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A Victorian Family Christmas
Cozy up this Christmas
With three heartwarming stories!
In A Father for Christmas by Carla Kelly, widow Lissy and her young son give refuge to a handsome stranger for Christmas...
In A Kiss Under the Mistletoe by Carol Arens, with her reputation in tatters, Louisa lets out her manor house to captivating Hugh and his motherless little girl...
And in The Earl's Unexpected Gifts by Eva Shepherd, the Earl of Summerhill is shocked at becoming guardian to young twins—but could their governess be his best present yet?
From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.
With three heartwarming stories!
In A Father for Christmas by Carla Kelly, widow Lissy and her young son give refuge to a handsome stranger for Christmas...
In A Kiss Under the Mistletoe by Carol Arens, with her reputation in tatters, Louisa lets out her manor house to captivating Hugh and his motherless little girl...
And in The Earl's Unexpected Gifts by Eva Shepherd, the Earl of Summerhill is shocked at becoming guardian to young twins—but could their governess be his best present yet?
From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 28, 2021
57 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Carla Kelly
137 books804 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 16, 2021
I bought this book mainly for Carla Kelly's story but I decided to save that story for last .
The story's from Carol Arens and Eva Shepherd turned out to be more festive and full of christmas cheer than C.K.'s . 3 x 4 *
The story's from Carol Arens and Eva Shepherd turned out to be more festive and full of christmas cheer than C.K.'s . 3 x 4 *
January 5, 2026
The first story, written by Carla Kelly, was quite charming, and the historical setting was interesting (I even learned something new).
The other two stories were pretty boring, so I only skimmed through them.
The other two stories were pretty boring, so I only skimmed through them.
December 7, 2021
Such a cute collection of sweet, simple romances! A new Carla Kelly is worth the price alone, but all of these were 4-4.5 stars, ranging from fake husbands to hidden identities to a class difference romance, and all with untraditional (for the time period) family structures.
December 23, 2024
3/5 stars — I’m splitting the difference on this rating bc the carla kelly story was genuinely, unironically very funny and romantic and the best thing I’ve read from her, and then the next story was lowkey problematic and I dnfed the third one because I couldn’t bring myself to care
A father for Christmas
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Pacing: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Enjoyment: 5/5
A kiss under the mistletoe
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 3/5
Pacing: 2/5
Writing: 2/5
Enjoyment: 3/5
A father for Christmas
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Pacing: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Enjoyment: 5/5
A kiss under the mistletoe
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 3/5
Pacing: 2/5
Writing: 2/5
Enjoyment: 3/5
March 2, 2023
I love Christmas romances. I love Carla Kelly. I did not love any of these stories. They were okay. But they all featured precocious children and were way too syrupy for my taste. I know Christmas romances are almost always sweet, but this was three courses of dessert, rather than a meal.
November 30, 2021
The Earl unexpected gifts
Everything in these 3 books I like. These books are three stories I like all all them. The most I like is the Earl Rufus who doesn’t like children and he receive the bad news that some distance relatives who are dead and let him their two children. The Earl is not happy he does not wants responsibility but he accepted. The children are coming along, their governess came also. The Earl accepted and he is not very happy and started a relationship with Anna as time pass a feeling started to develop between. The children add happiness to Earl that started falling to to them. The story worth the money and I recommend that these stories are old take the advantage to read it. Merry Christmas to all.
Everything in these 3 books I like. These books are three stories I like all all them. The most I like is the Earl Rufus who doesn’t like children and he receive the bad news that some distance relatives who are dead and let him their two children. The Earl is not happy he does not wants responsibility but he accepted. The children are coming along, their governess came also. The Earl accepted and he is not very happy and started a relationship with Anna as time pass a feeling started to develop between. The children add happiness to Earl that started falling to to them. The story worth the money and I recommend that these stories are old take the advantage to read it. Merry Christmas to all.
October 28, 2021
Bunches of Holiday Treats!
Yes! It’s that time of year when the book market is flooded with itsy-bitsy holiday stories. Why are we so happy when this happens? First of all, it seems as if we are reading more, but we are really not. But who cares!!!! Secondly, it’s a great way to find new authors! And, I’m happy to say, I found some authors I’m going to check into.
Let’s take a look at some of the holiday treats I have indulged in so far! By the way, short story=short review.
The first anthology was A Victorian Christmas. We have three authors: Carla Kelly, Carol Arens, and Eva Shepherd. I could find no connection between the stories other than these are Harlequin authors and they are writing about holiday romance.
A Father for Christmas, by Carla Kelly. One word: charming. You know it’s been a while since I’ve read Ms. Kelly. I think it was back in 1998, but who’s counting. Anyway, I think I’ll take another look at her library. I loved everything about this story. Great chemistry between the hero and heroine, and a wonderful, scene-stealing child. This story made me smile.
