Oh, how I loved this collection of stories from some incredible authors! Each storyline was interesting and the characters were wonderful. Each novella furthered the history of the “Christmas heirloom” from its origin to present day. Every story was a perfect length to read during a busy holiday season, and each seemed complete. The endings were not rushed. This is one of the best novella collections that I’ve read and fits the spirit of the Christmas season perfectly. I’m glad to have this one on my Christmas bookshelf.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

“The Christmas Heirloom” provided a warm and entertaining read for the Christmas holidays. However, the themes represented in the short stories in this volume are appropriate for any time of year. Caring for others, persistence, kindness, yet also dealing with loss and struggle, are all part of these stories. Since each story is written by a different author, there are slightly different themes, locations, and perspectives to each one. However, they are all connected by the common thread of the heirloom brooch, passed from woman to woman in the family. This idea really added sparkle to the story, and made me want to continue reading to find out who would own the brooch in the next story. I appreciated the quiet Christian message in the stories as well, not to be missed by the reader.

I received this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Delightful set of Christmas novellas by four master storytellers. These four stories are connected by a brooch that legend has it brings true love to the owner. From Regency England to contemporary America four ladies discover the magic of Christmas and true love. I love Christmas and happy ever after stories and it is neat to see these two themes combined. So grab some Christmas cookies and hot chocolate and curl up in front a roaring fire and enjoy these sweet tales.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

My Rating: 4 and 1/2 stars.
My Recommendation: 15 up because of Romance.
My Favorite Character/s: I liked each of the main characters in each novella. My favorite of all the main characters is Bo.
Thoughts: Each of these novellas are wonderful, and I liked that they have more depth than most Christmas stories.
My Verse for this story: Ecclesiastes 3:3 A Time for Everything
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
English Standard Version (ESV)
(I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley, and I was not required to leave a positive review.)

Four Holiday Novellas of Love Through The Generations each have a voice as different as each woman whose story is told. The Christmas Heirloom written by Karen Witemeyer, Kristi Ann Hunter, Sarah Loudin Thomas and Becky Wade will capture your imagination as you follow its history. At once it is a rich treasure and in another moment it may be lost forever. As I get older and am reminded of my heritage, stories such as this warm my memories like a cup of fine tea shared among friends. I hope this collection will find its way into your hands as this wonderful season rich with holidays begins.
In Kristi Ann Hunter's "Legacy of Love," Sarah Gooding never suspected returning a brooch to an elderly woman would lead to a job . . . and introduce her to the woman's grandson, a man far above her station.
A beautiful amethyst brooch is a treasure for ... and an heirloom passed through generations from mother to daughter. Sarah was a blessing to an old and largely ignored woman. From the moment they met they connected, mostly because Sarah saw her as the person she always was; not as the old woman nearing the end of her life.
In Karen Witemeyer's "Gift of the Heart," widow Ruth Albright uses the family brooch as collateral for a loan from the local banker. But the more she comes to know the man behind the stern businessman, the more she hopes for a second chance at love.
Ruth treasured the brooch she received from her mother and was holding it in trust for her daughter. What a wonderful story of love and devotion. Coming with nothing but her strength and courage she touched the lives of many. I particularly enjoyed this story for the generous spirit Ruth had for all she met. If there is a story to be told about a hard working woman, Karen Witemeyer is the one to write it. In the west, when a woman was all alone, she either rolled up her sleeves and found a way to support her family or floundered.
In Sarah Loudin Thomas's "A Shot at Love," Fleeta Brady's rough-and-tumble childhood means she prefers hunting to more feminine activities. She never expected her family's brooch might be how a fellow hunter turns her attention from competition to romance.
I enjoy reading Sarah Loudin Thomas's books and it was good to get a second glace at some characters from the sound of rain. Fleeta is such an unusual young woman the way she can out shoot most men at the turkey shoot. She is following her dreams and doesn't want anything like a brooch send romance her way. Her innocence is both delightful and bittersweet. I liked this novella for people that came alive in true Sarah Loudin Thomas style. Rich with the poignancy of West Virginia in the 1950's where people were doing their best with what they had. Yet still, that brooch was treasured.
In Becky Wade's "Because of You," Maddie Winslow has spent years in love with a man whose heart was already spoken for. When a church Christmas project brings them together and she stumbles upon an old family brooch, might it finally be her turn for love?
The brooch made it to present day Christmas season. Becky Wade's approach is in tune with the younger generation. The brooch makes its way into Maddie's hands in an almost irreverent manner. Maddie's mother seemed a bit sheepish when she admitted she had forgotten it in with some of her old things. Fortunately, Maddie loved the brooch and found it just in time...or are all the stories of this brooch just coincidence? To find out for sure, pick up a copy in time for your Christmas reading season.
I received a copy of this book with no obligation to write a review but as with all books I enjoy, I just can't keep a good thing to myself!

