Third star is awarded for Runaway Christmas, as it actually deserves four and a half stars on its own. Sadly, like many short story collections, this one is really hit or miss. Making Spirits Bright is, I imagine, the big sell for people based on the author (Fern Michaels) alone. I haven't read much of her other work and if this were my first experience with it, it would also be my last. It's not that the writing is bad, it's that the whole story is just about as realistic as the times I would pretend to run an orphanage for my My Little Ponies as a kid. Only my excuse was that I was seven and this was from the pre-historic times of Before The Internet. Even with the 'out' that something is wrong with the orphanage in question, there's too much suspension of disbelief needed to make the story work. I lost track of the times I rolled my eyes or just told the book, "No. Are you stupid? No." Poor book. Since we began with this story and it's probably meant as the draw, the whole rating took a big hit. Runaway Christmas (Elizabeth Bass) was the highlight of the book for me. It's not exactly a traditional love story, whatever that might mean, because the romance takes a backseat to the relationship between an aunt and her niece. I love the way grief is dealt with and how it extends farther than most people are willing to admit. Which sounds depressing, but really wasn't. Thumbs up for sure. Home For Christmas (Rosalind Noonan) is another good one. I liked the build up of the relationship and didn't even mind the standard misunderstanding. It's the kind of story where you want to slip into the town and learn everyone's stories and that's always a good thing. Christmas on Cape Cod (Nan Rossiter) finishes the book and it's my second least favorite of the bunch. I felt like I was dropped into the middle of a story and never managed to catch up. Maybe if I were more familiar with the characters or the story, I would have felt the storyline flowed better, but as it was it felt choppy. Which is a shame since I think I would have liked the characters if I'd ever gotten to really know them. "Sugar, Spice & Romance Sprinkled with Mistletoe”I have always enjoyed Ms. Michaels’ novels, and now, three literary stars join her in this volume—Elizabeth Bass, Nan Rossiter and Rosalind Noonan. With Fern Michaels’ “Making Spirits Bright”, we are introduced to wealthy graphics Designer Melanie McLaughlin who, even though she seems to have it all, condo, car, her own business, plus friends and “Fur-Family”, lacks 2 precious items in her life—a special someone (that is until she is reunited with friend from long ago, the extremely handsome Bryce Landry) and her heart aches for motherhood. Melanie summons her courage and calls the “World Adoption Agency”, ready to complete the first steps in acquiring a family of her own. What a chaotic and nerve-wracking time! Melanie and Bryce begin to get closer and closer as, unknown to Bryce, Melanie survives her meeting with Adoption Agency Manager, caustic Olga Krause. Melanie is well prepared and all goes well until Ms. Krause informs her that the agency requires a private meeting with her husband. Uh-Oh! She doesn’t have one! Will that cancel her dreams of a long-awaited family? Will Bryce bow out of their possible relationship after he learns of Melanie’s maternal plans?In “Runaway Christmas” by Elizabeth Bass, we identify with 13 yr. old Erica’s sadness at Christmastime. Not only is she missing her Mom, but her Dad has remarried and she’s coping with her new Step-Mom, Leanne and infant Step-Sister, Angelica, plus snarky and pregnant Aunt Laura and Uncle Webb have no Christmas Spirit, not even a tree! Erica feels unwanted, invisible and surrounded by babies and babies-to-be. When Uncle Webb advises her to keep her eyes open and grab an opportunity when it presents itself, he never could have imagined the adventure that would unfold. Who would understand how she feels? None other than Laura’s nemesis and former Step-Sister, Heidi who lives and works in Brooklyn, N.Y.—a long way from Texas! Erica, Laura, Heidi, and even Erica’s Dad, William learn a lot about the true meaning of Christmas.Rosalind Noonan’s “Home for Christmas” finds single Mom, Jo Truman, her cousin, Molly and 5 yr. old daughter working hard in their store, “Cousin’s Christmas Shop”. Sad memories of Jo’s late fiancé’/famous skier/ Ava’s Father, Shane Demerit haunt Jo, especially when a rude customer keeps poking at the past. But things take a wild turn when Jo learns the identity of the woman’s husband, Sid Diamond who has come to town to purchase large amounts of real estate, demolish the centuries-old structures and build one of his world famous spas in their place! This includes “The Cascade House”, where Jo’s family works and even Jo and Molly’s shop! In the midst of all the turmoil, a special person from Jo’s past arrives from his stint in Afghanistan. Both he and Jo have to come to grips with their past and present, then, perhaps their yuletide will shine brightly. If you have read Nan Rossiter’s “ Words Get in the Way” and “The Gin and Chowder Club”, you will be familiar with Asa Coleman and his son, Noah. We find Asa coming face-to-face with haunting memories of a love and friendship he is sure will never be equaled. Son, Noah will always be a reminder and Maddie Carlson is now a special part of his life and hopes to be more if she can help him past the memories and remove his blinders. Along with Asa’s parents, fond remembrances turn into the first of many wonderful Christmases to come. Don’t miss this heart-tugging volume—it will warm you like something fresh from the oven! Nancy Narma
What do You think about Making Spirits Bright (2000)?
Christmas stories! I liked them. All very different yet they somehow worked together in the book.
—loveswicked
I love short stories! Quick, easy, mindless holiday fluff. :-)
—ashlyth4
