They were sisters once—identical quadruplets—given up for adoption at birth. Now each receives a letter advising her to claim her inheritance and the family she never knew. . .at Christmas. Holly feels betrayed when she learns she’s adopted, while Carol prays for a loving family. Starr thinks it’s all a hoax, and Noelle needs a break from a hopeless situation. There are more surprises in store as each young woman gets just the gift she wants—and needs. You’ll be warmed by love in these interwoven tales of the ultimate Christmas gift. . . .
Tracykrausswrtr
Posted July 28, 2012
This book is actually four novellas written by four different authors that are woven together into one story. Although each section has its own flavor, there is still a sense of unity among the whole. Each story begins with a letter from a Georgina law firm to one of four separate women. Unknown to each of them, they are actually identical quadruplets born to a young unwed mother who died shortly after their delivery. The girls were subsequently put up for adoption, and while two of them know they were adopted (while two of them did not) none of them knew they had biological siblings. Each one is invited to Monticello, Georgia, their birthplace, on Christmas day for a reading of their maternal grandmother’s will. It will be the first time they we meet each other face to face and the first time they find out the true nature of the will and its author.
Christmas in Dixie by Jeanie Smith Cash is the first of the novellas. In this story, Holly Davenport, an esthetician, flies to Monticello to find out exactly what’s going on. She is especially shocked by the news since she had no idea she was even adopted. Unfortunately, shortly after her arrival, she has an appendix attack. Dr. Grayson Brockman, her attending physician, also happens to be the brother of her ‘deceased’ grandmother’s lawyer. Mutual attraction turns to love, but she still has to come to grips with her bitterness toward her parents. This story sets the stage for the other novellas, although each contains enough background information to make them stand alone.
Nick’s Christmas Carol by Rose Allen McCauley is the story of Carol Peterson. Carol was raised by a wealthy, though sometimes distant couple, and grew up with every privilege. Although she never lacked for material things, she sometimes felt empty until she became a believer. Unfortunately, her adoptive parents are not interested in her faith. When she gets the news that she is actually a quadruplet, she rushes to Georgia to find out more. Much to her chagrin, her maternal grandmother’s property is managed by a former acquaintance - Nick Powers. Their meeting as teens holds unhappy memories for both of them since Nick was a mere ‘pool maintenance boy’ while Carol was a rich snob. However, their new found attraction for each other won’t be kept at bay.
Starry Night by Jeri Odell follows Starr Evans, a skeptic who doesn’t even believe the revelation is authentic until lawyer Camden Brockman makes a personal visit to her California home. She finds the news hard to accept since her parents never told her she was adopted, even though her father was a pastor and always preached ‘the truth’. Unfortunately they died in a car accident, and so she is left to piece together the puzzle on her own. With Camden’s help, she is able to find peace, and along with that, love.
Loving Stetson by Debra Ullrick is the last of the stories. Noel Brady knows she is adopted and is perfectly secure in her large family on a Colorado ranch. When the news that she has biological siblings reaches her, she is curious and naturally wants to meet them. Where she feels some confusion, however, is in her relationship with ranch hand Stetson Laramie. Although she has always felt some kind of chemistry between the two of them, there is something holding Stetson back. Will his long time secret be the thing that brings them together or drives them apart?
The epilogue, written by Cash, finally brings the four sisters together for the reading of the will. I enjoyed reading this book. It was an interesting premise and each story was short and sweet with just enough conflict to keep the reader interested. Christmas Belles of Georgia is a light, easy read – and you don’t have to wait until Christmas to read it!
StorybookMom
Posted January 31, 2012
I highly recommend this book for any time of year. I had my concerns about 4 different authors sharing a story, but the end result is wonderful! I enjoyed each individual story as well as the final section where it is all brought together. I became friends with these characters. I cried with them in sad times and smiled with them during times of good fortune. I was inspired by how each of the main characters turned to the Lord in every season of their lives. It was a reminder that God is our dearest friend and wants us to willingly share our whole lives with Him. This book blessed me and my family immensely. I even read one section to my 6 year old son who had questions about God. The section I read to him helped us discuss his questions and we were both blessed as a result. Great book!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.DeliaLatham
Posted January 27, 2012
I had a wonderful time spending a few hours with the Christmas Belles of Georgia.
A four-in-one collection, this Christmas anthology is the story of four sisters—identical quadruplets—who were separated and put up for adoption as infants. When they're notified shortly before their twenty-fifth birthdays that they've inherited property in Georgia that includes a large, old antebellum mansion, not all of the girls are even aware that they were adopted. The will stipulates that all four of the sisters must spend their twenty-fifth birthday/Christmas day and night in the mansion.
This collection is the story of how they all get there, and the funny, sad, and touching things that happen to each of them on the way. Four stories. Four authors. Did I find ONE favorite? Perhaps, but I'll never tell…
The authors did a wonderful job of tying all the pieces together seamlessly, and I especially enjoyed the personalities unique to each sister. From sweet and innocent, to saucy and feisty, these four women are each as different from the other as day is to night…and yet they each have common insecurities and imperfections, and they all love and serve the same God.
I didn't get a chance to read this collection during the Christmas holidays, as I would have liked, but I discovered in the reading that this one is enjoyable any time of year. Wonderful writing by four writers who know how to tell a story.
deborah54
Posted December 9, 2011
I won't go into a lot of detail about each story because others have done that. But four writers have taken a story each in telling the stories of four sisters separated at birth. Each author has their style of writing, but it fits together nicely. Debut author Rose McCauley's story was my favorite. If you love romance and you love Christmas then this combination will please you.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 5, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
They were sisters once—identical quadruplets—given up for adoption at birth. Now each receives a letter advising her to claim her inheritance and the family she never knew. . .at Christmas. Holly feels betrayed when she learns she’s adopted, while Carol prays for a loving family. Starr thinks it’s all a hoax, and Noelle needs a break from a hopeless situation. There are more surprises in store as each young woman gets just the gift she wants—and needs. You’ll be warmed by love ...