Love by the Letters: A Regency Novella Trio

by Grace Burrowes, Vanessa Riley, Kelly Bowen

Watch out what you wish for... For three couples, a letter promising an anonymous gift of wealth offers worldly success and dreams come true, provided each pair can learn not only to work together, but also to see differences as strengths. A is for Amorous by Grace Burrowes Adalicia Beauvais has no use for children, and even less use for most men. Plato wasn't a bad sort, and Euclid was bright enough, but the modern variety of male holds no appeal for her. To earn ownership of a lovely country estate with a delightfully well stocked library, Ada must raise funds for an orphanage full of noisy, malodorous urchins. As if that isn't challenge enough, her only ally in this endeavor, is the headmaster, Lord John, who loves children, referees cricket matches, and plucks Ada’s very, very last nerve, even though she knows his devotion to the children is genuine, as is the orphanage’s need for funds. Opposites don’t always attract, but in this case, they must work together for thirty days, or neither Ada’s nor John’s dreams will ever come true. B is for Beautiful Secrets by Vanessa RileyDesperate to win proper dowries for his younger sisters, August Sedgewick has thirty days to sell his treasured art, make amends with his estranged brother, Lord Haverthon, and endure the prickly company of the business-minded Miss Nettles. The dedicated dressmaker is the toughest part of the deal for she's more adroit at lecturing him on the habits of trade than succumbing to his charms. Yet, the sparkle of joy radiating in her spectacles as August distracts her with leisurely picnics and long rides in the park, teaches him more than he bargained for.Modiste for those with secrets--pregnant brides-to-be, aging courtesans desperate to keep their patron's attention, Mary-Anne Nettles would love the opportunity to have her talent out of the shadows and as she creates the bridal gown for the event of the season, the Earl of Haverthon's wedding. To win that chance, the demure woman must spend time with the earl's flamboyant brother helping him set up a business in trade. Yet, Mr. Sedgewick proves a difficult student, teaching Mary-Anne about fun and drawing her deeper into the unseen turmoil of Ton.Can two very different souls rise above secrets to find a forever love for all the world to see?C is for Charlie's Angel by Kelly Bowen Henry Blackmore has always been a black sheep. He's defied his ducal family, ignored expectations, and overcome tragedy to chase his own dreams of becoming a renowned architect. The only task standing between his fierce ambition and everything he's ever wanted is the restoration of his family's crumbling country manor. But first, he has to do something about Heaton Hall's impossible steward.Heaton Hall was essentially abandoned when Maeve Murray became steward after the death of her father. When Henry arrives with his pockets full of cash, Maeve is delighted - until she realizes that the money is not to help the struggling tenants but to restore the frivolous ballroom. Nonetheless, Maeve and Henry, they need each other, and working together might just restore more than a crumbling manor - it could restore two broken hearts!

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Anthologies, Historical, Regency, Historical Fiction, Novella

388 pages, Paperback

First published February 13, 2019

About the author

Grace Burrowes started writing as an antidote to empty nest and soon found it an antidote to life in general. She is the sixth out of seven children, raised in the rural surrounds of central Pennsylvania. Early in life she spent a lot of time reading romance novels and practicing the piano. Her first career was as a technical writer and editor in the Washington, DC, area, a busy job that nonetheless left enough time to read a lot of romance novels.

It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.

While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")

Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)

To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.

Reviews

[Keri]

The church scene made me cry, but it was a beautifully done. Really nice read all the way around. I hope that we are going to get all 26 letters by these three because they were all really good stories. For those that are looking for reads to recommend to a person that might not want a bunch of smexy times in a book, this is a perfect read for that.

[kate]

The Grace Burrows story was nice. Saving orphans and the wallflower gets to marry the handsome hero who is actually the one taking care of the orphans . The three stars are all hers.

The other two stories were duds.
In the second story the two cheapest people in the world find each other. Good thing because neither one is very likable. She's going to keep her seamstress job after they marry. They're both rich but you can never have too much money. Plus she's the only seamstress in England who can make a wedding dress that will hide the fact the bride is pregnant. Good skill to have I imagine.

The third one has the duke's son an architect who intends to (and eventually does) designs for prinny, earls and other high placed people fall for the steward on one of his father's semi abandoned property. She wears pants when she's working. Fixes roofs. Digs ditches. Chases pigs. She's an all around handy woman. Of course he's gaga over her. I wish I could be a fly on the wall when he brings her home to dear old dad. She'll have so much to contribute when they're invited to a royal event. Well she probably won't see him a lot anyway. She intend to keep her job. That's good. If the architect/duke's son thing doesn't work out for him they can always fall back on her job.

[Linda A. Harris]

Perfectly Matched

Even though this is an anthology, these 3 novellas flow as if written by one author.

All 3 novellas are heartwarming and entertaining. All 3 heroes and heroines are very likeable. And the character who brings them together is surprising also surprising is the solicitor, Mr. Caretakers.

I don't like spoilers so the above is as far as I will go in reviewing this charming and entertaining read, which will be very satisfying on cold winter's night.

[Jean]

A lovely set of stories and a bonus thread that ran through all three. Loved the premise and the different voices. Less steamy than some of Burrowes and Bowens other works, very romantic and sweet. I'd recommend.

[Marilyn Kavanaugh]

Three traditional Regencies

in each of which the main characters turn lemons into lemonade and are enabled by an unknown person and all is made known.

[Sandy]

Two good stories sandwiched by a passable third

The first story and the third story are lovely. Each of the novellas involve a challenge which also brings two people together. The first, by the incomparable Grace B is lovely. The last story in the trilogy is also lovely. Good characters and decent plots. The middle story was a complete miss. The male hero is a parsimonious cretin who cares more about his art collection than anyone or anything and the heroine is an odd twisted person who also seems like her values are twisted. The story started off as though the two were impoverished which would have excused their choices but you eventual realize that they are really cheap. The collection would have been good if not for the middle story

[N.W. Moors]

A sweet set of stories where a fairy godmother of sorts does a bit of matchmaking and makes wishes come true. All three stories are well-done and just a little different well still sticking to the theme.
Ms. Burrowes' story is her usual fine storytelling; both the hero and heroine are wonderful and fun together. Ms. Riley's story had two intriguing characters but needed a bit of editing - still a fine story. And Ms. Bowen's tale of two people who work together to fix both their problems reminded me of O. Henry's story of The Gift of the Magi (not that it was the same).
All in all, a very enjoyable trio.

[Linda Lassman]

I especially loved the first and third novellas, by Grace Burrowes and Kelly Bowen, respectively. I've enjoyed a number of their books in the past and these did not disappoint. I have not ready Vanessa Riley before and while I enjoyed her contribution to the collection every much, I didn't enjoy it as much as the other two. While I really liked the plot, the characters and the action of the book, I think her writing style just didn't engage me the same way. I nevertheless gave the book 5 stars because it really was an excellent collection and I thought deserved that rating.

[JANET SMITH]

What a Lovely Set of Stories.

Three lovely stories by. talented authors, all well written and each as interesting as one another, and for Lady Kitty to get her own happy ending was very sweet in deed. All the stories were different, and all the main characters were endearing and as the epilogue concluded all female characters had an encounter with the "challenger/Benefactor" The stories were interesting and an enjoyable read I would thoroughly recommend them

[Marianne]

All three of the novellas in this anthology were quite sweet and had something to recommend them. I liked the connection between Ada and John in the Grace Burrowes' story; I also liked the idea of confronting your past. The heroine's job in the Vanessa Riley story was excellent. Finally, the chapel in Kelly Bowen's story made me tear up a little.

[Lissa]

Grace burrowed A is for Amorous. Couple: Ada Beaivais and lord John Waverley. 3 stars

Vanessa Kelly B is for Beautiful Secret. Characters Mary Anne nettles & Augustus Sedgwick 3 stars

Kelly Bowen C is for Charlies Angel. Characters Lord Henry Blackmore and Maeve Murray. 4 stars

One person told to use $5K to accomplish task. If accomplished, person will receive hearts desire.

[Judy]

A Is For Amorous by G B-A spinster is offered a prize for raising money for an orphanage and finds much more.

B is for Beautiful Secrets by V R- Modiste/seamstress Mary-Anne needs a patron and more customers.

C is for The Chapel of Love by Kelly Bowen- Architect returns to family home and the Steward shows him all is a disaster.

[Frances]

Great

Two of these stories were five stars. I already follow Grace Burrows, I am going to check out Kelly Bowen.

[Alexandra]

I would give a 4 star rating for "A is for Amorous" by Grace Burrowes, 3 stars for "B is for Beautiful Secrets" by Vanessa Riley and 5 stars for the "C is for Charlie's Angel" by Kelly Bowen.

[Jo]

Rating only for the Kelly Bowen novella.

[Catherine Stein]

Enjoyable novellas

Four stars to the stories by Grace Burrowes and Vanessa Riley. Five stars to the Kelly Bowen story - sexiest story without sex I've ever read.

[Tanya]

Cute novella

[Rhonda Marks]

Loved the stories but it was not hard to guess the connection between them.

[Pat Dupuy]

Three enjoyable stories

Three couples are thrown together to meet a challenge that will benefit each financially. Why these people and who is the mysterious benefactor?

[Mary]

All three novella in this compilation were very good and I liked the way the third one tied up and explained the theme centered in all of the novellas.

[Darien]

Five stars for the first story!

[Jan]

I’m only giving this trio of stories a ‘5’ because Grace Burrowes wrote one of them....the other two stories were ‘1’ stars.

[Sijing]

B was kinda messy. Wasn't into it. Enjoyed A and C, especially liked the final epilogue with the reveal and an extra HEA.

[Angela]

3*, 2*, 4*

[Mari]

4
3
4

[Janet Hill]

Good collection with a theme. Stories were a bit uneven ( liked some more than others) but all were pleasant. A few vocab things that always get under my skin, like using “mad” to mean angry when the English really only use it to mean crazy, but that’s a pretty minor point.

[Ellen]

4* I enjoy Burrowes so gave the book a chance
DNF, just could not stand it
4* I almost gave up but glad I skipped ahead to read the last story and epilogue.

[Sarah]

I liked the first and third stories. The second one I found hard to follow. I wasn't sure of the challenge or how he was to fulfill it.

[Mum]

The first story is the best, but the third one was enjoyable too. The middle story was extremely poor.

[Roxie Klinksiek]

Good anthology. “A is for Amorous” by Grace Burrowes was my favorite of the three. The other two stories good stories by talented authors.