It’s Christmas 1817 and the Duke of Danby is matchmaking again! Spend the holidays in Yorkshire with freshly fallen snow, Yuletide balls and mistletoe kisses.AVA STONE’s ON THE WAY TO THE CASTLE…Identical twins, Ladies Lily and Amelia Woodward may look the same, but they’re as different as night and day. Ever-dutiful Lily is resigned to whatever destiny their great-uncle the Duke of Danby has … Duke of Danby has in store for her, while free-spirited Amelia is determined to fight His Grace every step of the way. With Christmas upon them, the Woodwards set out for Danby Castle and stumble across an overturned coach and a pair of handsome gentlemen in peril. Will this fateful encounter alter the future for both sisters and the likely plans the duke had in store for all of them?
SAMANTHA GRACE’s THREE LITTLE WORDS…
Disheartened but not defeated, Gavin MacBride temporarily abandon’s plans for restoring the family coffers to escort his sister-in-law’s long-lost relative to Yorkshire for a reunion. Gavin might have failed to secure funds to ensure his family’s future prosperity, but surely, he can deliver a young woman to Danby Castle in one piece. * Heiress Victoria Eastland isn’t making his job easy, though, especially when she sets off for Yorkshire alone. With no carriages for hire at the local coaching inn, Gavin is resigned to give chase on horseback in inclement weather, but a Good Samaritan takes pity on Gavin and invites him to share his coach. Soon, the newfound friends are led on a merry chase that ends with a bold rescue and an unexpected discovery. The outspoken, foolishly brave Miss Eastland has been under Gavin’s nose the whole time—and a little too close when one is unprepared to lose his heart.
CLAUDIA DAIN’s SUITOR BY SURPRISE…
Miss Judith Whitton, youngest niece of the Duke of Danby, is not yet married. Having met John Copley one year ago at her first Christmas in Yorkshire, she is puzzled that John has not yet offered for her, especially after the intimacies they shared. * Mr. Alfred FitzHerbert knows why Copley has not offered for Judith: Copley is a scoundrel. If Alfred can distract Judith from her fatal infatuation with Copley successfully, Danby will fund his bridge project. Distract, not wed. No one looking at Alfie could ever imagine him being any girl’s fatal attraction, an insult no true Englishman can be expected to ignore, not even one nicknamed ‘the archbishop.’
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On the Way to the Castle by Ava Stone.
The Duke of Danby is at it again and this time it’s double the work. I think this is the most we’ve heard him talk or leave his study. You have two romances going on at once, but they blend perfectly together. Brought together because of a carriage accident their brother Jamie is going out of his mind trying to watch his sisters for different reasons. Lily and Richard are a love at first sight couple that are perfect for each other. They just have misunderstandings and a curse to get past. Amelia and Daniel’s romance is more lust filled because she’s loved him from afar and he just now see her for her. Theirs is one that is fast, but sweet and you know they are going to be happy.
Lily takes life as it comes and is very level-headed. She doesn’t hide her feelings and has no secrets. I loved how she is with everyone and doesn’t hold back with him. She is the opposite of her sister and the center of her family.
Richard had a plan that was derailed as soon as he met Lily. I loved how he instantly was taken with her and quickly regretted his plan as soon as it was out of his mouth. He needed the Duke without realizing it.
Amelia is dramatic and afraid of what the Duke has planned for her. She can come off as childish, but really isn’t and is very sweet. I loved how she just came up with a plan and didn’t hesitate to ask.
Daniel isn’t really as perfect as he appeared back in Lady Grace’s Husband Hunt. He has a very passionate side that comes out around Amelia. I was so happy to see him get a happy ending.
Three Little Word by Samantha Grace
One of the funniest cases of mistaken identity I’ve read! The whole chase was hysterical and ended very well for everyone. They were instantly drawn to each other and you wonder if the Duke of Danby had planned it or not. I knew there was more to the story of her family than she thought. I wish it had been longer.
Victoria is not a woman you want to make mad and she can take care of herself. She was not going to be told what to do by anyone, but she also didn’t hold back from what her heart said.
Gavin was determined to do something right for his family. He’s one of the few that isn’t afraid of the Duke of Danby. He also didn’t hold back from his heart.
Suitor by Surprise by Claudia Dain
Never underestimate the Duke of Danby’s reach! This is a whirlwind romance that will have you waiting for the next surprise. You never know what is going to happen with them. I loved the ending and what happened with Copley.
Judith isn’t completely blinded by love. She is a surprise at every turn because you think she will do one thing and she does the opposite. I loved how she acted in the end.
Alfie Thought he knew the Duke of Danby better than anyone. I loved that he was so sure of himself and his plan. He was what she needed and didn’t know it.
Copy Provided for an honest and voluntary review.
