The Victorian Christmas Brides Collection

GIVEAWAY

PAGELS, CARRIE FANCETT
VETSCH, ERICA
CHASE, C.J.
DIETZE, SUSANNE
GERLACH, RITA
MAHER, KATHLEEN L.
MEYER, GABRIELLE
RILEY, VANESSA
SEILSTAD, LORNA
THE VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS BRIDES COLLECTION

One Golden Ring by C. J. Chase -- 1855 Devonshire, England -- Wounded soldier Tristram Nowell returns home to indulge his mother's wish for a family Christmas -- and encounters Marianna Granville. Can he forgive the former heiress who jilted him years before?

My Review -- C.J. Chase is a new-to-me author but I'll certainly be hunting down more of her books after reading this exquisite novella. With an Austenish flair, she packs quite the emotional punch in this second chance romance. A delectable read from start to finish.

Star of Wonder by Susanne Dietze - 1875 County Durham, England -- This Yuletide Bennett Hett, Lord Harwood, offers Lady Celeste Sidwell matrimony and the Star of  Wonder diamond necklace, as their fathers arranged. When the diamond disappears, will they find a greater treasure?

My Review -- An arranged marriage and a yuletide mystery -- how fun is that?! Well, maybe not for Bennett and Celeste who are opposed to marriage...until they band together to solve a crime and suddenly perspectives shift and their friendship takes an unexpected turn. Fast-paced and intriguing with a bit of Christmas miracle on the side.

The Holly and the Ivy by Rita Gerlach -- 1900 near Washington DC -- A glass ornament. Love letters tied in red Christmas ribbon. Lily Morningstar and British antiquities expert Andrew Stapleton are drawn into a family secret that binds their hearts together.

My Review: There's something very romantic about beginning a relationship through letters. And although Lily and Andrew have been corresponding for a year, she's reluctant to reveal her identity when they finally meet in person. She's sure her middle class America will clash with his aristocratic British roots. A sweet romance with an unexpected family mystery.

Love Brick by Brick by Kathleen L. Maher -- 1857, Elmira, New York -- Sarah Ann Winifred overcomes orphanhood apprenticing with pioneering doctors. Rufus Sedgwick , relocating his English estate, seeks help for his ailing mum. Christmas reveals the secret wish of both hearts -- for love.

My Review: Ha! Rufus seems a bit of a stuck up snob when first we meet, but it doesn't take long to uncover the charitable and caring heart beneath that staid British manner. Sarah Ann tries not to be smitten because they are worlds apart but Rufus is used to making things happen his way. Clashing wills and a few missteps later and we're looking at a happily ever after. Sweet romance with a touching message on forgiveness.

A Christmas Promise by Gabrielle Meyer -- 1899 Cambridgeshire, England -- Lady Ashleigh Arrington is hosting a houseful of guests for Christmas when railroad executive Christopher Campbell unexpectedly arrives from America with a mysterious agreement signed by their fathers before their birth.

My Review: Matrimonial minded mamas matchmaking from the grave. How's that for an arranged marriage twist? Animosity sizzles as Ashleigh and Christopher fight to free themselves from the prospect of an unwanted Christmas engagement. But that sizzle soon sparks another kind of fire that might see them walking down the aisle after all. Loved all the sparring and the teasing as these two valiantly attempt to resist the inevitable Christmas miracle.

The Sugarplum Ladies by Carrie Fancett Pagels -- 1867 Windsor, Ontario Canada and Detroit, Michigan -- When Canadian barrister Percy Gladstone finds his aristocratic British family unexpectedly descending upon him for Christmas, he turns to American social reformer Eugenie Mott and her fledgling catering crew for help.

My Review: What a neat surprise to see a little bit of Canada in this novella. A diverse cast of characters on both sides of the border conspire to create lasting Christmas memories. Pagels includes some interesting historical details -- like the Detroit socialites assisting Civil War widows in learning to make a living by catering. That's an aspect of the post-war era I never even thought about. Love when fiction teaches me a lesson -- especially when it comes all wrapped up in romance!

Paper Snowflake Christmas by Vanessa Riley -- 1837 Framlingham, England -- How can widow Ophelia Hanover give her son a perfect Christmas when her guardian, the Earl of Litton, arrives early to take permanent custody of the boy?

My Review: Litton is a boor! I'm all righteously indignant and ready to show him the door and I'm only on the first page! Gah! What an emotionally-charged, heart-wrenching romance! Past misunderstandings lead to present prejudices and it's such a catastrophic mess I wasn't sure how everything would work out. If you like to indulge in a cleansing holiday cry, this is the story for you! (In case you're worried, the hero won me over in the end.)

Father Christmas by Lorna Seilstad -- 1880 Blackpool, England -- Widowed harpist Beatrix Kent believes love can only come once in a lifetime, but this Christmas, carpenter Hugh Sherman hopes to pull on the musician's heartstrings and prove her wrong.

My Review: Oh, I do so like getting steamed on behalf of a heroine and there is one character in this story that I really wanted to throttle on Beatrix's behalf! Hugh in patient (but relentless) pursuit of Bea...thud...the stuff dreams are made of. And the way his attention prompts her awakening from grief and guilt...sublime! That right there was enough to win me over but there's also a cute little girl who needs a mum -- and what better time to get one than at Christmas? 

A Perfect Christmas by Erica Vetsch -- 1881 London, England -- Melisande Verity might be in over her head trying to create the perfect Christmas window display, but if she succeeds, will she finally attract the attention of her boss Gray Garramond?

My Review: Oooohhhh, Mr. Gray, you persnickity upstart, you deserve a lump of coal in your stocking. Maybe two....wait...he's growing on me as Melisande chips away at his Scroogish tendencies. I think he's a keeper after all. Once she's replaced his profit margins and bottom lines for some Christmas joy. Love the nod to Dickens and this story has the same kind of heartwarming, tear-in-your-eye ending too!

Overall Review:

A superb collection of holiday romances that reflect the true meaning of Christmas. The physical book is stunning -- including beveled edges and a gorgeous end page art. Would make a great gift for the discerning reader on your Christmas list...but be sure to buy one for yourself as well!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Victorian Christmas Brides Collection, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 2 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!