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Christmas Wishes
SHE MADE A CHRISTMAS WISH FOR A CHARMING CAVALIER--AND MET THE MOST NOTORIOUS RAKE IN ENGLAND!
Though granddaughter to one of the ancient regime, Juneclaire Beaumont lived without complaint as a poor relation at Stanton Hall -- until a family crisis sent her packing. But the road to London was not smooth, and she was compelled to take shelter in a stable with a handsome, scowling stranger whose curricle had been held up. A delicate situation, although he behaved in a most gentlemanly fashion.
The ton, however, would never believe it of the lordly rakehell Satan St. Cloud! He would preserve this madcap beauty's reputation.... Damn it, for once duty would be pleasure!
But Juneclaire declined marriage solely for honor. She disappeared, leaving the imperious Earl of St. Cloud to spend the twelve days of Christmas on a neck-or-nothing ride to find her....
Though granddaughter to one of the ancient regime, Juneclaire Beaumont lived without complaint as a poor relation at Stanton Hall -- until a family crisis sent her packing. But the road to London was not smooth, and she was compelled to take shelter in a stable with a handsome, scowling stranger whose curricle had been held up. A delicate situation, although he behaved in a most gentlemanly fashion.
The ton, however, would never believe it of the lordly rakehell Satan St. Cloud! He would preserve this madcap beauty's reputation.... Damn it, for once duty would be pleasure!
But Juneclaire declined marriage solely for honor. She disappeared, leaving the imperious Earl of St. Cloud to spend the twelve days of Christmas on a neck-or-nothing ride to find her....
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
27 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Metzger
103 books201 followersBarbara Metzger is the author of over three dozen books and a dozen novellas. She has also been an editor, a proof-reader, a greeting card verse-writer, and an artist. When not painting, writing romances or reading them, she volunteers at the local library, gardens and goes beach-combing and yard-saling.
Her novels, mostly set in Regency-era England, have won numerous awards, including the Romance Writers of America RITA, the National Reader's Choice Award, and the Madcap award for humor in romance writing. In addition, Barbara has won two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times Magazine.
Source: http://www.barbarametzger.com/about_b...
Her novels, mostly set in Regency-era England, have won numerous awards, including the Romance Writers of America RITA, the National Reader's Choice Award, and the Madcap award for humor in romance writing. In addition, Barbara has won two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times Magazine.
Source: http://www.barbarametzger.com/about_b...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 14, 2024
3.5 stars. Not as riveting as her other works, but good enough.
February 23, 2025
Juneclaire Beaumont a poor relation at Stanton Hall. She works as an unpaid servant in her Aunt's home.
Our hero Satan St. Cloud the lordly rakehell from London.
Pansy is lame runt pig, and Aunt says she is to be Christmas Dinner. This sets Juneclaire to flight, for though she will not defy her aunt for her own sake she will for Pansy. Juneclaire Beaumont, Pansy, and Satan St. Cloud are on a collision course and when they meet sparks will fly. This is a very light humorous read and one of my personal favorites.
Our hero Satan St. Cloud the lordly rakehell from London.
Pansy is lame runt pig, and Aunt says she is to be Christmas Dinner. This sets Juneclaire to flight, for though she will not defy her aunt for her own sake she will for Pansy. Juneclaire Beaumont, Pansy, and Satan St. Cloud are on a collision course and when they meet sparks will fly. This is a very light humorous read and one of my personal favorites.
December 4, 2013
Amusing. Fast paced and full of funny incidents. Adorable heroin and charming hero. But a little bit annoyed because the hero and heroin tends to form their own opinion and acted on it without clearing the misunderstanding first. But then, there won't be the story, right?
And Pansy...haha...really unexpected...
And Pansy...haha...really unexpected...
July 23, 2016
2.75 stars
The romance started out so good. Great chemistry between the hero and heroine, some funny moments especially with Pansy and then the author did the unthinkable....
The romance started out so good. Great chemistry between the hero and heroine, some funny moments especially with Pansy and then the author did the unthinkable....
February 12, 2019
Juneclaire Beaumont is a young gentlewoman who has been living with an aunt since she was a child. Her parents died and from the age of 9 on, her aunt has considered her an unpaid servant. She has grown up taking care of a good portion of the household duties, fending off the advances and abuse from 2 male cousins and being ignored.
Christmas has come and Pansy (a small pig) is about to be used as dinner. Juneclaire cannot bear that idea, so she gathers a few items, and Pansy and decides to run away to London in order to find work.
Things do not go as expected.
