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The MacLerie Clan #4.5
Regency Candlelit Christmas (The MacLerie Clan #4.5)
Christmas Wedding Wish by Julia Justiss
Disenchanted with empty-headed debutantes, dashing gentleman Allen Mansfell is instantly attracted to the spirited and intelligent Miss Meredyth Wellingford. Merry doesn't believe she’ll ever find true love – but it’s the season of miracles...
The Rake's Secret Son by Annie Burrows
Before Carleton Tillotson left Nell, the rebellious rake broke her heart. Now he's back, just in time for Christmas, and Nell can't hide her secret any longer - Carleton's the father of her son!
Blame It on the Mistletoe by Terri Brisbin
Julia Fairchild has loved Iain MacLerie forever, but the boy she once knew is now a hardened and aloof man. Amid the warm cheer of Christmas, can Julia find a way to turn the spark between them into an enduring flame?
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 23, 2008
26 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
About the author
Julia Justiss
222 books317 followersJulia Justiss grew up breathing the scent of sea air near the colonial town of Annapolis, Maryland, a fact responsible for two of her life-long passions: sailors and history! By age twelve she was a junior tour guide for Historic Annapolis, conducting visitors on walking tours through the city that was a hotbed of revolutionary fervor. (Annapolis hosted its own tea party, dispensing with the cargo aboard the "Peggy Stewart," and was briefly capital of the United States.) She also took tourists through Annapolis's other big attraction, the United States Naval Academy. After so many years of observing future naval officers at P-rade and chapel, it seemed almost inevitable that she eventually married one.
But long before embarking on romantic adventures of her own, she read about them, transporting herself to such favorite venues as ancient Egypt, World War II submarine patrols, the Old South and, of course, Regency England. Soon she was keeping notebooks for jotting down story ideas. From plotting adventures for her first favorite heroine Nancy Drew she went on to write poetry in high school and college, then worked as a business journalist doing speeches, sales promotion material and newsletter articles. After her marriage to a naval lieutenant took her overseas, she wrote the newsletter for the American Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia and traveled extensively throughout Europe. Before leaving Tunis, she fulfilled her first goal: completing a Regency novel.
Children intervened, and not until her husband left the Navy to return to his Texas homeland did she sit down to pen a second novel. The reply to her fan mail letter to a Regency author led her to Romance Writers of America. From the very first meeting, she knew she'd found a home among fellow writers--doubtless the largest group of people outside a mental institution who talk back to the voices in their heads.
Her second goal was achieved the day before her birthday in May, 1998 when Margaret Marbury of Harlequin Historicals offered to buy that second book, the Golden-Heart-Award winning novel that became THE WEDDING GAMBLE. Since then, she has gone on to write fourteen novels, three novellas and an on-line serial, along the way winning or finalling for historical awards from The Golden Quill, the National Reader’s Choice, Romantic Times, and All About Romance’s Favorite Book of the Year.
Julia now inhabits an English Georgian-style house she and her husband built in the East Texas countryside where, if she closes her eyes and ignores the summer thermometer, she can almost imagine she inhabits the landscape of "Pride and Prejudice." In between travelling to visit her three children (a naval officer son stationed in Washington, DC, a textiles and design major daughter who cheers for University of Texas at Austin, and a mechanical engineering major son also at UT Austin) keeping up with her science teacher husband and juggling a part-time day job as a high school French teacher, she pursues her first and dearest love--crafting stories.
To relax, she enjoys watching movies, reading (historical fiction, mystery, suspense) and puttering about in the garden trying to kill off more weeds than flowers.
But long before embarking on romantic adventures of her own, she read about them, transporting herself to such favorite venues as ancient Egypt, World War II submarine patrols, the Old South and, of course, Regency England. Soon she was keeping notebooks for jotting down story ideas. From plotting adventures for her first favorite heroine Nancy Drew she went on to write poetry in high school and college, then worked as a business journalist doing speeches, sales promotion material and newsletter articles. After her marriage to a naval lieutenant took her overseas, she wrote the newsletter for the American Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia and traveled extensively throughout Europe. Before leaving Tunis, she fulfilled her first goal: completing a Regency novel.
