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Signet Regency Christmas #7
A Regency Christmas VII
Set in Regency England and America, here are five Christmas love stories that are at once humorous, deeply romantic, and full of holiday lore. Authors include Mary Balogh, Jo Beverly, Sandra Heath, Edith Layton, and Laura Matthews.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1995
355 people want to read
About the author
Mary Balogh
193 books6,425 followersMary Jenkins was born in 1944 in Swansea, Wales, UK. After graduating from university, moved to Saskatchewan, Canada, to teach high school English, on a two-year teaching contract in 1967. She married her Canadian husband, Robert Balogh, and had three children, Jacqueline, Christopher and Sian. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, music and knitting. She also enjoys watching tennis and curling.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 23, 2013
This regency Christmas anthology contains 'The Rake's Christmas', one of the best regency novellas I've read. Beautifully written, with honest psychological insights into the mind of a 'rake'. Lord Shelton, the aging rake, poignantly aware of competition for the choicest females from younger, better looking rakes, is a delicious character. His love for women (all women) was palpable, and bittersweet. The romance between the rakish hero and spinster heroine was passionate and tender, but also full of tension because it is unclear to both whether their chemistry and friendship will lead to anything more than a holiday romance.
The Mary Balogh novella, 'The Surprise Party' was a touching story of separated lovers reunited by their orphaned nieces and nephew.
The Mary Balogh novella, 'The Surprise Party' was a touching story of separated lovers reunited by their orphaned nieces and nephew.
March 26, 2020
A collection of five Christmas (love) stories.
--> "The Christmas Ghost" by Sandra Heath - 2/3 stars - It would have been better without a ghost.
--> "The Rake's Christmas" by Edith Layton - 2/3 stars - Nice but the best part was Lord Shelton. The romance was just ok.
--> "Lady Bountiful" by Laura Matthew - 4 stars - A classic (Heyer-ish) Regency romance, with classical characters.
--> "A Mummer's Play" by Jo Beverley - 3 stars - A novella with an anger and a bit of mystery. I like that Jack accepted that he would always have the second place in Justina's heart.
--> "The Surprise Party" by Mary Balogh - 4/5 stars - The best of the collection. Sweet (thanks to the children) and with moments that made me sigh.
So, the average is somewhere between 3 and 4 stars.
--> "The Christmas Ghost" by Sandra Heath - 2/3 stars - It would have been better without a ghost.
--> "The Rake's Christmas" by Edith Layton - 2/3 stars - Nice but the best part was Lord Shelton. The romance was just ok.
--> "Lady Bountiful" by Laura Matthew - 4 stars - A classic (Heyer-ish) Regency romance, with classical characters.
--> "A Mummer's Play" by Jo Beverley - 3 stars - A novella with an anger and a bit of mystery. I like that Jack accepted that he would always have the second place in Justina's heart.
--> "The Surprise Party" by Mary Balogh - 4/5 stars - The best of the collection. Sweet (thanks to the children) and with moments that made me sigh.
So, the average is somewhere between 3 and 4 stars.
December 31, 2018
I read "The Surprise Party" by Mary Balogh.
Timothy and Ursula were very happily engaged to be married until their siblings suddenly eloped. The ensuing scandal broke up their engagement and they became adversaries. Now years later, their siblings have been killed, leaving three small children with no parents. Still holding a grudge, both Timothy and Ursula race to the children, hoping the other will volunteer to take over their care. After being stranded by a sudden snowstorm, the children help them see that they still care for each other and would make a perfect family for their orphaned nieces and nephew.
This was a very enjoyable Christmas novella. My rating: 4 Stars.
Timothy and Ursula were very happily engaged to be married until their siblings suddenly eloped. The ensuing scandal broke up their engagement and they became adversaries. Now years later, their siblings have been killed, leaving three small children with no parents. Still holding a grudge, both Timothy and Ursula race to the children, hoping the other will volunteer to take over their care. After being stranded by a sudden snowstorm, the children help them see that they still care for each other and would make a perfect family for their orphaned nieces and nephew.
