Kiss Me At Christmas

Rating:
Summary: Sweet, predictable tale
Review: Since this is a "Christmas-based" tale, it did not contain the angst that would be found in many an arranged marriage storyline. There is our hero, Rand Noble, tall & gorgeous - a doctor no less - who apparently still harbors love for his dead wife Ellie. He agrees to an arranged marriage to Clementine Calhoun, his father's friend's daughter. Clementine travels from Texas to Baltimore, Maryland to honor her deceased father's arrangement. She is tall and lacking in feminine charm. Her brother wants her out of the way since no man in Texas seems to want her. The book opens on the wedding ... each participant harboring thoughts of their intentions. Rand wants a son and Clementine wants to gain Rand's love. Will each attain that goal?

The storyline had some fresh elements. I enjoyed the medical intricacies and the shipyard descriptions. The locale changes from cool northeastern weather to warm tropical-like conditions in Key West. Also trying to banish the ghost of Ellie (Rand's first wife) was done in an interesting way by the introduction of Ruby (a widowed, single-mother, Medium!). I enjoyed her story and that of Rand's rake of a father Johnathan immensely. (Actually their story was more intriguing than the main romance!)

I did not like that Clementine lost her Texas ways so rapidly. She used to "wear chaps, play poker and eat two helpings at every meal" and within a short amount of time she was suddenly the belle of every ball and had lost her accent - besides being unbelievable, I thought it compromised her character. Otherwise, much of the book was pleasant and enjoyable reading for a quick joyous Christmas pick-me-up.