Children intervened, and not until her husband left the Navy to return to his Texas homeland did she sit down to pen a second novel. The reply to her fan mail letter to a Regency author led her to Romance Writers of America. From the very first meeting, she knew she'd found a home among fellow writers--doubtless the largest group of people outside a mental institution who talk back to the voices in their heads.
Her second goal was achieved the day before her birthday in May, 1998 when Margaret Marbury of Harlequin Historicals offered to buy that second book, the Golden-Heart-Award winning novel that became THE WEDDING GAMBLE. Since then, she has gone on to write fourteen novels, three novellas and an on-line serial, along the way winning or finalling for historical awards from The Golden Quill, the National Reader’s Choice, Romantic Times, and All About Romance’s Favorite Book of the Year.
Julia now inhabits an English Georgian-style house she and her husband built in the East Texas countryside where, if she closes her eyes and ignores the summer thermometer, she can almost imagine she inhabits the landscape of "Pride and Prejudice." In between travelling to visit her three children (a naval officer son stationed in Washington, DC, a textiles and design major daughter who cheers for University of Texas at Austin, and a mechanical engineering major son also at UT Austin) keeping up with her science teacher husband and juggling a part-time day job as a high school French teacher, she pursues her first and dearest love--crafting stories.
To relax, she enjoys watching movies, reading (historical fiction, mystery, suspense) and puttering about in the garden trying to kill off more weeds than flowers.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 4, 2017
Christmas Wedding Wish - Julia Justiss - 2/5 - Ugh. This novella took up 37% of the entire book. I was on the verge of falling asleep for the first 20% of that. I kept comparing it to a romance between Jane and Mr. Bingley where everything is so proper and the heroine monologues about wondering whether Mr. Mansfield likes her or not. And then there are all these other characters that are getting way too much attention for a novella...I assume they're characters that we're "catching up with" from other novels that this author has written. Then, it picked up - the heroine got cowardly and cruel at the same time. So yeah. I didn't like it.
The Rake's Secret Son - Annie Burrowes - 3/5 - This author, given what little I've read of her puts her characters into some truly tragic and angsty situations. This one follows suit. Long story short - hero ended up entrapped in a marriage with the heroine and he blamed her while she secretly longed for him. He gets totally smashed and visits his wife on their wedding night (after promising he'd never consummate it) and then blacks it out. She gets pregnant and has a kid that he thinks belongs to someone else. He isolates her, leaves and gets into some trouble and everyone thinks he's dead. And this is even before the story starts...this is just the background. So he shows up and there's a lot of misunderstandings to get through. Carleton, the hero, is not a bad guy - he's actually pretty decent and shows proper remorse. Nell, the heroine is a little bit Mary Sue. I would have been a bit less willing to forgive...but this is Christmas. I think what I didn't care for about this was how easily things worked out - especially given how difficult their lives had been. They're very nearly strangers and what little time they did spend together before this they hated each other for...so they fall in love way too quickly! And they're like an insta-family. Still, it was a decent read. Completely clean romance.
Blame it On the Mistletoe - Terri Brisbin - 4/5 - This one kind of saved the book. It was over the top dramatic and angsty, but in a good way. The hero was tortured, having survived a carriage accident and now suffers some major self-esteem issues and believes himself unworthy of the heroine, who by the way, he's been in love with forever. She crushed on him as a kid, but meeting him again, her feelings start to deepen. However, she is currently looking for a husband, fulfilling and fulfilling the dreams of the sister she owes everything to - so the hero, who is not a gentle nobleman, is out of the running. These two have a lot of sexual tension and a lot of emotional angst. Don't read this one if you're prone to crying. I really enjoyed reading this one. And it's a clean romance as well.