4 novellas taking place in different time periods, from regency England to present day America, following a brooch made of silver, with an amethyst stone, and interlocking hearts passed from mother to daughter.



Legacy of Love by Kristi Ann Hunter

Sarah Gooding is the companion to Lady Densbury, quiet and unobtrusive in public, she and Lady Densbury engage in lively discussions and share a true friendship in private. Sarah is an accomplished musician, and is very talented.



Randall Everard is Lady Densbury's favorite grandson, and she encourages him to call often. He is surprised to find out how different Sarah is from what he assumed. He and Sarah work together to give Lady Densbury a fantastic Christmas.





Gift of the Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Ruth Fulbright and her 7 year-old daughter move to Hope Springs, where Ruth has a job as a cook. People come from all around for the natural mineral baths, so housing is expensive and the only cabin for rent belong to the resort owner, Bo Azlin.



Bo is the owner of the resort, he lost the use of his arm in a childhood accident, his business manager usually handles things, but when Ruth comes to rent, she asks to speak directly to Bo. Naomi latches onto Bo, and assumes that the stray cat always hanging around is Bo's, and she helps him open up to Ruth. He admires her determination and fortitude. She loves his strength and compassion, she doesn't care about his arm, and encourages him to reach out to others.



Shot at Love by Sarah Loudin Thomas

West Virginia, 1958. By now the brooch has changed hands many times. Fleeta Brady is a crack shot and talented carpenter, she has dreams of opening her own gun shop.



Hank Chapin comes to town and enters the local shooting contest. He is a gun collector, and has a fancy gun with a prized scope. He is surprised to hear that everyone in town expects Fleeta to win. He is intrigued by her, so he hires her to carve a magnolia onto his gunstock.



Because of You by Becky Wade

Maddie Winslow works with her friend Britt Bradford at the chocolate shop, SweetArt. Maddie has helped with Mission Christmas in the past, but this year she is teamed up with Leo Donnelly. She and Leo have been friends for years, since he was married to her best friend, but now he is a widower.



Leo is a professor at the local college and the father to a three-year-old boy, Charlie, who adores Maddie. Maddie feels guilty over her feelings for Leo, and prays for wisdom. I really liked her faith in action.



Overall this was a great collection, touched with humor and and connected by the brooch. I love how the brooch and various matchmaking helpers along the way help these couples find love in the light of Christmastime. Highly recommend!





Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

A wonderful group of stories by several of my already favorite authors and found others as this book went along. Love and happiness was all over these for different generations. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me this.

This is a fun novella collection from four popular authors, each writing in the genre they are known for. The stories are linked several ways—they are linked to each other as the heroines are gifted and then pass down a family heirloom, and each has a Christmas scene (enough to make it marketable as a Christmas collection, but not so Christmassy that it felt odd to read in October). Some of the stories are also linked to other stories from that individual author. Clever, and fun!

As is typical for novellas, the stories are quick and relatively fast-paced, but each is a complete and satisfying story.

Legacy of Love by Kristi Ann Hunter is loosely linked to her current Haven Manor series.
The heroine, Sarah Gooding, was raised at Haven Manor and has no idea who her parents are. She’s working as the companion to the Dowager Countess of Densbury and is secretly in love with Lady Densbury’s grandson, Mr Everard. Or perhaps that’s not-so-secretly …

The story is written in Hunter’s trademark fun style, with subtle humour that builds character and reduces tension rather than crossing over to the ridiculous. Despite the short length, Legacy of Love manages to pack quite the emotional punch—I can’t remember the last time I cried over a novel, let alone a novella.

Gift of the Heart by Karen Witemeyer introduces widow Ruth Fullbright and her daughter, Naomi.
Ruth has come to the resort town of Hope Springs to take a job as cook at the Homespun Cafe. But Ruth has no money to pay the deposit or advance rent on the only place in town she can afford, so she asks the owner if he’ll accept a broach, a family heirloom, as security. He does … especially because he’s curioius about and attracted to the small town’s new resident.

This is a feel-good romance, exactly what I expect from Karen Witemeyer. There are great characters, Christian themes, and plenty of subtle humour.

(As an aside, Hope Springs seems to be a popular name for fictional towns—I’ve just started Who I Am With You by Robin Jones Gunn, which also features a heroine living in Hope Springs. I guess Christian authors like the symbolism.)

