In a winter so cold the Thames freezes over, five couples venture onto the ice in pursuit of love to warm their hearts.
Love unexpected, rekindled, brand new or rediscovered—even one that’s a whack on the side of the head—heats up the winter. After weeks of fog and cold all five stories converge on the ice at the 1814 Frost Fair when the ladies’ campaign to help the wounded and unemployed … ladies’ campaign to help the wounded and unemployed veterans of the Napoleonic wars culminates in a charity auction that shocks the the high sticklers of the ton.
In their 2020 collection, join the Bluestocking Belles and their heroes and heroines as The Ladies’ Society For The Care of the Widows and Orphans of Fallen Heroes and the Children of Wounded Veterans pursues justice, charity, and soul searing romance.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day 2020 with five interconnected Regency romances.
Melting Matilda by Jude Knight – Fire smolders under the frost between them.
My One True Love by Rue Allyn – She vanished into the fog. Will he find his one true love or remain lost, cold and alone forever?
Lord Ethan’s Courage by Caroline Warfield – War may freeze a man’s heart; it takes a woman to melt it.
A Second Chance at Love by Sherry Ewing – Can the bittersweet frost of lost love be rekindled into a burning flame?
The Umbrella Chronicles: Chester and Artemis’s Story by Amy Quinton – Beastly duke seeks confident woman who doesn’t faint at the sight of his scars. Prefers not to leave the house to find her.
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Five couples are about to find love and each story is connected to the other giving you a good feeling about them all. Read to see how each couple find love
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I was given this book for free in exchange for an honest review. I have said this before in other reviews, I always give honest reviews whether people appreciate them or not.
This is a collection of Regency stories centered on a charity that the Duchess of Haverford has put together for The Ladies’ Society for the Care of the Widows and Orphans of Fallen Heroes and the Children of Wounded Veterans. Quite a mouthful isn’t that? It turns into a bit of a joke throughout the book because it’s such a long title… There are five stories, each different, each progressing the main story for this charity some with new characters some with characters mentioned in previous stories.
Melting Matilda by Jude Knight. 5 stars.
This is the perfect story to begin the collection. Miss Matilda Grenford was raised by the Duchess alongside her two sisters since they were infants. The three girls are all children of the Duke and his mistresses. Her Grace has raised the girls as her own but Matilda knows that society doesn’t always see her in good terms. Lord Charles Hamner has been lusting after Matilda for a couple of years but can’t quite get over her birth. This is truly a wonderful story, not just setting up the charity theme but the possible romance between the Earl and Matilda.
My One True Love by Rue Allyn. 3.5 stars.
Mary Percival, or Percy, is trying to stay out of sight from Lord Trevor. They grew up on neighboring estates and had been great friends. Now, she’s was thrown out of her home and has to work to pay for her room and board. Lord Trevor is back from the war and really missed his friend. We see the Duchess of Haverford in this story as she’s more than willing to assist Percy as well as Lord Trevor’s attempts to connect with her.
Lord Ethan’s Courage by Caroline Warfield. 4 stars.
All right, we have a grittier story than the others here. Lady Flora Landrum is determined to help the wounded veterans that have returned from the war. They are in alleys, on the streets and barely eating or getting medical care. She’s giving bread to men in a back alley and meets Lord Ethan Alcott…well, sort of anyway. She doesn’t know he’s a Lord since he’s huddled in the alley in the cold. He seems affronted that this lady was unprotected giving out bread to terrible men like him. Yes, Ethan has some issues. Basically, this story is as much about what happens to soldiers at war as it is about romance.
A Second Chance at Love by Sherry Ewing. 3 stars.
The title for this story is perfect. Viscount Digby Osgood hasn’t seen Lady Constance in a couple of years, when he broke her heart. He doesn’t think she’ll forgive him, or even want to see him, but one of his friends encourages him to go see her. Lady Constance seems to have a Lieutenant attached to her like a barnacle. Luckily Digby arrives and shoos him off. This is a very cute story.
