"A TIMELESS ROMANCE ANTHOLOGY: Silver Bells Collection," by Lucinda Brant, Sarah M. Eden, Heather B. Moore, Lu Ann Staheli, Annette Lyon and Becca Wilhite, Mirror Press, e-book $4.99, 206 pages (f)
The latest offering in the Timeless Romance Anthology series, “Silver Bells Collection,” is a Christmas-centric set of stories geared toward reading romantics.
The tales link experienced Anthology authors Heather Moore, Sarah Eden and Annette Lyon with Anthology newcomers Lucinda Brant, Lu Ann Brobst Staheli and Becca Wilhite, creating a six-pack of storytellers anxious to share their characters with the world.
In “Fairy Christmas,” Brant leads readers to 18th-century England. The orphaned daughter of a gentleman, Kitty is left with little by way of a dowry. Despite her meager means, Kitty is determined to win the heart of a gentleman who has come for Christmas.
Eden’s tale, “A Christmas Promise,” follows an Irish man rushing to prove himself to his new employer but ending up stuck in a muddy field. When a young woman and her playful pair of brothers come to his rescue, he must quickly set aside his pride — but he just might lose his heart as well.
Lucien Baxter, the protagonist in “Twelve Months,” by Moore, is shocked when he is called to the sickbed of his oldest friend. But his shock is doubled when his friend, Will, asks him for an unusual favor relating to Will’s young wife.
The characters in Staheli’s story, “A Fezziwig Christmas,” are likely familiar to Christmas lovers. Dick Wilson and his best friend, Ebenezer Scrooge, take center stage as they attend the annual Fezziwig Christmas dance. Dick is forced to fight for the affections of his beloved when her mother has her sights set on a wealthier suitor.
“A Taste of Home” brings Christmas to early Salt Lake City. In Lyon’s piece, Claire and William are unexpectedly thrust together for the holidays. Having tormented Claire relentlessly when they were young, William is unsure if she will look beyond the past and open her heart to the man he has become.
Wilhite’s story, “My Modern Girl,” is about a country girl who sets out for the big city. Working as a Macy’s Betty in New York, Margie soon learns that there is more to metropolitan life than glitz and glamour, and she comes to yearn for the love of a simple man she chose to leave behind.
This 12th compilation of tales continues the string of simple and clean works that are free of any swearing and violence but dabble in passion. While this collection is not as strong as some of the previous editions, it is an enjoyable read.
Melissa DeMoux is a stay-at-home mother of six young children and lives in West Valley City. Her email is mddemoux@gmail.com, and she blogs about her adventures in motherhood at demouxfamily.blogspot.com.