The Christmas GiftMarilyn Turk1910Amateur photographer Lettie Morgan accompanies her aunt to Springlake, Florida for the annual Springlake Assembly. Jonathon Townsend, wealthy heir to the family fortune and first-time chairman of the event, wants the event to run smoothly.But when the train bringing guests to the Assembly is robbed, Jonathon, who is part-owner of the railroad, must find the … railroad, must find the robber and appease the attendees. Can the young photographer who’s captured his attention provide clues to the robbery?
As Christmas approaches and the Assembly comes to a close, will Jonathon find a way to entice Lettie to stay?
The Christmas Surprise
Lenora Worth
When Lynsey Milton comes to Springlake, Florida, to revitalize the town’s historic main street, Jon Townsend, the heir apparent, resists helping her. He’d rather return to the quiet life of a country lawyer. Lynsey needs to seal this deal since a promotion is in her future. But Jon wants to stay in his Victorian mansion, keeping his grief to himself. He won’t fall for a woman who’ll soon leave.
When they make a discovery in the gazebo by the lake, Lynsey gets Jon into the Christmas spirit. Can an old gazebo and a beautiful vintage ball gown bring them together?
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This was such a good book. I loved that the two stories happened over a century apart in the same setting. I loved the sweet story of Jonathon and Lettie and also that of Jon and Lynsey. I would recommend this book any time of the year, not just at Christmas.
“The Christmas Gift” by Marilyn Turk lays the historical foundation for both stories in the collection as she describes the founding of Springlake, Florida along with fashions and customs around the turn of the 20th Century. Jonathan Townsend, grandson of the town’s founding father and business tycoon, meets Lettie Morgan at the lake’s edge photographing waterfowl. He is immediately attracted to Lettie, and creates opportunities to be in her presence. He builds the gazebo on the lake as a shelter for her photography, and it becomes a prominent feature in their love story as well as an attraction for the town through the years.
Marilyn Turk’s works are so easy to read due to her conversational style and descriptions. Her characters reveal their personalities in an easy, graceful manner. As always, Turk weaves in a little mystery and suspense by means of a train robbery which might affect attendance at the Springlake Assembly since it is a great source of revenue for the town. I thought I had the crime solved, but was completely cought off guard. “The Christmas Gift” is a totally sweet representation of love, genteelness, and respect in the early 20th Century that you won’t want to put down.
With ease of transition, Lenora Worth offers “A Christmas Surprise” bringing Springlake, Florida into the 21st Century. Jon Townsend, descended from the town’s founding and most renowned family, and other leaders must decided how to boost Springlake’s sagging economy by leaving it a quaint tourist attraction, or updating with shopping malls, hotels and restaurants. They seek a professional city planner, Lynsey Milton, for advice. Jon falls hard for Lynsey and wonders how he can keep Lynsey in Springlake after her job is done. Lynsey fight that loving feeling in order to maintain her professional attitude.
Through Jonathan and Lettie’s love story and a couple of 100 year old props, a breakthrough is achieved. Readers of love will enjoy Lynsey trying to resist Jon’s charm.
I was given “The Christmas Gazebo” by one of the co-authors and give this review from love of the stories it contains, and not from obligation.
The Christmas Gazebo depicted the historical and current fictional town of Springlake, Florida; although, some of the history is partially based on the actual town of DeFuniak, Florida. The realistic happenings and dedication of the Townsend family to their town gave way to delightful tales. .
The Christmas Gift by Marilyn Turk brought Loretta Morgan and Jonathan Townsend together when he spied her taking pictures by the lake. This story had a lot of twists and turns with a train robbery, performers for the Assembly in Springlake gathering with some being over zealous. Lettie and Jonathan created a more than welcoming addition to the Assembly with photographs shared and a gazebo that gave way to a beautiful ending.
Lenore Worth explored the lives of Lynsey Milton and Jon Townsend in The Christmas Surprise with a modern day setting. Lynsey was determined to bring new life to Springlake instead of it remaining the same as the past century. Jon was not set on changes but keeping the town as his ancestors had. Their discovery in the old gazebo, journals and so much more will delight readers with the end results. The ending to both novellas seemed rush as each one could be expounded upon.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from one of the authors and was under no obligation to write a review. All thoughts are my own opinion.
Love the way the 2 time period stories come together. The carving in the gazebo is perfect for both time periods. Amazing how 2 different authors captured the romance of 2 different periods within 1 family.
I received this book as a gift for my honest review.
What a delightful book! It was a fun, easy read and held my attention throughout. I read the book through in one sitting. Housework can wait, right!?! Marilyn Turk and Lenora Worth did an amazing job weaving together their two stories set decades apart but in the same setting. The characters seemed so real, and I did not want their story to end. This would be a great book to leave in your guest bedroom for your holiday guests to read!