THE HOLIDAY INN

Author: Phyllis Bourne Williams, Farrah Rochon and Stefanie Worth ISBN: 9780843961577 10/2008 ANTHOLOGY Publisher: DORCHESTER

The holidays are far from magical when your relationship is on the rocks. But with a seductive setting and some Christmas spirit, three couples have a chance to rekindle the spark of romance. “A Change of Heart” Farrah Rochon A husband and wife come to the Inn to say one last good-bye before giving up on their marriage, but when a snowstorm leaves them stranded, the romantic surroundings reignite their banked desire. “Can You Believe” Stefanie Worth When a visit from the Spirit of Christmas gives newlyweds a glimpse into a future without each other, can a trip to the Holiday Inn persuade them to make a passionate new beginning? “By New Year’s Day” Phyllis Bourne Williams A desperate husband whisks his reluctant wife off on a romantic vacation to the Holiday Inn, where he plans to renew her passion with a sexy New Year’s kiss.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

THE HOLIDAY INN contains an expertly crafted trio of stories guaranteed to bring on your holiday spirit. Each of these novellas is smooth as a sip of eggnog and just as delicious.

The three stories are set at holiday vacation destinations and feature married couples in crisis. In the first and third stories the couples have been married for years. The third story features a young couple and is the only paranormal story of the three.

A Change of Heart is the story of a neglected wife and the husband who truly loves her, despite his workaholic ways. When they are cooped up alone without their kids, they have time to resolve their differences and resurrect their love.

Can You Believe features a wife who is working seventy-hour weeks so her husband can fulfill his dreams of becoming a successful singer-songwriter. If he gets what he wants, will their marriage get better or worse? A trip through a snow globe gives them a chilling glance at the future. Do they learn enough to save their love?

In By New Year's Day, the wife has been wearing herself into the ground caring for her adult children and grandchildren. She is still suffering the effects of guilt from when her children nearly died young in a house fire, though she did nothing wrong. Her husband is retired now, and he wants his beloved wife to find herself again. Will he pull it off, or is it too late?

I highly recommend this book. Each story is equally good and definitely above the norm quality-wise for holiday novellas. Sit back and enjoy it with the holiday libation of your choice!

Heather Hiestand