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Matchmaker Cafe #5
Christmas Knight
Colin Edward Penrose, a knight from fifteenth-century Glastonbury, England, must solve the riddle of his family's curse and marry a woman out of time-or lose his ancestral home. With a matchmaker's help, he meets a woman to whom he feels an instant attraction, but he knows the curse makes falling in love dangerous for her. Madeline Murphy, defense attorney in a prestigious law firm, needs a date for her family's Christmas Eve party. In desperation, she turns to a matchmaker for her knight in shining armor. The man supplied exceeds her wildest fantasy but vanishes without a trace. A year later she needs a date for her mother's wedding, and she asks the same matchmaker. One problem: In order to find her mystery man, she must travel through time.
260 pages, Paperback
Published November 6, 2019
22 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 18 reviews
January 20, 2020
This is a fairy tale.
Once upon a time, when Madeline was a child, her mother taught her all about medieval times in England. They had gone to fairs and festivals. They had dressed in costumes. Madeline had never outgrown her love of the period and the history.
Now she is at a Christmas party given by her mother. A matchmaker has promised to provide a date. Madeline does not have very good luck finding her own dates. She is a high powered attorney who is unhappy with her work. She works for her father who has no desire to participate in any kind of fantasy.
Colin has traveled through time from the medieval period because a matchmaker has promised him he will meet a possible candidate to become his wife. His family is under a curse made by Merlin. If Colin marries, when his wife has her first child she will die. His mother died right after she delivered him.
Madeline and Colin are attracted to one another, but they have only a few minutes to share with one another.
One year later, Madeline travels to Colin's time. She wants him to return with her to attend her mother's wedding. Things do not always work the way one hopes.
Colin has responsibilities. He is trying to protect his father who is ill, the people who depend upon them as well as making certain that whoever inherits will be a kind and honorable man.
Both Madeline and Colin have issues in their lives which make things not so straight forward.
Ms Binder has created characters who are very human. Both Madeline and Colin are likable and admirable. Colin would be a hero in any time period. Both of them want to be good people and do good in their worlds.
Both of them make this a very enjoyable book.
This is a quick book. It is the first story I have read by Ms Binder.
I won the book in a contest sponsored by the author. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.
Once upon a time, when Madeline was a child, her mother taught her all about medieval times in England. They had gone to fairs and festivals. They had dressed in costumes. Madeline had never outgrown her love of the period and the history.
Now she is at a Christmas party given by her mother. A matchmaker has promised to provide a date. Madeline does not have very good luck finding her own dates. She is a high powered attorney who is unhappy with her work. She works for her father who has no desire to participate in any kind of fantasy.
Colin has traveled through time from the medieval period because a matchmaker has promised him he will meet a possible candidate to become his wife. His family is under a curse made by Merlin. If Colin marries, when his wife has her first child she will die. His mother died right after she delivered him.
Madeline and Colin are attracted to one another, but they have only a few minutes to share with one another.
One year later, Madeline travels to Colin's time. She wants him to return with her to attend her mother's wedding. Things do not always work the way one hopes.
Colin has responsibilities. He is trying to protect his father who is ill, the people who depend upon them as well as making certain that whoever inherits will be a kind and honorable man.
Both Madeline and Colin have issues in their lives which make things not so straight forward.
Ms Binder has created characters who are very human. Both Madeline and Colin are likable and admirable. Colin would be a hero in any time period. Both of them want to be good people and do good in their worlds.
Both of them make this a very enjoyable book.
This is a quick book. It is the first story I have read by Ms Binder.
I won the book in a contest sponsored by the author. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.
November 6, 2019
Modern day divorce lawyer Madeline Murphy has given up on romance. Needing a date to her mother’s Christmas Eve wedding, she agrees to have one of the matchmakers from the Matchmaker Café set her up. Never did she dream that a simple wedding date would turn into an adventure of a lifetime…and a love affair that breaks all the rules…and maybe, just maybe, a powerful curse…
Fifteenth-century knight Sir Colin Edward Penrose is the last of the Penrose heirs. The family being cursed by the powerful wizard Merlin to have the wife of any Penrose die after giving birth, has Colin willing to give up his inheritance rather than pass the curse onto his bride. But when he meets a matchmaker who says that she has found a way to break Merlin’s Curse by finding Colin a bride out of time, Colin takes a leap of faith and prays this time, the matchmaker is correct.
