Welcome to a Regency Christmas… …in these two festive short stories! Captain Treeve Penhaligon must return to Cornwall when he inherits his family’s grand estate. But could his meeting with Emily Faulkner on the wild beaches be even more life changing? Find out in Marguerite Kaye’s The Captain’s Christmas Proposal. Then, discover what happens when Treeve invites composer Cador Kitto to … Cador Kitto to complete the celebrations, and Cade clashes with local girl Rosenwyn Treleven in Unwrapping His Festive Temptation by Bronwyn Scott…
“An enjoyable, impeccably detailed historical romance, with authentic, believable characters, a good plot and a satisfying end.” — Jane Hunt Writer on The Earl’s Countess of Convenience by Marguerite Kaye
“Tempted by His Secret Cinderella blew me away, it’s stylish, seductive, intriguing and utterly romantic, honestly it’s perfect!” — Goodreads on Tempted by His Secret Cinderella by Bronwyn Scott
more
I love when authors collaborate on a writing project. It’s great to see two different voices working together to connect the characters and stories together. I also love Christmas stories so was excited to hear that Marguerite Kaye & Bronwyn Scott were collaborating on Invitation to a Cornish Christmas.
The Captain’s Christmas Proposal by Marguerite Kaye
We first start out with The Captain’s Christmas Proposal by Marguerite Kaye set in Cornwall in 1822.
Captain Treeve Penhaligon has returned to Porth Karrek after the death of his oldest brother. He’s been at sea for over 20 years and never expected to inherit the estate.
Emily Faulkner has been renting a cottage in Porth Karrek for the last six months. She came to Cornwall to escape a scandal and is content in her adopted home, although she’s somewhat lonely as she’s considered an outsider.
Ms. Kaye really did an outstanding job with this story and couple! From the moment these two meet on the beach you feel the connection, an immediate attraction. Both are outsiders in Porth Karrek and become close friends. With Treeve leaving in 6 months and Emily’s past haunting her, both resist the feelings growing between them.
I absolutely adored this couple, their connection was so instant that you immediately knew they belonged together. Ms. Kayes writing is as always sublime. You feel the heartbreak of Emily’s past and Treeve’s shock when it’s revealed. It’s obvious she does tremendous research as Porth Karrek vividly comes to life. This was a wonderful story full of fabulous characters, stunning scenery, and an absolutely perfect ending for this couple. I absolutely loved this story and highly recommend it!
Unwrapping His Festive Temptation – Bronwyn Scott
Unwrapping His Festive Temptation is set in Porth Karrek, Cornwall in 1822 and takes place at the same time as Margaret Kaye’s story, The Captain’s Christmas Proposal.
Cador “Cade” Kitto has been asked by Captain Penhaligon to return home to Porth Karrek to produce a Christmas cantata. Cade left twenty years ago and is not happy to be back. He’s only there for the money and plans on leaving as soon as possible.
Rosenwyn “Rose” Treleven is the eldest of six unmarried sisters from a wealthy family in Porth Karrek. After her heart was broken in London, she’s spent the last year in Porth Karrek trying to forget and protect herself from not getting hurt again.
Another fabulous story and couple, this time from the pen of Bronwyn Scott! When Cado and Rose first meet they don’t actually hit it off. When circumstances bring them together, not only do they see they have things in common, they realize they are attracted to each other. But both are holding secrets from their past, and Cado has no intention of staying in Porth Karrek after the holiday is over.
I absolutely loved watching this couple get to know each other and learn to trust and love one another. Their love of music brings them together and Rose’s habit of problem-solving helps Cade to find the inspiration he’s been lacking. Ms. Scott’s writing is rich in detail, emotion, and romance. This was another wonderful story with an absolutely perfect ending for this couple.
Marguerite Kaye and Bronwyn Scott did a fantastic job of giving us two beautifully written stories that blended together perfectly. Both authors excel in fabulous characters, stunning scenery & intriguing storylines. I loved both these stories and wouldn’t mind visiting these characters again. Highly recommend!
