The Christmas Heirloom Novella Collection by Hunter, Witemeyer, Thomas, and Wade

If I'm going to read a novella collection, I love it to be like this--when authors that I am familiar with work together to create a collection with overarching tie-ins and themes, yet each bring their unique voice to the collection. The stories are all tied together by the heirloom brooch being handed down through the generations, yet each story is wildly different (and each heroine reacts differently to the lore of the brooch!). Each story is solidly a romance, yet each one has that mother--or mother figure--relationship that is integral to the tale. Christmas is a tie-in too, of course. Christmas stories don't really do much for me, but for the most part I didn't notice the Christmas theme--it's more that the stories happen to take place around Christmastime (which to me is just as good as any other time of the year); they aren't centered on the holiday.

"Legacy of Love" by Kristi Ann Hunter: I just love everything she writes. A good half of it is her writing style, but her sense of humor, the heartfelt, touching moments that even in such a short story are powerful enough to bring tears--she gets it just right every time.

"Gift of the Heart" by Karen Witemeyer: The problem with including children in a story is that they tend to steal the show, and Naomi is adorable, both sweet and wise for one so young, as she demonstrates in her unreserved love Beauregard, even before he (by worldly standards) earns it. But the romance is sweet too. Really, Bo is just plain sweet and not at all the stereotypical wealthy tycoon one would expect.

"A Shot at Love" by Sarah Loudin Thomas: This one felt the most different to me, partly because Fleeta is a sharp-shooting tomboy with no need for romance, and partly because I simply haven't read many stories that take place in the 1950's; it took a bit to wrap my head around the time period. I liked it, though; I really liked how Hank is able to respect Fleeta's well-honed abilities, yet not overlook her femininity just because she shoots and dresses like a man.

"Because of You" by Becky Wade: Again, an author whose writing style I love. Love the humor, love the ties to the Bradford Sisters series, and I loved the tender story of navigating grief while moving on to something new.


Related novels:

Haven Manor by Kristi Ann Hunter
0.5: "A Search for Refuge" (free prequel e-novella)
1. A Defense of Honor

2. A Return of Devotion
3. A Pursuit of Home 
3.5: "Legacy of Love" (published in The Christmas Heirloom novella collection)

A Sound of Rain by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Bradford Sisters Romances by Becky Wade:
0.5: "Then Came You" (prequel novella)
1. True to You
2. Falling for You
2.5 "Because of You" (published in The Christmas Heirloom Novella Collection)
3. Sweet on You