Succumb to temptation and follow the call to Hillvale- population 325 – a cozy little mountain town filled with love, mystery, and ghosts… Award-winning author Patricia Rice presents three romantic novellas from her celebrated Crystal Magic series—together for the first time in one collection.The Wedding Gift—Having overcome the obstacles of their past, Samantha Moon and Chen Ling Walker are … Gift—
Having overcome the obstacles of their past, Samantha Moon and Chen Ling Walker are ready to walk down Hillvale’s eccentric version of a wedding aisle. Can they also conquer the complications of the present—a mysterious doll that won’t stay in one place and the dubious assistance of a feng shui master who moves in with them?
The Wedding Question—
While juggling the demands of their busy lives, Theodosia Devine-Baker and Kurt Kennedy find that love and living together require just as much work. Halloween always brings out Hillvale’s spooks, but when Teddy declares a ceramic dragon is sending smoke signals, Kurt wonders if it’s time for him to flee the eccentric community to look for a more normal life.
The Wedding Surprise—
With Christmas excitement raising Hillvale’s spirits—both literal and figurative—Keegan Ives and Mariah are setting out on new careers and a new relationship. As the town’s future draws them in different directions, can their love survive an unanticipated bundle of joy?
Crystal Magic Series:
Book One: Sapphire Nights
Book Two: Topaz Dreams
Book Three: Crystal Vision
more
I love that the author created a set of novellas as epilogues to her three previous novels set in Hillvale part of the Crystal Magic series. I loved all three original novels and I was very satisfied with all three endings in Wedding Gems. The thing I didn’t like is the similar repetition in each of the stories. They were all different owing to the characters personalities, however, in all three, the main thread was doubt. All six characters doubted themselves over and over. I get that people do that, but when you are reading three stories back to back like this, it becomes annoying. That is the only downfall to this book. I received this ARC from the author in exchange for a fair and impartial review.
Wedding Gems is a collection of three novellas by Pat Rice which end the love stories of characters in the Crystal Magic series. These can be read as stand-alone novellas, but there is a vast amount of information in the books which will make the reads clearer. It was an enjoyable read.
The Wedding Gift
Wedding gifts are not always what the bride and groom desire. In this novella, Pat ends the love story of environmentalist Samantha Moon and police chief Chin Ling Walker with two wedding surprises. There is a doll who cries and won’t stay put and Wan Hai, the feng shui expert sent by Walker’s mother to make Sam and Walker’s home full of harmonious energy. While I found the doll borderline creepy and at times felt sorry for Wan Hai, they made the story interesting.
The Wedding Question
This is a story full of ghosts, clanging chandeliers, flying plates and a ceramic dragon who isn’t shy about expressing its opinion. Theodosia Devine Baker, who makes high end jewelry utilizing crystals and Kurt Kennedy, part owner of the Redwood Resort and half the town, are trying to work through their differences to make their love work. To help infuse money into Hillvale and its many needed projects they need to attract investors and sell artifacts, so an elaborate gala is planned. Will they be able to save the town?
The Wedding Surprise
The third novella is about Mariah and Keegan Ives. Mariah is a computer genius who has a habit of losing herself in the internet and Keegan is a Scottish Mineralogist who feels the power of stones and crystals. Together they try to keep Hillvale’s crystal mine from being sold for nefarious reasons while dealing with the realization they will soon be having an unexpected bundle of joy. Mariah finds out about her genealogy and realizes that her name of choice is quite fitting.
This book contains beautiful conclusions to the original three Crystal Magic stories. This is not to say that new character stories will not come after this.
What I loved about the original three books was how you felt you were entering a very unique mini-series or tele-novela. First, the characters were each experiencing some big changes in their lives, so while they had a good ending it did not push the characters straight into a happily ever after. We knew the characters were going to still deal with things. Second, we got to see a slow progression from book 1 through book 3 of all the characters.
