"Grab a Mug of Cocoa and This Fabulous Regency Holiday Novel"
Reviewed by Susan Gorman
Posted December 17, 2015
Romance Historical | Romance Anthology
Would you like to treat yourself to a fabulous anthology
this month?
If so, I have a suggestion for you....
Four best selling regency authors have collaborated on
their third anthology titled CHRISTMAS IN DUKE STREET. The
setting for each of the stories is the On The Shelf
bookstore. I loved that the book store setting connected
each holiday story because it gave me the feeling that I
had read an
entire book, not four unrelated stories.
THE RAKE WHO LOVED CHRISTMAS by Miranda Neville
I adored Ms. Neville's character driven story about Sir
Devlyn Stratton and print seller Oriel Sinclair. Dev loves
Christmas and enjoys selecting the perfect gift for each of
his family members. Looking for gifts for his sister and
grandmother, he meets Oriel at On the Shelf. He is
intrigued by his conversation with Oriel and is concerned
that both his brother and a notorious rake have shown
interest in Ms. Sinclair. Love the scenes at the play
between Dev and Oriel when Dev makes the wrong assumption
and Oriel plays her part to perfection!
Will Dev be able to sort out his feelings for Oriel before
she leaves London?
A SEDUCTION IN WINTER by Carolyn Jewel
Carolyn Jewel has written a deeply moving love story
featuring childhood friends; Honora Baynard and Lord
Wrathell, Leoline Marrable. Honora considers Wrathell her
hero as he protected her years ago when she was tormented
by
others. Wrathell and Honora cross paths at On the Shelf.
It's obvious from their conversation that Honora has
followed Wrathell's military career and his life in India.
Wrathell, Honora and her father Frederick Baynard are
artists. The author's descriptive prose draws the reader
into this complex love story which centers on Honora,
Wrathell and their complex family relationships.
How does an artist view beauty? Is beauty in the eye of the
beholder?
A PRINCE IN HER STOCKING by Shana Galen
A PRINCE IN HER STOCKING by Shana Galen has adventure,
romance and intrigue! Love the couples first meeting at On
the Shelf, the neighborhood bookstore. The mysterious Mr.
Lucien Glen collides into widow Cass Ashbrooke
and almost knocks her over! Cass is one of my favorite
Shana
Galen heroines and I love how passion transforms her
during the course of the novel. Ms. Galen's characters-- a
lonely widow and a prince without a kingdom-- are
endearing!
The author had each character play the truth and favor game
to learn more about each other. During the game of
questions
and answers, Cass is apprised of Lucien's situation. Lucien
is the sole survivor of a revolution and he believes he is
in grave danger. He is looking for papers which will
substantiate his position as heir to the Kingdom of
Glynaven.
Will Cass and Lucien find the documents in time?
THE APPEAL OF CHRISTMAS by Grace Burrowes
After reading CHRISTMAS IN THE DUKE'S ARMS, I was hoping
that author Grace Burrowes had a story for Gervaise
Stoneleigh. I liked the character and was curious if the
author would write a happily ever after for him. Ms.
Burrowes has written a different type of hero, Gervaise is
not fond of the entire holiday season! In fact Gervaise is
rather a Grinch! Our hero is not looking to buy holiday
gifts or in the mood for family gatherings. Gervaise is
in
search of a good book to read when he stops by On the Shelf
after work. The book shop provides a haven for him until
Hazel Hooper arrives. Hazel and Gervaise are friends and
he
offers to walk her home. Hazel and Gervaise play a game of
chess and share a kiss. Love the well written scene where
Gervaise asks Hazel what she'd like for Christmas. Her
direct response surprised me and sets the stage for a
fabulous holiday story filled with love, passion and lots
of
humor!
Does Gervaise figure out the prefect gift for Hazel?
I enjoyed each one of these stories. Ms. Neville's
characters are well crafted and the banter between the
characters is superb! Carolyn Jewel's story was very moving
and I loved that each character decides the importance and
value of beauty. Shana Galen fans will love the romance and
adventure in her novella. I enjoyed Gervaise and Hazel's
visits to the book shop and the subtle holiday messages
contained in Ms. Burrowes' novella. Grab a mug of hot cocoa and spend an afternoon reading
these
fabulous stories! I am sure you will enjoy them as much as
I
did!
