Category: Georgian Era (1714-1837)

The Georgian era is a period in British history 1714 to 1830. The kings were all named George: George I, George II, George III and George IV. The sub-period of the Regency is defined by the Regency of George IV as Prince of Wales during the illness of his father George III. The definition of the Georgian era is often extended to include the short reign of William IV, which ended with his death in 1837.
Preceded by: Restoration
Including: Regency era
Followed by: Victorian era

A Kiss for Christmas: Holiday Short Stories by Caroline Linden

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

A Kiss for Christmas: Holiday Short StoriesA Kiss for Christmas: Holiday Short Stories by Caroline Linden

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: None – but has holiday epilogues for 2 different series.

Release Date: November 18, 2019

This was an absolutely delightful collection of short stories! In addition to five unconnected short stories, there are also two holiday themed extended epilogues (one for What a Woman Wants and one for A Rake’s Guide to Seduction) and if that wasn’t enough – there is also a short novella that is a prequel of sorts to the Scandalous Series!!!

Bel Astre que j’adore: 4 stars – A French Courtesan and an English Solider make an unlikely pair in this very short, very sweet story.

My True Love Gave to Me: 4 stars – A newly married innkeeper and his wife are snowed in alone at their inn for the first time and finally have time to share what is in their hearts.

Adeste Fideles: 4 stars – A returning solider and a widowed lady find they have more in common than they expected when their dogs become friends.

What a Woman Needs for Christmas: 4 stars – Charlotte gets a very welcomed visitor in this sweet holiday epilogue from the novel What a Woman Needs.

A Scot of Her Own: 5 stars – Celica’s mother, Rosalind, the Duchess of Exeter believed that her son-in-law Anthony’s uncle has serious intentions towards her, but after months with barely any word, Rosalind has decided she was mistaken and tells herself to forget him. Patrick Murray, the Earl of Wakefield, has loved Rosalind almost since the moment he met her, but things beyond his control have kept them apart and he hopes his Christmas wish will come true and restore his love to him in this holiday epilogue for the novel A Rake’s Guide to Seduction.

Grace’s Christmas Hero: 4 stars – This story follows Grace and Oliver for 18 years and lets the read share in their sweet love story.

A Kiss for Christmas: 5 stars – Clara Hampton believes her fate is set, she will marry the local baronet’s son Johnathan Mortimer and they will live happily ever after, it seems like everything is going according to expectations, until Johnathan leaves their small town and goes to London. When he returns, he is not the same young man and seems to have no interest in Clara. Bewildered, yet still willing to marry him, Clara sets out to recapture his interest, but finds herself instead attracting the attention of the very handsome, very eligible Thomas Weston. Thomas is a solicitor who has been hired by Johnathan’s father to clean up mess Johnathan made and to keep him on the straight and narrow. But one look at Clara and Thomas is captivated. Will Clara pine after Johnathan or will she realize that Thomas is the only hero for her? Very cute, very sweet story.

All the stories were awesome, none of them have any love scenes (beyond a kiss), but they are all well written, enjoyable little tidbits that only take a few minutes to read. I really enjoyed this collection and am happy to recommend the book!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eBook that was provided to me.*

The Highlander’s Christmas Quest by Anna Campbell

On By TracyIn Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Highlander’s Christmas Quest (The Lairds Most Likely, #5)The Highlander’s Christmas Quest by Anna Campbell
Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Lairds Most Likely, #5

Release Date: November 26, 2019

Dougal Drummond of Bruard has always wanted to be a knight in shining armor on a quest, like the knights of King Arthur’s court, but with peace reigning in his father’s lands, there are no dragons to slay or damsels in distress, so when he hears the tale of Fair Ellen of the Isles, who is being held captive in a tower by her evil father – he knows he has found his quest.

Kirsty Macbain of Askaval is out surveying the damage caused by the fierce storm that swept over the island the previous night when she sees a damaged boat in the harbor, she rides down to greet the stranger, thinking he is crazy to have ventured out alone this time of year, less than a week before Christmas! But when she lays eyes on him, she falls headfirst into love! When he asks where he is, she tells him the Island of Askaval, which is nowhere near the Isle of Innish he was traveling to. She invites him to the house to get cleaned up and fed and he goes willingly, but is clear, he won’t be staying any longer than it takes to repair his boat.

Kirsty offers to help with the repairs and Dougal accepts, he has noticed how attractive she is and he enjoys her company, but he will not be distracted, he has a damsel to rescue! When he tells Kirsty and her father of his quest, they are surprised, they thought the tale of Fair Ellen was a fairy tale and her father is sure she is not on Innish but on Pabbay, while others are sure she is on Scalpay or Canna! Her dad invites him to stay for Christmas, but he is dead-set on leaving as soon as his boat is seaworthy and hopefully set out on the next morning’s tide. He works with Kirsty and they get the boat repaired and he helps gather greenery for the Christmas ceilidh they are having in a few days. Again they ask him to stay and again he refuses.

The next morning Dougal breaks his fast with Kirsty and her father, thanks them for their hospitality and sets off. But when he reaches the quay, he is dismayed to see his boat has taken on water! This will delay him at least a couple of days and he needs to leave – his attraction to Kirsty feels like a betrayal to Ellen and his quest. But with no other options, he stays and lets Kirsty help him with the boat.

And so it goes, he repairs the boat, deepens him admiration for Kirsty and plan to leave, but when an unplanned kiss changes everything and the truth about the damage to his boat st uncovered, tempers flare, words are spoken and hearts are broken. Can their story have a happy ending or will Fair Ellen win the heart of the highlander?

I really enjoyed this story, it was a very sweet love at first sight tale with a bit of steam, wonderful characters, a hero that blushes, a heroine who will do whatever is necessary to win the love of a man set on another and finally a very satisfying ending complete with a fantastic epilogue. I am happy to recommend this story and while this novella is part of a series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone title.