cover image Christmas Ghosts

Christmas Ghosts

Edited by Kristine Grayson. WMG (www.fictionriver.com), $15.99 e-book (280p) ISBN 9780615783550

In this charming paranormal anthology, the fourth in the Fiction River multigenre anthology series (after Time Streams) overseen by Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch (for whom Grayson is one of many pseudonyms), eight authors take on the challenge of writing romantic ghost stories. Among the standouts are M.L. Buchman’s “The Ghost of Willow’s Past,” about two grieving Army sergeants who meet and find comfort and love in a Portland, Ore., public garden; Lisa Silverthorne’s “Christmas, Interrupted,” a poignant tale of a woman who attempts to go back in time to save a young man from his grisly fate; and Anthea Lawson’s traditional Regency story, “A Countess for Christmas.” There’s also a surprising contemporary tale, “Toasted,” from famed Regency romance author Mary Jo Putney. While most of the stories are quite short, the characterization and story development are masterfully done and are well edited. A sugary Christmas treat for those who love romance. (Oct.)