The three stories in this Christmas novella collection were just okay to me. The first, Star of Wonder felt a bit melodramatic to me as the main character is caught up in one incident after another, each spoiling one of her dresses packed for travel. The second, Beauty Bright had potential as a historical romance and I think I might have enjoyed if presented on its own but in the end, I was impatient to just move on and see the third story. The third was a present-day romance and I appreciated the unique set up with a pregnant female lead but found the elements of the story a little bit cliché and cringe-y. Honestly, I don’t think this is the right kind of book for me. I received a gifted copy of this book from Kregel through NetGalley; I am leaving this review voluntarily as my honest opinion.

All Three of These Stories Were Captivating and Would Make a Great Read This Fall/Winter!

Star of Wonder by CRYSTAL CAUDILL
Set in 1884
• Enjoyed this story. There was mystery and romance. I loved the relationship between family members. I will look for books by this author.

*******
Beauty Bright by CARA PUTMAN
Set in 1945
• Fascinating story. This was very interesting. I will definitely seek out more books by Cara Putnam.

*******
Perfect Light by ANGELA RUTH STRONG
• I will say this was my favorite of the three. Maybe because it was more of a current day story. I have read many of Angela Ruth Strongs books and will continue to look forward to her next!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

This is a wonderful collection of Christmas stories by some of my favorite authors. I love how unique each story is but how they connect through the same family. I always find books that do that to be enjoyable to read. I thought these stories are great to help get you into the Christmas spirit.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

We Three Kings is a charming collection of Christmas novellas by three different authors. They are set in three different time periods and feature three generations of the Weise family. I enjoyed seeing the way each author approached their story.

Star of Wonder by Crystal Caudill is set in New York in 1884 and features Aldrich Weise and his family’s luxurious steamer ship business. As they set sail toward Europe with members of his family and Celestia Isaacs’s family, they run into criminal activity as well as a dilemma in the relationship between Aldrich and Celestia.

Beauty Bright by Cara Putman is set after World War II and features Lt. Charles Weise and Captain Lillian Thorsen as they work together to return stolen artwork to its owners. This novella has a lot of interesting historical detail, and I enjoyed learning more about this time period.

Perfect Light by Angela Ruth Strong has a contemporary setting with Brendon Wise and Lacey Foster working together on a Christmas lights festival. While it has a lot of humor in it, it’s also a story of forgiveness, faith, and the true meaning of Christmas.

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy Christmas novella collections. The stories are charming and satisfying.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Star of Wonder by Crystal Caudill
Those who have read Counterfeit Faith will be delighted to read more about Josiah Isaac’s sister, Celestia. I really liked the characters in this novella and thought their interactions were engaging. A mix of mystery, faith, and humor round out this delightful read. I greatly enjoyed the story and thought it the perfect length for a Christmas themed novella.

Beauty Bright by Cara Putman
I was particularly impressed with the detailed historical details in this novella. I really liked the tie in to World War II and learned so much about the difficult task of restoring art lost during that war. Family and love abound in this story and I found it to be a wonderful read!

Perfect Light by Angela Ruth Strong
A modern romantic comedy, this novella had me equal parts laughing and contemplating the central reason for the Christmas holidays, that as Christ as our Savior. I found myself easily pulled into the sweet romance and I really loved Brendon in this novella. Another perfect Christmas novella to tie into this enchanting set of novellas!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

What a wonderful collection of Christmas novellas. This set is a great read! Each story is full of hope and inspiration and the perfect length to relax with after a hard day.
I received a complimentary copy from Independent Publishers Group, Kregel Publications via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a Christmas collection. Each novella is about a different generation of Wiese's.
They are lovely Christmas stories.
While I enjoyed them all, I think the middle one was my favorite.

That particular story is about the recovery of art after the Nazis had taken it from Jews during WWII.
Lieutenant Charles Wiese is putting his art degree to good use by helping with this recovery project. And then, he receives a special task - finding a treasure belonging to his grandpa. Will he be able to find that "needle in a haystack" and make his family's collection complete again?

Novellas are not as much my favorite, I prefer longer stories because they tend to have more depth. Saying that, I found this an enjoyable collection. They are a perfect winter or Christmas time read.

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Star of Wonder by Crystal Caudill

Can Celestia convince Aldrich to take a chance on their love when he will be moving across the ocean?

An engaging read with likable characters, filled with adventure and romance on a steamer's maiden voyage. I really liked the strong themes of faith in this Christmas novella, as well as the realistic relationship caught between friend and more than friends. There is mystery, action, and humor in this transatlantic romance.

Beauty Bright by Cara Putnam

2 generations later Monuments Man Charles Wiese finds himself working alongside Lillian Thorsen to restore the works of art to their original owners as Christmas time nears.