This was a very enjoyable Christmas novella. My rating: 4 Stars.
June 7, 2020
Surprise party by Mary Balogh
Novella.
Very short and sweet story about 3 children orphaned at Christmas time. Their are the nieces and nephew of the Hero and heroine.
The couple had been in love years ago but broke up. Now they need to take care of the children of his sister and her brother who passed away. Being stand in parents make them realize the love and family they could have had otherwise.
Their love is rekindled and they welcome the children into their hearts and make a home with them as a family.
Novella.
Very short and sweet story about 3 children orphaned at Christmas time. Their are the nieces and nephew of the Hero and heroine.
The couple had been in love years ago but broke up. Now they need to take care of the children of his sister and her brother who passed away. Being stand in parents make them realize the love and family they could have had otherwise.
Their love is rekindled and they welcome the children into their hearts and make a home with them as a family.
December 19, 2013
4 stars for Mary Balogh's and Edith Layton's stories - both of them lovely and a bit different from the usual "Regency Christmas" romance novella. Jo Beverley's story is *very* different, but it didn't work for me - the heroine is some sort of an amateur spy/investigator and she is almost TSTL. 2 stars for that one.
October 18, 2023
Enjoyed all the stories in this one. My only disappointment was that I already had the Mary Balogh story 'The Surprise Party' as it is in her 'Christmas Gifts' anthology (I'm always on the look out for her older stories I haven't read yet). Never mind, it was no hardship to read it again.
December 28, 2024
In Sandra Heath's story, "The Christmas Ghost," I thought the ghost of the title weakened things by essentially chasing the hero and heroine around until they did what it wanted. It felt like an elderly scold telling them they were perfect for each other.
I was surprised by how much like liked Edith Layton's "The Rake's Christmas." I am not a big fan of rakes, and this story has two of them -- the hero and an older gentleman, Lord Shelton. But I liked Shelton's definition of rake:
“Just think of the other roles a fellow of title and fortune can play in our weary world and you’ll see being a rake is not such a bad thing…. [discusses dandies and Corinthians before moving on to ‘Peep o’ Day’ boys,] which is only a jolly name for a nasty fellow who enjoys roughing up old men trying to eke out existences as watchmen, or tipping over barrow mongers’s carts, when they’re only attempting to make a living as well, or bullying women they find defenseless, or forcing them. No, no. That’s not in our line at all. Rakes like females. Nor do they dally with underage girls – that’s for men who are afraid of grown women. No, rakes want full-blown willing females. And in order to succeed with them -- for a rake is not a man who always busy his pleasure, that’s a hedonist – why, then, he must have manners, charm, and intelligence. The dance is just as important to a true rake as what happens when the music stops, you see. The rake’s ideal is to make the acquisition of a female as interesting and pleasurable an experience as the having of her is.
“True rakes… enjoy women, sequentially.”
p. 87
Shelton immediately drops in my estimation when it seems he is perfectly willing to seduce innocents, and I'm none too impressed when the hero of the story seems to be considering the same thing. But in the end I rather liked the both of them. This is most certainly my favorite story in the book. The characters were rounded sufficiently; I found both hero and heroine sufficiently appealing by the end; and I believed in the love they shared and in the possibility of a happily ever after.
"Lady Bountiful," by Laura Matthews, is an amusing bit of silliness that gets the job done.
"A Mummer's Play" is a different take on things, which is nice, but Jo Beverley's stories never quite work for me. Perhaps _inbetween_'s review of To Rescue A Rogue here pins down why:
"I could forgive [all those flaws] if just once Beverley managed to show love, but she can't. Whether she has them fuck at first sight or just once at the end, whether she makes the whole book a horrible uncomfortable mix of hostility or just invents a meaningless obstacle - there is never the feeling of belonging, support and rightness... to any of her couples."
