Review: All Hallows' Eve Collection: A Timeless Romance Anthology by Sarah M. Eden, Annette Lyon, Heather B. Moore, Lisa Magnum, Jordan McCollum, Elana Johnson

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: All Hallows’ Eve Collection. Three historical novellas and three contemporary novellas, all with romance, thrills, and chills.

In Sarah M. Eden’s mysterious novella OF GHOSTS AND GARDENS, if Enid Pryce has one downfall, it’s that she talks to the ghost in her garden, which doesn’t make her too popular among society’s elite. In fact, she returns to her home in Wales after a Season in Bath with not one offer of marriage. Deeming herself a failure at the nearly-spinster age of nineteen, she is pleasantly surprised when an English gentleman shows up in her garden, apparently intent on finding out more about the ghost. Burke Kennard, grandson of an English marquess, quickly becomes utterly charmed by the young Welsh woman, but the ghost in the garden is more likely to push them apart than pull them together.

In Annette Lyon’s enthralling story IT’S YOU, when Charlie and Anna both see the ghost of Nanny Mae, they think they’re losing their minds. Anna tries to find out more about the ghost and uncovers a decades’ old family secret. One that separated two people in love. Now, the ghost of Nanny Mae must set her wrongs to right. As Charlie and Anna explore the past, and the truth of what happened, they discover that the mistakes of the past might lead to love of the future.

In SOPHIA’S CURSE, a suspenseful novella by Heather B. Moore, Joan grows up in an abbey in France, believing that she is an orphan. A chance encounter with the foreboding owner of a neighboring estate, alters everything she’s understood about her parents. She discovers she’s an integral part of changing a decades-old curse, and that her life, as well as the handsome and intriguing Simon Rousseau’s life, are both in danger unless she makes an enormous sacrifice that will change the course of her dreams.

In Lisa Mangum’s haunting story THE SIRENS’ SONG, we meet recently widowed Oliver, the lead physician on a luxury cruise liner traveling to Greece. He hopes that the change of scenery will help ease his grief over his deceased wife, Cate. After falling overboard, though, he is captured by a siren and taken to a mystical island. Through the sirens' song, Oliver is able to relive his memories of Cate—both the good and the bad—as long as he gives away his memories of her. But can he sacrifice his best memory in exchange for one last chance to say good-bye?

In Jordan McCollum’s thrilling novella THE MAN OF HER DREAMS, homicide detective Alexandra Steen dreams about real murders before they happen, seeing the crime through the eyes of the killers. But the dreams never contain enough clues to save the victim before it's too late. Then one dream ends before a murder occurs—in a place she knows. She finds herself racing against time to prevent the deadly act, only to discover that the intended victim is a man she thought she’d never see again. Seven years might have passed since her breakup with Nick, but the years haven’t changed her feelings for him. Now, she must convince Nick that her dreams are real and find a way to prevent his death.

In Elana Johnson’s chilling story THE GHOST OF MILLHOUSE MANSION, Naomi knows her crush on Colt Jennings is unreasonable. When he invites her to his reclusive mansion to restore an old wooden rocking horse, Naomi can’t resist accepting the job. The more time Naomi spends touring his home, the more interested she becomes in Colt. Until she sees a man in the library who vanishes into thin air. She thinks she’s losing her mind until Colt tells her about the ghosts he’s been seeing for years.

My Review

I am a huge fan of the Timeless Romance Anthologies! They always have some from my favorite authors and some new-to-me authors that I can experience a bit of their writing style. In this spooky collection, I loved the first three historical stories the most- I felt like the ghost factor is more believable for the older time periods and the interactions of the characters are sweet with the mannerisms of the era they are set in. "Of Ghosts and Gardens" was utterly charming, from the way the Enid and Burke meet and immediately respond to each other in friendship to the family and community's obsession with the local ghosts and folklore. The mystery they worked on together was interesting and the ending was perfection. "It's You" has a melancholy feeling with the regrets of the ghost coming to light through the efforts of Anna and Charlie, but they have some pleasant sigh-worthy moments that lighten the mood. "Sophia's Curse" felt like I was reading a full-length novel, the plot was meaty and the characters complex.

The contemporary stories were well-written but not quite my cup of tea. "The Man of Her Dreams" reminded me of a crime-drama TV show like The Ghost Whisperer and was full of suspense. "The Siren's Song" blended a mythology vibe with a modern-day grieving widower. "The Ghost of Millhouse Mansion" featured a sassy heroine and a twist similar to the film The Sixth Sense. So if those are themes you enjoy the contemporary stories are for you!

