💜💙❤️Welcome to a Christmas Season full of love, longing, romance, and of course happy endings - This is a fun series you don’t want to miss and is easily enjoyed no matter the time of year! ❤️💙💜

✒️Emily EK Murdoch is a wonderful historical romance writer and she excels at writing long series with multiple connected characters yet each story being a standalone. This time she has taken the holiday season by storm and created a charming and heartfelt bundle of historical romances using the theme of the beloved “Twelve Days of Christmas” a world wide and timeless holiday carol. 🎶

From the publisher’s statement: ❤️‍🔥This novella is a steamy Regency romance with a happily ever after, no cliffhangers, and is part of a series which can be read in any order - but follow the numbers down for the best reading experience!
Note: This series is part of Dragonblade's Flame line, so this is a sexy, steamy, and scorching-hot read with multiple sex scenes. Be advised.”❤️‍🔥

This story is based on the 5th day of christmas and occurs in 1817, and five gold rings are perfect Christmas presents…As noted in previous books this series of novellas follows the twelve single female Fitzroy cousins and watching each of them meet their perfect match while falling in love over Christmastime. So before the reader even starts the stories it’s clear they are going to be quick happily ever after romances with the added magic and whimsical feelings associated with Christmas in the early 19th century.

The MCs are Esther Fitzroy and John aka Jack The Duke of Kendal. Simply put Esther is put off by all the scheming, plotting, and planning that goes into getting married - she wants to be wanted, adored, desired, and loved by a man who simply can’t help himself but to need her - instead, thanks to her very large dowry the only men interested in her are those who want her money first and her as an afterthought. She is over it. Esther makes a decision that she will settle for nothing less than love. So when John (Jack to the ladies), the Duke of Kendal suddenly arrives at the Fitzroy home and starts inexpertly wooing her, Esther knows precisely what he wants, her dowry. But she wants his heart.

This time Esther is determined to up the ante so to speak and she begins a dangerous game of cat and mouse using seduction as a method to capture the Dukes heart. While Five gold rings may be perfect gifts, Esther only wants one from Jack—and she may not wait to receive one before giving up her heart…and her body. 💍🔥❤️‍🔥

Much like some of the earlier novellas in the series this one had a little overlap with the next and I enjoyed how that ties the sisters’ stories together. I always love to catch glimpses of previous characters as well as those newer characters with stories yet to come. I thought this was an easy read, enjoyed it in one sitting, and I loved watching the hero fall in love.

I recommend this book and series if you are looking for a quick enjoyable story with a happily ever after. Make sure you read the series in order which is inline with how you would sing the last verse of the carol. The Twelve Days of Christmas

Book 1 - Twelve Drummers Drumming
Book 2 - Eleven Pipers Piping
Book 3 - Ten Lords a Leaping
Book 4 – Nine Ladies Dancing
Book 5 – Eight Maids a Milking
Book 6 – Seven Swans a Swimming
Book 7 – Six Geese a Laying
Book 8 – Five Gold Rings
Book 9 – Four Calling Birds
Book 10 – Three French Hens
Book 11 – Two Turtle Doves
Book 12 - A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Overall 3.5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ | 4 Flames 🔥🔥🔥🔥

📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to review. 🦄

#TwelveDaysofChristmas #DragonbladePub #Novella #HolidayRomance #HistoricalRomance

A Dowry for Her Heart

Esther knew that Jack wanted her dowry, but she was willing to trade her heart. Was she foolish? Perhaps this was so, but throughout history, men and women have done far more outrageous things in the name of love. Might she be able to capture Jack’s heart, too? He might seduce her for her dowry, but would she seduce him, too? Never underestimate the seductive power of love. Some might call Esther reckless, but she was a lady who knew what she wanted. She knew the stakes, and she went in with her eyes open. This is an entertaining story that I finished in one sitting.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyable.

This is the eighth installment of The Twelve Days of Christmas series, and what a great group of stories so far! This latest one also did not disappoint. This is Caroline and Jemima's younger sister Esther's story. Esther is cautious of any suitors she gets, as she believes them to only be after her dowry. When Jack, the Duke of Kendal attempts to court her, she also thinks him no different from the rest. Jack is an impoverished duke and in dire need of money, so of course his first intention of courting Esther was her generous dowry. But Esther had plans of her own and was determined to make him fall in love with her. If he gets her money, it's only fair that she have his heart.
This was another fun and romantic addition to the series. Jack and Esther were great together and had wonderful chemistry. I enjoyed the story and look forward to the next one!
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and this is my freely given opinion.

This is the story of Esther, one of the sisters of the London Fitroy's, the younger sister of Caroline and Jemima. She is leery of men who have been courting her because of her father's wealth and her large dowry, knowing that many, if not all of those suitors are fortune hunting.

Her sister, Caroline, has become a bit of a gossip and shared with them the ill fortunes of the Duke of Kendal. He is impoverished because of a lost investment, and in need of a wealthy wife. It turns out that he is a friend of the Earl of Cheshire, Caroline's husband, who points him in the direction of Esther to woo.

Esther knows he is likely wooing her for her dowry, but decides that she will work to earn his love and devotion as well, and ends up falling in love with him.

This was an OK story for me, and that was mainly because there was a background story of Lucy and her friend Percy who obviously loves her. But I could not warm to a story about romantic hero being a fortune hunter and her own family presenting her on a silver platter for said fortune hunter, especially when she had rejected others for the same. He did later redeem himself in showing some shame for approaching her for her dowry, but it still made me a bit cold. This is where reading something about his perspective could have helped flesh out the story and add depth and understanding for Kendal, for me.

2.5 stars out of 5.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Miss Esther Fitzroy knows that her recently increased dowry is the main reason why so many gentlemen seem to be vying for her hand, and she doesn't like it one bit. One man even dared to approach her father and ask to marry her, without them ever speaking. So when she learns about the Duke of Kendal, Jack to his friends, who finds himself penniless, and now seems to want to spend time with her, Esther knows he wants her dowry. Planning to make him fall in love, she sets out to seduce him, but forgets that by doing so, she risks her own heart. I reckon this book more than made up for how bad book 7 was. Esther and Jack were a great couple, and though I think they could've been a little more open with each other, for the time period, money was rarely discussed, and definitely not with a lady. I feel like because of the way they spent time together, they were able to get to know each other better, though I do have some questions about Jack's family, and just how bad his financial situation was. Even so, a really enjoyable book, and one which has definitely set up for Lucy and Percy's story in book 9.

This is an amusing novella, full of descriptive settings and amusing dialogue that moves the story forward. It is a fast read, easy to get through in one evening! This is the second of Emily EK Murdoch's books that I've read, both in this series. You could read this as a standalone novella, but I think it is more amusing being a little familiar with the series. I enjoyed this winter and holiday read and if you're in the market for reading some seasonal stories, Five Gold Rings will amuse you!
I received Five Gold Rings courtesy of Netgalley for my honest opinion. This was a fast, fun read!

I have enjoyed all the books in this series and this is no exception. Although the premise is one that's touched upon quite often, this story was so well-written and enjoyable that it didn't really matter.
Thank you Emily EK Murdoch, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

Ester Fitzroy is introduced to Jack, the Duk of Kendal by her sister ad brother-in-law. Ester is tired of meeting men only because of her large dowry, yet the Duke needs to marry someone with a large dowry.

I enjoyed Ester and Jack, and their uncertainty at times about their courtship. Jack needs money, and Ester wants to marry for love. Great characters!

What do you do when a duke wants to court you for your money. You court him for his heart. I thought the was a pretty good book not the best of the series. It has glimpses into the next book as per the authors usual way.
I recieved a free copy so that I might tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book.

