A Timeless Romance Anthology: Love Letter Collection

Karey White, Krista Lynne Jensen, Diane Darcy,
Sarah M. Eden, Annette Lyon, Heather B. Moore
Genre: 
Contemporary

HISTORICAL/ANTOHOLOGY:  A collection of three contemporary romances and three historical novellas, this anthology has everything for someone looking for a sweet, yet still emotionally diverse, read. Binding the novellas together is the underlying theme of letters and lists, handwritten ones, and how they can affect lives - even in todays world.

 

The contemporary novellas come first, with strong characters and well-thought out themes and stories; some of old friends and some of strangers. A few moments felt rushed and contrived, though overall the flow and pacing of each story fit what was happening to the characters, and the emotions were never manufactured. Each one is set in a different state, with different people, and unique challenges in finding their happily-ever-afters. Though love and all its varied emotions are integral, sex and sensuality are nowhere to be found; a wonderful shift from the overuse of sex scenes in moving love forward in contemporary settings.

 

The three historical novellas are next, also set in completely different places, with different characters. These historicals are not ancient in setting, with the oldest being set in 1867 and the other two in the early 1900s, and in one, the letters used in the story do not even contain words, but are still love letters: a nod to the fact that, in the past, reading and writing were not universal skills, but love still happened, so did communication between lovers. There are a few brief moments of implausibility, but the authors never overstep historical boundaries, where morals were a part of normal everyday life. Again, sex and sensuality are not present, though love at first sight most definitely is, and happily-ever-after happens for each couple.

 

Julie York