The Rake's Secret Son - Annie Burrowes - 3/5 - This author, given what little I've read of her puts her characters into some truly tragic and angsty situations. This one follows suit. Long story short - hero ended up entrapped in a marriage with the heroine and he blamed her while she secretly longed for him. He gets totally smashed and visits his wife on their wedding night (after promising he'd never consummate it) and then blacks it out. She gets pregnant and has a kid that he thinks belongs to someone else. He isolates her, leaves and gets into some trouble and everyone thinks he's dead. And this is even before the story starts...this is just the background. So he shows up and there's a lot of misunderstandings to get through. Carleton, the hero, is not a bad guy - he's actually pretty decent and shows proper remorse. Nell, the heroine is a little bit Mary Sue. I would have been a bit less willing to forgive...but this is Christmas. I think what I didn't care for about this was how easily things worked out - especially given how difficult their lives had been. They're very nearly strangers and what little time they did spend together before this they hated each other for...so they fall in love way too quickly! And they're like an insta-family. Still, it was a decent read. Completely clean romance.
Blame it On the Mistletoe - Terri Brisbin - 4/5 - This one kind of saved the book. It was over the top dramatic and angsty, but in a good way. The hero was tortured, having survived a carriage accident and now suffers some major self-esteem issues and believes himself unworthy of the heroine, who by the way, he's been in love with forever. She crushed on him as a kid, but meeting him again, her feelings start to deepen. However, she is currently looking for a husband, fulfilling and fulfilling the dreams of the sister she owes everything to - so the hero, who is not a gentle nobleman, is out of the running. These two have a lot of sexual tension and a lot of emotional angst. Don't read this one if you're prone to crying. I really enjoyed reading this one. And it's a clean romance as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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December 9, 2008Loved this one!
All three stories were great reads. Definitely a keeper.
All three stories were great reads. Definitely a keeper.
September 18, 2017
Leído en julio 2010
solo el de Julia Justiss
Deseos Navideños
RESUMEN: El apuesto caballero Allen Mansfell, desencantado con las debutantes cabeza de chorlito de la sociedad, decide que si debe casarse, elegirá a una dama cuya mente y corazón tenga que ganarse… una dama como la señorita Meredyth Wellingford. Pero para Merry, encontrar el amor verdadero requerirá un milagro…
solo el de Julia Justiss
Deseos Navideños
RESUMEN: El apuesto caballero Allen Mansfell, desencantado con las debutantes cabeza de chorlito de la sociedad, decide que si debe casarse, elegirá a una dama cuya mente y corazón tenga que ganarse… una dama como la señorita Meredyth Wellingford. Pero para Merry, encontrar el amor verdadero requerirá un milagro…
April 29, 2014
Note: I only read part of the anthology. So my review is just on Annie Burrows' "The Rake's Secret Son"
I picked up this novella because someone in the HR forum was looking for a book with this similar premise. Now I love secret babies and misunderstandings, separation and all that. So when this one popped up I know I had to read it. And I've been going through novellas recently so I thought why not.
Umm........
Here's the thing I think the title is a little misleading, yes the rake has a secret son, but it's not really about that. It's more about two people who just argue and blame each other. In a way, I don't really like the hero. He's pompous, he assumes without thinking, his ego is way off the charts, and he blames the heroine for everything. Despite, the war and him basically losing everything he's still the same when he returns home.
There are misunderstandings of course. I think what turned me off the most is that Carleton just shouts at Nell. He doesn't think, he assumes and he blames her for her poverty, for keeping his son from prestige, his family. He's been MIA for 6 years and assumes everything. Like a woman would choose poverty over payback.
That said, I did like that the two were forced to marry. Carleton, heir apparent to a Viscount title, was caught with Nell (who I'm still trying to figure out her station. She's certainly not a lady, but not dirt poor. So genteel upbringing?) and were forced to marry. So Carleton always blamed her for entrapping him and took it out on her. During their wedding festivities, he invited his friends over, and made her the prey for his friends. He felt bad at the last minute and called off the hunt, but saw his friend come out of her room and assumed she cheated on him. And when Nell told him she was pregnant he assumed he had been cuckolded. He didn't know that her Aunt was trying to entrap him for her own daughter and all the other misunderstandings.