Colin and Madeline begin their once upon a time on a quest to find the fabled King Arthur sword, Excalibur, and prove once and for all that their love out of time will defeat Merlin’s Curse, and allow for a Penrose heir and his love to live happily ever after…
Ever read a book and at the end immediately start reading it over? I did that with the Christmas Knight. Usually, I’m not a fan of entering into a series without reading them in order. Not the case here. Pam Binder did a wonderful job of making the reader feel as if this was the 1st rather than the 5th installment to her Matchmaker Café series. If you are looking for a holiday read or just a heartwarming sweet romance, I highly recommend you pick up a copy and prepare to fall in love! Honestly wish I could give more than 5 stars!
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book I received via Affaire de Coeur magazine. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **
Fifteenth-century knight Sir Colin Edward Penrose is the last of the Penrose heirs. The family being cursed by the powerful wizard Merlin to have the wife of any Penrose die after giving birth, has Colin willing to give up his inheritance rather than pass the curse onto his bride. But when he meets a matchmaker who says that she has found a way to break Merlin’s Curse by finding Colin a bride out of time, Colin takes a leap of faith and prays this time, the matchmaker is correct.
Colin and Madeline begin their once upon a time on a quest to find the fabled King Arthur sword, Excalibur, and prove once and for all that their love out of time will defeat Merlin’s Curse, and allow for a Penrose heir and his love to live happily ever after…
Ever read a book and at the end immediately start reading it over? I did that with the Christmas Knight. Usually, I’m not a fan of entering into a series without reading them in order. Not the case here. Pam Binder did a wonderful job of making the reader feel as if this was the 1st rather than the 5th installment to her Matchmaker Café series. If you are looking for a holiday read or just a heartwarming sweet romance, I highly recommend you pick up a copy and prepare to fall in love! Honestly wish I could give more than 5 stars!
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book I received via Affaire de Coeur magazine. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **
September 24, 2020
Sit down with your cup of cocoa in your coziest chair and ignore the nasty weather outside. This romance is going to take you away to magical places in a different time.
Pam’s heroine is a modern woman looking for her happily ever after, but for right now, she just needs a date for the Christmas party. She’s set up by a matchmaker with a chivalrous Christmas knight.
A year later, when she can’t get this man off her mind, she steps back in time and stumbles into him once again, and she’s on the adventure of a lifetime in medieval Britain, in all its mystery, magic, and gritty realism.
Pam weaves the details of her research on this fascinating time period into a charming and compelling developing romance. We root for this couple as they try to find a way to break the magic curse placed on the family of our knightly hero by none other than Merlin from the Arthurian legends. What was legend and magic, becomes all too real for our heroine as she fights for the love of her life. Will she win? I had to know.
I admit, at the start, I couldn’t figure out how it would work out. Pam sets up a story with high stakes and higher barriers. How on earth could this work? How could this couple solve their problems and find a happily ever after? I couldn’t put the book down as I kept reading to find out how they did it. And the story is just as convoluted and exciting as you’d expect for a medieval quest. Pam delivers, and the ending was so satisfying.
Pam’s heroine is a modern woman looking for her happily ever after, but for right now, she just needs a date for the Christmas party. She’s set up by a matchmaker with a chivalrous Christmas knight.
A year later, when she can’t get this man off her mind, she steps back in time and stumbles into him once again, and she’s on the adventure of a lifetime in medieval Britain, in all its mystery, magic, and gritty realism.
Pam weaves the details of her research on this fascinating time period into a charming and compelling developing romance. We root for this couple as they try to find a way to break the magic curse placed on the family of our knightly hero by none other than Merlin from the Arthurian legends. What was legend and magic, becomes all too real for our heroine as she fights for the love of her life. Will she win? I had to know.
I admit, at the start, I couldn’t figure out how it would work out. Pam sets up a story with high stakes and higher barriers. How on earth could this work? How could this couple solve their problems and find a happily ever after? I couldn’t put the book down as I kept reading to find out how they did it. And the story is just as convoluted and exciting as you’d expect for a medieval quest. Pam delivers, and the ending was so satisfying.
April 4, 2020
Before you start wondering why you’d want to read a Christmas novel when It’s not Christmas, let me add that Christmas plays a very minor part in the story. It’s just in the background relating to the décor. Now to the story. This is a time travel story that flips between modern-day and the Fifteenth Century. Madeline is the current day lass who wants to find a date for a special event to satisfy her mom and grandmother that she’s not going to be spinster for life. Colin is the knight who needs a wife, but he has a curse over his head that makes most women run from him. However, this is not a beauty and the beast story.
