Rating: 
Summary: Three Superb Short Stories
Review: I bought this book because I absolutely LOVE Jo Beverley and I was not disappointed with "The Wise Virgin". The case of mistaken identity but finding true love amidst such problems of long time bitter feuds. I really shed a few tears on this one, as to the poignant way Ms. Beverley fleshed out her characters. She makes me laugh and she makes me cry. So sensual in such a short story, it was a pure Beverley delight.I was very much impressed with "The Vagabond Knight" by Margaret Moore, as well. Here you had two wounded souls both past the fresh dew of youth, older and hopefully wiser, but both carrying baggage. I cried for these two as well as laughed as some of the dialog, and shed tears of joy at the end. I felt she dealt well with giving both a history and tieing it up quite nicely in the end. The "Unexpected Guest", by Deborah Simmons, again was a wonderful short story. Being able to flesh out so many characters this well in so short a story time is the mark of a very accomplished author. I was so impressed with this story, that I plan to look into other novels by this author to pick up more works on the de Burgh family. As a rule, I dont like anthology novels and much prefer the meatier stories, but this was excellent. A keeper to reread around the holidays!
Rating:
Summary: Three Superb Short Stories
Review: I bought this book because I absolutely LOVE Jo Beverley and I was not disappointed with "The Wise Virgin". The case of mistaken identity but finding true love amidst such problems of long time bitter feuds. I really shed a few tears on this one, as to the poignant way Ms. Beverley fleshed out her characters. She makes me laugh and she makes me cry. So sensual in such a short story, it was a pure Beverley delight. I was very much impressed with "The Vagabond Knight" by Margaret Moore, as well. Here you had two wounded souls both past the fresh dew of youth, older and hopefully wiser, but both carrying baggage. I cried for these two as well as laughed as some of the dialog, and shed tears of joy at the end. I felt she dealt well with giving both a history and tieing it up quite nicely in the end. The "Unexpected Guest", by Deborah Simmons, again was a wonderful short story. Being able to flesh out so many characters this well in so short a story time is the mark of a very accomplished author. I was so impressed with this story, that I plan to look into other novels by this author to pick up more works on the de Burgh family. As a rule, I dont like anthology novels and much prefer the meatier stories, but this was excellent. A keeper to reread around the holidays!
Rating:
Summary: Three Superb Short Stories
Review: I bought this book because I absolutely LOVE Jo Beverley and I was not disappointed with "The Wise Virgin". The case of mistaken identity but finding true love amidst such problems of long time bitter feuds. I really shed a few tears on this one, as to the poignant way Ms. Beverley fleshed out her characters. She makes me laugh and she makes me cry. So sensual in such a short story, it was a pure Beverley delight. I was very much impressed with "The Vagabond Knight" by Margaret Moore, as well. Here you had two wounded souls both past the fresh dew of youth, older and hopefully wiser, but both carrying baggage. I cried for these two as well as laughed as some of the dialog, and shed tears of joy at the end. I felt she dealt well with giving both a history and tieing it up quite nicely in the end. The "Unexpected Guest", by Deborah Simmons, again was a wonderful short story. Being able to flesh out so many characters this well in so short a story time is the mark of a very accomplished author. I was so impressed with this story, that I plan to look into other novels by this author to pick up more works on the de Burgh family. As a rule, I dont like anthology novels and much prefer the meatier stories, but this was excellent. A keeper to reread around the holidays!
Rating:
Summary: Two great stories, and one adequate one
Review: I bought this book for Jo Beverley's "The Wise Virgin", and I was not disappointed. The characters were awesome, the story well-developed, and the resolution plausible. When I buy an anthology just because there's one author I know I want to read, I always hope that there will be good surprises in the other stories. I'm frequently disappointed, but not this time. None of the stories in this book were a total waste of time. Deborah Simmon's story was wonderfully well-written. And it's clear that it's part of a series of stories about a family of men, which is great news. New books to read, a new author to explore. The middle story I found less compelling. An enjoyable read, but not a keeper. Still, since the entire book was worth reading, I'll give it five stars to reflect the quality of the two stronger stories.