Even when I like the story Beverley tells, I never see her characters as being in love with each other, which is a fatal flaw in a romance. Sometimes I like her characters or story enough I don't mind so much; in this case, I don't think much of the hero, and actively dislike the heroine, who I think a vengeful moron, so IMHO it's by far the worst offering in this book.
Mary Balogh can be hit or miss for me; sometimes I want to slap her hero or heroine for being such a sanctimonious egotistical twit (or for being a right idiot just to keep the story going). Nobody needed a good slap in "The Surprise Party" -- a few sharp words, maybe -- and it was nicely seasonal sap, while I don't mind the cutesy kid stuff, so I liked it.
I was surprised by how much like liked Edith Layton's "The Rake's Christmas." I am not a big fan of rakes, and this story has two of them -- the hero and an older gentleman, Lord Shelton. But I liked Shelton's definition of rake:
“Just think of the other roles a fellow of title and fortune can play in our weary world and you’ll see being a rake is not such a bad thing…. [discusses dandies and Corinthians before moving on to ‘Peep o’ Day’ boys,] which is only a jolly name for a nasty fellow who enjoys roughing up old men trying to eke out existences as watchmen, or tipping over barrow mongers’s carts, when they’re only attempting to make a living as well, or bullying women they find defenseless, or forcing them. No, no. That’s not in our line at all. Rakes like females. Nor do they dally with underage girls – that’s for men who are afraid of grown women. No, rakes want full-blown willing females. And in order to succeed with them -- for a rake is not a man who always busy his pleasure, that’s a hedonist – why, then, he must have manners, charm, and intelligence. The dance is just as important to a true rake as what happens when the music stops, you see. The rake’s ideal is to make the acquisition of a female as interesting and pleasurable an experience as the having of her is.
“True rakes… enjoy women, sequentially.”
p. 87
Shelton immediately drops in my estimation when it seems he is perfectly willing to seduce innocents, and I'm none too impressed when the hero of the story seems to be considering the same thing. But in the end I rather liked the both of them. This is most certainly my favorite story in the book. The characters were rounded sufficiently; I found both hero and heroine sufficiently appealing by the end; and I believed in the love they shared and in the possibility of a happily ever after.
"Lady Bountiful," by Laura Matthews, is an amusing bit of silliness that gets the job done.
"A Mummer's Play" is a different take on things, which is nice, but Jo Beverley's stories never quite work for me. Perhaps _inbetween_'s review of To Rescue A Rogue here pins down why:
"I could forgive [all those flaws] if just once Beverley managed to show love, but she can't. Whether she has them fuck at first sight or just once at the end, whether she makes the whole book a horrible uncomfortable mix of hostility or just invents a meaningless obstacle - there is never the feeling of belonging, support and rightness... to any of her couples."
Even when I like the story Beverley tells, I never see her characters as being in love with each other, which is a fatal flaw in a romance. Sometimes I like her characters or story enough I don't mind so much; in this case, I don't think much of the hero, and actively dislike the heroine, who I think a vengeful moron, so IMHO it's by far the worst offering in this book.
Mary Balogh can be hit or miss for me; sometimes I want to slap her hero or heroine for being such a sanctimonious egotistical twit (or for being a right idiot just to keep the story going). Nobody needed a good slap in "The Surprise Party" -- a few sharp words, maybe -- and it was nicely seasonal sap, while I don't mind the cutesy kid stuff, so I liked it.
November 29, 2020
Mary Balogh's name is the reason I picked up this anthology; I've read something by each of these authors before, except for Laura Matthews. Her name does not seem familiar. This collection was published in 1995. I was very disappointed in this collection; the overall score = 3.5 stars.
THE CHRISTMAS GHOST (Sandra Heath) -- 2 stars
Widow Rebecca Winterbourne has a second chance at love with the help of her father. Unfortunately, her father has been dead for some 10 years. I do not like ghost stories and this had nothing much to recommend it.
