Silver Bells is part of my Christmas Reading Challenge. I got it last year for Christmas, but of course, had to wait until this holiday season to read it. You can’t read about Christmas when it’s not Christmas.

What I didn’t realize about this book was that it is actually 4 romances. I wasn’t sure if I’d like it because I get really into characters and always want to learn more about their lives, but they were all written well enough that you weren’t left with questions.

First, there is Silver Bellsby Fern Michaels. Amy Lee is Hollywood startlet who decides it’s time to move home. She hasn’t been home in 20 years, that’s when her aunt whisked her away to California when her parents died. She goes home looking for something, closure, history, memories. But what she finds is her grade school boyfriend who has also come to town for the holidays. Hank is his name and while his brother is overseas with the Marines, Hank is left with more on his table than he is used to.

This story was VERY predictable, but it was cute. I liked the relationship between Amy and Hank, but I think the part I liked most about it was Hank’s drama. I don’t want to spill the beans, because it’s an integral part of the book, but as messed up as the drama is, it’ll keep you reading.

Second is Dear Santaby JoAnn Ross. Mystery author Holly Berry’s SUV breaks down and she ends up in Santa’s Village. While many would love being in a town like this on Christmas, Holly is not a fan of the holidays. Christmas Eve was when she was born, but it was also the day her father was murdered. Gabriel O’Halloran is Holly’s knight in shining armor. He stumbles upon her broke down SUV and just happens to have one of the only places in town to stay. And his little girl, Emma, has a Christmas wish for a new mom. Would Holly be her Christmas wish?

I liked this story because it was a little harder than the first one. I really liked the plot. If I ever got stranded somewhere during the holidays, I would REALLY hope it would be a place like Santa’s Village. It’s so small and quaint and Christmasy! Beware though, there is so major sexual activity in this one. I wasn’t prepared for it and I always find myself blushing wondering if my husband knows what I am reading

Third is Christmas Past by Mary Burton. Photographer Nicole Piper is finally getting back on track after escaping a violent husband. But when she gets clues to the murder of the woman who helped her escape, she must give the family closure before Christmas. Homicide detective David Ayden goes along for the ride with Nicole and as they deal with the danger that awaits Nicole, they rekindle the relationship they started but abruptly stopped a year before.

Every story in this book got better. The first one didn’t have much action. I liked the second one because I loved the town they were in, but this one was by far my favorite. It had action, a mystery, a couple of murders and some major drama. Yes, this one has some heat between the sheets as well! If the other stories don’t sound like something you would like, I would definitely buy the book just to read this one!

Fourth is A Mulberry Park Christmas by Judy Duarte. Alyssa Ridgeway is moving to her childhood home. Her husband left her for another family and she needs to get her life in order and get her kids adapted to a new life. The first day in town, because of some neighborhood drama, she runs into her high school boyfriend James “Mac” MacGregor. In just two days the two become a team and tackle the neighborhood drama, two young children and their long lost love.

This story really didn’t do it for me. Yes, Mac came in and saved the day. He was very much a super hero for Alyssa in this book. But there just wasn’t much to keep me reading. It was very predictable but not much of a page turner.

I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve read 5 holiday books in the past month, but they’re not really keeping my interest anymore. This was one that I’ve had for a year and hadn’t read, and it wasn’t what I expected, but it’s turned me off of holiday books for the year. I know there are just a couple more days left until Christmas and I have one more book to read, but I’ve gone back to normal reading. I love holiday reads and don’t want to burn myself out for next year.

I give this book/4 small books 3 bookmarks. ( )