You have to love the Duke of Danby:) AVA STONE’s ON THE WAY TO THE CASTLE, SAMANTHA GRACE’s THREE LITTLE WORDS and CLAUDIA DAIN’s SUITOR BY SURPRISE were all fun to read and I thoroughly enjoyed all 3 stories. It was a perfect book to read during the holidays.
A wonderful collection of three stories by some of the best authors of historical romance, that will get you in the holiday spirit. All are headed to Danby Castle where the Duke of Danby resides.
Ava Stone’s On the Way to the Castle, finds twins Lily and Amelia on the way to their great uncle’s home, who is a notorious matchmaker. Lily is ready to accept Danby’s recommendation for a match, but Amelia is determined to fight because she is in love with another. But fate steps in with an overturned coach containing some handsome gentlemen and it seems uncle may not have to step in at all! Love everything by Ava Stone and this is no exception! The perfect romance that warms the heart.
Samantha Grace’s Three Little Words, finds Gavin MacBride asked to escort one Victoria Eastland, heiress, to Danby Castle. How hard could that be? Well very when he finds the young lady has set out on her own and he has the devil of a time tracking her down! Only able to secure a horse, he is taking in by a stranger in their coach and the chase begins. Or is it already over? A lovely story of a feisty woman who cares nothing for society’s strictures and finds a handsome man may just be her match.
In Suitor By Surprise by Claudia Dain, a most unlikely man is sent out to distract Judith, the niece of the Duke of Danby. Having been enamored by a scoundrel (she does not know he was!), Alfred is tasked with distracting her from that man. He just wants to get much needed funding for a bridge and the Duke made an offer he could not refuse. The key was to distract her, but is seems more is coming of it as he spends time with beautiful Judith.
Prepare to be enchanted and only wanting to read more from these authors!
Aahh, the Duke of Danby is at it again and not everyone is happy about it.
On the Way to the Castle by Ava Stone
Can love be found on the way to the castle? Ladies Lily and Amelia Woodward seems to think so. One is resigned to whatever their great uncle has planned and one will fight him tooth and nail to avoid his marriage match. Will an overturned coach and handsome gentlemen affect the duke’s plans? Or could this be another of his matchmaking attempts?
What better Christmas story than when Ava Stone writes the Duke of Danby. Love, love, love Ms. Stone and she does not disappoint in this one.
Three Little Words by Samantha Grace
How hard can it be to escort one young woman to Danby Castle at Christmas? For Gavin MacBride – extremely hard if that young woman’s name is Victoria Eastland. Samantha Grace leads us on a merry chase across England when Victoria sets off on her own. Fate seems to conspire against Gavin in his search for Victoria or is it working in conjunction with the Duke of Danby to bring these two their happily ever after?
Suitor by Surprise by Claudia Dain
Miss Judith Whitton (a family always worth visiting with) – will this Christmas visit to the Duke of Danby bring a happily ever after for Judith and the man who caught her attention a year ago?
Albert FitzHerbert should know that when the Duke of Danby agrees to fund something “if”…it usually involves more than the duke lets on, and when he knows why Judith’s man has not offered for her it could get complicated. So sit back ad let Claudia Dain surprise you in this delightful tale.
A delightful Christmas rom-com by Samantha Grace
Of the three novellas in this boxed set, I only read Samantha Grace’s “Three Little Words”. I was quite pleased with the amusing mix of disguises, mistaken identities, and rescues. If the end had not seemed rushed, I would have given it 5 stars. I love the writing style. The dialogue is nicely witty. I was intrigued and hooked from the very first paragraph. The story takes place in November through December 1817. FYI, it is a sweet romance, just kissing.
The heroine and hero were excellent as well. Miss Victoria Eastland is a very independent-minded heiress who grew up in Nassau, Bahamas. After her adopted parents and brother died of natural causes in Nassau, Victoria has journeyed to London to track down her birth parents, although she has mixed feelings about the parents who gave her away. Victoria dresses as a man while traveling so that she won’t appear to be an easy victim to nefarious people, as a woman traveling alone would be. Mr. Gavin MacBride is an architect and younger brother of the minor noble who recently married Victoria’s birth sister. Gavin has been sent on a mission to accompany Victoria on the journey to meet her mother and sisters. However, she left before he could pick her up! The hijinks ensue as they manage to meet each other anyway. Gavin is a respectful and intelligent young man who loves his family. He is a great guy. I also really like Victoria, a bold and smart young woman with worries with which I can empathize.
I recommend this novella to anyone who wants a sweet, fun, Regency Christmas romance. I received a free advanced reading copy from the publisher via Netgalley, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
The Duke of Danby’s Holiday Hijinx by Ava Stone, Samantha Grace, Claudia Dain is book One in The Duke of Danby’s Christmas Series.
