Stan at the boy's home shorten it to JD. Kevin was a cop for 5 years than a P.I. and part time bounty hunter. Sam was stuck in a train station at Schenectady. Kevin was after Cassandra Lee Brandt and found her so handcuffed her and ended up taking her too on the Santa Brigade.
Stan Kijewski was a Quarterback for a NFL but recently got in an accident that ended his career. George had asked him to pick up Dana Freeman on his way to the wedding. Where they were trapped by closed roads, but the santa brigade was able to pick them up. His chapters were writtenby Kate Holmes.
All three guys were happy to see each other for longer but they also ended up part of the shows. The senior citizens where a lot of fun. Everyone on the bus ended up helping to give the kids a good show.
I enjoyed seeing all three couples fall in love. They all really enjoyed being part of Santa Brigade. Made me want to help more than I do. There was three love scenes that did not have to be thier in so much detail. That was the only part I disagree with. I was given this ebook to read in exchange for honest review from Netgalley.
November 18, 2010
Twas the Night by Sandra Hill, Kate Holmes, and Trish Jensen, recently reissued by Belle Bridge Books, was originally published in 2001 as Here Comes Santa Claus. I missed it the first time round, and I love Christmas books, so I was delighted when I received an ebook from the publishers through NetGalley.
It’s an interesting book in terms of structure as well as content. It’s not an anthology of individually written novellas but a collaboratively written novel structurally similar to The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes by Jennifer Crusie, Eileen Dreyer, and Anne Stuart or the upcoming collaboration by Connie Brockway, Eloisa James, and Julia Quinn, The Lady Most Likely.
As for content, I don’t think I’ve read another road trip book with three hot heroes and a busload of eccentric senior citizens bent on doing good and having fun while they do. The romances themselves are routine: a second-chance-at-love tale, a battling twosome who misunderstand one another, and a physically wounded star player who falls for an ordinary woman. But the heroes, in order of their introduction in the story, are a Blue Angels pilot, a bounty hunter, and a former NFL football player. All were lost boys headed for trouble when they were befriended and salvaged by George Garrison, a veterinarian in Snowdon, Maine, and they are all headed back to Maine for George’s wedding when a snowstorm shuts down airports and most roads. Their only way of making the wedding is to catch a ride with The Santa Brigade, a group of golden agers who are living the Golden Rule by bringing Christmas to homeless shelters and rescue missions in the region.
There’s enough warmth and humor in the book to melt a heart far Scroogier than mine and enough sizzle in the romances to satisfy readers who want sex with their schmaltz. Like a number of romances I reread each Christmas, this one might move from sentiment to sentimentality if it were set in any other season. But at Christmas, it’s a fun read that ends in a happily ever after for all.
It’s an interesting book in terms of structure as well as content. It’s not an anthology of individually written novellas but a collaboratively written novel structurally similar to The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes by Jennifer Crusie, Eileen Dreyer, and Anne Stuart or the upcoming collaboration by Connie Brockway, Eloisa James, and Julia Quinn, The Lady Most Likely.
As for content, I don’t think I’ve read another road trip book with three hot heroes and a busload of eccentric senior citizens bent on doing good and having fun while they do. The romances themselves are routine: a second-chance-at-love tale, a battling twosome who misunderstand one another, and a physically wounded star player who falls for an ordinary woman. But the heroes, in order of their introduction in the story, are a Blue Angels pilot, a bounty hunter, and a former NFL football player. All were lost boys headed for trouble when they were befriended and salvaged by George Garrison, a veterinarian in Snowdon, Maine, and they are all headed back to Maine for George’s wedding when a snowstorm shuts down airports and most roads. Their only way of making the wedding is to catch a ride with The Santa Brigade, a group of golden agers who are living the Golden Rule by bringing Christmas to homeless shelters and rescue missions in the region.
There’s enough warmth and humor in the book to melt a heart far Scroogier than mine and enough sizzle in the romances to satisfy readers who want sex with their schmaltz. Like a number of romances I reread each Christmas, this one might move from sentiment to sentimentality if it were set in any other season. But at Christmas, it’s a fun read that ends in a happily ever after for all.