SUMMARY
Christmas in London is a busy time at the little bookshop in Duke
Street, for love, literature, and shopping. Four couples come and go and
discover that happy ever after makes the perfect Christmas gift. A new
anthology from the bestselling authors of CHRISTMAS IN A DUKE'S ARMS and
DANCING IN THE DUKE'S ARMS.
THE RAKE WHO LOVED CHRISTMAS by Miranda Neville
Sir Devlyn Stratton wants to save his brother from an unprincipled
adventuress, especially when he meets Oriel Sinclair and wants her for
himself. Oriel won’t marry for convenience or become a rake’s mistress.
But succumbing to Dev’s seduction is all too tempting.
Sir Devlyn Stratton stays in London for Christmas to celebrate his
brother’s engagement to an heiress—until Merrick gets cold feet because
he fancies another woman. Dev will do anything to save his brother from
a misalliance with a shopkeeper, even seduce the fascinating adventuress
himself.
Oriel Sinclair is hanging on by her fingernails, with a sick father and
an ailing business. She’s trying to make a living in her tiny shop, even
if it means being nice to customers like the rich, leering Lord
Frogmore. Despite her straits, she won’t take advantage of a young man’s
infatuation. Especially once she meets his elder brother who is
everything she ever dreamed of in a man. Trouble is she doubts Dev’s
intentions are honorable and she won’t be reduced to a kept woman, by
the the vile Frogmore or the delectable Dev.
A SEDUCTION IN WINTER by Carolyn Jewel
He’s an artist and a duke’s heir. She’s sheltered and scarred. Can he
show her by Christmas that love can be theirs to share?
As the holidays approach, Lieutenant Leoline Marrable, now Lord
Wrathell, travels to London where he’s expected to fulfill longstanding
expectations and propose to his former commander’s daughter. Wrathell
longs to ease the strained relationship with his ducal father. The key
may be an unfinished portrait of his late brother.
Honora Baynard has a terrible facial scar as a result of a childhood
injury. She has never forgotten Leoline, who came to her defense when
other children tormented her. Now, her over-protective artist father
keeps her indoors, creating the beautiful detail work that makes his
paintings so sought after.
As Wrathell and Honora spend more time together, mutual interest becomes
mutual attraction. Can Wrathell convince Honora that for Christmas, he’d
like to give her not only passion and pleasure, but his heart to keep
for her own?
A PRINCE IN HER STOCKING by Shana Galen
Lady Cassandra has always done as she’s been told. Meek and malleable,
she’s lived a life devoid of passion. When she meets a handsome man
rumored to be an exiled prince, she sees one last chance at excitement.
Little does she know, too much excitement can be dangerous.
When it’s cold outside…
Prince Lucien of Glynaven flees to England when his family is killed in
a revolution. Homeless and penniless, he spends the winter days in a
small bookshop, searching for documents his mother secreted among a box
of books shipped to London. Lady Cassandra is the first woman in months
to look at him like a man and not a vagrant, and he can’t resist
flirting with her. When assassins find Lucien, he must end the budding
romance and abandon his last chance to reclaim his identity.
A prince is the perfect hero to make Christmas cozy.
Cass Ashbrooke married for duty. Now that she’s a widow, she remains
under the thumb of her late husband’s sister. When Cass glimpses an
attractive man in her favorite bookshop, she offers him friendship,
hoping to add a spark of excitement to her dull life. The prince’s
kisses are more passionate than Cass imagined, but she and Lucien need a
holiday miracle if they’re to thwart his enemies, find the missing
treasure, and celebrate a happy new year together.
THE APPEAL OF CHRISTMAS by Grace Burrowes
The best Christmas present is the one he didn't realize he desperately
needed.
She's his favorite bluestocking...
Hester Hooper loves beautiful prose and old books, but she loves
barrister Gervaise Stoneleigh more. For years, she's helped Gervaise
polish his legal arguments, beat him at chess, and tolerated his annual
holiday grumpiness, hoping all the while that this Christmas, her friend
will finally see her as more than a reliable confidante and shopping
partner.
He's the best argument for loitering beneath the mistletoe...
Gervaise Stoneleigh has no time for holiday sentiment, though he tries
to humor Hazel's seasonal enthusiasms--she is his oldest friend, after
all. When Gervaise finds an unsigned draft of a love letter at Hazel's
favorite bookshop, he's intrigued by the author's passion and eloquence.
The lady who wrote that letter is bold, courageous, and lusty--not at
all like his sweet, demure Hazel. And yet, when Hazel accosts Gervaise
beneath the mistletoe, he's in for quite the holiday surprise!
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