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Summary: Two Captivating Christmas Novellas!
Review: "A Very Gothic Christmas" is an anthology containing two wonderful Christmas novellas, written by Christine Feehan and Melanie George, that is sure to entertain you and lift your spirits any time of the year. Both tales are well crafted, romantic, and full of heart-pounding passion and suspense, and I thoroughly enjoyed them. "After the Music" by Christine Feehan tells the story of Jessica Fitzpatrick, who decides to take her twin wards, 13-year-old Trevor and Tara, to spend Christmas with their reclusive father after a series of unsettling threats and disturbing "accidents" make her fear for the twins' lives. Trevor and Tara's father, Dillon Wentworth, is a brilliant musician who has spent many years in seclusion, ever since a horrific fire killed his troubled wife and left him terribly scarred. Unable to play his music because of his scarring, Dillon has cut himself off from the world and all but given up on life, but Jessica's unexpected arrival with Trevor and Tara starts to bring him out of his deep depression. And the spark that drew Dillon and Jessica together as the best of friends many years ago burns even brighter now. Jessica's love for Dillon is unwavering and unshakable, and it gives him something he had long since given up on - hope. The romance that Jessica and Dillon share is erotic, exciting, beautifully tender, and unbelievably touching as it starts to heal Dillon's damaged heart and soul.
Dillon's old band members have joined him for Christmas on his quiet little island, hoping to record a new album, the first in more than ten years. The music still flows from Dillon's talented mind like magic, and with his blossoming romance with Jessica and strong new bonds forming with his children, Christmas is looking up. Until strange "accidents" start occurring and Jessica realizes that the danger has followed her and the twins to their supposed sanctuary. Someone is trying very hard to get rid of Jessica, Tara, and Trevor and it's going to take a Christmas miracle to set things right and uncover the shocking truth behind this deadly situation.
Readers are sure to fall for the tormented yet appealing Dillon and the determined and loyal Jessica, and will be rooting for them to end up together. But will they beat the odds and find a lifetime of love in each other's arms? Read it and find out. "Lady of the Locket" by Melanie George introduces Rachel Hudson, who travels to Glengarren Castle in Scotland to spend Christmas in the place her recently deceased parents met and fell in love. Still grieving and trying to cope with the overwhelming loss, Rachel hopes to finally deal with her parents' death. But upon her arrival, she finds herself utterly captivated by a portrait of a Highland warrior named Duncan MacGregor, painted in 1745. A previous owner of Glengarren, Rachel feels inexplicably drawn to this long dead man, and begins to worry about her sanity. But one storm tossed night, Duncan MacGregor himself is thrown forward in time, transported from the midst of a bloody battle into the year 2001. Suddenly face to face with the fierce Highland warrior astride a magnificent stallion, Rachel is overwhelmed by his commanding presence. At first unable to believe the truth of what's happened, it's not long before Rachel and Duncan admit their intense attraction to one another. And they quickly fall completely and irrevocably in love, a love that cares nothing for reality, time, or circumstance. They both comprehend the futility of their situation, knowing all too well that Duncan does not belong in Rachel's time and that their time together cannot last. But danger lurks at every turn, for a dark and ancient enemy has followed Duncan through time in a quest for revenge, and it will stop at nothing to destroy Duncan and all he holds dear. Now Duncan and Rachel must stand as one against the evil that seeks to destroy them, all the while knowing that their time is running out, and that soon they will be left only with the memories of a love that will last forever and yet can never be.
Duncan and Rachel's plight is utterly heart-rending and totally engrossing. Readers will frantically turn the pages, hoping for a miracle to bring these two star-crossed lovers together. But will Rachel and Duncan find a way to stay together, or will they be forced to live out their lives in loneliness and longing? "A Very Gothic Christmas" is a delightful holiday treat that can be enjoyed in any season. Both tales are thrilling, intriguing, and darkly seductive, and are guaranteed to enchant readers everywhere. With the perfect mix of romance, suspense, and magic these two tales will undoubtedly sate and satisfy the most discerning of readers. "A Very Gothic Christmas" is a book you can't help but love, so don't miss out on the pleasure it will bring, buy it today and enjoy!
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Summary: Great-A Keeeper!
Review: "After the Music" by Christine Freehan. Critics and fans loved the music of Dillon Wentworth until a fire in his home killed his wife Vivian and scarred the musician when he entered the inferno to rescue his two children. Dillon fled to a small island leaving the kids with Jessica Fitzpatrick. Now someone has begun a stalking campaign aimed at the children so Jessica flees with them so their reclusive father can protect them. Love blossoms between the two adults, but those feelings may prove futile against the assault from Vivian's occult friends. This novel is an exciting modern gothic romance starring a brooding hero living in a remote home whose only hope for redemption rests in the magic of love.