August 14, 2011
Twas the night before Christmas and all was snowed in , not a airplane to be flown in the sky. Our story starts in a way that reminded me of the movie with Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn "Four Holidays" mixed with the overall story reminding me of "I'll be Home for Christmas" starring Jonathon Taylor Thomas. In the Twas the Night , it seems like an anthology but it isn't , its a lot like Let it Snow with three stories all interweaving into one. The novel starts with a wedding invitation inviting three men who grew up in a boys home to the wedding of their mentor. Each of these three men vowed never to return home until now. We have Slick aka Sam who is a Navy Pilot , Kevin who is a ex-police officer turned Bounty hunter - think Gerald Butler's role in the film "The Bounty Hunter" and last but not least ex-football superstar Stan. Unfortunately for these three , their trip home isn't going to be as easy as 1-2-3. Their ride home will come in the form of get ready for it - a Santa Brigade bus filled with retired geriatric santas. For Sam , he's about to discover that his long-time crush is the driver of the bus, will this be the christmas where Sam will finally discover what true love is or will it continue to be a bumpy ride as Reba has already been duped once before ?
For Kevin, work always comes first so of course on his way to the wedding he stops to pick up bail jumper Callie whom he needs to drop off at Maine. Is Callie innocent or is she hiding something much more serious and will this christmas entitle the pair to a hunter-criminal relationship ?
Last but not least is ex-footballer Stan and forest ranger Dana , are these two meant to be or will the fiery passion between them stand to be too hot and keep them apart ?
Will the three men make it in time and one piece to the wedding and will this christmas be one that they will never forgot as they discover what Santa may have in store for them all.
A love story that will set hearts on fire and one with the christmas joy and spirit.
For Kevin, work always comes first so of course on his way to the wedding he stops to pick up bail jumper Callie whom he needs to drop off at Maine. Is Callie innocent or is she hiding something much more serious and will this christmas entitle the pair to a hunter-criminal relationship ?
Last but not least is ex-footballer Stan and forest ranger Dana , are these two meant to be or will the fiery passion between them stand to be too hot and keep them apart ?
Will the three men make it in time and one piece to the wedding and will this christmas be one that they will never forgot as they discover what Santa may have in store for them all.
A love story that will set hearts on fire and one with the christmas joy and spirit.
December 22, 2011
I have to admit, I was incredibly reluctant to read and review this one provided by netgalley, after the awful experience I had with another by this author, A Dixie Christmas, which was just dreadful.
I have to admit, though, that I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't dire, even though it managed to fit some pretty God-awful phrases in there ("woman's channel", anyone?). It was kinda fun, kinda fluffy, kinda Christmassy, with a format (three rotating stories by three different authors) which I actually really liked.
OK, now for what I didn't like so much...
- It really started to drag about 2/3 of the way through. It needed quicker and sharper resolutions, instead of slowing, slowing down as it did, before finally declining into a morass of marshmallow eulogizing and down-home honest-to-goodness proselytizing. Ugh.
- I personally hate, hate, hate romances where the hero and heroine decide to get hitched after knowing each other for about 36 hours. Maybe it happens in real life, but I struggle to believe a marriage based upon such fleeting acquaintance can possibly have a HEA rather than a quick trip to a divorce lawyer's office. Now I know this is as far from reality as you can get, but really, the marriage thing isn't actually necessary in this book, so why include it?
- The heroes are all studly-gorgeous, and rather over-experienced (but aren't manwhores, of course - heaven forbid!), and the heroines are as close to nuns as you can find in a romance and yet still know how to show a man a good time in the sack. Yawn.
So, why didn't this one get a 1 or 2 stars? The writing. It's really quite good, and there were a couple of places where I actually snorted out loud with laughter (don't worry, I was in private..) Some of the twists and turns are just plan hokey (too much needlepoint for my tastes), but it was just a fun, funny read.
2.5 stars, but I bumped it up to 3 because it's Christmas.
