Review: Couldn't get enough of the characters
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 24, 2013
**Originally written for Book Bliss book blog.I received a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review**Review: 5 starsGeneral: I loved everything about this novella. Nina Rowan created the perfect historical Christmas novella. This book drew me in from the beginning when I was first trying to guess little Penelope's problem. From then on I was completely drawn in. From the beginning it was clear their was playfulness with Christmas- the creation of the popper and the news of a tree- that added the right amount of Christmas. I thought the pacing of the novella was wonderful and minus feeling a bit cheated a the very end (I wanted more lol) it did what a lot of novella's can't and made sure every detail was there and nothing felt rushed, unexplained or left out. The plot was short and to the point, leaving the real work to the characters and the love story. The chemistry between Darius and Penelope was apparent immediately and I absolutely loved the unconventionality of the personality of the two leads. I can't wait to read the next book and see the characters that were only mentioned on the side take a new life.Characters: Penelope- Penelope was an adorable heroine. She had the right mix of feisty and ladylike characteristics required. She wasn't overly spunky or butch as some heroines are now being made left and right. Instead she was a respectful girl with a dream for excitement. She was very real to read and I immediately connected with her and the pain she felt in her family and the love and immediate attraction to adult Darius.Darius- Darius is the male I wish more authors wrote! He was the whole package minus too much of the stuffy alpha male, that while I find totally sexy, gets a touch boring book after book. Instead Darius was a nerdy boy with passion dying to come out and good looks too. I'd love to find a Darius under my christmas tree...or any other book!