The Christmas Heirloom: Four Holiday Novellas of Love Through the Generations

Written by Karen Witemeyer, Kristi Ann Hunter, Sarah Loudin Thomas and Becky Wade

Narrated by Liz Pearce, Stephanie Cozart, Emily Pike Stewart and Pilar Witherspoon

In Kristi Ann Hunter's "Legacy of Love," Sarah Gooding never suspected returning a brooch to an elderly woman would lead to a job . . . and introduce her to the woman's grandson, a man far above her station. In Karen Witemeyer's "Gift of the Heart," widow Ruth Albright uses the family brooch as collateral for a loan from the local banker. But the more she comes to know the man behind the stern businessman, the more she hopes for a second chance at love. In Sarah Loudin Thomas's "A Shot at Love," Fleeta Brady's rough-and-tumble childhood means she prefers hunting to more feminine activities. She never expected her family's brooch might be how a fellow hunter turns her attention from competition to romance. In Becky Wade's "Because of You," Maddie Winslow has spent years in love with a man whose heart was already spoken for. When a church Christmas project brings them together and she stumbles upon an old family brooch, might it finally be her turn for love?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 2, 2018
• ISBN: 9781980005025

Karen Witemeyer

Voted #1 Reader's Favorite Christian Historical Author of 2023 by Family Fiction magazine, bestselling and Carol and Christy Award-winning author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. She and her husband make their home in Abilene, Texas. Learn more about Karen and her books at KarenWitemeyer.com.

Reviews for The Christmas Heirloom

[maydacat_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This four novellas follow a brooch that becomes a heirloom passed down from mother to daughter. Spanning several generations, the stories begin with the brooch being owned by a dowager countess, who makes it a gift to her companion. The brooch then moves across the pond to America, where the next stories take place. As with many collections, readers will likely enjoy one or two stories more than the rest. My favorite by far was A Gift of the Heart. It was quite well written with likable characters who showed perseverance and growth during the course of the story. All the stories were entertaining and illustrated a strong faith base, perfect for reading anytime, not just at Christmas.

[whybehave2002 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was a beautiful read on how over time family history can be passed on with only one special token. Right away we know that there are 4 novellas written by 4 different authors. What I didn't expect is how smoothly each story flowed to the next, all with a single thread holding them together. I have a Claddagh ring but I had never heard of a similar brooch. And of course, with a little Irish magic built in...if you believe in those things. ;)

[bookworm_lisa · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a wonderful book. I wish I would have had a chance to review it when I first finished it, I was on a short vacation with my family.This is a romance that spans generations. It starts with a Dowager who passes along a locket she received from her husband when they were married. She gives it to her Lady's Companion, who marries her grandson. The locket is passed on to through the maternal line. It brings love into the lives of the women who receive it.Each story was well written and a joy to read.Source: I requested a copy through netgalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[ladyofthelodge · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

“The Christmas Heirloom” provided a warm and entertaining read for the Christmas holidays. However, the themes represented in the short stories in this volume are appropriate for any time of year. Caring for others, persistence, kindness, yet also dealing with loss and struggle, are all part of these stories. Since each story is written by a different author, there are slightly different themes, locations, and perspectives to each one. However, they are all connected by the common thread of the heirloom brooch, passed from woman to woman in the family. This idea really added sparkle to the story, and made me want to continue reading to find out who would own the brooch in the next story. I appreciated the quiet Christian message in the stories as well, not to be missed by the reader.I received this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

[melissa_o-399736 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Heirloom is a collection of four novellas that all center around a brooch that has been passed from mother to daughter through several generations and the true love that will be found by the current owner. The collection follows the passing of the brooch from the 1800's to present day. This is a heartwarming collection of stories centered around Christmastime, but could definitely be read any time of the year. It was interesting to see how the authors connected the stories, but each one could definitely be read by itself. I know some people do not enjoy novellas because there is not as much time for character development, but in my opinion that is not an issue with this collection.I was given a copy of this collection in exchange for my honest review.

[kimpotter-309059 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Christmas Heirloom is a Christmas novella by four out-standing Christian authors. The stories center around an heirloom brooch handed down through the generations and rumored to bring true love to its owner.Legacy of Love by Kristi Ann Hunter starts the story off. We find Sarah Gooding as the companion of Lady Densbury in Lancashire, England in 1827. Sarah was hired after she recovered the brooch from a snow bank. Lady Densbury introduces Sarah to her grandson, Randall. Because Sarah is hired help, Randall’s mother disapproves of her. Will the love blossoming wilt under the pressure or will it bloom? The story was a delight to read. I loved the laughter and the easy camaraderie. Gift of the Heart by Karen Witemeyer takes place in Hope Springs, Texas in 1890. The brooch is now in the hands of Lady Densbury’s fourth great granddaughter. Widow Ruth Fulbright moves to Hope Springs with her daughter Naomi hoping for a new start. She uses the brooch as collateral for a bank loan and gains so much more than she bargained for. This story was so well crafted. I laughed out-loud at the antics of seven-year-old Naomi. I became anxious about where Ruth would get the needed supplies for winter; and I actually cried when she fell in love. This was such a sweet story.A Shot at Love by Sarah Loudin Thomas is a Sound of Rain novella. Fleeta Brady lives in Bethel, West Virginia in 1958. She has lived with her aunt and uncle since the death of her parents when she was very small. Her aunt has been holding onto the brooch for Fleeta until she is old enough to inherit it from her mother. She is now the seventh generation to own the Luckenbooth brooch. Fleeta’s dream is to open a gunsmithing shop but now that she has the brooch maybe love isn’t as girly as she had feared. Fleeta was a loveable tomboy. I really enjoyed her character. When Hank Chapin returns the lost brooch to Fleeta, you know sparks are gonna fly!Because of You by Becky Wade is a Bradford Sisters romance set in present day Merryweather, Washington. Maddie Winslow is the tenth-generation owner of the amethyst brooch. She has secretly been in love with Leo for years, but he married her best friend. When she finds the heirloom brooch hidden in a box, will it finally be her turn for true love? I loved the integrity of this story and the willingness to honor a friend’s memory. The Christmas mission project that Maddie helps with sounds like a great way to celebrate the birth of Jesus. A great little holiday read to get you into the Christmas spirit! I received this e-book from the Publisher in exchange for my honest review.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this read that actually spans centuries, and is centered around a family heirloom.Each author tells their own story and pulls us in with how they obtained this stunning piece, and true love is associated with the owner. Each mother in turn passes this broach on to their daughter.These novellas also include the Christmas season, something for everyone, each a quick sweet read that compelled me to move to the next, and moving from the early 1800’s to modern day, all with the love of God and following Him.I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.