Friday, October 8, 2021

Review & Giveaway - - Mistletoe Christmas



Mistletoe Christmas
An Anthology by Eloisa James, Christi Caldwell,
Janna MacGregor, and Erica Ridley
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: September 28, 2021
Reviewed by PJ 
 


The Duke of Greystoke’s Christmas Revelry is famous throughout the British Isles for its plays, dancing, magical grotto… not to mention scandals leading to the marriage licenses he hands out like confetti.

But not everyone welcomes a visit from Cupid.

Lady Cressida, the duke’s daughter, is too busy managing the entertainments—and besides, her own father has called her dowdy. Her cousin, Lady Isabelle Wilkshire, is directing Cinderella and has no interest in marriage. Lady Caroline Whitmore is already (unhappily) married; the fact that she and her estranged husband have to pretend to be together just makes her dread the party all the more.  But not as much as Miss Louisa Harcourt, whose mother bluntly tells her that this is her last chance to escape the horrors of being an old maid.

A house party so large that mothers lose track of their charges leads to a delightful, seductive quartet of stories that you will savor for the Season!



PJ's Thoughts:

This Christmas anthology sparkles with witty dialogue, poignant emotion, steamy interludes, and happy endings. The four stories, featuring characters all in attendance at the Revelry, interweave with one another while each standing on its own. They all pulled me in, kept me entertained, and gave me four happily-ever-after endings brimming with good feelings and holiday cheer. 


"A Mistletoe Kiss" by Eloisa James

The anthology leads off with a strong story about a young woman whose father (the duke) has turned her into little better than a slave to fuel his societal ambitions and the rich, handsome, and charming man next door whose eyes are suddenly opened to her well-hidden value. Their story is filled with witty banter, humor, a truly good hero (so much fun watching him fall hard and have to work hard for his happy ending), and one of my all-time favorite James heroines. I adored Cressie. Watching her blossom, recognize her worth, and claim her happiness was everything I could have wanted. 


"Wishing Under the Mistletoe" by Christi Caldwell

This second-chance romance showcases the depth of Caldwell's writing skills. I love second chances and Isabelle and Cyrus surely deserved one. I respected Isabelle for following her own path and demanding that she be valued, even at the expense of her own happiness. My heart ached for Cyrus and his misplaced priorities. Their second chance brought growth, tenderness, forgiveness, understanding, a reawakening of love, and a truly splendid grand gesture. As usual, with a Christi Caldwell story, there were heartfelt sighs and happy tears.


"Compromise Under the Mistletoe" by Janna MacGregor

Marriage in trouble is the focus of MacGregor's novella and it's a trope she uses a deft hand to explore in this tale of love, yearning, and miscommunication. I enjoyed the layers of emotion in this tale, the individual growth of both Caroline and Stephen, the flickers of desire still simmering between them that were allowed to slowly but surely grow as they worked through the issues separating them, and the developing understanding and compromise that allowed them to once again claim happiness as a couple.
 

"Mischief and Mistletoe" by Erica Ridley

Ridley's writing chops shine in this fourth novella. If I hadn't read her yet, this novella would have had me seeking out her back list immediately. I adored Isabella and Ewan. They were so perfect for one another. I didn't love what Ewan was doing but I understood his reasons...and his ultimate mea culpa and grand gesture were definitely sigh-worthy. Watching Isabella come into her own was an absolute delight. These two took me on a ride filled with sighs, tears, laughter, and happy endings. 



Have you read the Mistletoe Christmas anthology yet?

Have you read all four authors?

Do you have any Christmas novellas or anthologies to recommend?


Mistletoe Christmas






Eloisa James, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, wrote her first novel after graduating from Harvard, but alas, it was rejected by every possible publisher. After she got an MPhil from Oxford, a PhD from Yale, and a job as a Shakespeare professor, she tried again, with much greater success. In 2013 she won a Rita Award for Best Romance Novella. She teaches Shakespeare in the English department at Fordham University in New York. She is the mother of two children and, in a particularly delicious irony for a romance writer, is married to a genuine Italian knight.

Janna MacGregor was born and raised in the bootheel of Missouri. She is the author of The Bad Luck Bride. She credits her darling mom for introducing her to the happily-ever-after world of romance novels. Janna writes stories where compelling and powerful heroines meet and fall in love with their equally matched heroes. She is the mother of triplets and lives in Kansas City with her very own dashing rogue, and two smug, but not surprisingly, perfect pugs. She loves to hear from readers.

Christi Caldwell is the USA Today bestselling author of more than ten series, including Lost Lords of London, Sinful Brides, The Wicked Wallflowers, and Heart of a Duke. She blames novelist Judith McNaught for luring her into the world of historical romance. When Christi was at the University of Connecticut, she began writing her own tales of love–ones where even the most perfect heroes and heroines had imperfections. She learned to enjoy torturing her couples before they earned their well-deserved happily ever after. Christi lives in Southern Connecticut, where she spends her time writing, chasing after her son, and taking care of her twin princesses-in-training. Fans who want to keep up with the latest news and information can sign up for her newsletter at www.ChristiCaldwell.com.

Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty historical romance novels. Her popular series include the Dukes of War, Rogues to Riches, and Magic and Mayhem.









11 comments:

  1. I have this anthology on my kindle, but I am waiting for November to start my Christmas reading. This one is at the beginning of the queue.

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  2. I can't believe how many Christmas stories are out already

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  3. I read this anthology and I thought it was lovely. The stories made me smile.

    Thanks for the review. Hope everyone is well and safe and happy.

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    1. They made me smile too. Well, all except the dastardly Duke. I was feeling a bit bloodthirsty about him by the end.

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  4. I've read this anthology and recommend it.

    I've read all of the authors many times.


    denise

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  5. Four fabulous authors--I am looking forward to reading the anthology!!!

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  6. I haven't read this yet. I do love to read Christmas anthologies. I have read books by all the authors.

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  7. I haven't read this one yet, but it is on my wish list. I have read all of these authors and am looking forward to this anthology. A great combination, authors I like and holiday stories.

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  8. I really enjoyed this anthology!!! Thanks PJ1!

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