Scarlett Tannon, Countess of Oxford, has not seen her husband since their wedding four months ago — which is exactly what she wanted. Schooled by her mother’s experiences, Scarlett carefully guards her heart from any man, most especially her handsome and charming husband. She vows she will never suffer the heartbreak of her mother. Instead, she shares her love and gifts with those less fortunate … fortunate than herself, including the tenants of her husband’s lands — tenants he has ignored for too long.
Hunter Tannon, the Earl of Oxford, is devoted to his role in the House of Lords, determined to make a difference for those who are affected by his work there. Rejected by his bride, he leaves her on his country estate and puts her from his mind as he focuses on what really matters: political decisions. Until one day, his steward sends him an urgent summons to return his home in the country, a summons that Hunter cannot ignore or refuse.
No sooner has he returned, at the beginning of the Christmastide season, than Hunter finds himself stayed by a snowstorm. He is surprised when he sees his wife’s frosty exterior beginning to melt, revealing a mysterious and sensual woman underneath. Will days together, in the presence of sleigh rides, mistletoe, and the Christmas spirit, drive them apart forever, or reveal to them a love they never thought possible?
For readers 18+ due to some steamy scenes.
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This book gives you the delightful feeling of falling in love as the characters do. The dialogue was fast moving and entertaining. I will be looking for more books by this author!.
Another wonderful seasonal story
This is a wonderfully written seasonal story, that will keep you entertained. The plot is a brilliantly crafted tail of overcoming a parent’s experiences. The characters are beautifully portrayed, with the strength to overcome their problems. This is a great book that will be suitable for all those who love steamy historical romances, that is full of emotional twists and turns.
4 1/2 STARS****
An arranged marriage of two strangers. She’s afraid of living in London, he can’t stay in the country.
An impass and a separation of four months. A snowstorm during the season of Christmas makes it easy to fall in love.
Scarlett’s father forced her to marry Hunter, Lord Oxford. The problem is that Scarlett didn’t want to marry anyone but her father said she had to marry so she married Hunter. Hunter wanted a wife that wanted him and to bear his children and Scarlett rejected him. He returned to London because the House of Lords was sitting. When they went into recess for the Christmas Season he rushed home because his estate manger wrote him that there was a problem with the money that his wife was spending. To answer that question and other questions must read the book.
An arranged marriage, a cold wife, a husband in despair. After 3 months apart he returns home and tries to woo his wife. As Christmas draws near and he gets involved in her Christmas spirit, her heart starts to melt and maybe Christmas will bring the love they both need. A lovely story. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.
I love a good holiday romance, and I love Regency Period romances, so it’s pretty much fated that when talented author like Ellie St. Clair puts these together I bound to love the result. That’s certainly the case with Christmastide With His Countess. Taking into consideration the times, it’s no surprise that Scarlett’s parents marriage was a bad one – or that Scarlett was told to expect bad things in here. Ditto no surprise that Hunter accepts the seeming rejection by his bride. Luckily for them a Christmas snowstorm gets in the way and forces them to learn what good people they really are and how romance really is their destiny. This book is superbly written and a lot of fun. Can’t to much better than that in my opinion. Great plot, great cast of characters and great writing. I’m glad I downloaded it. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises – the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, it is easy to highly recommend.
Talk about two dysfunctional people, Scarlett closes her heart off because her father sold her off in marriage to Hunter, a soon to be Earl and a member of the House of Lords, who just accepted his father’s decree that he marry this woman. The first day, their marriage is a war and Hunter just leaves for London, because he can’t deal with the rejection. Four months later, he is summoned by his estate manager to take care of his wife interference in estate matters. What he comes home to is a wife who is take care of the estate in his absence and celebrating a holiday he never has. Game on!
This is the kind of story that I absolutely love to read this time of year. Scarlett and Hunter’s story begins when they meet for the first time at their arranged wedding ceremony and then Hunter leaves for 4 months before coming back during Christmastide. That’s when the fun begins….learning to spend time together and getting to know each other, not an easy feat for Scarlett who was always told by her mother not to trust a man’s love and faithfulness. Both the hero and heroine are such wonderful characters and you can’t help but cheer them on. Highly recommend this book!!
Ellie St. Clair has once again done a great job with the storyline and characters of this book. Scarlett Tannon, Countess of Oxford marries Hunter, the Duke of Oxford not exactly by choice. His main interest is in Parliament and when he finds himself not exactly warming up to his new wife, he leaves for London. After not seeing his wife for 4 months, he’s summoned home due to abnormalities in his finances. Once home for the Christmastide season, they end up snowed in and against Scarlett’s better judgement, start to grow close. With many trials and tribulations, they find that marriage can be the perfect thing. I voluntarily read this as an ARC
This book is a very romantic love story. Strangers being married and when they finally open up their hearts fall in love. I love how Ellie St. Clair wrote Scarlett and Hunter and their romance. She makes you understand all the characters and what motivates them, even the secondary characters. I finished this book in one day because I had to continue reading until the end.
