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Duke Dynasty #1.5
Seduction on a Snowy Night
This winter, steal away with the reigning queens of Regency Romance... plus one or two dukes, one heiress, and one headstrong beauty—to a surprise snow storm, the comfort of a blazing fire, and the heat of a lover's kisses...
A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION by Madeline Hunter
Caroline Dunham has a bone to pick with notorious rake Baron Thornhill—and a creative plan to insure his undivided attention. Yet once in close quarters, she finds herself beholden to their smoldering connection.
A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries
Whisked away from a wintry ball by a commanding colonel, Cassandra Isles struggles with her feelings for Lord Heywood. For he is a man sworn to marry only for money—and Cass is an heiress who will accept nothing less than love.
ONE WICKED WINTER’S NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney
Dressed as a veiled princess, Lady Diana Lawrence is shocked to discover that the mysterious corsair who tempts her away from the costume ball is the duke she once loved and lost. Now ensconced with Castleton at a remote lodge, will she surrender to the passion still burning hotly between them?
A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION by Madeline Hunter
Caroline Dunham has a bone to pick with notorious rake Baron Thornhill—and a creative plan to insure his undivided attention. Yet once in close quarters, she finds herself beholden to their smoldering connection.
A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries
Whisked away from a wintry ball by a commanding colonel, Cassandra Isles struggles with her feelings for Lord Heywood. For he is a man sworn to marry only for money—and Cass is an heiress who will accept nothing less than love.
ONE WICKED WINTER’S NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney
Dressed as a veiled princess, Lady Diana Lawrence is shocked to discover that the mysterious corsair who tempts her away from the costume ball is the duke she once loved and lost. Now ensconced with Castleton at a remote lodge, will she surrender to the passion still burning hotly between them?
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First published September 24, 2019
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About the author
Madeline Hunter
102 books2,105 followersMadeline Hunter is a nationally bestselling author of historical romances who lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons. Her books have won two RITA awards and seven nominations, and have had three starred reviews in Publishers Weekly. In a parallel existence to the one she enjoys as a novelist, Madeline has a Ph.D. in art history and teaches at an East Coast university.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 379 reviews
September 25, 2019
This is an anthology with a Christmas theme to it, and it includes three heartwarming, entertaining stories from a trio of well known popular authors in the historical romance genre.
In “A Christmas Abduction” by Madeline Hunter, Caroline has taken it upon herself to abduct a man named Adam whom she feels has wronged her sister. Caroline has taken on the roll has her sister’s protector seeing as her parents are no longer with them. Unfortunately, not all is as it seems to be, and Caroline finds out quickly that she might have been just a little too impulsive when it came to stealing Adam! Luckily, the attraction between her and Adam ignites and this becomes a Christmas neither one of them will forget!
I have always loved Madeline Hunter’s stories, and this one was no different! I loved the interaction between these two and when it came to their passion... I enjoyed every moment they were together as well!
In the second story: “ A Perfect Match” by Sabrina Jeffries, I was reminded of why I have always devoured any work of hers! She not only creates an exciting world, but one that has you rooting for the characters involved! I also love her humour... her characters have personalities that never fail to put a smile on my face!
In this story, cousins Kitty and Cass get kidnapped by Heywood who was in the army with Kitty’s brother. If you were to ask him if he actually kidnapped them... he would say, “Heck No!!” He really was saving them from a villain whom was going to try and steal Kitty and demand she marry him! Heywood is correct... but I am thinking he may have gone about his saving them in a different way! He takes the ladies to his family home where he ends up having to explain his actions to his Mother and Sister!!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and the whole time I read it I was grinning ear to ear! This has definitely made me want to dive into more of the brilliant author’s work again! An absolute must read!
Last but not least is “One Wicked Winter Night” by Mary Jo Putney who is a new author for me. I did like this story, although it wasn’t my favourite. It was a second chance romance between a couple who separated when they were younger, and meet again seven years later and find their attraction is still alive and breathing. Instead of any of the main characters abducting each other in this story... the hero catnaps Diana’s beloved Cat to make sure he gets another chance with the woman he loves!
This was a cute and unique story and even though it wasn’t my favourite, I did enjoy it!
This anthology is definitely worth reading when you are looking for a low angst, feel good read just in time for the holidays!
Thanks to the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion! The book has been released on September 24th, 2019!
In “A Christmas Abduction” by Madeline Hunter, Caroline has taken it upon herself to abduct a man named Adam whom she feels has wronged her sister. Caroline has taken on the roll has her sister’s protector seeing as her parents are no longer with them. Unfortunately, not all is as it seems to be, and Caroline finds out quickly that she might have been just a little too impulsive when it came to stealing Adam! Luckily, the attraction between her and Adam ignites and this becomes a Christmas neither one of them will forget!
I have always loved Madeline Hunter’s stories, and this one was no different! I loved the interaction between these two and when it came to their passion... I enjoyed every moment they were together as well!
In the second story: “ A Perfect Match” by Sabrina Jeffries, I was reminded of why I have always devoured any work of hers! She not only creates an exciting world, but one that has you rooting for the characters involved! I also love her humour... her characters have personalities that never fail to put a smile on my face!
In this story, cousins Kitty and Cass get kidnapped by Heywood who was in the army with Kitty’s brother. If you were to ask him if he actually kidnapped them... he would say, “Heck No!!” He really was saving them from a villain whom was going to try and steal Kitty and demand she marry him! Heywood is correct... but I am thinking he may have gone about his saving them in a different way! He takes the ladies to his family home where he ends up having to explain his actions to his Mother and Sister!!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and the whole time I read it I was grinning ear to ear! This has definitely made me want to dive into more of the brilliant author’s work again! An absolute must read!
Last but not least is “One Wicked Winter Night” by Mary Jo Putney who is a new author for me. I did like this story, although it wasn’t my favourite. It was a second chance romance between a couple who separated when they were younger, and meet again seven years later and find their attraction is still alive and breathing. Instead of any of the main characters abducting each other in this story... the hero catnaps Diana’s beloved Cat to make sure he gets another chance with the woman he loves!
This was a cute and unique story and even though it wasn’t my favourite, I did enjoy it!
This anthology is definitely worth reading when you are looking for a low angst, feel good read just in time for the holidays!
Thanks to the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion! The book has been released on September 24th, 2019!
December 18, 2019
Translation widget on the blog!!!!
Like it! 😍 It’s a perfect reading for this time of the year. 3 short- stories written from 3 authors I like, Very sweet!
Recenzia mea completă o găsiți aici:
https://justreadingmybooks.wordpress....
Like it! 😍 It’s a perfect reading for this time of the year. 3 short- stories written from 3 authors I like, Very sweet!
Recenzia mea completă o găsiți aici:
https://justreadingmybooks.wordpress....
December 8, 2025
The first story, A Christmas Abduction by Madeline Hunter, was a pleasant and engaging read. The second story, A Perfect Match by Sabrina Jeffries, was flat and a bit clunky. The third novella, A Wicked Winter Night by Mary Jo Putney, was utterly charming and emotionally satisfying. It’s very hard for an author to satisfactorily develop a relationship in a shorter format, so it’s no surprise that the third story, which relied on the characters resuming a previous relationship, was the best. Loved the background theme of snowy Christmases!
November 20, 2019
Review: https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2...
A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION by Madeline Hunter: D+
A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries: C-
ONE WICKED WINTER NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney: F
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION by Madeline Hunter: D+
A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries: C-
ONE WICKED WINTER NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney: F
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 24, 2024
Last was the best but also questionable. The dude totally overreacted in the first one (could’ve been the second idk).
April 4, 2020
A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION
Madeline Hunter
https://m.facebook.com/MadelineHunter/
Blurb : Caroline Dunham has a bone to pick with notorious rake Baron Thornhill—and a creative plan to insure his undivided attention. Yet once in close quarters, she finds herself beholden to their smoldering connection . . .
For a short read, it was an action packed tale with a wonderful duet illuminating the stage.
Adam Prescott has the Christmas holidays all scheduled but everything went awry when he find himself abducted.
It does not take long for him to identify his jailer, his cousin’s neighbor. And every sooner to fall under her spell. But something is amiss and might separate them.
Caroline is devoted to her family, why she herself came up with this plan. She is a hard worker and accepts what life has thrown on her path. It it does not mean she won’t fight back.
Adam for all his sins is a great character, he knows his faults and flaws and is ready to accept the punishment he might deserve. Else he promptly realize his captor is so much more than her rash decision. Why he took the decision to take and enjoy his time with Caroline.
In such a short read, Mrs Hunter has compiled so many events, matchmaking, second chance, saving one’s life, love scene, even blackmailing and a wedding. It felt like I had read a full novel.
I just loved it.
5 stars
A PERFECT MATCH
Sabrina Jeffries
https://www.facebook.com/SabrinaJeffr...
Blurb : Whisked away from a wintry ball by the officer she knew only through letters, Cassandra Isles struggles with her feelings for the commanding Colonel Lord Heywood. For he, secretly a fortune-hunter, must marry for money to save his estate—and Cass, secretly an heiress, will accept nothing less than
love . . .
My review :
What can two people do when they have different agenda, he is looking for wealth when she is seeking love.
OMG, I am such a Dory!
I forgot this one story was about one of the son of third time duchess from Project Duchess.
It was when his brother’s title was named that everything clicked right.
I loved both main characters, they fall for one another through the correspondance exchanged between his friend and her cousin, his sister’s friend.
Cass is a very protective woman and after a deception, she knows what she really wants and it is not fortune hunter scoring to win her attention, why she hides her own wealth in the hope to meet the right man whom will see her for herself.
Heywood has great hope when he came back from the battlefields, he wanted to meet the witty woman who wrote so delicious and clever letters to his friend. But he is for a disappointment when he realizes the heiress he needs is not the woman whom makes his heart beat faster.
