Mr. Hunt’s Christmas Caller – The last thing Matthias wants to do is be the butt of the ton’s jokes. Anther failed attempt to secure a wife and at the alter no less, but it isn’t until he gets a thorough dressing down from quiet Miss Blackwell, the fog begins to clear. Why didn’t he see it before? Can he secure the affections of her or is the chaos at his house during a snowstorm too much for her?
I liked this immensely for its mature characters and the drama that swirls around them. I wanted to box a few characters’ ears for their complete disregard for Constance’s feelings but it made for an interesting story. A touch too much drama for my taste but those who love obstacles in their romances will adore this. 4.5 stars
The Christmas Gamble – Lizzie is about to get married to an earl she’s never met. When she and her gambler guardian arrive, the earl has suddenly gone to London without any word. The staff are silent about his whereabouts. The only bright spot in Lizzie’s day is the handsome brother to her betrothed. She’s attracted to him and he makes her feel things she never imagined. When Lizzie discovers a secret so devastating, it could ruin her life, will she gamble on love or reveal the truth?
A delightful romantic whodunit with engaging characters, intrigue and the Christmas season. Lizzie is such an endearing heroine, I was disappointed when the story ended. Sweeping romance from an unexpected hero and a no-good guardian who’s after Lizzie’s fortune. 5 stars
The Gnome and the Christmas Star – Sophia’s worried about her stepson, Henry. After returning home from the war without his left arm, he’s sullen and hasn’t adjusted well. He needs to find his passion and Sophia knows just what to do. When they arrive at Duncan Ashe’s house party, neither realize they’re lives are about to change. Sophia is drawn to Duncan, the Earl of Marle, but he’s giving her mixed signals. When a scandal threatens them both, will they grasp their second chance at love or will they retreat to their lonely lives?
This is my favorite story of the anthology. I’m a sucker for second chance romances and this one tugged at my heartstrings. Both Sophia and Duncan have experienced loss and heartache. Both are mature adults and both don’t know how to express their feelings. A Regency romantic comedy if there ever was one. Delightful and highly recommend. 5+ stars
A Perfectly Ridiculous Christmas – Valerian, Viscount Kenysham, helps his childhood friend Viscount Thynne secure a wife, mother for his three children and heiress. The only catch is that Thynne hasn’t told Lady Catherine about the children yet. A recipe for a farce indeed. It’s Christmas and when Lady Catherine arrives, chaos erupts. Will Valerian reveal his true feelings for Catherine to his best mate or will he walk away from the only woman he’s fallen for?
While the premise was superb, the story itself missed the mark. I had a hard time keeping track of everything and everyone. Scenes seemed jumbled together without a clear flow I usually expect from this author. Disappointing. 3 stars
Favorite Story: The Gnome and the Christmas Star. A sweeping story about a disabled veteran securing his future and two mature adults falling in love. The ending was pure magic.
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Author
sherriluptonhollister
3 years ago
Christmas Revels V
I have been a fan of the Christmas Revels anthologies since the first one. As a fan of Hannah Meredith’s historical romances, I greedily bought the first book. Shortly afterwards, I discovered Kate Parker’s Victorian Book Sellers’ series. I have become a fan of these writers and especially look forward to their Christmas stories.
Each year I have bought the Revels. This year I was given an ARC for an honest review. That is not difficult to do as I have truly enjoyed seeing what these awesome writers were going to put together. One or two stories would usually stand out as my favorites, but with each new anthology it has become increasingly more difficult to choose which ones gain that title.
In Anna D. Allen’s Mr. Hunt’s Christmas Caller, we have a very unlikely hero. I loved this story because the hero and heroine were not perfect. Mattias Hunt is not the most handsome, nor the strongest personality. He is somewhat blind to the great lady, Constance Blackwell, who has always been kind to him. When terrible weather brings them together it seems they cannot get a break. Fate continues to pull them apart if Mr. Hunt allows it. In order to find love and to be loved, one must be strong enough to fight for it.
The Christmas Gamble by Kate Parker has a bit of mystery to it, no surprise there, Kate loves a great mystery and writes them too. Lizzie Hancock is full of hope as she and her guardian travel to meet her betrothed, the Earl of Stonebrook during the Christmas season. Her future home is beautiful but something isn’t quite right and this time, it isn’t her guardian’s gambling debts. From the curious staff who can’t tell her exactly when her fiancé will be returning, to his leaving so close to her arrival, followed by the surprise return of her intended’s brother, Gabriel Waters. Unraveling this Christmas mystery and staying a few steps ahead of the drunkard, Lord Grambling, Lizzie and Gabriel must depend upon their friends to find their happy ending.
Hannah Meredith’s The Gnome and the Christmas Star is a joyful story of second chances. The Dowager Viscountess Lyndon, Sophia never expected to be caught up in her own machinations. The plan to give her youngest stepson something to do with his life after losing his arm in the war, wasn’t supposed to include her. Second chances are only offered for a limited time, and one must be brave if they are going to accept them. As Sophia learns to live and love, she teaches others that they too can have their happy ending, if only they believe.
The final story, A Perfectly Ridiculous Christmas by Louisa Cornell is a bit of a Christmas farce as three good friends seek to find a wealthy bride for their widowed friend. Life rarely happens according to one’s plans, especially if one adds in three precocious little girls and a menagerie of angry kitties, a lie that keeps growing and an attraction that won’t go away. Valerian, Viscount Keynsham has been managing his friends for years but he is about to meet his match in Lady Catherine Chastleton. This is a story of love and friendship that extends to all of the characters. It is love that begins the crazy farce and love that brings about their happy ending.
If you love regency romances and Christmas, check out Christmas Revels V, and if you haven’t read their other anthologies, I can recommend them as well.
