Scandal At The Christmas Ball: A Governess for Christmas / Dancing with the Duke's Heir

by Marguerite Kaye, Bronwyn Scott

Twelve days of Christmas, two Regency love affairs, one scandalous house party!

A GOVERNESS FOR CHRISTMAS by Marguerite Kaye

At the glittering Brockmore house party, former army major Drummond MacIntosh meets governess in disgrace, Joanna Forsythe, who’s desperate to clear her name. Both are eager to put their pasts behind them, but their scandalous affair will make for a very different future…

DANCING WITH THE DUKE'S HEIR by Bronwyn Scott

Heir to the Dukedom, Vale Penrith, does not want a wife, and certainly not one like Lady Viola Hawthorne. So why does London’s Shocking Beauty tempt him beyond reason? Dare he try and tame her, or is a Christmas seduction the best way to bring her to surrender…?

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Christmas, Anthologies, Holiday, Regency, Holiday Romance

369 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 20, 2017

About the author

Marguerite Kaye is a prolific historical romance author hailing from Argyll’s West Coast. She is a voracious consumer of books, Scotland’s world-class larder, and the occasional cocktail.

Find out more on her website at www.margueritekaye.com

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Reviews

[Georgie-who-is-Sarah-Drew · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's a real problem in HRs - should an author stick faithfully to the realities of their period, however off-putting? Or should the background be massaged to appeal to a more modern audience?

For once, I think Marguerite Kaye gets the balance wrong. In AGfC, both MCs have period appropriate back-stories (Drummond's is particularly poignant), and are kept apart by the social expectations of the day. The emotional depth of the relationship is affecting: the MCs are a pleasant couple. So far so historically accurate (for a given value of isn't it amazing how often in HR over-looked governesses turn out to be extremely good-looking when looked over assessingly).

But within a couple of hours of meeting, it's all "Call me Drummond" as if the MCs had met in a pub over a pint. By the 20% mark, things have heated up very fast indeed.

‘I find it very hard to think of anything but kissing you.’
‘Only think? I thought you were a man of action.’ She smiled at him, and that smile heated his blood beneath the icy cold of his exposed skin. ‘There is nothing to think about, Drummond, for this is not real, and no one will ever know.'

Miraculously the others in the house party the MCs are attending melt conveniently into the background; chaperones are nowhere to be seen; pregnancy is never mentioned. There's a thoroughly C21st feeling to the whole thing.

So all the time I was reading, I was conscious of the tension between the C19th plot line and the C21st behaviour. If the MCs can have an affair without anyone raising much of an eyebrow, why can't they just get married and continue to ignore Society's whispers? Drummond is financially independent - he has a small estate that is in "fine fettle", so there appear to be no financial impediments to their marriage, anyway.

I am, I suspect, unreasonably biased against the novella, because that initial "Call me Drummond" grated disproportionately. YMMV.

[Carol Cork *Young at Heart Oldie* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last year, I read and very much enjoyed Scandal at the Midsummer Ball, the previous collaboration between Marguerite Kaye and Bronwyn Scott. Once again, the country estate of the Duke and Duchess of Brockmore, forms the backdrop for both stories. The couple is holding their prestigious Christmas house party culminating in the Christmas Ball on Twelfth Night. Unlike their Midsummer House Party, this is not a matchmaking event, but it seems that cupid’s arrow can strike the most improbable couples at any time.


REVIEW OF A GOVERNESS FOR CHRISTMAS BY MARGUERITE KAYE

Three and a half years ago, army major, Drummond MacIntosh, was cashiered from the army for refusing to follow a direct order. Shunned by society, he has been forced to lead a purposeless existence until the Duke of Wellington approaches Drummond to say that he wants him to serve as his aide. This would give Drummond the opportunity to forge a new life, but first he must attend the Brockmore Christmas festivities and impress his hosts enough to earn their patronage. It is well-known that the Duke and Duchess have great influence over society… where the Duke and Duchess of Brockmore lead, all of society follows. Their support would be instrumental in repairing his damaged reputation and smoothing his way back into society.

Joanna Forsythe was employed as governess to the eldest daughter of Lady Christina Robertson until wrongly accused of theft and dismissed on the spot. Lady Robertson did not inform the authorities in view of Joanna’s previously unsullied reputation. However, with her reputation now in tatters, no respectable school will employ her, and she is forced to take a post which provides only bed and board and where she is treated as little more than a drudge when she isn’t teaching. Knowing that the Duchess of Brockmore is a close friend of Lady Christina’s, when Joanna receives an invitation to the house party, she believes that the real thief will confess, thereby establishing Joanna’s innocence and restoring her reputation. Instead, Lady Christina tries to buy her off with financial recompense for the loss of her reputation and the offer of a new position.

Often it is difficult for an author to create characters with any real depth and a believable romance within the constraints of a novella, but I feel that Ms. Kaye does this admirably.

When Drummond and Joanna first meet, they talk and share confidences, discovering that they are each looking for a fresh start, and I felt a genuine affinity between them which made the budding romance believable. Drummond is a man of principle and I admire him for choosing to follow his conscience, knowing full well the consequences of his actions. I love Joanna’s selflessness in her determination that Drummond should not jeopardise his opportunities for her sake.

They share some passionate interludes but there seems no future for them because neither can afford to have any further scandal attached to their name. Ms. Kaye conveys their longing for something they cannot have so well, and I really wanted them to find a way to be together. It takes some soul-searching before a Happy Ever After is within their grasp, although they are fully aware that their life won’t be all plain sailing, but I felt as Drummond does…

“I can’t help but feeling absolutely sure that together we can do anything we want.”