B+
A Kiss Under the Mistletoe, by Carol Arens. This story did not make me smile. There wasn’t any chemistry between the h/h. Not fond of this short story.
C-
The Earl’s Unexpected Gifts, by Eva Shepherd. All I can say is; a short story which was a DNF. I just could not connect with the people in this story.
DNF
So, A Victorian Christmas had one story out of three that I liked. In fact, I would have to say I loved Carla Kelly’s story. Because of that I was glad I paid the price of admission.
Yes! It’s that time of year when the book market is flooded with itsy-bitsy holiday stories. Why are we so happy when this happens? First of all, it seems as if we are reading more, but we are really not. But who cares!!!! Secondly, it’s a great way to find new authors! And, I’m happy to say, I found some authors I’m going to check into.
Let’s take a look at some of the holiday treats I have indulged in so far! By the way, short story=short review.
The first anthology was A Victorian Christmas. We have three authors: Carla Kelly, Carol Arens, and Eva Shepherd. I could find no connection between the stories other than these are Harlequin authors and they are writing about holiday romance.
A Father for Christmas, by Carla Kelly. One word: charming. You know it’s been a while since I’ve read Ms. Kelly. I think it was back in 1998, but who’s counting. Anyway, I think I’ll take another look at her library. I loved everything about this story. Great chemistry between the hero and heroine, and a wonderful, scene-stealing child. This story made me smile.
B+
A Kiss Under the Mistletoe, by Carol Arens. This story did not make me smile. There wasn’t any chemistry between the h/h. Not fond of this short story.
C-
The Earl’s Unexpected Gifts, by Eva Shepherd. All I can say is; a short story which was a DNF. I just could not connect with the people in this story.
DNF
So, A Victorian Christmas had one story out of three that I liked. In fact, I would have to say I loved Carla Kelly’s story. Because of that I was glad I paid the price of admission.
September 21, 2024
All three of these stories are new to this publication. I was a bit disappointed because I thought all three stories were a bit syrupy. Overall score = G+.
A FATHER FOR CHRISTMAS (Carla Kelly) -- VG
This is another of Carla Kelly's feel-good stories, and a delight to read. British Widow Felicity Waring and her son, Jem, help an American hiding from the captain of a Southern Confederacy's ship, during the Civil War. The ship is stranded in England for repairs and Ezra Eldredge hides out in the widow's home (because he's been entrusted with a dangerous communication for the American ambassador in London).
A KISS UNDER THE MISTLETOE (Carol Arens) -- G +
After trying to marry a nobleman to save her property and failing, Louisa is reduced to renting out her estate and moving to the dowager cottage. When she meets the new tenant and his adopted daughter, Louisa is captivated. However, she keeps her identity a secret because Hugh holds Lady Kirkwynd in low esteem because of the rumors he's heard about her.
This story was just too wordy; it really diluted the impact of the story.
THE EARL'S UNEXPECTED GIFTS (Eva Shepherd) -- G
The Earl of Summerhill, totally content in his present unmarried state, is told by his solicitor that he has inherited the wardship of a pair of twins. He is relieved to hear that the children have a governess, who has been with them for 5 years. However, how does a single man adapt to the addition of two children to his household?
This story progressed way too fast; it seemed fairly impossible.
A FATHER FOR CHRISTMAS (Carla Kelly) -- VG
This is another of Carla Kelly's feel-good stories, and a delight to read. British Widow Felicity Waring and her son, Jem, help an American hiding from the captain of a Southern Confederacy's ship, during the Civil War. The ship is stranded in England for repairs and Ezra Eldredge hides out in the widow's home (because he's been entrusted with a dangerous communication for the American ambassador in London).
A KISS UNDER THE MISTLETOE (Carol Arens) -- G +
After trying to marry a nobleman to save her property and failing, Louisa is reduced to renting out her estate and moving to the dowager cottage. When she meets the new tenant and his adopted daughter, Louisa is captivated. However, she keeps her identity a secret because Hugh holds Lady Kirkwynd in low esteem because of the rumors he's heard about her.
This story was just too wordy; it really diluted the impact of the story.
THE EARL'S UNEXPECTED GIFTS (Eva Shepherd) -- G
The Earl of Summerhill, totally content in his present unmarried state, is told by his solicitor that he has inherited the wardship of a pair of twins. He is relieved to hear that the children have a governess, who has been with them for 5 years. However, how does a single man adapt to the addition of two children to his household?
This story progressed way too fast; it seemed fairly impossible.
December 8, 2021
I loved this volume of three well written, warm, inviting, romantic Victorian Christmas stories. There were plenty of children, mistletoe, Christmas balls, and plum pudding, along with all the feels. Carla Kelly is a long-time favorite author and I enjoyed reading the stories by two authors previously unknown to me. I look forward to reading more by them, too.
