ONE CANDLELIT CHRISTMAS

Author: Julia Justiss, Annie Burrows, Terri Brisbin ISBN: 9780373295197 11/2008 ANTHOLOGY Publisher: HARLEQUIN

Christmas Wedding Wish by Julia Justiss Disenchanted with empty-headed society debutantes, dashing gentleman Allen Mansfell decides that, if he must marry, he will choose a lady whose mind and heart he'll have to win over—a lady like Miss Meredyth Wellingford. But for Merry, finding true love will take a miracle…. The Rake's Secret Son by Annie Burrows Before Carleton Tillotson left Nell, the rebellious rake broke her heart. Now he is back, just in time for Christmas, and Nell can't hide her secret any longer—Carleton's the father of her son! Blame It on the Mistletoe by Terri Brisbin Julia Fairchild has loved Iain MacLerie forever—but the boy she once knew is now a hardened and aloof man. Amid the festivities and warm cheer of yuletide, can Julia melt Iain's guard and ignite the spark that continues to burn between them…?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

ONE CANDLELIT CHRISTMAS is a collection of books from authors Julia Justiss, Annie Burrows, and Terri Brisbin.

Just in time for the Holiday season, the first story in this Christmas trilogy is Christmas Wedding Wish by Julia Justiss. In this story we are introduced to Meredyth Wellingford and Allen Mansfell. Merry was set to be married when tragedy struck and took her love away from her. Since then she's lived a content life to care for her siblings and their children. Then she meets Allen, and here the reader is treated to the dance of love for Allen to win Merry's heart and affection.

Author Annie Burrows brings to the collection of stories The Rakes Secret Son.
Nell has raised her six-year-old son in a small home with very little for them to live on. Looked down on by her neighbors, she is content with the life that she has. Until a stranger appears in her yard, bringing back old and painful memories. Carleton has scorned his wife and left her to the wolves, never looking back to see what would become of her. But now it is she who, in spite of the wrong's that were done to her by everyone, has enough love in her heart to forgive and forget. This is a wonderful Christmas story; it brings home a husband and a lost father. I loved this story.

The final story is Blame It On The Mistletoe by author Terri Brisbin. Julia has loved Iain since she was a child. A man who no longer feels whole, he pushes her away and risks loosing her forever.

All three stories were well written and they all fit well together. It was as if you traveled from one house to the other, at Christmas time, and experienced each special love story.

Sheila Smith