REVIEW RATING: 4/5 STARS



REVIEW OF DANCING WITH THE DUKE’S HEIR BY BROWEN SCOTT

Following the death of his father and older brother four years ago, Vale Penrith, the Duke of Brockmore’s nephew, had become the duke’s sole heir. It is a position he didn’t want and one he feels ill-fitted for.

He was a politician by conscience when the occasion demanded it, an anthropologist by choice. He was not a duke.

He has shut himself off from the world since losing his father and brother, preferring to spend his days in his library – reading, researching or writing. However, Vale has no choice but to accompany his mother to his uncle and aunt’s annual Christmas house party and knowing his uncle’s notorious reputation for matchmaking at such events, he is sure that the duke has already selected a suitable lady for him. Vale certainly has no immediate plans to marry but, when he does, it will be to a lady of his own choice.

Independently minded Lady Viola Hawthorne has no desire to marry, a state she considers nothing more than enslavement to the whims of a man. She dreams of travelling the Continent and studying music in Vienna, where she believes a woman can enjoy greater freedoms. To achieve her dreams, she has indulged in the most scandalous behaviour, earning her the title ‘London’s Shocking Beauty’, thereby discouraging any would-be suitors. However, Viola’s parents refuse to give up hope of their daughter finding a husband, and their hopes are raised when an invitation to attend the Duke and Duchess of Brockmore’s Christmas house party arrives. Having already had three seasons with no husband in sight, Viola knows that, if she can sustain her outrageous behaviour for one more season, she will be officially ‘on the shelf’ and able to pursue her dreams.

This was the last year she had to maintain her reputation. After this Season, she’d be a candidate for the shelf—out three Seasons and no husband in sight. She could get on with her dreams.

I like Vale (whoever decided that was a suitable Regency gentleman’s name ) and could sympathise with his feelings of loss, sorrow and guilt following the tragic death of his father and brother. He had been thrown into a role that he neither expected nor wanted and felt inadequate to fulfil, and he has dealt with it by closing himself off from everyone. There is a particularly poignant scene where his uncle hugs him which conveys Vale’s emotional vulnerability.

“My boy, it is good to see you,” he said simply before wrapping him in his arms. For just a minute, he wasn’t the heir, but simply a beloved nephew and this man was not the mighty Brockmore, a powerful duke, but his uncle, his father’s older brother, a living link to the man he’d lost. And Vale savoured it.

Generally, I love unconventional, outspoken heroines, but I just didn’t like Viola. While I understood her desire to be independent and pursue her dreams, her outrageous behaviour – the casual sex, drinking, smoking and playing billiards alone in the company of several men – seemed totally unrealistic. She behaved more like a member of the demimonde than a duke’s daughter!

I know opposites attract but the idea of Vale falling for someone like Viola stretched credulity a little too far for me. It is only towards the end of the story that Viola shows some redeeming qualities, but this felt too contrived and didn’t really convince me that these two were meant for each other.

REVIEW RATING: 3/5 STARS


General Thoughts

Once again, there is a lovely Epilogue, courtesy of the Marcus and Alicia, the Duke and Duchess of Brockmore and I hope, at some point, they will have their own story. I would love to know how they met and fell in love, especially as Marcus tells Vale he had proposed to Alicia twice and she had refused him each time. I also like how Marcus really cares for his nephew and only wants to help him rediscover a zest for living again.

MY VERDICT: Marguerite Kaye always delivers a well-written and emotionally satisfying love story. Although I found Bronwyn Scott’s story disappointing, I very much enjoyed the one in SCANDAL AT THE MIDSUMMER and will certainly be reading more of her books.



<>**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the authors in return for an honest review

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scandal at the Christmas Ball is the second collaboration between historical romance authors Marguerite Kaye and Bronwyn Scott, and, like their previous work, Scandal at the Midsummer Ball: The Officer's Temptation\The Debutante's Awakening, takes place at the country estate of the Duke and Duchess of Brockmore, a widely liked, respected and highly influential couple who are regarded as powerbrokers within the ton and whose invitations are much sought after.

Among their guests this Yuletide are the duke’s nephew and heir, Vale Penrith, Lady Viola Hawthorne, a shockingly fast young woman who goes out of her way to do and say outrageous things, and a former officer of the Scots Guards, Drummond MacIntosh, whose army career ended somewhat ignominiously three years earlier, just after the Battle of Waterloo.



A Governess for Christmas by Marguerite Kaye (Grade: B+)

Ms. Kaye is one of the few authors of historical romance who regularly writes about untitled, non-aristocratic progatonists, and she continues that trend in this poignant, tender and sometimes heart-wrenching story about an ex-army officer and an ill-treated, down-on-her-luck governess who find each other one Christmas but who will face some difficult choices if they are ever to make a life together.

Drummond MacIntosh has lived a somewhat reclusive existence for the past three-and-a-half years owing to the huge scandal that attended his catastrophic fall from grace.  With his reputation in tatters, he has finally accepted that he needs help if he is ever going to claw his way back from ruin and carve out a new and useful existence.  No less a personage than the Duke of Wellington himself arranged Drummond’s invitation to the Brockmores' Christmas house party, but as Drummond wryly notes, the Duke wouldn’t have done such a thing if it hadn’t been ultimately useful to himself; he needs a man of Drummond’s good sense, practicality and ability to lead men at his back and is presenting Drummond to Brockmore “for inspection” as it were.  The whole thing leaves a bitter taste in Drummond’s mouth; he doesn’t want to be beholden to Wellington (or to anyone) and certainly not on terms which attempt to brush years of exile under the carpet and blame Drummond for acting as his conscience dictated.