THE RAKE'S CHRISTMAS (Edith Layton) -- 4 stars
The opening chapter of this book was not very clear. Eventually, it emerges that Lord Shelton (an older rake of the ton) convinces a younger rake (Viscount Hunt) to accompany him to a house party for Christmas. Hunt agrees to accompany Shelton because he thinks he needs to help save a needy young lady (Eve) from Shelton (because Hunt knows he is less dangerous than the older man). I hesitate to say more and destroy the charm of the story.
LADY BOUNTIFUL (Laura Matthews) -- 4 stars
Drucilla Carruthers has been taking care of the estate for some years because her father has a worsening case of dementia. The estate is entailed to Lord Meacham and he has been notified by the estate's solicitor, Mr. Wicker, that the estate has been spending too much money. Wicker suggests Lord Meacham go to find out what is happening to Meacham's inheritance. The house is not spending much money; the tenants have been receiving needed repairs to their cottages, instead. But why weren't the repairs made years ago? That is the interesting crux of the story.
A MUMMER'S PLAY (Jo Beverly) -- 3 stars
Justine Travers has been grieving for her fiancee' (Simon) who died in battle three years earlier. She is adamant that she will get the people responsible. To that end, she disguises herself as a mummer, performing at the castle of Lucky Jack Beaufort, the Duke of Cranmore. She sneaks into Jack's private rooms and starts searching the books for evidence. Jack and Simon were best friends and Justine thinks Jack's actions led to Simon's death.
I didn't think this was realistic. Justine has fostered her anger against Jack for three years, so I don't believe her sudden capitulation.
THE SURPRISE PARTY (Mary Balogh) -- 3 stars
Three orphans (Rupert, Caroline, and Patricia Parr), bring their estranged uncle and aunt together for Christmas. Viscount Timothy Morsey and Lady Carlysle were betrothed when Timothy's sister and Ursula Carlysle's brother ran away together and married years ago. Timothy and Ursula's anger was such that they broke up. Ursula married another and has been a widow for some years. Timothy never married. They are notified of the Parr parents' deaths and their need to come to rescue the children.
I cannot believe I'm saying this about a Mary Balogh story but I skip-read through much of this story. It just wasn't very interesting or believable.
THE CHRISTMAS GHOST (Sandra Heath) -- 2 stars
Widow Rebecca Winterbourne has a second chance at love with the help of her father. Unfortunately, her father has been dead for some 10 years. I do not like ghost stories and this had nothing much to recommend it.
THE RAKE'S CHRISTMAS (Edith Layton) -- 4 stars
The opening chapter of this book was not very clear. Eventually, it emerges that Lord Shelton (an older rake of the ton) convinces a younger rake (Viscount Hunt) to accompany him to a house party for Christmas. Hunt agrees to accompany Shelton because he thinks he needs to help save a needy young lady (Eve) from Shelton (because Hunt knows he is less dangerous than the older man). I hesitate to say more and destroy the charm of the story.
LADY BOUNTIFUL (Laura Matthews) -- 4 stars
Drucilla Carruthers has been taking care of the estate for some years because her father has a worsening case of dementia. The estate is entailed to Lord Meacham and he has been notified by the estate's solicitor, Mr. Wicker, that the estate has been spending too much money. Wicker suggests Lord Meacham go to find out what is happening to Meacham's inheritance. The house is not spending much money; the tenants have been receiving needed repairs to their cottages, instead. But why weren't the repairs made years ago? That is the interesting crux of the story.
A MUMMER'S PLAY (Jo Beverly) -- 3 stars
Justine Travers has been grieving for her fiancee' (Simon) who died in battle three years earlier. She is adamant that she will get the people responsible. To that end, she disguises herself as a mummer, performing at the castle of Lucky Jack Beaufort, the Duke of Cranmore. She sneaks into Jack's private rooms and starts searching the books for evidence. Jack and Simon were best friends and Justine thinks Jack's actions led to Simon's death.
I didn't think this was realistic. Justine has fostered her anger against Jack for three years, so I don't believe her sudden capitulation.
