Haunted Hearts wasn't really a romance, despite some romantic elements that seemed to be thrown in. At the end, Tony tells Lana that he'll eventually propose to her, but I never saw any reason, beyond attraction and a mutual purpose, that could have made him fall in love, or think he would. There was very little interaction between them during the course of the story. I had the feeling that if it had been longer, there would've been plenty of believable romantic interaction between them, since the little I saw was convincing of the possibility of love. The ending was abrupt both in romance, and in how things were resolved about the murders. It wasn't so much an illogical ending, just that everything seemed to resolve very calmly, with the suspects a little too far on the dim side. However, the main plot, solving Lucy and Davide's murders with the help of the two ghosts, was involving and rather amusing. It was a quick read, and the heroine was engaging, making the overall story likable.

Mistletoe Medium by Elizabeth Delisi
Lottie has left her boyfriend after finding about his illegal activities, but that doesn't stop him from demanding she come back. However, he doesn't intimidate her and she's already set her sights on her new life. Harlan, the town deputy, is good looking and interested, and he's just what she needs. But the strange robberies that have begun to plague Cheyenne intrude upon Lottie's new life. Between her psychic talent and Harlan's job, Lottie might just have to figure this thing out rather than ignore it.

This was a fairly simple tale about a woman getting a new beginning over the holidays. As such, it was kind of sweet, and Harlan was definitely the small town gentleman he was meant to be. However, the story as a romance fell a little flat. There just wasn't enough character interaction, beyond Lottie's oh-so-southern flirting, to justify the ending. And while that ending wasn't a full-blown I-Love-You, I had doubts as to the closeness Lottie and Harlan seemed to have developed. The light suspense plot surrounding the robberies was a nice addition, and fueled some of Lottie and Harlan's encounters, but just took up too much story. However, because of the overall sweet and mysterious tone, Mistletoe Medium may appeal to more readers than it did to me, if only because I'm usually an action fan.

Valentine's Inn by Chris Grover
Rianna Gordon just wants to buy a secluded place near a lake and retire there. Three of her friends died in the same car accident that nearly cost Rianna her leg. She inherits Valentine Inn, a family business that was damaged by a fire years ago and was never open after. She just wants to sell it to a developer, despite the history, but a strange man, Josh Byford, starts trying to convince her to give the inn a chance.

Valentine's Inn was a very simple short story. But it had relatively good characterization. Rianna wanted to hide away from the world, but not so much so she was completely deaf to a good idea. It was the beginning of a possible romance, orchestrated by Josh, but it ended in a realistic, yet sweet ending. I liked it without having to see anything deeper. Rianna's turn from hurting to interested in seeing her family's history and inn be restored made for an excellent change.

Curse of Osiris by Elaine Hopper
Zane Ryan is back, as if his betrayal never happened. When he left years ago, Alexis was heartbroken and still hasn't quite gotten over him. When he demands he go with her to America, Alexis refuses. Her foster father, Omar, steps in to bid her obey, and, despite trying to be a good Egyptian daughter, she questions why. Alexis is part of a prophecy; when the constellation of Cassiopeia shines bright at the turn of the New Millennium, the Egyptian god Seth will claim his virgin bride, then sacrifice her in order to rule Earth, bringing hell to its lands. And Alexis is the woman who bears the mark of that bride.

Curse of Osiris had a rather intriguing plot, which would've suited a slightly longer story. And though it was full of action and easy to read, I just had trouble believing the story. Alexis's all-too-innocent and stubborn act is what did me in the most. She was just pulled around by other characters, the plot, and so on. This couldn't be easily explained away by her status in Omar's family (which seemed to be traditional Muslim, yet may not have been). But, it was easy to read and had a very fast pace. I did enjoy that part of the story and will admit, that out of all the stories, the best. Zane was also the sexiest hero out of the bunch!

Ghosts of Auld Sang Lyne by Maureen McMahon
Stacey is spending the holidays with her friend, Holly. Yet Holly has also invited Peter, who says he'll try to make it. After a night of nightmares that may have been about a woman who'd been lost in a blizzard long ago, Stacey is scared out of her wits when Peter does show up. But really bothers her is that Peter was the man she was deeply involved with in college. They also spent time in Ireland together, before Stacey fled what she was feeling. She doesn't like seeing the hurt in his eyes, but she also has other mysteries on her mind.

Ghosts of Auld Sang Lyne was rather different tale. It involved the mystery behind Clemmentine Kreen's disappearance, and subsequent haunting, and the animal traps and accidents that are plaguing the area around Holly's home. Paul and Stacey's relationship was only touched upon, but I wasn't really bothered by it. The steady-pace and strong characterization of Stacey kept me reading, and the somewhat sweet ending made a welcome addition this anthology.

Fate's Little Trick by Sheryl Hames Torres
Christmas seems to give Gemma tragedies rather than miracles. In one, her fiancé marries his boss's daughter. In another, both her husband and daughter die, leaving her deaf but open to others' feelings. She hears a young girl's confusion and pain, and prepares a place for her and her father. But the father turns out to be the fiancé who betrayed her fifteen years ago. Gemma would rather be in peace in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains than be confronted with a past she thought long gone. That Jared is running from his daughter's rich grandparents, who want to take custody of deaf Emily, Gemma refuses to allow alter her feelings. But Jared and Emily are very different, and because of her talent, and their determination, Gemma might be forced out of her shell.

Fate's Little Trick sealed the second chances theme I saw repeated in several stories throughout Enchanted Holidays. It was also the best story with which to end the anthology. Gemma and Jared were both very tender and heartbreaking, and even Emily was a character I could fully embrace. This was the most romantic of all the stories, and had I read it as a story on its own, no doubt it'd have moved me just as much. The slight paranormal theme was definitely needed for the plot, but downplayed enough that it seemed utterly natural, rather than exceptional. I enjoyed this sweet, sentimental story.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Sweet

Reviewer: Tara Black
February 11, 2005