Betrothed by Christmas
A Holiday Duet
By Jess Michaels and Elizabeth
Essex
Publisher: The Passionate Pen,
LLC
Release Date: October 15, 2019
Reviewed by Santa
I have been a fan of
both authors for many years. Their stories are connected by the heroines Evangeline
and Tamsin who we meet over a bowl of flaming brandy. I kid. They watch as
lackwit lords haul the bowl into the ballroom and prepare to burn off a brow or
two as they try to catch a flaming raisin. They both agree that a life of independence
is far better than marrying any one of these gents. As young ladies of the ton,
they have little choice in this area. Or do they?
The answer to their
individual dilemmas is for them to seek out MALE WALLFLOWERS! Hold the phone!
Not a rake? Not a rouge? You heard it right, male wallflowers. Where does one
find one? Against a wall? By a potted plant? Nope. The library where you’d be
surprised to find more than one or two.
Jess Michaels’ “A Lady’s
Gift for Seduction” has you cheering for Evangeline and Henry from the first
moment Evangeline, the daughter of a duke, approaches Henry, an astrologer and
a third son of a viscount. Henry has lived across the park from her father for
many years. She hopes to marry and keep her independence and control over her
life. Her dowry guarantees that Henry can pursue his research while she
continues to be in control of everything else. Both are in for an eye-opening
experience as they come to find they are so much more together.
Elizabeth Essex’s “A
Lady’s Gift for Scandal” brings Tamsin and Simon. Tamsin wants nothing more
than an independent life much like her aunt who holds salons and does as she
pleases. Her aunt came to this lifestyle following a scandal and that’s just
what Tamsin thinks she needs. Not a huge scandal, just a slight one. That’s
where Simon comes in. He seems a retiring sort who presents to the ton as
somewhat simple since returning from the war. Our man Simon has built up a
reputation that keeps others at bay but not Tamsin whose arrangements bring
them both exactly what didn’t know they needed all along.
Go ahead, snuggle on the
couch with a throw, sip your pumpkin spice latte and enjoy Betrothed by
Christmas!
It's been several years since I've read anything by Jess Michaels. Actually, I've read more of her work when she wrote as Jenna Peterson. When she made major changes with going to ebooks (before I bought my Kindle) and self-publishing, changing her pen name and added more heat to her stories, I more or less stopped reading her. It's not that I don't like what she writes now, but at that time, I didn't own an e-reader. That said, I on my 2nd Kindle now and I still don't read much of her stuff and I'm not really sure why. Probably because I have so many other authors I'm reading now. I do like the sound of the book and will be looking into buying a copy. BTW, I've never read Elizabeth Essex books so I know I'm missing something here.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your good review and bringing me back into the fold or back to the dark side, if you will!!!
I've got a couple of books by Jenna Peterson, but like Karen said, she changed her name and now writes e-books. I don't like e-books, as I much prefer print books. I have't read anything by Elizabeth in a while. My library used to carry her books, but for some unknown reason, they don't have any of her more recent books.
ReplyDeleteJesse Peterson wrote erotica as Jess Michaels at the same time. I read her as both. That being said, I found the level if heat - not erotica here - fit the story.
ReplyDeleteI hope you try this duet out. They were delightful; as are both authors here. Cheers!
Hi all, just to address one comment, all my books are available in print. This one should have the print book up by end of day. Hope that helps clarify.
ReplyDeleteThank you for letting us know that, Jess.
DeleteOoh!! I just started reading Christmas theme books. I will definitely add this to list.
ReplyDeleteMale wallflowers are an interesting twist!
ReplyDeleteI wonder why it is that I love holiday anthologies so much? Thanks for this review. You have made both these stories sound like so much fun. I am not familiar with Ms Michaels. And it is obvious that I have been missing something.
ReplyDeleteThanks again.
I enjoy both of these authors and love Christmas stories. The male wallflower character is going to be a refreshing change. I look forward to seeing how these relationships develop.
ReplyDeletesounds like a wonderful recommendation. Thanks. They both sound good.
ReplyDelete