Christmas Belles: A Holiday Regency Anthology

This was a wonderful Christmas anthology from a variety of authors and all are a joy to read! Each involved a storyline and characters that find the Christmas season and each other! All of the stories are a great storyline and makes you wanting a happy and joyful life together! I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This collection is a bundle of joy, eight holiday stories by a group of very special authors. Once Upon a Not So Innocent Kiss by Bree Wolf Charles steps into rescue Beatrice from a scandalous situation, fell in love with her, and put the scoundrel who hurt her in his place. Lovely story in the Whickerton family. The Daring Debutant by Tracy Sumner Arabella MacCauley sets her sights on Nigel Streeter. He doesn’t feel worthy of her, but she intends to show him differently. The fathers, Tobias and Xander, offer their offspring some sound advice based on their romantic experiences. A next generation Duchess Society romance. A Yuletide Toss of the Dice by Colette Cameron Aubrie feels she doesn’t fit, anywhere. Her family seems to feel the same. Jack is a childhood friend who sees her as more. It takes him awhile to realize that she is his treasure. An interesting prequel to a new series. The Heiress Who Dared Me by Charlie Lane Josiah and Georgiana are at the Christmas at his brother’s country estate. To deter fortune hunters and determined ladies, they agree to pretend to be courting. They had no intention to actually become a couple, but walks, talks, and the joy of eating cake eventually lead them in just that direction. Daring kisses! Mistletoe Magic by Jennifer Monroe Tobias and Amy are a charming couple, but have different dreams and views of their future. Even though they won’t admit it, they love each other. Will they be able to compromise, or will they part ways? This is another sweet story in the Sisterhood of Secrets. Christmas Forgiveness by Meredith Bond This is an interesting addition to the Royals and Rebels series. Klaus was the villain of the series, and has been exiled since. He would like to explain his actions and seek forgiveness. Sophia can’t get past his crime against her sister, but he chips away at her walls. Happy ending? Yes. Until Spring by Shannon Gilmore Remi has come to England to see his grandmother before dies. He meets Rochester who offers him a place to stay for a while. There he meets Lovie, Rochester’s cousin. They spend Christmas and fall in love. She wants to remain in England, and he needs to return to America. Is there a way for them to be together and be happy? Compromise? In Pursuit of a Christmas Wife by Rebecca Paula Henry Davies is a grumpy, serious barrister. Matilda Brennan is a respected actress and single mother (which is a secret). When they meet at a masquerade, they exchange a passionate kiss. By the time they meet again, at a house party, Henry had inherited an earldom. Will this give them a second chance to act on their instant attraction? How will Henry react to her secret and her large family? Quite an enjoyable opposites-attract romance. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

A great regency holiday anthology. It’s a recommend for this collection of short holiday themed stories. I enjoyed Bree Wolf and Collette Cameron’s novellas. Recommend

ONCE UPON A NOT AT ALL INNOCENT KISS (clean) “Now, though, I realize that my heart only ever beat for you.” Beatrice had a secret - she was already pregnant by another man who refused to marry her. Of course, her family insisted she must marry to avoid scandal for the entire family. Therefore, she didn’t want to take advantage of Charles who fell for her at first sight. While I liked both characters, Charles is the perfect example of an upright, solid good guy who stands by his woman through it all. THE DARING DEBUTANTE (A DUCHESS SOCIETY NOVELLA) (steamy) “Nigel hugged her, the first time in ages he fell asleep with his heart absent of loneliness.” Continuation of the Duchess Society Series now with the Arabella, child of Xander and Pippa and Nigel, adopted as an orphan by Tobias and Hildy. Because they have known each other for years when Arabella is finally old enough, she goes to get her man. Nigel never stood a chance. Great to see the rest of the gang and this is a wonderful addition to the series with plenty of heat. A YULETIDE TOSS OF THE DICE (clean) “This woman managed to set up house in his heart, and he couldn’t fathom a future without her now.” Aubriella is the middle child who is often looked over due to the rare beauty of her other two sisters. Jack is a family friend who has admired her quick mind and analytical leanings. At a Christmas house party, Jack offers to help Aubriella and they discover they both had unconscious feelings for each other. Will they find a way to be together when Aubriella finds herself in terrible danger? A sweet story. THE HEIRESS WHO DARED ME (steamy) “There is only you. And how I know in here”—he beat a fist against his chest—“that I need you.” When a friendship changes to something more when a kiss becomes a dare. Liked both characters and their witty banter that leads to a strange friendship arrangement that benefits both of them until suddenly it doesn’t anymore. Moving and sensuous with plenty of heat. Can they stay together when duty could leave them miles apart? MISTLETOE MAGIC Not reviewed CHRISTMAS FORGIVENESS (sweet) Klaus is paying the price for attempting to kill his cousins, Prince Nikolas and Princess Louisa. He has been exiled permanently to his father’s estate and had spent the past two years there until receiving an invitation to attend a Christmas house party. Sophia’s sister, Lou, had been previously kidnapped by Klaus. Sophia is understandably upset when she realizes he is at the same house as Lou. It is a bumpy road (enemies to lovers) for these two to find their HEA. I felt Klaus disregarded Sophia’s real concerns about what had happened to her sister, and Sophia also seemed to change her mind very quickly. Klaus did work hard to redeem himself, especially with the Prince. He was lucky his cousins whom he had wronged were willingly to give him another chance. Then secrets were revealed and there was danger to Sophia before they found their HEA. UNTIL SPRING(steamy) “But deep inside, she knew the first time she laid eyes on this man, her life was changed forever.” Remington comes to England to see his ailing grandmother but is too late and she has passed. He runs into Rochester, Lovie’s cousin who offers him a place to stay for a few days. It is love at first sight but both of them deny it for awhile. Fate throws them together for Christmas, and they both have known grief and loss. Can they find a way to make one life together when Remington’s work/living is an ocean away? Lots of heat and loads of heart in this story. Highly recommend. IN PURSUIT of a CHRISTMAS BRIDE(steamy) “Kiss me again, Henry. I’ve dreamt of it,” she whispered. “Have you done the same? An instalove story of Henry who is a serious and regimented lawyer and Matilda, an Irish actress with a secret. They meet at a party and are separated. What will happen to bring them back together? And can Matilda entrust Harry with her secret? Liked the storyline which was somewhat unique and the connections of the H and h. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.