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Christmas Rogues
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Harlequin (1995-10-01)
ISBN: 0373832974
EAN: 9780373832972
Dewey Decimal #: 813
Paperback: 375 pages
SKU: 4234
Condition: Very Good
Comments: Binding: Softcover. Condition: Very Good. Three complete stories by Anita Mills, Patricia Potter, and Miranda Jarrett.
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
Three holiday romances follow the stories of a vengeance-seeking drifter and the Kansas rancher he meets, a former Union officer who is despised by everyone except one special woman, and a merchant's son who challenges his father.
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Customer Reviews
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One good story, one average story, and one boring story
Rating  (3)
Date: 2006-12-11
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
From the back cover:
Christmas has always been the time for sharing with loved ones, and what gift could be better than these wonderful stories of love from three of the greatest writers of historicla romance? Unwrap these beautiful tales from Anita Mills, Patricia Potter and Miranda Jarrett and meet...a drifter torn between his quest for revenge and the lovely Kansas rancher he meets along the way; a former union officer despised as a traitor by everyone in his Georgia hometown, except for one strong woman; and a Rhode Island merchant's son who has to challenge his own father for the love of a shy spinster.
Each rogue comes wrapped in danger, yet each brings with him the greatest gift of all--love.
And my review:
The first story, THE CHRISTMAS STORY by Anita Mills, was the best novella in the collection. The basic story is that hero's father was killed by a bunch of renegades soldiers in the American civil war who (unjustly) accused the man of being a spy and hanged him in front of his wife and daughter. The man's son (the hero) has sworn vengeance, and has had his revenge on all but the last two of the bunch. On the way to tracking them down, he is caught in a blizzard and forced to take shelter in the heroine's home. Once there, he helps to nurse her year-old daughter through diptheria and falls in love with the lovely young widow. But with a price on his head, a happy ending looks impossible.
I really liked this story. I felt that the attraction between the hero and heroine was well done without being overblown or based on only lust. In fact, the relationship is never consummated during this novella, and I think the story is actually stronger for it. The characters were well-drawn, and the love story enjoyable, and not rushed. The only complaint I had was that it seemed to wrap up just a little too quickly and easily. However, I was impressed by this author, and will be on the lookout for more of her books. Four stars.
The second story was Patricia Potter's THE HOMECOMING. In this story, a man accused of being a traitor during the American civil war comes back to his hometown. The heroine is the only woman willing to give him a chance, and helps to take on the whole town in his defense.
This story was okay, but not one that is very memorable or moving. I never really felt all that emotionally invested in the characters. I'm afraid that I've tried other books by this author and found the same problem. I know this author has a lot of fans, but she just doesn't click with me. Could be a personal thing; I don't know. Three stars.
The last story was Miranda Jarrett's BAYBERRY AND MISTLETOE. In this story, set in the pre-revolutionary Colonies, the heroine is engaged to a man old enough to be her father. The man's son (the hero) thinks that she is a gold-digger, and sets out to disentangle her from his father. But he ends up falling in love with her himself in the process.
This story just didn't click with me. I found that I didn't really connect with any of the characters. Also, this story seemed to be more about the history surrounding the events leading up to the American revolution than it was a love story. Interesting, but I read romance for the relationship between hero and heroine, not to read about the political climate of the time period. I'd read historical fiction if that was what I was looking for, rather than historical romance. Two stars. There is also a nine-page preview of THE SPARHAWK BRIDE by Miranda Jarrett after this story.
Romance anthologies are always a hit-or-miss situation. Anita Mills' story is worth reading, but not so spectacular that I'd recommend this book with glowing praise. Buy the book for the first story if you can find it at a garage sale or thrift store. Otherwise, save your money. See my list "Christmas romance books worth buying" for a list of books that are worth spending the money for.
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