A Shot at Love by Sarah Loudin Thomas features an unusual heroine.
She’s a crack shot who carves rifle butts and wants to own her own gunsmithing store one day. When Hank visits town for work, Fleeta soon finds he’s the only person she’s met—male or female—who can give her some competition for her shooting. But will he be content to settle a shooting, or will he want more?

This was the story I didn’t enjoy as much as the others. I haven’t read anything by Sarah Loudin Thomas before, so that could be because I was still trying to get used to her style. It could also be because I’m not a gun person, so the idea of anyone wanting to be a gunsmith is outside my experience.

However, that’s a statement of preference. There was nothing wrong with the story, the characters, or the writing. I just found it harder to related to Fleeta, which made it difficult to engage with the story.

The final story, Because of You by Becky Wade, is set in the present day.
It’s part of the Bradford Sisters Romance series, but it’s not about one of the Bradford sisters. Instead, it’s about Maddie Winslow, who works for one of the sisters.

Because of You is a classic friends-to-something-else plot, as Maddie is in love with her (dead) best friend’s husband. When they are assigned to be partners in the church Christmas project, they are forced to spend time alone together, and that changes things …

All in all, this was a fun novella collection centered around a family heirloom—a valuable brooch. If (like me) you already know and enjoy one or more of these authors, then the collection is a great way to be introduced to the others.

Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

What can be better than a book with several of my favorite authors? When there is a thread throughout the stories that connects them all. I loved reading about a family heirloom being passed down from generation to generation, and the love that followed it. Although they were all part of the same family, the characters were all so unique. Each story had me turning the pages to see if the legacy that follows the brooch could be true. During a season of hope, even impossible dreams can come true. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance. You can’t beat 4 love stories in one novel, and each author brings their best to the table. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley and was in no way forced to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Christmas Heirloom: Four Holiday Novellas of Love Through the Generations is a collection of novella stories spanning a couple hundred years of time, from historical novellas to a contemporary one, that is written by four different authors. Karen Witemeyer, Becky Wade, Kristi Ann Hunter, and Sarah Loudin Thomas all come together to bring us four love stories, woven together by a brooch handed down throughout generations of women as they find love. Each novella was so unique, yet wove together Christmassy elements and obviously, the heirloom brooch itself. The stories were wonderful individually, each taking an hour or so to read–perfect for when you don’t have time enough for a full novel–and came together well also. The story started in England and then the characters immigrated to America, and so we see stories set in the aftermath of the Civil War, the mid 1900s, and modern day. It was a sweet collection that I would recommend to those looking for some light reading for the holidays. I’m usually not one to push Christmas stuff during October, preferring to wait until around Thanksgiving, but this definitely got me in the Christmas spirit. It’d be the perfect fireside read.

Thank you to Bethany House publishers and Net Galley for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and were not required to be positive. The links in this post are my affiliate links with Amazon, which means that I’ll receive a small commission if you purchase the book, which supports me but doesn’t increase your price any.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

The Christmas Heirloom: Four Holiday Novellas of Love through the Generations
Four sweet Christmas novellas tying several generations together.
Legacy of Love by Kristi Ann Hunter was a historical European novel. Sarah works for Lady Danbury. I enjoyed the scene where she displays her backbone to defend Lady Densbury. Lady Densbury is declining in health and Sarah and Randall (her favorite grandson) spend as much time with her during the holiday season. We learn of the meaning behind the heirloom in this novella.

Gift of the Heart by Karen Witemeyer was a beautiful story about loving who a person is and not the external features. Ruth is a widow with a young daughter who is adorable. Ruth arrives in town to be the cook at a local restaurant. The romance that builds between Ruth and the banker was adorable.

A Shot at Love (no pun intended) by Sarah Loudin Thomas takes place in America. Fleeta is a crack shot. She wins the shooting competitions. She may have met her match in Hank. I enjoyed her talent of carving into the stock of a gun. I find it interesting when the women have unique talents.

I am a huge fan of Becky Wade and her latest series, Bradford Sisters. So I may have picked this book just for this story and ended up enjoying all four of the novellas. In Because of You we learn more about Maddie who works at the chocolate shop. I loved how Leo stood up for her when his MIL spoke harshly. I fell in love with him then for sure. This is a contemporary romance.

I received this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.

This collection was so much fun to read! The connecting point among all four stories is a broach, passed down through the generations, that is supposed to bring love to its owner. It's a fun premise, and each individual novella is a great read in and of itself. 4-1/2 stars for the collection as a whole ... keep reading for my thoughts on each novella!

