~ Review: Something To Celebrate ~

Okay, for everyone out there that does not have the spirit of the holidays just yet, I have the perfect catalyst for unlimited holiday cheer.  Are you ready? This is a multi-step process, so bear with me.  First, take a bubble bath or beauty shower, utilizing all of your favorite bath products and whatnot.  Then, slip on your favorite slumberwear, anything from your most comfortable T-shirt to the most delicious secret Victoria has…whatever makes you happiest.

All-righty, then!  Now that you are soft and scented and cozy, slip on your favorite holiday CD, light a couple of candles, pour a glass of your favorite libation, and turn on the answering machine because you are not going to want any interruptions.  Now comes the critical part.  Pick up your copy of SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE and submerge yourself in holiday romance.  Make sure you have some tissues handy because you will laugh, you will cry, you will sigh with enjoyment and when you are done, if you don’t have the essence of the season in your heart, see your doctor ‘cause something is amiss!

SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE is just that, a rare gathering of three of the most loved Arabesque authors, each with a resplendent story of love, hope and joy.  Felicia Mason gives us a sweet tale of faith reborn in her Christmas story, Margie Walker tells a tale of hope restored in "Kwaanza Kupendi", and Brenda Jackson starts the New Year off right with a passionate ending to a tempestuous beginning.  Each story  is unique and bears the distinct voice of the author, and each one captures the spirit of the holiday beautifully.

This year’s Christmas story is very spiritual and sweet as well as being tender and romantic.  Kia, the heroine finds a worthy hero in Franklin, a gentle giant of a man who helps her relearn the faith of Christmas.

I always appreciate the effort put forth to acquaint the reader with the symbols and traditions of Kwaanza, and Margie Walker does another wonderful job of this in her novella.  In addition, she tells a poignant and dramatic story that reaches deep into the heart.  You will not soon forget Michelle and Simon, I promise you.

But if I am going to be honest, I have to say that Brenda Jackson’s New Year’s story is the one that pushed all my buttons.  Twice.  As you all know, Brenda likes to introduce her characters before they have their own story, which gives you a sense of familiarity and excitement when she finally lets them take center stage.  And it is always worth the wait.  Trask Maxwell and Felicia Laverne Madaris are folks we know and have wondered about in the past.  Well, the lid is off this pretty package and the gift is revealed in all its glory…this story, "Truly Everlasting", was truly worth waiting for!  It was funny, tender, sweet, hot and touching—in short, everything you could possibly desire in a romance and a perfect way to end 1999.

This book was truly like a lovely gift from three wonderful authors.  You will get a true renewal of the spirit and a rush of romance to carry you right into the New Year.  I want to personally say thanks to these wonderful authors and Happy Holidays to everyone.  And here’s hoping that we all have SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE every year!

5 stars (and a Partridge in a pear tree…)