A TEXAS KIND OF CHRISTMAS- Review

 

I do sincerely apologize for this review being late. I think I'm finally over the worst of the sinus infection. I'm down to just a daily dose of allergy meds and I've been able to work mostly clear-headed for the past two days. Now it's all about getting caught up before the weekend.  Time is short!

I Loved this book. I can see why A TEXAS KIND OF CHRISTMAS won first place in the National Federation of Press Women's Fiction  The book was re-released on September 29th for the honor. 

The three authors, Jodi Thomas (headliner), Celia Bonaduce and Rachael Miles, wove a set of stan-alone stories with the St. Nicholas Hotel in Dallas, Texas as the common thread. As we know, things are not always what they first appear and these three authors have done a marvelous job of keeping us turning the pages. 

One Night at the St. Nicholas (Jodi Thomas) opens up as folks from the middle and upper echelon of Dallas arrive on Christmas Eve 1859 for the most talked about ball of the season. Heiress Jacqueline Hartman is determined not to allow her stepmother to marry her off. Through circumstances both created by the young lady and those beyond her control, Jacqueline finds herself in love with Nathaniel Ward - an accused bank robber. 

BIRDIE'S FLIGHT (Celia Bonaduce) introduces us to a young Irish seamstress running from something... and into the arms of Captain Douglas Newcastle. Secrets in Birdie's past could prevent the happily ever after we all long for. 

SPIRIT OF TEXAS (Rachael Miles) brings us to the final arena of the ball by way of a stage coach across the Texas frontier. Eugenie Charpantier travels from Londan to answer the distress call from her estranged mother. With her, she carries a book written by a Texian so vivid that she feels she and the author's hearts beat as one, until she feels a strong attraction to former Texas Ranger Asher Graham. Will the magic of the ball bring them together, in spite of their secrets?

The one thing I loved msot about this anthology was the history recap in the back of the book. As I read the stories, I imagined the Adolphus Hotel (built in 1911) in it's early days. The granduer of the hotel helped me to really see the details of The St. Nicholas - right down to the grand staircase. Hearing that the St. Nicholas actually existed as did the female tycoon, Sarah Horton Cockrell. 

If you want a curl-up Christmas read, I recommend A Texas Kind of Christmas! If you missed the first release, grab the re-release with a brand new cover!

WIN!  WIN!  WIN!  WIN!

Monday, October 5th at midnight CST is your last opportunity to leave a comment for your chance to win a copy of A TEXAS KIND OF CHRISTMAS!  Make sure to leave a comment below.

 I will announce the winner on Wednesday, October 7th!

All my best 

~Angela