The Earl of St Cloud is on his way home for Christmas. He dreads the visit because in his own home he will face relatives who care for nothing but their own desires and his money.
He and his groom are held up by highwaymen, his groom is injured and he loses his money and several valuable items.
He is known as Satan St Cloud to the world for his bad temper and his wicked ways.
Things are not always as they appear.
He finds a young lady walking along the road. She is evidently carrying a small child wrapped in a blue blanket.
It turns out to be Pansy wrapped in a blue blanket.
Ms Metzger never fails to entertain me. Her characters are human beings with problems, quirks and generally good hearts. Her plots are filled with situations which seem impossible but not unreasonable.
I enjoyed this book.
Our hero is very heroic. He loves his mother and grandmother and an aunt who is not quite living in the real world.
Our heroine is a naive young woman who expects to find the best in people. But, she is wise enough to avoid people who are not nice when she finds them.
These two have little in common. They both deserve one another because they are so much alike with kind hearts, intelligence and a great deal of humor.
If you are looking for a story which will make you laugh and give you a warm feeling in the area of your heart, this is a book you will enjoy.
This is a book which is exactly what Ms Metzger brings to her stories. It is called good writing.
Christmas has come and Pansy (a small pig) is about to be used as dinner. Juneclaire cannot bear that idea, so she gathers a few items, and Pansy and decides to run away to London in order to find work.
Things do not go as expected.
The Earl of St Cloud is on his way home for Christmas. He dreads the visit because in his own home he will face relatives who care for nothing but their own desires and his money.
He and his groom are held up by highwaymen, his groom is injured and he loses his money and several valuable items.
He is known as Satan St Cloud to the world for his bad temper and his wicked ways.
Things are not always as they appear.
He finds a young lady walking along the road. She is evidently carrying a small child wrapped in a blue blanket.
It turns out to be Pansy wrapped in a blue blanket.
Ms Metzger never fails to entertain me. Her characters are human beings with problems, quirks and generally good hearts. Her plots are filled with situations which seem impossible but not unreasonable.
I enjoyed this book.
Our hero is very heroic. He loves his mother and grandmother and an aunt who is not quite living in the real world.
Our heroine is a naive young woman who expects to find the best in people. But, she is wise enough to avoid people who are not nice when she finds them.
These two have little in common. They both deserve one another because they are so much alike with kind hearts, intelligence and a great deal of humor.
If you are looking for a story which will make you laugh and give you a warm feeling in the area of your heart, this is a book you will enjoy.
This is a book which is exactly what Ms Metzger brings to her stories. It is called good writing.
February 3, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. It is a lot tamer than most of the romance novels out these days, so much so I wonder if it should almost be classified as a young adult story. I would not have any problem with my 15 year old daughter reading it...in fact, I put it in her room.
The story centers around an orphan girl, Juneclaire, who is just about as sweet as you will find in any story. She is 19 and sets out on Christmas Eve with a few prized possessions for London and a new life where she wouldn't be taken advantage of because as she says "Well, wishing hadn't brought Maman or Papa back, and it would not bring her any handsome and wealthy knight riding to her rescue. Wishing was certainly not going to save Pansy. That Juneclaire had to do herself. So she did."
Meanwhile, Merritt Jordan, the Earl of St. Cloud, is also on the road heading home to a house full of relatives that he would rather not spend Christmas with. He had a difficult childhood surrounded by well-meaning (and not-so-well-meaning) relations and has proceeded since attaining adulthood to avoid them all. "The closer his carriage go to the Priory, the more St. Cloud understood how a winded deer felt surrounded by wolves. But he was not defenseless, he reminded himself. He was no longer a child who had to abide by adult rules." Merritt is a great hero. He has spent most of his life rebelling against everyone, but when he meets Juneclaire he recognizes what he wants most in life is her.
The best part of this book is definitely the strong characters of Juneclaire and Merritt. Their love story is both believable and interesting. They aren't over-the-top and it is easy to like both of them. The side story of the ghost is necessary for the plot, but it does give the characters an opportunity to interact and become better acquainted before marrying.
I highly recommend this book. It is definitely going on my keeper shelf.
The story centers around an orphan girl, Juneclaire, who is just about as sweet as you will find in any story. She is 19 and sets out on Christmas Eve with a few prized possessions for London and a new life where she wouldn't be taken advantage of because as she says "Well, wishing hadn't brought Maman or Papa back, and it would not bring her any handsome and wealthy knight riding to her rescue. Wishing was certainly not going to save Pansy. That Juneclaire had to do herself. So she did."
