One Wicked Christmas by Amanda McCabe
London,
1806
Lady Cassandra Osborne is ready to take a new lover to her bed—and knows
exactly the man she wants: Sir Ian Chandler, her late husband's rakish best
friend. The single kiss they'd shared had made her feel alive again, awakening
dark needs she didn't even know she had…though Ian had quickly pulled away.
Cassie is sure he doesn't want her, until their reunion at a Christmas house
party tempts them to succumb to the desire that has haunted them both.
All well and good, except for the fact that
Ian is referred to as David in the author’s introduction. I felt the story was spoiled
even before I started to read. It was an error that I did feel should have been
picked up before publication. Christmas featured quite a lot in this story, but
as with the rest of the book, the tales could have taken place at any time of
the year. The story based itself around misunderstandings and lack of
communication; two people in love with one another, but neither of them willing
to be the first to risk their friendship and admit to their true feelings.
Virgin Unwrapped by Christine Merril
The thought of Robert Breton's touch fills Anne Clairemont with a
delicious, scandalous heat—but her family's happiness depends on her going
through with her planned marriage to his wealthy, cold business partner. Then
Robert gives her a searing kiss beneath the mistletoe that changes everything.
Soon he's showing Anne the intimate pleasures they could share, determined to
fan the flame of their desire and convince her to call off her engagement. But
can she disappoint her parents to be with Robert, or will she break her own
heart first?
Anne
has chosen to become engaged to Mr Joseph Stratford, due to an unfortunate turn
of events concerning her family. However, it is clear from the beginning that
the reader is to feel she is the shy daughter of forceful parents, who have
frogmarched her into this unfortunate situation. It doesn’t quite match with the wanton woman
who trots off to bed with her intended’s best friend, the night their
engagement is announced. I didn’t like Anne, as she seemed rather deceitful and
not at all the usual brand of heroine who would appear in this type of
collection. For me, that made it difficult to enjoy the story.
An Illicit Indiscretion by Brownyn Scott
London, 1835.
Dashiell Steen, heir to the Earl of
Heathridge, is tired of boring dinner parties and matchmaking mamas. He craves
one final adventure before he's forced to settle down and finds it with a
vivacious beauty escaping from a manor window! Elisabeth Becket's intelligence
and rebellious sprit excite both his mind and his body, stirring a mutual
attraction that neither can resist. But will their illicit encounter last when
she discovers Dashiell is the unwanted suitor she was trying to escape?
This was my favourite
story from the collection. The author’s introduction was well written and her
research seemed thorough. The story surrounding the couple was unique and
enjoyable; focusing on the arrival of a once- in- a- life- time comet. Elisabeth
is the type of heroine I love to read about. She is intelligent and sensual,
yet she tries for the sake of her family’s reputation to stay in line as much
as possible. However, for the sake of her own sanity, she allows herself to
break free every once in a while.
A Rake For Christmas by Ann Lethbridge
A Rake For Christmas by Ann Lethbridge
England, 1813
After years of struggling against her wicked
desires, Lady Eugenie Hardwick is being driven wild by the sounds of
unrestrained passion coming from her neighbor’s bedroom. The thought of Lord
Richard Townsend, a notorious rake, sets her body quivering with need—even
though she’s never yet seen his face. When they finally meet in person on
Christmas Eve, it only takes one masterful kiss to unleash Eugenie’s inner
temptress for a night of pleasure with the devilish lord. But Eugenie must
ensure their holiday affair remains a secret so she doesn’t get ruined—again…
Eugenie is another
spirited and admirable heroine. The reader discovers that she is a woman forced
to live away from her family, after an earlier indiscretion brought shame upon them.
Keeping to herself, she shies away from society, but not from the sensual,
nocturnal, noises of her neighbour.
I liked this story for the
fact that Lord Richard doesn’t immediately feel it necessary to offer marriage,
just because he sleeps with Eugenie. She in turn, doesn’t expect it. Eugenie is
a strong minded woman, ahead of her time, with a sensual Christmas story to accompany
her.
Spellbound & Seduced by Marguerite Kaye
Scottish Highlands, 1822.
Two hundred years ago, a witch cursed all the
women in Jura Mcnair's family to be widowed on their first wedding anniversary,
until a true and perfect love could break the spell. Jura has chosen a life of
loneliness instead of risking the sorrow of losing a husband. Then fate brings
handsome Lawrence Connaught to her cottage, and for the first time she realises
the lure of temptation. She may never know love, but just once Jura is
determined to experience a taste of forbidden desire.
To me, this story didn’t
fit with the collection. To complete the collection in Scotland, with witches
and suspicions was rather a strange addition. There was something disjointed about its inclusion
that made me feel as though it had been added as an after-thought.
On the whole, I did feel
as though there was a very thin nod towards the festive season with the collection.
I had purchased the book to get me in the festive spirit, but it didn’t really
work for me at all.