This is a great Christmas themed box set with some really great authors that total about 320 pages. I totally love box set for reason I have given before…its a great way to find new authors and read quick stories from a treasured author. Theses sets are easy read that allow for them to be read when you need a quick book fix. Loved each story that was in this set. Here is a copied list of book introductions:
AVA STONE’s ON THE WAY TO THE CASTLE…
Identical twins, Ladies Lily and Amelia Woodward may look the same, but they’re as different as night and day. Ever-dutiful Lily is resigned to whatever destiny their great-uncle the Duke of Danby has in store for her, while free-spirited Amelia is determined to fight His Grace every step of the way. With Christmas upon them, the Woodwards set out for Danby Castle and stumble across an overturned coach and a pair of handsome gentlemen in peril. Will this fateful encounter alter the future for both sisters and the likely plans the duke had in store for all of them?
SAMANTHA GRACE’s THREE LITTLE WORDS…
Disheartened but not defeated, Gavin MacBride temporarily abandon’s plans for restoring the family coffers to escort his sister-in-law’s long-lost relative to Yorkshire for a reunion. Gavin might have failed to secure funds to ensure his family’s future prosperity, but surely, he can deliver a young woman to Danby Castle in one piece. * Heiress Victoria Eastland isn’t making his job easy, though, especially when she sets off for Yorkshire alone. With no carriages for hire at the local coaching inn, Gavin is resigned to give chase on horseback in inclement weather, but a Good Samaritan takes pity on Gavin and invites him to share his coach. Soon, the newfound friends are led on a merry chase that ends with a bold rescue and an unexpected discovery. The outspoken, foolishly brave Miss Eastland has been under Gavin’s nose the whole time—and a little too close when one is unprepared to lose his heart.
CLAUDIA DAIN’s SUITOR BY SURPRISE…
Miss Judith Whitton, youngest niece of the Duke of Danby, is not yet married. Having met John Copley one year ago at her first Christmas in Yorkshire, she is puzzled that John has not yet offered for her, especially after the intimacies they shared. * Mr. Alfred FitzHerbert knows why Copley has not offered for Judith: Copley is a scoundrel. If Alfred can distract Judith from her fatal infatuation with Copley successfully, Danby will fund his bridge project. Distract, not wed. No one looking at Alfie could ever imagine him being any girl’s fatal attraction, an insult no true Englishman can be expected to ignore, not even one nicknamed ‘the archbishop.’
Three fun Christmas stories. The Duke of Danby is at it again. He is making matches for his beloved family. Even when they think they don’t want to be married, he maneuvers everyone around until they think it was their idea to get married. I always enjoy seeing what is going on with the Duke.
Ava Stone’s On The Way To The Castle
Identical twins, Ladies Lily and Amelia Woodward may look the same, but they’re as different as night and day. With Christmas upon them, the Woodwards and their brother set out for Danby Castle and stumble across an overturned coach . Richard Plantier Earl of Glasbury & his friend Daniel Lacy are on their way to Danby Castle when they are held up by highwaymen. Luckily for them they are rescued by the Woodwards.
A delightful short story that I read in a sitting, Strong characters & a well paced story held my interest from start to finish. Highwaymen, curses, misunderstandings & romance just the right ingredients for a short story
Samantha Grace’s Three Little Words
Gavin MacBride temporarily abandon’s plans for restoring the family coffers to escort his sister-in-law’s long-lost relative to Yorkshire for a reunion. Gavin might have failed to secure funds to ensure his family’s future prosperity, but surely, he can deliver a young woman to Danby Castle in one piece. Heiress Victoria Eastland isn’t making his job easy, though, especially when she sets off for Yorkshire alone. With no carriages for hire at the local coaching inn, Gavin is resigned to give chase on horseback in inclement weather, but a Good Samaritan takes pity on Gavin and invites him to share his coach.
Another delightful story, Gavin & Victoria are well portrayed, the story flows well & I read it in a sting. Ideal for whiling away a couple of hours.
Claudia Dain’s Suitor By Surprise
Miss Judith Whitton, youngest niece of the Duke of Danby, is not yet married. Having met John Copley one year ago at her first Christmas in Yorkshire, she is puzzled that John has not yet offered for her, especially after the intimacies they shared. Alfred FitzHerbert knows Copley is a scoundrel. If Alfred can distract Judith from her fatal infatuation with Copley successfully, Danby will fund his York bridge project. Distract, not wed. No one looking at him could ever imagine him being any girl’s fatal attraction, an insult no true Englishman can be expected to ignore, not even one nicknamed ‘the archbishop.’
A well written enjoyable read. Alfie & Judith are very likeable & their verbal banter entertaining. Another short story I read in a sitting
I do love the Danby stories & I’m so glad he has such a large family as it means more entertaining enjoyable novellas to read.