Valentines from Bath

A most excellent historical collection. I very much enjoyed this novella collection. Jude Knight and Sherry Ewing’s contributions were enjoyable. It was nice to read some new to me authors as well. Highly recommend.

This was a nice collection of novella romances about Regency women who are on the sidelines of balls and some have been for years, but are still strong independent heroines and the men who fall for them. The stories all center around a Valentine’s Day Ball held in Bath, England. Some stories and characters I liked better than others. There was plenty steam and sweet romance and some suspenseful and funny moments.

A phenomenal collection of stories from some of the best authors of historical romance. When this group come together I always know once I turn the first page I am lost until the last page is turned!! The collection is centered around a Valentine's Day ball held in the assembly rooms in Bath, England. Wow I would have loved to see that actually happening! Can you imagine? A cornucopia of characters who each try to find their happy ever after when least expected! Beauty and the Bounder by Jessica Cale A case of a man desperate to find a wife with money has Sebastian posing as someone he is not. But with all the women he meets, there is one that he cannot keep his eyes from and that is Lady Emilia. Her instincts tell her he is not as he appears but at times, that does not matter in love. Such a sweet story that warmed my heart and made me smile! The Earl Takes A Wife by Sherry Ewing Be still my heart. Meeting at a house party, Lady Celia falls completely in love with Lord Adrian. Looking into her eyes, he sees her innocence and beauty shining through but she is very young and they will soon be related by marriage! Letting her know that, as he begins to leave she tells him "Yes, well.. I suppose such may be the case. Time will tell. Time.. yes..time is all we need. Will you wait for me Lord de Courtenay..Adrian?" Wow I was so mesmerized and I could almost see her and hear the words. But things seem to go awry when his sister Miranda gets involved giving Celia advice. This is a journey to find an incomparable love that hopefully will bring the too together. Sherry's stories always grip my heart and I am left in awe. The Beast Next Door by Jude Knight My favorite trope comes alive in the words of one of the best storytellers I have read. Charis is one of the Fishingham sisters who know that one needs to marry for money in order for the rest to have a season and find a husband. She is the quiet sister who has never gotten over her neighbor Eric. She always was his friend and his terrible scars never bothered her. In a twist, he has feelings for her also but has gained the title of Earl but wants to make sure it is not his title that draws her. Can his omission hurt her to the point of pushing her away. Can these two find true love? I could have strangled his mother who was his greatest detractor and always belittle's him. What a wonderful story of love and redemption that made my heart smile. The Umbrella Chronicles: John and Emma's Story by Amy Quinton If you have not read any of the stories involving Lady Harriett, who is a matchmaker extraordinaire with her famous umbrella, you have missed some delightful tales!! Dr John Edward is a man with a compulsive nature toward order and is ruled by specific routines (yes a lot of OCD). But when he literally runs into Emma, the niece of Lady Harriet, his life is about to change!! Emma has her own foibles a little opposite of John. Well they are opposites and they do attract don't they? As fun love story filled with humor and witty banter that will entertain you until the end! Aunt Harriett strikes again!! Another marvelous story by this talented author. Candles In the Dark by Caroline Warfield An almost fairy tale story that won my heart from the beginning. A hero who is trying to find his place after coming home from the war with a leg injury and inheriting his Uncle's candle making business. Douglas has so much compassion with helping others who are experiencing hardships and need help. But he is trying his best to obtain a contract to supply the candles to the Assembly rooms for the Valentine dance. He meets a pregnant Esther, who has been used badly by a man of means and disowned by her father. Doug helps her and learns her secret, but will he also defend her when needed? Can these two find a happy ending? This was such an engaging story of two people trying to survive, who really needed each other. Caroline always pulls me into her world of exceptional characters who deal with life and come out the victor.