Rich in history this book does an excellent job of bringing to life the dismal aftermath of the war on Germany. Likable characters, and rich in history. I loved the family connection in these stories, of the "Wiese Men."

Perfect Light by Angela Ruth Strong

Set in the present day, newly divorced and pregnant single mom, Lacey Foster is the even planner in charge of putting together a winter wonderland of activities for local millionaire essential oils mogul Brendon Wise's Christmas festival. Will she let her past keep her from a second chance at love?

One of my favorite stories in the collection, I loved the unconventional timing of the relationship, as well as the strong themes of faith throughout, pointing to Christ as the true reason for the season, and as Savior. There was great interaction and humor in this modern day rom-com, and I loved Brendon's big heart for others.

Overall, a wonderful novella collection with stories of finding love and having faith through three generations of Wiese men.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This novella collection follows three different generations of the Weise family as they celebrate Christmas and find love.

Star of Wonder by Crystal Caudill

Set in the late 1800s, Aldrich Weise looks forward to the Christmas voyage of their new steamer ship across the Atlantic. He is shaken by the news that he needs to move to Germany to take over the business's operations over there. He is taken by the daughter of one of the investors, but doesn't want her to leave everything behind and move to Germany with him. A faith-filled Christmas romance filled with mystery and history.

Beauty Bright by Cara Putnam

Set at the end of WWII, Charles Weise is using his background in art to help restore stolen art to their rightful owners. His family has also tasked him with searching for pieces they had to leave behind when they left Germany for the US. Lillian Thorsen is also tasked with helping research the art, but is heartbroken by the state of those around her, especially the children. Will the children ever trust her and let her help them? Will they ever find some of the Weise family treasure? A fun mystery with romance and faith.

Perfect Light by Angela Ruth Strong

Lacey Foster never expected to be divorced and pregnant, especially at Christmas, but here she is. The good news is her business is getting plenty of publicity planning the Christmas celebrations put on by Brendon Wise and his essential oil business. Brendon just wants to help, but Lacey just wants to be independent. Will the two of them ever be able to see eye to eye? A fun romance filled with finding oneself and overcoming one's past.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I love Christmas novellas! It’s so nice to be able to read a heartwarming story in one sitting. We Three Kings is an enjoyable Christmas collection by three fantastic authors which follows three generations of the Weise family with clever nods to the Three Wisemen.

Star of Wonder by Crystal Caudill- I loved seeing Josiah Isaacs again! This story takes place before Counterfeit Faith, and is focused on his sister Celestia. The Isaacs family is onboard the Weise family’s grand steamer ship on its maiden voyage to Germany. Along the way, Celestia encounters love, danger, & all the delightful German Christmas traditions as she tries to convince Aldrich Weise that she belongs by his side.

Beauty Bright by Cara Putnam- I loved this story of Lieutenant Charles Weise who’s a Monuments Man serving in Germany after World War II. He and Captain Lillian Thorsen are in search of stolen priceless works of art with the goal of returning them to their rightful owners. Among those owners is Charles’ grandfather. But the mission is fraught with danger and angst as they navigate war torn Germany. With romance, danger, and a little bit of Christmas magic, this story pulled me in and didn’t let go. I loved how the author tied in the first book and made these characters really come alive.

Perfect Light by Angela Ruth Strong- Set in modern times, this story follows essential oils CEO Brendon Wise as he hosts a Christmas Lights festival in Salt Lake City, Utah. His newly hired event planner, Lacey Foster captures his heart, but can he convince the divorced, pregnant mom to give love a second chance? This cute contemporary romance had some sweet moments especially when they attend the festival. I liked the nods to the Three Wisemen and the allusion to Jesus’ mother, Mary.

If you’re looking for an enjoyable Christmas novella collection, I’d definitely give this one a try. It’s a great introduction to three fantastic authors & a fun tie-in to previous books if you’re already a fan. I received an advanced complimentary copy through NetGalley. All opinions are completely my own and voluntarily provided.

This sweet novella collection inspired by the gifts of the wise men will definitely get you in the Christmas spirit early. Filled with humbling reminders of God’s love and sovereignty, the romances of the Weise/Wise family are sweet and heartwarming.

My favorite novella was Crystal Caudill’s Star of Wonder, which ties in with her Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age series. I loved Aldrich and Cecilia’s relationship and their determination to seek the Lord’s direction. But the other two novellas were good too. I love it when stories connect, and the Weise/Wise family legacy really added to it. I think Strong’s was my second favorite, but Putman’s was interesting and filled with rich historical detail. I had never heard of the Monuments Men before. I love when stories teach me new things!

Overall, We Three Kings is a delightful novella collection that historical romance fans and contemporary romance lovers will enjoy. And it makes the perfect read for quiet evenings or quick breaks between hectic holiday preparations.

