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.
more
Fire & Frost is the new installment of the Bluestocking Belles Collection, by different authors. All the five stories are related to the 1814 Frost Fair, a charity event held by The Ladies’ Society For The Care of the Widows and Orphans of Fallen Heroes and the Children of Wounded Veterans, in order to help veteran of the Napoleonic Wars and their families. The top event is an auction in which gentlemen can have a a basket of treats made by one of the ladies and also enjoy the lady’s company in a picnic.
The five stories describe how The Ladies’ Society members, as well as all the people they can attract to their cause, organize the event, overcoming the fog, the cold days and their own problems. I believe this is the most important feature of this book, more than the stories themselves.
I enjoy reading the book, the first by the Belles. Wonderful stories, they made feel so good after finishing this book that I paid a visit to the authors’ websites to check if the stories were sequels. I can’t wait to read other stories like this!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This collection of five novellas from the Bluestocking Belles was delightful. I loved the casts of characters from various walks of life. It was heartwarming and inspiring to read stories of inclusiveness across the social barriers meant to exclude those so frequently cast aside.
The continuity across the entwined stories is handled extremely well. The variety in tropes and the terrific good humor kept me grinning.
I requested and voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the authors and I offer my honest opinion in response.
I eagerly anticipate collections from the Bluestocking Belles. The stories are engaging and the characters exceptional. This newest collection did not let me down. I highly recommend this historical romance collection to all my fellow historical romance lovers.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
My favorite in this collection was The Umbrella Chronicles story featuring Chester and Artemis because it was humorous and not angsty despite the brooding duke. My least favorite was My One True Love because although Percy was a capable, logical, efficient (and kind) person in the social world, she was apparently also a TSTL angsty idiot in her private life. Personally I hate it when that is the major plot-driver. It was too bad because without it, Percy would have been an outstanding character. Also these books tended to use the same exact paragraphs describing the winter fair preparations as well as the beginning of the auction in each book, which might have made sense in a lazy sort of way in a series, but this was an anthology and felt weird.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
A lovely collection.
The Bluestocking Belles have brought their readers another lovely collection. Jude Knight, Rue Allyn, Caroline Warfield, Sherry Ewing, and Amy Quinton have joined together to bring the reader some entertaining and well-written stories. I loved all the stories but Ethan and Flora touch my heart Ms. Warfield has written characters with such depth and feeling. All the stories are like this I use the word outstanding a bit too much but that is the only word to describe this collection, these authors, and the pieces they have given the reader. I highly recommend this book and hope you check it out. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
A wonderful collection of books by some very talented authors! I really liked how all of the romances centered around one event, The Frost Fair and how the stories are all intertwined. That made this collection so very interesting. I always enjoy reading individual books by these authors and to have them all contributing to a boxed set was a true delight!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Melting Matilda
I thought this was a great addition to the Frost Fair collection. In 1814, England experienced a little ice age and they threw a once in a lifetime Frost fair on the Thames. Matilda was born on the wrong side of the blanket and is the ward of a duchess.
Charles is an earl who won’t take a mistress he couldn’t give up and is so wholly bound by the morals of his time, he’s just plain hypocritical. And kind of pompous.
But I enjoyed and can recommend.
All in all, an excellent historical novella collection set around the Frost Fair theme.
Highly recommend.
voluntarily reviewed
Celebrate Valentine’s Day 2020 with five interconnected Regency romances.
Melting Matilda by Jude Knight – Fire smolders under the frost between them.
My favorite 4.5 stars
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?
OK a new to me author 3.75 stars
Lord Ethan’s Courage by Caroline Warfield – War may freeze a man’s heart; it takes a woman to melt it.
Not the best I have read by this author 4 stars.
A Second Chance at Love by Sherry Ewing – Can the bittersweet frost of lost love be rekindled into a burning flame?
Typical second chance story 4.0 stars.
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.
Just OK tales
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Fire & Frost is a collection of stories by five different authors featuring five different couples but all linked to the Frost Fair set in 1814. I’ve only had the pleasure of reading from one author in this collection before, so was excited to read from four new authors. I felt all five authors did an absolutely fantastic job in their individual stories and I loved the Frost Fair backdrop. I’ll look forward to checking out the backlists of the authors involved! Well done ladies!
________________________________________
Melting Matilda by Jude Knight
Charles Stapleton, Earl of Hamner/Matilda Grenford
5/5 stars
Melting Matilda is the second book I’ve had the pleasure of reading from author Jude Knight and I loved it! I enjoy Ms. Knight’s writing style and look forward to reading more from her in the future!
