'Tis the Season: The Christmas Collection (Harlequin Romance) [Mass Market Paperback]

Vicki Lewis Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Harlequin Romance | Publication Date: October 1, 2004

Merry Christmas, America!

Anna Tilford's Connecticut farmhouse is the perfect weekend escape from the pressures of designing interiors for New York's elite. . .until her country neighbor Sam Garrison announces his evergreen farm is supplying the White House Christmas tree. The ceremonial cutting will be televised nationwide.

As uninvolved as Anna longs to be, she can't stand by when the local ladies volunteer to decorate Sam's home for the big event. The rugged outdoorsman is definitely not the doily type. Anna works her decorating magic on every room of Sam's house. And by the time she reaches the bedroom, Sam is by her side, ready to add his own touch. . .

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373810768
• ISBN-13: 978-0373810765
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,437,113 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In the true spirit of Christmas!!!! What a wonderful book!, December 18, 2005

By 

Donna K. "bookcrosser" (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 'Tis the Season: The Christmas Collection (Harlequin Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

Having read this author's Nerd series, I was expecting this to be another witty book filled with bickering banter and steamy sex. Well, I was in for a delightful surprise! Instead, this heartwarming Christmas story is well-presented, realistic and well-written. The protagonists treat each other with respectful tolerance and acceptance rather than the hostile animosity prevalent in many other romance novels. It's so refreshing to read dialogue that uses good-natured teasing and understanding instead of sarcastic put-downs! Conflicts are resolved maturely and thoughtfully, with open communication.

I delighted in the cozy, homey descriptions of weaving and interior decorations, as well as the workings of a Christmas tree farm. The town's ceremony was filled with lots of Christmas spirit. Makes me want to move from my suburban lifestyle to a wholesome and welcoming small town like this!!!

Although a basic sweet romance novel, this little book made a huge impression on me. It stands notches higher than most other books in the romance genre because of the excellent characterizations and respectful dialogue, and it personfies the true meaning of Christmas.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I have to agree...too much emphasis on sex, not much real love, November 12, 2006

By 

Gemma "bookworm" (Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 'Tis the Season: The Christmas Collection (Harlequin Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

The back cover description is already provided on this page, so I'll skip straight to my review:

First off, I'll point out that while this was published in 2004, it's actually a reprint of a romance from the 80's. 1989 to be exact. Not that I'm knocking all romances written then (LaVryle Spencer is my favorite author, and many of her best books are from the 80's), but very few 80's romances age well.

I think that Vicki Lewis Thompson is talented in creating characters that a reader can relate to. They feel like "real" people, flawed and not perfect. From what I've sampled of this author, she doesn't write "beautiful, flawless people" romances, and I'm glad.

The problem is that I felt that she rushed them into bed too quickly, and that sex was really all that was drawing them together and keeping them together. That's just not enough for a satisfying read for me. I need more than just amazing physical chemistry to cheer a couple on, because great sex is not enough of a reason for people to pair off.

This did have a pretty good Christmas theme woven throughout, instead of a few things tacked on at the end. But the relationship between the leads was so unsatisfying that I'm afraid I can't recommend this. There are better Christmas romances out there. For a list of my picks, check out my "Christmas romance books worth buying" list.

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Maybe not., March 3, 2005

By 

Krista Casada - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 'Tis the Season: The Christmas Collection (Harlequin Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

Anna Tilford is an interior decorator, a dyed-in-the-wool city girl who enjoys spending her WEEKENDS in the country. But live there all the time? No way, not even after she meets gorgeous Christmas-tree farmer Sam Garrison.
But things heat up when Sam is chosen to provide a Christmas tree for the White House, and the whole town goes Christmas crazy. . .
This is a mildly entertainining read, a plot mix of the movies "Baby Boom" (minus the baby) and "Funny Farm" with an unfortunate emphasis on sex and a feather-light ending where all problems are magically solved way too neatly. Both hero and heroine are fairly self-centered, but Sam does have a few good moments.