In five original stories, Jessica Cale, Sherry Ewing, Jude Knight, Amy Quinton, and Caroline Warfield bring you Valentines From BathThe Master of Ceremonies announces a great ball to be held on Valentine’s Day in the Upper Assembly Rooms of Bath. Ladies of the highest rank—and some who wish they were—scheme, prepare, and compete to make best use of the opportunity. Dukes, earls, tradesmen, and … opportunity.
Dukes, earls, tradesmen, and the occasional charlatan are alert to the possibilities as the event draws nigh.
But anything can happen in the magic of music and candlelight as couples dance, flirt, and open themselves to romantic possibilities. Problems and conflict may just fade away at a Valentine’s Day Ball.
Beauty and the Bounder, by Jessica Cale. He’s a liar and a fortune-hunter… and exactly what she needs.
The Earl Takes a Wife, by Sherry Ewing. It began with a memory, etched in the heart.
The Beast Next Door, by Jude Knight. In all the assemblies and parties of Bath, no-one Charis met could ever match the beast next door.
The Umbrella Chronicles: John and Emma’s Story, by Amy Quinton. A serious-minded, scientific man of learning seeks a complex and chaotic practitioner of all things superstitious who will upend his well-ordered life.
Candles in the Dark, by Caroline Warfield. Doug Marsh and his candles bring light to many, none more than Esther. They may light the Assembly Rooms even as his love lights her life.
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There are five short stories and each one is well written. They all converge in one way or another in the Assemblies Room for the Valentine’s Ball. I liked the Beast Next Door the best. Charis and Eric are delightful and goes to show that it is better to listen then assume. Each story revolves around a couple who ends up at the Valentine’s Ball. The second best story is Candles in the Dark about the candle maker and the lady he finds rejected by society. This story shows the under side of the Assemblies Room and the heart of a genuinely kind man. The Earl Takes a Wife was a little awkward for me, but I can see where a memory of a kiss could turn into more. The problem I saw with this story was the total anger Adrian burned with for nine weeks. Supposedly, he loved Celia, but wouldn’t even discuss the situation with his sister or Celia. Was he really going to stay mad for the rest of his life? Beauty and the Bounder steps outside the bounds of propriety, and makes for a smile and a head shaking ending. The Umbrella Chronicles is funny and I think I snorted once. My problem with this that the author never does tell us what John is going to do now that he has given up his fellowship for Emma. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Valentines from Bath is a collection of Regency novellas and short stories loosely connected by the Valentine’s Ball at the Assembly Rooms in Bath. Of course, they are all romances but they span from the nobility to below stairs, from nobles marrying commoners, and middle class and unwed mothers. It is an intriguing mixture of pleasant stories, not to be missed.
Writing in a formal style and avoiding 21st century slang, plus a modicum of research will yield an acceptable Regency romance. These simple requirements see, beyond the reach of many publishing today, but these authors known as the Bluestocking Belles did a fine job: Jessica Cale, Sherry Ewing, Jude Knight, Amy Quinton, and Caroline Warfield. I am normally not a fan of novellas as I like to see more character development and a more complex plot, but these ladies did not let me down. Short and sweet. Good characters. Excellent plots. Not too encumbered by the holiday. I recommend this book for fans and anyone who might become a fan. I received a free ARC of Valentines from Bath in exchange for a fair and hones review.
I love this book, the short story full of surprises and hope.
Strong characters, with their life and search for new things/life…
A ball , where the magic/love will win the troubles of the life…
A story for all that love romance.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A very nice read!
5 stories all intertwined with characters from each story to have a common thread with the Bath Ballrom being the grounding point.
Loved reading this bookSherry Ewing
Love the multiple story books. They are short enough to keep my attention and long enough to be a good story. These authors were all great.
A unique collection of charming stories, with delightful characters, all of them in Bath!
“Dukes, earls, tradesmen, and a charlatan” are just a few of the characters that are promised a possible HEA for Valentine’s Day. All they have to do is show up for the assembly in Bath. Well, show up and have their stories written by the talented Bluestocking Belles. These five talented ladies work their magic in weaving stories full of love, laughter, and more than a couple of heroes balking at the idea of love. Preface the story with staff of the assembly hall getting ready for the big event and ending with the staff and clean up and you just might find a little extra bonus love thrown in.
A phenomenal collection of stories from some of the best authors of historical romance. When this group come together I always know once I turn the first page I am lost until the last page is turned!! The collection is centered around a Valentine’s Day ball held in the assembly rooms in Bath, England. Wow I would have loved to see that actually happening! Can you imagine? A cornucopia of characters who each try to find their happy ever after when least expected!
