Christmas in the windy city of Chicago with two award-winning stories to warm your heart for the holiday season. Dante’s GiftKathleen James has put her practical side away for once and looks forward to the perfect romantic evening: an intimate dinner with the man of her dreams—and an engagement ring. She is not prepared to hear that he wants to bring his grandmother back from Italy to live with … wants to bring his grandmother back from Italy to live with him.
Dominic Lawrence has planned this marriage proposal for six months. Nothing can go wrong—until his Nonna calls. Now he must interrupt the tenderest night of Katie’s life with the news that another woman will be under their roof.
When Antonia’s sister dies, she finds herself longing to be back in the states. An Italian wartime bride from the ’40s, she knows how precious love can be. Can her own story of an American soldier and a very special collie once again bring two hearts together at Christmas?
Merry Christmas, Henry
Henry, a shy and talented artist, moonlights as a security guard at a museum and loses his heart to a beautiful, melancholy woman in a painting. As his obsession grows, he finds a kindred soul who helps him in his search for happiness. On Christmas Eve, Henry dares to take a chance on love and fulfill his dream.
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I am not a huge contemporary novel fan but this book was great. It was the story of Dominic, who wants to marry Katie, but his grandmother from Italy comes to live with him. Katie doesn’t want to marry a man with his “Nonna” living with him. Then she meets Nonna and hears the story of how Nonna and Ken, Dominic’s grandfather, met in Italy. Like Katie in the story, I was held spellbound and left with tears in my eyes. This is one contemporary novel I am glad that I read. I would definitely recommend it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked both of these romances. The first tells the story of romances in two generations. Just as a man is about to propose to the love of his life, he receives a call from his “Nona” in Italy. She’s elderly and, upon the recent death of her sister, alone and although she doesn’t ask, he senses that she’s going to need his help so, just before he pops the question, he tells his girlfriend he’s bringing Nona home to live with him … with predictable results.
The rest of the story tells the tale of Nona’s WWII romance with a handsome American soldier and looks at the “important things” in life.
The second story is a sweet romance about a reclusive painter who supports himself by working as night security in a local art museum who becomes obsessed with one of the paintings he guards.
Both stories are well written and well narrated and their subtle Christmas connections make them perfect to put you in the mood for your own holiday magic, although the seasonal themes are sufficiently subtle to make them suitable for year round enjoyment.
A wonderful collection of stories that are perfect to read at this time of year. The characters are engaging, well developed, and fun to get to know. The stories flow smoothly and captivate the reader from start to finish.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Nights at the museum.
I liked Henry, the museum night guard who has an unusual fascination with a painting, more specifically, the woman he calls Rebecca in the painting. It’s a sweet, fanciful read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The collection has storylines that flow smoothly while the characters are well developed and engaging and make for an easy reading time. I enjoyed it all.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Two well written stories with very good storylines, the stories flow smoothly across the pages. Dante’s Gift= Dominic Lawrence, Kathleen James, and Dom’s Nonna’s story, about a story Nonna has to tell. The second one is Merry Christmas, Henry about a man and the woman in a painting he falls in love with, the ending was a surprise. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Here in the windy city of Chicago, we have two Christmas stories to warm your heart for the holiday season: Dante’s Gift (novella) and Merry Christmas, Henry (short story). Below is a review of one of them to give you an idea of what is included.
*** Reviewing “DANTE’S GIFT” ***
This book is a short romance about Dominic Lawrence and Kathleen James who are about to become engaged. Unfortunately, Dom’s grandmother’s sister passes away in Italy and his grandmother will be coming to Chicago to live with him. He makes this announcement to Katie on the evening that he had planned to propose to her. Will she accept his proposal under these new circumstances? Will she be willing to share her new-to-be husband and her home with his grandmother? Katie is filled with guilt and doubt about not wanting her to come live with them, yet knowing what the right choice should be. Antonia, an Italian wartime bride, has a story to tell, however, about an American soldier and a very special collie. Will that make a difference in Katie’s decision?
This was a good story that kept the reader’s attention. It can be a difficult situation when preparing to start a new married life and having someone else move in to change the family dynamic. Will Katie give Antonia a chance to get to know her? Will Antonia’s love story allow Katie to open up her own heart and bond with Dom’s Nonna?
I like these stories with warm characters and interations between different time…
Well developed characters and plots… You will love them…
I recommend these stories to all!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Christmas is a wonderful time of love, miracles, hope and dreams. Both Merry Christmas Henry and Dante’s Gift were the perfect books for this collection. I loved the stories and the characters. Both stories kept you in the moment and you felt like you were there with them. You will enjoy this collection of Christmas stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.