When I review anthologies, I like to touch on a few details in each story that stood out to me. Here's my take:

Unfortunately I could not get into Star of Wonder by Crystal Caudill, so I mostly skimmed through. I did like the historical details and how Aldrich & Celestia's romance played out. Their reliance on God to guide them in love & life was refreshing.

Beauty Bright by Cara Putman was very interesting to me! I've watched the movie Monuments Men that came out in 2014, and loved the film. To learn about those who risked their lives to find and protect priceless artwork stolen by the Nazis just after WW2 was a piece of history I didn't know about. I don't read many war stories, but this one definitely kept my interest! And again watching the romance grow between Charles & Lillian as they worked together and how their faith ground them was a delight. Cara Putman's inclusion of historical details was well researched!

Perfect Light was probably my favorite of the bunch! I loved Angela Strong's novel Husband Auditions so I was definitely looking forward to her story. It's a modern day contemporary romance that hooked me from the beginning. I think what I liked the most was that both Brendon and Lacey weren't flawless perfect characters that had it all together, but rather two imperfect people dealing with some past hurts. The character growth in each one was realistic and had me rooting for them until the end! There were quite a few funny moments to temper the hard stuff along with a faith thread to help them get through. Brendon was my idea of what a hero should be, and through his gentle ways, finally won Lacey's heart. A sigh-worthy romance!

These are three unique stories connected by a single family name chock full of adventure, love and a solid faith theme sure to delight readers this holiday season (or any time of the year really)!

*I received a complimentary copy via the authors and was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions expressed here are my own. *

We Three Kings beautifully blends historical and contemporary fiction into a multi-generational story.

*I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley. The review is my personal opinion.

We Three Kings is a novella that combines two of my favorite things: historical fiction and Christmas. What more could a Christmas-loving, history fanatic ask for?

The beauty of Christmas novellas is that they often combine the writings of several authors, and this one was no exception.

Star of Wonder is written by Crystal Caudill and takes place in 1884. Crystal’s expertise lies in the original workings of the Secret Service, and she brings this to life in her plot that introduces us to Aldrich Weise and Celestia Isaacs. She shows how trusting God and putting his will first could bring you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).

Cara Putman’s Beauty Bright takes place in 1945 just after World War II. Cara’s expertise is World War II, and focusing on the aftermath of World War II in Germany was both humbling and astonishing to read. The Weise story continues as Aldrich’s grandson, Charles Weise becomes the hero of this tale. We learn through the hero and heroine that acts of love, no matter how small they may seem, make a difference.

The novella finishes with Angela Ruth Strong’s Perfect Light. I had not had the pleasure of reading her books prior to this writing, so I didn’t know what to expect from her. I was pleasantly surprised by how well she drew me into her story. She brings Charles’ great-grandson, Brendon Wise into this heartwarming story helping us realize that offered help is not always because one is weak but because one is loved.

What I liked about this book: I really liked the fact that the stories were so connected not only by the Wise (Weise) men and star theme but also by the family connection throughout. While the Weise family was introduced in Star of Wonder, each subsequent story made reference to the family member(s) of the previous book. This brought the feel of family history to the forefront of the novellas and tied the stories together.

Favorite characters:

Celestia Isaacs (Star of Wonder) – She carried just enough caution to blend with her independence in an era where independent females wasn’t the norm.

Captain Lillian Thorson (Beauty Bright) – In a time when women were still somewhat looked down upon, Captain Thorson held her ground as a woman in charge, yet also was able to be compassionate and open her heart to those in need.

Brendon Wise (Perfect Light) – He cared enough to not only offer assistance when he thought it was needed but to humbly ask for forgiveness when his generosity was misunderstood.

Who would like this book?

Anyone who enjoys blending history and contemporary, sweet Christmas stories with heartwarming messages, and those who enjoy following a family through generations and change.

It is never too early for Christmas stories, and this book has THREE!

While I am more a fan of the first two novellas, since they're historical, all three of them are fine reads. They follow three Weise men, in three different generations, which I thought was a really fun play on the whole idea of the Christmas Star and the true Biblical Wise Men.

I am a devoted follower of Crystal Caudill's and her novella, "Star of Wonder," in this collection was my favorite. The story was a wonderful mix of mystery, history, funny characters, a little romance, and, most importantly, Jesus! The others had a mixture of these things, too, but hers was my favorite. Every time I read some of Crystal's work, I learn new things that I would have never learned otherwise ((this time about steamer ships and German heritage)), and that draws me in over and over again! I could say the same thing about the history in Cara Putman's "Beauty Bright" in this collection, too, for the record.

All of these thoughts are my own, and would remain the same had I not received a promotional copy of the book.

An amazing collection of 3 stories from outstanding authors. Great reading for the holidays and always. You don’t want to miss out. All about life and love.

