Scenes from a Holiday

October 15, 2005
Drawing on an actual historical event (the Canterbury Christmas March of 1647), this follow-up to "The Autobiography of Santa Claus" once again combines history with legend. Born in the year 377 A.D., Layla stops aging when she marries the magical and mysterious Nicholas. They become the Mr. and Mrs. Claus the world knows and loves. In the early 1600s, Mrs. Claus fights in England to keep the traditions of Christmas despite a Puritan ban. A weightier read than one might expect, this story is both educational and amusing.

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2005
Just in time for the holidays, Red Dress Ink offers a compilation of three holiday-themed novellas revolving around Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year's Eve. Nikki Heller, the heroine of Laurie Graff's tale, is reluctant to marry her devoted boyfriend, Mark, until a knock on the head puts her in a coma, and she finds herself dating some truly bad men and getting to the heart of her fear of committing. Caren Lissner's lovable heroine Carrie Pilby returns, ready for a new chance at love after being dumped by her actor boyfriend. She makes a resolution to find someone more like her, but the result isn't exactly what she bargained for. Melanie Murray's offering finds Emma Townsend leaving New York and her blue-blooded boyfriend to go home to Vermont for Christmas, and she is surprised when the trip reunites her with her high-school crush, reigniting old feelings. Readers will enjoy each of these delightful tales from three strong romance writers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)