Customer Reviews

A Victorian Christmas (Anthology)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did, but I was pleasantly surprised. The stories were compelling, humorous,and inspirational. The female characters were portrayed as strong, independent women of faith. Reading about Christmases during times long ago made the stories even more interesting. I liked this book very much, and I recommend it to anyone who likes holiday stories, light romance, with a Christian message.

A beautiful patchwork of four novellas about love and joy at Christmastime by best selling author Catherine Palmer. These four novellas were previously published in four anthologies--A Victorian Christmas Quilt, A Victorian Christmas Tea, A Victorian Christmas Cottage, and A Victorian Christmas Keepsake. Return to a time when life was uncomplicated, faith was sincere ... and love was a gift to be cherished forever. Favorite holiday recipes and a note from the author are included with each story.

Of the four novellas, one story takes place in America and the other three England. Each begins with a bible verse that corresponds with the story, and the Christian message is strongly intertwined throughout. You will enjoy the compelling characters in this heartwarming collection.

Definitely a Keeper!

[...]

This was a great book with four novellas in one. They are the right length that makes reading them go by very fast. The recipes that you find at the end of each chapter makes you want to get to baking right away. There is a scone recipe that I can't wait to try very soon. A quick read with a great moral, a love stories that will warm your heart.

Title: A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS
Author: Catherine Palmer
Publisher: Tyndale
October 2009
ISBN: 978-1-4143-3379-3
Genre: Inspirational/historical romance

In this collection of four novellas, you'll return to a time when live was uncomplicated, faith was sincere, and love was a gift to be cherished... Each of these novellas were written by Catherine Palmer and previously published in another collection.

Angel in the Attic - Fara is tired of the suitors only interested in marrying her for her money. When Faral receives news that yet another unwelcomed suitor is due to arrive, she flees for her country home, to visit her father's grave, and to escape. But there she ends up tending a wounded desperado. Fara starts falling in love with this man that calls her "Angel", but how can she prove her desperado is not the sharpshooter she fears?

Lone Star - Star ends up traveling from Texas to England to marry the younger son of a baron. She is hoping that such a union will save her family's ranch. But instead she finds herself falling in love with the older brother, one who must marry a wealthy titled bride. How can she possibly marry the younger brother when she's in love with the older?

Under His Wings - Gweneth is nothing but a kitchen maid, at least until the Earl arrives unexpectedly. Suddenly she finds herself a house maid, with a pay increase. But the Earl seems to have more than a Lord, servant relationship in mind for her. What will it take for Gweneth to trust God to work out the details of this unlikely relationship?

Behold the Lamb - Rosalind wants nothing more for her and her father to live out their lives with each other. But their idyllic home is disturbed when a Sir Michael arrives unexpectedly demanding Roalind's hand in marriage. How can Rosalind possibly accept the proposal of a stranger, and why is her father enforcing that she marry him?

A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS is a charming set of four stories that will have you falling in love with the characters. My favorite story...I think...was Angel in the Attic, but then there were also the adorable characters in Lone Star and the unlikely romance in Under His Wings and.... Well, I could go on.

This collection in A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS is easily my favorite novella collection that I've read this year. This book would be a wonderful gift for your favorite romance reader this holiday season, or a great time-out for you as you take a few minutes to recover from the hustle and bustle. Highly recommended. $12.99. 350 pages.

This collection of four novellas in one nice and relaxing book will bring you back in time to a place and time that is long forgotten. A place where faith in God is real and truly genuine,and life wasn't taken for granted.
I wasn't sure how this book would turn out because I have read Catherines works in the past and wasn't happy with what I read. But she surprised me with this book and it is truly a great and inspiring read!! Not only was I impressed with this book, but I also got the added bonus of some new recipes that Catherine Palmer included!

Set in both America and England, these stories capture both Bible verses and the heart of Christmas and pull you in with the characters.If you asked me which of the four of these stories in the collection was my favorite, I would have to tell you all 4 of them, because I enjoyed them all so much, with the mix of history, romance and faith, that I couldn't choose just one as a favorite.

I will give this book both two thumbs up and 4 stars for amazing work! It also comes with high recommendation from me!


*This book was provided for review by Tyndale House Publishers*

So far I am loving this book! It is quirky, funny, inspiring, and amazing. This works right in with my little quilt of life.

Normally I don't like short stories, but these were so complete I didn't feel like I was missing anything. All the stories were very good christian fiction, I enjoyed them and plan to read them again.

I've read a lot of these Christian historical fictions (mainly because they are often free on my kindle) so I didn't go in expecting great literature.

In comparison to others of this genre, this book is one of the worst I've read. The writing was very uneven, the characters weren't at all developed and appeared to be recycled from one story to the next, and of course, little information was historically accurate. In a word, trite.

Here, noted Christian novelist and Christy-award winning Catherine Palmer has provided her readership with a glimpse into the lives of very different women who experience Christmas in decidedly different ways. Palmer delves into issues of social class and the restrictions placed upon women victim to a conservative structure, to spin a tale of determined women who find hope, love and often independence at Christmas time. I most appreciated the first two stories. The first Angel in the Attic spotlights a winning and spunky heroine who is just as comfortable with her rifle as she is planning the annual Christmas tea for the local orphans. When a mysterious stranger shows up, Fara raises her guard but secrets will be revealed and her truest strength will get a chance to shine. Fara is my kind of woman and certainly an oddity in the usual mix of Christian heroines who subscribe to the "angel of the hearth ideal" ( as befits the Victorian Era, ironically). The second story is a love story not constricted by social bounds, Star is an endearingly vulnerable newcomer to the taut English Society of a high-brow manor. Promised to marry as a pawn to secure a symbiotic business deal in the best interest of her father and his English counterpart, Star doesn't count on falling in love with her intended's brother.

I enjoyed all four stories. They are short but leave you wanting more. In each story, the women all find love for Christmas. The women are stubborn but eventually let down their reserve, trust in God, and fall for the guy. Each story also ends with a recipe. If you like romance or fairy tales you won't be disappointed.