Category: Novella

Dearest Millie by May McGoldrick

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Scottish/HighlanderLeave a comment

Dearest Millie (The Pennington Family, #3.5)Dearest Millie by May McGoldrick

Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Pennington Family #3.5
Publication Date: 11/13/18

OH! My! Goodness! This is the sweetest, most heartwarming book I have read this year. It sucked me in at the first word and I don’t think it has let me go yet. I’m still basking in the warmth and light that is our hero Dermot McKendry. We ALL need a Dermot in our lives.

This is part of the wonderful Pennington Family series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone. That said, the Pennington’s are such a delightful family that I can’t imagine you’d want to miss any of their tales. We first met Dermot in It Happened in the Highlands. Dermot is the partner of the hero of that book (Captain Wynne Melfort) and Millie is the younger sister of the heroine (Jo Pennington).

Dermot had wanted to meet Millie since she first came to his hospital to visit with her sister Jo. Dermot is a terribly messy soul because he is so very, very busy. He’s always researching and looking for better treatments for the patients at his hospital, so he leaves his books and research everywhere. After Millie’s first visit, he returns from a trip to find his office completely organized and neat as a pin. Then, when he makes a trip to Edinburg, he tries to visit her and finds her away – so – he rearranges her library. These visits continue until he finally meets her.

The love that is expressed in this book is amazing as is the concern and support for a serious medical issue. Just think what it would mean, back in that time, to be diagnosed with a disease that we still cannot always cure even today.

This is a very short novella, so I’m not going to tell you a lot about the story – other than – READ IT! I actually wish that it hadn’t been quite so short. I would have liked to see a little something between Chapters 11 and 12. I would have loved to see the wedding, maybe the beginnings (at least) of the treatments and maybe the first pregnancy. Nothing gory, just make the story feel a little more complete. As it is, I sort of feel as if we skipped over a large part of what got them to Chapter 12.

I highly recommend this novella!

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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”

Wishing Upon A Christmas Star by Lana Williams

On By TracyIn Christmas, Novella, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)1 Comment

Wishing Upon A Christmas Star (The Seven Curses of London Book 8)Wishing Upon A Christmas Star by Lana Williams
Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Seven Curses of London, #8

Release Date: November 6, 2018

Miss Violet Fairchild is feeling discontent, she wishes she possessed the courage of her sisters and friends, but it is just not who she is. She sees a star and makes a wish to be bolder and make a difference. The next day, she sees her elderly neighbor in her overgrown garden and ventures out to talk to her. She wonders if the Adleys have fallen on hard times – she knows the gossip, they lost their fortune and moved to this house, but it seems like they are not even making ends meet and have little help. She also knows their son Braxton is in India, does he know how his parents are faring??

Braxton Adley moved to India three years ago to make his fortune, his father was taken in by a scam and lost the family’s wealth. Overnight Braxton’s life changed, his friends deserted him, the woman he was courting cast him aside and the things he had once taken for granted were all gone. He has worked tirelessly to restore what was lost and hopes to one day return to London financially secure. He misses England and as he looks at the sky, see the Christmas star – he makes a wish. A few days later, he gets a letter from his mother, praising the nice young neighbor who has been helping them, he is immediately suspicious – his parents have already been fooled once by someone claiming to help them – he refuses to let it happen again. He will journey to England, check on his parents and return.

Braxton is shocked at the air of neglect in his parents home – what is happening to the money he has been sending them? He enters the house and meets Violet when she literally falls in his arms. Braxton’s parents are overjoyed at his return and want to know if he is staying for Christmas. His parents reminisce about Christmases past and Violet offers to help them recreate their Christmas traditions – enlisting Braxton’s help. He soon learns what has happened to the money and begins to set things to right. The more time he spends with Violet, the more he likes her – but nothing can come of it, as he will be returning to India soon. But that doesn’t stop him from kissing her or dancing with her.

Things are going well between them and their plans for Christmas are coming together – Violet is falling for him, but when rumors begin to circulate about him reuniting with his former love interest, she is crushed, especially when he leaves her standing alone at a ball and dances with Lady Alice.

Can Braxton prove to Violet that Alice means nothing to him? Will Violet let him go without a fight? Can wishes on a Christmas Star come true? This was a very sweet little Christmas novella that will get you in the spirit for Christmas with wonderful characters, some misunderstandings, some kisses and Christmas wishes! It is part of the Seven Curses of London series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone title with no problems.