There are three Fitzroy brothers, each with different interests, each the father of daughters, twelve in total. Arthur Fitzroy has six daughters, three of whom have married. It’s the holiday season of 1817 and Stuart introduces Jack, the Duke of Kendal, to the family. Jack and Esther are immediately attracted. She knows he is interested in her dowry, but could there be more? Another entertaining story of the Fitzroy cousins. The characters are likeable and charming. The story is a quick happy read.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

When Esther Fitzroy (of the London Fitzroys) meets the handsome, young, charismatic Duke of Kendal she hatches a plan. With him in need of a substantial cash injection to save his penniless dukedom and her in possession of a very generous dowry - Esther thinks they could be a perfect match. All she has to do is make him fall in love with her. Because if she’s bringing the money to the relationship the least he could do is give his heart to her.

Five Gold Rings was a fun and romantic tale of two lovely people falling in love. I liked Jack and I liked Esther and most of all I liked them together. They have chemistry. And I also liked Esther’s scheming. She is trying to be the mastermind of this entire courting scenario and it amused me because I had the sense that she’s not normally all that cryptic and Machiavellian. But she cares - very much so - for her new beau.

Much like some of the earlier novellas in the series this one had a little overlap with the next and I enjoyed how that ties the sisters’ stories together. It will always surprise and shock me a little with the liberties the Fitzroy women allow men they’ve just met (and sometimes in surprising locations) but it’s hard to deliver a completed love story with multiple romantic trysts in novella form so I’ll give them a pass and try not to be too scandalised (and try not to think about how they haven’t been taken advantage of so far in their young naive lives. I joke. They can be as amorous as they want wherever they want and I’ll keep reading and enjoying their love stories).

Great addition the the series as a whole and is making me all the more exciting for the lead up to Christmas!

Esther met Jack the Duke of Kendal through her brother-in-law. She knew right away he didn't have any money. She wondered whether he was marrying her for her dowry which was substantial but she didn't care because she loved him. She bought 5 gold rings for her sisters though she knew he couldn't buy her even one gold ring. Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this series.

I have found over many many Emily EK Murdoch novels that her work is very hit or miss with me. Unfortunately, this one was a miss. I have really enjoyed the creativity in connecting these stories to the 12 Days of Christmas song, but I found this one to be lacking in several ways. The connection to the 5th day for this book was more of an afterthought. Esther was a weak character. She is another example in this series of the dangers of sheltering young women - as soon as she gets near a good looking man she becomes a thoughtless (as in, she doesn't have a thought in her head) silly girl. There is nothing interesting about her and I found her to be a very one-dimensional and boring character. Because all the conversations between her and Jack occur off the page it's never shown what they come to like about one another - all the reader is left with is that she likes him for being very good looking and he likes her for her having lots of money. Her plan to seduce him and hope he falls in love with her is risky and could have ended badly for her had it not worked. I've also found that if one hasn't read the first in the series (12 Drummers Drumming) Jemima would seem like a terrible person which I don't like because so far she's the most interesting of all the Fitzroy women. This is definitely my least favorite of the series.

Five Gold Rings by Emily EK Murdoch is a simple novel about two members of the ton. The young woman is Esther and she is the daughter (step) of a wealthy man who has five daughters. She has step-sisters, half-sisters, and full sisters. She also has a massive dowry. As do many sisters, she and hers gossip. The newest on dit is regarding the Duke of Kendal, whom she assumes to be old and gray. It seems he has lost his fortune and is penniless. Who should walk in the room at that moment with her brother-in-law, but the Duke of Kendal, who may be penniless, but is far from old and gray.