The Captain’s Christmas Proposal by Marguerite Kaye
5, warm
The last thing Captain Treeve Penhaligon expected, or wanted, was to inherit the family estate in Cornwall. Still, duty requires that he travel to the estate to make some decisions about its, and his, future before returning back to his ship at year’s end. He meets a lovely woman while walking on the beach, and finds that she’s actually his tenant, renting a cottage on his estate. Emily Faulkner has retreated to Cornwall, running away from a disastrous relationship in which she was horribly betrayed.
Neither Emily nor the Captain is looking for a relationship, but they fall easily into a friendship. Soon they have become close enough to share their histories. Before much longer, they are sharing passionate kisses. It’s getting harder and harder to not give in to their feelings, which have become more than just physical. When Treeve finally declares his love, a heartbroken Emily has to reject him because she is carrying yet another secret, one more insurmountable than her unfortunate affair.
THE CAPTAIN’S CHRISTMAS PROPOSAL packs a powerful punch and a lot of emotion into a short story. Emily is a wounded soul, definitely a sympathetic character, and it was lovely watching her come back to life under Treeve’s attentions. I adore the Captain, who is so kind, honorable, and non-judgmental. When all hope for their future together seems lost, his wisdom allows Emily to come to terms with what they would be facing, and the courage to make the right choice. I applaud Marguerite Kaye’s not taking the predictable route this story could have gone, thus making the ending that much sweeter. There is plenty of emotion and romance in this excellent, sigh-worthy story, which I heartily recommend.
Unwrapping His Festive Temptation by Bronwyn Scott
5, hot
Cador “Cade” Kitto is a former child prodigy, who has made a name for himself as a successful composer. He left Cornwall at only eight years of age to study in London. Now, he’s been hired to compose a Christmas Cantata back in his home town. What everyone doesn’t realize is that Cade is not overjoyed to be back in a town that holds only painful memories of a harsh, grief filled childhood. Or that he desperately needs the income from this job. Or, that his creativity is blocked, and he doesn’t seem to be able to compose anything worthwhile.
Rosenwyn Treleven has returned to her home town after an affair in London which has left her bruised and unwilling to trust. When she spots the rakish Cade smiling at her sister, she’s not shy about taking him to task. Rose has learned a bitter lesson about men, and she’d like to spare her sisters having to experience anything similar. Rose and Cade get off to a very rocky start, with him appearing cocky while she appears hard. Their first meetings consist of their throwing verbal darts at each other.
Somehow, miraculously, their relationship changes, and they find common ground in their shared love of music. Rose provides the inspiration for Cade’s cantata, and he begins to write furiously. Everyday they spend time together, growing to like each other, and feeling desire for each other. Cade makes it clear that he will be leaving after Christmas, and Rose decides to enjoy what little time they will have together.
It’s soon clear that there is more than just lust between Rose and Cade, but he’s determined to leave and find another consignment. Besides, he could never overcome his bitter memories of his childhood in this town, or could he? When Rose takes a step she feels will help Cade, he becomes enraged at her interference, and it appears all is lost. I loved the growth of these two characters, both of whom seemed a bit unlikable at first. I quickly came to see that Cade and Rose were donning masks to hide their pain and vulnerability, and were truly loving and generous people. It seems there really was Christmas magic abounding in UNWRAPPING HIS FESTIVE TEMPTATION, which is another beautiful and warm holiday romance that I greatly enjoyed and recommend.
As reviewed at Roses Are Blue: https://wp.me/p3QRh4-103
Two long novellas make up this duology, both set in the same Cornish fishing village in the winter of 1822. In Marguerite Kaye’s The Captain’s Christmas Proposal, Treeve Penhaligon returns to the village of Porth Kerrick to take up the inheritance he never wanted. The only person in the village who seems to welcome him is an outsider, Miss Emily Faulkner, new tenant in one of his cottages, and obviously a genteel lady fallen on harder times.
Treeve and Emily both have pasts they need to come to terms with, though Emily’s has the greater potential to affect her future due to a scandal she must hide. Emily’s looking for a place to belong, and wonders if she’ll ever find it in a village full of insular, suspicious Cornish types, and though Treeve was born in Porth Kerrick, joining the Royal Navy set him apart from those who considered smuggling a part of their heritage. Treeve and Emily are great together, slowly coming to a mutual trust and respect which is absolutely believable, and I absolutely LOVED that there wasn’t a ‘magical fixit’ for the issue which made Emily initially hesitant. Marguerite Kaye never fails to delight with her beautifully atmospheric writing, this time transporting me to the hardscrabble existence of a Cornish shipping village in the early 19th century and making me fall in love with two wonderful characters. Five stars.
