When the Duchess of Haverford sends out invitations to a Yuletide house party and a New Year’s Eve ball at her country estate, Hollystone Hall, those who respond know that Her Grace intends to raise money for her favorite cause and promote whatever marriages she can. Eight assorted heroes and heroines set out with their pocketbooks firmly clutched and hearts in protective custody. Or are they?
The Bluestocking Belles are proud to present eight never before published novellas centered on the Duchess of Haverford’s ball. Her favorite cause is also one dear to the hearts of the Bluestocking Belles, women’s education. 25% of all proceeds will be donated to the Malala Fund.
A Suitable Husband, by Jude Knight
As the Duchess of Haverford’s companion, Cedrica Grenford is not treated as a poor relation and is encouraged to mingle with Her Grace’s guests. Perhaps among the gentlemen gathered for the duchess’s house party, she will find a suitable husband?
Valuing Vanessa, by Susana Ellis
Facing a dim future as a spinster under her mother’s thumb, Vanessa Sedgely makes a practical decision to attach an amiable gentleman who will not try to rule her life.
A Kiss for Charity, by Sherry Ewing
Young widow Grace, Lady de Courtenay, has no idea how a close encounter with a rake at a masquerade ball would make her yearn for love again.
Artemis, by Jessica Cale
Actress Charlotte Halfpenny is in trouble. Pregnant, abandoned by her lover, and out of a job, Charlotte faces eviction two weeks before Christmas. When the reclusive Earl of Somerton makes her an outrageous offer, she has no choice but to accept. Could he be the man of her dreams, or is the nightmare just beginning?
The Bluestocking and the Barbarian, by Jude Knight
James must marry to please his grandfather, the duke, and to win social acceptance for himself and his father’s other foreign-born children. But only Lady Sophia Belvoir makes his heart sing, and to win her he must invite himself to spend Christmas at the home of his father’s greatest enemy.
Christmas Kisses, by Nicole Zoltack
Louisa Wycliff, Dowager Countess of Exeter wants only for her darling daughter, Anna, to find a man she can love and marry. Appallingly, Anna has her sights on a scoundrel of a duke who chases after every skirt he sees. Anna truly thinks the dashing duke cares for her, but her mother has her doubts.
An Open Heart, by Caroline Warfield
Esther Baumann longs for a loving husband who will help her create a home where they will teach their children to value the traditions of their people, but she wants a man who is also open to new ideas and happy to make friends outside their narrow circle. Is it so unreasonable to ask for toe curling passion as well?
Dashing Through the Snow, by Amy Rose Bennett
Headstrong bluestocking, Miss Kate Woodville, never thought her Christmas would be spent racing across England with a viscount hell-bent on vengeance. She certainly never expected to find love…
One of the best deals this holiday season is this mega Christmas theme novella collection. With over 600 pages and a current ebook price of $.99, The Bluestocking Belles pack whole lot of Regency in a very affordable price.
There is a lot of diversity among the collection, with ranging heat and subject matter, as well as varying voices/story telling skills. I didn’t love all the novellas, but I certainly found there was something for everyone here.
A Suitable Husband is woven in between the other novellas, and features one of the standout heroines, Cedrica. I loved her funny, awkward observances and cheered her on towards romance. This was a little jarring at first to jump in and out of her story, but towards the end the method to the madness was evident.
Valuing Vanessa features a heroine passionate about orphans whose interest is peaked by a widower in need of a mother for his teenage daughter…and balm to his heart. There were some sweet moments in this familiar tale of an unlikely match. Even if I did want to spank the bratty daughter.
A Kiss for Charity features a fiery romance sparked by an alpha hero. There is also an orphaned daughter and a reluctant heroine. I kind of wanted to spank the hero, rather than the daughter in this one.
Artemis was my favorite because it was so different and unexpected. The heroine is a bisexual actress and there is a gender bending plot a foot. I thought the writing was super strong and I love new voices in Reg Rom as much as I love the masquerade theme. I was surprised to find this nestled among more traditional/mainstream Regencies, but thrilled to discover a new voice!
The Bluestocking and the Barbarian plays with the miscommunication plot and features another alpha leaning hero and a more tender hearted heroine. There is some light grappling with ethnic prejudice which offers additional depth.
Christmas Kisses’ hero is infuriating, rude jerk. He redeems himself in the end, and this story gives a little bit of the “sins of the father” theme to enrich the love story.
An Open Heart has a Jewish H/h who spend much of their story away from each other, but come together in the end. I loved that the heroes “journey” matches their journey to love and discovery of how to come together. I appreciated another diverse voice with unexpected characters.
Dashing Through the Snow this is a great novella for those who love sexy tension and H/h banter. Two characters are thrown together by their siblings elopement in a race to save their reputations. Fun and fast read.
Overall, this deviation from the traditional Christmas Regency collection features a whole lot of social commentary and playing with the rules. It has its anachronistic moments, and some of the writing is stronger than others but overall its a great diversion for a busy winter.
Those looking for fluff, fun and formula might want to stay away…but for those more adventurous Reg Readers check this out. I guarantee you will adore at least one of these unique romances.
4.5 out of 6 A diverse collection with something for everyone tackles issues of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and religion for added depth
| Content Rating/Heat Index | |
|---|---|
| Mature Content |   |
| Mentions of mistresses, multiple partners | |
| Intimacy | |
| Lots of kissing | |
| Violence | |
| Not really | |
| Overall |  |
|---|---|
| Diversity recommends more mature readers. | |
*A review copy was provided by the author. No other compensation was provided.
