4 out of 5 stars
Kindle Edition. Published December 1st 2018 by Dreamspinner Press
Likes:
- The theme.
- Holiday romance.
- Found some new authors I can’t wait to read more from.
- Variety.
Dislikes:
- Not a cohesive anthology.
- Quality was all over the place.
- Not all the authors have been published outside of the anthology.
- Diversity was low.
I’m normally a big fan of books published by Dreamspinner Press, and was looking forward to this ‘not really an anthology’ anthology. I began reading the stories in July, and enjoyed that the theme of the anthology was to have the stories set somewhere warm. It flips the normal view that Christmas should have snow and hot coco, while also making the stories fun to read out of season.
The anthology covers more than just Christmas, but the Christmas romance aspect was still present. Holiday romances are classic, and I was looking forward to lots of fun, fluffy stories. And some were, whether they were about Christmas or not. Other stories, however, were significantly darker than I expected.
I usually don’t mind a dark story – if I’m expecting it. To have them pop up during an anthology was not a good type of surprise. If I were to compare my feelings, it would be like those Harry Potter jellybeans you can buy at the store, where most are normal flavors like buttered popcorn and watermelon, but every once in a while you’ll come across one that tastes like boogers or dirt.
I would have preferred if the feel of the stories was more cohesive. Warm and fuzzy would have been my preference, without violence, angst, or starving children. While most of the stories were what I would consider ‘normal’ romance, there were some outliers. Those outliers weren’t bad. They just felt out of place.
The overall quality of the stories and writing was good. I’m always impressed when an author can create a good story in only a few dozen pages. That the stories varied in length was nice as well. If I was short on time, I could pick something that was only twenty or so pages, and save the ones in the fifties for later.
I found a number of authors I can’t wait to read more from. It’s just too bad that some of those authors have only published the one short story.
The variety of locations was fun to read about. Australia was a popular. Unfortunately, most of the main characters were western. Ethnic and racial diversity was lacking in the anthology overall, with only a handful of stories involving non-white characters, and even fewer of those being the main character.
Despite my complaints, I would absolutely read another Dreamspinner Press Holiday anthology. As long as it had a different theme. I’m a little burnt out on warm Holiday romances right now.
List of stories by rating:
5 star:
- Colina de Lavanda by August Li
- An Everyday Hero by E.J. Russell
- That Turtle Story by C. S. Poe
- Holidays Are Where Your Heart Is by Bru Baker
- Trapped in the Valley of the Kings by Blue Jones
- Purrfect Holiday by Jana Denardo
- A Holiday Tradition by Chrissy Munder
4.75 stars:
- The Legend of Gentleman John by T.J. Nichols
4.5 stars:
- Make a Circle by Elliot Joyce
- Exit Through the Gift Shop by Kim Fielding
4 star:
- Slow Summer Heat by Renae Kaye
- Tulsi Vivah by Anna Kaling
- The Last Birthday Party by Mere Rain
- Too Hot for Santa by Helena Stone
- Summer Santa by Ward Maia
- Death to Christmas Sweaters by L.E. Franks
- Barbies and Beaches by Asta Idonea
3.5 stars:
- The Night Sky Festival by S.A. Stovall
- Santa on the Beach by Crystel Greene
- Holiday Island by A.D. Ellis
3 stars:
- Guess Who’s Coming to Karamu by Cy Blanca
- Miracle on Three Kings’ Day by Beth Laycock
- Once in a Lifetime by Cassie Decker
- Mosquitoes and Mistletoe by Ren Holly
2.75 stars:
- Warren’s Peace by Emjay Haze
- Season to Shimmer by Kim Katil
2.5 stars:
- The Faller by Daniel de Lorne
- Haste Ye Back by R. Quincy Cameron
2 stars:
- Twenty-Nine Hours to Eternity by Elizabeth Noble
1.5 stars:
- Boca Dreams by Scudder James Jr.
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