Joy to the World

 By Kelly Bridgewater

In Joy to the World, three popular romance authors come together to offer a heartwarming collection of holiday Regency romance. Based on lines from a beloved Christmas carol, these three novellas have depth, faith, and satisfying stories all packed into the perfect length for readers to curl up and take a brief break from their holiday busyness.

"Heaven and Nature Sing" by Carolyn Miller
Two music lovers, deeply devoted to each other, were on the brink of engagement when family circumstances drove them apart. How can they ever overcome both their obligations and their fears to find their way back into each other's arms?

"Far as the Curse Is Found" by Amanda Barratt
One winter night, a woman struggling to provide for her illegitimate child encounters a scarred veteran of the Napoleonic Wars on the streets of London. Can love conquer the darkness of two broken pasts?

"Wonders of His Love" by Erica Vetsch
A Scots portrait painter finds work at a noble manor house over the holidays. He never imagined he'd fall in love with the emotionally frozen widow there. Now he wants nothing more than to thaw her heart.

 

My Thoughts:

I love the cover for Joy to the World: A Regency Christmas Collection. What a great delightful introduction to what Christmas should look like. Snow and greenery. Just the sights and smells of Christmas.

"Heaven and Nature Sing" by Carolyn Miller

This novella wasn't my favorite of the three. Not because Carolyn Miller couldn't write. That is not the issue at all. Miller is a wonderful writer who really dives into the time period and brought Christmas of the old to life for the readers. I think the plot because the hero and heroine already had a past didn't strike me as something interesting. It has been done a number of times, and it was old news. I did enjoy the attention to detail that Miler gave to her stories. I have read other stories by her and enjoyed her stories.

"Far as the Curse is Found" by Amanda Barratt

I enjoyed this the most. If readers are fans of Beauty and the Beast, then this is definitely a novella up their alley. Barratt does a wonderful job at crafting a story where the heroine needs to look past the mask and look into the heart of the hero's character. I love how the hero took in a woman with her nine-month-old daughter without any question. It was a sweet romance and made me happy to see them fall in love and have a memorable Christmas.

"Wonders of His Love by Erica Vetsch

This is my second favorite story. I enjoyed who the hero, who is a painter, looks past the dull, dreary world around him and can add colors to it. I loved how the hero was there for a job, but her brought so much more to the home. The heroine transforms by the end of the novel, and I liked to see her transformation too. The romance was sweet, yet a little sappy at times too. This was a delightful way to end the book. I liked how Vetsch shows a little further in the future.

I received a complimentary copy of Joy to the World by Carolyn Miller, Amanda Barratt, and Eric Vetsch from Kregel Publications, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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