The Umbrella Chronicles: Chester and Artemis’s Story by Amy Quinton. 4.5 stars.
This is a fun story! Chester Mansfield, the Duke of Eastly, is semi pressured by his sister Lady Theodosia to participate in an event for the charity every woman seems to be working for. Then, Lady Harriett comes in and definitely manipulates him to bid on a picnic basket made by Miss Artemis Synclaire. I really enjoyed this story!
All in all, this collection of Regency Romances is quite good. I enjoyed reading them, some more than others, but it is a solid book with stories that are worth the read!
Now I want to attend a Frost Fair!! This book contains short stories by a group of wonderful authors and what they all have in common is the Frost Fair. Five couples have their story told amidst all the preparations and the fair itself. Most noteworthy is that the fair is a charity event that helps out wounded soldiers, war widows, orphaned children, etc. A cause most worthy, even today!
MELTING MATILDA by Jude Knight:
This is Matilda and Charles’ story. A few years back, Charles had kissed Matilda, proposed to someone else the next morning and then disappeared! It’s no wonder she wants nothing to do with him when he returns but the love she had for him still burns bright in her. While they help in preparing for the Frost Fair, they open their hearts and all is forgiven. Well written and very charming!!
MY ONE TRUE LOVE by Rue Allyn:
This is Percy and Trevor’s story. Having been friends since they were babies and caring very much about each other, Trevor is devastated when Percy’s father plans an arranged marriage for her. He decides to leave town and now 3 years later he is back and is quite relieved to find out she is not married but wonders why she has changed so much. She is also being ostracized by the ton and she’s working to support herself. Percy still loves Trevor but she’s afraid he’ll think less of her if he finds out what happened to her after she was betrothed. Rue Allyn really did a lovely job writing their story, full of feelings and emotions.
LORD ETHAN’S COURAGE by Caroline Warfield:
This is Ethan and Flora’s story. While reading it, I just wanted to take Ethan in my arms and never let him go. What a very broken and tortured soul he is, war can really ruin a man’s life! Flora finds him as she’s helping out the desolate ex-soldiers who have nowhere to go and are living on the streets. Even though he’s rude to her, she can’t stop thinking of him and knows he’s not like the others because of his well bred speech. I love how everything works out for them and that he finds his way home again! Caroline Warfield has a style of writing that makes you want to read more of her work!!!
A SECOND CHANCE AT LOVE by Sherry Ewing:
This is Digby and Constance’s story. After a 2 year absence, Digby is back and plans on courting Constance and making her his wife. I loved their interactions and reading the lines, you could feel the joy they had in being in each other’s company:) Unfortunately there’s a villain that tries to tear them apart but he won’t find it that easy!! Imagine being able to go to the theater to see The Merchant of Venice and Edmund Kean having his London debut performance as Shylock! These are all scenes that make you smile and wish you could be there with them. The Frost Fair is also in full swing and I loved reading all about it! Sherry Ewing never disappoints with her stories.
THE UMBRELLA CHRONICLES: CHESTER AND ARTEMIS” STORY by Amy Quinton:
OH how I adore Aunt Harriett, what a character she is!! With that black umbrella of hers, you have no chance of escaping her plans! lol Chester is mostly a recluse due to his scars and has no intention of going to the Frost Fair but with Aunt Harriett and his sister’s “innocent” urging to help out a poor, shy friend of hers at the auction, he suddenly finds himself at the fair! Who he meets is not a shy mouse of a woman, it’s a gorgeous and outspoken woman! Be prepared for fireworks and a happily ever after:) Oh, and I’m still giggling at Chester’s “Society for Wounded Stuff”phrase! lol Amy Quinton always delights with her stories.
This is a wonderful collection set around set around The Frost Fair of 1814. Melting Matilda but Jude Knight was a particularly good story in true Jude Knight fashion. I enjoyed the characters and the love story. Thank you so much Jude for such a heartwarming love story.
A wonderful collection of short stores which are all interconnected so the reader can discover what has occurred in the lives of already introduced characters. It was also great that I was introduced to 5 authors I had not had the opportunity to read before so can add them to my list of authors to read.
