Every year for thirty years Lord Robert, the Viscount of Marchwood, throws a Christmas Ball. But this year the Marchwood Christmas Ball holds extra importance. His daughter, Lady Audrey, has just turned eighteen, and it is time for her to be introduced into society. It is Audrey’s first, best, and potentially only chance of securing a husband. Especially seeing as there are rumours that the … as there are rumours that the Marchwood money is running dry.
But headstrong Lady Audrey is not sure she wants a husband.
Ever since her mother died she has been left to her own devices.
Though she is very close to her father, it was often the servants she turned to for companionship, particularly Thomas, who, five years older than her, was always the person she depended on for conversation.
She is not ready to leave everything she knows, and the thought of abandoning her father breaks her heart.
She is determined that only someone truly special will take her away from her home.
But with the ball centred around a masquerade theme, everyone is in disguise.
And a handsome stranger threatens to steal Audrey’s heart.
Could he hold the key to her heart?
And when she unmasks him will it be a good, or bad, Christmas Surprise?
‘A Christmas Surprise’ is a festive regency romance novella.
Praise for Emily Murdoch
‘An enthralling saga.’ – Robert Foster, best-selling author of ‘The Lunar Code’.
Emily Murdoch is a medieval historian and novelist. She lives in York. She is also the author of ‘Conquests’, ‘Love Letter’, ‘Captives’ and ‘Conquered Hearts: A Historical Romance Omnibus’.
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A smashing, read-in-a-day novella with an unexpected twist.
As a first novel, this definitely encourages me to read more from this talented author. Sure, there are a couple of minor glitches (who can boast otherwise), but these in no way detract from my enjoyment. Ms Murdoch has a knack of creating likeable, credible characters who fit perfectly into their given scenario and play their parts like total professionals. I will confess to catching onto the intrigue early on, but instead of the classic “Cinderella” ending I was expecting, Ms Murdoch caught me out with a completely unexpected twist.
Good job!
A sweet love story. Two unlikely individuals find their happily-ever-after. I enjoyed the plot and characters.
Good short story.
I loved the characters and the storyline. It kept me entranced and eager to see what happens next. Great book
I haven’t read many of Emily’s books, but those I have read I liked very much. This one included. Technically I did not read this, I listened to the recording on Audible. I enjoyed the narrator’s rendition of the story and would love to hear her read another of Emily’s books someday.
Lady Audrey is eighteen and is preparing for her coming out party at the Christmas party her family always throws each Christmas. Hoping to catch an appropriate man for marriage is difficult when the party is actually a Masquerade Ball. How is she ever going to find the right man under these circumstances?
Enter, a stranger who takes her breath away. They manage to spend a little time together getting to know one another and it appears they are becoming smitten with each other. Who is this stranger and will he win the hand of the fair Lady Audrey or will someone else step in and steal her heart?
If you like clean, historical romances you are sure to love this story. Grab you a copy and dig in. Enjoy!
I was gifted an Audible code by Emily Murdoch without any requirements for a review. I voluntarily provide this review for others to learn of this book and maybe pick up their own copy to read.
This is an enjoyable Regency romance, set at Christmastime. Lady Audrey Marchwood is 18 years old and it’s time for her to be wed. However, she isn’t interested in a husband. She doesn’t really have a choice in the matter since it seems that the Marchwood money is running out.
Her father’s valet, Thomas, hates the idea that another man will wed Lady Audrey. But, as a servant, he doesn’t have a chance with her. Or, does he?
Lady Audrey decides to liven things up at the annual Christmas Ball and insists that they hold a masquerade ball just like the one her Mother held so many years ago.
If you enjoy a sweet Regency romance, this is a quick read/listen. It has everything that the Regency fan loves: high fashion, high society, at least one creepy suitor, and a lot of misunderstandings. And, of course, a happily ever after ending, with the main character finding the love of her life.
The narrator, Virginia Ferguson, does a great job and adds a lot to the listener’s enjoyment of the book. I will definitely be looking forward to reading more books by Emily Murdoch. I was given the chance to listen to the audiobook version of this book by the author/narrator/publisher and chose to review it.
In this sweet Regency romance Lady Audrey finds herself in a rented Scottish castle for her father’s annual Christmas ball. She knows and understands that it is his attempt to match her with the best possible husband, even as rumours abound that his finances are running out. However, Lady Audrey is no shrinking violet and in an attempt to keep a modicum of control over the situation, she suggests that they hold a masked ball, which her father agrees to. The problem with masks is that they can veil both good and bad intentions, but in the process Lady Audrey finds that the answer to her dreams has been right in front of her without even realising it. This is a well written albeit short story with all the elements of a good romance. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
What a sweet short story! Loved it!
This one was written in a way that I knew what the outcome was going to be (sometimes I do guess the correct thing) but I had to keep turning the pages to see if I was correct.
It is a very short story, about 62 pages for the whole book but a lot is packed into those pages to make it an enjoyable read with a great message in the end.
If you love a good romance with a few surprises thrown in then this is the story for you. Enjoy!