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The MacGregors #6.5
Harlequin Historical Christmas Stories 1990
In From the Cold by Nora Roberts
Christmas was Allanna Flynn's favorite time of year--but when injured Minuteman Ian MacGregor sought refuge in her New England home, Allanna found herself caught in a war of hearts with the handsome rebel. Could this become the season of peace on earth. . . and goodwill to one special man
Miracle of the Heart by Patricia Potter
Blythe Somers was faced with a painful choice. Torn between her love for a Yankee officer and her loyalty to his Confederate brother, she agonized over what course to take. There seemed no way out. Until, against all odds, Blythe's band of ragtag orphans managed to perform their own Christmas miracle!
Christmas at Bitter Creek by Ruth Langan
Matthew Braden had spent his whole life in and out of trouble, and Laura Connors knew he'd never change. She told herself she just needed a man to help out around the ranch, but the one present she was hoping for this Christmas was that Matthew would stay on and this time for good.
Christmas was Allanna Flynn's favorite time of year--but when injured Minuteman Ian MacGregor sought refuge in her New England home, Allanna found herself caught in a war of hearts with the handsome rebel. Could this become the season of peace on earth. . . and goodwill to one special man
Miracle of the Heart by Patricia Potter
Blythe Somers was faced with a painful choice. Torn between her love for a Yankee officer and her loyalty to his Confederate brother, she agonized over what course to take. There seemed no way out. Until, against all odds, Blythe's band of ragtag orphans managed to perform their own Christmas miracle!
Christmas at Bitter Creek by Ruth Langan
Matthew Braden had spent his whole life in and out of trouble, and Laura Connors knew he'd never change. She told herself she just needed a man to help out around the ranch, but the one present she was hoping for this Christmas was that Matthew would stay on and this time for good.
377 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,802 books56.1k followersNora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 14, 2017
3.5 stars.
I have to admit first off that the early American era is not my preferred historical romance period. I'm more a regency gal myself as they usually have a much lighter tone. But these weren't too heavy.
In From the Cold by Nora Roberts takes place around the Boston Tea Party and the beginning of the War of Independence. We have Ian MacGregor from Roberts' MacGregor series transplanted from Scotland. Wounded from an altercation, he landed in the heroine's home...
Miracle of the Heart by Patricia Potter and is about families torn apart by the Civil War with brothers joining different sides and how the families are affected. There is a quite a surreal Christmas miracle in this one featuring lots of orphans and soldiers from both sides....
Christmas at Bitter Creek by Ruth Langan takes place in the rugged frontier. This time we have the local school teacher nursing an ex-childhood sweetheart wounded by outlaws. Of the 3, this heroine is the most irritating, with her constant "papa said.."
All in all, pretty good Christmas stories to begin the holiday season. Enjoy!
I have to admit first off that the early American era is not my preferred historical romance period. I'm more a regency gal myself as they usually have a much lighter tone. But these weren't too heavy.
In From the Cold by Nora Roberts takes place around the Boston Tea Party and the beginning of the War of Independence. We have Ian MacGregor from Roberts' MacGregor series transplanted from Scotland. Wounded from an altercation, he landed in the heroine's home...
Miracle of the Heart by Patricia Potter and is about families torn apart by the Civil War with brothers joining different sides and how the families are affected. There is a quite a surreal Christmas miracle in this one featuring lots of orphans and soldiers from both sides....
Christmas at Bitter Creek by Ruth Langan takes place in the rugged frontier. This time we have the local school teacher nursing an ex-childhood sweetheart wounded by outlaws. Of the 3, this heroine is the most irritating, with her constant "papa said.."
All in all, pretty good Christmas stories to begin the holiday season. Enjoy!
January 14, 2021
My favorite family, the Macgregors
December 15, 2009
This was the Christmas Anthology from 1990 with three stories from early America.
1. Nora Roberts: In From The Cold: I loved this one. Its Ian MacGregor's tale and set in time just before the Revolutionary. He's shot and is found by the lovely Allanna Flynn before the holiday. Together they find love for the holiday, but because of Ian's commitment to seeing America free from the British, Allanna pushes him away. Thankfully Ian's family contrive to bring them together.
As always Nora Roberts creates a winning story. You understand Allanna's fear at loving Ian, who is hell bend on war. You can also understand Ian's desire to fight for the freedom of our nation. She's created wonderful characters and their love is sweet and all that it should be at the holiday.