I have to admit, though, that I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't dire, even though it managed to fit some pretty God-awful phrases in there ("woman's channel", anyone?). It was kinda fun, kinda fluffy, kinda Christmassy, with a format (three rotating stories by three different authors) which I actually really liked.
OK, now for what I didn't like so much...
- It really started to drag about 2/3 of the way through. It needed quicker and sharper resolutions, instead of slowing, slowing down as it did, before finally declining into a morass of marshmallow eulogizing and down-home honest-to-goodness proselytizing. Ugh.
- I personally hate, hate, hate romances where the hero and heroine decide to get hitched after knowing each other for about 36 hours. Maybe it happens in real life, but I struggle to believe a marriage based upon such fleeting acquaintance can possibly have a HEA rather than a quick trip to a divorce lawyer's office. Now I know this is as far from reality as you can get, but really, the marriage thing isn't actually necessary in this book, so why include it?
- The heroes are all studly-gorgeous, and rather over-experienced (but aren't manwhores, of course - heaven forbid!), and the heroines are as close to nuns as you can find in a romance and yet still know how to show a man a good time in the sack. Yawn.
So, why didn't this one get a 1 or 2 stars? The writing. It's really quite good, and there were a couple of places where I actually snorted out loud with laughter (don't worry, I was in private..) Some of the twists and turns are just plan hokey (too much needlepoint for my tastes), but it was just a fun, funny read.
2.5 stars, but I bumped it up to 3 because it's Christmas.
December 3, 2012
I loved this book. I was expecting an anthology of three stories, but what I got was one story written in a round-robin style with each chapter starring a different hero. All three men - Sam, Kevin and Stan - grew up in Snowdon at an orphanage. Each was a hell-raiser who was put back on the straight and narrow by George, whose wedding they are trying to get to. Their only option, because of a blizzard that has shut down the roads is hitching a ride with the Santa Brigade a group of feisty senior citizens who bring cheer to homeless shelters around the region. Sam is a Blue Angels pilot who makes a splashy connection by jumping out of a helicopter to join the bus. There he meets up with Reba the girl he loved and left. He would like nothing more than to pick up the relationship again. Sam has some issues with his past that he's going to have to deal with before that can happen. Kevin is a private investigator who has been looking for Callie who is supposed to testify in a trial in New York. When he finds her, she is not what he expected. Now he has to decide what to do with her. Finally, there's Stan, the ex-football player. George had asked him to stop and pick up Dana and bring her to the wedding. She isn't what he expected in a forest ranger and he would really like to keep her around. Now that his football career is over he has to decide what to do with the rest of his life. This story involved the trip back to Snowdon via several shelters. I loved all the senior citizens on the bus and the way they tried to help the guys with their love lives. I also absolutely loved the purpose of the Santa Brigade and times they were in the shelters. I really enjoyed watching the guys and gals as they got more deeply involved in what the Brigade was doing. I could also see how each person was individually affected by the trip. The romances were fantastic and perfectly written for each guy. I loved the conclusion and the way they worked out their plans for the future.
January 2, 2012
Twas the Night by Sandra Hill, Trish Jensen, and Kate Holmes
Three orphans, Blue Angel pilot, bounty hunter and an ex NFL football player, are all forced to get back to their hometown for the Christmas Eve wedding of their friend. Problem is the world's worse ever blizzard is ongoing. Where there is
a will there is a way.
There are many references to The Waltons throughout the book but there are just as many spicy steamy scenes.
Starts out with Sam being stranded at PA airport. The ultimate goal is for him and the rest of the wedding party to actually make it to Maine for Christmas Eve. There is a blizzard and it's not only shut down all the trains, and airplanes but the roads.
The towns elderly population is on the Santa Brigade bus traveling to bring cheer to those less fortunate and those who can't get outside to see a real Santa. They are on their way back to Maine to also attend the wedding of their friend.
What is amazing to me is that 3 people wrote this book, not the typical method where one took a character and played out the whole story line but a round robin type. One started and did a chapter and passed it onto the next. They each wrote about what was happening with all the 3 major characters in the chapter before passing it onto the next author.
At times this is a hilarious book and at other times very solemn tones.
