Nina Coombs Pykare

Read for Holidaze Reading Spree 2019

First - I bought this specifically for the first story "Christmas in the Country". That short story has been my favorite for many, many years and I was DELIGHTED to find it digitally finally.

As such my review, for now, is specifically for that story.

I'm not sure what drew me to this story originally, but what kept me going back for rereads was the fact its simply a wonderful, warm tale. Its not overly complicated or drama filled. Its the story of how no show more matter how experienced you are, love can strike you dim pretty quick.

Both Galatea (Tea) and Alec are well written and rounded. While I have some reservations about one line, overall I appreciated how he drew her out of her shell while she taught him to let his guard down.

I do wish we could have known Deenie a bit more, as she was fun, but this wasn't her romance. It was enough she offered timely if sometimes misguided advice.

Overall, this collection (of which this story takes up 51% of) was worth it just for it. show less

A collection of 4 short feel good romantic stories. I liked the 1st story the best, "A Whole New World" . It was one of those "it would never happen" stories where Amber Jennings moves from her small town in North Carolina to San Diego, finds a job working at a modeling agency, and falls for her handsome boss. It was fun to watch the dream take shape and see love blossom.
In "The Fruit of Her Hands" I had a hard time liking the main character, Henrietta Steelman. She is recently widowed, show more trying to juggle her job, her home and her children. She is also trying to learn how to cook (her husband did all the cooking before he died), and meets up with a widowed father during the class. They will try to make the relationship work, but it will take some help from the kids to get both families together. Couldn't wrap my head around a lady who is working in a professional work a day world, but couldn't get her household organized or who didn't really know the first thing about working in the kitchen.

In "A Matter of Faith" Rachel Peterson is a widow and single mom who directs a children's theater. Her daughter befriends one of the shy girls and also helps the girl's widowed father learn how to deal with and love his little girl, who he had never spent much time with. But in the midst of "helping a friend" their relationship will turn into much more.
"Eagles for Anna" was about Anna Giles leaving her glamorous city life to return to her Tennessee roots. She will meet an interesting man who is trying to break free of the mountains he grew up in. Together they will help each other follow their dreams and their heart.

All in all it was a good collection of inspirational stories with lots of romance and lessons to learn in living the Christian life. show less

Unfortunately I didn't realize this was genre Romance. Much too fluffy (yes) and cliched for me. Not bad, just blah. But it did help me sleep better for a few nights so I guess that's a good thing...

All the stories involve a dog! In Shakespeare and the Three Kings, Shakespear is a great Dane, and the three Kings are the Yorkies that Oliver inherits, along with a female dog trainer. Which, of course, was all part of his late great-aunt's plan; In Athena's Christmas Tale, Robert feels that his wife pities him, and she feels that he dislikes her. It takes Athena, the dog, to push them together, literally; In Away in a Shelter, Camille is stranded with fellow volunteer Robert overnight show more Christmas eve. And they both want Splinter/Grace as their own puppy, but what if they didn't have to share after all?; In Mr Wright's Christmas Angel, Kris Kringle answers both Joy and Nicholas' Christmas wishes in an unusual way, involving time travel. show less