Category: Victorian Era (1837-1901)

In the history of the United Kingdom, the Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria’s reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. The era followed the Georgian period and preceded the Edwardian period, and its later half overlaps with the first part of the Belle Époque era of continental Europe.
Preceded by: Regency era
Followed by: Edwardian era
Monarch: Victoria

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.

A Christmas Revelation by Anne Perry

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Novella, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

A Christmas RevelationA Christmas Revelation by Anne Perry

Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Publication Date: 11/6/18

What a wonderfully poignant Christmas story. If you have read this author’s William Monk series, you will be familiar with most of the characters in this book. The story is a wonderfully written tale of redemption and caring at Christmas.

Since last summer, nine-year-old Worm (Warren) has been living and working at the clinic in Portpool Lane. The clinic was established to provide medical care, etc. for women on the streets. He’d always lived on the riverbank before someone rescued him. He doesn’t know if he ever had a father, but he does have vague memories of his mother.

Worm was out and about one morning and looked across the street at the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen. A woman who was all light, warmth, and softness. When a sunbeam came down from the sky and fell on her hair, it glowed like gold. Her smiles seemed to make everyone around her feel good. Then, there were two men who approached her, grabbed her and forced her away. Worm wanted to help her. He raced across the street and followed them as far as he could and then they disappeared. He needed help and he knew just who could either help him or tell him what he needed to do.

Squeaky Robinson will only admit to being somewhere in his sixties. He is the former owner of the two buildings that now house the Portpool Lane clinic. The houses were brothels when he owned them, and quite profitable. However, he’d found himself in a bit of serious legal trouble and made a deal to turn the houses over for the clinic and stay on as its bookkeeper. Secretly, he’s glad about that, but he’d never openly admit it.

Worm runs into Squeaky’s office and tells his tale of the beautiful lady. Squeaky tries to distract him by telling him tales of Christmas – mostly making it up as he goes along because – well – what does Squeaky know about Christmas. When the distraction doesn’t work, Squeaky knows that if he doesn’t help the boy, he’ll just go out on his own. This begins an adventure filled with bad guys, lovely ladies who are not what they seem, explosions and a joyous Christmas.

I hope you’ll give this lovely novella a read this Christmas.

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