I like how you just can't even imagine what is to happen to them next in their trek to make it to Maine. Just when you think ‘ok the road is clear the rest of the way’ something up occurs.
They all pitched in to do a show or hand out gifts at every stop they came to. Thanks to Reba who knew just everybody they had a place to sleep every night.
The red fluffy handcuff, well a lot of them have them (he he he)
Wheelbarrow sledding, who knew? These adults sure know how to party with limited things.
Such a fun to read book especially more so as it's about a Christmas Eve wedding.
Three orphans, Blue Angel pilot, bounty hunter and an ex NFL football player, are all forced to get back to their hometown for the Christmas Eve wedding of their friend. Problem is the world's worse ever blizzard is ongoing. Where there is
a will there is a way.
There are many references to The Waltons throughout the book but there are just as many spicy steamy scenes.
Starts out with Sam being stranded at PA airport. The ultimate goal is for him and the rest of the wedding party to actually make it to Maine for Christmas Eve. There is a blizzard and it's not only shut down all the trains, and airplanes but the roads.
The towns elderly population is on the Santa Brigade bus traveling to bring cheer to those less fortunate and those who can't get outside to see a real Santa. They are on their way back to Maine to also attend the wedding of their friend.
What is amazing to me is that 3 people wrote this book, not the typical method where one took a character and played out the whole story line but a round robin type. One started and did a chapter and passed it onto the next. They each wrote about what was happening with all the 3 major characters in the chapter before passing it onto the next author.
At times this is a hilarious book and at other times very solemn tones.
I like how you just can't even imagine what is to happen to them next in their trek to make it to Maine. Just when you think ‘ok the road is clear the rest of the way’ something up occurs.
They all pitched in to do a show or hand out gifts at every stop they came to. Thanks to Reba who knew just everybody they had a place to sleep every night.
The red fluffy handcuff, well a lot of them have them (he he he)
Wheelbarrow sledding, who knew? These adults sure know how to party with limited things.
Such a fun to read book especially more so as it's about a Christmas Eve wedding.
January 3, 2011
OMG!!! One of the funniest, most delightful holiday stories I have ever read. Three former residents of Snowdon, Maine--a Navy flier now with the Blue Angels, a very successful private investigator, and a former NFL quarterback--all of whom were orphans and were mentored by the man whose wedding they are trying to attend. Trying, because the mother of all winter storms has shut down ALL transportation north, and their only hope of getting to the wedding on time is via the Santa Brigade Bus--a group of Snowdon seniors who annually travel all over the Northeast to homeless shelters bringing fun, treats, and gifts. These senior citizens are some of the funniest people I have ever encountered in a story, and their open acceptance of life and one another is overwhelming. For these three men, they meet up with former school teachers, eccentric personalities that they knew in their youth, AND three women who challenge them to be more than they ever considered being. One is the owner/managers of Winter Haven, the local senior retirement and hospice center; another is a world class fashion designer (and her presence on this journey is certainly unorthodox); and the other is a forest ranger/environmentalist/wildlife expert who was herself an orphan in Snowdon and whose early childhood experiences have left her wanting and needing a greater connection with a human family. All in all, just a marvelous book and the efforts of three authors was not wasted.
December 12, 2010
FUN book with a nice twist! Everyone is trying to get home to Maine for George's wedding. Who is George??? An ex cop that worked hard to help kids living in homes for troubled and abandoned kids. Three boys in particular who are now successful adults but are still carrying around their childhoods on their shoulders. At any rate.... they are coming from all ends of the country and the weather is not cooperating so.... howelse to get around big snowstorms but to ride on the Santa Brigade bus! Santa Brigade is a bus full of Senior Citizens that stop from homeless shelter to homeless shelter from Winter Haven to Portland Maine..... the trials and tribulations are hillarious! The self discovery of the men on board is brought on by the feat of visiting the shealters and..... a little romance doesn't hurt either.
This is a worthwhile holiday read!
This is a worthwhile holiday read!
