A Betty Neels Christmas is a 2002 Harlequin Publication.
The first book in this holiday collection is “A Christmas Proposal”-
This is a short story thaA Betty Neels Christmas is a 2002 Harlequin Publication.
The first book in this holiday collection is “A Christmas Proposal”-
This is a short story that has been bundled or partnered with other books by Neels several times- This combo was released in 2002- but I believe the original copyright for this story is 1996.
This story is sort of a holiday Cinderella story…
Oliver, a doctor, meets Bertha at a party and immediately recognizes that she is not allowed to live up to her full potential thanks to her stepmother and stepsister. He takes her under his wing, finding her a job, and watching over her situation at home, which is a prickly, delicate situation because Bertha’s stepsister has designs on Oliver…
A very short romance, very charming and sweet!
The second story is a full-length novel entitled – “A Winter Wedding”. If I have my facts straight this story was originally published in 1979.
This is a story about Emily, a nurse, who is caring for her younger sister- who is supposed be helping- but is more of pain than anything else- and her infant niece and nephew after her sister and brother-in-law are detained in another country. She is assigned a medical case working with a doctor who is rude and arrogant, but who eventually manages to have a few encounters with Emily outside of work, and meets her younger, more attractive sister. It would seem plain Emily is left to shoulder all the family responsibilities while her sister and the doctor paint the town….
Oh, my goodness- Betty Neels was certainly a treasure. Her books were always very clean and very old-fashioned- safe for any teenager reading them back in the late sixties and seventies.
Unfortunately, the beginning of this story is just plain ridiculous, with Emily’s spoiled sister doing things that would land her in all kinds of legal or criminal hot water- but getting off scot-free- not to mention treating Emily like her personal doormat.
But, thankfully, that part of the book morphed into something else entirely in the second half of the book, where we find Emily on a grand adventure enjoying herself, but feeling the necessity to return to London and focus on her career- all this despite or because of her feelings for the handsome, but often preoccupied doctor who sponsored her trip.
This second half the story was much more pleasant, and I loved the various characters introduced at this stage, too. The formula is familiar, of course, with Emily believing she was too plain for the doctor who had his choice of pretty women, but perhaps she is more attractive than she knows- with her inner beauty leading the way.
Another spin on the Cinderella story- a trope that never seems to go out of style – and there are many modern versions of it. I must say that despite the age of the story and how unrealistic most of it was, I enjoyed it. It was a pleasant story, and it was great fun to reacquaint myself with Neels. I may have to add some of her titles into my rotation more often.
Overall, the two books in this collection compliment one another with similar holiday/winter themes. Quite enjoyable despite the age of the stories!
Endless Summer by Elin Hilderbrand is a 2022 Little, Brown and Company publication.
I have accumulated a few of Elin's books, here and there, but didnEndless Summer by Elin Hilderbrand is a 2022 Little, Brown and Company publication.
I have accumulated a few of Elin's books, here and there, but didn’t know exactly where to start- so when I saw this book was a collection of short stories, I snapped it up, thinking it would give me a sampling of the author’s work and maybe point me in the direction I might want to go with her full length novels.
In a way, that is exactly what this collection did for me. I now have a list of books I’ll want to read, and will have this collection to compliment them.
On the other hand, I think this book was really meant for those who are already familiar with the books these stories are linked to, and because of that, I feared I would find out something I might not want to know in advance- and I also felt a little lost, because I wasn't already familiar with these characters, or their backstories. - and, yes, the blurb does mention that this collection has sequels and added chapters, etc. but, I didn't fully grasp the concept..
So, I decided to put this one aside for now and come back to it after I have read a few of the stories this collection adds to.
I will leave as star rating for it at a later date. All that said, I am looking forward to diving into Elin's work more than ever now!...more
Together by Linda Lael Miller is a 2017 Avon publication. (Originally published in 1996)
This is a collection of short historical romances. There are fTogether by Linda Lael Miller is a 2017 Avon publication. (Originally published in 1996)
This is a collection of short historical romances. There are five stories in the collection, and all were written back in the nineties. In All Seasons- The Scent of Snow That Other Katherine Store Bought Woman Switch
The stories all have a similar theme of lovers being separated in one way or another and brought back together by love.
Personally, I can’t recall ever having read any of Linda Lael Miller’s historical romance novels!! I have read her contemporary western romance novels, though, and I usually enjoyed them. I had not added this book to my TBR list for some reason, but I found it on my Kindle device while looking for another book.
Curious, I started reading these stories and was surprised to find they were not contemporary. While, these stories are a bit dated in places, and of course, the brevity makes the story feel too rushed, I do recall reading lots of books with this style of writing back in the nineties. I enjoyed “The Other Katherine”, as it was a time slip story, which was so popular back then.
Overall, though, despite my not being a huge fan of short stories, I enjoyed the nostalgic feeling these stories had for me. These days, though far and few between, Miller’s contemporaries are much more my style.
Echoes: The Saga Anthology of Ghost Stories by Ellen Datlow is a 2019 a Gallery / Saga Press publication.
Halloween is just around the corner and of cEchoes: The Saga Anthology of Ghost Stories by Ellen Datlow is a 2019 a Gallery / Saga Press publication.
Halloween is just around the corner and of course it’s this time of the year when I usually find myself in the mood for a good old- fashioned ghost story. Yet, a good ghost story is hard to find sometimes. So, when I found this anthology in my cloud library, I checked it out on the spot.
I was even more excited by the introduction, in which famed anthology editor, Ellen Datlow, commiserated with those of us who are often disappointed by ‘ghost story’ compilations, which later turn out to be a catchall for anything that might fall into the realm of horror or the paranormal, but aren't exactly what one would call an authentic ghost story.
So, I eagerly dived in, only to find that once again, a fair amount of these short stories, aren’t ghost stories, as I might define them. However, nearly all of them are weird tales or atmospheric mind-benders.
I am not familiar with all the participating authors, but regular readers of horror novels might be.
Paul Trembly gets the ball rolling, but other familiar names like Alice Hoffman and Joyce Carol Oates also contribute solid stories to this collection.
“Must be This Tall to Ride” by Seanan McGuire is one of the shortest stories included but is one of the best. Something about carnivals are always spooky!
The July Girls felt like more of a traditional ghost tale- which are my favorites, if I’m being honest. I also enjoyed “The Other Woman” by Alice Hoffman.
As with many anthologies, especially compilations as large as this one, there are a few stories that left me scratching my head in confusion, or seemed to end too abruptly. However, most are contemporary, imaginative, and several were truly eerie, providing the chills and thrills a good ghost story should.
If you are looking for a few supernatural flavored stories that you haven’t read or heard a thousand times before, this collection of original stories is one you’ll want to add to your Halloween reading list!!
The Big Book of Ghost Stories- Otto Penzler – Editor-is a 2012 Vintage Crime/ Black Lizard publication.
If you love Pure ghost stories, this book is o The Big Book of Ghost Stories- Otto Penzler – Editor-is a 2012 Vintage Crime/ Black Lizard publication.
If you love Pure ghost stories, this book is one you do not want to miss. Every fall, like many other people, I find myself in the mood for a good old-fashioned ghost story. However, in my search for a pure ghost story, I am often disappointed. Not this time, though!!
The book is broken into sections- such as-
“I’m not dead Yet, I’ll Love you- Forever ( Or Maybe), This Old House, Kid will be Kids, Stop- You’re scaring Me, A Séance, you say? Classics, and much more!
Most of these stories are short- some are a bit longer than others, and several are just a few pages in length. Ghost stories are not just for Halloween, of course. For me, any dark, cold winter night is the perfect setting for a nice ghostly tale. But many of these stories are also suitable for a good campfire Spine-Tingler, too.
In other words, this is a compilation one should not feel obligated to read from front to back- all at one time. I got my Halloween ghost story fix this year, by skipping around between sections, and by choosing to read stories by some authors I did not know much about. However, there are many recognizable names in this collection- some of which, I was surprised to learn, had ever written a ghost story.
Each story begins with a brief note about the author, which is also a nice touch and gave me some reference points so that I could check out more of their work.
Of this massive collection, there were only a handful of stories I recognized, so overall, these are all new to me. Of the stories I have read so far, only one of them did not fit my criteria for a ghost story. It was a good story but was more fitting for an episode of The Twilight Zone, or something. A few of the stories are a little flimsy, but overall, this has proved to be splendid, very comprehensive, and goose pimply collection of ghost stories and hauntings! ...more
Every holiday season, I sample at least one Christmas anthology. This one caught my eye, but as I was Christmas in Kilts is a 2017 Swerve publication.
Every holiday season, I sample at least one Christmas anthology. This one caught my eye, but as I was looking at the terrific authors featured, it occurred to me that it has been a very long time since I’ve read a Scottish/Highlander historical romance, and suddenly I felt a need to remedy that.
As usual, I choose one, maybe two, favorites in an anthology to feature in my review. But, to be clear, every book in the collection is very good, these were just the ones I enjoyed the most and wanted to spotlight.
A Highland Christmas Wager by Lecia Cornwall-
I loved this karma driven story featuring Meggie who, along with her grandmother, is forced to seek shelter from a snowstorm at Gleanngalla Castle, the last place on earth she wants to be.
However, with three Highlanders underfoot, things get a little prickly, when they agree to make a wager that could change the future for the two young ladies on the premises.
Despite Magnus MacVane’s confidence, things don’t exactly go as planned, when Charlie McKay and Hugh MacAulay put a wrinkle in his plans.
I really enjoyed the way this story turned out, and enjoyed seeing Meggie and Catriona get their much deserved HEA!
A Scot for Christmas by Bronwen Evans
Emma has loved Dougray since she was in her teens, but he married Francesca, who died tragically six years ago.
Dougray is still in love with Francesca, but realizes his duty to provide heirs. Therefore, he is beginning to think of remarriage and even has a prospect in mind. But, when Emma arrives with her brother, Dougray is stunned by her beauty and finds himself quite taken with her. But, when she approaches him with a scandalous proposition, his heart will face the ultimate test of courage.
This story pulls on the heartstrings, but has a wonderfully romantic and heartwarming ending. I was especially fond of Dougray- the brooding, tortured type I’m always a sucker for.
The remaining stories rounding out this star -studded anthology include:
The Highlander’s Hope by Teri Brisbin
Leftover Mistletoe by Lavinia Kent
Sweet Home Highland Christmas by May McGoldrick
Each novella is holiday themed and features super sexy Scottish Highlanders that will quicken your pulse and melt your heart! 4.5 stars
At the Christmas Wedding by Caroline Linden, Maya Rodale, and Katharine Ashe is a 2017 publication.
This is a last minute add on to my holiday readingAt the Christmas Wedding by Caroline Linden, Maya Rodale, and Katharine Ashe is a 2017 publication.
This is a last minute add on to my holiday reading. I will confess, I had only planned to read the Katherine Ashe story due to time constraints, but I ended up reading the entire book because, as it turns out, the three stories featured in this anthology are interconnected.
The first novella is written by Caroline Linden and is centered around Viola Cavendish, who is left in charge of Kingstag Castle and the holiday Christmas party being held there. She already has her hands full, when out of the blue, Lord Winterton and his nephew arrive to see the Duke.
Winterton has traveled to Kingstag Castle in hopes of finding a rare Atlas he believes the Duke may possess. While he waits out the winter storm, hoping for the Duke’s speedy return, he finds himself enjoying the company of Viola Cavendish.
This story is not fully fleshed out, is a little too frenetic, but it did make me laugh a couple of times.
3 stars
The second story is written by Maya Rodale and features Lady Serena, who was destined to be a duchess, but who was recently jilted by her long -time fiancé, the Duke of Frye. Will she find her match in Frye’s best friend, Greyson Jones?
This novella explains some developments left unanswered in the first story, and I really liked Greyson. I also have a thing for unrequited love stories, so this one appealed on that front. Super short story, but overall satisfying. 3 stars
The last story is centered around the duke of Frye, and we finally get a more detailed explanation for why he jilted Serena.
Katharine Ashe is one of my favorite historical romance authors, and I suppose I may be a little biased, but regardless, this last novella in the collection, did honestly appeal to me a bit more than the first two. I really liked Charlotte because she defied convention and I liked the adventure and intrigue. Charlotte and Frye belonged together, and so it was nice to know all the featured characters in these stories ended up with an enduring love match.
4 stars
I liked the way all the stories were connected, which does encourage readers to engage in all the stories offered in an anthology, which is a good thing.
The collection is a little rocky and uneven in some spots, but overall these are quick and easy to read novellas, very light hearted and fun. 3.5 stars rounded up for the collection as a whole.
Say Yes to the Scot: A Highland Wedding Box Set by Lecia Cornwall, Anna Harrington, May McGoldrick, Sabrina York is a 2017 Swerve publication.
The rigSay Yes to the Scot: A Highland Wedding Box Set by Lecia Cornwall, Anna Harrington, May McGoldrick, Sabrina York is a 2017 Swerve publication.
The right historical romance combination at just the right time!
Some of my book buddies, and review or blog followers, have probably wondered why I have been reading far fewer historical romance novels this year.
There are many reasons, and I won’t get into all of them here, but I have been on a romance novel diet, in general, for some months, but that is especially true for historical romance.
I am sorry to say, I never went through withdrawals, or developed uncontrollable cravings. Well, okay, I did a few times, but not for anything new. I have been reading older romances, here and there, but, maybe the ‘everything in moderation’ slogan applies to romance genres as well, at least for me.
However, I do have a massive pile of historical romance novels in my TBR pile, so I plucked this one out for several reasons, the main one being it was not a Regency. This collection of short stories is based around Scotland and I never seem to grow weary of Highlanders.
Also, the fact that this is an anthology also appealed to me because I wouldn't have to commit to a full length historical, meaning no rich, cholesterol laden meal. Instead, I could enjoy smaller portions, and still feel satisfied.
Every story featured in this anthology was good, but, for the sake of time, I am going to review only one of them:
A Match Made in Heather by Anna Harrington
This is the second story in the anthology and is centered around Arabel, the daughter of a laird and Garrick, who has no wealth, or title. The two fell in love, but were torn apart by family obligations and potential scandal.
Ten years later, the two are forced together again because of a most unusual will. But, Arabel is engaged to be married and Garrick is still holding hard to his resentments, determined to exact revenge for everything Arabel’s family put him through.
I’ve always been a sucker for ‘second chance at love’ stories, so this one stood out from the others included in this anthology.
There is so much emotion, heartbreak, tension and suspense packed into this short story!! I was on the edge of my seat wondering if these two wonderful people, who were so obviously meant for one another, would be able to put the past behind them and make a future together.
I found myself completely immersed in the drama, angst and romance, which is something I have really struggled to experience in historical romance for a while now.
So, thankfully, this story reminded me that complete abstinence is not necessary and that it is okay to indulge in sweets once in a while without ruining your diet.
The first book featured in the collection, ‘How a Lass Wed a Highlander’ by Lecia Cornwall is my runner up. I love ‘The Princess and the Pea’, so I enjoyed this retelling of that classic.
Overall, this is a very solid collection of short stories/ novellas. As far as I can tell, none of these stories are connected to a series, all of them are stand-alone, and there are no sneaky reissues.
I enjoyed reading one story in between my other books, which gave me a chance to enjoy the genre in small doses, which is still working out better for me, I think. But, I also see myself slowly adding more historical romances back into the mix, especially if I can find some as wonderful as these are!!
The Tsar of Love and Techno: Stories by Anthony Marra is a 2015 Hogarth publication.
I confess I had no idea what to expect from this book. It was recThe Tsar of Love and Techno: Stories by Anthony Marra is a 2015 Hogarth publication.
I confess I had no idea what to expect from this book. It was recommended to me by a friend on social media and due to the topic of conversation we were having at the time, I got the wrong impression about the book’s premise.
So, suffice it to say, I was taken aback by this collection of short stories that were interconnected by paintings, photography and various other art forms as it spans an enormous period of time beginning in the 1930’s.
The writing is splendid, if somewhat unorthodox, bouncing between first and third narratives on occasion. There are nine stories, all bold and haunting, filled with stunning characterizations, and thankfully a little humor was sprinkled in to offset the somberness.
While the Soviet totalitarian regime is an underlying theme, the story's message, in part, was about how artistic skills and talents can and were used to resist, to offer comfort, or find peace.
Everyone who knows me well, will tell you that tearjerkers are not my cup of tea. I loathe them. Emotion is fine, but sadness that brings me to the brink of tears, is not the type of entertainment I usually seek out. But, this is an instance where I am glad I stuck it out and endured some emotional bruising, just so I could enjoy this amazingly fantastic prose, and such rich characterizations.
I also understand now why my friend recommended this book and believed it relevant to current events and concerns.
Overall, this is a very unique novel that is certainly off the beaten path from my usual reading fare, but one was very pleased to have made the acquaintance of.
Blood Red Kiss by Kresley Cole. Larissa Ione, and Gena Showalter is a 2016 Pocket books publication.
This anthology series features three short storieBlood Red Kiss by Kresley Cole. Larissa Ione, and Gena Showalter is a 2016 Pocket books publication.
This anthology series features three short stories from three wildly successful paranormal/urban fantasy series, by three incredibly well-loved and popular authors.
The story I am going to review here is – ‘The Warlord Wants Forever’ by Kresley Cole.
This story first appeared in an anthology entitled “Playing Easy to Get” and is the first story is the amazing “Immortals After Dark” series.
To be perfectly honest, I don’t know if I have read this story, which was released back in 2006, originally. I have read the entire IAD series, but don't think I ever got around to reading this one.
I have heard some people say this edition has been updated, but I can’t swear to that.
The story centers around Myst and Wroth, a Valkyrie and a vampire. When Wroth finds Myst the couple experiences an instant tension between them, but Wroth is on a mission and Myst, despite his initial first impression, gives him a fight of a lifetime. They war it out for five years, one upping each other until they can't fight the passion between them any longer.
“No one possess me, except in their fantasies. I’ll kill you as easily as kiss you” – Myst
The banter is what makes this story so good, and of course it is steamy, steamy, steamy! It’s no wonder this story had everyone panting and begging for more of the series and why it has remained so popular.
If you have read any of the other books in the series, you know how wicked Cole’s sense of humor is and how wild her imagination is. So, even if you missed this one somewhere along the way, you will be glad you decided to read it.
If you have already read it, again, I am told this version is slightly different from the original, so you may want to give it a second look.
The other two stories included in this anthology are:
“Forsaken by Night” by Larissa Ione- from the MoonBound Clan Vampires “Dark Swan” by Gena Showalter- from Otherworld Assassin
I can’t speak for the other two books included, because I am totally unfamiliar with those series. But, I’m sure fans of the authors and their respective series, will want to include this book in their collection and for those looking for a paranormal read for Halloween, this collection might be just what you are looking for.
You Had me at Christmas: an anthology featuring: Karina Bliss, Stephanie Doyle, Laura Florand, Jennifer Lohmann, and Molly O’Keefe is a 2016 publicatiYou Had me at Christmas: an anthology featuring: Karina Bliss, Stephanie Doyle, Laura Florand, Jennifer Lohmann, and Molly O’Keefe is a 2016 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Christmas anthologies are a lot of fun because it is an opportunity to touch base with some of your favorite authors, and perhaps sample a story by some you are not as familiar with, which is the main reason I chose this one.
So, for the sake of time I have decided to review a book from an author I had not read before and one from one of my favorite contemporary authors.
PLAY - by Karina Bliss is a short story from the Rock Solid Romance series.
Jared Walker became an overnight sensation, but his harried wife, Kayla is having trouble adjusting to his fame. After a disastrous attempt to take Kayla and their children on the road, Jared realizes something is going to have to give, or his marriage was doomed.
Kayla is proud that Jared has achieved success, but she misses the nice, quiet, shy guy she married. Living in the public eye, finding it hard to find alone time, and coping with her husband blossoming into a popular, outgoing person is more than Kayla bargained for, causing some issues her husband feels responsible for.
Can Kayla and Jared grow together, or will they grow apart?
I loved the idea of featuring a married couple with children coping with the changes every marriage will encounter, although maybe not quite on that magnitude.
The idea the couple comes up with to add a little spice and help them work through their issues was sexy and fun, and the holiday season helps create a little extra magic to the story.
CHRISTMAS EVE: A Love Story by Molly O’Keefe I’ve read many stories by Molly O’Keefe and her name on the roster is what clinched my decision to give this collection a try.
Christmas Eve tells the story of Trina and Dean, who were childhood friends until a feud developed between their parents, causing them to grow apart, except for a serendipitous meeting every Christmas Eve. This story is definitely magical as the spirit of Christmas is most certainly determined to give these two star crossed lovers a shot at happily ever after. But, it’s not an easy task, as their family relationships always interferes, because of the fight over a piece of land. Someone is going to have to take a stand, make a huge move or the standoff is never going to end. But, the grand gesture that finally seals the deal was so spectacular and sweet, I thought my heart would melt.
This is a great story to close out the anthology and will leave your heart full of hope and holiday magic.
All the stories here are solid and any fan of contemporary romance will enjoy this holiday anthology.
The Devil’s Doorbell by various authors is a 2016 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This anthology feaThe Devil’s Doorbell by various authors is a 2016 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This anthology features seven short erotic tales by seven talented authors. For the sake of time, I’m going to review:
“We Are All Found Things” by M. O’Keefe.
After being robbed of some valuable work tools, and with rumors of other break ins in the area, Rennie, gives Luka a place to stay for free in exchange for keeping an eye on her place.
There is something very familiar about Luka, she knows him from somewhere, but he’s not willing to help her out in regard. When she finally figures out where she knows him from, Rennie is stunned, but vows to stay quiet. As spring passes to fall, then to winter, Luka and Rennie develop a comfortable relationship, until they share a kiss, which causes Luka to shut down. But, when Rennie throws a New Year’s Eve party, the two finally have a breakthrough, which will open the door for the damaged Luka to find healing and hope.
M. O’Keefe has a real talent for developing damaged characters, and building relationships for them that are realistic, but also helps them experience a sexual awakening that precipitates a healing from within that helps them to conquer fears and gives them a partner they can totally trust.
This tale is a very good example of this. Luka’s life was a nightmare and he is psychologically damaged as a result. His story is harrowing, but Rennie is a strong woman and patiently tears down the walls he’s built around himself.
Although this is a short story the character development is solid and the story is complete in every way necessary. I am very proud of this couple and the giant strides they made. I think both of them are well on their way to a solid, healthy relationship.
My review for Saved by a SEAL by Lindsay McKenna, Chris Kensiton, and Susan Stoker will be featured at Romancing the Book Blog on Feb. 26, 2016. CheckMy review for Saved by a SEAL by Lindsay McKenna, Chris Kensiton, and Susan Stoker will be featured at Romancing the Book Blog on Feb. 26, 2016. Check it out by following this link: http://romancing-the-book.com/ ...more
Sewing Can Be Dangerous by S.R. Mallery is a 2015 publication.
This may be the most unique collection of short stories I have ever read.
For the sake oSewing Can Be Dangerous by S.R. Mallery is a 2015 publication.
This may be the most unique collection of short stories I have ever read.
For the sake of time and space, I will only detail a few of the stories, but each tale has a connection through weaving or sewing, which is a subject I would never would have expected a group of stories be centered around, but after reading this anthology , I feel this was a clever way to connect all the individual tales, places, and events, with just a hint of allegory from time to time.
Short stories are often a hit or miss thing for me. I think it may be harder to write novellas or short stories because a lot of information gets stuffed into a small space. Details, dialogue, and characterizations can suffer as a result. But, this was not a problem here. Most stories are fleshed out quite nicely, and are rich in details. As with most anthologies, one or two stories were not as strong as the others, but all were solid, well written, and entertaining.
The title story sets the stage with the tale of a young Jewish girl forced to work in terrible conditions to help support her family, but is treated just as poorly by her father. Although, her story ends quite tragically, she is never forgotten. This story, like several others in this anthology, ends with a surprising twist of irony.
This lead story gives this collection of stories a strong foundation and sets the tone for the stories that followed it. Most of the stories have a historical and contemporary thread, with mystery and intrigue in the forefront, and ending a feeling of closure and satisfaction at the way things turned out.
