Christmas at Falstone Castle – Sarah M. Eden – The Dowager Duchess of Kielder eagerly anticipates spending Christmas with her son and his family. Though their relationship has been strained, the duchess is determined to heal the chasm. Even with the help of the widowed local vicar, her plan will take a Christmas miracle. But during this magical season, anything is possible . . . even two second … two second chances for love.
The Heart of Christmas – Anita Stansfield – When a chance meeting brings together a gentle seamstress and a widowed banker, each lonely soul finds a first hint of hope. As their lives become entwined, it will take Christmas spirit to guide a broken family to love and healing.
’Tis the Season to Be Daring – Esther Hatch Elizabeth – Davenport has had quite enough of the London Season. Determined to evade a parade of unsuitable suitors, she seeks help from the one gentleman who has no regard for Society’s rules. All of Society knows Lord Hawthorne is not interested in marriage, yet he cannot deny Miss Davenport’s unique charm. And as the Christmas season works its magic, their charade begins to feel less like playacting and more like love.
The Christmas Dress – Joanna Barker – Seamstress Nell Addington is thrilled when her childhood friend Jacob Hammond commissions a dress for his sister. But when Nell realizes her feelings for Jacob run far deeper than friendship, an unexpected snowstorm—and some holiday cheer—may convince them both that love is worth fighting for.
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All Hearts Come Home for Christmas is a wonderful collection of stories by four different authors, and I certainly loved everything about it, from its cover to each individual story. This anthology made me long for it to already be The Season, and gave me the opportunity to find new-to-me-but-now-favorite authors. Here are my individual reviews (keep in mind that each was written just after I had finished reading them):
Christmas at Falstone Castle by Sarah M. Eden
Wow. OK, so I think this is my first story from this author, and thus, after reading the prologue, I thought it was going to be Adam’s story (I’m also reading this book without remembering what the back cover said). After realizing this was rather going to be the story of his mother, the Dowager Duchess Harriet, and the Vicar Roswell Duncan, I didn’t think I’d enjoy it as much since it would be an “older” romance (the couple is in their fifties at least). However, I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself enjoying the whole of it (especially their planning and plotting around Christmas time). What I also loved were Adam’s interactions, his retorts, and “charming” personality, lol (yes, I’ll be reading his book in the future), and the occasional scene with his POV. This is a lovely read, and perfect for all the Lancaster family’s fans. 5 stars.
The Heart of Christmas by Anita Stansfield
I enjoyed this cute, short story that includes all my favorite things regarding Christmas: an emphasis on Christ as the center and meaning of this celebration, family, traditions, and some food 😉 this is a new to me author and I liked how she portrayed the Hardwicke’s as a family that had spent too many years pretty much going through the motions, and the miracle that Ms. Adelaide Moore would help them achieve in time for Christmas. 4.5 stars.
’Tis the Season to Be Daring by Esther Hatch
Oh my goodness, this book (story/novella, you get what I mean)!!! It gripped me from the first page and it never let go! The story starts with a bang (not literally, of course), and introduces us to the fabulous Miss Elizabeth Davenport, and the charming, funny and handsome Lord Charles Hawthorne (Earl). I loved every interaction between the two of them, and the author made me FEEL every feeling that was going on (all the longing glances and every single touch, however simple it may have been). And that last chapter? I may as well have highlighted the whole of it #not #kiddingnearlykidding it was just so swoon-worthy that I had to highlight all my favorite parts (and there were way too many 😉 ).
Seriously, I can’t believe the author’s just beginning her writing career, but I can see me following her every book. LOVED it. 5 stars
The Christmas Dress by Joanna Barker
*Giddy smile* just, wow! Being the only author I already knew out of the four in this anthology, Ms. Barker did not disappoint. This novella was so sweet, charming and delightful, that it left me with all the fuzzy feelings, and certainly longing for Christmas (is it here yet?) I loved every bit of Miss Eleanor “Nell” Addington and Mr. Jacob Hammond’s story, as well as watching them slowly fall in love with each other (the longing for each other, and that first kiss… *swoon*). Of course, it being a novella, the conflict was done really well, and it helped the story move towards its perfect ending (and that epilogue was just the sweetest!). 5 stars
I loved all four stories in this Christmas collection. They are all perfect to cozy up with a blanket and enjoy for the Chrismas season. I read each story in a sitting and I felt like each one was a complete story, not rushed like other short story collections I have read before. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Christmas or Regency stories.
I received a free copy of this book. All thoughts above are my own.
