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Spirited Storms #1
Christmas Spirits
Mary Soares was supposed to spend Christmas, nice and warm on her family’s estate in Falkirk, Scotland, tending to their whisky business. However, the English have made smuggling almost impossible, and so order after order is waiting at the distillery until it’s safe enough to continue shipments. Most customers understand this. Most customers are reasonable. The Duke of Danby is not most customers. So after a number of demands from His Grace, insisting upon his order, Mary decides to deliver the whisky herself since no one else is available.
Benjamin Storm, Earl of Kenley, breathes a sigh of relief when his summons from the Duke of Danby has nothing to do with matrimony or a stack of special licenses. Instead, his uncle just needs Benjamin to travel to Scotland and procure his missing whisky shipment in time for his holiday festivities. The chore sounds easy enough, at least until he encounters a most unusual smuggler on her way to Danby Castle. Benjamin’s life may never be the same.
*This story originally appeared in “The Duke’s Christmas Summons” anthology.
Benjamin Storm, Earl of Kenley, breathes a sigh of relief when his summons from the Duke of Danby has nothing to do with matrimony or a stack of special licenses. Instead, his uncle just needs Benjamin to travel to Scotland and procure his missing whisky shipment in time for his holiday festivities. The chore sounds easy enough, at least until he encounters a most unusual smuggler on her way to Danby Castle. Benjamin’s life may never be the same.
*This story originally appeared in “The Duke’s Christmas Summons” anthology.
ebook
Published July 1, 2016
About the author
Jane Charles
180 books432 followersUSA Today bestselling author Jane Charles is a prolific writer of over fifty historical and contemporary romance novels. Her love of research and history lends authenticity to her Regency romances, and her experience directing theatre productions helps her craft beautiful, touching stories that tug at the heartstrings. Jane is an upbeat and positive author dedicated to giving her characters happy-ever-afters and leaving the readers satisfied at the end of an emotional journey. She is a lifelong Cubs fan, loves wine tastings, and lives in Central Illinois with her two huskies and husband. She is currently writing her next book while planning her dream trip to Europe.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 16, 2019
Christmas Spirits is book one in the Spirited Storms series by Jane Charles. Oh my..I loved this little book. It is a short read and so delightful. I think I found a new book friend - Mary Grant Soares is absolutely wonderful. I loved her strength and honesty. There are some delightfully funny parts to this. I found myself laughing out loud a number of times. Benjamin Storm is a great hero. My only complaint is that there wasn’t much of a description of him. “He’d known her a day, but one thing was for certain he did not want to go another day without her.” Loved it! Can’t wait to read more by Charles.
February 16, 2024
This is the 2nd book I read by Jane Charles. I'm sorry I stopped reading this story 📖 at chapter 3 because it didn't grab my interest.
November 11, 2021
A fab short story.
A war widow smuggling whisky has an accident on her way to Danby Castle but luckily the following day is found by the man who has been sent to chase up the delivery. Ben is strongly drawn to Mary but believes she loves another, whilst Mary (who is self-conscious of her appearance) doesn’t believe an Earl will ever marry someone like her. Recommended read.
Such a shame though that the typos haven’t been addressed.
A war widow smuggling whisky has an accident on her way to Danby Castle but luckily the following day is found by the man who has been sent to chase up the delivery. Ben is strongly drawn to Mary but believes she loves another, whilst Mary (who is self-conscious of her appearance) doesn’t believe an Earl will ever marry someone like her. Recommended read.
Such a shame though that the typos haven’t been addressed.
January 11, 2022
Fetching spirits and/or spirited Lady for Christmas
Sweet and clean 👌 romance; The Duke of Darby sends Benjamin to fetch the Scottish whiskey ordered. Benjamin meets 😍 Mary with the wagon with a broken wheel. Mary is disguised as a young man. Benjamin finally discerns the disguised woman 👩 and falls in love with her. A reunion 🫂 at the castle resolves several threads. Mary is a war widow who had followed the drum.
Sweet and clean 👌 romance; The Duke of Darby sends Benjamin to fetch the Scottish whiskey ordered. Benjamin meets 😍 Mary with the wagon with a broken wheel. Mary is disguised as a young man. Benjamin finally discerns the disguised woman 👩 and falls in love with her. A reunion 🫂 at the castle resolves several threads. Mary is a war widow who had followed the drum.