Meanwhile, Merritt Jordan, the Earl of St. Cloud, is also on the road heading home to a house full of relatives that he would rather not spend Christmas with. He had a difficult childhood surrounded by well-meaning (and not-so-well-meaning) relations and has proceeded since attaining adulthood to avoid them all. "The closer his carriage go to the Priory, the more St. Cloud understood how a winded deer felt surrounded by wolves. But he was not defenseless, he reminded himself. He was no longer a child who had to abide by adult rules." Merritt is a great hero. He has spent most of his life rebelling against everyone, but when he meets Juneclaire he recognizes what he wants most in life is her.
The best part of this book is definitely the strong characters of Juneclaire and Merritt. Their love story is both believable and interesting. They aren't over-the-top and it is easy to like both of them. The side story of the ghost is necessary for the plot, but it does give the characters an opportunity to interact and become better acquainted before marrying.
I highly recommend this book. It is definitely going on my keeper shelf.
February 7, 2025
An entertaining tale of love found unexpectedly at Christmas and of family.
January 7, 2025
A lovely light-hearted romp!
If you are looking for lots of angst and high heat, this is not it. But, if you are looking for a lovely light-hearted romp of a story, with lots of laugh out loud moments, this is definitely in the running. The storyline is highly unlikely, but it is such a lovely Christmas time relaxing read. It is full of silly escapades, highly amusing characters, and has kittens and a pig to boot. It is also a great palate cleanser for those of us who read Regency romances frequently. This is definitely going on my yearly reread list. Just for the laughs, if nothing else.
If you are looking for lots of angst and high heat, this is not it. But, if you are looking for a lovely light-hearted romp of a story, with lots of laugh out loud moments, this is definitely in the running. The storyline is highly unlikely, but it is such a lovely Christmas time relaxing read. It is full of silly escapades, highly amusing characters, and has kittens and a pig to boot. It is also a great palate cleanser for those of us who read Regency romances frequently. This is definitely going on my yearly reread list. Just for the laughs, if nothing else.
December 8, 2018
Heyer would be proud.
Part Austenesque satire, part fabulous. And all romantic delight. So many original details that revitalise Reg Macy tropes, and it’s funny. Sometimes laugh out loud funny. JuneClaire is an innocent abroad, with wits as sharp as her needle and full of charm. And Merry is all dark hero, while the ghost that taps at night is a light hearted romp.
Part Austenesque satire, part fabulous. And all romantic delight. So many original details that revitalise Reg Macy tropes, and it’s funny. Sometimes laugh out loud funny. JuneClaire is an innocent abroad, with wits as sharp as her needle and full of charm. And Merry is all dark hero, while the ghost that taps at night is a light hearted romp.
February 4, 2018
Not her best but it was lighthearted and fun.
December 13, 2018
An enjoyable Christmas read
January 24, 2020
I love reading holiday themed romance novels at Christmas time, and this was one of the best I’ve read.
March 7, 2022
See Father Christmas and Christmas Wishes bundle.
December 25, 2022
Christmas gift
I thought I had read all of Metzger's books, and have been so happy to trip over one I'd missed. It's as satisfying as the others which is sufficient praise.
I thought I had read all of Metzger's books, and have been so happy to trip over one I'd missed. It's as satisfying as the others which is sufficient praise.
February 14, 2023
Too involved
Started out good but got too involved too quickly. It was also much too long. I could not read it so I cannot recommend it.
Started out good but got too involved too quickly. It was also much too long. I could not read it so I cannot recommend it.
November 24, 2025
I could not finish this. I could barely read it. The amount of unnecessary detail and telling in this story was too much. Also, the heroine was so dumb I just had no patience for it.
January 7, 2019
Classic Metzger: fast paced, funny, implausible situations and most bodices remain intact. This was a nice break from my other reading - I could just let go and enjoy the ride - and thoroughly enjoyable.
It was well worth settling in for an afternoon with this book, a pot of tea and some bourbon creams to follow Merry racketing about the countryside in search of Juneclaire.
Pansy was among my favorite characters along with the Dowager (Merry' s grandmother) and his potty aunt.
It was well worth settling in for an afternoon with this book, a pot of tea and some bourbon creams to follow Merry racketing about the countryside in search of Juneclaire.
Pansy was among my favorite characters along with the Dowager (Merry' s grandmother) and his potty aunt.