This was such a joy to read! Each of the four authors wrote a beautiful Christmas story for this collection. The four stories that make up this book are unique and so sweet. The stories are clean, lovely, varied, make-you-sigh romantic, and have wonderful happy endings. I have to say that these are some of my favorite Christmas stories. I definitely recommend this anthology!
#AllHeartsComeHomeforChristmas #HistoricalRomance #SarahMEden #AnitaStansfield ##AuthorEstherHatch #AuthorJoannaBarker
I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own and are expressed voluntarily.
What a terrific collection of Regency Christmas stories! Even reading it well before the Christmas season, I found it to be captivating and highly enjoyable.
Christmas at Falstone Castle · Sarah M. Eden
I was thrilled to be able to see some of my favorite characters from Sarah M. Eden’s Lancaster family. I absolutely love them, so I was eagerly anticipating this story, and it was wonderful. It has all my favorite elements of a good story–snappy dialogue, laugh-out-loud moments, characters you wish were real, and a good romance. Just a fantastic story!
The Heart of Christmas · Anita Stansfield
This one was more of a sweet story about family and healing with a dash of romance thrown in. While Anita Stansfield isn’t a favorite author of mine (I tend to like more dialogue and action, rather than the longer descriptive passages that she writes), this story fits well with her style and her fans will be quite happy with it. I still enjoyed it; it just isn’t the style I personally prefer.
’Tis the Season to Be Daring · Esther Hatch
Oh, my gosh. I loved this story! Starting this story, I expected to have a clear favorite (Sarah M. Eden’s contribution), but this one at least tied for favorite. I absolutely loved the plot; Elizabeth and Charles kept me laughing and I just loved all of their interactions. It was just so much fun to read–and I already want to go reread it.
The Christmas Dress · Joanna Barker
This was a sweet story with a gentle romance between former childhood friends. I liked how Jacob and Nell, both with struggles of their own, came together and brightened each other’s lives. It has a great opening scene, and I love the ending, too.
All in all, a great collection with unique stories that I highly recommend!
I read a review copy provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
A wonderful collection of Christmas stories by some of my favorite Regency authors.
Christmas at Falstone Castle – Everytime I read a new addition to one of Sarah Eden’s series I have the strong desire to lock myself away and devour the series from beginning to end. I love the Lancaster family and the Dangerous Duke. It was so fun reading about them all again. Harriet and Roswell are such lovely people. It was sweet following their relationship with each other and with different members of the family. I loved this second chance at love for both of them.
The Heart of Christmas – One of my favorite Christmas books that I try to read each December is by Anita Stansfield. I love how her stories bring the spirit of Christmas and this one did as well. This was a beautiful story about healing, especially at Christmas time. Addie is so wonderful and does so much to help Theo, Marla and Becky. It is really beautiful. The romance is more on the sly in this story, but the story was so wonderful I didn’t really mind.
Tis the Season To Be Daring – Oh I loved this story. I laughed a lot. What started out as Elizabeth trying to thwart her mother’s matchmaking turned into an experience where Elizabeth found herself with the help of wonderful Charles. He is so fun and crazy and they are just wonderful together. A great story about throwing caution to the wind, especially if you’re an earl. 😉
The Christmas Dress – Another great Christmas story! I love that Nell got to share the magic of Christmas with Jacob and Alice. This was such a sweet story of Nell and Jacob falling in love. I loved it! They are both amazing people and so good for one another.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. This review is my honest opinion.
All Hearts Come Home for Christmas
Christmas at Falstone Castle by Sarah M. Eden.
Who doesn’t love a Christmas story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story.
My heart went out to Adam, the Duke of Kielder over his childhood and loss. It was sad reading how it scared him even as an adult.
His Mum the Dowager duchess was remorseful for her part in her son’s life and was eager to fix things over Christmas, the season she came to believe miracles happen in. I love how together with the Vicar with a lovely personality turned around her relationship with her family and in the process found love.
Miracles really happen at Christmas. At all it is a season of redemption and love. I read abundant of those in this part of the book.
Sarah is an absolutely gifted writer. She captivated my heart with the humor filled banter in the book. I laughed a lot while reading this story.
I definitely recommend this to be read by everyone.
The heart of Christmas by Anita Stansfield.
Christ mends broken hearts if we could just allow him to. He is not afraid of our wounds or scars. He himself is aware of pain and suffering and he mends.
I thought the first novella was awesome until I read this second one. Awwwwwwww
That’s all I could say after reading it.
Yes, Christmas time is a time for mending hearts. Addie in the process of mending the hearts of Theo, Becky and Marla with God’s help mended hers too from her sad past and mother’s death.
