An Icy Christmas Engagement

by Dorothy Sheldon

"You are the Christmas miracle I never believed I deserved."

Caroline Winterbourne’s quiet life as a widow hides her true identity as a secret author, a truth that could ruin her in the eyes of the ton.

A fragile bond forms when she crosses paths with Cedric Hutton, known for his cold resolve.

But a scandalous revelation threatens everything, leaving them to decide if they’ll risk it all for love.

*A Regency Christmas romance novel with dynamic characters, heart-wrenching twists, turns, and lots of romance. This story offers an irresistible escape into the world of the Christmas Regency period.

No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a sweet happily ever after.
Get this novel and unlock the story of Cedric and Caroline today!

Also available with Kindle Unlimited!

Genres: Christmas, Historical

191 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 2, 2024

Reviews

[Linda Klager · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting encounter

Caroline wrote romance novels under a man's name. Women were forbidden to have this profession.

One day, Caroline was struggling with writer's block. She decided to take a walk. She saw a man along the street who would be a perfect character for her book, so she decided to follow him. She was not being careful and fell. This good-looking gentleman caught her.

Caroline was very intrigued by this man and hoped to see him again.

Lord Colenhurst found discrepancies in his finances. His steward left abruptly. This was very suspicious. He hired a private detective to find the swindler.

Caroline kept writing her novel. While she walked to and from the publisher, she felt someone following her. One day, a carriage splashed her while walking.

While at a ball, a man revealed a secret that caused a scandal. People's opinion of Caroline was ruined.

Cedric, the man of Caroline's dreams, was under attack, and it was causing a threat to his life and shipping business.

[Bill Bumbolow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Widow Finds Love

A touching story that revolves around a widow who was not looking for love but found it and the man who was not looking for love either but found it too. Having been in a loveless marriage Caroline was content with being alone but her meddling mother intruded into her life attempting to force her into meeting men she had no feeling for. Cedric had been betrayed by both the woman he loved and by his best friend so he had withdrawn from interactions, socially with women. Therefore it was a surprise to both of them that they were comfortable with each other and so their feelings for each other began to grow. Many complications were thrown in their path, from her mother to those scheming to ruin Cedric. A very good story with characters you could empathize and relate to so a very worthwhile, clean, read.

[Rod · Rating 2 out of 5]

A clean story. This just left me flat I am afraid. We had Ambrose making all his plots yet we never hear what happens to him, but it’s implied Cedric did something. . It seemed as if he could be the one doing all the damage to Cedric’s business, give him financial issues and solve them by getting his daughter married to him which he wanted. It was not at all clear why Simon was the villain. He’d taken the woman Cedric was to marry, why a few years later suddenly decide to ruin his business? Don’t think we ever had a motive/ reason. Then in the extended epilogue which seemed a bit off. 5 years have passed but Louisa apparently has *new* friend in Mr Johns, yet Caroline’s mother was introducing them 5 years earlier at Caroline’s wedding. Sorry it just did not work for me.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author writes such delightful stories that are always interesting. One of the things I really like is that the female character is a strong woman for a woman in that time period. This book was no different. It was a sweet story about Caroline as a widow who also is a ghost writer of novels and runs into Cedric Hutton, a very handsome, icy cold man who doesn’t want anything to do with women. The story tells of the relationship the two of them go through during some difficult times and the hit of romance written throughout.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book but I don't think the title suits the story of Cedric and Caroline. I wouldn't describe this as Christmas themed. So many lovable characters, Cedric and Caroline, of course, then there's Louisa, Caroline's spinster friend. Cedric's friend and family are delightful additions. Betrayal, thievery, as well as a secret novelist are a few of the plot twists that kept me turning the page. The extended epilogue was comprised of one big happy family.

[NelleRenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

There isn’t much reference to Christmas as the title might suggest. The FMC is a widow who is enjoying her new independence after a dull marriage. She is writing novels, but is lacking inspiration for her second one which needs to be finished by Twelfth Night. The MMC is recovering from a failed relationship. His business seems to be someone’s target to ruin. There is a little mystery to solve which I find appealing.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Caroline was living a wonderful life. She lived an independent life, which was unusual for the Regency era. She lived with her friend Louisa and was writing novels. Then her mom showed up trying to force her to marry again. Cedric had lived a hard life. He faced heartbreak and gave up on love. He was having problems with his business bec someone was trying to sabotage it. They had things to work out as Caroline & Cedric grew closer. Loved the ending.

[Nancy T Vega · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Independent Woman in Secret

After writing her first novel in second Caroline then writes a second only to be exposed at a ball where the love of her life waits. Then all for nothing until she finds a conspiracy against herself & her love, and when he is injured she runs & stays by his side until he awakes. Then the truth comes out!!

[Lori Meehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It started out a bit slow but then it took off and I couldn’t put it down. Cedric and Caroline were great together and had good chemistry. The bit of suspense was a great addition to the story.

[Regency_Fan_ Michelle RegencyFanMichelleAndMore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful

I recommend this book! It features a great mix of mystery and strong characters, making it really engaging. It was a quick and enjoyable read. I plan to read more books by this author.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was sweet and fun, and had probably one of the most aggravating mothers of all time. The FMC was interesting and the MMC was very broody (very much a grumpy x sunshine type of relationship. I just wish it was a tad more festive since it’s set around Christmas.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cedric and Caroline

This is an exciting book with flawed but interesting characters. I enjoyed the relationships, including Caroline’s meddling mother. I liked the mystery and suspense. I enjoyed reading as the relationship developed between Carline and Cedric.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this book It is a must read

[Reann · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a slow start for me, but I enjoyed the ending, especially the extended epilogue.

[Pamela Barbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like a story with both romance and a mystery, you will certainly enjoy this story. The characters in this story also seem to think a little differently from most regency novels.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet Christmas story

Could not put it down. It had a bit of mystery, and the angst was exciting. Highly recomend this story.

[JANET Wallis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful

When reading this silliness, one is almost sickened by its juvenile intellect. Pass this one by; I wish I had.