” Fire & Frost- A Bluestocking Belles Collection” by Jude Knight is a collection of Winter Romances at the frozen Thames’s 1814 Frost Fair… The Ladies’ Society For The Care of the Widows and Orphans of Fallen Heroes and the Children of Wounded Veterans brave frigid temperatures in a heartfelt campaign to comfort Veterans of the Napoleonic wars….and mayhap acquire husbands amongst the gallant soldiers of England’s best…..Melting Matilda by Jude Knight….My One True Love by Rue Allyn….Lord Ethan’s Courage by Caroline Warfield….A Second Chance at Love by Sherry Ewing….and The Umbrella Chronicles: Chester and Artemis’s Story by Amy Quinton….Five tales of blazing passion and melted hearts….and heated encounters …on the frozen ice of London’s Thames!
Read and See! Much enjoyed and Highly Recommended. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Copy of this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Beautiful romance and clean stories in this box series. Very well written, each book telling a sweet romance. I loved them all!!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Stories such as this collection are truly heartwarming. I am reviewing Matilda, but all of these stories are touching, and from authors I had not previously read so I was happy to meet so many capable writers through their tales.
Stories such as this collection are truly heartwarming. I am reviewing Matilda, but all of these stories are touching, and from authors I had not previously read so I was happy to meet so many capable writers through their tales.
Matilda is one of several illegitimate daughters of the Duke who had been raised as a ward of the Duchess. Despite her brother and a loving Duchess, she is still tainted by the stigma of being the daughter of a well known and beautiful Mistress, not only that her appearance is much like that of her infamous mother. Two years ago she was kissed by the Earl Charles Hamner who found her irresistable, he has been avoiding her ever since, so when they are thrown together to help plan a charity event they are both avoiding each other as much as possible. When Matilda is attacked by her own father, the Duke,who is literally not in his right mind, he thinking she is his Mistress, it is Charles who rescues her and the Duchess and everything begins to change. This was just one of a great group of stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Very Enjoyable Interconnected Multi-Author Collection
I thoroughly enjoy Regency multi-author collections! They give you a chance to explore new authors and new stories, perhaps. While these are all books by different authors, each revolves around the same ladies’ society during the Napoleonic Wars. This society has recently come together, and the ladies involved want to help the veterans, war widows, and orphans directly as well as help behind the scenes with the politics of getting more for the veterans and their families. At times, the books are quite serious, and we can’t help but see parallels between veterans now and veterans back then. Of course, back then, we didn’t understand or have the concepts of PTSD or shell shock. Some heroes in these stories are actually war veterans; some have survived relatively intact mentally and physically while others are struggling. For instance, one hero is actually homeless, living on the streets after returning because he doesn’t quite feel like he can go back to his family after what he was a part of overseas.
I absolutely adored the dowager duchess at the helm of these ladies’ society. She is a remarkable woman, her compassion and kindness truly knowing no bounds, even while upholding propriety for herself and her charges. She has taken young women as wards who are her husband’s by-blows. I would like to have known more about how that came about. She treats these young women so well but also with a strong hand, especially as young men become interested in them. She is quite the mover and shaker in front of the scenes as well as behind. I think my favorite story is the one about the two childhood friends who meet again when he comes back from war. A scandal about the heroine has broken out in the meantime, and she wants to rebuff him because she doesn’t want him caught up in it. But they had been friends since the innocence of youth, and he is not willing to give up on her or them. I like how their relationship and trust evolved over the course of the novella, and both were thoughtful and considerate people, which I always enjoy in a love story. All in all, I found this to be a delightful collection, and if you enjoy Regency romance as I do, I suggest you pick it up.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
This is a collection of sweet romances written by a group of five very talented authors which features five different couples who are all linked to the Frost Fair that takes place in 1814. I am familiar with the work of one of the author’s in this group but the rest are new to me. I am glad I picked this one up because I know have 4 new authors to follow! Each one did a fantastic job with providing vivid descriptions and interesting plots. The storylines were all artfully crafted with well defined characters and kept me hooked until I finished. I had to pace myself as I wanted to read all in one sitting! This is truly a gem of a collection and if you love Regency romances, you definitely will want to add this to your collection!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Fire and Frost is an anthology of interconnected novellas structured around a Frost Fair and Ball held in early February. I thoroughly enjoyed each of the stories – each is well written with strong heroes and heroines. Each hero and heroine appears as a supporting character in each of the other stories, adding depth to the novellas. I recommend Frost and Fire to readers who like witty banter and clean romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a collection of five sweet romances from the five Bluestocking Belles authors. They are well written and clean romances. This collection is perfect if you are on the go and need something that you can read in one setting.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A cleverly devised collection of stories following the thread of the Frost Fair of 1814 presents five rich tales that will inspire the romantic soul.