Drummond’s situation is mirrored by that of Miss Joanna Forsythe, a governess who has been invited to the party so she can meet a prospective employer.  Joanna had a comfortable position in the household of Lady Christina Robertson, but has been reduced to teaching at a ramshackle school in return for her bed and board, after she was wrongly accused of theft and dismissed without a character. Like Drummond, she has been invited to the Brockmores with a view to improving her situation, but also like him, the hoped for “improvement” falls short.  Joanna had hoped for an apology after her innocence was discovered and the real culprit owned up. But instead, her former employer wants to buy her off by the offer of an excellent new position and a sum of money.

Even before they know of the similarities of their respective situations, Drummond and Joanna are strongly drawn to each other and very soon find themselves exchanging confidences… and increasingly heated kisses.  I admit that the pair progresses to this stage rather quickly but Ms. Kaye creates such a strong emotional connection between them, and imbues their burgeoning relationship with such depth and longing that it’s possible to overlook its somewhat speedy beginning.  This is a pair of ordinary people in very difficult circumstances who demonstrate the importance of a spotless reputation to those who had to earn their living, for without it, there was little to no chance of their ever securing decent employment. But with Drummond on the verge of a prestigious appointment and a return from the cold, how can Joanna – and her tarnished reputation – stand in his way?

This is a beautifully wrought, heartfelt romance between two people in difficult circumstances.  I was completely gripped by Drummond’s story and applaud Ms. Kaye for the introduction of a character motivated by compassion whose actions were so misunderstood and reviled.  He’s not a character-type I’ve read in historical romance before, and I could be singing the author’s praises for that alone.  But added to a very well-crafted romance and a strong, determined heroine in the form of Joanna, A Governess for Christmas  makes my list of favourite seasonal reads.



Dancing with the Duke’s Heir by Bronwyn Scott (Grade: C)

In this story, a rather proper gentleman finds himself reluctantly fascinated by the most unsuitable sort of woman he could ever have imagined would attract him.  Vale Penrith, heir to the Duke of Brockmore, has still not recovered from the deaths of his father and older brother some years ago, and continues to find his role as a ducal heir somewhat ill-fitting.  He really would prefer to be left to his own devices in the library, but knows he will have to do his bit and take part in the various activities planned for the duration of the party.  He is also aware that while the Brockmores’ Christmas parties don’t have the same match-making reputation as their summer affairs, his uncle has a prospective bride lined up for him – something else he doesn’t want anything to do with.

Lady Viola Hawthorne, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Calton, is a determined, high-spirited woman whose deepest desire is to go to Vienna to study music.  “The Shocking Beauty” as she is known, has quite the scandalous reputation, all of it designed to put off any suitors so she can remain unwed and pursue her dreams of Vienna and a musical career.  She reckons that one final, massive scandal at the Brockmores’ party should do the trick once and for all and cause her parents to give up on their attempts to marry her off.  Hence her decision to climb a ladder to hang mistletoe from a chandelier in the hall while wearing no underwear; perched at the top, affording the crowd of young men below a glimpse of her ankles (and possibly other things besides) she manages to achieve her end just before the ladder wobbles and she falls – literally – into the arms of Vale Penrith, who is appalled and annoyed at such reckless, outrageous behaviour.

Viola likes what she sees, but Penrith, while gorgeous, is a stuffed shirt and not at all the sort of man she’d be interested in.  But when her friend, Lady Anne, tells Viola that her parents are trying to arrange a match with Penrith while she – Anne – is in love with someone else, Viola agrees to help her out by providing a distraction.  The problem is that she finds herself being distracted by Vale – who is not at all the cold fish she had first imagined – as much as he is distracted by her, and the more time they spend together, the more they discover about what lies behind their social masks and the more they are drawn together.

I have to say straight off that I really didn’t care for Viola in this story.  I admired her desire to forge her own path in her life, but her methods – which are, basically, to shock as many people as often as possible - are childish, and she behaves more like a mistress or courtesan than a duke’s daughter, drinking spirits, smoking and playing billiards with the men.  I’m sure not all young ladies at this time were as pure and virginal as fiction would have us believe, but Viola goes a little too far in the opposite direction for my taste.  Vale is much more likeable, but because I disliked the heroine, it was difficult to understand what he saw in her beyond the physical and I found it difficult to believe that two people possessed of such opposing personality types could forge a lasting relationship.

If you're more tolerant of the spoiled and outrageous type of heroine than I am, this story might work better for you than it did for me.



Ultimately, Scandal at the Christmas Ball is something of an uneven read, but is worth it for the Kaye story alone.

[Monique Takens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marguerite Kaye 4 sterren , Bronwyn Scott 2 sterren .

[AnnMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Governess for Christmas by Marguerite Kaye

I adore Marguerite Kaye novels, they are always so uplifting, moreso when they are set at Christmas time as this book is.

Brockmore house parties in the summer are known as matchmaking events by the Brockmores. Drummond Mackintosh, a former army major, had been invited to attend a Christmas house party there and hopes that it too won't be a matchmaking event. He is attending for one reason and one reason only, he needs to put his shameful past behind him. Brockmore's good word in the right ears will go a long way to making that happen.

Joanna Forsythe is attending the same house party for very similar reasons. She doesn't need help from Brockmore himself, but a person in attendance at the party might offer her employment, something that has been in short supply for her due to a scandal in her past.

Perhaps these two damaged souls naturally gravitated towards each other. There was definitely an instant attraction between Joanna and Drummond even before they knew each others' stories.