This epilogue book takes us those next steps for each of the characters, and wow do they fill the bill. This is that great glimpse you always ask for, but don’t normally get — What happens after a relationship first starts and the reality of real life interferes with the “honeymoon” phase. I cannot recommend this book and these stories enough.
Patricia Rice is one of my favorite authors. I received an advance reader copy of this book provided by the author in exchange for a fair, objective, and honest review. The Hillvale series is a really interesting take on magic in the modern world. I recommend starting the series at the beginning and reading in order, although each book stands on its own. In general, HIllvale is a magnet for people who have special abilities. There are Nulls, who have no magic and generally don’t believe in magic and the magical residents (Crazy Lucys) who do. The balance between modern science, nulls and extra abilities is covered very well. In addition, there are many ghosts, mysteries and unusual art pieces. Each of the first books ends the story of a couple that is a little unfinished. These novellas bring further closure to the couples. I love that you get to see more of the interactions between the couples. Patricia is great with relationships and dialog and these books really satisfy.
Wedding Gems is a collection of three follow up novellas to the Crystal Magic books, which expand on those stories. I would recommend reading the Crystal Magic books first, to get to know the characters and their quirky, eccentric, somewhat magical town of Hillvale. Each novella follows each of the couples featured in the Crystal Magic books, because it’s not really a happily ever after without a wedding.
This is a collection of three novellas that follow three couples in the Crystal Magic Series and they can stand alone from the original stories. (I generally prefer to read the main story first, but I did not read two of the three and could follow the story line well enough.) I enjoyed each one of the stories!
>In “The Wedding Gift” Samantha Moon and Chen Ling Walker are getting married in two weeks but must decide what to do about a meddlesome feng shui expert and a possessed doll beforehand. Theodosia Devine-Baker and Kurt Kennedy work together in “The Wedding Question” to bring investors and museum curators to Hillvale at Halloween and learn to appreciate their differences. The unlikely couple of Keegan Ives and Mariah are settling on new careers and find themselves concerned with the spirits at Christmas time in “The Wedding Surprise”.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Loved the continual interaction of the residents of this quirky town and how they all are working towards a common goal. Enjoyed seeing how the conflicts faced by the three couples are resolved. I haven’t read the other books in this series yet, but this book really makes me want to. It is a stand alone, but reading the rest of the series first will supply more background. I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Interesting sweet and wonderful as always.Ms. Rice has written an outstanding trio of books as always.
When I really enjoy a book, I always want to know more, what happens next. Wedding Gems is the answer to that, another peek into the lives of Teddy and Kurt, Sam and Walker, and Mariah and Keegan. Patricia Rice offers three novellas in one book, offering another dash of romance and suspense centered in tiny Hillvale, filled with paranormal hijinks. I love her Crystal Magic series, and this book did not disappoint. I still want more!
DISCLAIMER: I received an advance reader copy of this book provided by the author in exchange for a fair, objective, and honest review.
“Together, they were building a new society that thrived on diversity. It was thrilling to be a part of it.” Direct quote from the book which says it all in a nutshell! Thrilling, mysterious, romantic, and thought provoking. If you haven’t read any of the other Crystal Magic series books you may feel a little out of place in the beginning of this book, but you will soon feel like part of the Hillvale family. Patricia Rice does a great job welcoming new readers into the collection without giving away too many secrets of the previous books in the series. The not so ordinary couples you meet face stressors of everyday life while dealing with the complexities of a living in a town full of the gifted and seemingly not so gifted people. You decide who has magic and who doesn’t as you unravel the mysteries that seem to show up in this town as often as the ghosts who live there!
DISCLAIMER: I received an advance reader copy of this book provided by the author in exchange for a fair, objective, and honest review
Wedding Gems by Patricia Rice
Crystal Magic Novellas
Three wonderful romances in one volume that allows the reader to catch up with the romantic stars of the first three novels in the Crystsal Magic Series set in Hillvale, California population 325…well…325 humans and a whole lot of ghosts. This town has a backstory that includes artists, hippies, murder and more.