June 23, 2017
Funny in the first few chapters because Benjamin Storm and servants thought he was gay. They didn't know that Mary Soares was woman as she was wearing man's clothes.
Sweet and touching in the last part.
Sweet and touching in the last part.
August 19, 2019
A short and sweet novel set between an English gentleman and a Scottish widow. Running whiskey for her family business leaves Mary in quite the predicament. Benjamin finding her is probably the best thing to happen. Love is instant and mutual.
February 6, 2023
Sweet love
This book had a bit of a surprise ending to me. I enjoyed the journey through the story. Ben and Mary have fun personalities. I'm not so sure about Danbury and his demands everyone but he certainly know how to get his way.
This book had a bit of a surprise ending to me. I enjoyed the journey through the story. Ben and Mary have fun personalities. I'm not so sure about Danbury and his demands everyone but he certainly know how to get his way.
February 15, 2023
The Duke of Denby does it again
Benjamin is sent to retrieve the Duke's whiskey and instead retrieves a wife. This was both sweet and a bit of a tear jerker at the most excellent end.
Benjamin is sent to retrieve the Duke's whiskey and instead retrieves a wife. This was both sweet and a bit of a tear jerker at the most excellent end.
October 20, 2018
Loved it! Enjoyable series. 4☆
March 13, 2021
Review
Jane has a way of connecting her stories with crossover characters
that make each story more believable. I recommend all of her books!
Jane has a way of connecting her stories with crossover characters
that make each story more believable. I recommend all of her books!
December 20, 2021
Allow an afternoon for this family-friendly Regency romance that involves the smuggling of Scotch. I had an ARC via Booksprout and this voluntary review is my own opinion.
October 18, 2016
Enjoyable Romance
This novella has a lovely feel to it. The one-on-one closeness of the couple's trip allows for them to get to know each other quickly. I really enjoyed this!
This novella has a lovely feel to it. The one-on-one closeness of the couple's trip allows for them to get to know each other quickly. I really enjoyed this!
July 4, 2016
I had previously read this story when it appeared in a collection of stories about the Duke of Danby. I must confess that this book holds a special place in my heart since its main character, Mary, was named after my mother.
Once again the Duke of Danby is using the Christmas holidays to embark on his match-meddling plans. He is currently working on his grand-nieces and nephews. In this story, his grand-nephew Benjamin Storm, Earl of Kensley has been summoned to the castle. When the convinces the Duke that he is working on finding his own wife, the Duke sends him on an errand to bring back a shipment of whiskey from Scotland.
Mary Grant Soares, sister to the Earl of Brachton is in Scotland trying to figure out how to deliver the Duke's whiskey order. There are no men to make the delivery so she dresses as a boy and decided to deliver it herself. On the road her wagon breaks a wheel and she is forced to hope someone will come along to help. Guess who shows up - Ben (of course). He sends his driver and footman on to the next town to get help to fix the wagon but Ben and Maryn (aka Mary) are forced to camp out overnight. When Ben accidentally finds out that Maryn is a girl (woman) he is overjoyed. There is an attraction between them that they both try to resist.
Over the next 2 days on the road they get to know each other better and he finds that Mary had followed the drum and was at Waterloo. Even more of a coincidence, she knew his brother Nate. Ben had been thinking of asking her to marry him but now he was sure that she must really be in love with his brother.
True to form, when they arrive at the castle, the Duke's plans for Mary's marriage are unveiled and who should be there when they arrive but Nate himself. Will Mary marry Nate, or Ben, or return to Scotland to live out her live alone. Jane Charles does a wonderful job of wrapping up all the loose ends to provide a satisfactory happily ever after.
Once again the Duke of Danby is using the Christmas holidays to embark on his match-meddling plans. He is currently working on his grand-nieces and nephews. In this story, his grand-nephew Benjamin Storm, Earl of Kensley has been summoned to the castle. When the convinces the Duke that he is working on finding his own wife, the Duke sends him on an errand to bring back a shipment of whiskey from Scotland.