So there's so much hatred on Carleton's part of Nell. And he never really redeems himself in my opinion. He apologizes, but there's no grovelling, there's no redemption. I think a part of is because it's a novella. When the book starts, it's Carleton falling over from sickness in Nell's front yard. And then the arguing begins. I don't understand how Nell can be so forgiving. When things are cleared after much shouting and blaming, he thinks he deserves her ill treatment of him. And you know what maybe he does.
I think that got me is that literally everyone blames Nell for every "wrong doing", they assume the child is a bastard and treat both of them horribly. How can she just accept that? There's no annoyance or anything. It's as if she's resigned to the part, accepted it and moved on. I think because it is a novella there are a lot of assumptions and dialogue and not enough emotional or mental narrative. We don't get a lot of that.
Here's one part that got me:
"You took me in and nursed me back to health simply because it was the right thing to do! And fighting to get me recognised has had the effect of securing Harry's future." He looked haggard. "It does not mean you care about me at all!".
Oh piss off! C'mon, ugh.
And also I found the switch between Nell and Carleton to be confusing at times. Who was thinking what? And just so many exclamation points.
I definitely liked the idea of the novella - it's an interesting premise, but in terms of execution it was so dialogue driven and so much shouting and blaming it was a little much.
I picked up this novella because someone in the HR forum was looking for a book with this similar premise. Now I love secret babies and misunderstandings, separation and all that. So when this one popped up I know I had to read it. And I've been going through novellas recently so I thought why not.
Umm........
Here's the thing I think the title is a little misleading, yes the rake has a secret son, but it's not really about that. It's more about two people who just argue and blame each other. In a way, I don't really like the hero. He's pompous, he assumes without thinking, his ego is way off the charts, and he blames the heroine for everything. Despite, the war and him basically losing everything he's still the same when he returns home.
There are misunderstandings of course. I think what turned me off the most is that Carleton just shouts at Nell. He doesn't think, he assumes and he blames her for her poverty, for keeping his son from prestige, his family. He's been MIA for 6 years and assumes everything. Like a woman would choose poverty over payback.
That said, I did like that the two were forced to marry. Carleton, heir apparent to a Viscount title, was caught with Nell (who I'm still trying to figure out her station. She's certainly not a lady, but not dirt poor. So genteel upbringing?) and were forced to marry. So Carleton always blamed her for entrapping him and took it out on her. During their wedding festivities, he invited his friends over, and made her the prey for his friends. He felt bad at the last minute and called off the hunt, but saw his friend come out of her room and assumed she cheated on him. And when Nell told him she was pregnant he assumed he had been cuckolded. He didn't know that her Aunt was trying to entrap him for her own daughter and all the other misunderstandings.
So there's so much hatred on Carleton's part of Nell. And he never really redeems himself in my opinion. He apologizes, but there's no grovelling, there's no redemption. I think a part of is because it's a novella. When the book starts, it's Carleton falling over from sickness in Nell's front yard. And then the arguing begins. I don't understand how Nell can be so forgiving. When things are cleared after much shouting and blaming, he thinks he deserves her ill treatment of him. And you know what maybe he does.
I think that got me is that literally everyone blames Nell for every "wrong doing", they assume the child is a bastard and treat both of them horribly. How can she just accept that? There's no annoyance or anything. It's as if she's resigned to the part, accepted it and moved on. I think because it is a novella there are a lot of assumptions and dialogue and not enough emotional or mental narrative. We don't get a lot of that.
Here's one part that got me:
"You took me in and nursed me back to health simply because it was the right thing to do! And fighting to get me recognised has had the effect of securing Harry's future." He looked haggard. "It does not mean you care about me at all!".
Oh piss off! C'mon, ugh.
And also I found the switch between Nell and Carleton to be confusing at times. Who was thinking what? And just so many exclamation points.
I definitely liked the idea of the novella - it's an interesting premise, but in terms of execution it was so dialogue driven and so much shouting and blaming it was a little much.
