Book Review and Print Giveaway: Angel Christmas by Patricia Rice, Mary Balogh & 3 more

I enjoyed all five of these charming Christmas novellas featuring angelic intervention.

Angel Christmas
by Patricia Rice, Mary Balogh & 3 more

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Topaz (November 1, 1995)
• ISBN-10: 0451406281
• ISBN-13: 978-0451406286

Genre: Anthology, Christmas, Angels

My Rating: overall 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher: Topaz (November 1, 1995)
In the true spirit of the season, these five Christmas romances--heartwarming, humorous and deeply romantic--all result from intervention on high and evoke the true meaning of the holiday season. Authors include Mary Balogh, Marilyn Campbell, Carole Nelson Douglas, Emma Merritt, and Patricia Rice.

Review:
The stories in this anthology are from 1995. I found every one of full of delightful charm and warmth perfect for the holiday season. They each read quickly so that I could read one at a sitting and come back later for the next one. I have tried to give a quick few comments, descriptive words and rating for each.

CATCH A FALLING ANGEL by Carole Nelson Douglas
To prove he's bad enough for hell, a devilish rogue becomes a rock star out to ruin an innocent young girl--unless he gets foiled by some Yuletide magic.
     I wasn’t sure about this time traveling rogue/bad boy protagonist but his heart was captured  - first by a glimpse and then by the innocense and love of a young girl. Fortunately it changed his behavior and saved them both. Very sweet. Rating 4.25

BRUSH OF ANGEL WINGS by Emma Merritt
A little girl prays to her special angel for a daddy, and a Texas Ranger returns to his hometown for the holidays in hopes of rekindling the passion he once shared with her mother--his first love.
     Texas Ranger, Vincent had been high school sweethearts with Hannah but they were too young and he wasn’t ready for commitment. Ten years ago he left her behind and she married his cousin, James. Six years ago James was killed in a motorcycle accident for which Vincent holds himself responsible. Nine year old Allie has asked the family Christmas angel for a new daddy and Vince has returned with the goal of setting up as a rancher. Vince has to persevere to win back the trust of the woman he loves. I found the story heartwarming. Rating 4.0.

THE TROUBLE WITH ANGELINA by Marilyn Campbell
It takes a little angel mischief to unite a handsome young major and a fiery widow by Christmas.
     This story finds busy mom, Angelina, trying to resist the overtures of single, town mayor, Sean O’Grady. Sean’s Irish Grandfather is determined to get Sean a ‘sweet colleen’ before life passes by. Sean lost his college fiancé to an accident and has protected his heart ever since but there is something that draws him to petite, feisty Angelina. Neither suspect the pushing and interference by a determined angel. This is cute and enjoyable. 4.25.

TIN ANGEL by Patricia Rice
A goodhearted, though skeptical, hero learns the joy of Christmas when he falls in love with an angel sent to make him believe in miracles.
     This story was my favorite! Jeffrey, a Viscount, is frustrated by Parliament and the inability to pass laws that would help commoners. He leaves London in a cynical state to sulk, with all his bent up anger, at his country estate. He has no desire to celebrate Christmas but the servants have begun setting up the tree complete with tin ornaments. One of the those tin ornaments is an angel that begins to talk to him and tries to get him to improve his attitude. Jeffrey slowly develops a warm friendship with the spirit of his accident prone angel, ‘Mary’.  She brings out Jeffrey's warmer side as she encourages him to help bring a special Christmas to the Vicar’s very ill daughter. This is humorous, very charming and delightful! Rating 4.5.

GUARDED BY ANGELS by Mary Balogh
When a mysterious old lady and her young grandson offer their cottage to an estranged couple who got lost during a blizzard, it's a gift that will last a lifetime.
     June and Elliot married right after he returned from Waterloo. He had been troubled by his war experiences and didn’t know how to handle an innocent young girl but frightened her instead. Now five years later their guardian angels bring the estranged husband and wife to reconciliation by stranding them in a cottage with a freak blizzard. Lovely. Rating 4.25.

I pulled this from my Christmas TBR box to read and share.

I was tempted to hang on to this as part of my Mary Balogh and/or Patricia Rice collections. My desire to share the pleasure exceeded my desire to horde. :-)
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