jjares reviewed A Regency Christmas IV: The Christmas Tart / A Seasonal Stratagem / The Porcelain Madonna / Christmas Rose / The Best Gift of All on + 3429 more book reviews
The Christmas stories by Mary Balogh and Marjorie Farrell were well-worth a reader's time. The other three stories were very average -- or less. Overall score = 3.5 stars
The Christmas Tart (Mary Jo Putney) -- 3.5 stars
NicoleChambord is a young French woman living in England (since the tender age of6). When the story opens, she has been accused of theft by her London employer and tossed out in the streets without a reference or her life savings of $50 pounds. Later, when two men accost Nicole and offer her money to âbe a Christmas surpriseâ for their overworked friend, Nicole saw no choice but to agree for a huge fee. Sir Philip Selbourne, the overworked friend, engages Nicole in conversation and makes a decision to help her, not use her. Rather average.
Seasonal Stratagem (Sandra Heath) -- 2 stars
Rake Leon, Earl of Holmwood, is immediately smitten with Miss Rosalind Faraday. Her cousin sets up a wager with Leon, that he can't get Rosalind to kiss Leon in 2 weeks. The wager is substantial, 1000 guineas. After all, Rosalind is ready to be betrothed to Lincoln Granville. This story was so boring, I couldn't finish it. I read over half of the story and couldn't stand any more; I didn't care who won.
The Porcelain Madonna (Mary Balogh) -- 5 stars
This is what Christmas stories should be! Darcey Austin, Earl of Kevern, catches a street urchin stealing from a young woman who could not afford the loss. When he starts to cane the hooligan, Julie Bevan, the woman who might have been robbed, interferes. The urchin, Charlie, weaves a fantastic story about his family. Cynically, Darcey doesn't believe him but takes both of them to a pastry shop to eat. This leads to a most engaging story. Enjoy!
Christmas Rose (Marjorie Farrell ) -- 4 stars
It was a love match for Jonathan and Madeline Holford, Earl and Lady Meare. They have been married for 5 years but don't have any offspring. It has caused an estrangement in the relationship. One night, Jonathan has the opportunity to give Madeline a baby girl; a child for them to raise together. Things start out well until Madeline has reason to think that the baby is Jonathan's child.
The Best Gift of All (Emma Lange) -- 2.5 stars
Philip has a title but needs money; Megan Tarrant, daughter of "Midas" Tarrant has money (and her father wants her to marry a title). Philip is rather cold-hearted when he decides that he can marry but keep his lifestyle the same (including his mistress). During Philip's 3-month absence, Megan has been renovating Philip's family homestead. When Philip arrives with guests (that includes his mistress), Megan realizes that the bargain she got with her wonderfully-handsome husband was no bargain. There was absolutely no way to save Philip in such a short story -- he was awful.
The Christmas Tart (Mary Jo Putney) -- 3.5 stars
NicoleChambord is a young French woman living in England (since the tender age of6). When the story opens, she has been accused of theft by her London employer and tossed out in the streets without a reference or her life savings of $50 pounds. Later, when two men accost Nicole and offer her money to âbe a Christmas surpriseâ for their overworked friend, Nicole saw no choice but to agree for a huge fee. Sir Philip Selbourne, the overworked friend, engages Nicole in conversation and makes a decision to help her, not use her. Rather average.
Seasonal Stratagem (Sandra Heath) -- 2 stars
Rake Leon, Earl of Holmwood, is immediately smitten with Miss Rosalind Faraday. Her cousin sets up a wager with Leon, that he can't get Rosalind to kiss Leon in 2 weeks. The wager is substantial, 1000 guineas. After all, Rosalind is ready to be betrothed to Lincoln Granville. This story was so boring, I couldn't finish it. I read over half of the story and couldn't stand any more; I didn't care who won.
The Porcelain Madonna (Mary Balogh) -- 5 stars
This is what Christmas stories should be! Darcey Austin, Earl of Kevern, catches a street urchin stealing from a young woman who could not afford the loss. When he starts to cane the hooligan, Julie Bevan, the woman who might have been robbed, interferes. The urchin, Charlie, weaves a fantastic story about his family. Cynically, Darcey doesn't believe him but takes both of them to a pastry shop to eat. This leads to a most engaging story. Enjoy!
Christmas Rose (Marjorie Farrell ) -- 4 stars
It was a love match for Jonathan and Madeline Holford, Earl and Lady Meare. They have been married for 5 years but don't have any offspring. It has caused an estrangement in the relationship. One night, Jonathan has the opportunity to give Madeline a baby girl; a child for them to raise together. Things start out well until Madeline has reason to think that the baby is Jonathan's child.
The Best Gift of All (Emma Lange) -- 2.5 stars
Philip has a title but needs money; Megan Tarrant, daughter of "Midas" Tarrant has money (and her father wants her to marry a title). Philip is rather cold-hearted when he decides that he can marry but keep his lifestyle the same (including his mistress). During Philip's 3-month absence, Megan has been renovating Philip's family homestead. When Philip arrives with guests (that includes his mistress), Megan realizes that the bargain she got with her wonderfully-handsome husband was no bargain. There was absolutely no way to save Philip in such a short story -- he was awful.
Jean K. reviewed A Regency Christmas IV: The Christmas Tart / A Seasonal Stratagem / The Porcelain Madonna / Christmas Rose / The Best Gift of All on + 50 more book reviews
this book has five Christmas stories for good reading
Stephanie B. (boydbear) -
From back cover:
A Regency Christmas
The holiday spirit comes alive in this wondrous new collection of five enchanting Christmas stories, written by some of the most beloved Regency authors. Filled with joyous Yuletide celebrations and heartwarming romance, this evocative, richly drawn treasury is a delight all year 'round.
"The Christmas Tart" by Mary Jo Putney
"A Seasonal Stratagem" by Sandra Heath
"The Porcelain Madonna" by Mary Balough
"Christmas Rose" by Marjorie Farrell
"The Best Gift of All" by Emma Lange
A Regency Christmas
The holiday spirit comes alive in this wondrous new collection of five enchanting Christmas stories, written by some of the most beloved Regency authors. Filled with joyous Yuletide celebrations and heartwarming romance, this evocative, richly drawn treasury is a delight all year 'round.
"The Christmas Tart" by Mary Jo Putney
"A Seasonal Stratagem" by Sandra Heath
"The Porcelain Madonna" by Mary Balough
"Christmas Rose" by Marjorie Farrell
"The Best Gift of All" by Emma Lange
