This Holiday themed anthology promises a touch of holiday romance featuring women at various stages in their lives, what it delivers is mostly holiday stories with just the promise of romance but I was enchanted with more than half of the stories in this collection.
"Once Upon a Flight Delay" by Mary Compton ~ Fate brings two stranded travelers together while snowbound in an airport at Thanksgiving, when flights resume will geography keep them apart? I really enjoyed this one and was charmed by way the pair's quick and quirky connection, I was really hoping they'd find a way back to each other somehow.
"Snowbound" by Claire Taylor Allen ~ When a snow storm shuts down all the roads out of town keeping a student from making it home for Christmas, she reconnects with an old friend living in the city ~ I always enjoy friends who discover that they can be more and liked how the heroine's forced Christmas away from home ended up being a meaningful and memorable one.
"Bringer of Gifts" by Ryl Regehr ~ A woman accompanies a mysterious gift giver who has just what you need if you are ready to receive it ~ Sprinkled with a bit of Christmas magic, I was hoping that Nick would get to keep his present.
"Where We Love" by Ronda Russell ~ A couple living overseas try to keep connected to the family they left behind ~ This was the least focused of the stories, though the couple's love for each other and their families shone through
"In Hiding" by Lelani Dixon ~ A witness in hiding is attracted to her handsome protector ~ Even though there was a pretty big shock at the start, I enjoyed this story all the way up to right before the ending when the hero glitches - some serious groveling was needed - this was the spiciest of the romances in the collection and would have been right at home in many a mainsteam romance anthology.
I am happy to say I won this book from First Reads on Goodreads! Once in a while I enjoy a book of short stories. I really found this book to be a great little treat for this time of year. Five short stories less than 50 pages each. I will be look for more from these women authors I hope in the future.
Loved it ! Found this book very enjoyable, unlike some other short story books I have read I wasn't left hanging about what happened to the characters. This is a perfect read for a bus trip or waiting at the airport !