December 19, 2025
Christmas Wedding Wish (Julia Justiss):
A delightful holiday story at Christmas approximately 7 years after the Napoleonic Wars. A young "spinster" meets the brother of her brother's friend (you following?). There is an instant attraction that neither one wants to acknowledge. Watch how two people, being cautious with their hearts, can really make a mess of things. And add in one precocious little 6 year-old with the wisdom of the ages....
The Rake's Secret Son (Annie Burrows):
This is a story of so many HUGE misunderstandings along with the unapologetic audacity and vagaries of youth. When an estranged husband, long thought dead, literally falls at the feet of Nell Tillotson her world is rocked to its foundation. Her son's father has come back from the dead...
Blame it on the Mistletoe (Terri Brisbin)
The younger sister of a Countess, Julia, has learned the ways of the Ton thanks to her brother-by-marriage and kindly members of his staff/household. She feels an overwhelming debt to her older sister for all that she did and sacrificed for herself and their Aunt when she was growing up. Now her sister wants to see her happily married; Julia will go along with whatever her sister thinks is best for her. Then there is Iain, a local boy from their lives in The Highlands; prior to Julia's sister becoming a Countess. When Julia and Iain meet again, they are both taken aback by the changes to their old friend. Now, sparks of a different type begin to fly... Will Julia follow her heart or leave the matchmaking up to her sister....
These are all great stories, and the writing style is similar enough that it is almost seamless going from one story to the next. They each have wonderful characters and settings.
A delightful holiday story at Christmas approximately 7 years after the Napoleonic Wars. A young "spinster" meets the brother of her brother's friend (you following?). There is an instant attraction that neither one wants to acknowledge. Watch how two people, being cautious with their hearts, can really make a mess of things. And add in one precocious little 6 year-old with the wisdom of the ages....
The Rake's Secret Son (Annie Burrows):
This is a story of so many HUGE misunderstandings along with the unapologetic audacity and vagaries of youth. When an estranged husband, long thought dead, literally falls at the feet of Nell Tillotson her world is rocked to its foundation. Her son's father has come back from the dead...
Blame it on the Mistletoe (Terri Brisbin)
The younger sister of a Countess, Julia, has learned the ways of the Ton thanks to her brother-by-marriage and kindly members of his staff/household. She feels an overwhelming debt to her older sister for all that she did and sacrificed for herself and their Aunt when she was growing up. Now her sister wants to see her happily married; Julia will go along with whatever her sister thinks is best for her. Then there is Iain, a local boy from their lives in The Highlands; prior to Julia's sister becoming a Countess. When Julia and Iain meet again, they are both taken aback by the changes to their old friend. Now, sparks of a different type begin to fly... Will Julia follow her heart or leave the matchmaking up to her sister....
These are all great stories, and the writing style is similar enough that it is almost seamless going from one story to the next. They each have wonderful characters and settings.
December 14, 2017
Fairly light set of regency Christmas stories, all based around Christmas time and in a variety of settings. There wasn't really anything memorable about any of the stories, I read this a little under a week ago and I can only vaguely remember the individual characters in each one. It was all very inoffensive and a book to reach for when you don't want to exert any brain power but I am glad I got it from a charity shop because I don't think I would have bought it new. 2.5 stars!
December 16, 2020
🎄🎁🎄
Cortita y tierna... y muy navideña
Cortita y tierna... y muy navideña
December 9, 2023
A festive collection of regency romances. Some were more cheerful and festive than others. I enjoyed the second story but it wasn't that Christmassy.
November 20, 2024
The Terri Brisbin story alone is worth 4 stars. Her writing is beautiful and her characters get into your heart quickly! She has become one of my favorite HR writers.
November 30, 2014
A lovely trio of Christmas Regency stories, each one enchanting in its own right.