January 11, 2012
What an amazing book! You won't believe that it was written by three different authors. These authors have done the impossible, crafted a cohesive book, encompassing 3 (and more!) separate stories, that still reads like it was written by a single skilled storyteller. Sam, Stan and Kevin started out as three boys alone, held together by their "outsider" status. The only adult who believed in them was George, or so they thought. When fate brings them all together for Georges wedding, well, things get really interesting! A group of merry, senior Santa's, a huge snowstorm and a few short days craft together 3 happy endings. Each man finds something really special, and not just Love. I thoroughly enjoyed all the twists, turns and sparkin' heat along the way. You will fall into this story and not surface until the last page.
February 20, 2011
This is not an anthology but written by 3 authors [Trish Jensen, Sandra Hill, Kate Holmes] as a collaborative novel. It is similar in style to 'The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes' if you've read that. Definitely Christmas in theme - not just in setting as many so-called Christmas books are - and it is both heart-warming and hysterically funny. Good read!
dnf
December 17, 2012bah humbug
December 17, 2013
A pleasant enough Christmas season story.
May 6, 2022
I loved it! 3 life long friends trying to get back to their mentor's Christmas wedding during a blizzard, each coming from a different direction. All travel ways shut down except the main roads if they're lucky. They end up hitching a ride home with a bus of senior citizens from their home town doing charity stops. They are the Santa Brigade taking toys, clothes & other things to shelters places like that along the way. They are trying to keep up with the lists they have gotten with the donations they have but have had to make a few store runs along the way. Sam, Navy, & now a Blue Angels Piolet was the first to catch a ride after his mentor George told him his old sweetheart Reba will be on the bus & she is divorced, has been for several years now. So he decides to climb aboard since there doesn't seem to be any other way to get home & he wants to see Reba. He gets a hold of Kevin AKA JD. He has been informed that the trains are probably closed for longer than he can afford to wait if he wants to get to George's wedding. He is doing his best to come up with a better idea when an amish lady he sees sets his radar off. JD is a PI & is looking for a woman for New York. He finally sees no other way around it & agrees to meet the bus. The amish lady is supposed to take him to the spot. He catches her trying to escape out a restroom window. It is Callie the woman he was suppose to find for the state. They make it to the bus, handcuffed together. When he gets there & they get on the bus he discovers she is a famous clothes designer. When they are running low on doll clothes Callie picks up some fabric, needle & thread & starts stitching. She is keeping them in doll clothes & helping them keep the toys coming. Stan, ex-football player makes a detour along his way to pick up someone for George. She is a forester, Dana. He comes into her house while she packs, he sees she is really good needlepointing. She has a really nice place. He is a little grumpy due to the stiffness & pain because of the injuries, he was hit by a reckless driver about a year ago & was still dealing with the healing process. With the snow coming down the roads are closing & when they get a call from Sam he tells them where they are coming through. They agree to meet the bus & catch a ride as well. So through many stops & favors from the driver called in. There have been a lot of roads plowed along the way. The men get to know the people of their town again. Plus the ladies get to know the men. Dana had always had a crush on Stan, her bedroom has his football posters all over it. They are almost home when things are really put on hold, roads closed. The hotels they were suppose to stay at collapsed! Dana thinks of an old friend & calls to see if they can put them up for the night. The problem is Moose Lodge has been closed for a while. Stan take the phone & does a little side business. He has enough money to add payment for what ever is needed. Dana's friend agrees. They all get there to bed down for the night & start working on more dolls & food for themselves. They couldn't find a short order cook. Later after all 3 of the guys are doing their bests to get the women into their own beds they finally get their chance to charm their sweethearts. Callie is starting to like JD even though she doesn't like that he caught her to take her back to testify for some creep. It finally gets laid out flat so he knows what happened. Her sister's boyfriend, the creep, is in for something. Her sister wants her to lie for him under oath. She doesn't want to hurt her sister, but she isn't going to lie for this jerk, so she ran. He gets it straightened out with everyone who needs to know so she won't have to go to court. Sam & Reba finally get everything all settled & he asks her to marry him. JD tells Callie she's not leaving him when they go to New York. They finally make it to the last stop with very little time left to make it to the wedding. JD Asks Callie if she will be his wife. Stan finally asks Dana. Then right before they get to the church he suggests they make the Moose Lodge into a center for kids like they had with George. They would all be part of it. They all agree, The extra senior citizens around make sure they know they will be helping as well. They get into the church just in time to see George's wedding. It is a great story of trial, love & support between friends & family. I love it!
