Johanna Lindsey

It is Christmas time, and all is not well with the Malorys. As the family gathers for its traditional Christmas, there is tension amongst them. In the midst of the turmoil, a mysterious gift of an old journal arrives that will affect the lives of the whole Malory clan.

A Malory Holiday Novel

The Present

As the entire Malory family gathers at Haverston to celebrate the season, a mysterious present arrives anonymously. The gift is an old journal -- a tender and tempestuous account of the love affair between the second Marquis, Christopher Malory, and a dark gypsy beauty named Anastasia, who seeks a love match with a non-gypsy in order to save herself from a prearranged marriage to a brute. Though the dashing English lord Anastasia sets her sight upon burns for the exquisite, exotic miss, Christopher could never consent to wed such a lowborn lady. But miracles have been known to happen in this season of peace and giving and love, as two extraordinary people seperated by cicumstance of birth begin a passionate dance of will and wiles. And in the miraculous blossoming of a glorious romance at a long ago Christmastime, there are wise and well-learned lessons that will enrich the hearts of the Malory descendants -- and, indeed, of everyone who has ever dreamed.

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

In The Present by Johanna Lindsey, We have a delightful Christmas story of the Malory family. Now in this book, the family is gathering at Jason Malory's home, to celebrate. But just because its a special holiday, doesn't mean problems don't arise in the family. James's wife George, isn't speaking to him. Anthony's wife Roslynn isn't too happy with her husband either. Jason is still trying to convince his mistress to marry him with little success. But then something interesting happens, the Malory's discover a present, a present for the whole family which is a book, a record of their great grandmother,  the "gypsy" and their grandfather. The reader gets taken back through time, to discover, the love story between Christopher Malory and Anastasia. Anastasia is considered to be royalty among their kind, and she is set to marry a man that is cruel especially with women. Her grandmother, tells her to find another man to love and marry and then she will be free. She sets her sights on Christopher Malory, but Christopher is a English Lord, and it would be unheard of to marry beneath him. But when he finds himself married to Anastasia, after a night of drinking, he doesn't handle it well. And will have to win her back.

This story was utterly delightful and even though I have read this before, it has been so long since then, it was almost like reading this one for the first time. I adore this family, they are so entertaining and simply a "hoot" to read. In this book, we see how close knit they are despite all the bickering they like to do. I enjoyed seeing the real story of how their great grandparents fell in love, which paves the way for Jason and Molly, who have been in love for over thirty years. And its always a fun time to see this family interact, and even many of my favorite couples, still have issues they have to work out despite being married for years. It feels real and cozy, this story just makes this family brighten up even more. Even though its not a full novel, I definitely recommend any one loving this family, needs to read this one. I do think you need to read some books of this series before picking this one up. Or you might be confused on some of the family members and their situations in life.

Its a story that will take you on a ride through time, will give you plenty of laughs and some tears, but will also leave you fully sated in the end!!! TRULY HEARTWARMING!!


 
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The Present A Malory Holiday Novel

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