I love reading about how Theo found her, how she came to be in his employment. I loved how she sought to serve and not judge but looked for a way to bring joy to where she was. I especially loved reading on how instead of relying on her own strength to do what needed to be done, she prayed and God sure answered.
This story brings one of the messages of Christmas in the most beautiful of ways I’ve ever read about.
‘Tis season to be daring by Esther Hatch.
Awwwwww
I was sad it ended so quickly. A very beautiful story of daring to love.
Charles was an earl and according to him, he could do anything he wanted because he was an earl. That’s what endeared him to Elizabeth. I love the fact that he was indifferent to what the society thought was the norm and decided to enjoy life and it became contagious to Elizabeth.
Together they fell in love to be two people who didn’t care about what society thought and just want to be happy and enjoy life.
A very beautiful read for me.
The Christmas dress but Joanna Barker.
This story was purely heartwarming.
I’ve always loved stories with seamstresses in them. This did not disappoint.
I loved reading about the history between Jacob and Nell and their live apart and together. I loved how he was so mindful of her when they reconnected. I loved reading about Alice, Jacob’s younger sister and how she was able to let go of her quiet disposition after the tragedy that struk them.
Such a beautiful Christmas story of new beginnings and finding love.
I received a copy for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed here are mine.
I could review each of the stories in the compilation separately, but I am not sure I could. I received my ARC from the publisher and it couldn’t have come at a better time. I was in a bit of turmoil and needed something to soothe my soul. This was the perfect balm.
This is a compilation of a few of my favorite authors with a couple of them writing extensions on my favorite characters and stories within their worlds. Sarah Eden brought us back the Dangerous Duke of Kielder and reunited him with his mother which is always a prospect for Drama, but I loved this intimate look at this family at Christmas time. The Heart of Christmas was Anita Stansfield as her best with a beautiful story of a banker and the woman he hires to help take care of his child and his house. It is a story of healing like no other. ‘Tis the Season to be Daring brings us a prequel to Esther Hatch’s Roses of Feldstone and JoAnna Barker, who is quickly becoming one of my faves brings a sweet story of reunited friends.
You don’t need to wait until Christmas to read this one, in fact, I would read it now and then again at Christmas. It brings the healing and love of the season home any time you want to be there.
The lovely cover and the prospect of reading stories by some of my favorite authors drew me to this book. I don’t usually read Christmas stories in August, but I couldn’t resist the pull. The four novellas in this collection are the perfect length to devour one per evening.
I can always count on Sarah M. Eden for a great read, and Christmas at Falstone Castle is a fun glimpse at Adam and Persephone and their growing family. I was happy to see that he hadn’t lost his “personality” and that Persephone was still working on mellowing him.
The Heart of Christmas by Anita Stansfield was a sweet story about Addie who is hired to help Theo with his family. Addie wants to help the family heal and be happy together. This novella was a bit hard for me to get into, as it was mostly descriptive with little dialog, but I thought the part about the mending of the hearts was lovely.
Esther Hatch’s novella, ‘Tis the Season to Be Daring, was one of my favorites. With a fun premise, a lot of humor, and quite a big dash of romance, I chuckled and smiled my way through it. Elizabeth Davenport and Lord Hawthorne were charming and perfect for each other. I enjoyed Hatch’s sense of humor and fun.
The Christmas Dress by Joanna Barker is a charming tale of a seamstress, Nell Addington, who is reunited with a former friend, Jacob Hammond. As she helps his sister Alice select a dress to be made for Christmas, she also helps them learn how to celebrate the season.
I recommend this novella collection for those who enjoy clean, charming Christmas stories. They’re perfect for an evening’s read.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Covenant Communications/NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Christmas at Falstone Castle by Sarah M. Eden
I read “Seeking Persephone” as well as the Lancaster family series, so this was a particular favorite of mine to re-visit characters! The duke of Kielder is almost as grumpy as ever, but he seems to have mellowed quite a bit under the light of his wife & children. His relationship with his mother, the Dowager Duchess, however has been strained for years. Watching them get past the hurts and form a closer bond was delightful, as well as seeing her grandchildren blossom under her love & care. Not to mention the second chance love Harriet unexpectedly gets. A story of true Christmas miracles of reconciliation, family bonds, laughter and love. Very heartwarming!
