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5.0 out of 5 stars
Some splendid examples of a well-loved sub-genre, Oct 10 2001
I love romantic fiction set within the context of Christmas and regencies are a particular favourite of mine. I always treat myself to the various Christmas anthologies because they make a particularly nice read at the holiday season when things get so frantic you begin to wish Christmas had never been invented! I recently obtained a few of the old Signet Regency Christmas anthologies now out of print and it was truly worth the effort.If you never read another Christmas regency novella, may I recommend Mary Balogh's "The Porcelain Madonna". This exquisitely written (what else would you expect from Mary Balogh?), emotionally tender and moving story is the best I have ever read in the Christmas setting, either contemporary or historical. The painfully tragic story of the difficult, prickly but kind hearted Darcy Austin, the Earl of Kevern, and the gentle, sympathetic Julie Bevan, is full of healing, joy, compassion and love. Their personal "go between", the little boy from the slums, Charlie Cobban, is also a memorable character whose family, through the birth of yet another mouth to fill, brings real peace and healing to the bereaved Earl. I simply cannot speak highly enough of this charming little story - it is the sort you will want to turn to again and again when you need a little inspiration and comfort. The other stories are also good; I was quite surprised by Emma Lange's as I don't know her and she presented a well written study of a large family which is mindful of Georgette Heyer's "A Civil Contract". Marjorie Farrell is a favourite of mine; she writes very well and her contribution, "Christmas Rose" tells a poignant story of a couple who have drifted apart through the curse of infertility (told within the proper context of the times and painfully realistic). How a foundling child first brings them together, then drives a wedge between them and then ultimately brings them peace and joy is also a wonderfully heartwarming illustration of what Christmas really means. I do recommend this collection. It's worth the effort to obtain an out of print copy. What a star is Mary Balogh!
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