Love Came Just in Time (Berkley Sensation) 
asked by bethness on November 5, 2006 8:47 PM
Four classic novellas from the USA Today bestselling author, including "The Gift of Christmas Past," "The Three Wise Ghosts," "And the Groom Wore Tulle," and "The Icing on the Cake."
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Each of these stories has a touch of the ridiculous in them. But I think that was the challenge in writing them. Can you write a story that's partly ridiculous and still make it good? I think that Lynn has.
The Three Wise Ghosts: This is where you first meet the matchmaking Boar's Head Trio, as they're named in several of Lynn's other books. Yes, it's ridiculous to think of a CEO wearing curly-toed shoes and tights... but if you're going to write a story with ghosts, why make them go by our rules? They were the ones pulling the strings here, you know.
The Ghost of Christmas Past: This is Miles de Piaget's story. The talking cat (on Christmas Eve only, of course) is the matchmaker in this one. This story is much simpler than most of Lynn's stories... you get the feeling that there should have been so much more to the story, if only there hadn't been a page limit. It's still good, though, and gives you another glimpse into one of Rhys and Gwen's kids.
And The Groom Wore Tulle: Not many people would think of starting a story with an almost starved highlander in a modern bridal shop. But that's what Lynn did, and she did it well! It might be too much for some readers (as they've written here) that Ian stuffed himself into a bridal gown... but whose to say what YOU would do if you were thrust into the future while so close to death that you likely wouldn't have all of your wits about you? Add to that the fact that most people in medieval times were superstitious, and it's believable enough to be funny.
The Icing On The Cake: This story takes a woman who is so much the out-doorsy-type that she can't cook much of anything ... and a man who is everything that she isn't in the house, and nothing that she is out of it... and then she sticks them in the same house together unexpectedly. I'm actually not too fond of this story, as their falling in love seems more dependant on sexual chemistry and good looks then on character. I like a story where people fall in love with who a person is, rather than what they look like, and Lynn's usually fantastic that way. Oh well.
The Three Wise Ghosts: This is where you first meet the matchmaking Boar's Head Trio, as they're named in several of Lynn's other books. Yes, it's ridiculous to think of a CEO wearing curly-toed shoes and tights... but if you're going to write a story with ghosts, why make them go by our rules? They were the ones pulling the strings here, you know.
The Ghost of Christmas Past: This is Miles de Piaget's story. The talking cat (on Christmas Eve only, of course) is the matchmaker in this one. This story is much simpler than most of Lynn's stories... you get the feeling that there should have been so much more to the story, if only there hadn't been a page limit. It's still good, though, and gives you another glimpse into one of Rhys and Gwen's kids.
And The Groom Wore Tulle: Not many people would think of starting a story with an almost starved highlander in a modern bridal shop. But that's what Lynn did, and she did it well! It might be too much for some readers (as they've written here) that Ian stuffed himself into a bridal gown... but whose to say what YOU would do if you were thrust into the future while so close to death that you likely wouldn't have all of your wits about you? Add to that the fact that most people in medieval times were superstitious, and it's believable enough to be funny.
The Icing On The Cake: This story takes a woman who is so much the out-doorsy-type that she can't cook much of anything ... and a man who is everything that she isn't in the house, and nothing that she is out of it... and then she sticks them in the same house together unexpectedly. I'm actually not too fond of this story, as their falling in love seems more dependant on sexual chemistry and good looks then on character. I like a story where people fall in love with who a person is, rather than what they look like, and Lynn's usually fantastic that way. Oh well.
reviewed by bestseller on November 12, 2006 6:23 PM
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I do love all Ms Kurland's characters, and it's great trying to keep track of the family members. That said, as much as Samuel MacLeod, THE ICING ON THE CAKE, seemed to love his ancestors I wanted him to know that he HAD ancestors living in the same century!! I'm referring to Jamie and Patrick and Ian, who live in present day Scotland. I wished that they could know each other. Honestly, it would have been a more interesting story than what we had.
reviewed by markymark on November 13, 2006 5:02 AM
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All the stories in this book were good, but one thing bothered me in Ian's story, besides the ridiculous idea of wearing a gown. Not once did Jamie ask Ian how his wonderful son Jesse was doing back in the 14th century where Ian had just come from! Or how Megan MacLeod, Jesse's wife was doing.
reviewed by onthemic on November 16, 2006 4:14 AM
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THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS PAST- Miles and Abigail's story was very sweet, but I don't know of anyone with the slightest bit of manners, would practically barge their way into another person's home and demand to take a bath. And the talking cats nearly destroyed Ms Kurland's credibitlity, in my opinion.
THE THREE WISE GHOSTS-Gideon was a classy, charming man in Dreams of Stardust, but here, he's made a fool of, and it is not charming to see a man wearing ridiculous shoes that make HIM look ridiculous and have him stumbling about like an idiot. This author always finds these stunts endearing, but they are awful. (The worst had to be Ian MacLeod in a wedding dress!)
Megan was a little too boisterous; I expected to her to be smacking bubble gum at any second, loud women are kind of tacky and Ms Kurland consistently makes all her female characters the same person.
AND THE GROOM WORE TULLE- Ian MacLeod was actually a pretty cool guy, and there was nothing wrong with Jane, but again, having this huge macho man put on a white wedding gown (for lame reasons)was a complete turn-off. The author seems to think that women find things like this cute, but it's not.
THE ICING ON THE CAKE-With this one, it seems the author simply ran out of ideas for a storyline. It's not at all unheard of for a man to be a chef! Ever hear of Food Network? And leaving a man and woman alone, whether in a house, or the inn, (Gideon and Megan), doesn't seem the way to go. I don't care HOW gentlemanly the guy claims to be, there probably isn't a man alive who wouldn't try to take advantage of the situation.
THE THREE WISE GHOSTS-Gideon was a classy, charming man in Dreams of Stardust, but here, he's made a fool of, and it is not charming to see a man wearing ridiculous shoes that make HIM look ridiculous and have him stumbling about like an idiot. This author always finds these stunts endearing, but they are awful. (The worst had to be Ian MacLeod in a wedding dress!)
Megan was a little too boisterous; I expected to her to be smacking bubble gum at any second, loud women are kind of tacky and Ms Kurland consistently makes all her female characters the same person.
AND THE GROOM WORE TULLE- Ian MacLeod was actually a pretty cool guy, and there was nothing wrong with Jane, but again, having this huge macho man put on a white wedding gown (for lame reasons)was a complete turn-off. The author seems to think that women find things like this cute, but it's not.
THE ICING ON THE CAKE-With this one, it seems the author simply ran out of ideas for a storyline. It's not at all unheard of for a man to be a chef! Ever hear of Food Network? And leaving a man and woman alone, whether in a house, or the inn, (Gideon and Megan), doesn't seem the way to go. I don't care HOW gentlemanly the guy claims to be, there probably isn't a man alive who wouldn't try to take advantage of the situation.
reviewed by gilbert on November 21, 2006 10:50 AM
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I don't understand how this book could keep readers laughing. A chuckle here and there is all I could manage. The stories have very "light" romance almost no sex, which I can't fault any writer for leaving out if that is her style. However, something else has to work and nothing worked for me. The characters were completely forgettable, which is why I have not gone into any details. Just thinking about them makes me want to kick myself for buying this book. Save your money. For over $10 it is much too expensive for a rehash of stories that lack any meaningful content, excitement or romance. A touch of humor is all that keeps me from giving this 1 star.
reviewed by harrypotter on November 21, 2006 11:06 AM