A sensual tale of a couple’s first holiday away from home…The Year with No Summer is drawing to a close, bleeding into a harsh winter that promises snow, ice and continued hardship. London, so rich with life and bustle, is quiet beneath the ice, buried in a cold few can ever truly recall happening before. Many of the ton are taking their leave for the Christmas holiday, abandoning the soggy … the soggy streets of London for even chillier country roads.
Milton Grandby, Earl of Torrington, believes that now is the perfect time to introduce his new bride, Adele, to his ancestral hunting lodge and seat of his Earldom in Northumberland. A private getaway nestled in glistening snow can lead to all sorts of enjoyment… and hopefully, an heir.
With excitement in the air and Christmas fast approaching, the newlyweds make plans to travel north. While no family will be invited to the Torrington lodge, the Earl will bring his valet, Alonyius Banks, and Adele will be accompanied by Alice Simpkins, her rather grumpy lady’s maid.
Yet when The Lord and His Lady arrive at Torrington Park sans their servants, things take a decided turn and quickly become intimately awkward. While Milton is more than happy to play lady’s maid to his bride, the close confines and frigid air bring secrets to the front—and mistrust to the surface. As the duo learns more about each other’s pasts, they discover struggles and misunderstandings abound.
Can they look beyond their flaws and allow the spirit of the season and the gift of giving to thaw the sudden ice between them? Or will their first holiday away doom their new-found devotion? The budding romance of their servants may provide the answer in “The Christmas of a Countess”.
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12/29/2020 “The Christmas of a Countess” (nook) is a delightful and wonderful book. The further I progressed through the story, the funnier it seemed. I laughed-out-loud several times and I usually am not one to do so. A well-written and heartwarming romance.
The Christmas of a Countess, by Linda Rae Sande. Linda Rae, “you saucy minx you”. I have only two things to say, make that three. One, this book was great. Two, this book was awesome.
And three, I bought the paperback after reading the ebook. I “absolutely” loved this wonderfully written romance novel. Linda’s writing seemed to flow from page to page. To me there were no awkward stand still moments or stalling. There was no confusion as to what was happening in each scene.
The dialogue between the characters was like a casual conversations amongst longtime friends. This I felt made the book all the more real. Actually, I found the book and the characters all the more believable. All the details from the castle, the town homes, from what everyone was wearing down to what they were eating was explained in detail. The writer didn’t go overboard with the details, but there was enough information given.
This enhance my imagination as to what the scenery looked like. I found the book to be a definite page turner. The humor had me giggling and rolling my eyes on a number of occasions. The scene when Milton and Adele were together. Milton gets locked out of his bedroom while naked.
Then the housekeeper comes along as though nothings wrong with this picture. She helps unlock Miltons door as the two discussed the sun being bright and how the weather was faring had me laughing. The drama wasn’t to intense. I found the book light hearted and very sweet. I loved that the Linda included not only the tons romance in the story, but the Earl and the Ladies staff as well.
I so had a good time reading this book. Did I say that already? If I did, “oh well”. I almost felt like I didn’t want this book to end. Have you ever read a book like that?
For me, that’s how I can tell if a writer has real talent. The steam level of this book is at an all time high. I mean it’s an inferno in this book. I was fanning myself almost ever time I started a new chapter. All the love making and sex scenes was definitely a plus for me.
I am not ashamed to admit it. I felt like I hit the jackpot with this book. The more sex scenes the merrier I will be. And other readers as well. I haven’t forgotten you diehard readers.
All the scenes were explained with what I call “naughty class” and with respect. I have only one suggestion for the writer though. Well maybe two, no make that three. More juicy details added to the sex scenes. More naughty talk during these moments.
And the most important one. Longer scenes “please”! I enjoyed all the entertainment that transpires between the characters. Oh my gosh. I absolutely love Banks’s mother.
She’s my favorite in this story. She is a “hoot”. All the characters had me laughing. Each one brought some interesting moments to the story. Milton and Adele had me laughing so much, it’s a wonder the staff didn’t leave the two to their own devices.
It seemed as though every time you turned around, one of them was doing something to cause a disturbance in the house. Then they would question how did they get to that point. They are crazy, but I love them as a couple. Banks and Alice had me sighing up at the moon. These two kept Milton and Adele lives in order while at the same time handling their own private affairs without complaint.
Their background stories provided so much entertainment for me. Yes, I was glued to the book. Their stories made this romance novel all the more beautiful to read. When Banks and Alice are together things got very hot and very naughty. Banks calling himself an old man.
