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Beneath the Mistletoe by Charlotte Featherstone
Lady Holly Harrington watched Andrew from afar, flitting from one beautiful woman to the next. He was everything her girlish fantasies could conjure, the perfect man. The night before Christmas he gives her the only present she wants -a kiss, an unspoken promise for the future. Only to have him disappear from her life without a word.
The night Andrew Nightingale returned, Holly’s perfect, if lonely life is thrown into turmoil. So much so, she thinks she can hear and see her grandmother’s ghostly figure. But instead of solace and words of comfort, the ghost urges her into Andrew’s arms! Uneasy in Andrew’s presents, fighting her own desires, Holly is unsure how to handle his single minded pursuit.
The tension started a little slow in ‘Beneath the Mistletoe’, but Charlotte Featherstone picked up the pace and kept me entertained. Holly’s innocence is enduring and very well written, but she seems a little too knowledgeable at some of Andrew’s insinuations. Andrew’s sensuality matched Holly’s innocence, making them a perfect matched.
A Bluestocking Christmas by Monica Burns
Simon Carlton, the Viscount Wycombe, is a man determined to protect his family, disobedient nephew included. Even the onerous duty of seducing the delectable Ivy Beecham away from his much too young nephew is not too large of task to ask.
Ivy Beecham dislikes the nobility and Simon is no exception. Yet sparks fly on the first meeting. Even with his hateful words and insulting attitude, Ivy can’t help but be attracted. But when things go wrong, their relationship in ruins, Ivy despairs of loosing the only man she loves. A special ghost, an ancestor of hers, reminders her of just why she loves Simon. After learning about the misconception in her past, Ivy must make the decision to either let Simon go or fight for him.
I had a hard time trying to figure out what time period this story took place. I loved the idea of the returning ghost, but the story started off slow and a little disjointed. By the end of the book everything became clear and ended up being an enjoyable read. Simon custom made seduction was very masterful, showing him as a man who truly loves and knows his woman. Ivy’s mood swings from love him to hate him was a little distracting.
A Kind of Magic coauthored by both
Julie Taylor has always hated Christmas. Each year the feeling of dread increased. Now this year, having just been dumped by her fiancée, behind on a writing deadline, and suffering severe writers block, Julie decides to take action. It is time for a vacation. But plans for the trip go awry when she meets the handsome Brock Maitland.
Brock had a chance at love but threw it away. Now cursed by gypsies, he must search for his true love or face the rest of existence without once feeling that emotion. Only the woman he finds is not who he expected. After 200 years of searching, will Brock be able to convince Julie to give him a chance? Or will his misconceived notions cost him the only woman he could love?
The beginning started off a little slow, with us reading Julie’s thoughts. But after the first few pages ‘A Kind of Magic’ caught and held me tight. And the airplane ride –wow! I love that scene. The ending has a cast of characters to keep straight, but it wraps up the trilogy, leaving this reader content. Out of the three, I felt this one was by far the best and worth the wait.
Reviewed by Stacey Brutger
for The Road to Romance
January 25, 2006
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