The Christmas Visit: An Anthology

by Gail Ranstrom, Terri Brisbin, Margaret Moore

Book Overview

The Christmas Visit by Margaret Moore\Terri Brisbin\Gail Ranstrom released on Oct 25, 2004 is available now for purchase.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373293275
• ISBN13: 9780373293278
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Harlequin Special Releases
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

A wonderful collection of Christmas stories

I was drawn to this collection because it was labeled "Harlequin Historical EUROPEAN" and I thought it was going to be continental, which would have been a welcomed change of pace from all the British ones that are available. Well, although this turned out to be a British historical too, it was a delightful find. I loved the variation of Beauty and the Beast in the first story, and the "Pretty Woman" theme of the second story. The last story had a very intriguing and well-executed mystery that the romance evolved around. A very nice and enjoyable anthology

Really enjoyed these

I thought all three of these were good. don't understand the bad review.

Three English Christmas tales

I love Christmas-themed romances, and I thought that this anthology contained three good stories. I'll review each story separately. "Comfort and Joy" by Margaret Moore - 5 stars Griffin Branwynne, Earl of Cwm Rhyss, had been disfigured in a tragic fire years ago. After his fickle fiancee and his "friends" deserted him, he retreated to his home, where he had been rarely seen since. Despite his fearsome reputation, Gwendolyn Davies is determined to see him a few days before Christmas, to beg for money for the orphan's home she runs. But a snowstorm strands her in Griffin's home, and she soon learns that despite Griffin's gruff exterior, he is a remarkable man. Gwen has no illusions - she knows she is the orphaned daughter of paupers and that Griffin is an earl - but she can't help but feel a growing admiration for this man. I really liked this story, it was in my opinion the best in the book. The author, in less than 100 pages, manages to weave a wonderfully tender romance with interesting characters. I loved Gwen - unlike many romance heroines, she is utterly realistic when it comes to society's reaction if she was involved with an earl. It was a great story about two wounded people learning how to trust one another. "Love at First Step" by Terri Brisbin - 4 stars Lord Gavin MacLeod was visiting his foster brother, Orrick, in England for the holidays, which were a bit gloomy since Gavin had lost his wife three years ago. While there, Orrick asks Gavin to try to discover why the village prostitute, Elizabeth, is a prostitute. Elizabeth's well-bred manners show that she was gently reared, and Gavin is intrigued with the task. He soon realizes that he could lose her heart to her - but could he and Elizabeth manage to look over the past and start afresh? I liked this story once I got into it. The heroine and hero were both atypical - the hero was in his early 40s, and the heroine was a prostitute. I had absolutely no qualms about having the heroine being a prostitute. Why shouldn't she have a happy ending in romanceland, too? The only part I didn't like was when Gavin and Elizabeth were first together...but Gavin eventually redeemed himself a few times over in my eyes. A good, but unusual, story. And for those who are interested - in January 2005, the story of Lord Orrick and Margaret is being released by Harlequin - "The King's Mistress" by the same author. "A Christmas Secret" by Gail Ranstrom - 4 stars Miss Charity Wardlow is expecting a proposal from her sweetheart this Christmas. But she has no idea that while she is helping her best friend prepare for her Christmas wedding, her sweetheart is playing her false. When she overhears a conversation that seems to indicate that her best friend's future husband has an illegitimate child that he refuses to tell her about, Charity is convinced that she must tell her friend at once. Only Sir Andrew MacGregor, a friend of the groom, convinces her to investigate further before sh