(Thank you to Ebooks For Review for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review: Love in the Details by Becky Wade

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

She left him to save his future, but they’ve never gotten over each other.

When Josh returns to his hometown of Martinsburg, Texas, to help his best friend get married, he didn’t intend to run into church wedding coordinator—and ex-girlfriend—Holly. He can’t help but pine after the girl he never got over.

Holly broke up with Josh years ago in an attempt to ensure his future success. But she loved him then and still loves him now. As she helps him plan his best friend’s wedding, she can’t help but feel horrible for the pain she caused him. And even though she longs to be with Josh, she doesn’t feel worthy of his big-time lifestyle when she is more comfortable in her small town world. Will Josh and Holly be able to keep things as they are when their true feelings threaten to surface at every turn?

My Review

There's something about a hero longing for the woman he's always loved but could never have that gets me every time! Josh wasn't planning to pursue Holly but after their first encounter since years of separation he just can't help himself. The clincher is that Holly never wanted to lose him but outside forces compelled her to set him free- against both their wills, and she didn't tell him why- which seriously ups the angst factor. I love how Josh conspires to spend more time with Holly and they fall back into their friendship and banter despite the palpable undercurrents of attraction and yearning. The novella is definitely character focused and was such a pleasure to read!

(Thank you to Zondervan Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review: The Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

The American Revolution is finally over, and Sophie Menzies is starved for good news. When her nearest neighbor, General Seamus Ogilvy, finally comes home to Tall Acre, she hopes it is a sign of better days to come. But the general is now a widower with a small daughter in desperate need of a mother. Nearly destitute, Sophie agrees to marry Seamus and become the mistress of Tall Acre in what seems a safe, sensible arrangement. But when a woman from the general's past returns without warning, the ties that bind this fledgling family together will be strained to the utmost. When all is said and done, who will be the rightful mistress of Tall Acre?

Triumph and tragedy, loyalty and betrayal--readers find it all in the rich pages of this newest historical novel from the talented pen of Laura Frantz. Her careful historical details immerse the reader in the story world, and her emotional writing and finely tuned characters never cease to enchant fans both old and new.

My Review

There's something about Laura Frantz's writing that transports me to the setting of the book and I am completely immersed! There are so many rich historical details from a time period I don't often read about- post American Revolution. I was surprised to learn about much of the turmoil that was still going on after the war was over. The characters were easy to envision and had many layers to them. Sophie is so strong and dignified but her desperate circumstances are humbling. She immediately develops a loving relationship with the general's young daughter which provided brightness and showed Sophie's maternal instincts. Seamus and Sophie have an interesting dynamic which is constantly in flux as they deal with the pressures and dilemmas of the time. Even though it seems like their relationship is one step forward, two steps back, once an eye-opening scare compels them to communicate the feelings that each had developed for the other, they have some very sweet romantic moments in the midst of overwhelming trials. The ending was not wrapped up quickly which I appreciated, I felt like there was a fullness to the story as I finished it. Highly recommend!

(Thank you to Revell Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review: North for Christmas by Christina Dymock

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Have you ever known exactly what you wanted for Christmas? As a child, you may have written a letter to Santa, made a wish upon a star, or locked your dream away in your heart afraid that it might not come true if you so much as whispered it out loud. Even as adults, Christmas wishes carry a magic that can't be explained. In North for Christmas, Ruby Jeavon certainly has her heart set on an engagement. It's the first step in creating the family she's always wanted. But things go slightly off course and instead of flying to Italy with her boyfriend, Ruby heads out of town to work as an elf in Nashville. Even though she's far away from her dream, she's about to discover the magic of a Nashville Christmas through the eyes of North Foxwell, her fellow elf and a Christmas expert. Even though North struggles with his own Christmas ghosts, Ruby manages to bring new light to his life. Can Ruby let go of her dream to find what her heart truly desires? Only time--at the North Pole--will tell.

My Review

This is the perfect book to get you in the Christmas spirit! Ruby and North both approach the work of bringing holiday cheer from different backgrounds, but both have a great character arc as they come to realizations about their current lives and make changes that show that compassion and forgiveness are more important than what they were holding on to. They have great chemistry and even though their friendship has some rocky moments, they are a pleasure to read. North is so charismatic and I loved all his mannerisms that made him stand out. His dark struggle of letting go of past hurts contrasts with his love for Christmas and  serving others. Ruby is a bit lost and lonely but trying her best in a high maintenance relationship with her boyfriend and feeling emotionally estranged from her mother. The time away from her busy life gives her perspective and I loved seeing her humble awakening to the true joy of connecting with those around her as they serve the children and needy.

(Thank you to Cedar Fort Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)