Category: Christmas

A Winter Wish by Christi Caldwell

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Christmas, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

A Winter Wish (The Read Family Saga Book 1)

Barbara’s Rating 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Read Family Saga #1

Publication Date: 9/22/20

Number of Pages: 144

This was a short, sweet read, and a lovely introduction to the Read family who will be featured in this series. The story is well-written and the characters are compelling.

Merry Read’s family is in service to the Holman family – the Earl and Countess Maldavers. Merry’s father is the Maldavers family steward and her mother is the housekeeper. Her brother Diccan is in training to replace his father as steward and Merry has been training to replace her mother as housekeeper. Merry’s sister Matilda is also in service there, but we didn’t learn what her position is.

As a child, Merry played with the two younger Holman boys, but the older son, Lucas, Viscount Grimslee was always aloof and condescending toward them. When invited to participate in a game or other activity, he haughtily declined. Now, as an adult, Merry has nothing but disdain for Lucas.

Lucas was never, ever, allowed to forget that he was to inherit the title. He was constantly schooled in his responsibilities – he was told who he could associate with, what his attitudes were to be, how he was to regard others – especially servants, and mostly that he wasn’t to allow his feelings to show. He lived with those edicts until four months ago when his brother was accused of treason and he was forced to break his own betrothal because of the scandal. Since then, drink and debauchery have become his constant companions – it is just easier not to feel when he’s drunk.

Lucas’s mother is determined to end the drunkenness, so she decides to move their Christmas celebration to London where Lucas is living. In order to prepare the house for the festivities, his mother has Merry go to London to make the arrangements and to do the decorating. Then, she assigns Lucas to be Merry’s helper. Uh Oh – we all know where that is going.

I certainly enjoyed the read, but I felt it was a bit too short because we were left with unanswered questions. I am sure the author did her research and she has the right of it, but, to me, the circumstances just didn’t ring true when it came to Merry, her travels, her education, etc.

I am sure this is going to be a fun series that we will all enjoy.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Dawn with a Duke by Erica Ridley

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

Dawn with a Duke (12 Dukes of Christmas #9)Dawn with a Duke by Erica Ridley

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The 12 Dukes of Christmas, #9

Release Date; September 4, 2020

Lady Isabelle “Belle”, sister to Duke of Nottingvale is on her way to Cressmouth for Christmas when her maid takes ill and she insists they stop in Houville. Worried about ruining her reputation, she tells the innkeeper she is a widow, Mrs. Lepine, thinking they will only be there for one night. She is out of her element tries to make the best of things, but is unsure what she is supposed to do, as she has never been on her own before. She is looking at the crowded dining room and notices a handsome, well dressed man. He beckons her over and invites her to sit at his table. Grateful, Belle immediately takes a liking to the handsome stranger.

Calvin McAlister is in Houville preparing for the opportunity of a lifetime, he and his partner Jonathan MacLean have come up with a revolutionary idea – a line of ready-made formal wear for the average man. They will plan to sell or rent their cloths in shops, but primarily by mail order. Up until now it has been a dream, but the chance to have the Duke of Nottingvale as an investor could make that dream a reality. Calvin is a recluse by nature and feels uncomfortable in social situations, making his partnership with Jonathan perfect. Jonathan will handle the people and Calvin the clothes. So it makes no sense to him why he offered to share his table with the lovely stranger. As soon as he offers, he regrets his decision, but is delighted to discover, Mrs. Lepine feels just as awkward as he does and that he enjoys her company.

Belle and Calvin will grow much closer when a bout of the flu leaves the inn shorthanded and leaves Belle without a maid’s assistance in dressing – a task she hires Calvin to do! When he discovers what a talented artist she is, he hires her to finish painting his catalogue sketches. They are falling hard, but when the truth of who she is comes out, will their love survive?

This was a well written, nicely paced, absolutely delightful novella. Belle and Calvin are wonderful characters who are perfect for each other despite their social status disparities. This book had secondary characters, but they really play a very small role in the story, also this book was a bit steamier than the previous offerings in the series (not a complaint!) but it fit the story and I loved the ending. I am happy to recommend this book, it is the ninth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*