THE SURPRISE PARTY (Mary Balogh) -- 3 stars
Three orphans (Rupert, Caroline, and Patricia Parr), bring their estranged uncle and aunt together for Christmas. Viscount Timothy Morsey and Lady Carlysle were betrothed when Timothy's sister and Ursula Carlysle's brother ran away together and married years ago. Timothy and Ursula's anger was such that they broke up. Ursula married another and has been a widow for some years. Timothy never married. They are notified of the Parr parents' deaths and their need to come to rescue the children.
I cannot believe I'm saying this about a Mary Balogh story but I skip-read through much of this story. It just wasn't very interesting or believable.
May 6, 2017
The Christmas Ghost by Sandra Heath
2 1/2 stars
Often remembered for melding a paranormal or psychic element with the content of her Regency romances, this story was no different. A widow was guided by the spirit of her deceased husband to meet a long-ago love at Christmas time. Meh! *It should be mentioned that I am not a big fan of this author's style of writing.*
The Rake's Christmas by Edith Layton
4 stars
Let me just callthe course the story Rake 101.
Lady Bountiful by Laura Matthew
3 1/2 stars
I was surprised at this gentle meeting of two childhood friends. It touched base with the rare subject of dementia concerning the heroine's father.
A Mummer's Play by Jo Beverley
Easily forgotten: No Stars
The Surprise Party by Mary Balogh
4 stars
A viscount had a younger sister. He was betrothed -it is a love match- to a woman with a scheming brother. His sister and her brother meet, marry and cause enough problems that the original couple break their engagement. Years go by. Unwanted children were produced from the union of the secondary couple. The parents die. The viscount and now-widowed lady meet again at Christmastime to decide the fate of the children. They hadn't planned on seeing each other and have deep-seated anger issues. When I first began to read The Surprise Party I thought I would not like this story. The original couple came across as petty and unlikable. The H came around sooner than the h. It was written by Mrs. Balogh and if anyone can mix trust issues, angst and anger and mold it into a heartwarming story, it is her.
2 1/2 stars
Often remembered for melding a paranormal or psychic element with the content of her Regency romances, this story was no different. A widow was guided by the spirit of her deceased husband to meet a long-ago love at Christmas time. Meh! *It should be mentioned that I am not a big fan of this author's style of writing.*
The Rake's Christmas by Edith Layton
4 stars
Let me just call
Lady Bountiful by Laura Matthew
3 1/2 stars
I was surprised at this gentle meeting of two childhood friends. It touched base with the rare subject of dementia concerning the heroine's father.
A Mummer's Play by Jo Beverley
Easily forgotten: No Stars
The Surprise Party by Mary Balogh
4 stars
A viscount had a younger sister. He was betrothed -it is a love match- to a woman with a scheming brother. His sister and her brother meet, marry and cause enough problems that the original couple break their engagement. Years go by. Unwanted children were produced from the union of the secondary couple. The parents die. The viscount and now-widowed lady meet again at Christmastime to decide the fate of the children. They hadn't planned on seeing each other and have deep-seated anger issues. When I first began to read The Surprise Party I thought I would not like this story. The original couple came across as petty and unlikable. The H came around sooner than the h. It was written by Mrs. Balogh and if anyone can mix trust issues, angst and anger and mold it into a heartwarming story, it is her.
November 16, 2021
Besides having the Christmas season as a thing common, 3 out of 5 stories share this: grudge between ex-lovers/almost lovers.
- "The Christmas Ghost" by Sandra Heath (2/5): I think the ghost was totally unnecessary. And both leads were kinda dumb... they lost years and she married another one just because of a misunderstanding. Or should I say, out of spite 🤦♀️
- "The Rake's Christmas" by Edith Layton(3/5): this short story is like a 101 manual of being a rake. It was a cute story.
- "Lady Bountiful" by Laura Matthew (4/5): maybe the most "traditional" regency short story. It was the only one clean.
