Customer Reviews

Christmas Wishes

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

You can never go wrong with a Metzger novel. The characters are always engaging and charming. And there are such funny and endearing moments in all of them.

Juneclaire has had a rather dreary upbringing as an orphan (poor relation) in a relative's home. But one Christmas she must escape - and she does -- right into the arms of rake. Compromised by spending an innocent night with him in the stable where they are trapped, the Earl of St. Cloud honorably asks for her hand. But Juneclaire does not want to trap him into marriage and "Merry" St. Cloud spends the rest of the Christmas season trying to find this wayward waif that he has fallen madly in love with (as she has with him).

Other amusing situations occur to make this a wonderful holiday romp. Light, fun reading!

Metzger craftily weaves her plot of two people who need each other and find their hearts' desires during the Christmas season.

I am enchanted withMetzger's zany characters and witty style. The characters are likeable and fun.

If you can get a hold of this book, I guarantee it will be an asset to your regency library.

It's no secret that I am one of author Barbara Metzger's greatest fans, thus it hardly can be a surprise that I reveled in CHRISTMAS WISHES.

Over the past several years, Metzger's publisher has released Christmas-themed books in time for the holidays and each and every one of them has been wonderful.

Barbara Metzger is the living successor to Georgette Heyer who, in turn, was the successor to Jane Austen herself. Nowadays, the same modern readers who sneer at the category of "Regency Romance" nonetheless feel quite superior about enjoying the work of Austen. Yet while Austen inadvertently created the genre, and quite brilliantly, her modern descendants have the benefit of hindsight and, therefore, of whimsy.

Under these terms, Metzger is the best of the best. Her sense of humor, as always, shines through. Since every romance novel ultimately must finish with a happy conclusion, getting there is all the fun.

Metzger excells at the romp, always with pets and villains and damsels in distress, unkind guardians and drop-dead gorgeous rakes -- rakes who, more often than not, hold high noble titles and are changed into the best of men through the love of good women.

In CHRISTMAS WISHES, add ghosts and pirates and highwaymen, and cranky old ladies with hearts of gold who allow barnyard animals in the "house" (a palace) to understand why a Barbara Metzger romance is so much fun, and why her Christmas novels have become a seasonal ritual for many of her fans.

Metzger is such an authoritative author that, at her description, one almost can smell the evergreen swags and taste the rum punch.

Start the holiday season off right by reading CHRISTMAS WISHES!

Although she was born into the ancien régime, Juneclaire Beaumont now lives as a poor relation--until a crisis sends her packing. But the road to London is not easy, and she must take shelter in a stable with a handsome, scowling stranger also in a predicament. Although he could take advantage of the situation, he behaves as a gentleman. He proposes marriage but Juneclaire doesn't want to trap him into marriage. After she slips out of town, the earl will spend the twelve days of Christmas on a neck-or-nothing ride to find her...

I had this book for about two years but I never got to read it. Finally, I read it and I liked it very much. It's a funny, fast-paced, entertaining read. Barbara Metzger did a wonderful job with the story and the characters. There are a few twists in the story that will keep us entertained and looking for answers. I don't want to give away much, so I'll leave it here.

My only complaint is that the ending felt rushed. So many loose ends are tied together in the last chapter. There was very little dialogue and a lot of narration. It all happened too fast for me. Other than that, very good read.

This was the funniest and most delightful book I have read in a long time. The character Junclaire is never boring and I found myself laughing out loud to some of her situations especially when I figured out her friend was a pig. Needless to say I would suggest this book to all my friends!