The Perfect Light of Angela Ruth Strong was the first novel in this collection I read because I was a part of the writers' launch team. I felt bad for Lacey because she has to balance her business, her professional appearances, her morning sickness and the awkwardness of being a pregnant single mom. Brendon Wise was pleased with how successfully Lacey Foster had worked together online in the preceding few months preparing for the festival. He respected and treasured their online collaboration. He was hoping for more than just a work relationship.

The day came when they would finally speak to each other in person. When that day came Brendon was stunned. Since they both were sitting down when talking on-line. The subject of Lacy’s impending pregnancy was never discussed.

I liked how the author used Lacey's situation to highlight the importance of Christmas. Lacey undoubtedly felt sympathy for Mary, who was pregnant with Jesus while riding a donkey.to Bethlehem. Lacey was at a loss for words. It was difficult for her to walk from the car to her front door, but ride a donkey, she didn't think so.

This wonderful and heartwarming story was a delight. It made me want to join Lacy and Brendon Wise at the festival they put on together. I appreciated what the author brought up at the end about the German tradition.

I read the other two books in this Christmas Collection. I liked the way the Weise family's three generations were portrayed in each of these stories. In The Star of Wonder by Crystal Caudill, the opening tale in the anthology, is set in 1884. Aldrich Weise planned to charm Celestia Isaacs and investors on the large steamer ship's holiday-themed inaugural voyage. However, Aldrich Weise and Celeste had high hopes for an opportunity to prepare for their future. Instead, he must put a stop to a scoundrel and ultimately abandon his plans with Celestia. I was pleasantly surprised at how much went on in this story.

I then read the short story Beauty Bright by Cara Putman. The author quickly engrossed me and talked about how they went about returning art to its rightful owners after World War II, which surprised and intrigued me. I have read a relatively small number of stories on this process. It was a challenging task. I liked how Captain Lillian Thorsen and Lieutenant Charles Weise worked together to help reunite people nearby with their families art.

Join the Weise family in three engrossing tales that will take you on an exhilarating journey through history, beyond it, and even into the present. Each of these stories features an endearing romance, an intriguing historical backdrop, and provides inspiration and hope for the Christmas season. After finishing the book with a large grin on my face and good feelings in my heart, I’d recommend this for a delightful read and one that would be perfect for your next book club pick.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

I enjoyed reading this compilation of Christmas novellas! I like how each novella is centered around a member of the Weise family! The imagery in the books transported me to a trip aboard the Golden Gestirn; Wiesbaden, Germany, after WWII and Utah at Christmas time!

Star of Wonder is a great story! My personal favorite! I immediately liked Celestia! She's a great character! So many things happen to her, yet she keeps on going! Aldrich is amazing! He loves his family and is willing to sacrifice his comfort for them.
Their love story is sweet and romantic!

Beauty Bright is fantastic! I enjoyed learning about art and how treasures that were thought to be lost were returned to their owners! Charles and Lillian have many strengths- they are determined and resourceful! Their love story is sweet and romantic!

Perfect Light is a great story! It's a perfect story of forgiveness and second chances! Brendon is fantastic! He's a very giving and loving person! Lacey has had some rough times, but she's determined to have a better future! Their love story is sweet and romantic!

These stories all point to the real reason for the season- The true King- Jesus! I will definitely be reading them again at Christmas time!!

I was provided a copy of the book from the author/publisher?NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Unlike any collection of Christmas stories I have ever read.

1. Star of Wonder CRYSTAL CAUDILL
1884
☆☆☆☆☆ Well written, full of danger, interesting languages, customs, and faith. I loved it!

2.Beauty Bright CARA PUTMAN
1945
Wow☆☆☆☆☆
History-rich story filled with excitement featuring Monuments Men. So much is packed into this Novella woven with bits of faith and romance, along with the undercurrent of a post-war society suffering to survive in Germany.

3.Perfect Light ANGELA RUTH STRONG
☆☆☆ Good Story, but not my favorite of the 3.
Very modern. Brendon is funny with his very rapid thoughts flying every which way. Understanding others & patience plays a big role. Faith is still evident, particularly towards the end.

Final Review - These stories, especially the first two are unlike any collection of Christmas stories I have ever read. They take you on a journey through time sharing the history of the Wiese family. I really enjoyed the fresh approach to Christmas from 1 and 2.
#3 for me was just meh; take it or leave it. So that brings my overall review to four stars.
Now I want to pull out my DVD of Monuments Men and rewatch it 😁.
I am especially grateful to Crystal Caudill for asking me to review the book. She always weaves a fantastic tale.

[4⭐= very good]

I was sent this eBook by one of the authors.
All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 70 𝓖𝓸𝓸𝓭𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮 📚 2023

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