Legacy of Love (A Haven Manor novella) by Kristi Ann Hunter
It's a rare book that will make me both laugh and cry, but that's what happened as I read Legacy of Love. This novella is a love story, but it's much less of a romance between a man and a woman than it is about the love a dying old woman has for those around her. It's a beautiful, touching Christmas story. 4-1/2 stars.

Gift of the Heart by Karen Witemeyer
This is a take on the biblical story of Ruth. Bo Azlin (get it?) and Ruth have a beautiful love story, and Bo's letter to Ruth nearly had me swooning. 4-1/2 stars.

A Shot at Love (A Sound of Rain novella) by Sarah Loudin Thomas
While this novella felt just a touch too long, I still enjoyed it. Fleeta is such a unique heroine, and her relationship with Hank is very sweet. I also loved her relationship with her family. 4 stars.

Because of You (A Bradford Sisters Romance novella) by Becky Wade
This novella screams Hallmark Christmas movie! Single girl and widower working together to provide Christmas for a family in need? Adorable child who bonds with the single girl? Mother-in-law who isn't ready to see the widower move on? Somebody get Hallmark on the phone, STAT 😊.

This novella is simply delightful! Maddie and Leo are characters you root for, and their budding relationship is so sweet. Fans of Wade's Bradford Sisters novels will appreciate the check-in with Nora & John and Willow & Corbin ... and this serves to set up youngest sister Britt's story. However, you do not need to have read the other books to enjoy this novella—it's a wonderful story in its own right. Also, Wade had me at Les Mis. 5 stars.

I love these novella collections that come out every Christmas. I look forward to them every year. And I especially love when common character threads tie one story to the next. This book was a little different in that the common thread comes in the form of brooch that passes down from mother to daughter, bringing the promise of love and marriage with it.

Unsurprisingly, my favorite was the first one. It was a sweet story that made me laugh out loud. Can't get better than that.

I also enjoyed the second novella about Ruth and Bo Azlin. I see what you did there.

Fleeta Brady's story was more contemporary than I usually go, but I enjoyed it all the same.

The last story affirmed my taste for historical/regency tales. The premise for Maddie Winslow snagging her best friend's man made me deeply uncomfortable. I don't care that the character in question had been killed off; Maddie had pined for him since they first met, while he dated, married and had a child with her friend. Not cool. And then there was the writing style, which was heavily focused on things I don't care about- endless descriptions of their clothes and hair, Maddie appreciating that her best feature was her large chest size, etc. Instagram was mentioned so frequently, it was basically a supporting character. I'll stick to my 1800's stories.

Oh my word I love this collection like sooo much I’ll probably read it again closer Christmas 

Three of the authors are well known to me and are ones I absolutely love...1 was knew to me and I liked her.

I received this book for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

https://booksnbaubles.com/the-heirloom-four-holiday-novellas-of-love-through-the-generations/

Legacy of Love - Kristi Ann Hunter pulls the reader from the first page and has you longing for more even after the close of her story. She has a unique ability to make the reader feel like they are part of the story. I found Legacy of Love to be a delightful tale and have enjoyed all of Kristi Ann Hunter's books. I highly recommend her to lovers of historical romance.

Gift of the Heart - Seven-year old Naomi Fulbright steals the show in Karen Witemeyer's new novella. I loved the way the hero loosens up, grows, and completely comes out of his crusty shell throughout the story. This delightful tale is sure to warm your heart and have you longing for more. Karen Witemeyer's books are sure to please.

A Shot at Love was my first introduction to Sarah Loudin Thomas and I wasn't disappointed. She created a fun tale set in the heart of West Virginia. Ms. Thomas' heroine has a sweet charm and simplicity that makes the reader route for her to find a happily-ever-after. This novella is one that will touch readers.

Because of You is the first story I've read by Becky Wade. I loved the way the heirloom brooch was introduced in each of the tales. Because of You is a great reminder that love finds us at different stages of our lives.

Overall I found this collection to be quite charming. A positive review was not required in any way. - 2018

This book is such a fun collection of stories to read before the holidays! I enjoyed all the characters and the variety that it provides.

A sweet collection of novellas written by some of Christian fiction finest authors. Each have a common item - an heirloom broach. The broach is handed down through the generations to a daughter that finds true love. While each story is different, this collection blends together perfectly. Each owner of the broach has her own unique story. I especially loved the character, Naomi. What a precious little imp! Recommended!