Rating:
Summary: Two great stories, and one adequate one
Review: I bought this book for Jo Beverley's "The Wise Virgin", and I was not disappointed. The characters were awesome, the story well-developed, and the resolution plausible. When I buy an anthology just because there's one author I know I want to read, I always hope that there will be good surprises in the other stories. I'm frequently disappointed, but not this time. None of the stories in this book were a total waste of time. Deborah Simmon's story was wonderfully well-written. And it's clear that it's part of a series of stories about a family of men, which is great news. New books to read, a new author to explore. The middle story I found less compelling. An enjoyable read, but not a keeper. Still, since the entire book was worth reading, I'll give it five stars to reflect the quality of the two stronger stories.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyed both Jo Beverley's and Deborah Simmon's stories
Review: I don't generally buy anthologies but I realized that Deborah Simmon's story related to the DeBurgh series, which I love! I thought Jo Beverley's story was a novel plot idea and I enjoyed both characters -- he, the famous knight who just wants someone to like him for who he is and treat him like a normal person and she, the strong, intelligent woman who doesn't fully perceive her own value. I also like Deborah Simmon's story precisely because it didn't have the typical young knight but an older, experienced (certainly mature in his own mind which is part of the plot). Can't wait to read Reynold's story and what is going to make Stephen grow up (and dry out)!
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyed both Jo Beverley's and Deborah Simmon's stories
Review: I don't generally buy anthologies but I realized that Deborah Simmon's story related to the DeBurgh series, which I love! I thought Jo Beverley's story was a novel plot idea and I enjoyed both characters -- he, the famous knight who just wants someone to like him for who he is and treat him like a normal person and she, the strong, intelligent woman who doesn't fully perceive her own value. I also like Deborah Simmon's story precisely because it didn't have the typical young knight but an older, experienced (certainly mature in his own mind which is part of the plot). Can't wait to read Reynold's story and what is going to make Stephen grow up (and dry out)!
Rating:
Summary: Very Entertaining Christmas Read
Review: I would have to disagree with the other reviewer. This book was very good and I enjoyed all three stories. Anyone who enjoys Deborah Simmons' medieval De Burgh series will love her story because they will be well familiar with Campion, who makes a great hero. There is an age difference but frankly it is never clear how old either character is, so I don't know how someone can determine he is too old for her. In any event, history shows many marriages with age differences. The other story by Margaret Moore is also cute and light hearted. I like Jo Beverly's story very much as well.
Rating:
Summary: Very Entertaining Christmas Read
Review: I would have to disagree with the other reviewer. This book was very good and I enjoyed all three stories. Anyone who enjoys Deborah Simmons' medieval De Burgh series will love her story because they will be well familiar with Campion, who makes a great hero. There is an age difference but frankly it is never clear how old either character is, so I don't know how someone can determine he is too old for her. In any event, history shows many marriages with age differences. The other story by Margaret Moore is also cute and light hearted. I like Jo Beverly's story very much as well.
Rating: 
Summary: For Beverley fans only, I'm sorry to say
Review: Jo Beverley's story leads this anthology and it was the only story I liked. Joan and her "too perfect" hero are wonderfully written and very likable. Joan has this problem, you see, she can't keep her opinions to herself as a proper maiden should and Edmund has had too many people toading up to him----how could they not connect? Ms. Beverley is a fine author and this small gem is another example of her fine skill. I only wish the other two stories in some way matched, but I can not say I liked either one. Ms Moore's story suffered from being too predictable in format, but unbelievable in content. I don't think the hero/heroine would ever have met or fallen in love. Ms Simmons has delighted me in the past, however not in this story. I did not like her hero. I felt he was too old for the heroine and the addition of his family of grown sons made it worse for my sensibilities. If you are not opposed to the plot points, yuo may enjoy this story more than I did. It is well written just not to my taste.
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