So he finds himself in the worst predicament possible, marry for wealth and lose the woman he cares for or marry for love and loose his inheritance.
Mrs Jeffries has crafted a thriving and stirring Christmas tale with attaching characters. It was a pleasure to see again the protagonists of Project Duchess.
5 stars
ONE WICKED WINTER NIGHT
Mary Jo Putney
https://www.facebook.com/MaryJoPutney/
Blurb : Dressed as a veiled princess, Lady Diana Lawrence is shocked to discover that the mysterious corsair who tempts her away from the costume ball is the duke she once loved and lost. Now snowed in with Castleton at a remote lodge, will she surrender to the passion still burning hotly between them?
My review :
Can two lovers rekindle after years apart when one broke the heart of the other.
It was such a lovely spiritual read. Mrs Putney combined the perfect ingredients for a delicious and sweet tale.
Diana has rebuilt herself when she left England to explore the world. She made herself an independent woman having created her own business. But she longs to go back to her native nation.
So what a choc when she soon meets again her past lover.
Anthony is a caring man, his harsh upbringing did not moved him in a bitter man. He is still the same gentle and good man he was when Diana fell in love with him. But can he reconquer the woman he never ceased to love.
I loved Diana was older than Anthony, she is no mature woman as thrifty is not a ripe old age. She was the one whom decided to protect her young love against himself and not wanting to destroy his future, she preferred to sacrifice her own happiness than bring more turmoils to his life.
A charming tale of second chance with a bundle of sweet kitties.
5 stars
I was granted through Netgalley by the publisher Kensington an advance copy.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
Madeline Hunter
https://m.facebook.com/MadelineHunter/
Blurb : Caroline Dunham has a bone to pick with notorious rake Baron Thornhill—and a creative plan to insure his undivided attention. Yet once in close quarters, she finds herself beholden to their smoldering connection . . .
For a short read, it was an action packed tale with a wonderful duet illuminating the stage.
Adam Prescott has the Christmas holidays all scheduled but everything went awry when he find himself abducted.
It does not take long for him to identify his jailer, his cousin’s neighbor. And every sooner to fall under her spell. But something is amiss and might separate them.
Caroline is devoted to her family, why she herself came up with this plan. She is a hard worker and accepts what life has thrown on her path. It it does not mean she won’t fight back.
Adam for all his sins is a great character, he knows his faults and flaws and is ready to accept the punishment he might deserve. Else he promptly realize his captor is so much more than her rash decision. Why he took the decision to take and enjoy his time with Caroline.
In such a short read, Mrs Hunter has compiled so many events, matchmaking, second chance, saving one’s life, love scene, even blackmailing and a wedding. It felt like I had read a full novel.
I just loved it.
5 stars
A PERFECT MATCH
Sabrina Jeffries
https://www.facebook.com/SabrinaJeffr...
Blurb : Whisked away from a wintry ball by the officer she knew only through letters, Cassandra Isles struggles with her feelings for the commanding Colonel Lord Heywood. For he, secretly a fortune-hunter, must marry for money to save his estate—and Cass, secretly an heiress, will accept nothing less than
love . . .
My review :
What can two people do when they have different agenda, he is looking for wealth when she is seeking love.
OMG, I am such a Dory!
I forgot this one story was about one of the son of third time duchess from Project Duchess.
It was when his brother’s title was named that everything clicked right.
I loved both main characters, they fall for one another through the correspondance exchanged between his friend and her cousin, his sister’s friend.
Cass is a very protective woman and after a deception, she knows what she really wants and it is not fortune hunter scoring to win her attention, why she hides her own wealth in the hope to meet the right man whom will see her for herself.
Heywood has great hope when he came back from the battlefields, he wanted to meet the witty woman who wrote so delicious and clever letters to his friend. But he is for a disappointment when he realizes the heiress he needs is not the woman whom makes his heart beat faster.
So he finds himself in the worst predicament possible, marry for wealth and lose the woman he cares for or marry for love and loose his inheritance.
Mrs Jeffries has crafted a thriving and stirring Christmas tale with attaching characters. It was a pleasure to see again the protagonists of Project Duchess.
5 stars
ONE WICKED WINTER NIGHT
Mary Jo Putney
https://www.facebook.com/MaryJoPutney/
Blurb : Dressed as a veiled princess, Lady Diana Lawrence is shocked to discover that the mysterious corsair who tempts her away from the costume ball is the duke she once loved and lost. Now snowed in with Castleton at a remote lodge, will she surrender to the passion still burning hotly between them?
My review :
Can two lovers rekindle after years apart when one broke the heart of the other.
It was such a lovely spiritual read. Mrs Putney combined the perfect ingredients for a delicious and sweet tale.
Diana has rebuilt herself when she left England to explore the world. She made herself an independent woman having created her own business. But she longs to go back to her native nation.
So what a choc when she soon meets again her past lover.
Anthony is a caring man, his harsh upbringing did not moved him in a bitter man. He is still the same gentle and good man he was when Diana fell in love with him. But can he reconquer the woman he never ceased to love.
I loved Diana was older than Anthony, she is no mature woman as thrifty is not a ripe old age. She was the one whom decided to protect her young love against himself and not wanting to destroy his future, she preferred to sacrifice her own happiness than bring more turmoils to his life.
A charming tale of second chance with a bundle of sweet kitties.
5 stars
I was granted through Netgalley by the publisher Kensington an advance copy.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
September 29, 2019
For other fun, bookish stuff, visit my blog!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for sending me a free advanced reader copy of this book for an honest review. Seduction on a Snowy Night debuted September 24th.
Well, here we are; it’s not yet October and my Christmas ARC reviews are starting to go up. And from the publisher’s side of things, I get it, I get it, but I don’t necessarily have to like it. 😛
So Seduction on a Snowy Night caught my eye because it seemed like a great way to become acquainted with some more regency romance authors; I have not read anything by these authors prior to this. The book includes a novella by each author, with each story taking place during the Christmas season.
A Christmas Abduction by Madeline Hunter
The first novella revolves around a baron making his way home on the holidays who finds himself kidnapped at gunpoint by a woman who has a mysterious grudge against him. She brings him to her estate, where the baron must figure out the reason he’s been kidnapped and what to do about it. Of course, the chemistry between him and his captor is fierce, grudge notwithstanding, and even once the baron is allowed a bit more freedom, he finds that he might not want to return home.
I enjoyed this story, especially the baron’s POV sections. Hunter’s prose gets out of the way of the story, which is a quality I find absolutely crucial for romance in particular. I did feel that readers weren’t allowed to get to know the female MC as well as the baron, so it was a bit more difficult to identify with her. All in all, though, this was a great start to the book.
A Perfect Match by Sabrina Jeffries
Jeffries’s novel also involves a kidnapping, though this one is a bit more voluntary. Female lead Cass and her cousin Kitty are spirited away from Kitty’s dangerous suitor in the nick of time by handsome Colonel Lord Heywood. Cass is an heiress who pretends at future poverty so that whoever is wooing her is only doing so out of true love. Heywood is swiftly falling in love with Cass, but knows he can only marry someone with a substantial dowry, for his own funding is meager.
This was probably my favorite story of the bunch by a hair. The chemistry between the two MCs is great, and we get to know each of them well. Jeffries’s writing wasn’t distracting from the story either. My only wish is that there weren’t so many family members introduced in the latter half; I have a feeling that most of them are characters from other books. I know this is a thing in romance, but it personally irritates me; I’d rather focus on the story than suddenly have all these inside jokes and call-backs to other books foisted on me as a reader. Just my two cents.
One Wicked Winter Night by Mary Jo Putney
This was the one novella of the three that I did not get on with. The premise is that a woman who has been in India for the past long while returns to England and immediately encounters the man who she was previously in love with, even sharing a kiss with him at a masked ball. Despite loving the male MC back in the day, she rejected his advances, but now in the present they find that they are both tempted to rekindle their relationship.
A good part of my grievances with this third novella came down to Putney’s voice; it’s not a close enough 3rd POV for my taste, so there was a lot of “she realized/thought/wondered/etc,” which is mega-distracting to me. Different strokes for different folks, of course, but the writing style to me just felt a bit dated. I was also annoyed by the focus on cats in this book; it was too cutesy for my taste, even though I have nothing against cats.
So there we go! This collection didn’t bowl me over the head with awesomeness, but I enjoyed two of the three. I’d say if you’re interested in trying out these authors without committing to a full book for each one, this is a solid pick. And if you’re a fan of them already and looking to get into the Christmas spirit, then this collection is an obvious no-brainer.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for sending me a free advanced reader copy of this book for an honest review. Seduction on a Snowy Night debuted September 24th.
Well, here we are; it’s not yet October and my Christmas ARC reviews are starting to go up. And from the publisher’s side of things, I get it, I get it, but I don’t necessarily have to like it. 😛
So Seduction on a Snowy Night caught my eye because it seemed like a great way to become acquainted with some more regency romance authors; I have not read anything by these authors prior to this. The book includes a novella by each author, with each story taking place during the Christmas season.
A Christmas Abduction by Madeline Hunter
The first novella revolves around a baron making his way home on the holidays who finds himself kidnapped at gunpoint by a woman who has a mysterious grudge against him. She brings him to her estate, where the baron must figure out the reason he’s been kidnapped and what to do about it. Of course, the chemistry between him and his captor is fierce, grudge notwithstanding, and even once the baron is allowed a bit more freedom, he finds that he might not want to return home.
I enjoyed this story, especially the baron’s POV sections. Hunter’s prose gets out of the way of the story, which is a quality I find absolutely crucial for romance in particular. I did feel that readers weren’t allowed to get to know the female MC as well as the baron, so it was a bit more difficult to identify with her. All in all, though, this was a great start to the book.