November 12, 2013
Miss Juneclaire Beaumont has lost her father to the Terror and her mother to despair and now lives as a poor relation with her greedy, penny-pinching aunt, uncle and wayward cousins. She's lonely and friendless except for Pansy. When Juneclaire's aunt threatens Pansy, Juneclaire will do whatever it takes to save her small, lame friend, including running off to London and going into service. The journey is more difficult than she realizes, until she runs into the Merritt Jordan, Earl of St. Cloud. The Earl, alias Satan St. Cloud is an angry young man. He was returning home to a set of grasping relatives when he was set upon by highwaymen and robbed of nearly all his possessions. When he comes upon Juneclaire, he decides to get into the Christmas spirit and offer help to the damsel in distress. Juneclaire is unsure of his motives at first, but unaware of his dangerous reputation, she quickly surmises he is an honorable gentleman. The Earl is captivated by the charming, innocent young woman with a big heart. When a crisis imperils Juneclaire's reputation, St. Cloud gladly offers for her hand but the lady runs off leaving Pansy in his care. St. Cloud is determined to find and marry Justine for only she can bring him the happiness he craves, but first he has to deal with his greedy relatives, strong-minded grandmother, weak-willed mother and... the family ghost.
This is another amusing romp by one of the best in the business. There are several different story lines that make up the plot of this novel. Each one could have been it's own book and the first few chapters would have made a sweet novella. Though there is a lot going on, the plot moves along quickly despite being nearly 300 pages long. As usual, the story is populated by quirky characters who really make the story. My favorites are Pansy and Aunt Florrie. I preferred the secondary characters to the primary ones. St. Cloud is not my ideal hero. He has anger management issues and his exploits in London are legendary. Juneclaire is charmingly naive and childlike. She should not be marrying anyone, let alone someone like St. Cloud. I really identified with her love of animals and desire to protect them. Despite the fact that I didn't care so much for the characters, I really enjoyed the story and there were some twists that kept me reading long past when I had promised myself I'd stop. There is slightly more than kissing towards the end but nothing is really described and the characters are interrupted before they go too far. I highly recommend this book for fans of Metzger's other Regencies and those who like the comedy of manners Regencies.
This is another amusing romp by one of the best in the business. There are several different story lines that make up the plot of this novel. Each one could have been it's own book and the first few chapters would have made a sweet novella. Though there is a lot going on, the plot moves along quickly despite being nearly 300 pages long. As usual, the story is populated by quirky characters who really make the story. My favorites are Pansy and Aunt Florrie. I preferred the secondary characters to the primary ones. St. Cloud is not my ideal hero. He has anger management issues and his exploits in London are legendary. Juneclaire is charmingly naive and childlike. She should not be marrying anyone, let alone someone like St. Cloud. I really identified with her love of animals and desire to protect them. Despite the fact that I didn't care so much for the characters, I really enjoyed the story and there were some twists that kept me reading long past when I had promised myself I'd stop. There is slightly more than kissing towards the end but nothing is really described and the characters are interrupted before they go too far. I highly recommend this book for fans of Metzger's other Regencies and those who like the comedy of manners Regencies.
November 29, 2024
I read this book for the second time. The last time was many years ago and I rated it a 4 star read. I really don't remember why although I know I enjoyed it enough to keep the book all these years. Now I am rating it a 5 star read. Why? Because I liked it very much and I had forgotten just how much.
I have enjoyed Barbara Metzger's books for many years now because her stories are usually fast paced and full of humor.
This story is no exception. Yes I can understand why some readers thought the hero and heroine could have avoided a misunderstanding.
In a lot of cases with these romances, heroes don't always realize or they don't know how to express it clearly that they love someone. Or they are too afraid of a broken heart to admit their feelings. They tend to rely on logic and practicality to convince the heroine they should get married. It's a common theme in these books! Also, in that society the females were just expected to do what they were told by the males who were in charge.
This is why I love these stories. Because you read about females who didn't always believe men knew best. And they were right!
So in this story, the heroine made a rash decision in the beginning because she panicked and didn't know what else to do. The hero thought they should marry because of propriety in the way they met. The heroine was a bit ignorant of the outside world and was very lucky that nothing really bad happened to her and should have at least let the hero get her to her destination instead of foolishly going off on her own.
But this is a Barbara Metzger Regency Romance. I knew the results of the heroine's rash actions would be humorous and heartwarming. If it were otherwise, I would probably read something else.
I have enjoyed Barbara Metzger's books for many years now because her stories are usually fast paced and full of humor.
This story is no exception. Yes I can understand why some readers thought the hero and heroine could have avoided a misunderstanding.
In a lot of cases with these romances, heroes don't always realize or they don't know how to express it clearly that they love someone. Or they are too afraid of a broken heart to admit their feelings. They tend to rely on logic and practicality to convince the heroine they should get married. It's a common theme in these books! Also, in that society the females were just expected to do what they were told by the males who were in charge.