August 7, 2019
Three boys were sent to Snowden Home for Boys after being abandoned by parents. They became fast friends and made something of their lives because the local vet, George Garrison took them under his wing. Now all three are trying to get back to Maine for George's Christmas Eve wedding, but a major snowstorm is hindering that effort.
Sam Merrick is now a Blue Angel, but stuck in Philly until George calls and tells him to hook up with the Santa Patrol - a group of senior citizens from a retirement home in Snowden that travels to most of the shelters in the north east dispensing cheer. Sam isn't interested until he hears his childhood sweetheart Reba is on board. Kevin Wilder is a private eye searching for a famous fashion designer who skipped out on a hearing. He captures her in NY and they join the bus. Stan Kijewski has been a pro quarterback until a car accident ended his career. George has asked him to pick up another of his strays - Dana Freeman - a forest ranger in NH. They also join the bus.
All face their old problems, fall in love, and help the Santa bus and find futures for themselves. Each author writes a chapter on each boy and rotate. Well done.
Sam Merrick is now a Blue Angel, but stuck in Philly until George calls and tells him to hook up with the Santa Patrol - a group of senior citizens from a retirement home in Snowden that travels to most of the shelters in the north east dispensing cheer. Sam isn't interested until he hears his childhood sweetheart Reba is on board. Kevin Wilder is a private eye searching for a famous fashion designer who skipped out on a hearing. He captures her in NY and they join the bus. Stan Kijewski has been a pro quarterback until a car accident ended his career. George has asked him to pick up another of his strays - Dana Freeman - a forest ranger in NH. They also join the bus.
All face their old problems, fall in love, and help the Santa bus and find futures for themselves. Each author writes a chapter on each boy and rotate. Well done.
November 30, 2019
When you have 3 hunky men trying to get back to their hometown for the wedding of the man who saved their lives, add in 3 beautiful women and a bunch of fun-loving senior Santas, you have a great Christmas story. All 3 men are trying to (reluctantly) get back to their hometown during a big snow storm. They end up coming together on a bus filled with seniors who are spreading Christmas cheer to homeless shelters. The help spread some cheer and find themselves in the process. Plenty of laughs and Christmas spirit to go around.
December 29, 2022
2022 bk 394. One of my favorite Christmas reads. I picked this up when it first came out - out of desparation. I was on vacation, had run out of reads (pre-ebooks), and it was handy. I was caught up in the joy of the Santa Brigade Bus and intertwining of the lives. Well done characters and plot.
January 3, 2024
I started reading this book because it was themed Adult Romance/Christmas Romance. Then I almost put it down because the “adult romance” was not good and very dated. But I stuck with it and it warmed my smutty little heart. The ending was the best part. I wish there had been a little more to the ending but I still like it!
December 3, 2017
Love the book!
Bought the paperback version when it first was released years ago. Just repurchased for Kindle. Enjoyed the story just as much now as I did the very first time I read it.
Bought the paperback version when it first was released years ago. Just repurchased for Kindle. Enjoyed the story just as much now as I did the very first time I read it.
March 1, 2021
She did it again
What a beautiful story of 3 friends from a boys home, all grown up, a wedding to go to, a bus full of Santa’s stopping at every shelter along the way, a major snowstorm, and falling in love! Another great story by a favorite author.
What a beautiful story of 3 friends from a boys home, all grown up, a wedding to go to, a bus full of Santa’s stopping at every shelter along the way, a major snowstorm, and falling in love! Another great story by a favorite author.
December 13, 2016
I Loved this Book!
This book was the perfect book to read at Christmas. It had humor, romance and plenty of fun. I will definitely be reading this one again next year!
This book was the perfect book to read at Christmas. It had humor, romance and plenty of fun. I will definitely be reading this one again next year!
January 9, 2018
good funny, romance book
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