Leanne Burroughs' contribution A New Tradition takes us to Sarasota Springs, NY for the healing waters and a romance. We get to enjoy the invention of potato chips and the early day of Central Park in New York City. The suffragette movement provides some unique challenges to a young couple.

Judith Leigh helps bring the book into current times with a sensitive look at war time romance in Chance for a Merry Christmas, Chance McCay is home from Iraq healing from an injury that gives him both emotional and physical pain. Sue Johnson has recently lost her mother. The last thing she wants is another relationship that may involve a loss of a loved one. Ms. Leigh does an excellent job sharing the feelings military families cope with when they send their loved ones off to an uncertain fate doing a job they believe in.

The Snowflake Ball by Amy Blizzard, Entertaining Angels by Patty Howell and A Christmas Flame by Amber Dawn Bell all follow the same theme of challenges people face when life hands them sadness. Love doesn't always come when people expect it or even think they want it.

All of these authors help us have faith by showing us the joys that can come in even the most devastating times. Sometimes seeing the world through someone else's eyes like Chloe does in The Snowflake Ball can make a world of difference. This is great reading for anytime of year.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Sweet

Reviewer: Dee Dailey
July 29, 2009