Scarlett Tannon, Countess of Oxford and Hunter Tannon, the Earl of Oxford’s story is one of two people who do not know how to let love into their life’s so they live apart. He comes home after he is summoned at Christmas time. A story I enjoyed reading.
Scarlett’s marriage to Hunter, Lord Oxford was arranged by their parents against her will. She sees how sad her mother is married to a man she loves who does not love her and refuses to give any man that power over her. Scarlett shuts herself off from Hunter telling him to leave her alone at their country estate and go to London without her. But Hunter is not her father, but he has to work to woo her and earn her trust. There were plenty of funny and sexy moments in this holiday Regency romance.
This was a really good holiday read with wonderful main characters & secondary characters – some likable & some not so much. She has not seen her husband since she first met him & married him in August – 4 months ago. Now Scarlett Tannon, Countess of Oxford, has just what she wanted – her husband in London, she at his country estate where she can become familiar with the house, servants & the tenants of her husband’s lands. Hunter Tannon, the Earl of Oxford, left his new wife shortly after discovering she would have nothing to do with him & he goes back to London to fulfill his position in the House of Lords. He is very dedicated to fighting for children’s work rights, among others. His steward writes to Hunter & request his presence back in the country. Hunter goes and then all the fun begins. This is full of fun, misunderstandings, meddling parents on both sides, romance, humor, some spice & most important a HEA. I highly recommend this read to all historical romance readers – you will love it!
Intrigue, romance and an HEA. The couple meet at their wedding and must learn how to trust each other. Both have wounds not of the others making. Well crafted characters and some surprising twists!
I admired the heroine, Lady Scarlett. For she had to overcome years of indoctrined misconceptions and fear of marriage. She had an arranged marriage and never met her groom until the day of her wedding. After her wedding, she treated her husband, Lord Hunter, abominably. She acted like a harridan and pushed him away. Hunter grew up with unloving parents who treated him and his sister, Lavinia, with nothing but distain. Scarlett grew up with a loving mother, and she knew that her father, in his own way loved her too. Hunter had enough of a life full of rejection and longed for a loving relationship with his wife, but she would not have him. When Hunter returned from a length stay in London, he came home to Wintervale. Oh… was he in for a surprise. Even though Scarlett tried to keep Hunter at a distance with her icy demeanor, she was getting to know him better and he was getting to know her too. I loved that the story covers the obstacles they both faced because of their upbringing and that they did it together was a beautiful thing to read about. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story of Scarlett and Hunter is very well written in that it keeps your attention and you want to know what happens next. This author has a way with her writings that tends to draw the reader into the story almost as if you were a participant. The first time they meet each other is at the alter just before they say their vows. Hunter is obsessed with his work in the House of Lords to the point that he had his father find him a bride. Scarlett whose father betrayed her mother in their marriage is afraid to get close to Hunter. There is a HEA but a lot happens before this comes about. They each learn that marriage is about compromising on both sides. I loved this story and would highly recommend it as a great read.
AN INCREDIBLY SATISFYING READ!!!
Oh my! Such a wonderfully touching tale. With all the unpredictable twists and events it’s easy to get lost in this engaging storyline with an incredible plot that seems as effortless as breathing. This is one exciting, fast paced, action packed, hard hitting, pulse racing, heart pounding, page turning, smooth flowing tale that’s as captivating as it is riveting. With an endless amount of drama, mystery, intrigue and suspense it keeps your focus on the pages and frozen to your seat. A plethora of emotions in a whirlwind of activities and happenstance it pulls this wonderfully well matched couple together and shows that miracles do happen. Ellie did a amazing job bringing this read to life beautifuly. Fantastic job Ellie, thanks for sharing this awesome read with us.
Wonderful Regency tale of second chances. Scarlett and Hunter are involved in a typical arranged marriage, meeting for the first time at the church altar. Unfortunately, both characters have pasts that seem to push them away from each other. Hunter heads back to London and Scarlett remains at their country estate. When circumstances bring Hunter back to the Country, can he finally win over Scarlett and prove that she can trust him not to hurt her? It is true, Christmas does bring miracles! I loved this story and empathized with both characters. The storyline was brilliant and kept my interest all the way through. I highly recommend this book to Regency Lovers.
A beautiful story that will entrainment you until the last page.
Strong and caring characters… different but similar in their faith.
In a long voyage during the Christmas’ time they will know each other and find hope and love.
I love the story line and the feeling in these pages.
I couldn’t put this book down. When ever I read an Ellie St. Clair book that is the case. Scarlett does not want to give her heart to her husband and have it broken in two like her mother’s heart does with her father. Hunter has hard time with trusting. But when they get forced to spend time together by the weather. They either learn to trust each other and love each other or be married only to produce an heir.