- "A Mummer's Play" by Jo Beverly (1/5): ridiculous, the grudge of the FML was too much and the ending was ??? No romance at all in my opinion.
- "The Surprise Party" by Mary Balogh (2/5): disappointing, I was expecting more from MB. A bit cheesy and pretty rushed.
- "The Christmas Ghost" by Sandra Heath (2/5): I think the ghost was totally unnecessary. And both leads were kinda dumb... they lost years and she married another one just because of a misunderstanding. Or should I say, out of spite 🤦♀️
- "The Rake's Christmas" by Edith Layton(3/5): this short story is like a 101 manual of being a rake. It was a cute story.
- "Lady Bountiful" by Laura Matthew (4/5): maybe the most "traditional" regency short story. It was the only one clean.
- "A Mummer's Play" by Jo Beverly (1/5): ridiculous, the grudge of the FML was too much and the ending was ??? No romance at all in my opinion.
- "The Surprise Party" by Mary Balogh (2/5): disappointing, I was expecting more from MB. A bit cheesy and pretty rushed.
December 28, 2024
"The Christmas Ghost" ⭐ This is just bad. No one in this story has any motivation, other than the ghost. Blech.
"The Rake's Christmas" ⭐⭐⭐ This is better: a little conflict! A little angst! I enjoyed this one.
"Lady Bountiful" ⭐⭐ Two nice people fall in love. The end.
"A Mummer's Play" ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The plot is very silly -- the government lets her investigate spies because (hand wave) and it's okay for her to disguise herself and trespass because (frantic hand wave) -- but the characters have the spark of life. Jo Beverly always creates people who seem real.
"The Surprise Party" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ No surprise here: Mary Balogh delivers another moving Christmas short story. I definitely cried. 🎄❤️
"The Rake's Christmas" ⭐⭐⭐ This is better: a little conflict! A little angst! I enjoyed this one.
"Lady Bountiful" ⭐⭐ Two nice people fall in love. The end.
"A Mummer's Play" ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The plot is very silly -- the government lets her investigate spies because (hand wave) and it's okay for her to disguise herself and trespass because (frantic hand wave) -- but the characters have the spark of life. Jo Beverly always creates people who seem real.
"The Surprise Party" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ No surprise here: Mary Balogh delivers another moving Christmas short story. I definitely cried. 🎄❤️
April 9, 2020
I am not the kind of person to watch Christmas movies out of season, and yet I found myself reading Christmas Regency romances in April. It's been a crazy year--and we're barely into it!
My favorites were "The Rake's Christmas" by Edith Layton, and "The Surprise Party" by Mary Balogh.
My favorites were "The Rake's Christmas" by Edith Layton, and "The Surprise Party" by Mary Balogh.
December 17, 2023
I just loved this collection of short Christmas romance stories. Every one was well written, with great characters who were all very relatable. The stories were all captivating and the romances were passionate and sincere. Highly recommend.
reprint
April 12, 2020read Balogh The suprise Party in rerelease CHristmas Gifts
April 3, 2020
Balogh - "The Surprise Party"
May 27, 2025
The Christmas Ghost-- Loved it!
The Rake's Christmas-- having a very hard time reading and/or enjoying it
The Rake's Christmas-- having a very hard time reading and/or enjoying it
January 31, 2013
The Christmas Ghost by Sandra Heath- 4 stars. Widower Rebecca knows that during Christmas time she is even more likely to run into her late husband's cousin, Piers. Relations were never good between Edward's family and Rebecca. Rebecca and Piers have both been keeping their true feelings for each other secret. With the help of her father's ghost they might just find out what they really think of each other. If you like stories where the H/h seem to dislike each other at first (in true Pride & Prejudice fashion) than you'll love this story. Very sweet. Loved Piers.
