Thursday, January 16, 2014

Jennifer Ashley / Amy Lane

The Mackenzies gather for a clan Christmas and New Year's in Scotland. In the chaos of preparations for the celebration--the first of Hart and Eleanor's married life--one of Ian's Ming bowls gets broken, and the family scrambles to save the day. Daniel busily runs a betting ring for everything from the time Eleanor's baby will arrive to whether Mac's former-pugilist valet can win a boxing match to who will be the first of the many guests to be caught under the mistletoe. Ian begins a new obsession, and Beth fears the loss of one of his precious bowls has made him withdraw once more into his private world. 

Comment: I really liked this story. I am a fan of the series and I took the time to get the two novellas sort of at the same time. This one is like a sugar rush because it's sweet and full of wonderful scenes and warm feelings and special things and possibilities. It's to assure the reader things are indeed well with all those beloved characters. I know some readers don't like these types of stories much, but personally I don't mind and even gladly wish for them if they're meant to be good. I think it's a nice read, to reassure us of the power of family love.
Grade: 8/10


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Whim believes himself to be the least powerful sidhe at Green's Hill: he is as constant as a bumblebee in a hurricane and as faithful as a stray breeze. Whim's prince believes there is more to him than that and on Litha, the night of the summer solstice, sends Whim into the mortal world where he strives to give a piece of himself to others. It is on Litha that Whim meets Charlie, a young, desperate human who steals a kiss. Whim steals one back and, in turn, craves another taste of this extraordinary man. Their vows to return next Litha and finish what they started launch a thirteen-year tradition of celebration between the mortal and the immortal, between love and patience, that is sustained by Whim's driving, faithful compulsion to love and keep his human close to his heart.

Comment: This story isn't very big, it's about two guys meeting by chance and falling in love. It's set int he same world of the Little Goddess series I've read recently by the author, so many things are familiar. This story has a certain sad tone to it...it's hard to think about sacrifices and distance and time going by when you have so many things to live for...I was a bit depressed by this story, the author has created a special world but always with a little sad note in there...
Grade: 6/10

2 comments:

  1. Sonia, I didn't read the Makenzie Family Christmas novella, but need to. Maybe I will save it for next year? Or maybe I won't. lol!

    I've read a few books by Amy Lane lately. She seems to love that angst! I really liked Christmas Kischt, but her latest (?) Behind the Curtain didn't quite do it for me I think I gave it a C. Have you read that one? But, I do like her books. :)

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    Replies
    1. Hilcia, not to influence you or anything but you should read the novella soon because then you'll read more books in the series and the novella will become dated lol, But you know your schedule...ah ah

      As for Amy lane, yes her books have a slight depressing tone...I've read the Little Goddess series and it had too many pages unnecessary because of that...she's an author to read once or twice a year, not all the time...I think.

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