A Perfect Match by Sabrina Jeffries
Jeffries’s novel also involves a kidnapping, though this one is a bit more voluntary. Female lead Cass and her cousin Kitty are spirited away from Kitty’s dangerous suitor in the nick of time by handsome Colonel Lord Heywood. Cass is an heiress who pretends at future poverty so that whoever is wooing her is only doing so out of true love. Heywood is swiftly falling in love with Cass, but knows he can only marry someone with a substantial dowry, for his own funding is meager.
This was probably my favorite story of the bunch by a hair. The chemistry between the two MCs is great, and we get to know each of them well. Jeffries’s writing wasn’t distracting from the story either. My only wish is that there weren’t so many family members introduced in the latter half; I have a feeling that most of them are characters from other books. I know this is a thing in romance, but it personally irritates me; I’d rather focus on the story than suddenly have all these inside jokes and call-backs to other books foisted on me as a reader. Just my two cents.
One Wicked Winter Night by Mary Jo Putney
This was the one novella of the three that I did not get on with. The premise is that a woman who has been in India for the past long while returns to England and immediately encounters the man who she was previously in love with, even sharing a kiss with him at a masked ball. Despite loving the male MC back in the day, she rejected his advances, but now in the present they find that they are both tempted to rekindle their relationship.
A good part of my grievances with this third novella came down to Putney’s voice; it’s not a close enough 3rd POV for my taste, so there was a lot of “she realized/thought/wondered/etc,” which is mega-distracting to me. Different strokes for different folks, of course, but the writing style to me just felt a bit dated. I was also annoyed by the focus on cats in this book; it was too cutesy for my taste, even though I have nothing against cats.
So there we go! This collection didn’t bowl me over the head with awesomeness, but I enjoyed two of the three. I’d say if you’re interested in trying out these authors without committing to a full book for each one, this is a solid pick. And if you’re a fan of them already and looking to get into the Christmas spirit, then this collection is an obvious no-brainer.
May 21, 2021
“A Christmas Abduction” 5 stars, I loved it!
This story truly didn’t read like the typical novella, it never felt rushed or abbreviated. I absolutely loved both the hero and heroine, the storyline, and the secondary characters. I’m actually glad it wasn’t longer, because I imagine a lot of unnecessary angst would have bogged the good parts down.
Safe; h virgin, H manwhore
“A Perfect Match” 3 stars, it was good, not great.
I’m sad to say that this latest series by Sabrina Jeffries has been mostly disappointing (this novella is a part of her Duke Dynasty series and the reason I decided to read this compilation). I almost think a different person has started writing her books because the quality of the writing has truly gone downhill. This story had some good parts and some not so good parts, but it was still enjoyable overall.
Safe; virgin heroine
“One Wicked Winter Night” 2 stars, meh.
This story had so much potential. But instead of focusing on the main couple, the author focused on the cats. I think there’s a place for pets in romance novels, but practically giving them more page space than the MCs? Nope, that doesn’t work for me. There are also too many secondary characters from other novels for this to work well as a standalone novella.
Safe; neither virgins, both lost virginity to each other and were separated for 7 years with both having other partners.
This story truly didn’t read like the typical novella, it never felt rushed or abbreviated. I absolutely loved both the hero and heroine, the storyline, and the secondary characters. I’m actually glad it wasn’t longer, because I imagine a lot of unnecessary angst would have bogged the good parts down.
Safe; h virgin, H manwhore
“A Perfect Match” 3 stars, it was good, not great.
I’m sad to say that this latest series by Sabrina Jeffries has been mostly disappointing (this novella is a part of her Duke Dynasty series and the reason I decided to read this compilation). I almost think a different person has started writing her books because the quality of the writing has truly gone downhill. This story had some good parts and some not so good parts, but it was still enjoyable overall.
Safe; virgin heroine
“One Wicked Winter Night” 2 stars, meh.
This story had so much potential. But instead of focusing on the main couple, the author focused on the cats. I think there’s a place for pets in romance novels, but practically giving them more page space than the MCs? Nope, that doesn’t work for me. There are also too many secondary characters from other novels for this to work well as a standalone novella.
Safe; neither virgins, both lost virginity to each other and were separated for 7 years with both having other partners.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2022
2.5 stars for A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION by Madeline Hunter
2.5 stars for A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries
1.5 stars for ONE WICKED WINTER’S NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney
Nothing too original in the plots. The stories were uninteresting and I struggled to finish each one even though they are novellas. We do get at least one sex scene in each story. I think the fact that all three stories took place during winter and Christmas that I found them boring. I prefer HRs with house parties, balls, and the season. Yes, there was forced proximity due to the snowy weather, but I just wasn't interested.
2.5 stars for A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries
1.5 stars for ONE WICKED WINTER’S NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney
Nothing too original in the plots. The stories were uninteresting and I struggled to finish each one even though they are novellas. We do get at least one sex scene in each story. I think the fact that all three stories took place during winter and Christmas that I found them boring. I prefer HRs with house parties, balls, and the season. Yes, there was forced proximity due to the snowy weather, but I just wasn't interested.
September 11, 2019
A Christmas Abduction by Madeline Hunter:
Wow, for a novella this had the feel of a much longer book. It was fully developed with engaging characters and a storyline that never felt rushed. I found it especially amusing that a young woman would be the instigator behind the kidnapping of a baron. Waiting to find out why exactly she did such a thing was agonizing and then when it’s revealed, it added to the drama and angst of the story.
I loved both Caroline and Adam. This has some great banter between the two as well as chemistry and definitely longing. I admired Caroline for all that she did to save her little family. And Adam was swoon worthy in that he dug right in beside her to help her where needed, especially in the end. There was definitely more to him than what his reputation led one to believe.
I’m still amazed at how such a short book could carry so much within such a small amount of space. Worth buying the book for this story alone!
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
A Perfect Match by Sabrina Jeffries:
Awww! We have more of the siblings in the Duke Dynasty series! I loved them in Project Duchess and now that I’ve met Heywood, I’m even more in love with them!
Heywood was so darn cute! He refused to admit he was abducting Cass and her cousin Kitty, insisting he was rescuing them. It did feel like an abduction. But with such a charming gentleman leading the way, it was certainly an entertaining way to go. The fact that he fell in love with the woman who wrote the letters his best friend shared with him is a secret little check box I rarely have checked off. Of course, he doesn’t realize it was Cass and not Kitty that wrote them. In addition, he needs an heiress and while Kitty fits the bill, Cass does not. Enter the drama and angst. Sigh. So good!
I adored Heywood. He was lighthearted and kind, always teasing his siblings and even Cass. And yet, he was plenty alpha enough to check off my other boxes, that are not so secretive. Cass was an amazing heroine. She was strong and independent, especially when considering society during this time. Even as she spoke her mind she was never brash or abrasive. Her fiery spirit was part of what capture Heywood’s heart and I loved him for that as well.
Despite the conflict within the story, this was a relatively low angst read. Just enough to drive it onward but not enough to feel like a lead weight in the stomach. This also gives us a wonderful look at a bit of what life at Christmas time was like during this era. It was magical!
Like the above story, this too has the feel of a fully developed novel. It never felt rushed or over the top. Every character included was well written, and I felt as though they were dear and close friends. Overall, a wonderful read that is perfect for the holidays!
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
One Wicked Winter Night by Mary Jo Putney:
Regrettably, this was not a favorite. It felt more like a story about cats than a romance and I found myself skimming a good portion of it. While the initial conflict between this couple was believable, the resulting issue was not. I did enjoy that Diana was a worldly woman and that she brought a lightness to Anthony’s life. However, I never felt the chemistry between the two. With a novella I need the story to start off pretty quickly and this did not, causing the build up and resolution of this relationship to feel rushed. This is my first book by this author and I’m assuming this is her usual way of writing which is not to my preference. That being said, I’m sure that her fans will enjoy this story.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Wow, for a novella this had the feel of a much longer book. It was fully developed with engaging characters and a storyline that never felt rushed. I found it especially amusing that a young woman would be the instigator behind the kidnapping of a baron. Waiting to find out why exactly she did such a thing was agonizing and then when it’s revealed, it added to the drama and angst of the story.
I loved both Caroline and Adam. This has some great banter between the two as well as chemistry and definitely longing. I admired Caroline for all that she did to save her little family. And Adam was swoon worthy in that he dug right in beside her to help her where needed, especially in the end. There was definitely more to him than what his reputation led one to believe.
I’m still amazed at how such a short book could carry so much within such a small amount of space. Worth buying the book for this story alone!
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
A Perfect Match by Sabrina Jeffries:
Awww! We have more of the siblings in the Duke Dynasty series! I loved them in Project Duchess and now that I’ve met Heywood, I’m even more in love with them!
Heywood was so darn cute! He refused to admit he was abducting Cass and her cousin Kitty, insisting he was rescuing them. It did feel like an abduction. But with such a charming gentleman leading the way, it was certainly an entertaining way to go. The fact that he fell in love with the woman who wrote the letters his best friend shared with him is a secret little check box I rarely have checked off. Of course, he doesn’t realize it was Cass and not Kitty that wrote them. In addition, he needs an heiress and while Kitty fits the bill, Cass does not. Enter the drama and angst. Sigh. So good!
I adored Heywood. He was lighthearted and kind, always teasing his siblings and even Cass. And yet, he was plenty alpha enough to check off my other boxes, that are not so secretive. Cass was an amazing heroine. She was strong and independent, especially when considering society during this time. Even as she spoke her mind she was never brash or abrasive. Her fiery spirit was part of what capture Heywood’s heart and I loved him for that as well.
Despite the conflict within the story, this was a relatively low angst read. Just enough to drive it onward but not enough to feel like a lead weight in the stomach. This also gives us a wonderful look at a bit of what life at Christmas time was like during this era. It was magical!
Like the above story, this too has the feel of a fully developed novel. It never felt rushed or over the top. Every character included was well written, and I felt as though they were dear and close friends. Overall, a wonderful read that is perfect for the holidays!
