Karla Hocker: A Christmas Charade

Charming, romantic, and painted with gorgeous Regency detail, Karla Hocker’s romances will delight readers from the very first page.

Elizabeth Gore-Langton was hardly in a position to refuse to accompany Lady Astley to the Christmas party at Stenton Castle. After all, a paid companion must follow her employer’s wishes. It scarcely mattered that Elizabeth would be forced to face the man who had unknowingly broken her heart years ago during her first season. Most likely, the Duke of Stenton wouldn’t even recognize her. But once she looked up into his dark, piercing eyes, she knew this was a man who forgot very little and forgave even less. Well, she was no longer a blushing schoolgirl, and the dashing duke would soon find that a broken heart, once mended, could be formidable, indeed!

Clive Rowland, Fifth Duke of Stenton, was in no mood for a holiday gathering. But the Christmas gala would provide the perfect cover as he investigated reports that French agents were doing a brisk trade in stolen documents along the Sussex coast. It would be devilishly difficult to play the host while tracking down traitors, but Clive was up to the task—provided he kept his wits about him and didn’t get distracted by yule logs and Christmas folderol… or the delightful charms of the disturbingly familiar Elizabeth. She was hiding something, to be sure, and Clive liked nothing better than unveiling a lady’s secrets!

There is a lot going on in this book, so it took me a while to plow through. And while that makes it sound like a chore (sometimes it was), generally it was an enjoyable, but probably forgettable read.

This is sold as a second chance romance, although the hero was married to the heroine’s friend, and frankly doesn’t remember who she is until the end of the book. However, her mega crush on him is conceivably (although never directly stated) the reason she chose a life of companionship over the leg shackle, and so there is something of a second chance for her.

On top of this unfolding new/old relationship there are about three subplots and a lot of supporting characters (not surprising for its setting at a house party). There is a ghost (yep, a paranormal element), a veteran amputee who is distancing himself from his wife, and a whole smuggling/French spy business going on near the drafty castle. There is a sister in law who is moody, a mother/father who are worried for their veteran son, Great Aunts who are on the hunt for lost treasure, and a meddling best bud and sister. If this sounds complex and confusing, it is. While I appreciated the action, it did detract from the main romance, as so we get lots of little tastes of different romance tropes but never the full treatment. It is also set at Christmas time and there is a smattering of traditions thrown in there to be relatable to the modern audience, but come off a little hokey.

Despite these problems, the writing was strong, the historical attention was well met, and the pay off well done.

5 Stars 3.5 out of 6 Enjoyable clean Regency set at Christmas.