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 Rose for Laura by Callie Hutton

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Part of a Series, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

A Rose for Laura (The Rose Room Rogues, #4)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: The Rose Room Rogues #4
Publication Date: 9/30/21
Period: Victorian (1892) London
Number of Pages: 241

Just so you know – I would have given this book 5-stars just for the epilogue alone! As the last book in the series, I did so want an epic epilogue – and this author delivered! We’ve seen each of the Rose brothers find their HEAs and thanks to this wonderful epilogue, we get to see where life’s journey has taken them and their families six years later. OH! Just so I don’t forget – there is a wonderful, romantic, heartwarming, and witty story that comes before that epilogue. You DEFINITELY don’t want to miss that.

Keniel Singh is of mixed origins – his mother was half Jamaican and half Indian and his father is white English. Keniel lead a comfortable life in Jamaica even though he had no idea who sired him. His mother, a gifted artist, was part of Jamaica’s aristocracy and therefore Keniel was as well. Keniel never had any issues with not knowing anything about his father, but, on her death bed, his mother told him all about his father and made him promise to find his English family. Reluctantly, Keniel made the promise and after her death, he made the journey to England. He had no intention of immediately making himself known to his English family because he wanted to assure himself that these were honorable and upright people. The best way he found to get the measure of them was to take a job in their club – The Rose Room. There is nothing like working with someone day after day to get their measure. He came to like and respect his half-brothers but was having a hard time convincing himself to tell them the truth. He intends to do so – just not yet. He is still unsure how they would react to hearing they have a multi-racial half-brother.

Miss Laura Benson is the much-loved only child of a very, very wealthy businessman. Their business ventures have given them exposure to all cultures and they have admired all of those cultures and enjoyed learning more of them. While they are not members of the ton, they are accepted by them and receive invitations to all of the best venues. Laura is growing more and more tired of the social side of the ton and therefore accepts fewer and fewer invitations. Her main focus at the moment is the children’s orphanage she and her two other committee members sponsor. The building that houses the orphanage is due to be torn down by the end of the month and she has to find a new home for the children – and fast.

The initial meeting between Keniel and Laura is priceless and you’ll read it and all of the subsequent meetings with a huge smile on your face. Laura is sweet, lovely, giving, and very forthright. Keniel is caring, handsome, and very pragmatic about his reception by London society even though he has the full support of his half-brothers. It was a delight to see Keniel and Laura find their HEA.

I thoroughly enjoyed the read and can highly recommend it. My only, only, only complaint is that we saw four very nasty women walk away from a truly despicable act without any punishment at all. Surely there was something that could have happened to them – maybe they all got the pox from the same man or something. Happy reading!

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

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