The Heart of Christmas by Anita Stansfield
A chance meeting has all the makings of finding love at Christmas! I really enjoyed this one and getting to know Adelaide, Theodore and his daughter Becky. He’s widowed trying to raise his young daughter and care for his ailing mother, which is difficult at best. Meeting Adelaide “Addie” has destiny written all over it! When she agrees to care for his family while he works, her soft heart sees the weight of grief in each one and desires to help heal them under her tender care. Reconciliation is sweet in this tale of healing and the stirrings of new love. Simply delightful!
‘Tis the Season to be Daring by Esther Hatch
This was a fun one! Watching the banter between Elizabeth and Charles as they pretend to be courting during the London season was the highlight for me. Thwarting her mother seems to be the highlight of Elizabeth’s life and Charles is so unconventional he’s the perfect candidate for her plans. But then her feelings get tangled up and it’s no longer a game! Can these two find common ground and will love conquer all? A warm, witty, delightful Christmas tale!
The Christmas Dress by Joanna Barker
It’s been years since Nell and Jacob have seen each other. When he commissions her to create dresses for his sister Alice, they find feelings still strong towards one another. But under the cloud of grief can Nell bring happiness and laughter once again to the Hammond house? Christmas has a way of working it’s magic spell and stirring hearts. I loved watching Alice and Jacob let go of their burden and remembering the fun of past Christmases. These two blossomed under the care & concern Nell showed, and watching the love story unfold was an added bonus to this already heartwarming tale!
Four stories of the magic of Christmas working it’s miracles in hearts and lives made me smile, laugh and care about characters who become real in my mind. I knew Sarah Eden from other stories so it was wonderful to discover new writers in this collection of short novellas. Each one is perfect for the Christmas season & beyond. Sit down with a cup of hot cocoa, a throw blanket over your lap, and enjoy as these take you away to a different time & place!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Covenant Communications and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *
This book has novellas from some of my favorite authors. There were many times I had to fight from laughing out loud (reading in public and avoiding weird looks.) These 4 different novellas show that love can and will cross over the different class distinctions of the regency time period, that it’s never too late for second chances and that Christmas is a time for miracles.
In both Sarah Eden’s and Esther Hatch’s novellas you will revisit some characters from their previous novels. The Lancaster family and the dangerous Duke of Kielder in Sarah’s story, Christmas at Fieldstone Castle. Rose Davenport’s (from The Roses of Feldstone) sister Elizabeth and her “introduction” to the Lord Hawthorne in Esther Hatch’s ‘Tis the Season to Be Daring.
This book was so entertaining and will forever be added to my Christmas bookshelf and enjoyed for years to come.
While I was given the opportunity to review this book before it’s release all of the opinions are my own.
I loved most of these stories so much! It starts out with Sarah Eden’s book that brought us back to the Lancaster family! This was a good story! More of Adam and his past and how he is healing his life. I loved it as Adam and Persephone are some of my all time fav of Eden’s characters. This is more focused on his mother and her challenge and of course we get a romance:}
The 2nd story is Anita Stansfield. Not a fav author of mine but I enjoyed her story. It is more about a woman healing a family and less of a romance but it fits nicely.
The 3rd story is Ester Hatch’s. Elizabeth and Charles!! Oh my gosh I loved this one so much! I wish it were longer but at the same time was so glad they got there HEA so quickly! Hatch just has a way of writing a regency but creating characters that I just love and are unique!
The 4th story is so sweet and awesome. Has a bit of a Cinderella feel to it. Joanna Barker is quickly climbing to one of my favorite authors. I loved this sweet story!!!
Such a fulfilling read. I wish I would have read it closer to Christmas! I think I’ll have to reread it:}
I received a copy from Netgalley ….and trust me it’s honest:}
3.5 stars
“Christmas was a time of miracles and he felt in his heart of hearts that one awaited him this year.”
-Vicar Roswell Duncan from “Christmas at Falstone Castle by Sarah M. Eden
“But Christmas never happened, and the box remained in the drawer for years.”
Aunt Marla from “The Heart of Christmas” by Anita Stansfield
“Our arrangement would last only the three weeks until Christmas. Actually, it was only until Christmas at the latest.”
Elizabeth Davenport in “‘Tis the Season to Be Daring” by Esther Hatch
“The dress came together beautifully . . . . . Two days before Christmas . . . It was finished.”
Nell Addington in “The Christmas Dress” by Joanna Barker
Four delightful novellas, a Regency Christmas collection, featuring high hopes, mended hearts, patched up dreams, and plenty of mischief to go around, for many Christmases to come.
I received a copy of the this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
Christmas at Falstone Castle by Sarah M. Eden
Sarah M. Eden always pulls you right in from the very beginning. The first chapter with little Adam is so heartbreaking.