As might have become clear from my reviews of Kate Perry’s series’, I love it when several books are connected through the same environment or the same characters. Thanks to <em>The Christmas Heirloom</em>, I can now add “connected through the same object” to that list.
In this collection of four Christmas short stories, four different women are gifted with a brooch that is said to bring it’s owner or wearer true love. From England to the USA, from the late 18th century all the way to the modern day, time and again, this brooch works its magic in the most wonderful way.
Each of these stories features a double POV, offering both the woman in question and this chosen “true love” a voice. Not only are these stories incredibly well-written, they offer such a lovely view on Christmas in all its aspects… I found myself counting down until I could get back to reading it…
For all of the stories, the characters have certainly encountered their fair bit of grief and sadness, which just makes the happy endings these stories offer you that much more beautiful. Absolutely the perfect read for the Christmas-loving historic novel-reader!
Rating: 4./5

This is by far one of the best collections I have ever read. But look at the authors, how could you go wrong?

I am a fan of each of these authors and none of them disappointed me in these novellas. Each story was unique and drew me in. I loved the connection running throughout each story and some characters that popped up from their previous novels. I had a moment of, “Wait, what? I know that character.” How fun.

If you are looking for some good Christmas romances you won’t go wrong this collection.


A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley.com. All opinions are my own.

The Heirloom is a collection of four delightful novellas. While each are set during Christmas, there is nothing to stop you enjoying this collection all year round. From a story set during the Georgian era to contemporary story, these four novellas span many generations of women following their dreams and their hearts.

Legacy of Love by Kristi Ann Hunter

This is the first of Kristi Ann Hunter’s works that I have read. I don’t usually read books set during the Georgian era, but I found Legacy of Love was one of my favourite novellas in this collection. Legacy of Love sets the heirloom’s legacy into motion. Sarah, the main character, is a companion to Dowager Lady Densbury. When in front of the Dowager’s wider family, Sarah plays the role of meek, boring companion, yet she is a strong and forthright young lady. When she speaks out against the family to protect her mistress, Sarah captures the eye of the Earl’s third and youngest son. As Sarah and Randall work together to ensure the Dowager enjoys her Christmas, they find they have more in common then they first realised. Legacy of Love is a sweet, romantic and charming story. I loved Sarah. Loved her strength, gumption and desire to stick up for what she believes in. If Hunter writes all her protagonists with the same fire, I can guarantee that Legacy of Love will not be the last of her works I will enjoy.

Gift of the Heart by Karen Witemeyer

I adore everything that Karen Witemeyer has penned and her novella Gift of the Heart was the major draw card for me to pick up this collection. A story of a second chance at love, of children, and acceptance, Gift of the Heart is set in America just after the Civil War. Ruth Fullbright has already known love and tragic loss. Now she and her young daughter are relocating to Hope Springs to start a new life. With limited funds, Ruth must convince the biggest businessman in town, Beauregard Azlin that she is reliable and worthy of an advance in her rent. But Bo is not the aloof and harsh businessman he at first seems, and before long Bo finds himself drawn to the strong and principled Mrs Fullbright and her vivacious daughter. Full of laughter and love, Gift of the Heart was my favourite novella in this collection and a delight to read.

A Shot at Love - Sarah Loudin Thomas

Thomas’ books have been on my to-read list for a while now but A Shot At Love is the first time I’ve read anything by this talented author. A Shot At Love is a fun novella, with a fantastic lead character. Fleeta would much rather be out hunting or designing guns than ever donning a fancy gown or trying to capture the eye of a gentleman. When her aunt gives her a family heirloom rumoured to bring the beholder true love, Fleeta couldn’t be more skeptical. But when a friend of a friend is passing through town, she (through a bit of healthy competition and a shared love of fine weaponry), finds herself just a little bit drawn to the charming Hank Chapin. But Fleeta is determined not to let attraction get in the way her chance to finally follow her dreams of becoming a gunsmith. While there were a few loose ends at the end of A Shot At Love, it was impossible not to be drawn to Fleeta and her dertermination to love her life on her own terms.

Because of You - Becky Wade

Chocolate, unrequited love, Christmas shopping and happy endings. Maddie Winslow has loved Leo Donnelly since she first met him. But he started dating, fell in love with and married her best friend. For years, Maddie watched from afar and tried to get her heart under control. Leo, now widowed, and his young son have moved back to town and he and Maddie are paired to work together on the church’s Christmas mission project. Spending time together might be a challenge for Maddie, but for Leo it is an eye-opening experience that his second chance at love might be right in front of him. While I didn’t love this story as much as I have enjoyed books by Becky Wade in the past, mostly because I just didn’t click with Maddie, I did enjoy Leo’s side of the story.

While each of the four novellas are part of larger series, they can each be read as standalones. Perfect for fans of each of the writers or for readers looking to discover new authors, The Heirloom is a delightful collection.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.