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
One Wicked Winter Night by Mary Jo Putney:
Regrettably, this was not a favorite. It felt more like a story about cats than a romance and I found myself skimming a good portion of it. While the initial conflict between this couple was believable, the resulting issue was not. I did enjoy that Diana was a worldly woman and that she brought a lightness to Anthony’s life. However, I never felt the chemistry between the two. With a novella I need the story to start off pretty quickly and this did not, causing the build up and resolution of this relationship to feel rushed. This is my first book by this author and I’m assuming this is her usual way of writing which is not to my preference. That being said, I’m sure that her fans will enjoy this story.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
September 23, 2019
This is a delightful anthology with a Christmas theme and if you follow these authors you will recognize many of the characters from previous books!!
A Christmas Abduction by Madeline Hunter – 4.5 stars – Adam Prescott, Baron Thornhill is on his way to celebrate Christmas with his cousin Nigel, the Marquess of Haverdale and if all goes according to plan, he may be announcing his betrothal to a wealthy debutante. But all does not go according to plan and when Adam tries to help a young woman he thinks is being assaulted, he finds himself abducted at gunpoint. Caroline “Caro” Dunham is trying to keep what is left of her family and their legacy together, so when she learns that her younger sister Amelia has been compromised and pregnant at the hands of well-known rake, she does what any older sister would do, she abducted the scoundrel and will make him marry her! This was a cute story that was paced nicely, has a little bit of steam and a HEA
A Perfect Match by Sabrina Jeffries – 5 stars – Cassandra “Cass” Isles has been tricked before by fortune hunters and is extremely distrustful of the men on the marriage mart, so much so that she lets everyone believe she is a poor relation. She has also made it her mission to protect her cousin Kitty, who is sweet and kind, but not quite as savvy as Cass. Currently she is attending a ball and is trying to put off one of Kitty’s suitors, Capt. Lionel Malet, Cass is sure he is a fortune hunter and will do her best to keep Kitty away from him. While searching for Kitty, she stumbles upon Col. Lord Heywood Wilde, son of the late Duke of Armitage and younger brother to the new duke – he is also a close friend of Kitty’s brother Douglas. Heywood says he must speak with Kitty on an urgent matter and asks Cass to locate her for him. Heywood is attracted to Cass, but the woman he wants to marry is Kitty – the heiress. This was an excellent story with a lot of depth for a novella. It was also the steamiest of the three offerings. If you have been reading the “Duke Dynasty” series, you will recognize most of the characters and enjoy catching up!
One Wicked Winter Night by Mary Jo Putney – 4 stars - Lady Diana Lawrence is the black sheep of her family, she left England 7 years ago after a doomed love affair and spent years traveling, finally ending up in India. But a letter from her niece Rory has Diana returning to England, she believes that at 30, she is a spinster and the man she loved is probably long ago married with children and she is in no danger of meeting up with him. Anthony Raines, the Duke of Castleton is bullied by his sisters to attend the Masked ball at Vance’s townhouse and is mesmerized by the woman who performed an Indian dance – he approaches her and they share a dance and a kiss, which causes both of them a bit of shock when they realize who it is they are kissing! Anthony wants answers as to why she left him after he proposed and she just wants to forget and carry on with her life. When she tells him to leave her alone and never call again, Anthony is forced to resort to abduction to get the woman he loves to talk to him. This was a great second chance romance, but it did feel a little rushed, had very mild love scenes and the issue keeping them apart was resolved way to easily, but the ending was wonderful.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
A Christmas Abduction by Madeline Hunter – 4.5 stars – Adam Prescott, Baron Thornhill is on his way to celebrate Christmas with his cousin Nigel, the Marquess of Haverdale and if all goes according to plan, he may be announcing his betrothal to a wealthy debutante. But all does not go according to plan and when Adam tries to help a young woman he thinks is being assaulted, he finds himself abducted at gunpoint. Caroline “Caro” Dunham is trying to keep what is left of her family and their legacy together, so when she learns that her younger sister Amelia has been compromised and pregnant at the hands of well-known rake, she does what any older sister would do, she abducted the scoundrel and will make him marry her! This was a cute story that was paced nicely, has a little bit of steam and a HEA
A Perfect Match by Sabrina Jeffries – 5 stars – Cassandra “Cass” Isles has been tricked before by fortune hunters and is extremely distrustful of the men on the marriage mart, so much so that she lets everyone believe she is a poor relation. She has also made it her mission to protect her cousin Kitty, who is sweet and kind, but not quite as savvy as Cass. Currently she is attending a ball and is trying to put off one of Kitty’s suitors, Capt. Lionel Malet, Cass is sure he is a fortune hunter and will do her best to keep Kitty away from him. While searching for Kitty, she stumbles upon Col. Lord Heywood Wilde, son of the late Duke of Armitage and younger brother to the new duke – he is also a close friend of Kitty’s brother Douglas. Heywood says he must speak with Kitty on an urgent matter and asks Cass to locate her for him. Heywood is attracted to Cass, but the woman he wants to marry is Kitty – the heiress. This was an excellent story with a lot of depth for a novella. It was also the steamiest of the three offerings. If you have been reading the “Duke Dynasty” series, you will recognize most of the characters and enjoy catching up!
One Wicked Winter Night by Mary Jo Putney – 4 stars - Lady Diana Lawrence is the black sheep of her family, she left England 7 years ago after a doomed love affair and spent years traveling, finally ending up in India. But a letter from her niece Rory has Diana returning to England, she believes that at 30, she is a spinster and the man she loved is probably long ago married with children and she is in no danger of meeting up with him. Anthony Raines, the Duke of Castleton is bullied by his sisters to attend the Masked ball at Vance’s townhouse and is mesmerized by the woman who performed an Indian dance – he approaches her and they share a dance and a kiss, which causes both of them a bit of shock when they realize who it is they are kissing! Anthony wants answers as to why she left him after he proposed and she just wants to forget and carry on with her life. When she tells him to leave her alone and never call again, Anthony is forced to resort to abduction to get the woman he loves to talk to him. This was a great second chance romance, but it did feel a little rushed, had very mild love scenes and the issue keeping them apart was resolved way to easily, but the ending was wonderful.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
August 29, 2019
What an amazing collection of stories! Some of romance's best contributed to Seduction on a Snow Night
Madeline Hunter gifts us with A Christmas Abduction where Caroline Dunham devises an excellent scheme to ensure the undivided attention of Baron Thornhill in an effort to obtain some sort of revenge. It does backfire a bit as she finds his attention to be distracting to say the least.
Next up is Sabrina Jeffries with A Perfect Match. Cassandra Isles is whisked away from a ball by Colonel Lord Heywood. He claims it is for her safety but Cassandra is not so sure. She finds herself struggling with her feelings for him, but he needs an heiress while she is hiding that she indeed just what he needs. She needs nothing short of love.
One Wicked Winter Night is next by Mary Jo Putney. Lady Diana Lawrence finds herself tempted at a costume ball. She is even more amazed when she learns that her temptation, a mysterious corsair, turns out to be the Duke of Castleton, a man she loved once but lost. Have they found each other again?
Seduction on a Snowy Night takes us into unexpected love found when the world is being blanketed with snow. Each story is unique and delightfully romantic. This is perfect for when you want something special but do not have a lot of time. Grab this one and carry it with you wherever you go.
Madeline Hunter gifts us with A Christmas Abduction where Caroline Dunham devises an excellent scheme to ensure the undivided attention of Baron Thornhill in an effort to obtain some sort of revenge. It does backfire a bit as she finds his attention to be distracting to say the least.
Next up is Sabrina Jeffries with A Perfect Match. Cassandra Isles is whisked away from a ball by Colonel Lord Heywood. He claims it is for her safety but Cassandra is not so sure. She finds herself struggling with her feelings for him, but he needs an heiress while she is hiding that she indeed just what he needs. She needs nothing short of love.
One Wicked Winter Night is next by Mary Jo Putney. Lady Diana Lawrence finds herself tempted at a costume ball. She is even more amazed when she learns that her temptation, a mysterious corsair, turns out to be the Duke of Castleton, a man she loved once but lost. Have they found each other again?
Seduction on a Snowy Night takes us into unexpected love found when the world is being blanketed with snow. Each story is unique and delightfully romantic. This is perfect for when you want something special but do not have a lot of time. Grab this one and carry it with you wherever you go.
September 11, 2019
Three enjoyable stories set around the Christmas period and concern women who are intelligent and strong minded.
Seduction on a Snowy Night
This features Caroline Dunham who has had to be a strong woman, looking after her father’s estate and caring for her spoilt younger sister. She has a reason for seeking out Adam Prescott, Baron Thornhill but things do not go as planned. There are also a few surprises but a very pleasing end.
A Perfect Match
This story also has a strong, clever woman in Miss Cassandra Isles. She has a fortune for her dowry but keeps it a secret as she is wary of fortune hunters. Class is also very protective of her cousin, Kitty. She meets Colonel Lord Heywood Wolfe and there are a few misunderstandings and a definite attraction but he needs someone with a fortune.
One Wicked Winter Night.
Lady Diana Lawrence has been travelling the world and is now back in England. Here she meets again her first love, Anthony Rainer, Duke of Castleton. This is a second chance romance but will Diana take that chance.
I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Seduction on a Snowy Night
This features Caroline Dunham who has had to be a strong woman, looking after her father’s estate and caring for her spoilt younger sister. She has a reason for seeking out Adam Prescott, Baron Thornhill but things do not go as planned. There are also a few surprises but a very pleasing end.
A Perfect Match
This story also has a strong, clever woman in Miss Cassandra Isles. She has a fortune for her dowry but keeps it a secret as she is wary of fortune hunters. Class is also very protective of her cousin, Kitty. She meets Colonel Lord Heywood Wolfe and there are a few misunderstandings and a definite attraction but he needs someone with a fortune.
One Wicked Winter Night.
Lady Diana Lawrence has been travelling the world and is now back in England. Here she meets again her first love, Anthony Rainer, Duke of Castleton. This is a second chance romance but will Diana take that chance.