“Father had taught him to be a duke.
Adam fortified his seven-year-old heart. If Mother didn’t love him, he wouldn’t allow himself to love her or long for her or need her. The pain in his heart was so enormous he knew he wouldn’t be able to bear it if he couldn’t relieve it somehow.
He simply wouldn’t care. About her. About anyone. Not ever again.
I am a duke now. Dukes don’t cry. And dukes don’t need people.”
Seeking Persephone is one of my favorite books from Sarah. I love the characters! It was so great to see them again, especially with the addition of little Oliver. Adam and Persephone have such a sweet relationship, and I love seeing the dangerous duke’s sweet side with his son. Adam has the best dry sense of humor, and Persephone is so perfect for him.
Coming into the story I viewed the dowager fairly negatively. She left her only child, and the few times she saw him she called him her poor boy while pointing out his flaws.
While this was a story about the Dowager Duchess of Kielder and Roswell Duncan the local vicar, my favorite parts were with Adam, Persephone, and Oliver.
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The Heart of Christmas by Anita Stansfield
“Staring at the cracked hearts, Addie felt as if she were looking at a clear and undeniable representation of the three people who lived in this home, the people she’d been hired to care for, the people she’d grown to love. Their hearts were broken, and Addie wanted nothing more than to find a way to help mend the cracks so they could find new happiness in their lives and share life like a family instead of simply living completely separate lives beneath the same roof.”
Theo, his daughter Becky, and Aunt Marla have been living in the same house for almost ten years. They mostly live their lives separately, however. Theo is naturally shy and keeps his emotions to himself, and the aunt doesn’t like to talk about anything sad. Becky believes she is to blame for her mother’s death and chooses to act out like her friends as school. Though truth be told, she doesn’t seem to act out much for a child her age. She seems fairly normal.
Addie wants to do her job the best way she can, and in addition she really wants to help the people she works for come together as a family. She is often described as a kind person and hopes to improve the lives of others. I was a little confused with Addie’s opinion of Becky. Becky presents herself as a skeptical child, however, Addie describes as “peevish” and “cantankerous” after only a short first impression.
I had a hard time getting into this book. I think a large part was because the book is almost entirely written as descriptions with not a lot of dialogue. I prefer more of a combination between the two. The characters also didn’t seem to have much of a connection to each other, and I didn’t feel any connection to them.
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’Tis the Season to Be Daring by Esther Hatch
Elizabeth fears she lives a boring life only knitting and embroidering. She doesn’t know who she can truly be until she meets Charles.
I love the way Charles is with children. The scene with his niece was one of my favorites. It was sweet and funny and you see a whole other side to him than the moody one that avoids the matchmaking mamas in the ballrooms.
These two are so adorable together!
I sometimes have a harder time connecting to characters in shorter stories, but these characters were really well developed, and I loved them.
There was a nice combination between romance and comedy. Charles and Elizabeth were able to have serious conversations as well as be comfortable and joke with each other. I liked the joke about the booties and the 12 children.
“Our eyes met, and in the firelight his shone an almost iridescent blue. And in an instant I knew. Whoever was lucky enough to marry Lord Hawthorne would live this way. She would have laughter, love, entertainment, and belonging. There would be trust and conversation. Oh, the conversations—always on the verge of laughing, but never at the expense of others. I stepped back away from him as a fire in my chest grew to be more painful and hot than the bowl of brandy in front of us.
I wanted to be that woman. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Lord Hawthorne, not just the next few days. I had allowed myself to be too long in his company, and now it was too late. No matter how we left things, I would never be the same.”
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The Christmas Dress by Joanna Barker
Jacob and Nell grew up together, though they did not socialize a lot with each other. Years later they are reunited in an awkward yet cute way.
They have now both lost their fathers. Nell lost her father years ago, but still fiercely misses him and remembers all the good times. Jacob just recently lost his father, but they didn’t get along, and Jacob hadn’t seen him in the five years before his death.
It seems a little harsh for Jacob to not see someone ever again because they did not get along. Especially because that someone was his father and in staying away, he was also staying away from his sister.
I had to laugh when Nell mentioned multiple times that Jacob’s sister Alice shouldn’t wear black, because she is pale and has dark hair. Alice and I share these features, and I often wear black.
Joanna Barker is a newer to me author. I have only read Beauty and the Baron. I enjoyed “The Christmas Dress” and look forward to reading her other books.
“He lifted her burdens without even seeming to be aware that he did it, so naturally kind and thoughtful was he.”