Book Review: The Gift by Nora Roberts

The Gift
Author: Nora Roberts
Publication: Silhouette; Reissue edition (October 25, 2011) - originally published 2004

Description: Home for Christmas

After years spent abroad, reporter Jason Law returned home determined to win back the heart of the girl he left behind. It would take all his skills—and then some—to convince Faith Monroe that he was the man for her. But this time, nothing would stand in his way. All he needed was a little faith!

All I Want for Christmas

Identical twin boys Zeke and Zach wished for only one gift from Santa this year: a new mom! But convincing their love-wary dad that their music teacher, Miss Davis, was his destiny and part of Santa's plan wasn't as easy as they'd hoped….

Gabriel's Angel

All Gabriel Bradley wanted was solitude. But when a very pregnant—and very beautiful—woman ended up at his remote cabin during a blizzard, desperate, alone and on the run, the modern-day Scrooge couldn't turn her away. For Laura brought him the gifts of passion, hope and life—he needed only the courage to reach for it.

My Thoughts: The hardcover has only the first two stories while the paperback adds Gabriel's Angel.

Home for Christmas is a classic secret-baby story set at Christmas time. Jason Law left at eighteen to pursue a career in journalism not knowing that he left a pregnant girlfriend behind. Now Jason is back home to find that Faith Monroe is divorced, running a doll store, and raising a ten-year-old daughter. She's afraid to start anything with him because she fears he will just leave them again. This was a lovely, touching story about taking a chance on love.

All I Want for Christmas tells the story of a man who is raising his twin sons alone after his wife abandoned them and a woman who is making a new start as a music teacher in town. His six-year-old twin sons have asked Santa for "the mom" for Christmas and think that Miss Davis is a perfect candidate. But their father will have to learn how to trust his heart and take a chance on love for everyone to get their Christmas wishes.

Gabriel's Angel pairs a pregnant woman on the run and a reclusive artist. Laura's running from the parents of her abusive ex who want to take her baby from her now that the father is dead. Gabe Bradley has come to the Colorado mountains to try to get over the guilt he feels about the death of his younger brother. He finds a woman who needs him, and she finds a man she can trust.

These older stories were all very entertaining. The only thing that shouted to me that they were older stories was the fact that Gabe smoked. I'm not used to that in contemporary romances anymore. I also noticed that the viewpoint shift between the main characters was less smooth than in Roberts' more recent stories. Sometimes the viewpoint would shift a couple of time within one paragraph which could be a little confusing. 

Favorite Quote:

"Dad makes the best brownies in the whole world." Zack told her, holding up his offering.

Nell took one and bit in. "You may be right," she was forced to admit, her mouth full. "And I know my brownies."

"Can you make cookies?" Zeke wanted to know.

"I happen to be known far and wide for my chocolate chip." Her smile became puzzled as the boys eyed each other and nodded.

I bought this one probably in 2004. You can buy your copy here.