Mary Grant Soares, sister to the Earl of Brachton is in Scotland trying to figure out how to deliver the Duke's whiskey order. There are no men to make the delivery so she dresses as a boy and decided to deliver it herself. On the road her wagon breaks a wheel and she is forced to hope someone will come along to help. Guess who shows up - Ben (of course). He sends his driver and footman on to the next town to get help to fix the wagon but Ben and Maryn (aka Mary) are forced to camp out overnight. When Ben accidentally finds out that Maryn is a girl (woman) he is overjoyed. There is an attraction between them that they both try to resist.
Over the next 2 days on the road they get to know each other better and he finds that Mary had followed the drum and was at Waterloo. Even more of a coincidence, she knew his brother Nate. Ben had been thinking of asking her to marry him but now he was sure that she must really be in love with his brother.
True to form, when they arrive at the castle, the Duke's plans for Mary's marriage are unveiled and who should be there when they arrive but Nate himself. Will Mary marry Nate, or Ben, or return to Scotland to live out her live alone. Jane Charles does a wonderful job of wrapping up all the loose ends to provide a satisfactory happily ever after.
November 21, 2016
Benjamin Storm, Earl of Kenley, breathes a sigh of relief when his summons from the Duke of Danby has nothing to do with matrimony or a stack of special licenses. Instead, his uncle just needs Benjamin to travel to Scotland and procure his missing whisky shipment in time for his holiday festivities
Mary Soares widowed sister of Lachlan Grant, Marquess of Brachton is the only one able to deliver the Duke of Danby’s whisky. Ben & Mary meet along the route as Mary’s wagon has suffered a broken wheel. A lovely short story, very different in that Ben isn’t a rake but quite the reverse. Hope there are more ‘Storm’ stories to come
Mary Soares widowed sister of Lachlan Grant, Marquess of Brachton is the only one able to deliver the Duke of Danby’s whisky. Ben & Mary meet along the route as Mary’s wagon has suffered a broken wheel. A lovely short story, very different in that Ben isn’t a rake but quite the reverse. Hope there are more ‘Storm’ stories to come
November 28, 2016
Whiskey smuggling and love
This is a very short, sweet, innocent story about a young war widow and a young Englishman. There is a sneaky Duke slowly marrying his family off. It doesn't hurt that he will now be related to the family that makes his whiskey. The characters were fun and the story interesting.
This is a very short, sweet, innocent story about a young war widow and a young Englishman. There is a sneaky Duke slowly marrying his family off. It doesn't hurt that he will now be related to the family that makes his whiskey. The characters were fun and the story interesting.
November 26, 2016
A perfectly lovely story!
I fell in love with Mary and Ben right away. Their story is just the right amount of love, misunderstanding, and crossed wires with a happily ever after. A good clean romance worthy of 5 stars!
I fell in love with Mary and Ben right away. Their story is just the right amount of love, misunderstanding, and crossed wires with a happily ever after. A good clean romance worthy of 5 stars!
November 29, 2016
Great story
The story was great, even though it was way to short. It had an unusual storyline filled with humor and so worth the read. It was heart wrenching because of the way she was treated by the ones who loved her best.
d
The story was great, even though it was way to short. It had an unusual storyline filled with humor and so worth the read. It was heart wrenching because of the way she was treated by the ones who loved her best.
d
March 29, 2020
Mary and Benjamin -
December 1, 2016
Whiskey Love
Great little love story. A controlling Duke for an uncle, whiskey smuggling and filled with humor. Short, sweet and to the point ~
Great little love story. A controlling Duke for an uncle, whiskey smuggling and filled with humor. Short, sweet and to the point ~
December 11, 2016
Phenomenal
I have read any number of recency romance stories, but I can truly state that I find this story and this author quite unique. LOVE IT! I hope Nate's story is next.
I have read any number of recency romance stories, but I can truly state that I find this story and this author quite unique. LOVE IT! I hope Nate's story is next.
December 12, 2016
A fun and clever romance with a spirited heroine. Gives an interesting twist to who's the hero.
December 14, 2025
The Duke of Danny is at his matchmaking schemes again. This time involving the Storm family.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews