Review

Another winner, as it can only be, from this great author!  This novella includes everything Christmas and within the great spirit of Christmas.  Overcoming, with help from those who cares, the missing and loss of a loved one, strength, love, friendship, sharing, caring, even enemies coming together to overcome, hope, dreams, romance, lust, yule logs, mistletoes, and miracles, or so it seems.  Giving hope where everything is not really as it appears this book is a curl up by the fire with a warm seasonal drink and read from start to finish.  But get comfortable because you will not want to put it down until the last word is read.  You then will simply sigh, close your eyes, lean your head back and smile while wishing it was longer.

Two people from different classes of life, who both have struggled to rise above past horrors and disappointments, begin a journey under pretense to help a laird they both love find peace and happiness.  They find friendship, joy, and love between themselves. They begin the journey thinking more of helping one in need and end up with great happiness.

The heroine is a strong lady kidnapped years ago from her own clan and now living among a clan that rescued her from the kidnappers and treats her as one of their own.  Her entire family was destroyed during the raid and she has no home to return to.  The hero is a busty highlander whose confidence level is high as long as a battle is involved, but not so great when a lady is involved.  Who in their right mind would want a scarred rustic highlander, especially a beautiful lady with tragic memories. 

The two begin a journey with the goal of helping their laird find some happiness within the season.  Their home in the past at this time of year was filled with joy, fun, peace, and the spirit of a highland Christmas.  It is now filled with sadness and loss and a wish that the season would just disappear.  A decorated hall that used to be filled to the walls at this time of year was now an empty space filled with grouchy humbug sadness, even to the point of sneaking around at night and dismantling any decoration fixed there during the day. 

This great novella even delivers, as the great spirit of a highland Christmas should, a miracle of all things, which helps bring happiness where it is deserved.

“……Warrior Grim Mackintosh understands why his friend Archibald MacNab has decreed there be no trace of Christmas in his castle. After a devastating attack destroyed everything-and everyone-in Archie's life, he prefers to stew in his own misery until the holiday passes. But Duncreag has seen enough tragedy. Grim decides to throw a grand Yuletide feast, one that the bards will sing about for years to come, one that will remind his laird how beloved he is. He can't do it alone, though. Grim needs an accomplice . . .

There's nothing Breena O'Doherty won't do for Archie, so she's thrilled to help Grim with his plan. Yet she has a Christmas wish all her own-to win Grim's heart-and this might be her only chance to make it come true. As Breena and Grim work together to bring the joy of the season to the cold, gloomy castle and to the heart of the cantankerous chieftain, an undeniable passion ignites between them. But when a shocking secret about Breena's past comes to light, threatening everything she holds dear, will it ruin Christmas in Duncreag forevermore?.....”

Sue-Ellen Welfonder is an author who delivers throughout the book.  Through her writing the reader can close their eyes and be transported to a different place and time and actually feel the space, characters, and landscape while becoming a part of the story.  Not every author has this ability.

This is one book I highly recommend!!!! You will not be disappointed. The book holds enough passion, magic, and adventure you will want to read it any time during the year!

Reviewed by Rhonda