A Christmas Promise by Mary Balough
I’m not really sure how I feel about this story. On the one hand it’s Christmas, yay! I did enjoy the H/H Randolph aka Randy and Eleanor aka Ellie…except for those times when I hated them. This was a story chock FULL of Big Misunderstandings and it became very old, very fast.

That is really my one and only complaint though. When Randolph and Ellie were allowing themselves to be open to each other and not defensive at every turn, they had an obvious accord and the potential for great love. Ellie’s family who she invites to spend Christmas at her new husband’s country home, are loud and fun-loving and really give the two main characters plenty of chances to see that maybe they misjudged each other.

When I stop to consider the circumstances of their marriage, the story actually holds up quite well. Randolph and Ellie were forced to marry by her dying father and had only met one time before the actual ceremony. They knew nothing of each other and it took time and patience to really learn each other. That thought is the saving grace for this book.

It feels like a real look at a new, untried marriage between two people who both need a little Christmas. (less)

The Gift by Julie Garwood
Fantastic book!

I read it the first time when I was 14 or 15 and haven’t picked it up in the 10+ years since. I decided to do some massive re-reading as a New Year’s resolution and this was first on the list. I’m EXTREMELY happy to say that it held up perfectly for me.

I now realize that many of the things I look for and love in romance were formed by this book. Shipboard romance! A gruff but lovable hero who is completely wrapped up in the heroine even if HE doesn’t know it! A heroine with BROWN hair and BROWN eyes (just like me for once!) Plus she is NO pushover BUT she’s also not a mercenary out to kick ass and take names. No Big Misunderstanding! (Well maybe a little one at the end but nothing that lasts more then a chapter.) Just two people trying to figure each other out and how to make theirs lives work together. Plus loads of humor and fun.

Historically accurate? Probably not, but it has all the charm I remember of Julie Garwood books and makes me want to re-read every book of hers I have on my shelf.

This book has always been one of my favorites from a young age and I’m happy to say that it firmly keeps it’s place in my Top 10 Romances of All Time.

My Life In France by Julia Child
This book was an eye-opener for me. I’ll admit that I knew little to nothing about Julia Child when I started. Well…as much as you learn from watching Julie and Julia, which I had just done. I have vague memories of watching her on tv as a kid. She always seemed a little oblivious to me but I certainly wasn’t of an age to care too much about how to bake bread or casseroles. I know regret that I don’t have the chance to watch those episodes again!

This book covers the period of time that Julia and her husband Paul Child spent in France during the late forties and into the fifties and sixties. It’s always a delight to me to find out about a person you never though much of and discover how interesting they can be! I throughly enjoyed reading about her lust of life and her desire to never take the easy path. She enjoyed the unvarnished version of Paris and hated the big, glossy hotels and houses. She and Paul travelled all over and found such delight in a picnic on the side of the road. I found myself questioning whether I would ever be able to live the same sort of life. With that must zest and endless appetite! I love the fact that she didn’t find her true calling until much later in her life. I felt that there is hope for anyone as long as you keep your eyes open to the possibilities around you.

The relationship between Paul and Julia was one of the best parts of the book. They really worked as a team and supported each others passions. All in all this was an extremely pleasant and informative look into the life of someone I previously knew nothing about but I’m glad I finally do. I only wish there were more!

Reviewed by Megan

Click here to return to the Clerk’s Corner