I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 16, 2021
Outstanding anthology with novellas by three talented, bestselling historical romance authors
There are three Regency-romance novellas by bestselling historical romance authors contained in this Christmas-themed anthology. A description of the setup of each novella follows with my opinion of each story below that.
A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION by Madeline Hunter
Twenty-five-year-old Caroline Dunham belongs to a famous, race-horse-breeding family which has experienced crippling emotional and financial damage at the hands of the powerful Marquess of Haverdale. But what concerns Caroline far more at the moment is the harm caused to a near-and-dear relative of hers by the Marquess’s 27-year-old reprobate cousin, the notorious rake, Adam Prescott, a military officer with the title, Baron Thornhill. Caroline abducts Adam at the point of a gun and holds him captive at her family’s horse farm, baldly informing him that he must right the wrong he has done before she will permit him to regain his freedom. Unfortunately for the success of Caroline’s daring scheme, handsome, charismatic Adam refuses to admit that he is guilty of the cruel act he is accused of, and the more time he spends beneath her roof, the more Caroline begins to suspect he is not at all the unprincipled rogue she has been led to believe.
A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries
Twenty-two-year-old Cassandra Isles and her eighteen-year-old cousin, Kitty Nickman, are both heiresses, but Cassandra has sworn her family to secrecy about her wealth because she is determined to marry for love. No fortune hunters need apply. Then one snowy night, twenty-seven-year-old Colonel Lord Heywood Wolfe, lately of the Twenty-Fifth Hussars during the Napoleonic Wars and best friend of Kitty’s older brother, Douglas, a fellow soldier, appears at a winter ball the two women are attending. He informs Cass and Kitty that Kitty is on the verge of being kidnapped by a villainous, fortune-hunting suitor of hers, and they must leave the ball with him immediately in order to keep her out of harm’s way. Thus begins an adventure that throws Cass constantly into Heywood’s company. Her heart is drawn to him, and he seems equally drawn to her, until Cass learns to her dismay that Heywood must marry for money in order to afford to restore a dilapidated estate he has inherited, and she refuses to admit to Heywood that she could be the answer to his impoverished prayers.
ONE WICKED WINTER’S NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney
Seven years ago, when he was barely 19 and she was 23, Lady Diana Lawrence, daughter and sister of earls, and Anthony Raines, heir to a dukedom, fell madly in love. But soon after Anthony proposed, Diana ran from him, with no explanation. She broke his heart, and he has not seen or heard from her since. Anthony is now the fifth Duke of Castleton, and Diana has returned from a life of adventure, traveling around the world, in order to settle down again in England. When Anthony unexpectedly encounters her at a masked, costume ball, he realizes he is as attracted to Diana as he ever was, but she refuses to have anything to do with him and will not tell him why. Until Anthony conceives of an outrageous scheme to draw Diana to his side at a remote lodge on his country estate and, once there, a blizzard makes it impossible for Diana to escape from his side.
OPINION
I am a big fan of Mary Jo Putney, and I very much looked forward to reading this Regency-romance collection for the main purpose of experiencing her reunion-romance novella. I was not disappointed—I greatly enjoyed this story. It is an unusual departure for MJP to create a hero who is only in his mid-20s and, for an additional twist, who is almost five years younger than his lady love. Anthony and Diana are both honorable, compassionate, and very intelligent people, which makes them exceptionally sympathetic characters. There are many sensual, emotionally compelling, and also humorous moments in this extremely well written story. Animal lovers, and cat lovers in particular, will especially appreciate the three different cats who are important parts of the plot. They are also major contributors to the humorous moments within this fun read.
I had never previously read anything by either Madeline Hunter or Sabrina Jeffries, but I was satisfyingly entertained by both stories. The heroine in each is strong and dynamic, and both heroes in these two stories are a sympathetic mix of Alpha and Beta traits. One of the reasons I personally only very selectively read historical romances is that it is difficult for me to discover authors who avoid larding their novels with gratuitous, anachronistic sex scenes. That approach never occurs in MJP’s novels, but I was a bit leery trying out these two, unknown-to-me authors out of concern that, in spite of the shortness of the novella format, they would not resist cluttering up the romance plot with a lot of cringe-worthy, ahistorical sex. I was delighted to find that the emphasis in these two stories is not, in fact, on heaving and humping, but rather on the growing feelings of respect, friendship and desire between the romantic protagonists. I will definitely look for other novels by both of these two authors.
All in all, this is an excellent historical-romance collection and a terrific opportunity for fans of each of these talented authors individually to introduce themselves to the work of the other two authors, whom they may not have read before.
I rate this collection as follows:
A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION by Madeline Hunter: 4 stars
A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries: 4 stars
ONE WICKED WINTER’S NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney: 5+ stars
Overall Rating: 5 stars
There are three Regency-romance novellas by bestselling historical romance authors contained in this Christmas-themed anthology. A description of the setup of each novella follows with my opinion of each story below that.
A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION by Madeline Hunter
Twenty-five-year-old Caroline Dunham belongs to a famous, race-horse-breeding family which has experienced crippling emotional and financial damage at the hands of the powerful Marquess of Haverdale. But what concerns Caroline far more at the moment is the harm caused to a near-and-dear relative of hers by the Marquess’s 27-year-old reprobate cousin, the notorious rake, Adam Prescott, a military officer with the title, Baron Thornhill. Caroline abducts Adam at the point of a gun and holds him captive at her family’s horse farm, baldly informing him that he must right the wrong he has done before she will permit him to regain his freedom. Unfortunately for the success of Caroline’s daring scheme, handsome, charismatic Adam refuses to admit that he is guilty of the cruel act he is accused of, and the more time he spends beneath her roof, the more Caroline begins to suspect he is not at all the unprincipled rogue she has been led to believe.
A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries
Twenty-two-year-old Cassandra Isles and her eighteen-year-old cousin, Kitty Nickman, are both heiresses, but Cassandra has sworn her family to secrecy about her wealth because she is determined to marry for love. No fortune hunters need apply. Then one snowy night, twenty-seven-year-old Colonel Lord Heywood Wolfe, lately of the Twenty-Fifth Hussars during the Napoleonic Wars and best friend of Kitty’s older brother, Douglas, a fellow soldier, appears at a winter ball the two women are attending. He informs Cass and Kitty that Kitty is on the verge of being kidnapped by a villainous, fortune-hunting suitor of hers, and they must leave the ball with him immediately in order to keep her out of harm’s way. Thus begins an adventure that throws Cass constantly into Heywood’s company. Her heart is drawn to him, and he seems equally drawn to her, until Cass learns to her dismay that Heywood must marry for money in order to afford to restore a dilapidated estate he has inherited, and she refuses to admit to Heywood that she could be the answer to his impoverished prayers.
ONE WICKED WINTER’S NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney
Seven years ago, when he was barely 19 and she was 23, Lady Diana Lawrence, daughter and sister of earls, and Anthony Raines, heir to a dukedom, fell madly in love. But soon after Anthony proposed, Diana ran from him, with no explanation. She broke his heart, and he has not seen or heard from her since. Anthony is now the fifth Duke of Castleton, and Diana has returned from a life of adventure, traveling around the world, in order to settle down again in England. When Anthony unexpectedly encounters her at a masked, costume ball, he realizes he is as attracted to Diana as he ever was, but she refuses to have anything to do with him and will not tell him why. Until Anthony conceives of an outrageous scheme to draw Diana to his side at a remote lodge on his country estate and, once there, a blizzard makes it impossible for Diana to escape from his side.
OPINION
I am a big fan of Mary Jo Putney, and I very much looked forward to reading this Regency-romance collection for the main purpose of experiencing her reunion-romance novella. I was not disappointed—I greatly enjoyed this story. It is an unusual departure for MJP to create a hero who is only in his mid-20s and, for an additional twist, who is almost five years younger than his lady love. Anthony and Diana are both honorable, compassionate, and very intelligent people, which makes them exceptionally sympathetic characters. There are many sensual, emotionally compelling, and also humorous moments in this extremely well written story. Animal lovers, and cat lovers in particular, will especially appreciate the three different cats who are important parts of the plot. They are also major contributors to the humorous moments within this fun read.
I had never previously read anything by either Madeline Hunter or Sabrina Jeffries, but I was satisfyingly entertained by both stories. The heroine in each is strong and dynamic, and both heroes in these two stories are a sympathetic mix of Alpha and Beta traits. One of the reasons I personally only very selectively read historical romances is that it is difficult for me to discover authors who avoid larding their novels with gratuitous, anachronistic sex scenes. That approach never occurs in MJP’s novels, but I was a bit leery trying out these two, unknown-to-me authors out of concern that, in spite of the shortness of the novella format, they would not resist cluttering up the romance plot with a lot of cringe-worthy, ahistorical sex. I was delighted to find that the emphasis in these two stories is not, in fact, on heaving and humping, but rather on the growing feelings of respect, friendship and desire between the romantic protagonists. I will definitely look for other novels by both of these two authors.
All in all, this is an excellent historical-romance collection and a terrific opportunity for fans of each of these talented authors individually to introduce themselves to the work of the other two authors, whom they may not have read before.
I rate this collection as follows:
A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION by Madeline Hunter: 4 stars
A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries: 4 stars
ONE WICKED WINTER’S NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney: 5+ stars
Overall Rating: 5 stars
July 22, 2019
When I discovered that three of my all-time favorite authors of historical romance were writing stories with a central theme, I was overjoyed. After reading their compelling creations, I have been introduced to spirited characters and entertained by a trio of original storylines. I never doubted for one instant that the imaginative developments were not real, as details seem so accurate while individuals have such credible behavior. Each novella held my full attention, and I could not stop reading any of the stories once started. Madeline Hunter, Sabrina Jeffries, and Mary Jo Putney make these enchanting romances come alive with charmingly delightful characters and unique premises, and I thoroughly enjoyed every compelling scene in SEDUCTION ON A SNOWY NIGHT.
