Customer Reviews

Christmas Wedding Belles: The Pirate's Kiss\A Smuggler's Tale\The Sailor's Bride (Harlequin Historical)

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I'm not sure what's going on with the publishing companies lately but this is the fourth or fifth book that's packaged as being a holiday romance that isn't. I have to admit that as I read the stories I was soured against them when I realized that the title and cover art have little to do with the stories presented inside. I gave the anthology one star because over all, the stories weren't horrible, they just were bland and didn't have anything really to do with christmas.

The first story I found myself skimming through not only because I was searching for christmasy events but because I didn't care for the character of the hero. Basically when they were in their late teens, they became engaged then he left to join the navy and...forgot all about her. How a man who sleeps with and proposes to a woman he's known all his life and then just 'forgets' about her to the point that when they meet again he doesn't recognize her even though it's only been about 10 years is beyond me. She waits for 4 years with absolutely no word from him-not even a quick note or visit while hearing that he's turned pirate- before she can't take the neighbors twittering behind her back and she marries the first guy who asks. now a widow working as a governess, she meets up with him again. I was hoping that there was something to redeem him of this behavior (languising in a prison, perhaps?) but no, he really and truly just...forgot her. I just couldn't muster up enough respect for a man like that to care if they got back together.

The second story was...different. A woman goes sneaking off to the harbor late at night after her brother ( a grown man, not a child) to find out what he's been up to and stop him. What she thought was going to happen I'm not sure. what did happen was she was discovered by smugglers whose first response is to slit her throat. One of the main guys saves her and takes her onto the boat where he then must pretend to rape her in order to save her life (this involves her taking off most of her clothes and letting him kiss her). after they're rescued and her brother's real involvement is exposed they go home. The hero shows up and reveals himself as a Lord and he spends a few days being nice to her before telling her he loves her and wants to marry her. There's a brief mention of christmas. this story also had several greally gross-out moments just to warn you.

The third story takes place in Italy and deals with a girl trying to take the antiquities cataloging job her newly dead father had taken in England. She uses all her money to take a boat to Italy with the hopes that the ambassedor in Italy will be willing to let her do the job and is desperate since she dosen't have enough money for passage back to england. Now how intelligent is that? In 1798 women were not often given jobs in antiquities-especially priceless collections. What would have happened to her if he hadn't been willing to let her do the job? With no money, no connections or friends, not speaking the language?? The hero was very young-usually hero's are in their early to late thirties. This on is twenty-three and already a naval lieutenant. He was nice enough but sounded and acted very young. He was also supposed to be a younger son of an earl, but the author has him sent to the navy at age 13. Most aristocratic children would still be in school at that age. He also states that he hasn't had much interaction with 'society'. A child of an earl who's never been in society? Even being in the navy there would be interactions when he went home, made port, etc. it just didn't seem very realistic.

Over all, this was a waste of my money. None of the stories really sparkled or kept my interest. they weren't horrific, but they weren't good either. And none of them were Christmas stories. If you're looking for those warm, magical sleigh rides and mistletoe holiday regency romances, I'd see if the Signet regency christmas anthologies are still available. They were always worth it.

From the back of the book:

THE PIRATE'S KISS by Nicola Cornick - Famous and feared pirate Daniel de Lancey is master and commander of the "Defiance." Only one woman makes him want to swap danger for desire, sea for seduction . . . . And with one Christmas kiss, he will make Lucinda his bride!

A SMUGGLER's TALE by Margaret McPhee - Masquerading as a smuggler, society's handsome bad boy, Lord Jack Holberton, finds himself protecting young Miss Linden's honor, despite his reputation. But will this rake keep his twelfth-night promise and return to claim her as his own?

THE SAILOR's BRIDE by Miranda Jarrett - War-ravaged Lieutenant Lord James Richardson is about to put in to Naples after a victorious sea battle that has made him a hero but has left its mark on his soul. Young and innocent, Abigail Layton is just the woman to heal his hardened heart . . . .

If you are buying this book to get in the Christmas mood, don't. Christmas is mentioned as the season that they all are taking place in, but that's about it. However, if you want to read three nice heart-warming love stories then these three stories fill the bill. I bought the book mainly for the story by Nicola Cornick. It features Daniel de Lancey who was in the series of books called "Bluestocking Brides" which I had previously read. His character was so interesting as a pirate who really wasn't but a man serving his country as a spy and had given up his life to do so because no one including his only family, a sister, and his then fiance could know about it. That was ten years ago. Then he accidentally bumps into his ex-fiance who still has strong feelings for him but so hurt from his just leaving her hanging ten years ago. It is my favorite story of the book and I venture to say all the "Bluestocking Brides" books as well. When a book brings tears to my eyes which this one did at the end, it's a pretty good book to me. Although I had never read anything by Margaret McPhee, I was impressed with her story. It started off very quickly with the female character, Francesca, in trouble and the male character, Lord Jack Holberton, having to protector her from harm or possibly death. He continues to court her afterwards in spite of their class differences. This is a nice relaxing read. The final story by Miranda Jarrett was the least favorite of the three although it was a good story. It took place in Naples, Italy during the war with Napoleon, and the female character is in a place where she shouldn't be doing work she shouldn't have been doing. The young soldier is thrown into helping her with her task which brought an early attraction to each other into a beautiful love story. I think if you are looking for a book just to sit down and enjoy about lovers in love and impossible situations to surpass then this book is the one.