The first story called "Christmas Wedding Wish." by Julia Justiss Is about a young woman who at twenty-seven feels she is firmly an old maid. Having more or less given up on love and resigned herself as a favourite aunt to her many nieces and nephews, enter Allen Mansfell, the older brother of one of her younger brother's friends. He, at twenty-five is a couple of years younger than Miss Meredyth Wellingford but this is no boundary to what develops between them, fire as well as passion, but will pride and misunderstandings keep them apart? Read and find out ;)
The second story is called "The Rake's Secret Son." by Annie Burrows and tells the story of a young lady (Nell Tillotson) wronged and scorned by society and left so she thought, widowed. Thrown out of her husband's home and left in a cottage with her young son, she has made a life for herself, when one day her husband (Carleton Tillotson) shows up, ill and half-starved and promptly collapses in her garden. As she nurses him back to health, as the rightful heir to his estates, there are others who would rather see him return to the realms of the dead. Another bitter truth he has to face is that he is indeed the father of her son and he has much to make up for to wife and son!
The third and final story is "Blame It On The Mistletoe." by Terri BrisbinI have read a few of her stories before and enjoyed them immensely and this was no different. This is the angsty, passionate, story of Julia Fairchild and Ian MacLerie. She has loved him for years. They knew each other as children, although he is a few years older than her. But the years have not been kind to Ian, he was almost killed in a carriage accident that robbed him of his parents and almost his ability to walk. Permanently crippled, but able to walk with the use of a stick, he feels he has little to offer the world, especially Julia. His pride and stubbornness to believe he would be anything but a poor excuse for a husband causes him to try and push her away. However, strange goings on at the house, including the multiplying mistletoe kissing balls might lend a helping hand.
Three Christmassy heart warming Regency tales for lovers of the period. (One of my favourites) And although they are shorter stories, running at about 150+ pages per story they still tell a great story.
The first story called "Christmas Wedding Wish." by Julia Justiss Is about a young woman who at twenty-seven feels she is firmly an old maid. Having more or less given up on love and resigned herself as a favourite aunt to her many nieces and nephews, enter Allen Mansfell, the older brother of one of her younger brother's friends. He, at twenty-five is a couple of years younger than Miss Meredyth Wellingford but this is no boundary to what develops between them, fire as well as passion, but will pride and misunderstandings keep them apart? Read and find out ;)
The second story is called "The Rake's Secret Son." by Annie Burrows and tells the story of a young lady (Nell Tillotson) wronged and scorned by society and left so she thought, widowed. Thrown out of her husband's home and left in a cottage with her young son, she has made a life for herself, when one day her husband (Carleton Tillotson) shows up, ill and half-starved and promptly collapses in her garden. As she nurses him back to health, as the rightful heir to his estates, there are others who would rather see him return to the realms of the dead. Another bitter truth he has to face is that he is indeed the father of her son and he has much to make up for to wife and son!
The third and final story is "Blame It On The Mistletoe." by Terri BrisbinI have read a few of her stories before and enjoyed them immensely and this was no different. This is the angsty, passionate, story of Julia Fairchild and Ian MacLerie. She has loved him for years. They knew each other as children, although he is a few years older than her. But the years have not been kind to Ian, he was almost killed in a carriage accident that robbed him of his parents and almost his ability to walk. Permanently crippled, but able to walk with the use of a stick, he feels he has little to offer the world, especially Julia. His pride and stubbornness to believe he would be anything but a poor excuse for a husband causes him to try and push her away. However, strange goings on at the house, including the multiplying mistletoe kissing balls might lend a helping hand.
Three Christmassy heart warming Regency tales for lovers of the period. (One of my favourites) And although they are shorter stories, running at about 150+ pages per story they still tell a great story.
February 15, 2016
Oh my!
How evildoings of others can destroy a person.
This review focuses on The Rake's Secret Son; the second novella within the anthology, One Candlelit Christmas. A symbolic story of Joseph and Mary of Nazareth. Also, it deals with the subject matter of childhood bullying. A delightful Christmas story resonating with honor and ridicule told on a different scale.
Although I do not believe in writing reviews loaded with facts, a brief synopsis of the back storyline is necessary. In this historical romance, Helena is found in a compromised position. Now, she must marry a man she vaguely knows. Due to misunderstandings Carleton, her new husband continues to pour salt on an opened wound.