A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION by Madeline Hunter –https://www.madelinehunter.com/
On the way to begin a new stage of his life that will hopefully not be too trying, Adam Prescott, involuntarily ends up accompanying Caroline Dunham to her home. He does not know her identity or why she went to so much trouble in order to detain him from his destination. What Baron Thornhill eventually learns is rather unsettling, but it does not keep his fascination for Caroline from mounting whenever they interact.
“A Christmas Abduction” is filled with a wide variety of situations, where each event is always convincingly depicted. An intriguing scheme is behind several incidents, and I had no idea how anyone would react to what they faced. All the emotions being expressed had me connecting with Caroline and Adam, an interesting pair. The unique circumstances this couple faced time and again are expertly carried out by Madeline Hunter, and wanting to discover what happens to them kept me completely immersed in their story. Wintertime scenes and routine daily life add realism to the book.
A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries – https://sabrinajeffries.com/
Cassandra Isles happens to meet Colonel Lord Heywood Wolfe during a ball being held near the Christmas holiday, and she soon realizes he is the fellow solider of a male cousin with whom she has been corresponding. He has come with a message from her relative, but before it can be delivered, events have them leaving the festivities because trouble is brewing. What neither knows is that some important facts are never spoken, ones which could greatly affect their futures if disclosed.
Whenever Sabrina Jeffries comes up with a storyline, all the occurrences seem like her realistically portrayed characters could have lived through each one. In “A Perfect Match”, there are riveting incidents along with plenty of emotions being displayed. Cassandra is a woman who takes charge and speaks her mind, while Heywood is torn between carrying out his duty or going after what he really desires. As the couple try to find a workable answer that would also bring happiness, they will have to carefully ponder various resolutions. The author kept me engrossed at all times.
ONE WICKED WINTER NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney – https://maryjoputney.com/
After a relationship did not work out, Lady Diana Lawrence travels to various countries and visits quite a few places of interest. But seven years away from family is long enough, and she returns to England. A ball is held by her niece shortly after her arrival, and she inadvertently comes in contact with the only man whom she ever loved. While Anthony Raines, who is now the Duke of Castleton, may have let Diana get away from him once before, he is wiser now and comes up with a plan which just might keep her in his life.
Overflowing with heartwarming moments and a wide range of emotions, “One Wicked Winter Night” delights with memorable romantic ventures. Risks are taken in the hope of finding happiness, and Mary Jo Putney took me on a journey of cleverly imagined what-ifs. Every feeling being expressed by Diana or Anthony was also felt by me, and whether the situation was serious or a joyous event, I was pulled into what was occurring as though I was right there. There are a number of incidents concerning adorable cats, and I laughed at their antics while smiling over the responses of any people involved. A dynamic cast of wonderful characters make appearances throughout and greatly enhanced the story.
I voluntarily reviewed the book, and all comments are my honest opinion
A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION by Madeline Hunter –https://www.madelinehunter.com/
On the way to begin a new stage of his life that will hopefully not be too trying, Adam Prescott, involuntarily ends up accompanying Caroline Dunham to her home. He does not know her identity or why she went to so much trouble in order to detain him from his destination. What Baron Thornhill eventually learns is rather unsettling, but it does not keep his fascination for Caroline from mounting whenever they interact.
“A Christmas Abduction” is filled with a wide variety of situations, where each event is always convincingly depicted. An intriguing scheme is behind several incidents, and I had no idea how anyone would react to what they faced. All the emotions being expressed had me connecting with Caroline and Adam, an interesting pair. The unique circumstances this couple faced time and again are expertly carried out by Madeline Hunter, and wanting to discover what happens to them kept me completely immersed in their story. Wintertime scenes and routine daily life add realism to the book.
A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries – https://sabrinajeffries.com/
Cassandra Isles happens to meet Colonel Lord Heywood Wolfe during a ball being held near the Christmas holiday, and she soon realizes he is the fellow solider of a male cousin with whom she has been corresponding. He has come with a message from her relative, but before it can be delivered, events have them leaving the festivities because trouble is brewing. What neither knows is that some important facts are never spoken, ones which could greatly affect their futures if disclosed.
Whenever Sabrina Jeffries comes up with a storyline, all the occurrences seem like her realistically portrayed characters could have lived through each one. In “A Perfect Match”, there are riveting incidents along with plenty of emotions being displayed. Cassandra is a woman who takes charge and speaks her mind, while Heywood is torn between carrying out his duty or going after what he really desires. As the couple try to find a workable answer that would also bring happiness, they will have to carefully ponder various resolutions. The author kept me engrossed at all times.
ONE WICKED WINTER NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney – https://maryjoputney.com/
After a relationship did not work out, Lady Diana Lawrence travels to various countries and visits quite a few places of interest. But seven years away from family is long enough, and she returns to England. A ball is held by her niece shortly after her arrival, and she inadvertently comes in contact with the only man whom she ever loved. While Anthony Raines, who is now the Duke of Castleton, may have let Diana get away from him once before, he is wiser now and comes up with a plan which just might keep her in his life.
Overflowing with heartwarming moments and a wide range of emotions, “One Wicked Winter Night” delights with memorable romantic ventures. Risks are taken in the hope of finding happiness, and Mary Jo Putney took me on a journey of cleverly imagined what-ifs. Every feeling being expressed by Diana or Anthony was also felt by me, and whether the situation was serious or a joyous event, I was pulled into what was occurring as though I was right there. There are a number of incidents concerning adorable cats, and I laughed at their antics while smiling over the responses of any people involved. A dynamic cast of wonderful characters make appearances throughout and greatly enhanced the story.
I voluntarily reviewed the book, and all comments are my honest opinion
September 25, 2019
Charming Regency Christmas tales.
Three stellar stories bringing that extra taste of Christmas happiness into being for those involved, despite the obstacles that always seem to cut across many of the delightful, and often stubborn protagonists' paths. And yes, snow is involved in all!
A Christmas Abduction by Madeline Hunter
When Baron Thornhill, noted rake, finds himself kidnapped and held in a cottage he's somewhere between annoyed and amused. His captor is a rather unorthodox young woman who managed this feat with a younger man and a couple of older retainers. The big question is why? Caroline Dunham has planned this matter carefully. The Baron will make up for his perfidy. So a Christmas journey, where Thornhill was contemplating being engaged to a rather demanding woman has become something quite different.
A Perfect Match by Sabrina Jeffries
The problem of writing as someone else comes home to haunt Cassandra Isles.
Colonel Lord Heywood Wolfe must marry an heires. He has been enthralled by letters ostensibly from his fellow officer's sister Kitty during the long continental campaign. He has come to woo this compelling heiress, only to be throughly confused, puzzled by the person he'd hoped to marry, as over against her delightful cousin. Cassandra is also an heiress but that knowledge is not broadly known. She wants to be loved for herself, not her money. After some rocky moments and intrigue, including a displorable cad, it seems Christmas time can be a special time of year for all.
One Wicked Winter Night by Mary Jo Putney
Having fled lost love, Lady Diana Lawrence traveled the world. Her decision to return to England, despite enjoying her current years in India will put her back in touch with her beloved family. She looks forward to starting a specialized import business and to write her about her journeys as travelogues. Anticipating a leisurely pace in London as an older single woman, love has no place in her heart, until extreme measures come into play.
A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
Three stellar stories bringing that extra taste of Christmas happiness into being for those involved, despite the obstacles that always seem to cut across many of the delightful, and often stubborn protagonists' paths. And yes, snow is involved in all!
A Christmas Abduction by Madeline Hunter
When Baron Thornhill, noted rake, finds himself kidnapped and held in a cottage he's somewhere between annoyed and amused. His captor is a rather unorthodox young woman who managed this feat with a younger man and a couple of older retainers. The big question is why? Caroline Dunham has planned this matter carefully. The Baron will make up for his perfidy. So a Christmas journey, where Thornhill was contemplating being engaged to a rather demanding woman has become something quite different.
A Perfect Match by Sabrina Jeffries
The problem of writing as someone else comes home to haunt Cassandra Isles.
Colonel Lord Heywood Wolfe must marry an heires. He has been enthralled by letters ostensibly from his fellow officer's sister Kitty during the long continental campaign. He has come to woo this compelling heiress, only to be throughly confused, puzzled by the person he'd hoped to marry, as over against her delightful cousin. Cassandra is also an heiress but that knowledge is not broadly known. She wants to be loved for herself, not her money. After some rocky moments and intrigue, including a displorable cad, it seems Christmas time can be a special time of year for all.
One Wicked Winter Night by Mary Jo Putney
Having fled lost love, Lady Diana Lawrence traveled the world. Her decision to return to England, despite enjoying her current years in India will put her back in touch with her beloved family. She looks forward to starting a specialized import business and to write her about her journeys as travelogues. Anticipating a leisurely pace in London as an older single woman, love has no place in her heart, until extreme measures come into play.
A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
October 7, 2019
A Christmas Abduction- Caroline Dunham has a score to settle with Adam Prescott, Baron Thornhill, a notorious rake. Her plan to abduct him, thus ensuring she has his full attention, goes well until the time she spends with him begins to make Caroline see Adam in a new light.
I really didn't care much for this one. The heroine was just rude and grossly unfair to the hero for much of the story, not to mention rather illogical, and her apology wasn't enough for me. But of course this was a novella, so there wasn't time for much more and I can let it slide since at least the ending was satisfying.
A Perfect Match- When she and her cousin Kitty are swept away from a ball by her cousin Douglas' friend, Colonel Lord Heywood Wolfe, Cassandra Isles is sufficiently shocked to meet the man she knows so well from her cousin's letters. But Heywood must marry for money in order to save his tenants and he keeps berating himself for his attraction to Cass when it is heiress Kitty whose letters so intrigued him and whom he must woo. Cass finds it difficult not taking credit for the letters she herself wrote, but she's determined to keep her status as an heiress secret and will marry only for love. Without a reckoning, these two will be kept apart by their misconceptions of one another.
