The six novellas of this book are all original to this publication. This has been a very successful anthology series in the past few years.
ALWAYS KISS AT CHRISTMAS (Regina Scott) -- G
Mary is in a quandary; her ill mother insists on having a Christmas party, but Mary soon realizes that her future is dicey. She wants Julian Mayes to marry her, but he's a newly-minted attorney, looking to better himself in London. When Julian sees just how precarious Mary's future is, will he continue his plan to shake the dust of his neighborhood from his boots? Ho-hum, at best. There just weren't enough pages to flesh out the story.
A YULETIDE MATCH (Sarah M. Eden) -- VG
Adelaide Northrup, the ton matchmaker, is employed to find a wife for Mr. Porter Bartrum, widower, and father to a 4-year old son. Bartrum's first marriage was arranged and he has no faith that he can find a wife on his own. This is an interesting insight into how matchmakers did their work in Regency England.
THE FORBIDDEN DUKE (Jen Geigle Johnson) -- VG
There's an age-old scandal between the Salsburys and the Asters. However, when Catherine and Stephen meet, they are immediately taken with each other. However, the dispute is so entrenched that neither party seems capable of making a dent in the anger and hostility between the families. This is highly readable and interesting.
MISTLETOE AT WILLOWSMEADE (Annette Lyon) -- VG
Eleanor Hadfield, the governess at Willowsmeade, learns that her childhood love has returned from the sea (Captain Julian Stephens). At first, she is delighted to see Julian; then she worries. When her employer decides to host a bridal ball, to find a wife for Julian, Eleanor knows she must leave. It is a very sweet story.
FOLLOW THE RIVER HOME (Krista Lynne Jensen) -- E
Arabelle Hyatt's brother has died and her home is entailed away to a cousin. Mom convinces Arabelle that marrying the cousin is the only way to save them, even if he is overbearing. However, a childhood friend of Arabelle and her dead brother arrives at their home; he has severe injuries after a foreign war. This is a very engaging story.
THE NEW EARL (Heather B. Moore) -- VG+
Celia is packing her bags and getting ready to move in with her aunt because Celia's brother, the earl, has died and the entailed property belongs to a distant cousin. When Aaron arrives at the manor, he's much younger than Celia expected. Aaron was expecting a young adolescent girl. When the vicar insists that Aaron must marry soon and encourages Aaron to pick a woman at the coming Christmas party, Aaron realizes he wants the one who did not appear at the party.
ALWAYS KISS AT CHRISTMAS (Regina Scott) -- G
Mary is in a quandary; her ill mother insists on having a Christmas party, but Mary soon realizes that her future is dicey. She wants Julian Mayes to marry her, but he's a newly-minted attorney, looking to better himself in London. When Julian sees just how precarious Mary's future is, will he continue his plan to shake the dust of his neighborhood from his boots? Ho-hum, at best. There just weren't enough pages to flesh out the story.
A YULETIDE MATCH (Sarah M. Eden) -- VG
Adelaide Northrup, the ton matchmaker, is employed to find a wife for Mr. Porter Bartrum, widower, and father to a 4-year old son. Bartrum's first marriage was arranged and he has no faith that he can find a wife on his own. This is an interesting insight into how matchmakers did their work in Regency England.
THE FORBIDDEN DUKE (Jen Geigle Johnson) -- VG
There's an age-old scandal between the Salsburys and the Asters. However, when Catherine and Stephen meet, they are immediately taken with each other. However, the dispute is so entrenched that neither party seems capable of making a dent in the anger and hostility between the families. This is highly readable and interesting.
MISTLETOE AT WILLOWSMEADE (Annette Lyon) -- VG
Eleanor Hadfield, the governess at Willowsmeade, learns that her childhood love has returned from the sea (Captain Julian Stephens). At first, she is delighted to see Julian; then she worries. When her employer decides to host a bridal ball, to find a wife for Julian, Eleanor knows she must leave. It is a very sweet story.
FOLLOW THE RIVER HOME (Krista Lynne Jensen) -- E
Arabelle Hyatt's brother has died and her home is entailed away to a cousin. Mom convinces Arabelle that marrying the cousin is the only way to save them, even if he is overbearing. However, a childhood friend of Arabelle and her dead brother arrives at their home; he has severe injuries after a foreign war. This is a very engaging story.
THE NEW EARL (Heather B. Moore) -- VG+
Celia is packing her bags and getting ready to move in with her aunt because Celia's brother, the earl, has died and the entailed property belongs to a distant cousin. When Aaron arrives at the manor, he's much younger than Celia expected. Aaron was expecting a young adolescent girl. When the vicar insists that Aaron must marry soon and encourages Aaron to pick a woman at the coming Christmas party, Aaron realizes he wants the one who did not appear at the party.