October 3, 2021
Solid
This delivers what you’d expect. Short stories that have HEA. Each follows standard trope of ‘unexpected’ love. Gentle Christmas tales.
This delivers what you’d expect. Short stories that have HEA. Each follows standard trope of ‘unexpected’ love. Gentle Christmas tales.
December 18, 2021
A trilogy of Victorian Christmas stories
Carla Kelly story- American in England right before the Civil War. Warm and touching. 5 stars
Story 2-4 stars
Story 3- 3 stars
Carla Kelly story- American in England right before the Civil War. Warm and touching. 5 stars
Story 2-4 stars
Story 3- 3 stars
December 21, 2021
I really liked each of the short stories. True love especially at first sight is a wonderful thing.
December 27, 2025
Only one good story
Carla Kelly never disappoints, but the other two stories border on the infantile . I wish book editors used a lot more discrimination in picking story lines.
Carla Kelly never disappoints, but the other two stories border on the infantile . I wish book editors used a lot more discrimination in picking story lines.
December 30, 2025
A Victorian Family Christmas
All three stories are sweet and clean. These stories were quick and easy to read and just the right length.
All three stories are sweet and clean. These stories were quick and easy to read and just the right length.
January 1, 2026
This is an interesting snapshot collection.
September 10, 2024
Rating for carla Kelly's story.
March 23, 2025
A Father for Christmas by Carla Kelly - 3 stars
A Kiss under the Mistletoe by Carol Arens - 2 stars
The Earl’s Unexpected Gifts by Eva Shepherd -2 stars
A Kiss under the Mistletoe by Carol Arens - 2 stars
The Earl’s Unexpected Gifts by Eva Shepherd -2 stars
January 5, 2026
I truly enjoyed the amusing dialogue between the two main characters. Even though they were involved in a serious and dangerous situation the banter was fun.
November 6, 2023
A Father for Christmas 4 stars Carla Kelly
Ezra Eldredge runs into a problem as he is trusted to get an important message from Pres. Lincoln to minister Adams i London. Overtaken by a ship from the Confederate States of America,, Ezra is thrown overboard. He swims to shore and shows up cold and wet at the door of widow Felicity waring and her son Jem.
A Kiss Under the Mistletoe 4 stars Carol Arens
It had become financially necessary for widowed Lady Kirkwynd to rent her manor house out. The taker is Hugh Clark, and his little daughter Belle. When they meet, Hugh assumes Louisa to e the hired help of Lady Kirkwynd. He offers the job of watching Belle to her, which Louisa readily accepts. She desperately need the extra money as the household is nearly destitute.
The Earl's Unexpected Gifts 4 stars Eva Shepherd
The Earl of Summerhill, Rufus Deerwater, accepts two young orphaned relatives into his care. With them comes their lovely governess, Anna Wainwright. Rufus and his mother become family to this new little group of visitors. They all discover the magic of Christmas together as the festivities of the season unfold around them.
Ezra Eldredge runs into a problem as he is trusted to get an important message from Pres. Lincoln to minister Adams i London. Overtaken by a ship from the Confederate States of America,, Ezra is thrown overboard. He swims to shore and shows up cold and wet at the door of widow Felicity waring and her son Jem.
A Kiss Under the Mistletoe 4 stars Carol Arens
It had become financially necessary for widowed Lady Kirkwynd to rent her manor house out. The taker is Hugh Clark, and his little daughter Belle. When they meet, Hugh assumes Louisa to e the hired help of Lady Kirkwynd. He offers the job of watching Belle to her, which Louisa readily accepts. She desperately need the extra money as the household is nearly destitute.
The Earl's Unexpected Gifts 4 stars Eva Shepherd
The Earl of Summerhill, Rufus Deerwater, accepts two young orphaned relatives into his care. With them comes their lovely governess, Anna Wainwright. Rufus and his mother become family to this new little group of visitors. They all discover the magic of Christmas together as the festivities of the season unfold around them.
December 18, 2021
4 stars for the second and third stories but unfortunately for the first story, the Carla Kelly one, only 3. It just did not pull at the heart strings like every other Carla Kelly book I have read. In fact, it read like someone else wrote it! This is disappointing as Carla Kelly books are always so sweet and satisfying.
December 19, 2021
I love Carla Kelly, and just finished a Carol Arens than I enjoyed, so I was looking forward to this! It was pretty fun overall. I liked the stakes, humor, and adventure in Carla Kelly,s story, and the identity hijinks in Carol Arens. I am always wary of disabled characters determined to defy doctors odds and walk again, but at least it wasn’t inspiration p0rn.
January 7, 2022
I bought this book for the Carla Kelly story. It was the standout story in the anthology. The other two stories were okay.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews