cover image THE THREE GIFTS

THE THREE GIFTS

Lynn Bulock, . . Steeple Hill, $12.95 (512pp) ISBN 978-0-373-87240-4

Three faith-filled Christmas romances are bound together in this trade edition from Steeple Hill, the inspirational division of Harlequin. All three were reader favorites when they were first published as mass-market paperbacks, and they complement each other nicely, as all three feature brave single mothers who are swept off their feet at Christmas by handsome and caring men. The tales have to go to some length to explain why these eligible bachelors are in fact still single: one is separated from an ice-queen wife, one is a confirmed country bachelor with no one but a dog to keep him company and the third is a wealthy workaholic. The plots are certainly predictable, but the characters warm and engaging. Throughout the three stories, the faith element is always present, but is not heavy-handed or intrusive. Romance readers looking for light, uplifting holiday escapism will enjoy this simple collection. (Oct.)