2. Patricia Potter: Miracle Of The Heart: This story is set as the Civil War is ending. Blythe Sommers is trying to prepare a decent Christmas for the orphans she has in her care when her friend/doctor/confederate soldier shows up with an injured general whom he needs to hide. This is fine until his brother, Rafe, Blythe's betrothed and a Union soldier shows up to find that general. This story is bitter sweet at times. One family torn apart because of the war and one woman who loves both brothers but in a different way.
I don't usually like Civil War stories. I did enjoy this one, but I found it hard to believe that a family that didn't believe in slavery or use slaves would have even on member so loyal to the Confederate cause and that the two brothers could come together after fighting for different sides and spend a holiday together in peace. That's probably the only thing that bothered me about this story.
I loved Rafe and Blythe's reunion and that they got to celebrate Christmas together.
3. Ruth Langan - Christmas At Bitter Creek: The last story was set in Arizona. After all, what would an American Historical Anthology be without an old west story. This was my least favorite of the bunch though it wasn't because of the story, but more my general dislike of old west stories. Matthew is the town bad boy and Laura was the daughter of very upright parents. They shared a brief almost romance in their younger days, but when Matthew shows up injured before Christmas, their romance blossoms again, even though the shadow of Laura's father tries to spoil things.
Thanks to a blizzard they get a taste of love and Matthew realizes that his days as a Marshall might be best put to an end, because Laura needs help with the family ranch.
3 holiday stories all of them lovely.
1. Nora Roberts: In From The Cold: I loved this one. Its Ian MacGregor's tale and set in time just before the Revolutionary. He's shot and is found by the lovely Allanna Flynn before the holiday. Together they find love for the holiday, but because of Ian's commitment to seeing America free from the British, Allanna pushes him away. Thankfully Ian's family contrive to bring them together.
As always Nora Roberts creates a winning story. You understand Allanna's fear at loving Ian, who is hell bend on war. You can also understand Ian's desire to fight for the freedom of our nation. She's created wonderful characters and their love is sweet and all that it should be at the holiday.
2. Patricia Potter: Miracle Of The Heart: This story is set as the Civil War is ending. Blythe Sommers is trying to prepare a decent Christmas for the orphans she has in her care when her friend/doctor/confederate soldier shows up with an injured general whom he needs to hide. This is fine until his brother, Rafe, Blythe's betrothed and a Union soldier shows up to find that general. This story is bitter sweet at times. One family torn apart because of the war and one woman who loves both brothers but in a different way.
I don't usually like Civil War stories. I did enjoy this one, but I found it hard to believe that a family that didn't believe in slavery or use slaves would have even on member so loyal to the Confederate cause and that the two brothers could come together after fighting for different sides and spend a holiday together in peace. That's probably the only thing that bothered me about this story.
I loved Rafe and Blythe's reunion and that they got to celebrate Christmas together.
3. Ruth Langan - Christmas At Bitter Creek: The last story was set in Arizona. After all, what would an American Historical Anthology be without an old west story. This was my least favorite of the bunch though it wasn't because of the story, but more my general dislike of old west stories. Matthew is the town bad boy and Laura was the daughter of very upright parents. They shared a brief almost romance in their younger days, but when Matthew shows up injured before Christmas, their romance blossoms again, even though the shadow of Laura's father tries to spoil things.
Thanks to a blizzard they get a taste of love and Matthew realizes that his days as a Marshall might be best put to an end, because Laura needs help with the family ranch.
3 holiday stories all of them lovely.
January 21, 2018
I finished the last novella today. These three are endearing and sweet. I had meant to read over Christmas for that warming bubbly feeling you get during that time of year. Late but I still very much enjoyed
February 8, 2024
In From The Cold (Novella)
This book takes the reader back to the American Revolution.
Ian MacGregor was shot by a British soldier and had taken refuge in the barn of the Muphys where Allanna Flynn found him. Allanna had lost her husband and this is the home of her father and brothers.
Short story is they fall in love and he leaves for his families' home in Virginia after she refuses to marry him. Both have tempers and are stubborn. This romance story is around the time of Christmas.
No tea is drunk by the people as it is the time of British rule and the Tea Party. Even though it is a short read, there is history of America as well as Scottish history. The MacGregors are Scottish and Murphys are Irish.
This was a short story in the book, Historical Christmas Stories 1990. I gave it a 5 star rating because I liked the story and the characters.
In From the Cold by Nora Roberts, Miracle of the Heart by Patricia Potter, and Christmas at Bitter Creek by Ruth Langan.
This book takes the reader back to the American Revolution.
Ian MacGregor was shot by a British soldier and had taken refuge in the barn of the Muphys where Allanna Flynn found him. Allanna had lost her husband and this is the home of her father and brothers.
Short story is they fall in love and he leaves for his families' home in Virginia after she refuses to marry him. Both have tempers and are stubborn. This romance story is around the time of Christmas.
No tea is drunk by the people as it is the time of British rule and the Tea Party. Even though it is a short read, there is history of America as well as Scottish history. The MacGregors are Scottish and Murphys are Irish.
This was a short story in the book, Historical Christmas Stories 1990. I gave it a 5 star rating because I liked the story and the characters.
In From the Cold by Nora Roberts, Miracle of the Heart by Patricia Potter, and Christmas at Bitter Creek by Ruth Langan.
December 14, 2021
This was a hook I downloaded several years ago and finally got around to reading it. It was a nice collection of stories. I need to write down NoraS pancake recipe before I remove the book from the flash drive. I hope there are more of these collections and they are available in digital or audio formats.
December 3, 2019
History
March 31, 2020
Enjoyed this light romance set of three stories in one book.
January 14, 2024
I enjoyed reading the 3 romance stories. It was a heartfelt Christmas read.
May 22, 2022
In from the cold- lovely
Miracle of the heart- good but sad
Christmas at Bitter Creek- fun
Miracle of the heart- good but sad
Christmas at Bitter Creek- fun
September 18, 2016
I don't generally read historical romance, but since I'm trying to read all of Nora Roberts' books on her books published list, I read her contribution to this three-story compilation. I didn't, however, read Patricia Petter or Ruth Langan's contributions. Not because I don't think they're good writers (I don't know if they are or not as I've never read Potter, & maybe only one or two Langan books), but because I have so many more books to read (both Roberts' books & others) that I didn't want to waste any time reading the whole book.
Roberts' story was good--as usual--& introduced me to Ian MacGregor, the patriarch of the MacGregor clan books, and Alanna, the matriarch of the same series. It was fun to read the beginning of the enjoyable MacGregor clan series.
Roberts' story was good--as usual--& introduced me to Ian MacGregor, the patriarch of the MacGregor clan books, and Alanna, the matriarch of the same series. It was fun to read the beginning of the enjoyable MacGregor clan series.
June 13, 2019
IN FROM THE COLD: (Nora Roberts) I have never read any of the MacGregor stories by this author. It takes place in 1774 with Ian meeting his future wife during the opening of the American Revolution. It was readable but nothing special.
MIRACLE OF THE HEART: (Patricia Potter) This is a thin story about two men in love with the same woman. One man is on the Union side and the other wears the Confederacy uniform.
The ONLY thing I found interesting about this tale revolved around the suffering of the civilians. Many civilians starved during the Civil War because the warring parties stole, confiscated or burned their foodstuffs. This story made a point of the scarcity of food.
CHRISTMAS AT BITTER CREEK: (Ruth Langan) Laura Connors is alone and almost overwhelmed with the work on her farm plus teaching. When Matthew Braden comes to Bitter Creek (he and his brothers grew up there), he’s seriously injured. Laura takes care of his wounds, knowing he will ride out again.
This is a special story about second chances; this one is my favorite of the trio.
MIRACLE OF THE HEART: (Patricia Potter) This is a thin story about two men in love with the same woman. One man is on the Union side and the other wears the Confederacy uniform.
The ONLY thing I found interesting about this tale revolved around the suffering of the civilians. Many civilians starved during the Civil War because the warring parties stole, confiscated or burned their foodstuffs. This story made a point of the scarcity of food.
CHRISTMAS AT BITTER CREEK: (Ruth Langan) Laura Connors is alone and almost overwhelmed with the work on her farm plus teaching. When Matthew Braden comes to Bitter Creek (he and his brothers grew up there), he’s seriously injured. Laura takes care of his wounds, knowing he will ride out again.
This is a special story about second chances; this one is my favorite of the trio.
December 14, 2013
A solid, only slightly dated, collection of stories that take place around Christmas at some point in our country's past.
The first, from Nora Roberts takes place on just before the Revolutionary War and concerns a young Scottish revolutionary and the peace loving daughter of an Irish farmer. While there's clearly an attraction between the two, she cannot accept the role he's eager to play in the upcoming conflict.
In the next story, brothers on opposite sides of the Civil War agree to a truce for Christmas, at the farm of the girl they grew up loving, but what will happen when Christmas is over?
Finally, Ruth Langan tells the story of a proper school teacher in the Arizona wilderness who's reunited, just before Christmas, with the wild man who nearly stole her heart when they were both teenagers.
The first, from Nora Roberts takes place on just before the Revolutionary War and concerns a young Scottish revolutionary and the peace loving daughter of an Irish farmer. While there's clearly an attraction between the two, she cannot accept the role he's eager to play in the upcoming conflict.
In the next story, brothers on opposite sides of the Civil War agree to a truce for Christmas, at the farm of the girl they grew up loving, but what will happen when Christmas is over?
Finally, Ruth Langan tells the story of a proper school teacher in the Arizona wilderness who's reunited, just before Christmas, with the wild man who nearly stole her heart when they were both teenagers.
November 14, 2012
I suppose because this was a Harlequin book it was not as clean as I usually read. There were 3 stories written by 3 different authors. I did not enjoy the first 2 very much but I did like the 3rd one quite well. Laura was a girl that had always done what her father wanted even now when he had been dead for 3 years. She was left the family ranch and needed someone to help her run it. When Matthew Braden came back to town after leaving years before she hoped he would stay and for good this time. He had been in & out of trouble most of his life and her father had not wanted her to have anything to do with him. Even with her father gone she hesitated to get involved with Matthew again.
Matthew did not intend to stay there anyway. It was interested to see how they worked things out.
Matthew did not intend to stay there anyway. It was interested to see how they worked things out.
November 30, 2011
Nora Robert's story was a DNF for me. Maybe if I'd been following the series I'd have enjoyed it more. Instead, I found I didn't connect with the characters.
I enjoyed Patricia Potter's story. My only complaint was that the ending was a bit abrupt.
Ruth Langan's story was also a DNF for me. The heroine let herself be ruled by her father's demands, even though he'd been dead for three years! I hate doormat heroines.
I enjoyed Patricia Potter's story. My only complaint was that the ending was a bit abrupt.
Ruth Langan's story was also a DNF for me. The heroine let herself be ruled by her father's demands, even though he'd been dead for three years! I hate doormat heroines.
December 14, 2010
This one by Nora Roberts wasn't anything special. First two books of the MacGregors Family Saga. It was okay but both novels were a bit too short for me and the heroes and heroines were too fast deeply in love for my taste.
But it was an okay-read for inbetween. Mostly the second story because it was a Christmas story.
But it was an okay-read for inbetween. Mostly the second story because it was a Christmas story.
May 29, 2012
This review is for Nora Robert's In From The Cold.
I generally love series; it gives the readers a longer relationship with characters. Since this book was the second one in the series it was an obligatory read for me. I found it quite boring and lacking. It didn't even put me in the Christmas spirit.
I generally love series; it gives the readers a longer relationship with characters. Since this book was the second one in the series it was an obligatory read for me. I found it quite boring and lacking. It didn't even put me in the Christmas spirit.
January 4, 2012
Book rating (average of three stories)= 3.33 stars
In From the Cold by Nora Roberts
3.5 stars
Miracle of the Heart by Patricia Potter
3 stars
Christmas at Bitter Creek by Ruth Langan
3.5 stars
In From the Cold by Nora Roberts
3.5 stars
Miracle of the Heart by Patricia Potter
3 stars
Christmas at Bitter Creek by Ruth Langan
3.5 stars
December 7, 2013
DNF. Just couldn't get into it. Read the first and it was okay, but found I had no interest to read the the other two despite my love of Christmas stories.
December 28, 2013
Good stories - I think of all the Christmas anthology books I've read this year this one had all my favorite stories in it. One made me cry!!
January 5, 2015
Is it bad that I liked the recipes more than the stories? Hmm. I am interested in trying them!
March 20, 2013
Only Nora's book.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews