"A Victorian Christmas Tea"

Some of the Christmas hours I like best are the quiet ones just before and after the big celebrations. In my own quiet hours this week, I actually read a whole book in two days, and it was so utterly charming I just have to tell you about it. It's the 1997 book "A Victorian Christmas Tea," four novellas about Christmas, all with a teatime plotline somewhere in the mix, and the authors are Catherine Palmer, Dianna Crawford, Peggy Stoks and Katherine Chute.

I had saved two of my "12 Days of Christmas" teas from Janet in Texas just for this time, and I thoroughly enjoyed Bigelow's Gingersnappish and Eggnogg'n. (I've never had eggnog, because it just doesn't appeal to me, but I absolutely adored this tea!) And the book itself was such a sweet treat! These four inspirational romances are set in the mountains of New Mexico, a stormy New England coast, rural Minnesota, and a Louisiana plantation, all at Christmas, all with budding romances promising to unfold. It was such a lovely time back when ladies and gentlemen were courted and gave such care to that all-important decision of choosing a life's mate. I ended each of these tender stories heartened—and wanting a cup of their story's tea.

Each tale also concludes with one special recipe from the plot, so that was a treat as well, but mostly I just enjoyed reading uplifting fiction with a Christmas theme at Christmas. If you haven't read this book, I'd suggest you get a copy now—or at least put it on your reading list for next year!