Today, I have several quick book reviews, all Christmas-themed stories. Some historical romance, contemporary romance and historical mystery. Maybe one of these will get you in a festive spirit. I did not assign a star rating to each book, but consider them all to rate four or five stars! They are all lovely distractions for the season.
So make yourself a cup of hot cocoa, turn off the news, open your book and enjoy!
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Mistletoe, Mulled Wine, & Maybe a Duke
I downloaded this Christmas anthology via a link from one of the author’s newsletters. I’m not sure how long this will be available, so if you think you might like it, click the link (the book cover) now. It is currently free if you agree to subscribe to the authors mailing list. Many of the stories in this book are also available to purchase separately and I will share those purchase links of the stories I am reviewing today.
The collection includes:
A Wallflower’s Christmas Wreath by Tamara Gill
The Lady’s Guide to Mistletoe and Mayhem by Emmanuelle de Maupassant
Duke of Christmas by Ellie St. Clair
A Scandalous Secret by Laura Trentham
A Yule Bride by Laurel O’Donnell
The Winter Kiss of a Rogue by LindaRae Sande
Miss Pageant’s Christmas Proposal by Tabetha Waite
My Christmas Knight by Anne Knight
A Song and a Snowflake by Alivia Fleur
My Lady of Misrule by Amy Rose Bennett
A Snowlit Christmas Kiss by Larissa Lyons
The Duke Wager by Eve Pendle
Winter Widow by Annabelle Anders
Upon a Wicked Sea by S. Cinders
The Duke’s Christmas Scandal by Carrie Lomax
I’ve picked out three of the stories to review for you. But honestly, every story I read was fun!
A Scandalous Secret (Spies and Lovers, #6) by Laura Trentham
Review – While the story make take place around Christmas, honestly it could have happened any time of year. In this story, Thomas Garrett is the employee of the father of Victoria Hawkins. Under society’s rules, the two are from different classes and should never get together. Society, however, does not rule the heart. When Victoria’s life is threatened, it is Thomas’ job to keep her safe. Danger and a storm brings them together, and alone. Scandalous!
About – Miss Victoria Hawkins is no stranger to secrets. After all, she is the daughter of England’s spymaster. Her most precious secret is the tender feelings she holds for Thomas Garrick, her father’s personal guard, but pressure is mounting for her to choose a suitable husband at an upcoming Christmas house party.
Thomas Garrick has loved Victoria from afar as long as he can remember. His station would never allow marriage, so Thomas makes do with dreams. When danger lands on their doorstep, Thomas will do whatever it takes to keep Victoria safe… even from him.
But, when the snow traps them in a cottage with a single bed and a bottle of brandy, the scandal of the season may be inevitable.
The Lady’s Guide to Mistletoe and Mayhem (The Lady’s Guide to Love, #4) by Emmanuele de Maupassant
Review – I think this was my favorite in the anthology.
Ursula is a young woman anxiously waiting to come into her own money but until then, she wants to lay low. Through extraordinary circumstances, she assumes the identity of a tutor of etiquette.
Texas rancher, Rye Dalreagh, is the heir to the cursed Castle Dunrannoch. But the American knows nothing about life as a proper Scottish gentleman. Enter the tutor.
Mistaken identities, marriage-minded cousins, and family curses make for a fun tale that includes a little fun, a little danger and a little romance.
About – Texas rancher Rye Dalreagh is being thrown in at the deep-end as the long-lost heir to Castle Dunrannoch, with five potential brides to choose from and a whole lot to learn about being a ‘proper gentleman’.
But, with a murderer on the loose and an ancient Scottish curse to navigate, will he ever make it down the aisle?
A Yule Bride by Laurel O’Donnell
Review – Of all the stories, this one was the most Christmas related. It is about convincing a potential groom that the Yule is the best time of year, when he wants nothing to do with it. Harmony loves the challenge because she loves the season. The grumpy young Caleb is convinced she will not succeed. It was fun watching these two navigate the festivities, while each learns about the other. Of course we want Harmony and Caleb to get their happily ever after!
About – Lady Harmony loves the Yule, but her father betroths her to a rogue who hates it because of the great personal loss he suffered during a past Yule. Harmony hatches a plan with her betrothed – if she can help him find the magic of the Yule in three days’ time, they will proceed with the marriage. If not, he will leave.
Guess Who’s Coming to Christmas : The Wedding Edition (The Big Uneasy, #9) by Pauline Baird Jones
Review – Dan and Gemma are tying the knot this Christmas. The Baker family presents their own kind of difficulties with all those sisters, brothers, in-laws and outlaws. But Gemma is up to the challenge. The family she claims are bring some plus ones that Gemma would just as soon stay away. Her biological donors – mom and dad.
I can relate to Dan and Gemma, who would rather have a nice quiet ceremony. Maybe elope. But they don’t. Which means there are plenty of law enforcement personnel in attendance if things go wrong at the wedding – which is bound to happen!
I loved Dan and Gemma in the story where they met, Pirogue Wipe Out, so I was happy to read about their eventful wedding. Humor is mixed with the pre-wedding tension, familiar characters and a little bit of suspense. Readers of The Big Uneasy series will enjoy this one. It’s just another happy? Baker family gathering.
About – Deck the halls with boughs of… chaos?
Dan Baker and Gemma Bailey have visions of sugarplums—and wedding bells—dancing in their heads. But as they’re about to say ‘I do’ on Christmas Eve, some unexpected guests might be crashing their winter-ish (this is New Orleans after all) wonderland wedding.
From family members who act like they own the place (don’t they all?) to uninvited blasts from the past, the journey to jingle all the way to the altar is not without its hitches.
Will there be silent nights or will ghosts of Christmas past make things go bump in the night? Join the Baker Clan’s festive fiasco and see if you can guess who’s dropping in for a Yuletide surprise!
The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall (Lord Edgington Investigates, #4) by Benedict Brown
Review – The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall is told from the perspective of Lord Edgington’s 17-year-old grandson Christopher (Chrissy), who is his grandfather’s favorite. As Lord Edginton solves mysteries, he encourages Chrissy to observe, beware and solve right along with him. Their relationship is sweet and heartwarming and sometimes fraught with peril, mostly for Chrissy.
The guests gathered at Mistletoe Hall come from many walks of life. For Edgington and Chrissy, the challenge is to find the connection, determine who the murder is and maybe prevent the next death.
This manor house party mystery has plenty of clues, mis-directions, suspects and, unfortunately, victims. Enough to engage the avid mystery solver for a few brief hours just before the holiday. I also enjoyed the authors historical notes, glossary and even recipes at the end of the book.
About – England, 1925. When Lord Edgington receives an invitation to spend the Christmas holiday with an old colleague from the police, he expects fine food, good conversation and the warmth of a roaring fire. But on arriving at Mistletoe Hall with his family, they discover the house deserted and no explanation for where their host or his servants could be.
As more guests appear, the master detective begins to question what could connect the disparate group of newcomers. A teacher, a comedian, a thief, a sportsman, a singer, a policeman and a racing driver will all have their roles to play when a killer crashes the party. Cut off from the outside world by the worsening weather, and with bodies piling up, Lord Edgington must rely on his wits, his years of experience, and the help of his bumbling grandson Christopher in order to solve “The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall”.
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