The reigning legendary queens of Regency Romance,
bestselling authors Madeline Hunter, Sabrina Jeffries, and Mary Jo Putney, deck
the halls with this delightful Christmas collection of three sparkling holiday
interconnected romances, as stranded travelers find merriment, mistletoe, and
holiday romance awaiting at a quaint country inn…
I enjoyed this trio of novellas, centered around a group
of stranded travelers. Each author provides the story of a different couple and
alternate viewpoints of the same events. I liked seeing the diverse group come
together to create a unique holiday experience. I especially liked the various
Christmas traditions included. Funny moments go side-by-side with heartwarming
ones and results in a lovely Christmas tale.
WHEN WE FINALLY KISS GOOD NIGHT by Sabrina Jeffries Series: Duke Dynasty (Book 4.5)
When Flora Younger first met Konrad Juncker, she thought
she'd found her match, only to have her hopes dashed. Konrad is now a famous
playwright whose plays Flora has secretly panned in reviews. But a chance meeting
in a secluded inn may help them rewrite this star-crossed romance…
I loved this follow-on to the Duke Dynasty series. On his
journey to spend Christmas with friends, a sudden snowstorm strands him at a
closed-for-the-holidays inn. When more travelers arrive, he umps in to help the
innkeeper and is pleasantly surprised when one of those travelers is Flora
Younger, the woman he loved and lost. Years earlier, they met and fell in love,
but he bailed on her when he realized he couldn't support her as she deserved.
Since then, he has become a famous playwright who is now at a crossroads in his
career. Flora became a paid companion for Lady Whitmarsh and anonymously writes
reviews for London plays and consistently bashes his.
The feelings between Konrad and Flora remain strong, but
can they overcome their pasts to have a future together? Stuck together as they
are, Konrad and Flora use the time to clear the air between them. I enjoyed
Konrad's determined pursuit of Flora, even as he fears that he still can't give
her what she deserves. At a crossroads in his career, Konrad's future depends
on the secrets involving his plays. Flora finds herself falling for Konrad all
over again but fears the same heartbreak. I loved seeing Konrad finally trust
her with the truth and Flora's protectiveness for the man she loved. The ending
was funny and sweet.
THE UNEXPECTED GIFT by Madeline Hunter
Jenna Waverly has closed her inn, anticipating a
blissfully quiet Christmas, until a snowstorm brings the first of several
strangers to her property. Lucas Avonwood, as charming as he is secretive, is
on a mission to track down a scoundrel, but the inn's lovely owner is giving
him a more compelling reason to stay…
Jenna closes her inn every year at Christmas to give her
staff the time with their families and herself a chance to spend some quiet
time. But when her stableman stumbles across an injured and feverish man, she
can't turn him away. His arrival precedes that of several more stranded
travelers whom she makes room for. Jenna spends her time going back and forth
between nursing the stranger and taking care of her unplanned guests. I loved
how she got the diverse group to work together, freeing her to spend more time
with her patient.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Lucas
and Jenna. She's a practical woman but also one with a caring heart, and she's
determined to pull him through his illness. Once he begins to recover, the
sparks between them start to burn brighter. With the fate of her inn uncertain,
her growing relationship with Lucas induces dreams of more. But Lucas is a man
on a mission, and that mission may have unexpected ties to Jenna. When Lucas
finds what he's looking for, he must find a way to solve the problem without hurting
Jenna. Though I found the solution a little improbable, it worked to give them
the future they wanted.
WHEN STRANGERS MEET by Mary Jo Putney
Kate Mcleod is shocked to find that her fellow guest in
the snowbound inn is the dashing soldier who may or may not be her husband.
Daniel Faringdon barely remembers that long-ago night when he rescued her from
disaster, but the desire they discover now will be impossible to forget, or to
ignore . . .
When Daniel returned to England to claim his inheritance after
many years in India, he never expected to encounter the young woman he rescued.
He barely remembers that night, just the fear of the young woman being
auctioned off by her uncle. He remembers the drunk preacher who "married"
them before Daniel turned her over to a friend who helped her return to England
and her family. He gets the shock of his life when one of the other stranded
guests is none other than the woman he rescued.
Kate MacLeod never forgot the handsome soldier who saved
her from disaster, though she hasn't heard from him since then. Once she
recovers from the shock of seeing him, she informs him that she was about to
have him declared dead so that she can marry again. Stunned to discover that
their marriage was valid, Daniel finds he's in no hurry to end their
connection.
I liked the development of the relationship between
Daniel and Kate. Kate is practical and competent in many areas and fits in well
with the rest of the stranded travelers. Daniel worries about his return home
after all these years, having left under trying circumstances. His time in
India transformed him from a heedless boy to a mature and honorable man. Within
a short time of talking to Kate, Daniel realizes that Kate touches something in
him. He proposes that they consider remaining married. Kate is wary but willing
to get to know him before deciding.
I loved watching Kate and Daniel spend time together. Kate
is upfront about her life and plans for the future, including continuing to
work. She hunts (loved that scene!) and willingly pitches in around the inn. Impressed
by her abilities, Daniel makes it clear that he fully supports her while asking
pointed questions about her almost fiancé. At the same time, Kate finds herself
questioning her feelings for Edmund and considering staying with Daniel. Besides
the fun encounters, they also spend some time sharing the less pleasant
memories of their pasts. But when it's time to leave the inn, Kate isn't quite
ready to commit until she can talk to Edmund. I ached for Daniel, who left
wondering if he'd see Kate again.
I loved the ending. Kate gets her concerns addressed unexpectedly,
freeing her to follow her heart. Daniel receives the loving support he needs to
face his past in a heartwarming scene at the family home.
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