Mr. Hunt’s Christmas Caller – The last thing Matthias wants to do is be the butt of the ton’s jokes. Anther failed attempt to secure a wife and at the alter no less, but it isn’t until he gets a thorough dressing down from quiet Miss Blackwell, the fog begins to clear. Why didn’t he see it before? Can he secure the affections of her or is the chaos at his house during a snowstorm too much for her?
I liked this immensely for its mature characters and the drama that swirls around them. I wanted to box a few characters’ ears for their complete disregard for Constance’s feelings but it made for an interesting story. A touch too much drama for my taste but those who love obstacles in their romances will adore this. 4.5 stars
The Christmas Gamble – Lizzie is about to get married to an earl she’s never met. When she and her gambler guardian arrive, the earl has suddenly gone to London without any word. The staff are silent about his whereabouts. The only bright spot in Lizzie’s day is the handsome brother to her betrothed. She’s attracted to him and he makes her feel things she never imagined. When Lizzie discovers a secret so devastating, it could ruin her life, will she gamble on love or reveal the truth?
A delightful romantic whodunit with engaging characters, intrigue and the Christmas season. Lizzie is such an endearing heroine, I was disappointed when the story ended. Sweeping romance from an unexpected hero and a no-good guardian who’s after Lizzie’s fortune. 5 stars
The Gnome and the Christmas Star – Sophia’s worried about her stepson, Henry. After returning home from the war without his left arm, he’s sullen and hasn’t adjusted well. He needs to find his passion and Sophia knows just what to do. When they arrive at Duncan Ashe’s house party, neither realize they’re lives are about to change. Sophia is drawn to Duncan, the Earl of Marle, but he’s giving her mixed signals. When a scandal threatens them both, will they grasp their second chance at love or will they retreat to their lonely lives?
This is my favorite story of the anthology. I’m a sucker for second chance romances and this one tugged at my heartstrings. Both Sophia and Duncan have experienced loss and heartache. Both are mature adults and both don’t know how to express their feelings. A Regency romantic comedy if there ever was one. Delightful and highly recommend. 5+ stars
A Perfectly Ridiculous Christmas – Valerian, Viscount Kenysham, helps his childhood friend Viscount Thynne secure a wife, mother for his three children and heiress. The only catch is that Thynne hasn’t told Lady Catherine about the children yet. A recipe for a farce indeed. It’s Christmas and when Lady Catherine arrives, chaos erupts. Will Valerian reveal his true feelings for Catherine to his best mate or will he walk away from the only woman he’s fallen for?
While the premise was superb, the story itself missed the mark. I had a hard time keeping track of everything and everyone. Scenes seemed jumbled together without a clear flow I usually expect from this author. Disappointing. 3 stars
Favorite Story: The Gnome and the Christmas Star. A sweeping story about a disabled veteran securing his future and two mature adults falling in love. The ending was pure magic.
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Christmas Revels V
I have been a fan of the Christmas Revels anthologies since the first one. As a fan of Hannah Meredith’s historical romances, I greedily bought the first book. Shortly afterwards, I discovered Kate Parker’s Victorian Book Sellers’ series. I have become a fan of these writers and especially look forward to their Christmas stories.
Each year I have bought the Revels. This year I was given an ARC for an honest review. That is not difficult to do as I have truly enjoyed seeing what these awesome writers were going to put together. One or two stories would usually stand out as my favorites, but with each new anthology it has become increasingly more difficult to choose which ones gain that title.
In Anna D. Allen’s Mr. Hunt’s Christmas Caller, we have a very unlikely hero. I loved this story because the hero and heroine were not perfect. Mattias Hunt is not the most handsome, nor the strongest personality. He is somewhat blind to the great lady, Constance Blackwell, who has always been kind to him. When terrible weather brings them together it seems they cannot get a break. Fate continues to pull them apart if Mr. Hunt allows it. In order to find love and to be loved, one must be strong enough to fight for it.
The Christmas Gamble by Kate Parker has a bit of mystery to it, no surprise there, Kate loves a great mystery and writes them too. Lizzie Hancock is full of hope as she and her guardian travel to meet her betrothed, the Earl of Stonebrook during the Christmas season. Her future home is beautiful but something isn’t quite right and this time, it isn’t her guardian’s gambling debts. From the curious staff who can’t tell her exactly when her fiancé will be returning, to his leaving so close to her arrival, followed by the surprise return of her intended’s brother, Gabriel Waters. Unraveling this Christmas mystery and staying a few steps ahead of the drunkard, Lord Grambling, Lizzie and Gabriel must depend upon their friends to find their happy ending.
Hannah Meredith’s The Gnome and the Christmas Star is a joyful story of second chances. The Dowager Viscountess Lyndon, Sophia never expected to be caught up in her own machinations. The plan to give her youngest stepson something to do with his life after losing his arm in the war, wasn’t supposed to include her. Second chances are only offered for a limited time, and one must be brave if they are going to accept them. As Sophia learns to live and love, she teaches others that they too can have their happy ending, if only they believe.
The final story, A Perfectly Ridiculous Christmas by Louisa Cornell is a bit of a Christmas farce as three good friends seek to find a wealthy bride for their widowed friend. Life rarely happens according to one’s plans, especially if one adds in three precocious little girls and a menagerie of angry kitties, a lie that keeps growing and an attraction that won’t go away. Valerian, Viscount Keynsham has been managing his friends for years but he is about to meet his match in Lady Catherine Chastleton. This is a story of love and friendship that extends to all of the characters. It is love that begins the crazy farce and love that brings about their happy ending.
If you love regency romances and Christmas, check out Christmas Revels V, and if you haven’t read their other anthologies, I can recommend them as well.