A Very Gothic Christmas: Two Novellas

After the Music by Christine Feehan

 

Jessica Fitzpatrick is terrified by mysterious threats. Determined to keep her twin wards safe, she flees to the remote island mansion of their reclusive, widowed father. With Christmas approaching, the spark between him and Jessica might light the future, but there are those whose evil machinations may plunge the family into darkness—unless a Christmas miracle occurs.

 

Lady of the Locket by Melanie George

 

The echoes of history and romance lure Rachel Hudson to Glengarren, the Scottish castle where her parents met many Christmases ago. But it is the portrait of fierce Highlander Duncan MacGregor that sparks a deep desire inside her. On a storm-tossed night, as lightning cracks across the castle’s turrets, Rachel finds herself face-to-face with MacGregor himself, astride a mighty stallion. Now, stepping into Rachel’s time—and her heart—the warrior from the past is pursued by an ancient, evil enemy.

Publisher: Pocket Books |Genre: Gothic Romance | Source: Publisher

After the Music by Christine Feehan Rating: 4 Cups

 

I’m always up for a gothic romance, so when A Very Gothic Christmas showed up for review, I dropped what I was reading and delved in.

 

After the Music had all the gothic romance elements: Fire, ghosts, mysterious happenings, remote island mansion, broody hero, touches of the occult, and a heroine determined to save the hero.

 

This one was the first gothics I’ve read that involved a musician so on top of the gothic atmosphere there’s also that soul of the artist vibe going on adding another layer to the story.

 

The romance between Jessica and Dillion was amazing. There was attraction, chemistry, and this amazing connection yet they both took their time acting on. They’ve both been through some things that’s making them cautious but they know they’re meant to be together.

 

I did figure out the mystery element rather early on and I was okay with that. It was still interesting watching events unfold and watching the characters figure it out.

 

While I absolutely loved this one (seriously, it’s going on my must read Christmas book list), the ghostly encounter at the end was a bit out there. I understand what the author was going for but it could have been handled a bit differently.

 

 

Lady of the Locket by Melanie George Rating: 1.5 Cups

 

 

The echoes of history and romance lure Rachel Hudson to Glengarren, the Scottish castle where her parents met many Christmases ago. But it is the portrait of fierce Highlander Duncan MacGregor that sparks a deep desire inside her. On a storm-tossed night, as lightning cracks across the castle’s turrets, Rachel finds herself face-to-face with MacGregor himself, astride a mighty stallion. Now, stepping into Rachel’s time—and her heart—the warrior from the past is pursued by an ancient, evil enemy.

 

So, this one had a strong and steady start but then things just got weird to the point that I spent weeks trying to get through this bloody novella.

 

I liked the start of this one. It had a bit of an Outlander feel—the hunky Highlander was a Jacobite fighting for Prince Charles Stuart and there’s were magical standing stones—and I needed something to fill the void now that I’m going through Droughlander, but it wasn’t this novella.

 

Both Rachel and Duncan were likable but I felt she sort of weakened toward the middle and never really found her footing. Duncan—aye, he was definitely a hunky Highlander—but for someone from the 1740’s he knew an awful lot about the present, including setting up a Christmas tree, decorating it, and the library. Oh, and he also knew what blue jeans and zippers were. There was also that pesky problem about him calling Prince Charles the ‘young pretender’, no Jacobite would ever refer to him as that.

 

While they had some hot moments and chemistry, the chemistry seemed to dwindle as the book progressed and then it just felt odd.

 

And the end, well…let’s just say it would have been so much better if there had been more to the story. It felt like it ended on a plot twist and rather than a ‘to be continued’, it was just ‘the end’.

 

Overall, read this one for After the Music. Seriously, if you like quick Gothic romances, you’ll enjoy this one. And reminded me that I need to get back to reading more from Christine Feehan.

 

 

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