Beauty and the Bounder by Jessica Cale
A case of a man desperate to find a wife with money has Sebastian posing as someone he is not. But with all the women he meets, there is one that he cannot keep his eyes from and that is Lady Emilia. Her instincts tell her he is not as he appears but at times, that does not matter in love. Such a sweet story that warmed my heart and made me smile!
The Earl Takes A Wife by Sherry Ewing
Be still my heart. Meeting at a house party, Lady Celia falls completely in love with Lord Adrian. Looking into her eyes, he sees her innocence and beauty shining through but she is very young and they will soon be related by marriage! Letting her know that, as he begins to leave she tells him “Yes, well.. I suppose such may be the case. Time will tell. Time.. yes..time is all we need. Will you wait for me Lord de Courtenay..Adrian?” Wow I was so mesmerized and I could almost see her and hear the words. But things seem to go awry when his sister Miranda gets involved giving Celia advice. This is a journey to find an incomparable love that hopefully will bring the too together. Sherry’s stories always grip my heart and I am left in awe.
The Beast Next Door by Jude Knight
My favorite trope comes alive in the words of one of the best storytellers I have read. Charis is one of the Fishingham sisters who know that one needs to marry for money in order for the rest to have a season and find a husband. She is the quiet sister who has never gotten over her neighbor Eric. She always was his friend and his terrible scars never bothered her. In a twist, he has feelings for her also but has gained the title of Earl but wants to make sure it is not his title that draws her. Can his omission hurt her to the point of pushing her away. Can these two find true love? I could have strangled his mother who was his greatest detractor and always belittle’s him. What a wonderful story of love and redemption that made my heart smile.
The Umbrella Chronicles: John and Emma’s Story by Amy Quinton
If you have not read any of the stories involving Lady Harriett, who is a matchmaker extraordinaire with her famous umbrella, you have missed some delightful tales!! Dr John Edward is a man with a compulsive nature toward order and is ruled by specific routines (yes a lot of OCD). But when he literally runs into Emma, the niece of Lady Harriet, his life is about to change!! Emma has her own foibles a little opposite of John. Well they are opposites and they do attract don’t they? As fun love story filled with humor and witty banter that will entertain you until the end! Aunt Harriett strikes again!! Another marvelous story by this talented author.
Candles In the Dark by Caroline Warfield
An almost fairy tale story that won my heart from the beginning. A hero who is trying to find his place after coming home from the war with a leg injury and inheriting his Uncle’s candle making business. Douglas has so much compassion with helping others who are experiencing hardships and need help. But he is trying his best to obtain a contract to supply the candles to the Assembly rooms for the Valentine dance. He meets a pregnant Esther, who has been used badly by a man of means and disowned by her father. Doug helps her and learns her secret, but will he also defend her when needed? Can these two find a happy ending? This was such an engaging story of two people trying to survive, who really needed each other. Caroline always pulls me into her world of exceptional characters who deal with life and come out the victor.
The Master of Ceremonies announces a great ball to be held on Valentine’s Day in the Upper Assembly Rooms of Bath.
But anything can happen in the magic of music and candlelight as couples dance, flirt, and open themselves to romantic possibilities. Problems and conflict may just fade away at a Valentine’s Day Ball.
Beauty and the Bounder, by Jessica Cale. He’s a liar and a fortune-hunter… and exactly what she needs.
This is Sebastian’s last chance to find a rich wife so he portrays himself as the Chevalier d’Aubusson & sets off to bath where he meets quite a number of rich young women, but there is only one who has caught his eye, Lady Emilia
The Earl Takes a Wife, by Sherry Ewing. It began with a memory, etched in the heart.
Lord Adrian de Courtenay is finding Lady Ceclia Lacey hard to forget, but is she too young for marriage & she’s also a relative by marriage. Then his sister’s Miranda’s deception brings them together
The Beast Next Door, by Jude Knight. In all the assemblies and parties of Bath, no-one Charis met could ever match the beast next door.
Charis Fishingham has always felt more at home at Eastwoode or as people have called it Beastwood, after the flawed child who once lived there. Eric Lord Wayford would rather face the surgeons of Naples and Napoleon’s armies then the tongues of the ton. They once called him The Beast. Now all the Mothers of the ton have thrown their daughter’s at him trying to get him to wed them.
The Umbrella Chronicles: John and Emma’s Story, by Amy Quinton. A serious-minded, scientific man of learning seeks a complex and chaotic practitioner of all things superstitious who will upend his well-ordered life.
Lady Harriett Ross is the Self- proclaimed Motley Meddler & Wielder of the Infamous Umbrella
Dr. John Edward Hartwell is well organized tidy, pathologically set in his ways – a more serious minded man one might never find. Miss Emma Merryweather is a woman who is as lovely as she is chaotic. No one can resist her beautiful smile especially when her one dimple shows
Candles in the Dark, by Caroline Warfield. Doug Marsh and his candles bring light to many, none more than Esther. They may light the Assembly Rooms even as his love lights her life.
Douglas Marsh knew what the army expected from him. He has been discharged as an invalid and has come home to take over his late Uncles candle works and look after to those dependent on it. He knows a contract with the Bath Assembly Rooms would go a long way toward succeeding at both of those things. Esther Hopkins, has no time to mourn her old life or who she used to be. A woman alone with a new born son to raise needs work,
I love the Bluestocking Belles anthologies it’s like getting your favourite box of chocolates, you know they are indulgent, you are going to thoroughly enjoy them & you won’t be content with devouring only one. I’m always in awe of authors who band together to produce an anthology of books that whilst each novella stands on its own there are characters that overlap. Each novella is very well written & the characters are well portrayed. The pace of each is good & I read each one in a sitting. Yet again the Bluestocking Belles have produced a lovely set of short stories
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Jessica Cale Beauty and the Bounder:
Sebastian Virtue needs a wife, a rich wife. The plan, meet, charm and compromise a lovely rich young lady. Seb has a few secrets and one is he is a talented actor. It should be no problem. Unless the problem of falling for the beautiful women comes into play. He meets Emilia and falls head over heel. The problem she is not easily compromised. She is smart, savvy and knows what she wants. She has two loving parents who don’t give a fig about what the ton thinks, which I might add was extremely refreshing to read. Usually the father or mother sometimes both think only of themselves and what looks right. They only care what about their daughter’s happiness…Results are humor, love and most definitely a HEA! Fun read!
Sherry Ewing The Earl Takes a Wife:
Celia is an old 16-year-old when she asks a man of 25 to wait for her. She knows Adrian is the one for her. He is attracted but with her being that age is fighting it. His sister Grace has married her Uncle and now he feels that since they are family, they should just be friends. His other Sister Miranda behaves indecently at a house party (she is trying to claim a “titled gentlemen”) and Adrian lays into her. Now She is angry and decides to “Help” Celia snag her brother. She tricks Celia into believing that if Celia makes Adrian jealous so that he will marry her. Well things don’t go as planned and Celia soon realizes Miranda is no friend. Something horrible happens and Adrian comes to the rescue but again Miranda’s lies soon get both Celia and Adrian to the alter. Celia has to convince and a very bitter Adrian she has not lied, or she is going to live unhappily ever after.
Jude Knight The Beast Next Door:
The Fishingham girls know that at least one sister must make a wonderful match this season. Money is running low and if one were to marry a rich man then the rest can afford to continue their seasons to find their match. They all know what is expected and do their best to remake their dresses to look new. Only one sister does not feel the urgent need to land a husband. Charis is willing to marry but she is quiet, smart and loves to read. Plus, she has never gotten over her neighbor Eric. The two were best of friends. It never bothered her that he has horrific scars on his face or that his mother is actually the Beast of Beastwood. Eric was born with a birthmark on his face, his mother hated it so much her hatred turned to him. She sent Eric away to have it removed and the surgeon botched it up leaving Eric with horrible scars. All his life he has lived with the name calling, stares and hatred from his mother (who calls him Wretch). There is only one person that has never been bothered, Charis. She is the one he wants to marry. Only she doesn’t know he is an Earl. Will it bother that he has lied (so he can be sure she loves him not the title) or that his mother is a beast that needs to be dealt with. Truly a happy love story!!
Amy Quinton~ The Umbrella Chronicles, John and Emma’s Story:
Dr John Hartwell is set in his ways. Quirks you might actually say. Even numbers, science and math in everything, nothing left to chance. He has his routine, five pairs of the exact same slippers even how he cleans his glasses. He wants to become a professor at Oxford, which requires you to be unmarried, so no love for him. Enters Aunt Harriet and her infamous umbrella. She has her next victim, I mean match all set. Her darling niece Emma Merryweather and Dr John. Emma though is the complete opposite of Dr. John. She believes in sign, magic, and everything odd. She gives new meaning to the word superstitious. Mix the two together and BAM you have a wonderful, humorous love story. Emma is just the person to convince Dr. John he truly doesn’t want that ole Oxford Professorship. Why Aunt Harriet, you’ve done it again!!
Caroline Warfield ~ Candles in the Dark:
Sergeant Douglas Marsh having been dismissed from the army, due to a leg injury, has inherited his Uncle’s candle making company. He tries to help ex-military or down on their luck workers but at the moment he can’t afford to hire anymore. He is trying to get the contract from The Assembly Rooms, which will host a delightful Valentines Dance. Along the way, he meets a very pregnant young lady. Esther has fallen on hard times. She trusted a man of means and her father an Earl has disowned her. She now has nothing and is trying desperately to earn a living. Days away from delivery she faints in from of Doug Marsh and he helps her. Being the giving man, he is, he provides Milk and Cheese to her while expecting nothing in return. Esther has her child and with the help of Doug and another generous Earl she lands a job at The Assembly Rooms. She shares her secret with both men and is gifted with kindness and understanding, not judgement. She starts working and is cornered one night by Mr. Fowler. Doug arrives in time to watch Esther save herself but adds a few punches to let Fowler know not to mess with Esther again. They realize they need and love each other, and another Valentine’s love is fulfilled. HEA at its sweet best!
Not Georgette Heyer, but a fun read. Takes you away from ordinary life back two centuries. Delightful.
Fun to read.
I really enjoyed the books included in this collection and would highly recommend them.
Thank you Booksprout for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A delightful collection of five interesting stories all woven around a Valentines’ Day Ball being held in Bath. Each storyline is different and some of the characters appear in more than one or two of the other stories which I always find enjoyable! Most of the authors are familiar to this reader but there were a couple that were new to me and it is always wonderful to discover new writers in this way! I have never been disappointed when I read a Bluestocking Belles anthology!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this box set via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
The story lines caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the characters.
It is going to be a ball for those looking for love and she to take place on Valentine day. This collection will follow five sets of people out to find the love they truly want and need. Will they find the one for them seer they will
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This marvelous collection has five different stories that will make you smile, nash your teeth, and then smile some more. All have a villian who ends up thwarted and a couple who find their way to bliss in each other’s arms. They are short, well written, easy to read and lots and lots of fun!
Beauty and the Bounder – Jessica Cale
What a delicious story! Emelia is a talented fiesty nonconventional lady, and Sebastian is every girl’s fantasy. The society ladys are scheming and coniving and the twists and surprises are wonderful. This is such a fun story!
The Earl Takes a Wife – Sherry Ewing
Celia fell in love with Adrian when she was too young to marry. A few years later she was courted by a Marquess, at her father’s behest, even though her heart still belonged to Adrian. Multiple events and the manipulations of a certain young lady caused a major change in Adrian and her relationship. However, things were not as she had hoped. This is a wonderful novella with lots of emotional conflict and charming characters. A quick fun read.
The Beast Next Door – Jude Knight
Charis and Eric hadn’t seen each other for ten years, not since they lived next door to each other as children. Once reunited, they courted in secret, even though her mother wanted her to marry a certain earl. This is a delightful story about being true to yourself and overcoming certain obstacles to find your happy ending.
The Umbrella Chronicles – Amy Quinton
This is a quirky tale about carefree young lady who believes in magic and signs, and a very regimented mathmatician. The characters in this story are a hoot. They are vividly depicted, easily imaginable and fun.
Candles in the Dark – Carolyn Warfield
A disgraced lady, an invalid army sergeant, a slimy house manager, an earl and a baby make for a lovely little story with a heartwarming ending. It is a well written tale that will remind you that good guys still exist and sometimes even triumph.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a delightful collection of five books that are centered around Valentine’s Day in Bath. Written by a group of very talented authors it is Regency romance at its finest! This anthology was a great opportunity for me to try a few new authors and I will certainly be searching out their books in the future. All were wonderfully written, sweet books, with a bit of humor added in which made them all the more fun. A very charming collection of books that I would highly recommend you add to your library!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Valentines from Bath is another installment of the Bluestocking Belles Collection, by different authors. All the five stories are related to a Valentine’s Day Ball to be held in the Upper Assembly Rooms of Bath.
The five stories describe how some ton members, the aspiring ones and people far away from it deal with a possibility of such a ball in their lives and/or jobs.
I enjoyed reading the book, especially The Beast Next Door and Candles in the Dark – the latter, such a heart-warming story about Sgt. Marsh and Esther. 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.
Great collection of authors and historical stories. Entertaining and enchanting romance. Fun and interesting characters. Love a good romance with witty banter. Holidays make fun reading. Good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.