Winter Wishes

This is a book that just keeps on giving. An incredible number of regency romantic novellas, all different and all good to read. Not a boring or badly written one among t.hem. Fabulous for holidays or times when you don’t have the time to read a longer book. I now feel quite saturated with all those romantic tales and don’t think I could decide on my most favourite or least favourite ones if asked.

This was a brilliant anthology that will appeal to anyone who enjoys historical romances. Every single one of these stories was wonderful, and it was a pleasure to be introduced to so many new-to-me authors. Although each of the novellas was completely different, they were all tied together by a Yuletide theme that nicely wove the book together.

I was given a free copy of Winter Wishes, but that did not affect my review.

A delightful collection of short stories by 13 romance writers which all take place during the winter holiday season. I especially enjoyed the stories by Cheryl Bolen, Heather Boyd, Samantha Grace and new to me author Barbara Monajem. I received an ARC for my honest review.

An excellent set of historical romance by some very talented authors. Enjoyed them all. Each was unique and well-written.

I was granted a review copy through Netgalley by the publisher and now I am reading this bundle of novellas one at a time.
I will update my review with each new performed read.

ONE ROOM AT THE INN
Cheryl Bolen

Blurb: To reach the only person who ever offered help after her husband’s death, destitute Charlotte Hale must travel with her children on the coldest night in a generation—with a handsome stranger she prays she can trust.

My review :
It is not so long I read a tale by Mrs Cheryl Bolen. This one was far different, the deception is the story was to protect Charlotte’s family, and was not carried for long. It is a lovely tale of the magic of Christmas bringing two solitary souls together and giving children a forever to remember holiday.

INVITATION TO PLEASURE
Bronwen Evans

Blurb : There can be no love without trust…Will handsome and sexy Daniel Kerrich, Lord de Winter, be able to earn fiercely independent Lady Georgiana’s trust and win her heart in time for Christmas?

My review :
How I love when the heroine is no-damsel-in-distress but in need of a gentle hand to prove her not every man is an abuser of the weakest.
It was a sweet tale of trust to be deserved and love to be seen as not enslavement but freedom.
Cute and passionate is the hero of this tale, no alpha male but a kind and compassionate, ready to share the burden of the woman he gives his her, to be a shoulder on which she can rest her head.

A ROGUE’S REPUTATION
Lana Williams

Blurb : Will Christmas magic and mistletoe unite this unlikely pair?

My review :
Lady Louisa must take matter in hands and retrieve indiscrete letters her mother sent to a married man-now deceased, before his new heir finds them.
It was lovely read about consequences paid for family’s or past’s behaviors.
Granger wants to clean his family name, but also shows he is one to be relied on.
While Louisa must find a way to keep her mother out of endangering reputation inconsequential actions, not an easy task with the mother she has, why she thinks she must settle herself with a not surprising suitor, affreuse to follow her mother in her steps and fall for rogues.
This short story brought them together, eyes opener encounters compelling them to see past the gossips and accept the other for whom it is.

DARED & KISSED- The Scotsman’s Yuletide Bride Bree Wolf
Blurb : A daring lass. An angry Scot. And the happenings of a fateful day.

My review :
How a misunderstanding and stubbornness can cause so much hurt.

For seven years, Finn and Emma have done everything to avoid the other, certain each one dislike another.
Hopefully both were surrounded by great friends who cared for them and willing to help them clear their path to another.

In some way it was a truly sad tale as it was two persons unhappily married who taught the main couple how to recognize the signs of love.
A lovely tale demonstrating the pain pigheadedness and misinterpretation can cause to two persons in love because they are unable to cross the bridge another held back by their fear and pride.

A YULETIDE HIGHLANDER
Collette Cameron
Blurb : A gentlewoman afraid for her life and the Scottish warrior willing to risk all to protect her.

My review:

A sweet story of meeting the right person at the right time.

Gregor finds his life lack of excitement until a young woman, Sarah barges in his offices seeking help masquerading as a lad.
Sure, there were vilains, but the story focuses on the growing feelings between the main characters. How they become the breath of fresh air for the other.
There are few conflicts only a charming Yuletide spirit all along the tale with plenty of willing angels disguised as kind peers in a mission to bring them together.
I will add the epilogue was perfect to cheer your mind.

ONE ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS
Heather Boyd
Blurb : When Lord Clement finds himself in a marriage wager, finding a woman to love in a scant few months seems impossible…until he rediscovers his best friend’s sister.

My review :

Can two persons whom have known each other as youths become more when pressured by others.

I do love Mrs Heather Boyd work, she has a very specific writing style and while following historical conventions and rules, she gives her characters a boldness and vibrancy very specific to herself.
Despite their instant reaction to another when they rekindle, Otis and Meg do not jump to conclusion. They first must need to clear some old misconceptions.
It is a slow-burn romance taking place in the main time they get reacquainted, their chemistry evolving to more with each passing encounter.
A lively tale of love at “second sight”.

MISTLETOE AND KISSES
Sasha Cottman
Blurb : It’s Christmas and Cupid’s little helpers are busy at work. The mistletoe has been hung and now kisses await.

Will a few days be enough to make the woman he loves fall for him.

My bad, I have the first published story by Sasha Cottman lined on my shelves and like many, I forgot about it. I am glad I have finally a sample of her work. It was a sweet story of missing opportunities about two persons who love another without the other clueless about it.
Hugh is adorable in some way for a grown man, he is a clever man, alas completely oblivious of the sentiments Mary has for him, and when it is about wooing the woman he cares for, he is quite a novice.
Mary is no better at expressing her feelings as she wears her love for Hugh on her sleeves but never acted upon it. Even ready to let him go.
They were both lucky some meddling kin from Hugh’s side decided to help them to sort out their shared tenderness.
The plus of the story was the details about the traditional festivities, I loved to learn more about them, everything is so new for me.

MUST LOVE MAJORS
Samantha Grace

Blurb : Lady Ambrosia Everly promised to select a husband by Christmas, but when Major Rowland ambushes her at her parents’ house party with a claim to the stray dog she rescued, love becomes a battlefield. Soon the lines between enemies and lovers are blurred, and Ambrosia is faced with a tough decision: follow her heart or marry a man of her parents’ choosing.

My review :

Will two persons arguing about the dog’s affection find a common ground and see past their ire.

I do wondered why It has been a while since I have read a story by Samantha Grace, I do love her writing style and how she gives depth to her characters.
The sweetness of her heroes and the witty dialogues caught me from the beginning.
I loved all the side characters, and I do want to know more about them.
Phillip and Ambrosia are lovely painted, they have their flaws and needs, Ambrosia adore her family but sometime she longs for a quieter place and someone special just for her, to not share among all her kin, while Phillip follows his duty but has difficulties silencing his own guilt for surviving the war, why he secretly has other aspirations away from the battlefields.
It was such a charming tale about two persons who will answer the other’s calling.
I can only recommend to have a look to her other works.