The Last Chance at Christmas Ball
Authors: Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverly, Joanna Bourne, Patricia Rice, Nicola Cornick, Cara Elliot, Anne Grace & Susan King
Publisher: Zebra
Release date: 29 September 2015
Christmas 1815.
Upstairs and downstairs, Holbourne Abbey is abuzz with preparations for a grand ball to celebrate the year’s most festive—and romantic—holiday. For at the top of each guest’s wish list is a last chance to find true love before the New Year…
A chance meeting beneath the mistletoe, a stolen glance across the dance floor—amid the sumptuous delicacies, glittering decorations, and swell of the orchestra, every duchess and debutante, lord and lackey has a hopeful heart. There’s the headstrong heiress who must win back her beloved by midnight—or be wed to another….the spinster whose fateful choice to relinquish love may hold one more surprise for her…a widow yearning to glimpse her long-lost love for even one sweet, fleeting interlude …a charming rake who finds far more than he bargained for. And many other dazzling, romantic tales in this star-studded collection that will fill your heart and spice up your holidays…
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It's that time of the year when it's dark and cold outside and Christmas is approaching. What better way to enjoy the time of the year than with Christmas stories? This anthology features eight short stories all centered around Lady Holly's Christmas ball, known as the Last Chance Christmas Ball. Each of them were enjoyable and perfect bite size lengths, there were a few that particularly stood out to me that I wanted to highlight.
Mistletoe Kisses by Anne Gracie was such a sweet little story. Allie has spent her youth running her house and caring for her mother, and then her father, in their illnesses. Now, her cousin has inherited and she is leaving her family home to work as a schoollteacher in Bath. I loved Allie, she's so sweet-natured and resilient without having hardened herself. She's still so optimistic and accepts her fate with cheer and determination. She settles down to enjoy a solitary final Christmas in her home when a carriage crashes nearby. John Kelsey and his sister seek shelter with Allie until help can be found after a snowstorm strands them at Allie's home. Allie and John share a chemistry, but she doesn't dare to expect anything at her 'advanced' age. Allie and John have a lovely romance that feels natural and comfortable, with a good dash of heat to mix in the passion.
A Season for Marriage by Nicola Cornick was also a lovely story. I was surprised by how much emotion the story stirred considering its short length. Caro was in love with her older brother's friend, Piers, when Piers accidentally 'compromises' her and they marry. Unfortunately Piers has a strong aversion to love and when he realises how Caro feels he distances himself. This leads to a rather strained marriage, with Caro having reached the end of her tether. Desperate to save her marriage Caro abruptly leaves for Holbourne Abbey, forcing Piers to chase after his wife and acknowledge the feelings between them.
Overall, you can't go wrong with this sweet collection of holiday romances. Each one has a couple coming together for their final chances at love. I loved the way some of the characters were featured in several stories, tying them together nicely. A perfect book to sit by the fire with and wait for Santa.
*I received a review copy for my honest opinion. Thank you!
About the Authors
Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverley, Joanna Bourne, Patricia Rice, Nicola Cornick, Cara Elliott, Anne Gracie, Susan King are the ladies otherwise known as the Word Wenches. These eight authors have written a combined 231 novels and 74 novellas. They’ve won awards such as the RITAS, RT Lifetime Achievement award, RT Living Legend, and RT Reviewers Choice award. Several of them are regulars on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists. Learn more at www.wordwenches.com.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter
Giveaway
There are 3 paperback copies of The Last Chance Christmas Ball to be won to celebrate its release. Good luck!
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