This is why I love these stories. Because you read about females who didn't always believe men knew best. And they were right!
So in this story, the heroine made a rash decision in the beginning because she panicked and didn't know what else to do. The hero thought they should marry because of propriety in the way they met. The heroine was a bit ignorant of the outside world and was very lucky that nothing really bad happened to her and should have at least let the hero get her to her destination instead of foolishly going off on her own.
But this is a Barbara Metzger Regency Romance. I knew the results of the heroine's rash actions would be humorous and heartwarming. If it were otherwise, I would probably read something else.
December 9, 2018
I think I tag all of Metzger's books "animals" because she really does write the best critters. Pansy, Juneclaire's "companion" is adorable and the mystery of her species is a source of amusement for a while . The nicknames are adorable as well, Lord Merritt Jordan, Earl of St. Cloud becomes "Merry" to Juneclaire and Juneclaire is "Junco" to Merry.
There isn't any sex, but there's a lot of yearning. Merry has gotten around and does speak of his London mistress.
There's some classic miscommunication which is sort of a British institution and moves the story along: Juneclaire doesn't know Merry's identity as the Earl until about 75% and most of the townspeople misinterpret her reason for fleeing to London. There's enough adventure and intrigue to keep it interesting (a pair of highwaymen and a pirate "ghost"). Pansy and Merry's Aunt Florrie steal the show a few times (Aunt Florrie is...a bit "off" Lady Fanny waves a handkerchief at the departing coaches, Florrie waves a dead halibut).
Oh yeah also, everyone gets a kitten. I mean everyone.
Words I looked up: Pettifoggery- Given to quibbling over trifles, used by Merry to describe the House of Lords; Junco- Merry's nickname for Juneclaire, it's a small North American bird I wasn't sure I'd seen before; Lamb's Wool Punch- a West Country wassail or spiced cider so named for it's frothy top.
There isn't any sex, but there's a lot of yearning. Merry has gotten around and does speak of his London mistress.
There's some classic miscommunication which is sort of a British institution and moves the story along: Juneclaire doesn't know Merry's identity as the Earl until about 75% and most of the townspeople misinterpret her reason for fleeing to London. There's enough adventure and intrigue to keep it interesting (a pair of highwaymen and a pirate "ghost"). Pansy and Merry's Aunt Florrie steal the show a few times (Aunt Florrie is...a bit "off" Lady Fanny waves a handkerchief at the departing coaches, Florrie waves a dead halibut).
Oh yeah also, everyone gets a kitten. I mean everyone.
Words I looked up: Pettifoggery- Given to quibbling over trifles, used by Merry to describe the House of Lords; Junco- Merry's nickname for Juneclaire, it's a small North American bird I wasn't sure I'd seen before; Lamb's Wool Punch- a West Country wassail or spiced cider so named for it's frothy top.
October 22, 2010
Yawn. I don't mind clean regency romances but this one feels just too innocent. The heroine is 19 has had nothing but a repressed childhood. The hero is bad but meets the heroine fleeing from her wicked family and falls for her. Eventually all end up back at the ancestral home of the hero, complete with a passel of disreputable relatives as hero and heroine sort out whether they are engaged or not. Picks up towards the end and has a couple of great lines (usually spectacularly bad puns). My favorite, about a wanton widow dressed as Cleopatra, "the golden dress was held up by nothing but asp venom."
January 2, 2016
Entertaining Story
Barbara Metzger's Christmas Wishes was a well written, entertaining read as many of her novels are. It wasn't the heady love story that I expected, but a good novel nonetheless. I would recommend it to those who enjoy clean Regency romances.
Barbara Metzger's Christmas Wishes was a well written, entertaining read as many of her novels are. It wasn't the heady love story that I expected, but a good novel nonetheless. I would recommend it to those who enjoy clean Regency romances.
September 25, 2009
Regency
December 20, 2011
" Facing that pack of Barracudas, you'll wanta all your defenses up, and a gel's best defense is looking her best" p. 204
December 23, 2012
Classic Metzger - two thumbs up!
July 26, 2016
I love a book so full of humor and craziness that it makes me laugh. Fun story:)
August 14, 2012
Pansy was my favorite character.
July 5, 2013
Perfectly acceptable classic Regency romance. I prefer a deeper emotional connection made clear tho. Mary Balogh does that so well, even in her classic Regencies.
January 2, 2016
What a good way to begin the new year ! with a lot of laughter and good cheer .
January 6, 2017
Absolutely ridiculous -- but funny!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews