A Christmas Brothel: A Set of Canterbury Christmas Tales

by Ava Stone, Kate Pearce, Jane Charles

100% of Proceeds To Be Donated to TOYS FOR TOTS
It is a dark and snowy Christmas Eve and the roads are impassable. Canterbury’s inns are full, but the door of the local brothel stands open and Frau Klaus welcomes all who come seeking shelter. Gather with the stranded travelers around her Tannenbaum as they share secrets, holiday tales and stories of love.

Genres: Christmas, Historical Romance, Short Stories, Romance, Anthologies, Regency Romance, Historical Fiction

287 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 23, 2018

About the author

Ava Stone is a USA Today bestselling author of Regency historical romance and college age New Adult romance. Whether in the 19th Century or the 21st, her books explore deep themes but with a light touch. A single mother, Ava lives outside Raleigh NC, with her son and two black and white tuxedo kitty cats. She loves classic movies, researching history, and traveling whenever she gets the chance.

Feel free to visit her at www.avastoneauthor.com and www.desolatesun.com

Reviews

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hurry and get this fab Christmas box set!

It’s December 24 1814, in Canterbury, Kent. There’s a snowstorm, and the Klaus Haus – a brothel – has opened its doors to stranded travellers. Several of historical romance’s elite have banded together for a charitable cause, and doing so have given us a fabulous Christmas anthology. The stories are very, very loosely connected, and there are no difficulties when reading out of order.

BLAME IT ON THE MISTLETOE by Virginia Heath.
Lord Andrew Phillips has been charged by his friend Nathaniel to keep an eye on the latter’s younger sister, Lady Miranda Arcott. Drew is responsible, serious, but Miranda is not a little girl anymore; she is a young lady who has decided that Drew will acknowledge it once and for all. And a little mishap is just what Miranda needed! What a lovely, charming, delightful story! Both Drew and Miranda are utterly irresistible, and I had a smile on my lips the whole time watching this very engaging couple come together. This is a wonderful piece of fluff, wonderfully romantic and flirty, with such vibrant descriptions that I still can picture Miranda and her red dress. A delight! And I only wish it had been longer!


THE PIRATE’S YULETIDE HAVEN by Katherine Bone.
Cassia Beaugre Ransome is waiting for her husband Ansell – a pirate – at Klaus Haus; has he been captured? Katherine Bone is in fine form in this little pirate story, where she tells us a little bit about Christmas traditions, both German and British. It is absolutely lovely, and again too short!

I will not review each story individually, it would take too long, but the variety is certainly there and each and every one of them worth reading. K.C. Bateman has a lovely story about a Russian princess; Deb Marlowe delights us with a delectable tale of taffy and Welsh food; there’s a charming bit of Christmas magic, courtesy of Kate Pearce; a creative twist on an age-old story by Sandy Raven; a clever and entertaining Icelandic tale by Ava Stone, and so many more.

The stories are, for the most part, very short, and ideal for when you need a break during the Holidays, or when you crave some Christmas-themed historical romance. The premise is cute and clever; the secondary characters are beautifully drawn and remain unchanged throughout, which is a feat in itself; the writing is uniformly excellent, and the editing is professionally done. So, read a new story from a favourite author and discover new ones while you get in the mood for the Holidays. Happy Christmas!

[Patricia King · Rating 5 out of 5]

These short stories were sweet, light and just enough of cheer to brighten my day and to put me in the Christmas spirit. Madam Frau Klaus is the center character in all the readings in this book.

This review is for The Christmas Quarrel, by Annabelle Anders.
In this story, the heroine, Clarise appears to witness what looks like a kiss between her husband, Cornelius and another woman. Not able to bare his betrayal, she leaves her home on a cold Christmas Eve; only to get stuck in a winter storm. She seeks shelter in Madam Klaus's brothel, as there are no other lodgings in the town. Her husband disturbed by her abrupt disappearance decides to go after her. Sparks fly when they finally meet up again and he is able to explain what had really occurred.

This review is for The First Taffy Maker to the King, by Deb Marlowe.
Miss Emmaline Atkins lost and alone, after being kicked out of her family home by her brother and sister-in-law, is bound for her new employers residence. She was forced to stop due to bad winter storm in a small town on Christmas Eve. Unbeknown to her, her old beau, had just heard that she was still single, and thusly, sought after her. Unfortunately, she had just left her residence. After finding out where she was headed, he was hard on her trail. He finds her at Madam Klaus's and makes a deal with the Madam to surprise the love of his life.

I highly recommend these short stories, as they are perfect heart warmers and definitely festive ice breakers for the Christmas spirit.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sweet Festive Delight

Positively charming - I admit it wasn't what I expected but so must more endearing on so many levels. Each tale was well crafted with sparks of romance and entwined cleverly together into polished gems of humour, torment and love. A sweet collection. Having not come across many of the authors featured I was wonderfully surprised and delighted to find all will now be on my list of must reads. I will definitely be hunting them out to further an acquaintance. Fabulous!!
I just hope a few are adapted into books of their own. In particular, Andresen's How to Reform a Rake would make a great prelude to a series of five spicy novellas that I would revel to indulge in. As well as Charles' A Christmas Bauble from La Befana, as I would love to follow Elias and Gaia's journey to a happy ever after, with the sweet little Alice along for the ride. Overall, a very cleverly collated Christmasy collection thats both enjoyable and enchanting.

[Renate Deutsche Oma · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a retired high school English teacher, I was intrigued by an updated approach to Geoffrey Chaucer's 24 Canterbury Tales with the royalties going to TOYS FOR TOTS. A win win - a good read, introduction to some new authors, and money going for a good cause. A Christmas Brothel's setting is December 24, 1814 in Canterbury, Kent with blizzard conditions, the inns have no vacancies, but Madam Frau Klaus opens her brothel and her stable to the diverse stranded travelers and their animals. All she requires is that each traveler tells a story. While each story is written by a different author, the stories mesh and additional information is often woven into stories. An excellent anthology of holiday cheer and humor.

[Becca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite all the big names, these stories were too short for me to truly enjoy them. I’m not knowledgeable of the Canterbury Tales in any detail so any tidbits or details there were lost on me unfortunately.

If you’re into short stories, then this might work, but otherwise, I’d consider these more vignettes where the only similarity is the setting. You had mostly historical but a few paranormals in there too.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is like a box of Christmas Chocolates - a mixed collection of delightful taste. Each on different but just as delicious. This is a fun set of fast reads - each happily ever after better than the last.

[Sieravonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. The Christmas Quarrel by Annabelle Anders

Rating:2 stars

Review: My expectation plummeted. I like it when the female leading character had a backbone and would stay away if she was made a fool, however, she immediately softened even before her husband found her and blamed herself if something happened to her husband.

2. The Yule Cat by Ava Stone

Rating: 3 stars

3. Miracle on Castle Street by Amanda Mariel

Rating: 4 stars

4. A Christmas Bauble from La Befana by Jane Charles

Rating: 3 stars

Review: I was left hanging. Not about if the woman was the Le Befana, but on Elias and Gaia. I hope this is a prologue to a new series or novel.

5. The Heartbreaker's Tale by Susan Gee Heino

Rating: 5 stars

Review: I already had a hunch that the older gentleman was telling his sad youth love story but I never suspected that he was actually recounting it to his unknown daughter and his lady love was still alive.

6. A Christmas Kiss by Dawn Brower

Rating: 1 star

Review: I find it dry. Whenever they think or talk, either I shook my head or rolled my eyes and say "whatever." This story is only for children, not for logical adults.

7. The Ship Captain's Tale by Elizabeth Essex

Rating: 1.5 stars

Review: I don't understand the connection of the captain's parable with his life and what he had learned.

8. Gifts of Love by Aileen Fish

Rating: 1.5 stars

Review: It was hackneyed. I once read an almost the same short story. Plus, a few unnecessary reactions and conversations can be eliminated from the storytelling.

9. How to Reform a Rake by Tammy Andresen

Rating: 5 stars

Review: Even if it was a cliffhanger, it caught my attention and I'm excited to read the rest of the series. I simply hope the stories of these 5 gentlemen are not a let down.

10. The Snow Maiden by K.C. Bateman

Rating: 3 stars

Review: My only comment - it seems that the author only know a few Russian female names. The name Elizaveta was used 3 times and on different persons. She can Google more names, ye know.

11. The First Taffy Maker to the King by Deb Marlowe

Rating: 2 stars

12. Blame it on the Mistletoe by Virginia Heath

Rating: 1 star

Review: I don't like it when the female protagonist was a shameless hussy especially if it had the blessing and encouragement of her brother. It's like the brother is pimping his own sister.

13. The Christmas Runaway by Nadine Millard

Rating: 3 stars

14. A Family for Christmas by Alanna Lucas

Rating: 1 star

Review: I can't see the connection between Randolph's personal story and Herman's reasons to runaway. Herman wasn't running away from his problems, but from mistreatment. Plus, I find adopting Herman forced in order to fit the title.

15. The Pirate's Yuletide Haven by Katherine Bone

Rating: 2 stars

16. A Winter's Tale by Kate Pearce.

Rating: 2 stars

17. We'll have Ourselves a Merry Little Christmas by Rose Gordon

Rating: 4 stars

18. He Came Upon a Midnight Clear by Sandy Raven

Rating: 1 star

Review: Honestly, I don't like stories wherein the best friend or a brother marries the female principal character even if the original lover was already dead. Not only it was like a toy being handed down, but it seems like the death of the best friend or brother was their fortune because they get to marry the woman. Additionally, I didn't like that Joseph hid his true identity until their wedding day and somehow, in my point of view, coerced Merry Anna to continue with the wedding ceremony even after the revelation.

Average rating: 2.5 stars

[Lori D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful! An amazing collection of short stories that is guaranteed to put you in the Christmas Spirit! Some of the best authors of historical romance have banded together for a wonderful cause!

December 24th, 1814 Canterbury Kent. A massive snow storm strands travelers in the most unlikely place! The Klaus Haus brothel has opened it's doors and taken in an assortment of people who all have a story.
The Christmas Quarrel by Annabelle Anders, a misunderstood betrayal by a husband when his wife sees what she thinks is a kiss to another woman, sends her out in a winter storm where she seeks shelter at the Klaus Haus. Her husband goes after her when she disappears and their meeting is anything but calm. But as he explains what really happened, could all be well at Christmas?
The Yule Cat by Ava Stone, follows a young girl who grew up in Iceland as an orphan and the stories told at that brought fear to the children of a Yule cat. A sweet tale of her relaying the story to a traveler
Miracle on Castle Street by Amanda Mariel brings a wife who has lost her husband and feeling she cannot live without him and is making her way to her parents. But miracles are happening during this time of year and she receives the best one ever.
The First Taffy Making to the King by Deb Marlowe finds a woman having been tossed out of home by her brother, is making her way to her new employers home. Having to stop at the Klaus House due to the weather, an unexpected encounter with an old love brings a surprise that often Christmas can only bring. Heartwarming!
Blame it on the Mistletoe by Virginia Heath shows how a grown up young lady wants a friend to realize she is not a little girl anymore. She is determined he will see her as she is and what follows in a wonderful story that made me smile and tugged at my heart.
The Pirate's Yuletide Haven by Katherine Bone finds a young woman waiting for her pirate husband after being stranded due to the snow. She worries he has been captured and tells a few stories as she waits about the different Christmas traditions. Such a delightful story that I only wished could have been longer!
How to Reform a Rake by Tammy Andresen has a gypsy using her cards to tell the future and of the men she meets and what can happen! Loved this tale and again would have loved for it to be longer!
A Christmas Kiss by Dawn Brower brings a tale of a girl who has been unloved and abused but one kiss changes everything!

More to come!

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

I first learned about this book through an email newsletter from Kate Pearce. It’s a compilation between many authors and all proceeds go to Toys for Tots. Since I haven’t been able to figure out the publisher, I think it was a self-published book through Amazon. I don’t know about now, but when I purchased my copy it was less than a dollar! Helping Toys for Tots, getting a short story from one of my favorite authors, and less than a dollar? Sign me up!

I’m not going to go story by story with this one like I usually would do…there are way too many. And some of them are just a few pages long. In this compilation, one story kind of goes into another. Some characters overlap, especially Frau Klaus, the brothel’s proprietor. I’m rating it as PG-13 only because it’s set in a brothel. There is really no brothel-esque activities happening in this book. Some of these stories are positively pure and innocent.

This is the perfect book for when you’re super busy. If you have to wait in line or find a few minutes here and there to read, you can read a story or two in those moments. And it has a whimsical, wonderful, old-time Christmas feel.

Most of these stories I enjoyed. Some I just loved. There was one that I felt was a cop-out story…basically a full-on knock off of O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi. To tell you the truth, it kind of ticked me off that it made the cut. Even if it’s for charity, it still seems hinkey to me.

This book is worth grabbing for multiple reasons. And seriously, you can’t beat the price.

This review can also found on the book blog All In Good Time.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I loved this book! My first Christmas book of the season. This book came about when one of the authors saw a book’s title that was supposed to be betrothed, and she read brothel. Well… great books come about this way!

In this book, Faur Elke Klaus opens up her brothel to stranded travelers over Christmas, see Canterbury is experiencing the worst blizzard in years. Complete whiteout conditions, and all the Inns are full, so Faur Klaus can do nothing else but open her haus to travelers who have no where else to go. She does love Christmas so, and it is a time of Miracles.

The group of people that end up gathered in the haus is truly funny and heart wrenching at the the same time, and the their reasons being there are as varied as they are. Songs are sung, and tales are told. Some find old loves, some new, some renew their their commitment to each other.

I loved all the stories. They were great, the only one I had issues with one story, where the author dressed her heroine in fishnet stockings, it is 1816, they didn’t come about till much later, and she changed the last name of her couple also. (and it was a short story!) All the rest were great. With all the proceeds going to Toy’s for Tots and the cost only .99 this a book you much pick up for the holiday season. I may have even found the start to a new series I am going to have to investigate. That, my friends, is the joy of an anthology like this one. Five stars for this one.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun collection of short stories set on Christmas Eve at Frau Klaus' brothel in Canterbury in the Regency period. There's a blizzard raging outside, the inns are full up, and a wide array of travelers from all walks of life and social status have been forced to seek shelter wherever they can. Fortunately, Frau Klaus loves to celebrate Christmas in the traditional German style. She's got a tannenbaum set up, a roaring fire to thaw out the stranded travelers, and is encouraging everyone to share stories and Christmas traditions. Somehow Frau Klaus finds room and food for all her extra guests, and more than a few find love on Christmas Eve.

I like that these are quick stories that can be read when you've got a few minutes in between other activities. All the authors have their characters end up at the brothel at some point in their stories, but every one is unique, and they all have a different spin on why their characters are in Canterbury. Whether the characters are long lost loves meeting again or are just finding love for the first time, all the stories sparkle with Christmas spirit and the magic of the season.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this anthology; the perfect Advent read! It had all the hope of romance and happy endings at Christmastide!

The concept was original and very compelling: all the stories revolved around travelers being stranded at a town called Canterbury and all the inns and hotels are full. Sound familiar? Well, the only establishment that has space and rooms for the cold ridden travelers is a brothel, lead by Frau Claus, a German lady.

Another aspect of the stores are each was inspired by Christmas carols!

It was a real treat to read the novel from start to finish, because several stories referenced other characters featured or the stories shared by those gathered around the roaring fire and the decorated Tannenbaum tree.

Several stories had me tearing up, each couple had well thought out pasts and immediate wants, which had enough stakes to make them seem as if they couldn't happen, but could be possible on an evening such as Christmas Eve.

[Diana in SC · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wonderful Collection of Bite-sized Christmas Romances!

So far, I have read 37% of the collection, and I am totally enchanted by it. I love the concept: a bunch of travelers find themselves stranded by a blizzard in 1814 Canterbury, England. The inns are full, and the travelers are welcomed into a brothel. They tell tales by the fire while couples meet or reunite there. FYI, no sex happens that night at the brothel. It is all very PG-rated (just kissing and almost no violence.

There are 18 short stories. I especially love the stories by Amanda Mariel, Jane Charles, and Elizabeth Essex, but all of the ones that I have read so far are charming. There are some typos in the text, usually missing commas and apostrophes. I usually am very bothered by typos, but I was too happy reading the book to care.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a dark and snowy Christmas Eve in 1814 and the roads are impassable. Canterbury’s inns are full, but the door of the local brothel stands open and Frau Klaus welcomes all who come seeking shelter. The stranded travellers gather around her Tannenbaum as they share secrets, holiday tales and stories of love.
This is a delightful bundle of short stories, it’s like a box of chocolates that you dip into & find one is never enough. The stories are short, ideal for a lunch break or if you want something short to read before sleeping & know you won’t be kept reading all night. The tales are a mix of misunderstandings, returning lost loves, bets being placed, a demon cat etc. A couple of the tales are definitely prologues to hopefully series to follow.

[Marsha Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this collections of winter travelers that must take refuge in a high class brothel in Canterbury!

Each story was unique, all the characters were so varied, delightful, shy, eager, trusting, heartbroken. You name it and these people were it, and yet under the heartfelt and courteous care of the house Frau or Madame and her Yule tree everyone had a really great time considering the circumstances they were in. Most of the travelers were people of the ton, highborn, and would never consider stopping at a place such as this, but they now would have never survived the storm without the Frau and her Ladies of the evening!

This was so far removed from what I actually thought it would be, and would love to see a new set of travelers at Christmas time every year!!!

[Janet Denise Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS SPIRIT ABOUNDS!

This 5 STARS book of many authors who have filled this wonderful book with endearing love stories at Christmas time, time quality romances that hit their zenith at Frau Claus's of Canterbury.
Songs, food, and Christmas Cheer can all be found at the Fra's brothel because it is the time of year to give and share with others.
17 & Up SEXUAL CONTENT: KISSING & IMPLIED

[Carole Burant · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you get when you put together a whole bunch of wonderful authors to write short stories in the manner of Geoffrey Chaucer's 24 Canterbury Tales....a delightful anthology of Christmas tales that take place in a brothel!! Every author did a lovely job of writing these tales and I thoroughly enjoyed each one. Knowing that 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this book goes towards Toys for Tots is an added bonus!!

[Naseeb Apnaapna · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a gift

This is a little gem of a gift from a the authors.

Some tiny tales.
Some longer.
Some lone tales.
Some with insight after and ending.
Some......
..................giving glimpses, of future tales and future series

My only issue is there are spelling and typographical errors.

But


Thank you all authors in the project

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mini Christmas Stories

These are delightful short stories that give a glimpse into love reclaimed. Second chances and even fantastic tales of fantasy! These all take place in a brothel where HEA is probably most improbable! You never really get the full story but enough to know that the occupants are well on their way to Christmas miracles!

[Venette Schafer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, excellent, excellent

This whole book, each story in it was so very worth reading. I loved Frau Klaus she was an amazing character through out the whole. I really enjoyed all the stories but I think my favorite had to be the last. So close in many ways to the Christmas story and so beautiful.

[Kathryn Bullivant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely set of Christmassy stories. I enjoyed all of them immensely, but particularly the “catch up” with Liberty and Paul from Rose Gordon’s Liberty for Paul.

A great set of stories involving people from different walks of life in the same place one snowy Christmas Eve.

[Wendi Tarlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent stories for Christmas

I loved how each story intertwined with the next. Each author told a separate yet cohesive story that rounded out the overall collective story. I loved it and highly recommend it.

[Cherish · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read

All of these novels were amazing. Each one was very soecial. It definatley worth reading during the christmas season. If you like historical romance you will love this.

[Marina Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas Brothel

Once I started this book, I finished it. Only put it down when real life intruded. I Loved it. I enjoyed each story, some were longer than others. But the madam and some of the characters from one story were mentioned in others. It was a great read.

[Crystal Cavendish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

What a wonderful collection of stories. And it also benefits charity. Some stories were better than others, but I enjoyed each and every one of them.

[Lea Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit disappointing

Some stories were ok, Others just ended abruptly. Not what I was expecting. I did discover some new authors to try, so not a complete waste.

[Tori (Book Chick) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of very short tales that just left my heart feeling happy. We need more happy in the world. 😊🧡

[Alice Yandle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas in an unusual place

I loved this book and wish a few were a full book. Worth the money, great Christmas read. Close to 5 stars.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun holiday read even though some of the stories were very short, I enjoyed getting to know some new authors and their writing styles.

[Bethany Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet, and perfect to give you a sense of each author's voice. Happy holiday reading!