I really enjoyed this story. It was fun and the hero was believably flawed, though he thankfully got it together in the end.
One Wicked Winter's Night- Recently returned from India, Lady Diana Lawrence is shocked to be almost immediately reuninted with the man she left England for seven years previously, Anthony, now the Duke of Castleton. The reasons that kept them apart don't seem to matter anymore, but are their feelings still the same? And will that be enough?
This was a quick, sweet second chance story once Diana started being sensible and listening to her own feelings and I enjoyed it.
Overall this was a set of cute and enjoyable stories from top-notch authors and it was a great read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I really didn't care much for this one. The heroine was just rude and grossly unfair to the hero for much of the story, not to mention rather illogical, and her apology wasn't enough for me. But of course this was a novella, so there wasn't time for much more and I can let it slide since at least the ending was satisfying.
A Perfect Match- When she and her cousin Kitty are swept away from a ball by her cousin Douglas' friend, Colonel Lord Heywood Wolfe, Cassandra Isles is sufficiently shocked to meet the man she knows so well from her cousin's letters. But Heywood must marry for money in order to save his tenants and he keeps berating himself for his attraction to Cass when it is heiress Kitty whose letters so intrigued him and whom he must woo. Cass finds it difficult not taking credit for the letters she herself wrote, but she's determined to keep her status as an heiress secret and will marry only for love. Without a reckoning, these two will be kept apart by their misconceptions of one another.
I really enjoyed this story. It was fun and the hero was believably flawed, though he thankfully got it together in the end.
One Wicked Winter's Night- Recently returned from India, Lady Diana Lawrence is shocked to be almost immediately reuninted with the man she left England for seven years previously, Anthony, now the Duke of Castleton. The reasons that kept them apart don't seem to matter anymore, but are their feelings still the same? And will that be enough?
This was a quick, sweet second chance story once Diana started being sensible and listening to her own feelings and I enjoyed it.
Overall this was a set of cute and enjoyable stories from top-notch authors and it was a great read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 22, 2021
Review of A Perfect Match only
I liked this! I liked Cass a lot and Heywood was fun, too. I'm a little iffy on the portrayal of Kitty. She seems nice! There are different kinds of "smart"!
I liked this! I liked Cass a lot and Heywood was fun, too. I'm a little iffy on the portrayal of Kitty. She seems nice! There are different kinds of "smart"!
October 5, 2019
A Christmas Abduction by Madelaine Hunter
4 stars. This was my favourite. An interesting premise, the heroine kidnaps the hero, believing he did something bad to her family. The story keeps me interested, but it is always to make the falling in love part believable in a short period like this.
A Perfect Match by Sabrina Jefferies
3 stars. I am a fan of SJ's work, this one was not up to par. The characters were just so obvious, the villain, the heroine being able to see right through it, the cousin who is not very bright and makes it as obvious as day through her comments, thus leaving easy clues for the hero to figure out she is not the author of the letters to her brother, and the hero's friend.
For some reason Christmas novellas for the most part never quite deliver what they promise, and are below the authors' standards. Most of them fall into Christmas cheesiness and you get hit over the head with Christmas cheers and scenes that lend very little to the story more than cliches. I wish authors would accept they could write a story around this time of year, and just accept that as if it was just a story set in Spring. A good story set around Christmas or any time is enough to get me reading. I don't need to feel the fuzzy warmth of Christmas.
One Wicked Winter Night by Mary Jo Putney
I didn't like this second chance romance. First of all they lost me at the Indian dance performance from a lady, then to find out the break up occured when
October 7, 2019
Excellent trio of novellas. I bought this ebook because I love Mary Jo Putney's books, and was delighted to see several characters from her novels reappear. I suspect there were similar appearances in the other two novellas, but since I haven't read books by either of these authors lately, I can't say for certain. No matter. Each of these three stories stands on its own merits and I enjoyed them all.
December 7, 2019
Seduction on a Snowy Night is a historical romance anthology, with three stories set around the Christmas holiday.
A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION by Madeline Hunter
Adam Prescott, the Baron Thornhill, is on his way to his cousin’s home for the holidays, but before he can make it, he is kidnapped. Once Adam realizes who has kidnapped him, he thinks it’s because his cousin cheated the family in a matter of horseflesh. However, Caro’s motives are for a more personal nature, and she’s determined to have Adam comply with her demands.
Adam and Caro are forced into close proximity for several days and a mutual attraction grows to friendship and admiration. I loved how earnest Adam is; such a gentleman, and he loves Caro. It was pretty obvious how things would go down, but it was still a joy to read. Overall, I really liked this story. My Rating: B+
A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries
Cass is trying to find a love match for her younger cousin, Kitty, who has a rather large dowry. Meanwhile, Cass hides her own inheritance because she was hurt by a man who only wanted her for her dowry. Lord Heywood Wolfe is a friend of Kitty’s brother, Douglas. He promised Douglas that he’d prevent Captain Malet from marrying Kitty, meanwhile Douglas gave Heywood his blessing to marry his sister.
I specifically picked up this anthology because of Ms. Jeffries story (I greatly enjoyed the first book in the series.) I did like the premise and set up; I enjoyed how Heywood and Cass figure out the truths of one another. However, I felt the penultimate conflict was a bit over-dramatic with Heywood blowing things out of proportion. However, the story ended how it should, and overall, it was a good read. My Rating: B
ONE WICKED WINTER’S NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney
This is a second chance romance between Lady Diana Lawerence, who has lived abroad over several years, and Anthony Raines, the Duke of Castleton. She left him abruptly after he proposed seven years ago.
This one was okay - it had a lot of promise, and I enjoyed the premise, but it was a bit hokey at times. He kidnaps her cat to get her to come to him. But I liked the second chance aspect. My Rating: B-
Overall, Seduction on a Snowy Night is a fun, sweet, entertaining historical anthology. I enjoyed the stories, which are centered on the winter/holiday season.
My Rating: B, Liked It
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by Netgalley
A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION by Madeline Hunter
Adam Prescott, the Baron Thornhill, is on his way to his cousin’s home for the holidays, but before he can make it, he is kidnapped. Once Adam realizes who has kidnapped him, he thinks it’s because his cousin cheated the family in a matter of horseflesh. However, Caro’s motives are for a more personal nature, and she’s determined to have Adam comply with her demands.
Adam and Caro are forced into close proximity for several days and a mutual attraction grows to friendship and admiration. I loved how earnest Adam is; such a gentleman, and he loves Caro. It was pretty obvious how things would go down, but it was still a joy to read. Overall, I really liked this story. My Rating: B+
A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries
Cass is trying to find a love match for her younger cousin, Kitty, who has a rather large dowry. Meanwhile, Cass hides her own inheritance because she was hurt by a man who only wanted her for her dowry. Lord Heywood Wolfe is a friend of Kitty’s brother, Douglas. He promised Douglas that he’d prevent Captain Malet from marrying Kitty, meanwhile Douglas gave Heywood his blessing to marry his sister.
I specifically picked up this anthology because of Ms. Jeffries story (I greatly enjoyed the first book in the series.) I did like the premise and set up; I enjoyed how Heywood and Cass figure out the truths of one another. However, I felt the penultimate conflict was a bit over-dramatic with Heywood blowing things out of proportion. However, the story ended how it should, and overall, it was a good read. My Rating: B
ONE WICKED WINTER’S NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney
This is a second chance romance between Lady Diana Lawerence, who has lived abroad over several years, and Anthony Raines, the Duke of Castleton. She left him abruptly after he proposed seven years ago.
This one was okay - it had a lot of promise, and I enjoyed the premise, but it was a bit hokey at times. He kidnaps her cat to get her to come to him. But I liked the second chance aspect. My Rating: B-
Overall, Seduction on a Snowy Night is a fun, sweet, entertaining historical anthology. I enjoyed the stories, which are centered on the winter/holiday season.
My Rating: B, Liked It
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by Netgalley
November 3, 2020
A Perfect Match by Sabrina Jeffries
A good, short Christmas romance with some steam. This novella goes along with the Duke Dynasty series. I have these books in my tbr pile so this was a nice way to have a sneak peak into some of the characters in the family and get me in the Christmas mood. It has a bunch of seasonal references sprinkled throughout and tells the story of Colonel Haywood and Cass. Secrets concerning marriage and twists made this a nice way to spend my evening.
A good, short Christmas romance with some steam. This novella goes along with the Duke Dynasty series. I have these books in my tbr pile so this was a nice way to have a sneak peak into some of the characters in the family and get me in the Christmas mood. It has a bunch of seasonal references sprinkled throughout and tells the story of Colonel Haywood and Cass. Secrets concerning marriage and twists made this a nice way to spend my evening.
September 10, 2019
A pretty standard Christmas anthology. This is an easy read for the holidays. Sabrina Jeffries’ novella was my favorite.
October 7, 2020
Review will be published soon
January 14, 2020
This anthology has 3 novellas all taking place during winter. One story each by Madeline Hunter, Sabrina Jeffries, and Mary Jo Putney
A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION by Madeline Hunter
The heroine abducts the hero and keeps him hostage due to some information she has about him. Their relationship forms during his 'imprisonment'. There are a few twists and turns in the this story that keep it a bit more interesting.
I think I am the only person that didn't like this story. The premise was definitely different, but I could not understand how the heroine could begin to form feelings, or do anything physically with the hero, thinking what she was thinking in the beginning. I can't say their conversations brought me butterflies or anything, in fact it was a lot of just boring or downright negative dialogue. I get that the heroine has reason to not like the hero in the beginning, but I don't understand how there was any chance of them having feelings for each other. I found the heroine completely unlikable and couldn't understand any of her actions. I didn't see how the hero had come to care for her. I would give this story alone 2 stars, but perhaps it was just a character disconnect with me personally.
