SYNOPSIS: Eleanor remembered forceful Fulk van Hensum from her childhood. Now they are working together, Eleanor could see he hadn't changed, so why did his engagement to pretty Imogen upset her so much?
FIRST SENTENCE {Chapter 1}: The loft was warm, dusty and redolent of apples; the autumn sunshine peeping through its one dusty window tinted the odds and ends hanging on the walls with golden light, so that the strings of onions, cast-off skates, old raincoats, lengths of rope, worn-out leather straps and an old hat or two had acquired a gilded patina.
MEMORABLE MOMENT {Page 146}: Faulk got up too, observing that Sint Nikolass was punctual as usual and they had better see what he had left at the door, and with Henry beside him, went out of the room, to return very shortly with a large, bulging sack.
- Once Burned by Margaret Way
SYNOPSIS: Guy Harcourt was irresistible to women. Celine Langton was one of those women, but ended their relationship thinking Guy deserved someone more sophisticated. But Celine truly loved him and still wore his ring.
FIRST SENTENCE {Chapter One}: Even on the plane Celine couldn't escape media coverage of her grandfather's death.
MEMORABLE MOMENT {Page 303}: The mantelpiece behind her was adorned with a fabulous decorative Christmas swag featuring dark evergreen foliage, gold and scarlet baubels, Christmas angels, bows and tassels and tiny, sumptuously wrapped presents tied with scarlet ribbons.
- A Suitable Husband by Jessica Steele
SYNOPSIS: When Jermaine began working with Lukas Tavinor, she realised that he was the kind of man she'd always dreamed of marrying ... nut now Jermaine's scheming sister has Lukas in her sights!
FIRST SENTENCE {Chapter One}: It was not unusual for Jermaine to work late.
MEMORABLE MOMENT {Page 497}: "Lukas!" she cried, and spun round to stare at him open-mouthed. "You ..." she gasped, but was rendered speechless by the unexpectedness of his gift.
MY THOUGHTS: Not my usual kind of read it has to be said. I was given this collection by a friend who knowing it would fit in with this years Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge took the opportunity to prove to me that the 'modern' Mills And Boon book was hardly the same as that I remember my nana reading in the 1970's/80's.
No ripping of bodices. Hurrah!
In the first story there is however the staple 'Dr and Nurse'. Our 'hero', though dashing and debonair and all of that, condescending, our 'heroine' simpering and prone to turning 'faint pink' at his merest glance. Then there's the 'classic' love triangle at the heart of the second story. Celine, like her counterpart, Eleanor, in Roses For Christmas, unable to believe she is worthy of 'her man'.
Putting aside that romances aren't really my kind of thing, I might have enjoyed this collection slightly more if any of these stories were well written but they weren't. I found Jessia Steele's writing in particular to be bad when it came to grammar, syntax, etc .... and talk about antiquated!
As for the romances themselves. Oddly enough everything about them (yes, even the supposedly 'sizzling' sex scene in A Suitable Husband) was a bit, well, sterile. The characters, lacking in substance, the dialogue, in places, quite frankly, laughable.
Once again, taken in by what I had thought would be more of a festive read. This collection of stories may well best be read in front of a roaring fire but I'm afraid that as far as the Christmas theme goes I found all three stories a total let down.
ACHIEVED: CANDY CANE.
No ripping of bodices. Hurrah!
In the first story there is however the staple 'Dr and Nurse'. Our 'hero', though dashing and debonair and all of that, condescending, our 'heroine' simpering and prone to turning 'faint pink' at his merest glance. Then there's the 'classic' love triangle at the heart of the second story. Celine, like her counterpart, Eleanor, in Roses For Christmas, unable to believe she is worthy of 'her man'.
Putting aside that romances aren't really my kind of thing, I might have enjoyed this collection slightly more if any of these stories were well written but they weren't. I found Jessia Steele's writing in particular to be bad when it came to grammar, syntax, etc .... and talk about antiquated!
As for the romances themselves. Oddly enough everything about them (yes, even the supposedly 'sizzling' sex scene in A Suitable Husband) was a bit, well, sterile. The characters, lacking in substance, the dialogue, in places, quite frankly, laughable.
'Christmas is a time for giving, but once the tree is trimmed and the presents are wrapped, take time to give yourself the gift of these magical romances ...
- Inner cover
Once again, taken in by what I had thought would be more of a festive read. This collection of stories may well best be read in front of a roaring fire but I'm afraid that as far as the Christmas theme goes I found all three stories a total let down.
ACHIEVED: CANDY CANE.
16 comments:
Sounds like the books over-promised and under-delivered. I haven't read these stories and probably won't. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Not my kind of reading, either. I had thought they might be a nice holiday diversion until I read your thoughts. I'm sorry they were such a let-down. At least you completed the challenge.
Thanks for sharing your honest thoughts. It doesn't sound as if these romantic Christmas stories were your cup of tea, Tracy.
I do like holiday themed reads, but I'm sorry to hear these weren't all that well written!
-Lauren
Hi Tracy,
I don't tend to read seasonal books, to be honest if I want to read a Christmas story in July, then I can't see anything wrong with that.
Like yourself, I might have picked this one up, if it provided a quick fix for a problem ie. finishing a reading challenge on time. I think that's probably why I don't take part in challenges any more, as I simply can't guarantee to read a particular amount of books in a defined timescale.
I am still guilty of reading the odd Mills&Boon offering, although by that I mean one every couple of years or so. I don't think that for me the 'quality' of the stories or writing is ever going to change substantially, but then everything is personal and I realise that some people really love the books and keep up their monthly subscriptions, which have made the company so successful and enduring, it was founded in 1908.
Sorry you found this selection such a let down, but the challenge is finished now, so 'Well Done'
Enjoy the rest of your weekend :)
Yvonne
That's too bad about this collection. If the writing is bad, forget it.
Thanks for the honest thoughts!
Aw sorry that it didn't quite meet what you wanted
It is dismaying that grammar and syntax were so sloppy in these books.
My wife has told me that she has run into the same thing in several books that she has read lately.
One would think that with all the effort needed to publish a book that someone who had basic editing skills would clean up the text.
I'm sorry this collection didn't work for you, Tracy. It was good that you stepped outside of your comfort zone and gave them a try.
That's to bad. It sounded like a good Christmas read and I love the cover.
PS Just pretend there's another o in to:)
I agree with Sandra... How unfortunate. When it comes to holiday stories, I tend to favor ABC Family movies - at least when it's not very good, I know it's going to end soon. They have the cover going for them, it's definitely warm and inviting.
Sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy these more, but it was great to read your thoughts on the stories. Thanks for sharing!
Only one level of the Challenge completed, I have several more to do before I'm finished.
Oh my. Well best of luck next read around. Thanks for the share nonetheless!
Post a Comment