Category: Christmas

A Yuletide Kiss, an anthology by Sabrina Jeffries, Madeline Hunter & Mary Jo Putney

On By TracyIn Anthology, Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A Yuletide KissA Yuletide Kiss by Madeline Hunter

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: N/A – Anthology

Release Date: September 28, 2021

This new Christmas anthology features three brand new connected novellas by three of the biggest names in Historical Romance. Each of these Regency-era novellas is set at the White Rose Inn where each couple has been stranded by a snowstorm just days before Christmas…

When We Finally Kiss Good Night by Sabrina Jeffries, 4 stars: Fans of the Duke Dynasty series will be thrilled to discover that playwright and friend of the Duke of Thornstock, Konrad Juncker is reunited with Vanessa’s friend Flora Younger, when they are both stranded on a way to the Duke of Armitage’s house party – a party that they didn’t know the other was attending. Years ago these two met in Bath and Flora believed that Konrad was courting her, but when he disappeared without even a goodbye, her heart was broken and her future took a dramatic change. Konrad regrets his actions in Bath, but he has secrets that even now prevent him from offering for Flora and he knows he should stay away from her, but he can’t seem to stop himself. This second chance romance is sweet, but a little slow-moving, however, the love scenes are on the warmer side and the ending is fabulous!

The Unexpected Gift by Madeline Hunter, 3 stars: Jenna Waverly, the owner of the White Rose Inn usually closes her establishment for the Christmas holiday, but this year her plans are drastically changed when a storm brings not only stranded travelers looking for shelter, but also brings an unconscious and very ill man to her door. Lucas Avonwood works for the Home Office, but his trip to the White Rose Inn has nothing to do with his work, this is personal. He was on his way to the inn to find the man who had an affair with his cousin and then stole a broach before disappearing when he took ill and fell off his horse. He awakes to find himself in the very inn he was planning to visit, being tended by a woman who may or may not be party to the scam against his cousin. While I did enjoy reading this novella, I thought of the three novellas in this collection, this story had the hardest job selling the romance, as it featured two strangers meeting and falling in love in literally a matter of days, and while that has been done in books before, for me, it didn’t feel genuine in this story.

When Strangers Meet by Mary Jo Putney, 4.5 stars: It has been 7 years since Kate Macleod has seen her husband, Daniel Faringdon, a husband she met, married, and parted with all on the same day, a man she never expected to see again. But apparently, fate has decided that she is not done with these two. Daniel has returned to England after years away to assume his newly inherited title of Baron Elland, and was just as surprised to see Kate as she was to see him, he wasn’t even aware their marriage in Bombay all those years ago was legal, but now that he does and has been reunited with his wife, he isn’t ready to let her go again. But keeping Kate won’t be easy, especially since she was in the process of having him declared dead so she could remarry! This was a fast-paced, nicely plotted novella with just a bit of kissing and a believable HEA.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

A Cup of Cheer by Deb Marlowe

On By TracyIn Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A Cup of Cheer (A Series of Unconventional Courtships Book 4)A Cup of Cheer by Deb Marlowe

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: A Series of Unconventional Courtships, #4

Release Date: December 10, 2020

Alexander Edgerton, the Earl of Chester has spent years pursuing pleasure and thinking only of himself, but when he fails to collect his ward, Charles Edgerton (his late cousin’s son) on time and the boy goes missing, Chester knows he needs to change. Unsure where Charlie has gotten to, Chester seeks help from his grandmother, but knowing she is going to read him the riot act, he stops in the local tavern for a cup of cheer, to fortify himself. More than a little tipsy, he sets out for his grandmother’s cottage and gets way more than he bargained for! Knocked down by the very boy he is looking for, he barely has a moment to register when he is confronted by what surely must be a goddess and passes out.

Life has not been easy for Miss Julia Deering, her mother died when she was young and she was raised by her brilliant but preoccupied father. Her father was a scholar who taught and tutored young men, he didn’t skimp in Julia’s education, but fell short in many other ways. As a result, when he died, she was left to the mercy of his colleagues – thankfully, she was able to escape to Half Moon Street and Harriet quickly found her a position with the dowager Countess of Chester. Julia is shocked at her reaction to Chester – never has she been attracted to a man, but Chester is everything she never knew she wanted and want him she does!

Together these two form a friendship and soon begin to long for more, but before they can even think of a future, Chester needs to deal with his past and Julia needs to learn to trust again. Hopefully, with a bit of matchmaking help from Charlie and the Countess, they will be able to get their HEA!

I thought this was a nice, feel-good read with wonderful characters and a very sweet HEA. The book is a long novella and is paced well, but I wish I had more backstory on Chester from the beginning since it is pretty late in the book that the reader learns what set him on the path of selfish pleasure. The romance is subtle and the love scenes are kisses only, so if you prefer low/no heat romance – you are in for a treat! This is the fourth book in the series and there is a mention of the previous couples and a cameo with Whiddon (the last man standing), but you can absolutely read this installment as a standalone title with no issues at all. I enjoyed this book and would happily recommend it!