Bloggin' 'bout Books: 11/01/17

2023 Literary Escapes Challenge

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Regency Romance + Christmas Setting = Warm, Charming Combination

9:08 PM

(Image from Deseret Book)

http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/p/lds-authors.html

Peanut butter and jelly. Cookies and milk. Hot chocolate and marshmallows. Some things just go together, you know? I'm fairly new to Regency romance books, so I've never really considered what a sweet combination could result from pairing the genre with magical holiday settings. If Christmas Grace, a collection of Regency love stories by various authors, is any indication, I'd call the mixture a very pleasant one indeed.

Christmas Grace, a new collection of holiday tales by beloved LDS romance writers, includes four selections:

"Let Nothing You Dismay" by Jennifer Moore tells the story of Ben Talbot and Camilla "Millie" Prince, childhood sweethearts whose elopement ends with a tragic accident. Reunited after eight years with no contact, the former fiancés have a second chance at love. Are they brave enough to take it?

"Christmas at Canterwood" by Krista Lynne Jensen stars Julia Seaton, a governess who's taxed with keeping up the spirits of the children in her care while their parents are away from home at Christmastime. When the handsome but too-serious vicar gets roped into Julia's plan to distract the kids, unexpected sparks start to fly.

"Winter Angel" by Anita Stansfield concerns Mariah Pritchard, the 22-year-old daughter of a London baker. When she encounters a poor, beaten man during her rounds of distributing bread to the homeless, she's surprised to discover he's a gentleman in disguise. She's even more shocked by her heart's reaction to the down-on-his-luck stranger.

"Christmas Grace" by Chalon Linton begins with a carriage accident that brings a young widow into the care of a kind stranger. When a storm strands Grace Hershaw at the estate of handsome, cheerful Gordon Burgess, the two work together to plan a holiday fete. Will Gordon's charms manage to capture the widow's attention, let alone her heart?

While I enjoyed some of the stories more than others ("Christmas at Canterwood" is my favorite), all four are filled with enough charm, hope, and love to warm even the coldest heart. Short and sweet, they make for light but uplifting reading that is especially well suited for the busy holiday season. A satisfying collection, this book would make a fun gift for anyone who enjoys clean, happy endings-guaranteed Regency love stories. If you are looking for a quick, Christmas-y read to get you into the holiday spirit, look no further. You've found it.

Readalikes: Hm, this is the first Regency Christmas tale I've ever read, so I'm not sure what to compare it to ... Any ideas?

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