Esther is a Regency woman, not completely convinced of her own worth. Jack was charming and honest, although not honest when he should Five Gold Rings by Emily EK Murdoch is a simple novel about two members of the ton. The young woman is Esther and she is the daughter (step) of a wealthy man who has five daughters. She has step-sisters, half-sisters, and full sisters. She also has a massive dowry. As do many sisters, she and hers gossip. The newest on dit is regarding the Duke of Kendal, whom she assumes to be old and gray. It seems he has lost his fortune and is penniless. Who should walk in the room at that moment with her brother-in-law, but the Duke of Kendal, who may be penniless, but is far from old and gray. Esther is a Regency woman, not completely convinced of her own worth. Jack was charming and honest, although not honest when he should have been. Really, they were both kind of wimpy characters beset by the bane of romance: failure to communicate. It started with walks with the family and quickly escalated. You know the end. It felt like a rushed book, one without a true play. It was a very unlikely storyline. It was pleasant enough, but not one of her best. I

Iwas invited to read a free e-ARC of Five Gold Rings by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #EmilyEKMurdoch # FiveGoldRings have been. Really, they were both kind of wimpy characters beset by the bane of romance: failure to communicate. It started with walks with the family and quickly escalated. You know the end. It felt like a rushed book, one without a true play. It was a very unlikely storyline. It was pleasant enough, but not one of her best. I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Five Gold Rings by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #EmilyEKMurdoch # FiveGoldRings

A very quick, easy, and fun read, with some steaminess. Five Gold RIngs had a great MFC; Esther knew what she wanted and went after it, without guile.

I haven’t read any of the other titles in the author’s Twelve Days of Christmas series, but, loving bite-sized portions of historical romance with all the spice, I am planning on doing so 🙂

Esther Fitzroy is introduced to John (Jack to the ladies), the Duke of Kendal by her brother in law & he starts inexpertly wooing her, Esther knows precisely what he wants, her dowry. But she wants his heart. Determined to make him fall in love with her before he asks for her hand, Esther starts a dangerous game with a gentleman far more accustomed to seduction than she could ever imagine.
Purchasing five gold rings as presents for her sisters is nothing to what Jack wants to give her this Christmas.
Esther is the eighth Fitzroy to find love & another well written novella, the pace was good & I really liked both Esther & Jack, the chemistry between them sizzled. I loved their journey to finding love. It also gave a hint for Percy & Lucy’s story. I must admit I was left wanting more, especially for Jack to regain his fortune, I hope there’s an update in the remaining books
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

An enjoyable quick read where the heroine compels you to keep reading. With a delicious touch of blush inducing naughtiness to hype up the intimacy, raise it a rung on the steam-ometer and keep you invested.
Esther is just so lovable, easy to like and champion in her determined quest to seduce Jack into loving her. The subtle build of sexual tension as the hunger for intimacy seeps through their initial attraction - depicted in loaded looks and hopeful, nervous, yearning, as the pair strain to receive any sign the other is just as susceptible to their charm, is growing to crave their touch, presence and even the possibility of a much deeper, more rewarding, connection - is engaging in its reading. Especially, as it adds a spark to their chemistry that builds in intensity and creates a spot of angst as you feed on Esther's worry that Jack, in dun territory financially, may only ever want her for her dowry. Colouring her view and clouding her commitment as she attempts to dampen down her fast flourishing feelings for him as she tries to analyse his motives and make him reassess his own feelings by falling just as irredeemably in return.
A fun read and addition to the series that opens up a world of pleasure for our heroine and moves past our hero's desperate need for money, to open his heart and introduce the promise of love, connection and mutual passion into the mix. With rather joyful results!

The latest instalment in this series of Christmas-themed novellas focuses on Esther, a bookish type with hidden depths, who doesn’t know what to do with her sudden attraction to a penniless duke. Jack, however, knows exactly what to do about it and communicates it in a delightfully and unconventionally forward manner - but is this about money, or love?
I enjoyed the chemistry between the main characters, the sisterly interactions, and the hints of Lucy and Percy’s story, plus the focus on the pragmatism that drove many matches in this era. An enjoyable addition to the series with intriguing hints of more to come.

𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗚𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 was a read in one sitting romance that had me from the first page. Esther was a woman after my own heart. She was strong and determined and not afraid to go after what she wanted, I liked this about her. Although a Duke, Jack had his fair share of problems. Destitute and desperate he sets out to find a woman with a hefty dowry. Esther is such a woman but she possess something even greater, his heart, I enjoyed watching the, fall in love. I’m giving 𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗚𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!