The authors manage to create five different tales that use the background of the Duchess of Haverford’s society that helps wounded veterans and their families to create different and creative tales.
Miranda is the natural child of a duke that was raised as a daughter of the family. She is content to live her life as a spinster as long as she keeps her reputation spotless. But love happens when we least expect it.
Percy is working in the hospital helping war veterans without means and hiding from society after a terrible incident that blackened her reputation. Her beau, nonetheless, is not going to let that stop his suit.
Ethan is a wounded veteran that lives in the streets traumatized and filled with guilt. He refuses to go back to his family that think he’s dead. Flora is a determined lady that will help him heal and come back to life.
Constance waited two years for the return of her love. Viscount Digby Osgood was forced by his parents to travel for his family business but now he’s back and his love is as strong as ever.
Artemis is a shy girl with no suitors and Chester is a recluse due to the scars in his face that earned him the nickname of Beast. An unlikely pairing that will be joined by the cold and ice.
I enjoyed particularly the war veteran’s background and how the authors’ detailed descriptions complemented the love stories, especially on Caroline Warfield’s tale. A great book for Valentine’s day.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader copy of this book.
Five great stories by some really Great Authors. Some I have read before and two I have not, but I will be looking for more of their books to read. I will be reading this series again. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The stories were interconnected with fog, scandals, villains, heroes, heroines, and military men. They all end in a fundraiser for the soldiers home from the Napoleon war, their wives or widows, and children to offer them financial support after the military and England turned their backs on them.
London 1814
When the Fabulous Bluestocking Belles come together and write a collection of stories, all is right in the world of historical fiction and my reading obsession is sated until the next one comes out!! This was a brilliant idea to take an actual event in history and tie each tale together with a charity event to help those wounded from the war and the widows and children left behind. Perfectly wonderful, Heartwarming (well being on the ice makes you seek warmth!), Charming, and of course sigh worthy. Yes I know, I begin repeating myself…
Melting Matilda by Jude Knight
More like melting my heart!! Jude Knight, with her delightful writing brings two unexpected characters together, who are perfect for each other, but it takes a little convincing and getting through several protective family members to break through!
Lost in the fog after trying to find her half sister Jessica, the one person she did not want to see, Charles, Lord Hamner came into view. A long ago shared kiss and the next day he proposed to someone else! He had been turned down and had disappeared. What she did not know is that he fought with himself over his attraction to her. Full of intrigues, secrets, longings and eventually melting hearts, this was a special story I adored.
My One True Love by Rue Allyn
Ahhh. A wounded heroine and her childhood friend, back from the war after three years and he had never forgotten her. His only regret was not having made his feelings know before he left, and she had become engaged to another. Now back, Trevor found Percy, but something had changed. She was not married but the vibrant person he had known was no more and he was anxious to find out what happened. He only wanted to help her if he could and hopefully make her his wife. In the end, the heart wants what the heart wants and sometimes nothing can stand in the way! Loved..