A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries
I completely adored this novella. I didn't realize it would be a continuation of her Duke Dynasty series (Book one being Project Duchess) so was extra excited to have another story from that family tree. This story is about Heywood and Cass.
Heywood needs an heiress so he can restore his home upon his return from being an officer. Cass has become an expert at avoiding fortune hunters by keeping her dowry a secret and vowing to marry only for love. This story is just fun, past faced, and well developed for a novella. I feel like I am right in with the family getting ready for the holidays. Sabrina Jeffries characters come to live and have bursting personalities, even the secondary characters. 5 stars
ONE WICKED WINTER'S NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney
I loved that the beginning of this novella took place in India. Wish I got to see a bit more of Diana's time there. She returns to London after receiving a letter from her favorite niece and realizing it's time to go home. Upon her return, she meets a dashing corsair at a masquerade ball who turns out to be her lost love and the reason she fled England years ago.
I really enjoyed this novella. It actually felt like a full story. I usually don't like where the hero and heroine have a previous history because I feel like I'm missing things but with this it worked really well. The story felt full bodied, I loved the characters including the secondary ones and adored the Panda and the Spook.
My only complaint about this, which probably would be another positive if I was caught up with Putney's work, was this novella also felt rather like a giant epilogue for all the characters of the Rogue's Redeemed series. So if you have read those, this is wonderful to see all the characters again I'm sure. As it was, it made me feel extremely curious about their stories, as I've only read the first in the series. 5 stars
So overall a great set of stories, especially to curl up with this fall/winter.
I was able to receive an ARC copy complimentary from netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION by Madeline Hunter
The heroine abducts the hero and keeps him hostage due to some information she has about him. Their relationship forms during his 'imprisonment'. There are a few twists and turns in the this story that keep it a bit more interesting.
I think I am the only person that didn't like this story. The premise was definitely different, but I could not understand how the heroine could begin to form feelings, or do anything physically with the hero, thinking what she was thinking in the beginning. I can't say their conversations brought me butterflies or anything, in fact it was a lot of just boring or downright negative dialogue. I get that the heroine has reason to not like the hero in the beginning, but I don't understand how there was any chance of them having feelings for each other. I found the heroine completely unlikable and couldn't understand any of her actions. I didn't see how the hero had come to care for her. I would give this story alone 2 stars, but perhaps it was just a character disconnect with me personally.
A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries
I completely adored this novella. I didn't realize it would be a continuation of her Duke Dynasty series (Book one being Project Duchess) so was extra excited to have another story from that family tree. This story is about Heywood and Cass.
Heywood needs an heiress so he can restore his home upon his return from being an officer. Cass has become an expert at avoiding fortune hunters by keeping her dowry a secret and vowing to marry only for love. This story is just fun, past faced, and well developed for a novella. I feel like I am right in with the family getting ready for the holidays. Sabrina Jeffries characters come to live and have bursting personalities, even the secondary characters. 5 stars
ONE WICKED WINTER'S NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney
I loved that the beginning of this novella took place in India. Wish I got to see a bit more of Diana's time there. She returns to London after receiving a letter from her favorite niece and realizing it's time to go home. Upon her return, she meets a dashing corsair at a masquerade ball who turns out to be her lost love and the reason she fled England years ago.
I really enjoyed this novella. It actually felt like a full story. I usually don't like where the hero and heroine have a previous history because I feel like I'm missing things but with this it worked really well. The story felt full bodied, I loved the characters including the secondary ones and adored the Panda and the Spook.
My only complaint about this, which probably would be another positive if I was caught up with Putney's work, was this novella also felt rather like a giant epilogue for all the characters of the Rogue's Redeemed series. So if you have read those, this is wonderful to see all the characters again I'm sure. As it was, it made me feel extremely curious about their stories, as I've only read the first in the series. 5 stars
So overall a great set of stories, especially to curl up with this fall/winter.
I was able to receive an ARC copy complimentary from netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 24, 2019
I received this book for free from Netgalley in order to prepare an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This is an anthology of three novellas connected only by theme of snow and Christmas holidays.
A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION by Madeline Hunter: Caroline Dunham abducts Adam Prescott, Baron Thornhill intending to bring the notorious rake to heel for his deeds. But Thornhill turns out to be different than she though. I enjoyed this story especially because of Adam who turns out to be a pretty decent guy. I especially liked that he has made mistakes and this story deals with those issues. It has a nice holiday theme. Rating: 4 stars.
A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries: Cassandra Isles and Colonel Lord Heywood end up spending Christmas together when Cassandra and her cousin are escorted/kidnapped by Heywood in order to protect Cassandra's cousin (and his best friend's sister) from a man with evil intentions toward her. I thought this story was enjoyable as Cassandra is a woman with a fortune who wants to only marry for love and so she hides the existence of her fortune. Of course, Heywood is a man in need of a fortune to rehabilitate the estate he has inherited. That leads to difficulties and definitely enriched the interaction between these two characters. I enjoyed the working out of this story which was well constructed for such a short novella. Rating: 4.5 stars.
ONE WICKED WINTER NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney: Lady Diana Lawrence returns to England after seven years of traveling the world. She is the guest of honor in a masquerade ball where she unexpectedly encounters the man she loved and fled, Anthony, Duke of Castleton. This book was filled with some of my favorite catnip: older woman/younger man, second chance at love, opposites attract and catnapping. This was my favorite of the anthology because I just loved Anthony. He was in love with Diana and he had never forgotten her. Given a second chance, he has no intention of allowing her to slip through his fingers again. He is so accepting of her and is supportive of her even though she broke his heart in the past. Lots of cats in the book as well. Rating: 4.5 stars.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.
This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com
This is an anthology of three novellas connected only by theme of snow and Christmas holidays.
A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION by Madeline Hunter: Caroline Dunham abducts Adam Prescott, Baron Thornhill intending to bring the notorious rake to heel for his deeds. But Thornhill turns out to be different than she though. I enjoyed this story especially because of Adam who turns out to be a pretty decent guy. I especially liked that he has made mistakes and this story deals with those issues. It has a nice holiday theme. Rating: 4 stars.
A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries: Cassandra Isles and Colonel Lord Heywood end up spending Christmas together when Cassandra and her cousin are escorted/kidnapped by Heywood in order to protect Cassandra's cousin (and his best friend's sister) from a man with evil intentions toward her. I thought this story was enjoyable as Cassandra is a woman with a fortune who wants to only marry for love and so she hides the existence of her fortune. Of course, Heywood is a man in need of a fortune to rehabilitate the estate he has inherited. That leads to difficulties and definitely enriched the interaction between these two characters. I enjoyed the working out of this story which was well constructed for such a short novella. Rating: 4.5 stars.
ONE WICKED WINTER NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney: Lady Diana Lawrence returns to England after seven years of traveling the world. She is the guest of honor in a masquerade ball where she unexpectedly encounters the man she loved and fled, Anthony, Duke of Castleton. This book was filled with some of my favorite catnip: older woman/younger man, second chance at love, opposites attract and catnapping. This was my favorite of the anthology because I just loved Anthony. He was in love with Diana and he had never forgotten her. Given a second chance, he has no intention of allowing her to slip through his fingers again. He is so accepting of her and is supportive of her even though she broke his heart in the past. Lots of cats in the book as well. Rating: 4.5 stars.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.
This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com
August 29, 2019
Three wonderful novellas written by Madeline Hunter, Sabrina Jeffries and Mary Jo Putney, that all take place around Christmas time. All three authors have such a magical way of writing their stories and these are no exception.
A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION by Madeline Hunter: Caroline abducts Adam and plans to make him pay for what he's done to her sister but plans don't always work out the way you want them to! It doesn't take long before the truth comes out and Adam proves himself to be everything Caroline wants for herself. ****
A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries: Cassandra and Heywood are attracted to each other but he must marry a heiress to save the dilapidated estate he was left by his father. Cassandra has hidden the fact that she is indeed a heiress because she wants to marry for love and not to a fortune hunter. It's a good thing Heywood declares his love to her before he discovers she's actually a heiress but all is not easily solved! ****
ONE WICKED WINTER’S NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney: Diana and Anthony have a history and now, years later, they meet up again and discover the mutual attraction is still there. Anthony is determined to find out the truth of why Diana wouldn't marry him all these years ago and I loved how her cat, the Panda, has quite an important role in bringing them back together:) ****
I was given an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION by Madeline Hunter: Caroline abducts Adam and plans to make him pay for what he's done to her sister but plans don't always work out the way you want them to! It doesn't take long before the truth comes out and Adam proves himself to be everything Caroline wants for herself. ****
A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries: Cassandra and Heywood are attracted to each other but he must marry a heiress to save the dilapidated estate he was left by his father. Cassandra has hidden the fact that she is indeed a heiress because she wants to marry for love and not to a fortune hunter. It's a good thing Heywood declares his love to her before he discovers she's actually a heiress but all is not easily solved! ****
ONE WICKED WINTER’S NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney: Diana and Anthony have a history and now, years later, they meet up again and discover the mutual attraction is still there. Anthony is determined to find out the truth of why Diana wouldn't marry him all these years ago and I loved how her cat, the Panda, has quite an important role in bringing them back together:) ****
I was given an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
December 10, 2020
I enjoyed the 2nd story the best by Sabrina Jefferies. I would give that 5 stars and wished that had been a full length story. The story by Hunter a 3 star, just ok. The last story by Mary Jo, I didn’t like at all. The story was very boring!
November 27, 2021
I only read Sabrina Jeffries' story, A Perfect Match, in this collection because I'm reading my way through the Duke Dynasty series. It was a cute story. It felt a bit rushed as short stories often do, but it was fun to see how the characters came together. I'm really looking forward to reading the next one as I loved the characters when they appeared in the first book.
April 20, 2021
don't think i've ever read any of the authors's works but can say that i really liked their writing and characters in seduction on a snowy night. i liked all three stories and read them very quickly.
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