The story revolves around this wonderful couple, how happy they make each other and yet how they both know they have no future together. Two people with scandals to their names cannot make a fresh start unless they are beyond a shadow of a doubt good as gold. Something they can't be if they are known to be in a relationship with another scandalous person. Knowing they must part after the party they enjoy each day to the full, but how will they cope when the time comes to say goodbye.

As I mentioned earlier, this author's books are always so uplifting, and this one was no exception. The descriptions of the people, their clothing, the house and its surrounds were fabulous. It was so easy to be able to picture the scenes. The romance between our couple was warm and very passionate. It was so obvious that they were soul mates and I couldn't read the book fast enough to see how everything would end. I loved too, how the scandals they were both involved in were understandable and forgivable ones. I couldn't help but feel so sad for both of them, they definitely deserved their happy ending.
___________________________________________________________

Dancing with the Duke's Heir by Bronwyn Scott

Lady Viola Hawthorne is a very independent young woman, she doesn't want to get married, she wants to go to Vienna to play music, to have freedom and to not to have to answer to a husband. In order to obtain that freedom, she has made a reputation for herself. She is London's Shocking Beauty. Her parents despair of her and when they all are invited to the Brockmores' Christmas party Viola is determined to create a scandal. She is sure that one more scandal will see her parents give up on trying to marry her off, and they will let her go to Vienna.

Vale Penrith is the Brockmores' heir after losing both his father and his older brother a few years ago. He and his mother are attending the party and although this isn't supposed to be one of the Brockmores' infamous matchmaking parties, Vale knows that they have somebody lined up for him. He doesn't want to marry, and if he does, it won't be a marriage of convenience if he has any say in it.

When Vale first sees Viola she is on top of a ladder trying to hang some mistletoe, a crowd of young men supposedly helping to secure the ladder. But of course, they are helping themselves to the view of her uncovered ankles and maybe more up her skirts. Vale isn't impressed at all. Things change though when he gets to spend more time with her and it isn't long before they figure that some time spent alone could be fun if both keep in mind that neither wants a future together past the length of the party. The problem is, the more kisses and fondles that they share, and the more they get to know each other past the facade they put on to the public, the more they like each other. Neither can give up their plans though, so what will happen when they figure out that their like might just be love? Also, Viola is not the woman earmarked for Vale, so even if they did decide they wanted to be together, would they be allowed?

This was a great story. I was a little put-off, to begin with, at how sexually forward Viola was. She came across as more of a courtesan than a lady. It wasn't all for show either, as a lot of it happened in private with Vale. That said, I am sure that not all women in those days were the young innocent virgins that I quite often read about. So from being put-off, I moved onto finding it refreshing that Viola knew what she wanted and went for it. It also made for some very passionate scenes. Vale was a charming character, if a bit pompous, to begin with, but I loved both him and Viola by the end.

I voluntarily reviewed these two stories in an advanced readers' copy of this book.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Scandal at the Christmas Ball” - “A Governess for Christmas” by Marguerite Kaye and “Dancing with the Duke’s Heir” by Bronwyn Scott

“A Governess for Christmas”

Christmas Eve - 1818

Drummond MacIntosh has been invited to the home of the Duke and Duchess of Brockmore for a house party. Drummond had been ousted from society some years after being accused of a serious charge. Even his illustrious military career had been ignored. So, now it is the Duke of Wellington who got him the invitation to the party. Now, Wellington may be needing his help with a special assignment. If Drummond succeeds in impressing his hosts, he will be given a second chance.

Drummond meets Mr. Edward Throckmorton who tells him who the different guests are. He confides in Drummond that he is the illegitimate son of the Duke of Brockmore and that he is hoping for a career in politics.

In search of a few moments of solitude, Drummond slips into an empty and quiet room only to find it already occupied by Miss Joanna Forsythe who, like Drummond, is also seeking solitude. It appears that Joanna had caused some trouble in the past and is there to show that she has atoned for it. She is a teacher at a school for girls.

As the days of the party pass, Joanna and Drummond get to know one another, sharing confidences and acknowledging their mutual attraction. But as both are on different paths in life, how can they ever be together?

This is a great story that shows the lengths people will go to make up for wrongs they have done in the past. I liked the characters but I can honestly say that now I am convinced that the Duke of Wellington is NOT a hero. Shame on him.


“Dancing with the Duke’s Heir”

Christmas Eve - 1818

Vale Penrith and his widowed mother, Margot Penrith, have just arrived at Brockmore. Both are in mourning for Margot’s husband and her son. Vale’s aunt and uncle are the Duke and Duchess of Brockmore and they are hosting a large house party. Vale is the heir to the Duke. Vale’s interest is anthropology and he prefers enmeshing himself in his books instead of mingling in society. However, he is at the party and must participate.

Lady Viola Hawthorne, 21, and the daughter of the Duke of Calton, is also at the party and proving herself yet again to be a rather brazen daredevil as she helps with the decorations. A feisty young woman, she allows herself to fall off a ladder into the arms of Vale who proceeds to berate her for being so foolish. Her parents want her to marry but she wants to be free to do what she wants in life. She does not want to be paired off with anyone so she just acts even more scandalous. She also thinks that Vale is just too perfect with no personality.

At dinner, Vale and Viola are seated next to one another sniping away which leaves her furious. Her friend, Anne, confides that the Duke is trying to match her up with Vale, but she is just not interested in him. So, she asks Viola to distract him. She agrees hoping to use this as a way to get away from this husband-hunting house party and on to what she wants to do.

I did not care for Viola at all and didn’t find any redeeming features in her. Vale is a bit of a cold fish. However, I’m sure that other readers will enjoy the story more than I did and will be rooting for them to become a couple.

Copy provided by the authors in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Gwessie Tee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naughtiness 3*

Wow cannot do justice to these awesome books but is a start, I as always utterly loved them both, I've been a fan of Margeurite and Bronwyns books for years both are truly outstanding authors and I know I'll love a book purely if they are the authors, they have never ever disappointed me, and I've always loved every single one I've read these new titles included.

As always I will not give spoilers but what I will say is, that any who love to be utterly captivated and gripped within in pages all the way to the end, either heros and heroines you can relate and root for as well as love triumphing then my friends you will love these, aswell as what could be more magical than romance at Christmas. Truly epic reads.

Thank you Lady Margeurite and Lady Bronwyn for the honour of reading these beautiful books you've written magnificently.

[Shannon]

RITA finalist is Dancing with the Duke's Heir by Bronwyn Scott

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

A Governess for Christmas - Marguerite Kaye - 2.5 /5 - Both Drummond and Joanna have been invited to the Brockmore Christmas House Party in order to get their place back in society. Drummond was cashiered out of the military and needs to show the Duke of Brockmore that he’s ready to follow orders and Joanna was a governess accused of theft, who is being offered a position and compensation (for her silence). Unfortunately, in order to achieve this, neither can afford a scandal, and also unfortunately, being together as the two increasingly seem to want to be, would mean the loss of that status all over again. If they want a future, Drummond and Joanna will have to let love take precedence over security and position in society.

This was just okay and was actually at parts, kinda boring. The beginning most definitely dragged for me and I can’t figure why. Maybe I wasn’t feeling the emotion and passion from the characters, because it kinda just felt like I was following them through their day without actually engaging with either of them. And their chemistry wasn’t much initially either...and I don’t think the unfinished kissing/love scenes were helping. This engaged my emotions a bit later in when Joanna realizes she needs to leave for Drummond’s sake and things start getting a bit more angsty, but it was a struggle to get to that point. The ending was pretty nice though.

Dancing with the Duke’s Heir - Bronwyn Scott - 2 /5 - Vale Penrith is the heir of his uncle, the Duke of Brockmore and is visiting at Christmas (and expects to be the victim of matchmaking). But Vale doesn’t go for the woman his uncle chose, he’s intrigued by Viola Hawthorne, the daughter of a duke with a rather scandalous reputation. She’s been acting out for years, trying to get her parents to abandon their own matchmaking plans and to avoid the trap that is matrimony. But Vale changes something in her and, although she’s still set on her dreams, she’s no longer sure that she wants to leave the party and she’s risking actual compromise and being forced into marriage by staying around the man she’s fallingin love with.

Sorry to be in the minority here. I did not like Viola. And to explain, I should also mention that I do not like game players - contemporary or historical, game players piss me off. Viola is a game player. She approaches people as a means to and end, pawns to be manipulated in a game to get what she wants from her parents. And so, all her actions are of the type where the means justify the ends. She turns interactions into games of oneupsmanship - especially against Vale (like the billiards room scene which, while sexy, was devoid of any emotional attachment and just felt like a cheap interaction...though supposedly Viola was affected by it...but I didn’t feel it from her). I suppose Viola could have been more likeable if we’d seen the vulnerability and her reasons for her actions from the start. If we’d been able to see that the woman we’re introduced to, who bristles at the idea of the attention she was seeking being stolen by the hero, wasn’t really that kind of person. Nor are the reasons for that behavior really all that established. She wants to go to Vienna to study music and have freedom, but we don’t get the sense that she’s miserable with her parents, that music is her life or that she’s even done anything to attempt to achieve those goals. Instead, she’s just a spoiled, selfish woman. And if it’s marriage she’s trying so desperately to avoid, I can’t understand why she hangs out with men unchaperoned and takes sexual risks, which to my mind would increase her chances of ending up compromised (or even pregnant) and then forced into marriage. She didn’t really make sense.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've liked works by both these authors before, but I didn't care for these. Kaye's felt weirdly disjointed to me. Scenes and chapters just kind of ended with no resolution and made the story feel abrupt and things a bit undeveloped. Their first kiss was essentially just "and then he kissed her," end of scene, next scene starts somewhere entirely different. For a first kiss scene especially, I expect there to be more. I want the emotions and the physical sensations. "They kissed" barely belongs in the first draft, let alone the published version, and stuff like that happens a few more times, including during one of the sex scenes. I enjoyed the characters and their romance, but the poor writing and failure to resolve scenes really ruined my enjoyment of the story. In Scott's story, I didn't care for the heroine. She just felt too unrealistic, and duke's daughter or no, she probably would have been driven out of society long before this point. I also find it hard to believe that she could have so easily had two affairs without consequences. Maybe if they had been servants, but both would have been suitable enough, if not good, matches, but neither wanted to try and force a marriage? And if she was so concerned about not getting married, why was she constantly acting in ways that could have seen her forced to marry someone? The writing was very good, and I liked the hero, but Viola felt immature, and she isn't really the type of heroine I care for.