Since these stories deal with history, and with several vastly different cultures, the author’s writing chops are showcased as she injects different dialects and scenery into the story, which must have required some research or familiarity with the subject.
The closing story, “Nightmare at Four Corners”, dealt with Native American beliefs and racism as well as redemption. This story is very rich in detail, giving the characters, as well as the reader, a feeling of relief and happiness over the outcome.
I was impressed with this interesting and diverse collection of short stories. I had intended to read one or two stories each evening until I completed the book, but ended up binge reading them all at once.
I can’t decide on how to categorize this anthology, so I will suggest this one to those who enjoy historical fiction, short stories, mysteries, or stories that showcase different cultures. This is my first book by S. R. Mallery, but, now that I have witnessed her talent as a writer, I am eager to explore more of her work.
What Happens Under the Mistletoe by Sabrina Jeffries, Karen Hawkins, Candace Camp, and Meredith Duran is a 2015 Pocket Star Publication. I was provideWhat Happens Under the Mistletoe by Sabrina Jeffries, Karen Hawkins, Candace Camp, and Meredith Duran is a 2015 Pocket Star Publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher as an XOXpert, the official street team of XOXO After Dark.
Every year a slew of holiday anthologies hit the market ranging from syrupy heartwarming tales to silly and funny capers, all centered around the most anticipated holiday of the season. But, few of these compilations have a star studded group of seasoned authors gathered in one place, like this one does.
If you are a fan of regency period historical romance, then you will recognize these authors and you know you can count on them, which, for me is a huge selling point, mainly because I know there will be no weak entries, and each story is one of high quality and authenticity.
“Sweet Emblem of returning peace The heart’s full gush, and love’s release; Spirts in human fondness flow And greet the pearly Mistletoe.”
-Anonymous
Sabrina Jeffries kicks the party off with a unique tale involving the dangers of mill workers and the horrible practice of hiring underage staff and subjecting them to long hours, little pay, and dangerous work conditions.
Amanda is from America, an heiress, running a successful mill, but has traveled to England to see why their businesses are more profitable. She encounters Stephen, a man on a mission, to report on the unsafe environment of mills. He lumps Amanda in with the worst of the lot, sparking a challenge between them, and a little chemistry too. Can Amanda prove she’s not all the other mill owners? Can she calm Stephen’s hot temper and join forces with him to make positive changes? Maybe- with a little help from the Christmas spirit, a sly kiss under the mistletoe and a little soul searching.
I liked this story because it featured an American, a dedicated business woman, and a little action and adventure, plus it had a depth to it, something that many regency stories seem to lack these days.
The second, and the lengthiest story is “Twelve Kisses to Midnight by Karen Hawkins and the third story is “By Any Other Name” by Candace Camp. Both stories are solid offerings, with Ms. Hawkins being the most prominent story included in the anthology.
Closing the book is Meredith Duran’s “Sweetest Regret”. This story has a touch of intrigue, which is always fun, but the story title suggested some regret is involved, and indeed a young couple in love were driven apart, losing two years together as a result. However, this delightful second chance love story, ends with the couple finally making up for all that lost time. There is some cute banter in this one and I really loved the ending.
Overall, this Christmas anthology is one of the best I’ve read this year. You really can’t go wrong with the group of talented authors gathered in one place. 4 stars ...more
The Last Chance Christmas Ball is a 2015 Kensington Publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an The Last Chance Christmas Ball is a 2015 Kensington Publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Every year, countless new Christmas and holiday themed romance novels are released, and a good portion of them are anthologies. I always enjoy these short, heartwarming tales, and the sampling of stories from various authors. But, it has been a very long time since I've seen an anthology packed with stories written by so many talented and seasoned authors!
Jo Beverly, Mary Jo Putney, Patrica Rice, Nicola Cornick, Annie Gracie and many more!
As I mentioned before, I always enjoy these holiday themed collections, but with anthologies, there are often one or two stories in the group that are sub-par. But, every single story in this book was wonderful! There is a common thread that links the stories together, with the last chance for love Christmas ball, providing the opportunity to find love before the New Year.
Since all of the stories were so good, I had a hard time picking one stand out to review.