WEDDING GIFT: Chen Ling Walker and Samantha Moon from Sapphire Nights are nearing their wedding date when an unusual person and a rather strange doll appear on their doorstep. Finding a way to deal with the “gift” Walker’s mother sent without offending the gift or his mother AND solving the mystery of the doll occur as the two go through a few pre-wedding jitters.
THE WEDDING QUESTION: Topaz Dreams romantic couple, Teddy and Kurt, need to have a big fund raising dinner go off well to achieve the dreams and financial goals that Hilldale holds dear. With Kurt’s mother potentially able to wreck everything and a “smoking dragon” to assist them this was a charming story that sees a question posed that makes two people very happy.
THE WEDDING SURPRISE: Mariah and Keegan from Crystal Vision are working to get the mine filled with crystals into Keegan’s hands so he can study the crystals that have had such an impact on Hilldale BUT there are some unscrupulous people around muddying the waters…and a surprise that makes both Mariah and Keegan happy before the end of the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of stories as it caught me up with the town and prepares me to read what comes next in the series.
Thank you to the author – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
Wedding Gems is trio of novellas that revisit the heroes and heroines from the Crystal Magic. As always, it’s fun to visit Hillvale and the craziness that only the Lucies can bring. Walker and Sam face questions about their future as they plan their wedding. The wedding gift of a fengshui decorator just throws more fuel on the fire along with an apparently haunted doll. Kurt and Teddy deal with the stress of saving the town and the unanswered questions a magical ceramic dragon add to the mix. And last but not least, Mariah and Keegan’s relationship is put to the test of forever when an unexpected pregnancy has Mariah an emotional wreck. Plus throw in a homeless illegal with a secret past and the couple are in for an array of surprises. Short and fun, each novella let’s the reader revisit the memorable characters from Hillvale that inspire warm and fuzzy feelings.
I’m not sure if I would have enjoyed these three novellas as much if I hadn’t read books 1-3 of the Crystal Magic series. It’s also very helpful there is a list of characters included.
I like a bit of paranormal and wit in my reading; revisiting Hillvale and its inhabitants fit the bill. These three novellas are each a sort of addendum to the three couples’ stories told in books 1-3. In each novella the couple faces a problem to solve/overcome, all the while surrounded by the colorful characters of the town.
I received a free copy and voluntarily post my review.
Love Conquers Doubt.
Having read the first three full length books in this series, it was lovely to revisit the characters of Sam, Teddy and Mariah and see them each get their HEA. Whilst there is enough background information in these books that you don’t have to have read the earlier books, I think I enjoyed them more because I was already invested in the characters.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have read the others in this series, so it was good to catch up and see what is happening with everyone. I liked the update. In all three stories, they had doubts. Not about their love, but about themselves. But, when it came right down to it, love wins. Good stories.
Each of the stories is a warm and intriguing tale that engages the reader in the paranormal lives of three couples that find their HEA. This novel is a taste of what the Chrystal Magic series will share with the reader, if you want to continue reading about Ms. Rice’s wonderful city of Hillvale and its more than normal inhabitants, start here and I am sure that you will, as I do, want to continue with the rest of this fascinating series.
Wedding Gems: A Crystal Magic Collection of 3 novellas (Book 4 in the Chrystal Magic series) by Patricia Rice.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Let me start by saying I like Patricia Rice’s writing style and enjoyed reading the Magic and Unexpected Magic series. I have not read the previous 3 books in this Chrystal Magic series, but there was enough back ground information for me to follow the story line and to figure out who is who.
These 3 novellas now in one collection
The Wedding Gift (Samantha and Walker) Book 1.5
The Wedding Question (Teddy and Kurt ) Book 2.5
The Wedding Surprise (Keegan and Mariah) Book 3.5
read like an extended epilogue to the main books and it is like dropping in for a family visit, catching up with everyone and finding out what has happened since you last saw them.
This book does work as a stand alone; that said I do think you will get more enjoyment out of reading this book if you have read the previous 3 books in this series. Overall I enjoyed reading this book. 4 stars.