THE LAST CHANCE CHRISTMAS BALL is a holiday anthology with
many lovely historical romance authors, including Mary Jo
Putney, Joanna Bourne, and Jo Beverly. All the short
stories are framed by the clever concept of showing
different couples who attend a Christmas ball. Jo Beverly
writes the prologue, wherein Lady Holly, the Dowager
Countess of Holbourne, is planning the ball invitations
with her companion Clio. Lady Holly and Clio discuss the
different people who are invited, and thus we are
introduced to all the characters who will show up in the
individual stories that follow. I think this is a
brilliant way to make the individual parts into a cohesive
whole.
This anthology includes five authors whose works I already
know and love, and three authors who are new to me. This is
part of the nice thing about anthologies - being
introduced to authors who I haven't read a complete book
by. I am definitely adding Susan King to my list of
Authors I read in the future! I enjoy how well-matched
the overall feel of the stories are. These are historical
romance authors who can set a scene beautifully and make
the reader feel they are truly in Regency England,
surrounded by quiet snowfalls and dashing gentleman at
balls.
Several of these stories make me cry happy tears, which
somehow seems even more appropriate for the sentimental
holiday season. Some tales are of old loves reunited, some
are of people who assumed love had passed them by. This
lovely collection of holiday short stories is perfect for
lovers of Regency tales and lovers of romance. THE LAST
CHANCE CHRISTMAS BALL will tug your heartstrings and make
you sigh in happiness.
Christmas 1815. Upstairs and downstairs, Holbourne Hall is
abuzz with preparations for a grand ball to celebrate the
year’s most festive—and romantic—holiday. For at the top of
each guest’s wish list is a last chance to find true love
before the New Year…
A chance meeting beneath the mistletoe, a stolen glance
across the dance floor—amid the sumptuous delicacies,
glittering decorations, and swell of the orchestra, every
duchess and debutante, lord and lackey has a hopeful heart.
There’s the headstrong heiress who must win back her
beloved
by midnight—or be wed to another….the spinster whose
fateful
choice to relinquish love may hold one more surprise for
her…a widow yearning to glimpse her long-lost love for even
one sweet, fleeting interlude …a charming rake who finds
far
more than he bargained for. And many other dazzling,
romantic tales in this star-studded collection that will
fill your heart and spice up your holidays…
Excerpt
Sneak peeks at the novellas in THE LAST
CHANCE CHRISTMAS BALL.
The Word Wenches invite you to a very special Christmas
ball, where eight couples find love and joy. You can sample
each story through the links below.