[Feel The Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recensione a cura di NoOne per Feel the Book
Adoro l’atmosfera che si ritrova nei libri Regency, soprattutto quando sono ambientati durante il periodo delle feste natalizie. Leggere questo genere di romanzi è un po’ il mio modo di festeggiare il Natale, di rilassarmi, perdendomi tra le pagine di queste splendide storie, sognando a occhi aperti.
“Scandal at the Christmas Ball” è stata un’ottima scelta.
È un’antologia che contiene al suo interno due racconti scritti da due autrici diverse, Marguerite Kaye e Bronwyn Scott, che già in precedenza avevano collaborato in “Scandal at The Midsummer Ball”.
Anche queste nuove storie hanno un’ambientazione simile alla precedente: i protagonisti sono ospiti del Duca e della Duchessa di Brockmore, una splendida coppia che durante il periodo delle feste natalizie ama organizzare balli favolosi presso la loro dimora, a cui tutti vorrebbero essere invitati. Amo questa coppia e mi piace che siano loro a fare un po’ da filo conduttore tra queste antologie. Il Duca e sua moglie si amano e il loro più grande desiderio è quello di poter dare agli altri la possibilità di trovare “quella” persona speciale in grado di trasformare la loro vita. Sono sempre molto selettivi nei loro inviti, amano creare un po’ un “gioco delle coppie”, basandosi sulle loro intuizioni, cercando di dare vita all’occasione per far scoccare la scintilla tra i loro ospiti.
Marguerite Kaye e Bronwyn Scott hanno un modo diverso di scrivere, costruire e caratterizzare i protagonisti dei loro racconti, ma insieme riescono a creare un giusto equilibrio nel romanzo.
Il primo racconto si intitola “A Governess for Christmas” di Marguerite Kaye, in cui incontriamo Joanna Forsythe, una giovane governante, coinvolta in precedenza in uno scandalo, che le ha tolto la possibilità di trovare una nuova sistemazione. L’altro protagonista è Drummond MacIntosh, un militare costretto ad abbandonare la sua carriera, dopo essere congedato con disonore. Partecipare a questo ballo potrebbe essere per loro l’occasione per ripartire da zero, mettendosi tutto alle spalle, ma ancora una volta si trovano davanti a una scelta difficile. I sentimenti e l’attrazione che provano uno per l’altra potrebbe ostacolare la loro possibilità di farsi accettare nuovamente nei circoli della gente che conta. Gli errori del passato e quello che hanno sofferto però fa nascere tra di loro un legame immediato, pieno di passione, ma anche di comprensione, complicità e rispetto.
Nonostante sia un racconto breve Drummond e Joanna sono dei personaggi di spessore, capaci di coinvolgere e conquistare il lettore, mentre si trovano ad affrontare dubbi e incertezze, che nascono dai conflitti tra ragione e cuore.

Il secondo racconto “The Duke’s Heir” di Bronwyn Scott è forse più leggero nei suoi contenuti, ma molto carino e coinvolgente, con due protagonisti che invece sono esattamente l’opposto l’uno dell’altro. Vale, erede del Duca di Brockmore, riservato, sobrio, razionale e Viola, una giovane nobildonna che pur di conquistare la sua libertà – liberandosi dai piani dei genitori di farle sposare il miglior partito sulla piazza – adotta una condotta scandalosa negli ambienti dell’Alta Società, per rendersi persona “non gradita”.
Vale e Viola sono gli opposti che si attraggono, e solo una personalità forte, brillante e indomita come quella di Viola è in grado di penetrare l’armatura che Vale ha costruito intorno a se stesso, dopo la scomparsa dei suoi cari. Lo irrita, lo punzecchia, lo sfida, portando alla superficie delle emozioni e reazioni che lui ha sempre tentato di tenere a freno.

Come ho detto queste due autrici hanno un modo profondamente diverso di scrivere le loro storie, ma mi piacciono entrambe e se vi piace leggere questo genere di romanzi ve le consiglio ed è forse uno dei modi migliori per iniziare a conoscerle.

Editing a cura di Lilith per Feel the Book

[Frankie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming, feel good season treat that I did hugely enjoy, in each of the stories you can get a real sense of each of the individual authors writing style. I have read and hugely enjoyed Ms Scott’s work and I was really looking forward to reading her collaboration with Ms Kaye, whom I haven’t had the privilege of reading before now, but judging by this I will be reading more from her.
Each story is strong, and rich in Christmas cheer, the characters are well-defined – even those that I didn’t like were strong, the two stories separately are warming and charming and once put together and you see the different characters moving from one story to the next it really comes alive. I do really like that concept, of two completely different stories that are linked by the characters that move about so seamlessly through the two stories, it really is as though you are at the Brockmore house party and you are seeing all these shenanigan’s going on. I really like how seamlessly the characters jump from on story to the next, the two stories complement one and other.
I do have to say for me the thing I didn’t like was a particular heiress, who I found extremely irritating and personally I’m not sure what such good man like Vale Penrith sees in her, she is a petulant and spoiled little miss who is childish and from the moment we met her; showing of as usual, I’m afraid I did take an instant dislike to her. I do think that Viola did let this book down ever so slightly, and she really didn’t deserve a quiet, intellectual man like Vale Penrith fawning over her. It’s a charming and feel good book with two highly likable and entertaining stories.
Very much recommended!

[Trudy Miner · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this duet of books by Marguerite Kaye and Bronwyn Scott, the reader is invited to the famous Brockmore house Christmas party where two couples will find love despite the scandal in their lives.

"A Governess for Christmas" by Marguerite Kaye: disgraced Army major Drummond MacIntosh meets equally disgraced governess Joanna Forsythe who is trying to clear her name of from being falsely accused of stealing. Drummond was summoned by the Duke of Wellington to restore his name also. Neither can afford to fall in love but cupid had other ideas. Will they still be able to clear their names? I really enjoyed this Christmas story!

"Dancing with the Duke's Heir" by Bronwyn Scott: Vale Penrith is the heir to a dukedom upon the death of his older brother but he'd rather bury his head in his books. Lady Viola Hawthorne doesn't ever want to marry and determines to be as scandalous as possible until she's 21 years old and considered un-marriageable. When Viola tries her "Shocking Beauty" scheme on Penrith he's tempted beyond reason and sets out to tame her. Fate steps in and love prevails. This is also a good story a la Taming of the Shrew.

I was given this book by the author for an honest review and I have tried to do that.

[Lisa Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give the two stories combined a 3.7, not a 4.0.
Marguerite Kaye struck a fine chord with "A Governess for Christmas." I thoroughly adored Major Drummond MacIntosh and became quite fond of Joanna Forsythe. His tale of refusal in executing a coward during the war had me deeply in tears while I was reading. I am a sucker for a man in a uniform.

Bronwyn Scott's "Dancing with the Duke's Heir" was not as enjoyable. It had nothing to do with Ms. Scott's writing. I have read several of her pieces and have always enjoyed them. I just could not build up sympathy for Lady Viola Hawthorne. I did not care one way or the other whether she was successful in her transformation to win Vale Penrith's heart. Ms. Scott was presented a challenge, for I hold many preconceived idea regarding my heroines. It is not her fault, but mine, but at my age, I know what I like and what I don't.

[Diane Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just a review of "Dancing with the Duke's Heir." It was a very well written story of a reluctant heir to a dukedom (on the death of his father and brother) and duke's daughter who uses outrageous behavior to keep suitors at bay. They shouldn't fit together as a couple, but their attraction is huge. They learn to know the real person each one keeps hidden and fall in love.

I really liked it. She was a little to sexually confident for my taste, but I completely believed in their connection with each other.

[Wednesday · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read for Christmas. Two stories about two different couples who meet at the same Christmas house party. The Duke and Duchess of Brockmore are renowned for throwing great parties that bring lonely people together in a sometimes not so subtle matchmaking game. All the characters were extremely likeable in these stories and the romances developed and matured at a good pace, inspite of the perceived obstacles to the characters ever making a good match. Really enjoyed the collaboration between these two authors.

[Cecilia Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both stories are set in 1818, during the Christmas holidays.
Kaye's story deals with second chances.
Scott's story draws inspiration from Shakespeare's: "Taming of the Shrew," however
the couple are not as violent. Scott's story is also steamier than Kaye's.

[Mairibeth MacMillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely festive duo that spanned not just Christmas but Hogmanay and on to Twelfth Night, so it’s perfect to curl up with any time during the holidays. I always enjoy seeing the characters in each story appearing briefly in the other author’s story.

[Cordelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply Loving

I so loved, Dancing with a Duke's Heir. Vale & Viola were simply marvelous. I was not expecting their story to be so loving and sexy. Keep the great stories coming Ms. Scott. Thank you.

[Milica]

Ugh. The first story is tolerable. The second one is just bad. There are linguistic anachronisms too which proves to be the only positive about this book as I have discovered one can report content errors while reading on Kindle. So there!

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much angst and not enough romance got Kaye's book. Scott's story was just plain silly and ridiculous.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both stories were a delight to read during the holidays to get into the Christmas spirit. As a fan of historical romance I would definitely recommend this dual treat for some pleasurable reading!

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading both stories in this anthology. Good historical Christmas romance.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two Christmassey stories, enjoyed them.

[Laur M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found at a Little Library, this was my first ever romantic novel. Though as formulaic as predicted, it wss fun and well written. It might be fun to write one some day.

[G · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didnt like the Bronwyn Scott story as much as Marguerite Kaye's. Frankly it was gratuitous sex scenes strung together with a few Christmas traditions.

[JoAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read my review on RomanceJunkies.com by clicking on the link below. It is also posted in full.

http://romancejunkies.com/reviews/sca...

I rated it 4.5 but rounded up to 5 on Goodreads and other sites.




SCANDAL AT THE CHRISTMAS BALL involves two historical novels written by two different authors that are connected by the Brockmore Manor House Party, its hosts and guests once again at its core. The book is set in England in the early 1800’s during the Twelve Days of Christmas. There are the same events, locations, and characters highlighted in both stories, but the stories have different characters front and center. I really like the cover. My only criticism is that Joanna and Drummond from A GOVERNESS FOR CHRISTMAS are almost non-existent in DANCING WITH THE DUKE’S HEIR.

Marguerite Kaye’s A GOVERNESS FOR CHRISTMAS has an odd mix of characters that need an introduction to society and are for the most part looking for a mate–even if they don’t realize it. There are a lot of interactions between the characters but Joanna, a governess with a scandal in her past, and Drummond, a disgraced former military figure, have immediate chemistry. Both need the Brockmore’s help in order to save face and get on with their lives, but neither one knows if that’s what they really want their next step to be. Watching them partake of some scandalous behavior was oftentimes fun and at other times had me shaking my head at the chances they would take.

The descriptions made me feel like I was there. I could smell the greens and the foods and also feel the cold from all the outdoor activities. The storylines intertwined nicely, and we got to know the various characters. The Christmas and holiday traditions were a nice touch as we learned what activities were planned for each day. There was a Scottish feel to the story, in part due to Drummond being Scottish. It was a nice addition since we learned of some of his traditions in addition to the English ones. There are a few twists and turns to the story with a happily-ever-after and nice closure.

http://www.margueritekaye.com

Bronwyn Scott’s DANCING WITH THE DUKE’S HEIR takes place during the same time period but has Viola, known as London’s Shocking Beauty, who has no interest in being shackled to a man through marriage, front and center. She’s definitely an independent woman who was born before her time, and her reputation precedes her! Vale is Brockmore’s nephew and his heir but has no interest in an arranged marriage. He wants it to be a love match, and even though he’s thirty he’s in no rush. When Viola and Vale meet, sparks fly. But they’re not all of the happy variety since he feels she’s not acting appropriately at all, especially by putting herself in danger. Vale actually scolds her. From there things really get interesting since neither of them are what they seem. They hide their true selves behind a facade. It was interesting to see Vale’s interactions with his uncle, the Duke of Brockmore, who was very serious at times but also all-knowing, which didn’t sit well with Vale at all.

The story was filled with a gamut of emotions: laughter, anger, sorrow. But most of all love, and there was a definite steaminess to the story. The epilogue tied up most of the loose ends and gave closure with many happily-ever-afters due to the pairings that came to be, some that even the Brockmores didn’t expect when they sent out their party invitations! I hope we get to return to Brockmore Manor many more times.

http://www.bronwynnscott.com/

Kaye is an author whose books I have enjoyed and always look forward to see what she writes next. Scott is a new-to-me author, having only read her story in SCANDAL AT THE MIDSUMMER BALL. I look forward to reading many more books written by both of them and hope they continue to collaborate. I also enjoyed the author note that they penned at the back of the book.

I rated it 4.5 but rounded up to 5 on Goodreads and other sites.

[Cinzia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the atmosphere I found reading Regency and Historical romance books, especially when they are set during the holiday seasons, this kind of novels is a bit my way to celebrate Christmas, to relax, getting lost in the pages of these wonderful stories, daydreaming.
"Scandal at The Christmas Ball" was the perfect choice.
It ‘s an anthology with two different stories written by two authors, Marguerite Kaye and Bronwyn Scott, who had previously collaborated also in "Scandal at The Midsummer Ball".
Even these new stories have a similar atmosphere to the previous one: the protagonists are guests of the Duke and of the Duchess of Brockmore, a wonderful couple who during the Christmas season loves to host an amazing ball and everyone want to attend this event. I love this couple, the love they share for each other end their bpnd and their complicity, they are also the thread of union between these anthologies. Their greatest desire is to give others the opportunity to find "that" special person who can change their lives. They are always very selective in their invitations, they love to create a "game of couples", based on their intuitions, trying to give life to the chance to start a new love story between their guests.
Marguerite Kaye and Bronwyn Scott have different ways of writing, building and characterizing the protagonists of their stories, but together they manage to create the right balance in the novel.
The first story is "A Governess for Christmas" by Marguerite Kaye, in which we meet Joanna Forsythe, a governess who was previously involved in a scandal that took away her chances of finding new accommodation and Drummond Macintosh, a soldier who was forced to abandon his career. Attending the ball could be their last opportunity to start anew, putting everything behind. But once again they must face a difficult choice: the feelings and attraction they feel for each other could put at risk their ability to get accepted again in the circles of the people that matter. Joanna and Drummond’s connection is strong, a mutual understanding because of their mistakes of the past and the things they have suffered. They care for each other and they can’t deny the attraction they feel.
Although it’s a short story, Drummond and Joanna’s characters are intense, engaging while they are facing doubts and uncertainties, which arise from the conflicts between reason and heart. I loved them-

The second story "The Duke's Heir" by Bronwyn Scott is very nice to read, with two protagonists who are exactly the opposite of each other. Vale, heir of the Duke,is reserved, sober, rational while Viola, a young noblewoman is restless and rebel. in order to conquer her freedom, freeing herself from the plans of her parents to marry Viola with the best catch, she adopts a scandalous conduct for the High Society.
Vale and Viola are the opposites that attract each other, and only a strong, brilliant and indomitable personality like Viola can get under Vale’s armor. She makes him mad, she pushes him, challenges him, bringing to the surface all the emotions and reactions he has always tried to keep in check. And he’s so full of passion and bossy…

As I said these two authors have different ways of writing their stories, but I love both of them and if you like reading this genre of novels I recommend “Scandal at the Christmas Ball”.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a advanced review copy of this book in return for a honest review. I give A Governess for Christmas fours stars, and Dancing with the Duke’s Heir between two and three stars.

Readers might find it interesting to read Scandal at the Midsummer Ball, an anthology by the same authors, but it is by no means necessary to have read that book first. It does have the same principal Duke and Duchess characters.

For the Governess novella I liked the hero and heroine Drummond and Joanna though sometimes the problems of their pasts became a little wearying. Drummond I suppose, has more concerns as his past is firmly linked to his profession and his reputation. Joanna too suffers for her reputation and profession, but this does not bring her danger of execution.

Both are tough characters, partly by circumstance. They are also wary of love and the Ball for them is about opportunities and redemption not about betrothals. I liked the satisfying conclusion to their romance which had just enough conflict to make the ending all the happier. It was also not too implausible due to their quite difficult circumstances. Although the story contained sensual scenes this added a level of sweetness that worked well for a Christmas book.

For the Duke’s Heir novella I’m afraid I did not really enjoy this story. This was mainly due to disliking the hero and heroine but mostly the heroine. The heroine in particular was implausible and the characters felt divorced from the rest of those attending the Ball. I was also irritated by americanisms particularly for the Duke.

Vale (who to me sounded liked a place) and Lady Viola are both privileged and in fact do not really need the Ball to secure their futures. It is their families that require their ducal connections to be furthered. I.e heirs and connections for their families.

In fact Vale at times was quite likeable when taking into consideration the loss of his family members. Viola felt selfish and silly. I could get behind her wanting independence especially in such a period. However her acknowledged several lovers and very frank sexual talk and experience was at odds with a romantic storyline. Vale did not even stop to wonder why Viola acted in such a way...and then they were a couple.

It was a shame the second novella let down the book but as a whole it is certainly a good, fast Christmas read for the holidays.