Great early period romance short stories

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The good news is that each of these stories is new to this publication. I'm more familiar with Balogh and Rice; I've only read one short story by each - Oliver and Porter. Please note that all of these are not British Regencies. The second and fifth stories are located in the US.

THE FORBIDDEN DAFFODILS (Mary Balogh) -- 4.5 stars
This well-written story of second chances is about Lady Katherine who has lived 5 years in the back of nowhere (the coast of Wales) in penance for her error at 18-years-of-age. At that time, she ran away with a fortune hunter to spite her father, brothers, and suitor, the Marquess of Ashendon. The Marquess brought Katherine back (not her father or brothers). She was punished for running away and not marrying the Marquess -- by sending her to live out her days in Wales. Now, five years later, he is here again to ask for Katherine's hand.

A GOLDEN CROCUS (Patricia Rice) -- 2 stars
This story takes place in Illinois in 1885 during the throes of the suffragette movement. Frankly, I was bored to tears. There are two cousins, one a firebrand for women's rights and the other is a mild woman seeking a home and hearth. Richard has come to claim the tame domestic woman but is charmed by the firebrand. Terrence wants to marry the firebrand but sees the value of the domestic motherly type. A yawn. I'm stunned; Patricia Rice writes wonderful books.

HYACINTHS FOR VICTORIA (Patricia Oliver) -- 3 stars
After 7 years of absence, Victoria has returned to the arms of her family for her godmother's birthday. She was destined to marry seven years ago but jilted her intended the morning of the wedding. Now they meet again at the birthday party. Stories that spend too much time in the past are automatically weak stories. The only author I thought did such a long past story well was Jane Austen.

THE APPLE BLOSSOM BOWER (Margaret Evans Porter) -- 4 stars
Annis Kelland is the daughter of a notorious smuggler and the stepdaughter of the local squire. She is interested in Sir Edwin Page (and vice versa) but her mother warns Annis that earls generally didn't marry country girls. Page's long-time friend comes to visit and he tries to put a halt between the couple by telling Annis that Edwin is planning to marry his sister. This is a pleasant way to while away time.

VIOLETS ARE BLUE (Karen Harper) -- 3 stars
The scene is Baltimore in 1835. The story is engaging until the end. Violet and Nathan Stone are empathetic characters that the reader will like. Let me cut to the chase; the ending is stupid. Having personally lived in a hostile, foreign country, there is NO WAY this was the right choice -- and certainly not in 1835. If Nathan wasn't willing to give up his position in China, Violet should have let him go. Living in a hostile country alone, as Violet would be, is beyond stupid. I lived in a foreign, hostile country and you need the family to be able to survive. Nathan was right, the country was not a safe place for Caucasians at that time -- for either of them. The story was unique and great until the closing pages.

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