Old man my foot! You just “randy” Banks that’s all and I like it. Of all the romance novels that I have read this year, and I have read hundreds. None of them has made me literally cry at the ending, until I read this one. I tip my hat to you Linda Rae Sanders.
Thank you for ending my year of reading books with one of the many best novel’s I have read this year. My fellow readers. I recommend this book with two snaps and a, “Why do I smell lemons”. And, “You look as though you’ve been tumbled three ways to Thursday”. Until next time my fellow readers… read on!
Very welcome story!
I was so happy to read the love story of Milton, Earl of Torrington and his bride Adele. I have been wondering when it would be told and here it is.
It just had to be written – after all , he is the Godfather to so many……
I was so amused each and every time Milton put his foot into “it” when he thought he was doing the right thing by meddling and organising things – his way. Adele just didn’t stand for any of his faux pas, after all, why should she!
Running side by side is the romance of his Valet and her lady’s Maid. Also a lovely, heart warming story.
I am very happy to recommend this book. It needed to be written.
A lovely book to read at this time of year (or any other time) and you actually get two romances going on through the story….Milton Grandby, Earl of Torrington and his new wife Adele, as well as the Earl’s valet, Alonyius Banks and the Countess’ lady’s maid Alice Simpkins. They sure know how to heat things up when it’s cold outside!! Not only is it a romantic read, it also has many funny and laugh out loud moments. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and although it was my first one from this author, it definitely won’t be my last! Nicely done:)
What a delightfully funny, totally unlikely and improbable tale. It reminds me of those zany old romantic comedy movies from the 1940’s (like My Favorite Wife with Cary Grant & Irene Dunn) where you have a handsome, sophisticated man, a beautiful wife and lots of witty banter. If you are a regency purist, it will probably make you a bit insane. However, if you can suspend that and just enjoy a funny, romantic tale you’ll find yourself chuckling. While you don’t get explicit sexual descriptions you definitely have a libidinous bunch of characters – think rabbits – with varied and sundry locations.
Milton Grandby, Earl of Torrington, had loved his best friend’s sister since she was a child. He’d missed out on his chance to win her hand and she married another. He never married – just assumed he’d die still unmarried. At the beginning of each season he would choose a different widow to escort to all of the functions of the season – and at the end of the season, he’d buy her a parting gift and go on his way. Then, Adele is widowed and he has his chance with her.
Adele Slater Worthington knew Milton Grandby and she also knew his reputation, so when he approached her, she assumed that he wished for her to be his widow of the season. Imagine her surprise when he proposes shortly after that – and declares his love. She doesn’t believe him at first but, over time, he proves that he really does love her.
Our story begins when Milton decides that they need to spend the Christmas period at his country seat. While making the arrangements Milton learns that his valet, Alonyius Banks, has a brother who is near death. Alonyius isn’t interested in stopping at his home to see his brother even though it is right on the way. However, the coach with the Earl and the Countess manages to get through the weather to the country seat, but the coach with the servants, valet and ladies maid, is stranded.
We actually have two romances – one between the valet and ladies maid and then the continuing romance of Milton and Adele. There is much more to Alonyius than it would seem at first and you’ll learn all about it as you progress through the story.
One of the things I really like about the story is that all of the main characters are mature – in their late thirties and even into the mid-forties. The author assures you are aware that they are older because she keeps referring to their grey hair — especially the grey chest hair.
There are so many inaccuracies and improbabilities that it isn’t worth the time to go through all of them, but I’ll speak of a few.
There are the conversations – they might take place today, but they would definitely not have taken place during 1816. I’m speaking of almost every conversation in the book – between servants, between masters and servants, etc. They are witty and funny and I enjoyed them, but they are definitely inappropriate for that time.
There is the interaction between Milton and Alonyius as well as between Adele and Alice Simpkins. Their conversations are much too personal to be believable. For instance, at one point Milton says “Good God, Banks! She just needs a good lay.” And then goes on to suggest that Alonyius give her (Alice) a tumble. Then, there is the encouragement of a wedding, sharing of expensive gowns and jewelry, etc.
There is the choice of Alonyius’ profession. It just isn’t a believable choice given his background. I won’t explain more, but you’ll see why when you read the book
There are ‘old sayings’ sprinkled throughout the book – some were true to the time period and others were not – for instance ‘The whole nine yards’ wasn’t a saying until the 1900’s – but – ‘In for a penny, in for a pound’, was period accurate. I didn’t check them all, but it was an easy enough thing to do.
There is the lack of proper address. It is dismissed as a concern because Milton doesn’t like it. I don’t believe that would have been honored during that time period and it would have been so easy to just get it right.
This was a fun and enjoyable read – as long as you can put aside any issues with period correctness.
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