The Rake's Christmas by Edith Layton- 3.5 stars. This one started off very slow, but got better as time went on. A nice little, sweet twist at the end. Ian Hunt, Viscount Hunt, has just returned from the war and has apparently become a rake, as informed by another rake, Lord Shelton, who invites Ian to Moon Manor for the Christmas festivities. Against his better judgement he goes, but is soon smitten with a very pretty (but poor) face, Eve.
Lady Bountiful by Laura Matthews- 3 stars. Just okay. It was a good plot, but it didn't feel like a romance. This probably could have been better if it was in a full length novel. There is no hint of any attraction until the very last pages where he . Drucillla Carruthers has run her father's estate, Tarnlea, since he started suffering from dementia. However, Tarnlea is owned by Julian Winslow, Lord Meacham, since Mr. Carruthers never fathered any other children. Lord Meacham has been altered to vast amounts of expenditures at Tarnlea, and needs to pay a visit before Christmas.
A Mummers' Play by Jo Beverley- 4.5 stars. Probably my favorite story of the group. This book is a little deceptive as you are lulled into a false sense of security by the very humorous beginning of Justina with the mummers. But, it quickly turns serious and melancholy when Justina Travers confronts "Lucky" Jack Beaufort the new Duke of Cranmoore in order to avenge her fiance who died in the war, under Jack's command. I really, really, really loved Jack in this book. Easily would have been 5 stars if it were a full-length novel. Jack has been half in love with Justina for a long time. However, she can only think of revenge, so it's a pretty far stretch for their HEA in such a short amount of time
The Surprise Party by Mary Balogh- 3 stars. Okay story. It was supposed to be very heartfelt... and to me just fell rather flat. Another story where the H/h hate each other in the beginning. Ursula and Timothy were engaged a long time ago, but broke off their engagement. Now they have to come face to face to claim their nieces and nephews, as their parents both died (Ursula's brother and Timothy's sister), leaving the three children orphans. Can those three orphans bring two people who used to love each other back together again? Let me tell you, it will take a Christmas miracle!
The Rake's Christmas by Edith Layton- 3.5 stars. This one started off very slow, but got better as time went on. A nice little, sweet twist at the end. Ian Hunt, Viscount Hunt, has just returned from the war and has apparently become a rake, as informed by another rake, Lord Shelton, who invites Ian to Moon Manor for the Christmas festivities. Against his better judgement he goes, but is soon smitten with a very pretty (but poor) face, Eve.
Lady Bountiful by Laura Matthews- 3 stars. Just okay. It was a good plot, but it didn't feel like a romance. This probably could have been better if it was in a full length novel. There is no hint of any attraction until the very last pages where he . Drucillla Carruthers has run her father's estate, Tarnlea, since he started suffering from dementia. However, Tarnlea is owned by Julian Winslow, Lord Meacham, since Mr. Carruthers never fathered any other children. Lord Meacham has been altered to vast amounts of expenditures at Tarnlea, and needs to pay a visit before Christmas.
A Mummers' Play by Jo Beverley- 4.5 stars. Probably my favorite story of the group. This book is a little deceptive as you are lulled into a false sense of security by the very humorous beginning of Justina with the mummers. But, it quickly turns serious and melancholy when Justina Travers confronts "Lucky" Jack Beaufort the new Duke of Cranmoore in order to avenge her fiance who died in the war, under Jack's command. I really, really, really loved Jack in this book. Easily would have been 5 stars if it were a full-length novel. Jack has been half in love with Justina for a long time. However, she can only think of revenge, so it's a pretty far stretch for their HEA in such a short amount of time
The Surprise Party by Mary Balogh- 3 stars. Okay story. It was supposed to be very heartfelt... and to me just fell rather flat. Another story where the H/h hate each other in the beginning. Ursula and Timothy were engaged a long time ago, but broke off their engagement. Now they have to come face to face to claim their nieces and nephews, as their parents both died (Ursula's brother and Timothy's sister), leaving the three children orphans. Can those three orphans bring two people who used to love each other back together again? Let me tell you, it will take a Christmas miracle!