Lord Ethan’s Courage by Carolyn Warfield
Back from the war, Ethan was lost. He lived in an alley between buildings and could only dull the memories by gin. He’d lost his arm but so much more and he doesn’t want to go to his family. Lady Flora is trying to help where she can and is handing out bread and wants to bring aid to those home from the war. She meets up with Ethan when she tries to offer him food realizes he may be more than he seems. With help from her and her brother, they try to help Ethan with his wounded spirit and fears and bring him back to the living. It was a fated meeting for the two and I was so drawn to their story and Ethan’s plight. So very special…
A Second Chance at Love by Sherry Ewing
Sometimes the heart knows it can only find a true love once and Lady Constance’s heart was still owned by Digby. It had been two years since he had left, and now he was back and calling on her at the bookstore! The feelings were still there and I felt joy just to see them interact and reconnect the feelings from long ago. But there is a villian in the mist that wants Lady Constance for his own reason and tries to make mischief. Can these two find their second chance at love and have a happy life? Loved this story so much and Sherry Ewing always wraps her stories around my heart. Perfect!
The Umbrella Chronicles: Chester and Artemis’s Story by Amy Quinton
If you have every read any of Amy Quinton’s Umbrella Chronicles you know you are in for a treat! If not, once you read this one you will only want more! Lady Harriett, matchmaker extraordinaire is at it again and this time helping Chester, Duke of Eastley, known as the “Beastly” by those awful Ton society due to his scars. When his sister, who he can never say know, tells him about her poor, shy friend, Artemis being at the Frost Fair and auctioning off her basket that he must buy, of course he gives in! But Artemis is not quite how his sister described. Chester thought she was “Magnificent!”. Of course she found him “delicious”. So what would happen? These two were so great and I loved, loved this story as they found their way to love!!
This set of books was beyond excellent. Once I started the set, I could not stop. They were well written and full of love. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book in exchange for a free copy.
One Event, Five Stories of Regency Love
I absolutely loved this unique book!
Five proven Romance authors were given a Regency event, The 1814 Frost Fair, which was held on the ice of the then solidly frozen Thames River.
The theme for each author was, a group of wealthy and ton women form a charity called, “The Ladies’ Society for the Care of Widows and Orphans of Fallen Heroes and the Children of Wounded Veterans”. This was for the many victims of the Napoleonic Wars.
Part of their fundraising efforts during the Frost Fair involve a Venetian breakfast, a picnic basket auction, and a ball. The high bidder on the young lady’s basket also wins a dance from her at that evenings ball.
The five stories are of course, each about a different young lady and the man who wins her picnic basket.
ARC Received from Booksprout
I also got this wonderful ebook for $.99 from Amazon
Five stories about gentlemen who finally caught their lady loves. With a little help from friends. Book one is about a lady who is the illegitimate daughter of a duke, and her brother and the duke’s wife have embraced her into the family as a daughter of the house since she was a baby. She has been brought up as the daughter of a duke, and when a gentleman becomes enamored of her, his first thought is that he can’t marry her. But two years later, and he can’t forget her. But she has made it clear she despises him. What can he do? In the second story a soldier, now an Earl, comes back from the war determined to marry the woman he has always loved. But she isn’t living like the beloved, honored daughter of a title family like she should. And Society seems to shun her. He loves her no matter what, he just has to convince her. In the third book a Marquis returns from war and can’t get over what he saw and what happened. He lost a hand and is living on the streets with beggars and the homeless. But when he sees a lady out where she shouldn’t be and advises her brother, it sets in motion his return to society and the forgiveness he needs, and love. In book four a Viscount comes back from two years away on business for his father, determined to court the woman he left behind, hoping she has not been claimed by another. But he has to stop a ruthless man who is trying to court her and won’t take no. The last book is a short story. A Beauty and the Beast story. And beauty didn’t care what society thought, she loved her beast. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
I enjoyed most of the stories in this collection. Each is written by a different author, and one of the books pushed the boundaries of being “clean” a bit too much for my taste. But I did enjoy reading this collection. Each of the stories occurs simultaneously, so it is interesting seeing the same event in each story, but from a different perspective. I will look for more of these collections in the future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.