The Christmas Heirloom: Four Holiday Novellas of Love through the Generations

Karen Witemeyer · Kristi Ann Hunter · Sarah Loudin Thomas · Becky Wade

Oct 2018 · Baker Books

About this ebook

In Kristi Ann Hunter's "Legacy of Love," Sarah Gooding never suspected returning a brooch to an elderly woman would lead to a job . . . and introduce her to the woman's grandson, a man far above her station.

In Karen Witemeyer's "Gift of the Heart," widow Ruth Albright uses the family brooch as collateral for a loan from the local banker. But the more she comes to know the man behind the stern businessman, the more she hopes for a second chance at love.

In Sarah Loudin Thomas's "A Shot at Love," Fleeta Brady's rough-and-tumble childhood means she prefers hunting to more feminine activities. She never expected her family's brooch might be how a fellow hunter turns her attention from competition to romance.

In Becky Wade's "Because of You," Maddie Winslow has spent years in love with a man whose heart was already spoken for. When a church Christmas project brings them together and she stumbles upon an old family brooch, might it finally be her turn for love?

Ratings and reviews

Cozy w/just enough Christmas to delight & not Overwhelm. (1)Legacy of Love, Kristi Ann Hunter /1827 Lancashire, England - Sarah Gooding plays piano and is companion to the elderly & frail Dowager Countess of Densbury, & she loves cake! Mr. Randall Everard is a third son and therefore of little consequence to the earldom. However, he is the apple of his grandmother's eye & has a deep love of cultivating the earth. The Dowager Countess has lived a full life, enjoys music, fellowship & practical jokes. She is both kind & formidable if trifled with. She wears a beautiful pendant her sweetheart gave her in her youth that often reminds her of the wonderful love they shared. This Christmas she has some very special ideas of how to celebrate & hopefully cultivate young love. I laughed out loud and I also cried. A wonderfully heartwarming Christmas tale. (2)Gift of the Heart, a Novella by Karen Witemeyer - Incredibly Sweet Story of Acceptance /1890 Hope Springs, TX - After the death of her husband & losing nearly everything, Ruth & her 7-year-old daughter, Naomi, are starting over in the up-and-coming town of Hope Springs. With scant few personal items, a beloved family heirloom is the only thing of value she possesses. But, that will be given to her daughter one day, when true love comes to call. Although she has reservations about so many things, she has gumption & the sheer will to provide for her daughter will push her past any doubts. Beauregard owns the local hotel. Heck, he owns most of the town. But his debilitation keeps him hidden away. That is until a fiery widow with a talkative little girl, a meddling best friend and a pesky cat pull him out of his shell. (3)A Shot at Love, a Sound of Rain Novella by Sarah Loudin Thomas * Great little Romance in the Woods * 1958 Bethel, West VA - 22-year-old Fleeta is a crack shot & can hold her own with any man. More of a tom-boy, she dreams of becoming a gunsmith but is beholden to her family. “She’d had her fill of men. She’d take care of herself and never look to a husband for anything.” Hank Chapin is a timber man but is getting restless for something new, & perhaps settling down. He collects guns, & when he’s invited home for the holidays with his best friend Judd, he decides to enter the local turkey shoot with his brand new Remington 740 Woodsmaster rifle. Little does he know what he’s in for when he meets the attractive and strong-willed Fleeta hidden behind a pile of masculine clothing & a Winchester 1890 rifle. “He had the definite sense he could no more hold on to her than he could a gossamer cloud of mist.” TEA MOMENT: “The best apologies have something to hold them, maybe a bunch of flowers you cut out in the woods, or a tin of tea from the store. The words are the main thing, but it’s nice to have something to remember them by.” (4)Because of You a Bradford Sisters Romance Novella by Becky Wade * Maddie & Leo find their way through Christmas to Each Other •*• Present Day, Merryweather, WA - 27-year-old Maddie Winslow and 31-year-old Leo Donnelly have a unique connection. Maddie is compassionate & a people person who works in a sweet shop. Leo is a bookish professor & rather shy, & dad to 3-year-old Charlie. When they are paired up at church to work the “Mission – Christmas” project together & bless Kim & her daughters, a local family in need, they spend more time together than just the occasional run-in they might have expected during the holiday season. “I’m not on my own. God is still with me and God still provides. He always makes a way.” I was sent a complimentary book in the hopes of a favorable review, with no further compensation.

I cannot say enough about this book! The whole premise is so traditional, yet modern too! It bridges generations and for that, it will pull in every reader that reads it. It has something for everyone! I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was one of those books that you are truly sorry when it ends! I don't want to give out any spoilers so I will just give a little "hint" about each story! LEGACY OF LOVE - Krisiti Ann Hunter This, of course, starts things out! It all begins in England in the 1800's and tells where the special brooch comes from and how is comes into the life of a spunky old woman whom I adored! Her companion, Sarah, was thought to be "meek and lowly in station" but she was actually a strong woman. The old woman's grandson, Randall, is the only one who saw that! A SHOT AT LOVE - Sarah Loudin Thomas This story was very different! Going from England to almost a "hillbilly" setting! Fleeta was the best shot around! She didn't want to get married, she was raised by her aunt and uncle because her parents had died. She was a total tomboy and loved guns! Enter Hank who was a guest of a family Fleeta knew. He totally understood Fleeta like no one else. He gave her the space to be herself. GIFT OF THE HEART - Karen Witemeyer I loved this story of Ruth, a widow, and her sweet daughter, Naomi. They had moved to a small town to start over after the death of her husband. The rich man in the town who owned just about everything was Beauregard Azlin and he was quite misunderstood! Naomi gets under his defenses and so does a kitty....the rest is history! BECAUSE OF YOU - Becky Wade Another very emotional tale. This time the widower is Leo with a cute child name Charlie. He can't seem to move on after the death of his wife 2 years earlier. Maddie has been in love with him for years but, of course, never acted on it! They get put on a church mission project together and have some special experiences but Maddie knows nothing will come of it! Then, Maddie finds out about the brooch..... (less)

I love these authors, so I am not the least bit surprised that I loved each of these novellas. As the description tells us these stories take place from 1820's Regency England to the present day. There are several different locations and different families all tied together by the Scottish heirloom brooch passed down in history from mother to daughter through the generations. I was not prepared to become so involved in each of these novels. I found myself laughing through parts, but more than not moved to tears. I had finally purchased this for myself for Christmas. It was a wonderful time to be able to read these heart-felt tales. I would recommend these books not just for the holidays, but to be enjoyed anytime.

About the author

Karen Witemeyer is an award-winning, bestselling author and lives in Texas with her family. Find her online at www.karenwitemeyer.com.

Kristi Ann Hunter is the award-winning author of five books, and she lives with her family in Georgia. Find her online at www.kristiannhunter.com.

Sarah Loudin Thomas is an award-winning author, and she and her husband reside in Asheville, North Carolina. She can be found online at www.sarahloudinthomas.com.

Becky Wade is the award-winning author of seven books and lives in a suburb of Dallas with her husband and three kids. Find her online at www.beckywade.com.