Rexanne Becnel

What a delightful, poignant read this book turned out to be. It was impossible not to love both ten-year-old Anna and Miss Eva, strangers until they take a train ride together just before Christmas. Anna is incredibly mature, big-hearted and caring for such a young girl while Miss Eva is wonderful. She loves her family, traditions and Christmas. However, because she suffers from dementia and often thinks she is reliving he childhood in Nazi Germany, she is desperate to reconnect with her show more family and panics when she sees anyone in uniform. In her confusion she often becomes childlike and it is up to Anna to calm her and take care of her. Her story is heartbreaking!

The secondary characters (except for Anna's neglectful mother) are all endearing and believable, especially Nana Rose. I also had a soft spot for Tom, who unexpectedly finds himself the sole caretaker of his daughter, Anna.

"The Christmas Train" is a story about love, family and responsibility and is an inspiring read for this season fo love, peace and goodwill. show less

In this story, true to the spirit of the season, love and reconciliation conquer. Anna Spano’s mother does not want her, so she sends her to her unknown father in a small town. However Anna is too young to travel alone on the train, so her mother hands her off to Eva Stephens, and older woman who is living between memories of her earlier life in Germany and today. During the train ride to her father, the two become friends. Anna senses something is wrong with Eva, who is often mixed up show more between her memories and today, but is not old enough to understand the mysteries of aging dementia or an old woman’s need to grasp whatever she can whether current or time long past. When the pair finally arrives and Anna meets her father, she convinces him to help out Eva. This story is one of the new found love and friendship between two very unlikely individuals, Anna and Eva. It presents the reader with the true spirit of this season and will easily become an enduring seasonal classic. The season will pass, but I will not easily forget this poignant tale of two individuals. Anna is scared, lost and a bit confused, though wise beyond her youth. Eva is also scared and lost—in her own way. How they come together is extremely well done by the author. I loved the character development. The setting was realistic and gave the reader a good sense of life and how these two searching souls came together and found a newness in their lives. The story underlies the very essence of the holiday season. As I said, I will not forget this one, because, for me, it is a real keeper. I think everyone and anyone would enjoy this simple tale. If I could, I would give it more than five stars. I received this from NetGalley in exchange for and honest review. show less

This is not a book that will change your life but if you're looking for a quick, undemanding & romantic read to provide a little escapism, give this a try. Especially if you enjoy historical drama. Set in medieval Britain, it tells the story of Lady Joanna Preston. She's a young woman sent to a convent at the age of 12 after her mother committed suicide. She saw how a "suitable" marriage could turn out so has sworn to become a nun.
Unbeknownst to her, her father & his son are now dead, show more leaving her as the sole heiress to Oxwich Castle, a property coveted by King John as well as his enemies due to its' strategic location. She's now an important pawn in their treacherous games.
Sir Rylan Kempe, Lord of Blaecston, understands the significance of Oxwich & tracks down Joanna, determined to marry her off to a political ally. Much to his surprise, she has rather strong ideas of what her future will be & it includes a veil, not some stranger for a husband. But he's a man used to being obeyed so if he has to kidnap her to achieve his goal, such is life.
Before he can get her home, she's taken from him & sent to London where she becomes the ward of King John. He has another "suitable" union in mind to secure her birth right.
What follows is a story of political intrigue & machinations at a time when young women were expected to be seen & not heard while doing what they were told & popping out heirs. The author plays a little fast & loose with the customs of the time but, hey...this is romantic fiction.
Rylan is portrayed as an alpha type of guy, unused to being challenged by a mere woman. Joanna comes off as a bit immature but she did grow up in a convent. As expected, there is a budding attraction & the author provides enough scenes of steamy seduction to heat up the pages. There are several peripheral characters of note & side stories to flesh out the plot but our hero & heroine are front & centre and their HEA is never much in doubt.
Over all, an easy historical read that won't tax your grey matter & provide a little escapism from your tough day in reality. show less

A Dove at Midnight by Rexanne Becnel was originally published in 1993. This is a DRC copy provided to me by Open Road Media and Netgalley for an honest review. This book is now available in digital format.
Lady Joanna witnessed something truly terrible as a child. As soon as she is able , she moves to a convent and waits for the day she can say her vows and become a nun.
When Joanna' s father and his wife and son died, Joanna becomes the sole heir. In medieval England, this places Joanna in show more the middle of a political tug of war.
Rylan decides that Joanna must be informed of her father's death and he must bring her back to be married to a man he will choose for her. This will prevent King John from gaining control of Joanna' s kingdom.
When Rylan informs Joanna that she must return home and marry, she literally laughs in his face. She has no intention of leaving the convent. After his best attempts at persuasion, Rylan kidnaps Joanna.
Rylan has his hands full with Joanna. She is far from the plain, biddable , demure nun wannabe he expected. Beautiful and fiery, Joanna fights him every step of the way.
But, when they are waylaid by the king' s men, Joanna finds herself in an even worse situation in the king' s court. Joanna and her friend must marry men chosen for them based on political and monetary advantages. When Rylan arrives, things really get interesting. Rylan begins plotting to get Joanna away from the John's grasp.
Due to circumstances beyond her control, Joanna finds herself having to face the horrible demons of her childhood.
This was a great medieval romance. Joanna holds on to her need to stay unmarried and in control of her future with all her might. Rylan can't understand why Joanna is so opposed to marriage. He suspects something sinister, but Joanna will not confide in him. He is single minded about his task, believing Joanna will come around once she is wed. What he didn't count on was his attraction to her and her ability to out
think him. Neither of them could imagine that one day they would work together for a common goal, and find true love in the bargain.
This one gets an A. show less