December 19, 2014
Overall, a really great collection of entertaining stories set at Christmas.
"The Christmas Ghost" Sandra Heath: 3 stars. An okay read. I enjoyed the ghost aspect and I also love the reunited lovers plot theme.
"The Rake's Christmas" Edith Layton: 5-stars. Really great writing, I got to care a lot about these characters even though there was a lot of narrative. I also very clearly saw how they fell in love. Not a lot of external conflict in this story, but a really great read nonetheless. Loved this.
"Lady Bountiful" Laura Matthews: 4-stars. Good story. The romance arc was a little sudden at the end, but entertaining.
"A Mummers' Play" Jo Beverley: 3-stars. Very unusual story in that the heroine is a spy. I really love those types of story premises. However, I had a hard time liking her, and the romance arc didn't appeal to me as much because she spent much of the story hating the hero and wanting revenge because she missed her dead lover.
"The Surprise Party" Mary Balogh: 3-stars. Good story, with hero and heroine slowly falling in love with each other and with their orphaned nieces and nephew. I had a hard time liking the heroine in the beginning of this story, but she grew on me by the end.
"The Christmas Ghost" Sandra Heath: 3 stars. An okay read. I enjoyed the ghost aspect and I also love the reunited lovers plot theme.
"The Rake's Christmas" Edith Layton: 5-stars. Really great writing, I got to care a lot about these characters even though there was a lot of narrative. I also very clearly saw how they fell in love. Not a lot of external conflict in this story, but a really great read nonetheless. Loved this.
"Lady Bountiful" Laura Matthews: 4-stars. Good story. The romance arc was a little sudden at the end, but entertaining.
"A Mummers' Play" Jo Beverley: 3-stars. Very unusual story in that the heroine is a spy. I really love those types of story premises. However, I had a hard time liking her, and the romance arc didn't appeal to me as much because she spent much of the story hating the hero and wanting revenge because she missed her dead lover.
"The Surprise Party" Mary Balogh: 3-stars. Good story, with hero and heroine slowly falling in love with each other and with their orphaned nieces and nephew. I had a hard time liking the heroine in the beginning of this story, but she grew on me by the end.
January 19, 2016
Las historias son muy diferentes, para mi gusto las mejores son "A Rake's Christmas" y "A Mummers' Play". Las demás no me llamaron excesivamente la atención, incluso alguna se me hizo algo tediosa... De las dos que he señalado, la primera me gusta por ser algo fuera de lo corriente, hay mucho estudio de personajes, algo que me encanta, saber sus motivaciones, cómo sienten y piensan. El romance va a un ritmo pausado, poco usual en este tipo de historias cortas. En cuanto a la segunda, es un tema poco corriente, y el final, para mí es el más satisfactorio. Hubiera sido muy irreal cualquier otro.
January 30, 2012
Five stories from Mary Balogh, Jo Beverley, Edith Layton, Laura Matthews, and Sandra Heath. Definitely a good mix of plots and characters.
I enjoyed Ms. Matthhews' and Ms. Balogh's the most; the others were competent, but either had characters or motivations or plot points that I found either unbelievable or annoying.
Still, a solid collection for when you're in the mood for a little historical Christmas :)
I enjoyed Ms. Matthhews' and Ms. Balogh's the most; the others were competent, but either had characters or motivations or plot points that I found either unbelievable or annoying.
Still, a solid collection for when you're in the mood for a little historical Christmas :)
February 8, 2022
Once again, I have already read the Mary Balogh story and the other four are lame. Even Jo Beverly wrote a really stupid Christmas story. Sigh
I must have been in a really bad place when I read this book the first time because this is really good every story is really good so it had to be me the first time I read it , not the book mia culpa
I must have been in a really bad place when I read this book the first time because this is really good every story is really good so it had to be me the first time I read it , not the book mia culpa
January 17, 2011
I read this book every Christmas!
December 28, 2011
Lovely historical romance novellas set during the Regency times. Perfect reads for the holidays.
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