But, I managed to narrow it down to two:
I have a huge soft spot in my heart for the tortured and scarred hero. So, this story naturally stood out for me.
Kim and Roxie grew up around each other, but didn't always see eye to eye as children. But, of course they fell in love and planned to marry, until Kim has to leave to fight the war. All their plans are squashed when Kim returns home scarred physically and shuts himself away in his Medieval castle refusing to see anyone, especially Roxie.
When his family begins to lose all hope for Kim, it is suggested his brother Edward step up and ask for Roxie's hand, an idea that starts to appeal to them both. But, before Roxie settles for companionship, she wants to attempt to approach Kim one more time….
This is a wonderful story, proving love can conquer anything, restore faith, ignite hope, and heal all manner of wounds. 4.5 stars
The second story I chose to highlight is “ A Season for Marriage” by Nicola Cornick.
Caroline's marriage to Piers is in trouble. Piers avoids her completely, even in the bed-chamber, which prompts Caroline to take desperate measures by running away. Piers will have to finally explain why he is pushing his wife away.
This is a heartbreaking story about an emotionally scarred hero who needs the help of his loving wife to help him overcome his fears and inhibitions. Caroline finally gets rid of her pent up guilt and Piers finally stops holding back and becomes the husband Caroline has been waiting for. This is a sensual little holiday tale that sends this couple off on their long overdue happily ever after. 4 stars This is one of the best Christmas anthologies I've read in a very long time.
This short story in the House of Crimson & Clover series features Jasper and Pandora who have been menI am reviewing Pandora's Box by Sarah M. Cradit
This short story in the House of Crimson & Clover series features Jasper and Pandora who have been mentioned in previous books, but were not cast as main characters. So, I love it when I get to dig a little deeper into the back story of some of the secondary characters, plus this storyline is very intriguing.
Jasper and Pandora are a perfect match because of their many shared interest, but they also have one of those forbidden love situations going on, so although they appeared destined to be together, they face some pretty big challenges before they are able to finally stay together and have their HEA.
For long time fans of this series, you will certainly enjoy getting a closer look at these characters, plus their story still has a lot avenues to be explored and I do hope we touch base with this part of the series again sometime.
For those who are not familiar with this series, I can not stress enough how awesome it is. It's very appealing to readers across several genres and offers a little something for everyone. It's a wonderful concept, and is always full of twist and surprises leaving you begging for more.
Overall, this set is fair representation of the authors work through the decade of the eighties, a time when the author really started to perfect his Overall, this set is fair representation of the authors work through the decade of the eighties, a time when the author really started to perfect his style and began receiving some critical acclaim, although to this day he is still underestimated.
This book has extensive notes by Greg Sutter, the author's researcher, which gives us even more insight into how serious the author took his job and how hard he worked at making his stories authentic.
There is also chronology in the back with a brief synopsis of each book. . This is a very nice compact hardcover book and would make an excellent addition for your collection or a gift for the diehard fan. 4.5 stars overall This review is the copyrighted property of Night Owl Reviews. To read the full review go to: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Re......more
Lagniappes Collection 1: A House of Crimson & Clover Short Story Collection is a 2015 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for Lagniappes Collection 1: A House of Crimson & Clover Short Story Collection is a 2015 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a collection of all the short stories that intertwine with the “House of Crimson & Clover” series.
My review here is for “Dark Blessing”
The Sullivan Brothers of New Orleans come from an affluent family of lawyers and are expected to take their place in the firm sooner or later. As children, instead of cops and robbers, the guys pretended to be vampire hunters. While his brothers have moved on to other things, accepting their role in the family law firm with no argument, Kelley is having trouble accepting this as his lot in life and has been reluctant to commit, and is still secretly obsessed with vampires, believing they may actually exist. But, what would he do if he really came face to face with one?
I really would like to see this story come to it's fruition. It's not exactly on the same thread as the other books in the series, but it really does have potential. I can envision the Sullivan's story becoming a part of the bigger picture in someway and am looking forward to the day when it does.
I have read all the books in this collection and highly recommend fans of the series read these, as they truly do enhance the reading experience and gives added insight into some of the secondary characters in the series....more
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