In Unwrapping His Festive Temptation by Bronwyn Scott, we follow the story of two characters briefly introduced in the first book in the duology, local heiress Rosenwyn Treleven and composer Caden Kitto. Cade is a local boy made good, the son of a miner whose prodigious musical talent was recognised early and quite literally changed his life when he was sent to a London conservatory to study. He doesn’t want to be back in Porth Kerrick at all but a reversal of fortune has landed him there, with a Christmas cantata to write and no inspiration whatsoever to do so. At first glance Rose seems to have her life neatly in order, but it soon becomes clear she’s actually in hiding from London society after an unfortunate experience. She’s a strong character with an instinct to fix things, and Cade’s obvious brokenness attracts her attention quickly. They strike sparks off each other from the get-go, and the class disparity is interestingly reversed from the first story, with Rose being of more consequence and wealth this time. This does set up Cade for some unfortunate internal musings where he gets very misogynistic, determined that he shouldn’t be dependent on his wife’s money. It was also rather peculiar to see him emphasizing the importance of his family name, “A Kitto took care of his own” for example, when the name came from his father, who Cade knew very well was a despicable, abusive monster. Such a legacy is something one usually tries to escape rather than take pride in and it didn’t cast Cade in the best light. I winced quite a few times reading his self-justifying nonsense and the way he belittled Rosenwyn’s efforts to help him find himself and his place in Porth Kerrick. Although it’s well written, I can’t quite give this story a full five stars because Cade got on my nerves a bit too much.
Overall, this is a solid pair of stories with lots of detail about the unique ways in which the Cornish celebrate Christmas and some beautifully drawn characters, with two very believable romances. With an average rating of four and a half stars, I’d definitely recommend giving this pair a read this holiday season!
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from the authors’ representative.
Invitation to a Cornish Christmas
Release date 10/01/2019
Publisher Harlequin Historique/Mills&Boon
Welcome to a Regency Christmas…
…in these two festive short stories!
The Captain’s Christmas Proposal
Marguerite Kaye
https://m.facebook.com/margueritekayepage/
Blurb :
Captain Treeve Penhaligon must return to Cornwall when he inherits his family’s grand estate. But could his meeting with Emily Faulkner on the wild beaches be even more life changing?
My review:
What are two lonely souls to do when they create a bond they know to be only temporary…
This is my first read by Mrs Marguerite Kaye, and with this novella, she introduced me to the lovely end of the year traditions in Cornwall.
Emily is in hiding, recovering from a painful past, but it much more about the consequences of her past than itself she is now living alone.
Treeve is coming back to his birth home because of his older brother’s demise, a place he left long ago and never had really missed. But he plans it as a temporary return.
Then he meets Emily, she intrigues him, she is no young miss and awakens feelings he never felt.
Their fast friendship evolved quickly to more, but until they face their past and their hopes, it might not have future.
I loved as more mature heroes, they do not question their sentiments, they sense what they have is deeper than a simple attraction and it is what might tear them apart if they can’t mourn the past and open to a different avenir.
4 stars
Unwrapping His Festive Temptation
Bronwyn Scott…
https://www.facebook.com/Bronwynwrites/
Blurb :
Discover what happens when Treeve invites composer Cador Kitto to complete the celebrations, and Cade clashes with local girl Rosenwyn Treleven.
My review :
Is there a future for two wounded peoples wishing to let the past buried behind….
It was such a moving novella, each protagonist has a secret keeping them shackled to the past.
Cade with his sad and tragic upbringing and Rose for her gullibility and trust played with.
This is their tale to find in them the strength to reawaken the ghosts of the past, to finally let them go.
Rose has an easier job in front of her but much at stake when Cade has to confront all he has left behind and the scars it carved in his soul, and since haunt his mind.
Their romance was easy once on the right path but transform it in a permanent adventure is the challenge they face when one is rooted in one place and the other wants only to run away from it.
A sweet and sensual tale of learning from the past to brighten the future.
4 stars