Here is my take on the final two novellas in the Silent Night book beginning with The Unexpected Gift, the second novella, followed by Christmas Promises, the third novella.
The Unexpected Gift
Stars: 2.5 / 5
Recommendation: Plot, although well written, felt a lot weaker led by the key characters’ libido and felt really rushed at the end. I am amazed author Holmes managed to squeeze in a sex scene in a mere 66 pages of the story. What I missed was the unexpected gift of rediscovering the Christmas spirit. Where was it?
The Unexpected Gift is the second novella in the book Silent Night that has four novellas by established authors such as J.D. Robb; Susan Plunkett; Claire Cross; and ofcourse Dee Holmes who wrote this novella, published in November 1998
A couple days before Christmas, Sabrina McKay, finds her old boyfriend, Zach Danforth, drunk and unconscious in her yard. Memories and past passionate encounters surface for both of them. However, they have changed. But are their feelings remnants of the past or new ones surfacing now?
I have mixed feelings on this. It left me confusing a bit at the characterization of Sabrina McKay. She is a well rounded mother trying to make a better life for her and her son Josh. However, she falls back into the old feelings for her boyfriend. Just felt like the whole story was driven by Sabrina’s libido. May be I am reading too much into the plot.
Neither the first novella, A Berry Merry Christmas, nor this one fit with the entire theme of romance mystery that normally J. D. Robb’s books go. Although this book gives all the elements of love, romance, a cute kid and an asshole of an ex-husband who times it to get his family back for his career benefit; and mix in an old flame, this is a standard Hallmark movie plot.
I don’t understand Sabrina at all. She doesn’t put with her neglectful ex-husband. But she puts up with Zach who is very rude with her. Of course he is charming and trying to get into her pants, but he is rude too. So why does she want to give him redemption? Clearly confused me.
Plot, although well written, felt a lot weaker led by the key characters’ libido and felt really rushed at the end. I am amazed author Holmes managed to squeeze in a sex scene in a mere 66 pages of the story. What I missed was the unexpected gift of rediscovering the Christmas spirit. Where was it?
Christmas Promises
Stars: 3 / 5
Recommendation: This book had all the elements – romance, mystery, love, redemption and above all a certain edge that normally comes with any of the Robb’s or Nora Roberts’ novels. I think that is why this novella piqued my interest.
Christmas Promises is the third novella in the book Silent Night that has four novellas by established authors such as J.D. Robb; Dee Holmes; Claire Cross; and ofcourse Susan Plunkett who wrote this novella, published in November 1998
Marne York and her ex-fiancee Jake Rimsa come face to face after four years of heartbreak. However, now they are working together to find a missing child. Past feelings surface, but Marne has a secret that might break them apart again. Will their love withstand the shock and they keep their Christmas promises?
The first two novellas didn’t fit with the entire theme of romance mystery that normally J. D. Robb’s books go. However, this third one sits perfectly along-side J.D. Robb’s Midnight in Death.
This book had all the elements – romance, mystery, love, redemption and above all a certain edge that normally comes with any of the Robb’s or Nora Roberts’ novels. I think that is why this novella piqued my interest.
Spoiler Alerts:
- Book Trivia and Plot Reveals:
- From The Unexpected Gift:
- Sabrina McKay: A divorce with a kid, Josh; Ex-husband Robert Townsend; Mother Caroline McKay and father Warren McKay.
- From Christmas Promises:
- Jake Rimsa is an ex-SEAL and an FBI agent. He has a sister named Alice; mother Caroline and step-father Harrison Hudson and other family.
- Marne York works for Grayson Foundation an organization that helps battered and abused women.
- From The Unexpected Gift:
- Grammatical / Character / Plot / Geographical / Historical / Mythological Errors:
- From Christmas Promises: On Pg. 239, Line 20, it should be “ruined” not “ruint”.
Galavant Reflections 