Carleton, Viscount Lambourne, although very prideful and easily angered honorably housed and provided for Helena and the baby, Harry. Then he immediately abandons them. Years later after being thought dead, a sickly Carleton returns finding a haggard wife and a threadbare child.
Like in most stories, who will it be the hero or the heroine willing to give up their soul in exchange for a reward? You must read the novella to find out. A traditional romance full of details and a HEA.
I also read the graphic novel. Junko Murata does a superb job of illustrating stories. The graphic art told the story as intended with a few exceptions and deleted scenes.
How evildoings of others can destroy a person.
This review focuses on The Rake's Secret Son; the second novella within the anthology, One Candlelit Christmas. A symbolic story of Joseph and Mary of Nazareth. Also, it deals with the subject matter of childhood bullying. A delightful Christmas story resonating with honor and ridicule told on a different scale.
Although I do not believe in writing reviews loaded with facts, a brief synopsis of the back storyline is necessary. In this historical romance, Helena is found in a compromised position. Now, she must marry a man she vaguely knows. Due to misunderstandings Carleton, her new husband continues to pour salt on an opened wound.
Carleton, Viscount Lambourne, although very prideful and easily angered honorably housed and provided for Helena and the baby, Harry. Then he immediately abandons them. Years later after being thought dead, a sickly Carleton returns finding a haggard wife and a threadbare child.
Like in most stories, who will it be the hero or the heroine willing to give up their soul in exchange for a reward? You must read the novella to find out. A traditional romance full of details and a HEA.
I also read the graphic novel. Junko Murata does a superb job of illustrating stories. The graphic art told the story as intended with a few exceptions and deleted scenes.
July 13, 2016
Well. This is probably rather a biased review, as I do not think I was the intended audience. I have to admit, I picked this up by accident, not realising it was a Mills&Boon; I am no longer a Mills&Boon virgin! So I guess my reviewing this is a little like someone judging a cake competition then announcing that they don't like chocolate cake.
However ..
I picked it up because I was bored, the cover looked .. unexceptionable. And it compared one of the authors to Georgette Heyer. Seriously. This is so not Georgette Heyer. (Ok, it involves situations in the 1800s where Posh Ladies marry Posh Men, approximately)
The first story - I don't even know how to describe this. The story was nonsensical, and appears to have been designed simply to incorporate a totally unrealistic sex scene;
The second story was better, a bit doom + gloom, but at least it was vaguely interesting. Of the three I would have given this a 2/5
The third, again, did not really make much sense. Or have much of a story. I guessed whilst reading it that it was part of a series, and it turns out it is - number 4.5, because it doesn't actually warrant being a story in its own right. There were hints about Other Stories that we hadn't read, but not enough to lure me in. It felt a bit like a huge advert interlude for Her Other Books.
I think in future I'll be a bit more careful when picking up books!
However ..
I picked it up because I was bored, the cover looked .. unexceptionable. And it compared one of the authors to Georgette Heyer. Seriously. This is so not Georgette Heyer. (Ok, it involves situations in the 1800s where Posh Ladies marry Posh Men, approximately)
The first story - I don't even know how to describe this. The story was nonsensical, and appears to have been designed simply to incorporate a totally unrealistic sex scene;
The second story was better, a bit doom + gloom, but at least it was vaguely interesting. Of the three I would have given this a 2/5
The third, again, did not really make much sense. Or have much of a story. I guessed whilst reading it that it was part of a series, and it turns out it is - number 4.5, because it doesn't actually warrant being a story in its own right. There were hints about Other Stories that we hadn't read, but not enough to lure me in. It felt a bit like a huge advert interlude for Her Other Books.
I think in future I'll be a bit more careful when picking up books!
October 23, 2015
This book contains 3 nice love story on the taste of any girl/women will read, because each has a different plot and a different love story, but all with a nice choice of characters and choice of words how to tell each story. Each story is written by a different author and trust me the stories could not be in a better harmony together.