The initial meeting between Madeline and Colin goes well but ends too quickly. Still, they can’t stop thinking about one another. As the story unfolds, you’ll discover the reasons they’re both right and wrong for each other.
What I like about this novel is that it doesn’t go into Old English words that may be hard to understand unless you’re a fan of Shakespeare. The plot keeps you wanting to turn the pages to see what happens next. My only negative is that I wish it had more of an epilogue. Barring that, I wholeheartedly recommend this book as a fun read.
The initial meeting between Madeline and Colin goes well but ends too quickly. Still, they can’t stop thinking about one another. As the story unfolds, you’ll discover the reasons they’re both right and wrong for each other.
What I like about this novel is that it doesn’t go into Old English words that may be hard to understand unless you’re a fan of Shakespeare. The plot keeps you wanting to turn the pages to see what happens next. My only negative is that I wish it had more of an epilogue. Barring that, I wholeheartedly recommend this book as a fun read.
November 17, 2019
What if your knight in shining armor were a real knight?
This is a fun story that weaves together elements of time travel, legends, curses and love. The characters are amazing! Like any good tale you will have strong emotions for many of them... some you’ll love immediately, others you’ll hate and some are misunderstood.
What if your knight in shining armor were a real knight? That’s Madeline’s experience. She meets Colin at a Christmas Eve party having been set up by a matchmaker then he vanishes for a solid year. Her Gran is quite taken with him and asks for Colin to be her date the following year and that’s where the tale starts to get really interesting.
I won’t spoil the fun for you but if you are intrigued by the story elements I highly recommend you give Christmas Knight a read. You’ll be glad you did.
This is a fun story that weaves together elements of time travel, legends, curses and love. The characters are amazing! Like any good tale you will have strong emotions for many of them... some you’ll love immediately, others you’ll hate and some are misunderstood.
What if your knight in shining armor were a real knight? That’s Madeline’s experience. She meets Colin at a Christmas Eve party having been set up by a matchmaker then he vanishes for a solid year. Her Gran is quite taken with him and asks for Colin to be her date the following year and that’s where the tale starts to get really interesting.
I won’t spoil the fun for you but if you are intrigued by the story elements I highly recommend you give Christmas Knight a read. You’ll be glad you did.
December 30, 2019
This was a cute story that just didn't quite live up to it's potential. I like time travel, but ut us hard to do without coming off as silly or contrived. I didn't read the others in the series, so maybe I am missing something, but the matchmakers were a nice touch, but confusing.
Colin is an honorable knight from the 15th century, cursed to lose any bride who provides an heir - unless he returns Excaliber to the Lady of the Lake. Madeline is a jaded divorce lawyer who loves Arthurian legend. The matchmakers put them together.
The story is cute, nice take on time travel, but the writing was choppy and just not quite as developed as I would like. I wanted more about their characters and love story. The pov switches are jarring. I thing I liked Colin, but didn't have enough time to love him.
Colin is an honorable knight from the 15th century, cursed to lose any bride who provides an heir - unless he returns Excaliber to the Lady of the Lake. Madeline is a jaded divorce lawyer who loves Arthurian legend. The matchmakers put them together.
The story is cute, nice take on time travel, but the writing was choppy and just not quite as developed as I would like. I wanted more about their characters and love story. The pov switches are jarring. I thing I liked Colin, but didn't have enough time to love him.
November 23, 2019
When I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a review I had no idea how much I would enjoy this book. I have been reading romance novels for over 50 years. I thought that I had read almost every story line possible at least a bazillion times. Imagine my surprise when this plot was something I have never read before. Some others have come close but as far as I am concerned this is a new story line. If you are looking for something different, likeable characters, and a general overall great read you might want to try this book and be as surprised as I was when I started reading.
November 7, 2019
This book might be for some people, but it is not for me. I was excited about the time-travel/medieval/Christmas romance bonkers-ness, but was ultimately let down by the craft.
I found the writing to be stilted. There was a great deal of telling, not of showing. I didn't buy the chemistry. Characters repeatedly made choices that confused the heck out of me, seemingly out of nowhere. The pacing felt weird.
There are a lot of great elements in this book, but it just doesn't work for me.
I received an ARC from the publisher via netgalley for review.
I found the writing to be stilted. There was a great deal of telling, not of showing. I didn't buy the chemistry. Characters repeatedly made choices that confused the heck out of me, seemingly out of nowhere. The pacing felt weird.
There are a lot of great elements in this book, but it just doesn't work for me.
I received an ARC from the publisher via netgalley for review.
November 26, 2019
A New Take on Historical Romance!
Time travel meets Romance in this swoon-worthy tale of a high powered lawyer traveling to the 1500’s to meet her soulmate, an honorable knight fighting to break a curse on his family. Binder tells the story beautifully as Madeline and Colin fight forces determined to keep them apart. If you enjoy Romance and History this one is a no-brained. Not necessary to have read the other books in the series to thoroughly enjoy this one!
Time travel meets Romance in this swoon-worthy tale of a high powered lawyer traveling to the 1500’s to meet her soulmate, an honorable knight fighting to break a curse on his family. Binder tells the story beautifully as Madeline and Colin fight forces determined to keep them apart. If you enjoy Romance and History this one is a no-brained. Not necessary to have read the other books in the series to thoroughly enjoy this one!
December 1, 2019
I won this book called Christmas Knight by the author Pam Binder from a launch party she had on her facebook page. Have you ever thought about time travel meets romance in the sworn worthy take of a high powered lawyer traveling to the 1500's to meet her soulmate, in honorable knight fighting to break a curse on his family. I would recommend this book to everyone who loves romance and history together . The author Pam Binder does a wonderful job setting a scene with descriptions that set me right in the middle of it all. I could hear, see and smell ( shudder) the middle ages---- it was very impressive. To find more about the author Pam Binder you can sign up to her newsletter and find her on facebook . Can't wait to read more books from this author.
December 30, 2019
Alright, I admit, I watched the Netflix Christmas Knight and then I saw this book and saw that it had time travel and come one can you blame me? I just had to have it and give a try. Was it the same as the Netflix movie? Of course not, but did I still enjoy it? Of course I did. But did I want it to be more like the movie? Yeah, I admit that I did. But overall it was a cute story and I'm glad that I came across it and read it.
So, it all comes down to these matchmakers in our regular time that can time travel and they have been wanting to try to break the fifteenth century Penrose's family curse and they really think they got it now. So to go to the fifteenth century Glastonbury, England and get Colin, a Knight and bring him to a date on Christmas eve, our time with Madeline, a defense attorney. They meet for the briefest minute and makes an impact on each other but they both disappear out of each others life. A year later, when Madeline needs a date for her mothers wedding she asks the matchmaker again, but somehow the matchmake does a little more than provide a wedding date. She ends up traveling back to time and a lot more happens.
They end up meeting but to be together they have to go through a lot more that what they thought it was possible.
Overall the story was quick, but still really enjoyable, don't expect history because you are not going to get it. It's all about the romance and been Christmas time that's what you get. The ending was a little rushed but that was to be expected to. I enjoyed and recommend it for a quick and easy romantic read during this time of the year.
So, it all comes down to these matchmakers in our regular time that can time travel and they have been wanting to try to break the fifteenth century Penrose's family curse and they really think they got it now. So to go to the fifteenth century Glastonbury, England and get Colin, a Knight and bring him to a date on Christmas eve, our time with Madeline, a defense attorney. They meet for the briefest minute and makes an impact on each other but they both disappear out of each others life. A year later, when Madeline needs a date for her mothers wedding she asks the matchmaker again, but somehow the matchmake does a little more than provide a wedding date. She ends up traveling back to time and a lot more happens.
They end up meeting but to be together they have to go through a lot more that what they thought it was possible.
Overall the story was quick, but still really enjoyable, don't expect history because you are not going to get it. It's all about the romance and been Christmas time that's what you get. The ending was a little rushed but that was to be expected to. I enjoyed and recommend it for a quick and easy romantic read during this time of the year.
June 19, 2022
Can a modern female attorney, who wishes for a knight to love, find romance by using a time portal?
The author, Binder, started this 5 book series in 2014. This book, #5 of 5 is the last published (2019) as of 2022.
WARNING Kindle users...this file is evidently a bit corrupt. It took me about 8 attempts to download my paid Kindle version. I finally gave up and located a library copy.
The author, Binder, started this 5 book series in 2014. This book, #5 of 5 is the last published (2019) as of 2022.
WARNING Kindle users...this file is evidently a bit corrupt. It took me about 8 attempts to download my paid Kindle version. I finally gave up and located a library copy.
December 3, 2019
I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
A wonderful Fantasy/ Romance for Christmas.
This is a really easy read and one you will not want to put down.
Ideal for the Christmas break.
A wonderful Fantasy/ Romance for Christmas.
This is a really easy read and one you will not want to put down.
Ideal for the Christmas break.
March 14, 2025
It wasn’t for me. The story started out well but all the back and forth did me in. I think if you like the author’s style it would be enjoyable. Maybe starting so late in the series was a liability too.
March 14, 2020
Although I did really like this book, I just wish the ending had not seemed so rushed and anti-climatic. Overall a good read however.
July 1, 2022
The book was unbelievable. The characters were good. It was hard to believe.
December 24, 2019
Cross the threshold of this romantic adventure without hesitation, and be propelled onto a breathtaking time travel tour between contemporary Seattle and medieval England.
Do you have a holiday wish? Colin Edward Penrose has one. It’s a very desperate Christmas wish. He must find the woman who can break the curse that was cast in a fit of rage upon his family, by the legendary enchanter Merlin. The right woman to break the curse is mysteriously riddled to be “a woman out of time”. But time is running out. He must find her before New Year’s, or all is lost at Tintagel Castle.
Madeline Murphy is a successful lawyer working in contemporary Seattle. She often reminds herself that she doesn’t need a man and that she should be satisfied with her life. She wonders if it’s time to stop searching for the ideal man, give up on love, and commit herself fully to her father’s needs at his law firm. Christmas Knight is an adventurous journey through time with such romantic milestones. Yet, these travelers are torn between their passionate love and the compelling, different family responsibilities they each carry.
Sometimes love needs a nudge. No better place for a nudge than the magical Matchmaker Café. The mischievous matchmaker Nessa is the integral player creating an encounter where a romantic spark may ignite. But other matchmakers are concerned when they find out what Nessa is up to, and what may come from the ripples created by her actions. The matchmakers all become involved in different and intriguing ways, hoping to save the day for love.
Is time an illusion and love the only reality? Or does the reality of the time that you live in restrict the love you can feel? Can true love transcend time? Colin and Madeline are about to find answers, at the exciting Tintagel Castle, even in the midst of battling against other struggles of 1485 and also of today’s modern world.
Christmas Knight is a delightful addition to the Matchmaker Café series by author Pam Binder. This prolific author blends historical events, characters and myths into her young adult, romance, historical, time travel, and fantasy fiction. She is an award-winning New York Times and Amazon bestselling author based in suburban Seattle. Visit her website at pambinder.com, and if you’d like to hear more from the author, please enjoy this youtube interview by Wendy Kendall and Carl Lee – A Novel Talk with Pam Binder
Do you have a holiday wish? Colin Edward Penrose has one. It’s a very desperate Christmas wish. He must find the woman who can break the curse that was cast in a fit of rage upon his family, by the legendary enchanter Merlin. The right woman to break the curse is mysteriously riddled to be “a woman out of time”. But time is running out. He must find her before New Year’s, or all is lost at Tintagel Castle.
Madeline Murphy is a successful lawyer working in contemporary Seattle. She often reminds herself that she doesn’t need a man and that she should be satisfied with her life. She wonders if it’s time to stop searching for the ideal man, give up on love, and commit herself fully to her father’s needs at his law firm. Christmas Knight is an adventurous journey through time with such romantic milestones. Yet, these travelers are torn between their passionate love and the compelling, different family responsibilities they each carry.
Sometimes love needs a nudge. No better place for a nudge than the magical Matchmaker Café. The mischievous matchmaker Nessa is the integral player creating an encounter where a romantic spark may ignite. But other matchmakers are concerned when they find out what Nessa is up to, and what may come from the ripples created by her actions. The matchmakers all become involved in different and intriguing ways, hoping to save the day for love.
Is time an illusion and love the only reality? Or does the reality of the time that you live in restrict the love you can feel? Can true love transcend time? Colin and Madeline are about to find answers, at the exciting Tintagel Castle, even in the midst of battling against other struggles of 1485 and also of today’s modern world.
Christmas Knight is a delightful addition to the Matchmaker Café series by author Pam Binder. This prolific author blends historical events, characters and myths into her young adult, romance, historical, time travel, and fantasy fiction. She is an award-winning New York Times and Amazon bestselling author based in suburban Seattle. Visit her website at pambinder.com, and if you’d like to hear more from the author, please enjoy this youtube interview by Wendy Kendall and Carl Lee – A Novel Talk with Pam Binder
Displaying 1 - 17 of 18 reviews