"Lady of the Locket" by Melanie George. Years ago, Rachel Hudson's parents met and fell in love at Scotland's Glengarren Castle. They planned to return to where the magic began, but both died before they did. Rachel travels to the site where her parents' love first blossomed. However, she wonders if her grieving is affecting her mind as she is attracted to a portrait painted in 1745 of Duncan MacGregor. To her shock, Duncan appears in person, but even as they fall in love, his malevolent enemy has followed to complete his odious task. Though a short novel, "Lady of the Locket" is an exciting gothic romance with time travel elements intermingled into the plot.
A VERY GOTHIC CHRISTMAS is a two for one book that entertains modern day gothic romance fans as the authors, Christine Freehan & Melanie George, furbish strong tales. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: After the Music
Review: "Dark Fire" got me hooked onto Christine Feehan, and from there I had to go hunt down all of her books and read them all. Her "Dark" series are great, as was the "Scarletti Curse". But I couldn't find myself getting into "After the Music". Although the story is wonderfully written and flows beautifully, I didn't feel that drawn to the overall storyline, nor did it seem very "Gothic" like. I have to admit I skimmed this book at the bookstore and decided not to buy it because I felt this was not a story I was likely to re-read again, unlike all her other books and her part in the "After Twilight" anthology. I would probably recommend this book only to the Die Hard Christine Feehan fans only. It was probably my least favorite story line out of all her books. Despite this story however, I will always await eagerly to read her lastest work. Christine Feehan is a truly gifted writer.
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Summary: Danger and Love = GREAT ROMANCE!!
Review: A Very Gothic Christmas written by Christine Feehan and Melanie George is a really great read! After the Music written by Christine Feehan is filled with danger, intrigue and the redeeming power of love. Dillon Wentworth was once a world famous musician. He was handsome, rich and well-loved by all. All of that changes once a mysterious fire kills his wife and leaves him horribly scarred. Shutting out the world, he retreats to his mansion on a remote island wanting only to be left alone. Jessica Fitzpatrick has been taking care of Dillon's children, a boy and a girl who are twins. Mysterious threats compell her to take them to their estranged father. She fears that their lives are in danger and that they will only be safe with Dillon. Yet, the initial meeting between the father and the children does not go off quite as Jessica has planned. Nevertheless, she is very determined to have the children see him as a WORTHY man. And she is also determined to have Dillon, inspite of his scars, to see himself as a WORTHY man! Yet, there is danger afoot as someone plots more evil. An evil which has killed before and will again unless stopped!! Ms. Feehan has written such a great, heartwarming tale. Despite the fact that Dillon loses his handsomeness in a fire, he re-discovers that he is still a worthy, desirable man. **Fans of her Dark Series SHOULD give this book a try. You won't regret it!** Lady of the Locket written by Melanie George is another great read! Rachel Hudson travels to Glengarren, the Scottish castle where her parents met so many years ago. Once she arrives, she is warned of strange goings-on at Glengarren. Inspite of these warnings, she decides to stay. A portrait of a fierce, virile Highlander draws her gaze as if by magic. She cannot look away and the more she stares into his handsome face, a wild yearning grows within her. On a wild, stormy night, Rachel finds herself face to face with Duncan McGregor sitting astride a stallion. He has stepped into her time but he has not come alone. An ancient enemy pursues him and will stop at nothing to destroy him. Ms. George has written such a wonderful lovestory. Be prepared to be swept away as Rachel and Duncan fall in love. A magical love that transends time . . . . Highly recommended!! Great romance and highly recommended.
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Summary: Exciting Holiday Romances
Review: AFTER THE MUSIC-Jessica (Jessie) Fitzgerald, decides to take her teenage twin wards, Tara and Trevor, to visit their musician father, Dillon Wentworth, over the holiday season, due to some very frightening, and unusual threats. Jessie has had no contact with Dillon ever since the fire that night, when his wife (a woman interested in the occult, and a carrier of psychological disorders), died, and left him horribly disfigured. But the day Jessie arrives, changes Dillon's life forever. He is finally seeing the woman he loves again, and they are caught up in heated passion, finally becoming what Tara and Trevor have always wanted, a family. LADY OF THE LOCKET-Rachel Hudson decides to visit Glengarren, a Scottish castle where her now deceased parents met one year on Christmas. But as soon as she arrives, she falls in love with a portrait of Highlander Duncan Macgregor. She realizes that she wants to know all she can about him. Then, one storm-ridden night, Rachel is tossed back into another century, and she is there, with Duncan Macgregor, sharing love, passion, and adventure. I found that I highly enjoyed AFTER THE MUSIC. It was an exciting story, mixing romance/suspense/mystery/paranormal phenomena all into one. I give this story 4 stars. LADY OF THE LOCKET was another excellent story, yet mostly took place in another century, as Rachel travels back in time. And while it combined mystery/romance/time travel, I felt that I liked it a little less than AFTER THE MUSIC, and gave it 3 stars. Overall, I found this book very enjoyable.
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Summary: Superb romance - but lacking in gothic flavor
Review: AS an anthology that offers gorgeous romance from this year's two promising writers, A VERY GOTHIC CHRISTMAS is unequivocally a cosy read that warms your heart. However, the gothic element as summoned by the bookcover fails to permeate throughout the two stories. Especially so - when Christine Feehan with her immensely popular Dark series that is redolent of fantasies and gothic aura fails to create the magic in AFTER THE MUSIC. It is a contemporary romance that centres on the tragedy of Dillion Wentworth, a talented musician haunted by his mistakes in the past. A broken marriage to his ex-wife, a secret growing love for the ward, Jessica Fitzpatrick, and a fire that demolished his home, left him scarred and alienated to his children sums up his misery. Years later, after Jessica rescues his children from the inferno, she returns to find Dillion - cold and almost a stranger. She hopes for a Christmas miracle - that is to give Dillion the love of his children and gift of music. Yet a hideous murderer is determined to extinguish the hope.... In the desperation of danger, Dillion finds himself eager to protect his children and gathers the courage to face Jessica and his music again. AFTER THE MUSIC despite its lack of gothic flavor is saved by its taut suspense and tight romance. The fears and barriers Dillion and Jessica have to brave through is palpable - and their passionate romance is indeed a triumph. Melanie George with Lady of the Locket surprisingly sheds the usual scintillating and humorous tone in her Devil's series to churn out a time-travel romance that is reminiscent of Lind Howard's Son of the morning. Rachel Hudson returns to the scottish castle Glengarron to bury the ashes of her demised parents, who met here several years ago. Her heartache and loneliness is devastating - even more so when she sees a portrait of a laird, Duncan MacGregor, who died as a patriot to his clan. On a stormy night when lightning strikes, she finds herself miraculously accosted by him who has stepped past a portal to her time. The chemistry between them is inexplicably strong and Rachel finds herself deeply entrenched in love. Yet their passion cannot fight against time and the relentless pursuit of an enemy..... Will a miracle happen? Melanie George has succeeded in knitting an engaging read brimming with sensuality and passion. Rachel is vulnerable and Duncan's protectiveness is the perfect antitode to her pitiful existence. Lady of the Locket compared to AFTER THE MUSIC is richer in its gothic tone and more unforgettable. The quality of both romance in this anthology, A Very gothic Christmas is nevertheless superb; the romantic atmosphere is ubquitous and poignantly heartfelt.
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Summary: dedicated readers Must Have!!!
Review: Both Christine and Melanie have done it again..... After the Music is a fast moving plot that reaches out and sucks you in during the first page. With complicated plot twists, and versitile characters...this "Who done it" will leave you both guessing until the end, as well as falling in love with, and cheering for the tormented hero. This book is deep, complicated, and fast, and should only be read by those with a great sense of what a good book should be. The complexities of this book can be often overlooked by those who are not in tune with the nature of humankind. Therefore, this book should be read by those well versed in human feelings and human love. The only drawback on this book is that Ms. Feehan's editors did not do her a good service. Spelling and punctuation errors can have a destracting effect on this wonderful storyline. Ms. George has also done a wonderful job in touching on the human soul, in "Lady of the Locket". In this story it is the heroine who is tormented, and finds the strength to overcome her grief when a worthy partner enters her life. Both characters grow in emotional and dimential depth as they confront and fight the evil that hopes to destroy them both.
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Summary: Exceptional book, could not wait until 'Christmas'
Review: Christine Feehan & Melanie George, combine to write one of the best books of 2001, gripping stories and believable characters, you will not want to put the book down, but also cannot wait to see how each story ends.
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Summary: Melanie George shines!
Review: Christine Feehan's story AFTER THE MUSIC is mysterious and dark, but lacks the explosive passion her DARK series books have. I found myself wishing a Carpathian would show up and liven things up. A three star story - must read for fans. Melanie George's story LADY OF THE LOCKET was the best story in this anthology. If you have a weakness for Scottish men, then you will love this story. Rachel falls for the image of Duncan MacGragor from a paining in the castle of Glengarren. Then one stormy night, Duncan comes back through time to solve the mystery of the castle and his death. What is sad is I know some people skipped this story just to read Christine's story only. They don't know what they missed! A four star story - give it a try.
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Summary: Melanie George shines!
Review: Christine Feehan's story AFTER THE MUSIC is mysterious and dark, but lacks the explosive passion her DARK series books have. I found myself wishing a Carpathian would show up and liven things up. A three star story - must read for fans. Melanie George's story LADY OF THE LOCKET was the best story in this anthology. If you have a weakness for Scottish men, then you will love this story. Rachel falls for the image of Duncan MacGragor from a paining in the castle of Glengarren. Then one stormy night, Duncan comes back through time to solve the mystery of the castle and his death. What is sad is I know some people skipped this story just to read Christine's story only. They don't know what they missed! A four star story - give it a try.
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