Charles and Matilda were a sweet couple that I liked from the beginning. Although they seem to dislike each other, no one knows that they shared a passionate kiss the night before Charles asked another woman to marry him. A year has passed and they find themselves together frequently as Charles’s mother and Matilda are working on the Frost Fair. I liked Charles and admired the fact that he realized he made a mistake by walking away from Matilda and did his best to make amends.
As for Matilda, she was a wonderful character! She is the illegitimate daughter of a Duke but being raised as the ward of the Duchess and treated as a loving member of the family by the Duchess and her half-brothers. I absolutely loved the ending and Charles’s proposal! It was perfect!
________________________________________
My One True Love by Rue Allyn
Major Lord Arthur Trevor PenRhydderch, 21’st Earl of Trehallow/Mary Percival Cummins
5/5 stars
My One True Love is the first story I’ve had the pleasure of reading from Ms. Allyn and won’t be the last. It was a wonderful story and I look forward to checking out the rest of her books.
Lord Trevor and Percy were childhood friends, growing up on neighboring estates. Trevor last saw Percy three years ago when he was on leave and she was preparing for her come out and the announcement of her betrothal. Trevor had feeling for her then but kept silent. Now that Trevor is back he’s surprised that Percy never wed and is not that lively happy girl he once knew. Trevor’s feelings remain and he wants to now make up for his hesitation in the past and ask Percy to marry him. But Percy is not the same girl he grew up with. Will they be able to overcome the three years apart to find their HEA?
I loved both Trevor and Percy as a couple. It was obvious Trevor still cared for her and wanted to marry her. He was a kind and caring man and I felt he was good for Percy. As for Percy, she has not had it easy the last three years since Trevor left. She was struggling with the past and allowing it to control her. I was so happy to see her finally be able to break free from all the rumors and put them all finally to rest! The ending was suspenseful but most satisfying! A wonderful story of two people who truly deserved a HEA!
________________________________________
Lord Ethan’s Courage by Caroline Warfield
Lord Ethan Alcott/Lady Flora Landrum
5/5 stars
What a fabulous story and introduction to author Caroline Warfield’s work! Lord Ethan’s Courage is the first book I’ve had the pleasure of reading from Ms. Warfield and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will definitely be checking out her other books!
While handing out food to the homeless veterans in an alleyway, Lady Flora Landrum comes across a young man who doesn’t seem to belong. His manner of speech and outrage that she’s there has her wondering who he might possibly be. Lord Ethan Alcott is back from the war, but no one knows he’s home. The horrors of war and the darkness within him keeps him from facing his family and letting them know he lives. With Lady Flora and her brother’s encouragement, Ethan gradually faces his fears. Will Ethan ever be able to return home and live in the light again?
Wow, what a story and couple! This story really played with my heartstrings. When we first meet Ethan, he’s barely recognizable, lost and in despair. My heart went out for him for all the horrors he faced. I loved that meeting Flora gave him a purpose to “protect” her and I immediately knew these two belonged together! Flora was a fabulous character, a kind, good-hearted young woman who wants to make a difference in the world. They were such a wonderful couple and their story was such a joy to read!
________________________________________
A Second Chance at Love by Sherry Ewing
Viscount Digby Osgood/ Lady Constance Whittles
5/5 stars
What a wonderful second chance love story and introduction to author Sherry Ewing’s work! A Second Chance at Love is the first book I’ve had the pleasure of reading from Ms. Ewing and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Viscount Digby Osgood had started to develop feelings for Lady Constance, he might even admit he was falling in love with her… But a business trip for his father takes him away from her for two long years. Fearing he broke her heart has him avoiding her on his return home. Lady Constance Whittles has only loved one man, Viscount Digby. Though she knows she should move on, her heart can’t stop wishing things were different.
I loved watching Digby and Constance reunite and seeing their relationship blossom again. It’s obvious that the two of them truly cared for each other and I am so happy that Constance did not hold a grudge against Digby for leaving two years ago. When they both admit their love for each other there is nothing left to prevent their HEA, except for a former suitor of Constance’s. This was a wonderful second chance love story with a sweet couple and a little suspense to keep us on our toes!
________________________________________
The Umbrella Chronicles: Chester and Artemis’s Story by Amy Quinton
Chester Mansfield, 8th Duke of Eastly/ Miss Artemis Synclaire
5/5 stars
The Umbrella Chronicles: Chester and Artemis’s Story by Amy Quinton is another fabulous story from a new to me author. I really enjoyed this one!
Chester the Duke of Eastley is known as “Beastly” to the ton due to a few scars and the fact that he prefers to stay away from society and their nonsense. Artemis Synclaire was described to Chester by his sister as painfully shy, nicknamed the “Mouse”… But the woman he sees at the Frost Fair is nothing as she is described!
WOW! What a fantastic couple and story. This was a fast-paced and enjoyable read. I loved Chester and Artemis! They were two people who don’t quite fit into polite society and so absolutely perfect for each other. I loved the witty banter between them and the fact both are immediately attracted to each other. The secondary characters were fabulous and their matchmaking to get Chester and Artemis together was clever and fun to read. I would love to catch up with these characters again and plan on checking out Ms. Quinton’s other books!
Great set of stories, all well written and centered around a fair. I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.
I feel bad for giving this book 2 stars, but I couldn’t get into it. I was hoping one of the stories would grab my attention. Well, that didn’t happen. It got to the point where I had to stop reading. I wouldn’t say the book is bad; none of the stories appealed to me but may appeal to someone else.
These fantastic stories are set up during the charity event at the Frost Fair…
Sweet romances that you will love and kept reading until the end…
Wonderful characters… strong… witty… funny…
A book set for all that love Regency and winter event…
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
How delightful! A boxset of interconnected regency romances just in time for Valentine’s Day! This is the perfect set to snuggle up with on these cold winter days.
Melting Matilda. Jude Knight
A lovely, clean regency romance. Wonderful characters with a few side stories going on. Scandal and romance and charity and more. I’m looking forward to more from this author.
My one true love. Rue allyn.
Friends lost and found again. Lovely characters. A clean regency romance with Unexpected twists.
Lord Ethan’s courage. Caroline Warfield
A unique tale. War and its living victims. New life and new friends. Wonderful characters. I can’t wait to read more.
A Second Chance at Love. Sherry Ewing.
Having three perspectives was unusual but I enjoyed the departure from the norm. Good characters and their second chance to be together.
The Umbrella Chronicles: Chester and Artemis’s Story. Amy Quinton
An enjoyable and comedic regency romance. A wonderful end to the boxset. This umbrella theme is wonderful and I look forward to more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is an absolutely wonderful read. It’s an interconnected treasure of short stories from several different authors. Some I have never read their works before, and it was a great introduction to some fine writers. I thoroughly enjoyed each one and highly recommend this compilation to you!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Meeting Matilda: Lady Matilda and the Earl Hammer known as the (Granite Earl) met and she had a dislike for him as he was very proper and pompass even though she also was very proper. Most of the ton didn’t approve of her because of her mother even though she was raised by the Duchess of Haverford. Surprisingly the Duchess takes a hand in their lives.
My One True Love: The Earl Trehallow has loved Miss Mary (Percy) Cummins have been best friends almost all their lives. He left and afterwards she was involved in a false scandal (he didn’t know about). When he meets her again he wants to marry her but she doesn’t want him involved in her scandal. The Duchess takes a hand in it also.
Lord Ethan’s Courage: Ethan Alcott was wounded in the war and is carrying around painful memories. He doesn’t want to go home because of them. Lady Flora meets Ethan thinking he is just a wounded soldier that needs help. As the Duchess takes a hand in their lives they find they are attracted to each other.
A Second Chance at Love: Viscount Digby had been in love with Lady Constance all his life. He left and tried to rekindle their affection on his return. Someone was trying to gather Lady Constance’s affection so he could get her money.
The Umbrella Chronicles: The Duke of Eastly, the Beast, (due to his size and a facial scar) kept to himself but his sister wanted him to come to the Frost Fair and rescue her friend Mouse)Lady Artemis Synclaire. He refused but did show up. Things were not as they seemed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Melting Matilda by Jude Knight 5 Stars
Charles Stapleton, Earl of Hamner hasn’t been able to rid himself with his obsession for Matilda Grenford especially after the kiss they shared over a year ago but she’s the baseborn daughter of the Duke of Haverford even if she’s been raised by the Duchess. They bump into each other in a dense fog & find their paths are destined to cross. Can the granite Earl & the ice princess find love & solve what Matilda’s sister Jessica is doing?
A page turning romance that I read in a sitting, very well portrayed characters & a story that flows effortlessly. The author is a wonderful storyteller & this short story is a brilliant read
My One True Love by Rue Allyn 4 Stars
Mary Percival (Percy) Cummins and Lord Trevor PenRhydderch the Earl of Trehallow grew up together & were once best friends but three years ago Trevor was going to declare himself only for Percy to tell him she was engaged so he went away to war. He’s now returned, the Cummins house is empty & Percy is missing. A scandal is attached to her and no one will speak of her. He sees her on a foggy night entering the Haverford House and can’t believe his eyes. He returns to Haverford House to see the Duchess and makes it clear he wants to see Percy again. He needs answers and can’t understand why she is avoiding him. Percy has been working as am almoner helping soldiers get the medical help they need. They spend time together before the frost fair.
A lovely romance of second chances, well portrayed characters & a well paced story had me engrossed for a couple of hours. I loved it when Percy stood up to her vile cousin
Lord Ethan’s Courage by Caroline Warfield 5 Stars
Lord Ethan Alcott is lying in the gutter near the docks in London. An angel comes with only a couple of men to watch over her (and men who are severely disfigured from the war). She is giving the poor soldiers bread and encouraging words. He speaks to her brother and in doing so lands him in a position he has been avoiding since returning home. He wants to be left alone to deal with his shame but Flora and her brother Will are not having it. They take him in, clean him up and encourage him to face the horror and let his family know he is alive. WOW just WOW one of the best novellas I’ve ever read. Heart wrenching & heart warming this brilliantly well written book takes you on a plethora of emotions be sure to have plenty of hankies available.
A Second Chance at Love by Sherry Ewing 4 Stars
Viscount Digby Osgood has agreed to help with the Fire and Frost ball. He know it will be for a good cause but it will also allow him to see the love of his life Lady Constance Whittles. She lives with her Aunt and has a fortune at her disposal. Digby has never hidden the fact that two years ago he loved her and wanted to marry then, but he had to respect his father’s wishes to travel for business. Once Constance tells Digby he is still on her mind they both agree to see each other. However Lieutenant Terrance Abernathy as an eye her money and vows to win her for himself.
Nother lovely second chance romance ideal for whiling away a couple of hours
The Umbrella Chronicles, Chester & Artemis’s Story by Amy Quinton 5 Stars
Chester likes Duke of Eastly likes living in private at home. His beloved sister Theodosia comes and begs her brother to please come and bid on her friend’s basket as her shy retiring friend won’t have anyone to bid. He then is visited by Lady Harriett Ross the umbrella wielding match maker. A beast and a not so shy, quiet gorgeous mouse but a gorgeous outspoken woman who knows what she wants Oh How I love the Umbrella stories. This one does not disappoint, it had me smiling & laughing out loud. Pure joy
The Belles have done it again, 5 interconnected stories that warm the heart, all are very well written & leave you wanting more. I loved all of them but Caroline’s story totally blew me away
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
A nice, family-friendly collection set in London during the winter of 1813-1814, centering on the Frost Fair and various activities in aid of the *Ladies’ Society for the Care of the Widows and Orphans of Fallen Heroes and the Children of Wounded Veterans*, which will comfortably fill up a long weekend.
Melting Matilda by Jude Night is about the oldest ward of the Duchess of Haverford, and can be read in an afternoon.
My One True Love by Rue Allyn focuses on Mary Percival Cummins, who is a friend of the two older wards of the Duchess of Haverford and can be read in an evening.
Lord Ethan’s Courage by Caroline Warfield involves a lost hand and will while away a couple hours.
A Second Chance at Love by Sherry Ewing resolves a two-year separation in a couple hours of reading time.
The Umbrella Chronicles by Amy Quinton is a delightful romp to fill another two hours.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Such fun!! This was a delightful collection of romances that all center around members of the Ladies Society. Written by different authors they are all connected. Different flavors in one bowl. YUM!! Really well done.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Let just start by saying if you haven’t read any of these anthologies, treat yourself. They are all great. This is the best. Each story ties into the Frost Fair of that year.
This is a delightful read! Reading anthologies are always enjoyable. The reader gets to not only read offerings from favorite authors, but also find new ones. What makes this anthology special is the interconnection of the stories. Jude Knight in the first tale sets up the rest of the book while also giving us a wonderful romance. Her introduction of the characters featured in the other stories made me anxious to read their tales. The anthology revolves around the fundraiser for The Ladies’ Society for the Card of the Widows and Orphans of Fallen Heroes and the Children of Wounded Veterans. A very long name indeed, but a group very successful in meeting their goals. Although I really liked the young characters presented as couples, my favorites were two of the older ladies, the Duchess of Haverford and Lady Harriet Ross and of course her umbrella. The former first appears in the initial novella and the latter in the last. Both are formidable, strong women. Although the younger ladies in this read also possess the same attributes. Each story is well written, offering romance, a threat of scandal, and some unsavory characters. I have read most of the authors with Jude Knight being one of my favorites. Of the new to me authors, I really liked Amy Quinton and plan on reading more of the umbrella chronicles. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.