Am giving the book only 4 start because i did not like the second story as much i enjoyed the other especially "Blame It On The Mistletoe" love the story line and the way the authors used each character in the story.
First story: -"Christmas Wedding Wish"
Second story: - "The Rake's Son"
Last story: - "Blame It On The Mistletoe"
This book has been my last romance book i have read and i can say i couldn't stop reading them (for now)with a better book.
Am giving the book only 4 start because i did not like the second story as much i enjoyed the other especially "Blame It On The Mistletoe" love the story line and the way the authors used each character in the story.
First story: -"Christmas Wedding Wish"
Second story: - "The Rake's Son"
Last story: - "Blame It On The Mistletoe"
This book has been my last romance book i have read and i can say i couldn't stop reading them (for now)with a better book.
March 6, 2016
A nice collection of regency Christmas romance short stories. Though short, each fulfilled what I like. In all the stories, the love interests knew each other for a long time, so didn't need the details of how they came to be together at this Christmas time. I especially liked "The Rake's Secret Son", though I don't like that title for the story. Young Harry, son of Nell, has always been talked about because his father is not known. When he attends Sunday school and hears how Joseph took care of Mary knowing her baby was not his, and he didn't turn them out, he wishes he had a father like that who would accept him no matter what.
December 27, 2011
Three sweet, uncomplicated Christmas romances. True history aficionados will be disappointed with some of the social errors, but romance readers will be comfortable. The second of the three, "The Rake's Secret Son," by Annie Burrows, has both the biggest loopholes and the most original story line. I liked it the best of the three, despite its problems.
December 9, 2014
Liked that the Heroine was older and level headed. Liked that the Hero chose someone a few years older than he was and he chose someone because they were 'nice', but the book did not engage my interest or emotions. Toasted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2016
I only read Blame It on the Mistletoe by Terri Brisbin. It was a very nice novella that dealt with some family and health issues. Surprisingly, I found myself getting a little choked with emotion before the story ended. Nice work for a novella. Very pleasant and sweet.
January 19, 2009
Surprisingly hot Regency Christmas romances
December 13, 2009
Three pleasant Christmas romance stories, of the three, I preferred the last one Blame it on the Mistletoe by Terri Brisbin. A good read.
Read
January 9, 2010Amazon preorder
August 11, 2010
Christmas Wedding Wish by Julia Justiss. 8/9/10
The Rake's Secret Son by Annie Burrows 8/10/10
Blame it on the Mistletoe by Terry Brisbin
All 3 stories were excellent.
The Rake's Secret Son by Annie Burrows 8/10/10
Blame it on the Mistletoe by Terry Brisbin
All 3 stories were excellent.
June 24, 2011
Christmas Wedding Wish: 2 stars.
The Rake's Secret Son: 1 star.
Blame It On The Mistletoe: 3 stars.
The Rake's Secret Son: 1 star.
Blame It On The Mistletoe: 3 stars.
December 16, 2012
Enjoyed Annie Burrows' THE RAKE'S SECRET SON, a nice story of an estranged couple finding forgiveness and a future together.
Reread December 2012.
Reread December 2012.
January 30, 2013
This was a nice book to read during the Christmas season.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2015
Loved all three stories. What I also love are these Holiday anthologies that allow me to read new authors... well, new to me at least. Now reading Terri Brisbin's The Earl's Secret.
March 24, 2017
Christmas Wedding Wish by Julia Justiss 4 stars
15 de enero 2017 Blame It on the Mistletoe by Terri Brisbin 4 stars
15 de enero 2017 Blame It on the Mistletoe by Terri Brisbin 4 stars
Read
January 8, 2017Read this before I joined Goodreads. Will post a real review next time I read it.
Want to read
May 18, 2020
Christmas Wedding Wish by Julia Justiss
The Rake's Secret Son by Annie Burrows
Blame It on the Mistletoe by Terri Brisbin
The Rake's Secret Son by Annie Burrows
Blame It on the Mistletoe by Terri Brisbin
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews