The Bluestocking Belles’ 2016 Holiday Boxed SetWhen the Duchess of Haverford sends out invitations to a Yuletide house party and a New Year’s Eve ball at her country estate, Hollystone Hall, those who respond know that Her Grace intends to raise money for her favorite cause and promote whatever marriages she can. Eight assorted heroes and heroines set out with their pocketbooks firmly clutched … clutched and hearts in protective custody. Or are they?
The Bluestocking Belles are proud to present eight never before published novellas centered on the Duchess of Haverford’s ball. Her favorite cause is also one dear to the hearts of the Bluestocking Belles, women’s education. 25% of all proceeds will be donated to the Malala Fund.
A Suitable Husband, by Jude Knight
As the Duchess of Haverford’s companion, Cedrica Grenford is not treated as a poor relation and is encouraged to mingle with Her Grace’s guests. Perhaps among the gentlemen gathered for the duchess’s house party, she will find a suitable husband?
Valuing Vanessa, by Susana Ellis
Facing a dim future as a spinster under her mother’s thumb, Vanessa Sedgely makes a practical decision to attach an amiable gentleman who will not try to rule her life.
A Kiss for Charity, by Sherry Ewing
Young widow Grace, Lady de Courtenay, has no idea how a close encounter with a rake at a masquerade ball would make her yearn for love again.
Artemis, by Jessica Cale
Actress Charlotte Halfpenny is in trouble. Pregnant, abandoned by her lover, and out of a job, Charlotte faces eviction two weeks before Christmas. When the reclusive Earl of Somerton makes her an outrageous offer, she has no choice but to accept. Could he be the man of her dreams, or is the nightmare just beginning?
The Bluestocking and the Barbarian, by Jude Knight
James must marry to please his grandfather, the duke, and to win social acceptance for himself and his father’s other foreign-born children. But only Lady Sophia Belvoir makes his heart sing, and to win her he must invite himself to spend Christmas at the home of his father’s greatest enemy.
Christmas Kisses, by Nicole Zoltack
Louisa Wycliff, Dowager Countess of Exeter wants only for her darling daughter, Anna, to find a man she can love and marry. Appallingly, Anna has her sights on a scoundrel of a duke who chases after every skirt he sees. Anna truly thinks the dashing duke cares for her, but her mother has her doubts.
An Open Heart, by Caroline Warfield
Esther Baumann longs for a loving husband who will help her create a home where they will teach their children to value the traditions of their people, but she wants a man who is also open to new ideas and happy to make friends outside their narrow circle. Is it so unreasonable to ask for toe curling passion as well?
Dashing Through the Snow, by Amy Rose Bennett
Headstrong bluestocking, Miss Kate Woodville, never thought her Christmas would be spent racing across England with a viscount hell-bent on vengeance. She certainly never expected to find love…
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Eight lovely Regency Romances to fill a very long weekend or series of evenings.
A Suitable Husband by Jude Knight: A delightfully funny, family-friendly short story, featuring kitchen wars, which can be read in one sitting.
Valuing Vanessa by Susana Ellis: This delightful family-friendly Regency romance featuring the value of education for females can easily be read in a morning.
A Kiss for Charity by Sherry Ewing: This PG15 Regency romance involving invalid assumptions and foolish bets takes only an afternoon.
Artemis by Jessica Cale: This is a quick PG15 Regency tale of a pregnant actress and an Earl who cannot father a child.
The Bluestocking and the Barbarian by Jude Knight: This PG15 Regency romance involves social privilege and racism and can be read in a morning.
Christmas Kisses by Nicole Zoltack: Allow an afternoon for this PG13 account of coming to terms about what true love is.
An Open Heart by Caroline Warfield: This PG13 Regency romance with mild anti-Semitism is a quick read.
Dashing Through the Snow by Amy Rose Bennett: This lovely PG15 tale of an attempt to save siblings from the rashness of their impulses can be read in a long morning.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A Suitable Husband:Marcel, a French chef, and the niece and companion of the Duchess of Haverford, Cedrica had an immediate attraction but because of the differences in their stations tried to stay away from each other. The Duchess was having a house party to help raise money for her Foundling Hospital.
Valuing Vanessa: Widower George Durand, an attorney, was seeking a wife and mother for his teenage daughter. Vanessa Sedgely was a teacher for the Foundling Hospital and George was an attorney for the Foundling Hospital. Despite their attraction they were both at the house party.
A Kiss For Charity: Lady Grace is a widow and met Lord Nicholas Lacey at a masquerade. Through misconceptions he tried to stay away from her, even though she tried to straighten him out.
Artemis: the Earl of Sommerton had been in love with actress Charlotte Halfpenny for at least 10 years. When he heard she was kicked out of her apartment and off stage because she was pregnant he went looking for her. He proposed to her and she accepted even though they just met.
The Blustocking and the Barbarian: When all other heirs to a dukedom died the next heir was in Asia and married an Asian having several foreign born children. Upon returning to England his son met Lady Sophia even though she had a tendre for James she kept it to herself thinking he liked her younger sister.
About Christmas Kisses: Lady Anna had a tender for a Duke, but her mother changed her mind and told her to start seeing an Earl instead. Lady Anna had doubts, but she spoke her mind so she eventually saw exactly what both men were truly like.
An Open Heart: Ester Baumann, a Jewish girl, is the daughter of Nathaniel Baumann, a banker and distant cousin to Adam Halevy. Adam has been protege to Nathaniel and has given Ester butterflies since he has been there. He’s been given a dangerous mission by her father and the War Office. Ester tells him she would pray for him and his safe journey, but worries for him.
Dashing through the Snow: Lord Stanton is trying to keep his sister, Violet, from seeing Freddie. Freddie is heir to a Baronship, but Lord Stanton thinks Freddie is just after Violets money. When Violet and Freddie run off, Lord Stanton forces Kate, Freddie’s sister, to go with him to stop the wedding.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Boxset – I love getting such a well rounded view of all of the characters as they appear in each other’s stories. I also love the feline aspect snuck into each book.
A suitable husband – Jude knight
It was very different to have an additional story being told, one chapter at a time, in between the other stories in this collection. It definitely makes you want to keep reading to find out what happens in that story. I’ve never come across this idea before. An opposites attract romance. I liked the differences in personality – the fiery cook and the steadfast organizer. I enjoyed watching them handle situations. I would not have expected it, but this may have been the best story simply because we got it piece by piece. It made us savor every word and yearn for more.
VALUING VANESSA BY SUSANA ELLIS
I enjoyed this romance. The age difference was mentioned quite a bit but I think it was handled well, especially in relation to the mid-teens daughter. I especially liked that we were given the daughter’s perspective just as much as the two mains.
A KISS FOR CHARITY BY SHERRY EWING
I really enjoyed this back and forth romance. The characters really had to work for it and overcome misunderstandings. I do so like how all of these stories have pieces that are intertwined.
ARTEMIS BY JESSICA CALE
I was thoroughly enjoying this story but then a huge twist put a damper on things. I know that some will find it the best twist but it’s just not my cup of tea. But, I can’t deny the ingenuity of the storyline nor the depth of the characters.
THE BLUESTOCKING AND THE BARBARIAN BY JUDE KNIGHT
I have recently read To Wed a Proper Lady, which came out of this novella. It was fun to go back and read this beginning idea. Reading it in this context allowed for the richness of all of the additional characters to be realized as they appear in this set of stories.
CHRISTMAS KISSES BY NICOLE ZOLTACK
We really got two love stories in this book. It was so unexpected how this book progressed that I was never sure how it was going to turn out. Thoroughly enjoyable to be kept so much on my toes, I couldn’t put this book down.
AN OPEN HEART BY CAROLINE WARFIELD
After seeing these characters in numerous previous stories, I was excited to see them get their own. Some people may not understand the richness of this book, however, as I am a Christian and recognized the biblical inferences and mentions and have some previous understanding of the Jewish culture and traditions, it all made for an extraordinarily lovely romance.
DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW BY AMY ROSE BENNETT
A most enjoyable read as the line between gentility is at once stark but also blurred. I enjoyed watching these two romances progress.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is such a wonderful collection. So many great holiday short stories in one compilation , at such a small price. Each one features a strong heroine Bluestocking finding true love over the holiday season . A fun and happy read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Good book. Loved the characters. Very intriguing.