His Mistletoe Bride [Mass Market Paperback]

Vanessa Kelly (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 2, 2012

Blame It On The Mistletoe--


When Major Lucas Stanton inherited his earldom, he never dreamed his property would include the previous earl's granddaughter. Phoebe Linville is a sparkling American beauty, yes, but with a talent for getting into trouble. Witness the compromising position that forced them into wedlock. Whisked away to Mistletoe Manor, his country estate, it isn't long before she is challenging his rules--and surprising him in and out of bed--


Phoebe has no intention of bowing to Lucas's stubbornness even though he offers all that she wants. His kisses and unexpected warmth are enticing, but Phoebe is determined to show the earl of Merritt what real love is all about. And if that takes twelve nights of delicious seduction by a roaring fire, she's more than willing to reveal her gifts very slowly--


"The perfect holiday treat!" --Kieran Kramer

"A lovely, heartwarming story about romantic love, familial love, and love of one's fellow human beings; it's a story about forgiving and growing and opening one's heart. It's the best kind of Christmas romance." --Just Janga


Praise for Vanessa Kelly and My Favorite Countess


"In her latest sublimely sensual Regency historical, Kelly delivers wit, a tightly knit plot, a refreshingly different hero, and a realistically complicated heroine, who could give Scarlett O'Hara a good run for her money." --Booklist (starred review)

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zebra Books (Mass Market); Original edition (October 2, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1420114840
• ISBN-13: 978-1420114843
• Product Dimensions: 1 x 4.3 x 7.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #797,043 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Kelly combines wit, innocent sensuality, and seduction in this tale of a forced marriage between a beautiful plain-speaking pacifist Quaker and a handsome war hero who inherits a rundown earldom." ~Publishers Weekly

"Kelly pairs an aristocratic former military officer with a young American Quaker in this emotionally intense and beautifully crafted novel. With a small overview of Quaker life, and a large dose of romance, Kelly satisfies readers till the last page." ~ 4 stars, RT Book Reviews

"What an enchanting holiday tale...a delectable treat and the reward, a jolly good Christmas treat!" ~ 4 ½ stars, Affaire de Coeur Book Reviews

"This was my first time reading Vanessa Kelly and it won't be my last! I loved the mix of family, steam, intriguing main characters and holiday cheer." ~ 4 solid stars, Rogues Under the Covers

"The Regency period has never been brought to fictional life in a more entertaining way than in HIS MISTLETOE BRIDE. There is one astounding occurrence after another all throughout this enchanting holiday story, and Vanessa Kelly makes each momentous occasion come across as totally believable...HIS MISTLETOE BRIDE is engagingly imaginative and perfectly sets the holiday mood." ~Single Title Reviews

About the Author

Vanessa Kelly is an award-winning author who was named by Booklist, the review journal of the American Library Association, as one of the "New Stars of Historical Romance."  Her Regency-set historical romances have been nominated for awards in a number of contests, and her second book, Sex and The Single Earl, won the prestigious Maggie Medallion for Best Historical Romance.  Her third book, My Favorite Countess, was nominated for an RT Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Regency Historical Romance.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zebra Books (Mass Market); Original edition (October 2, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1420114840
• ISBN-13: 978-1420114843
• Product Dimensions: 1 x 4.3 x 7.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #797,043 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Vanessa Kelly is an award-winning author who was named by Booklist, the review journal of the American Library Association, as one of the "New Stars of Historical Romance." Her Regency-set historical romances have been nominated for awards in a number of contests, and her second book, Sex and The Single Earl, won the prestigious Maggie Medallion for Best Historical Romance. Her third book, My Favorite Countess, was nominated for an RT Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Regency Historical Romance.

Vanessa's next series, The Renegade Royals, is due to hit the shelves in December, 2013.

Vanessa spends most of the year in Ottawa, Ontario with her husband, but she's lucky enough to spend some of the winter near lovely Amelia Island, Florida. When she's not dreaming of plots for her next Regency historical novel, she's writing USA Today Bestselling contemporary romance with her husband under the pen name of V.K. Sykes.

You can find Vanessa at www.vanessakellyauthor.com or at www.vksykes.com. She's also a member of Rock*It Reads, a group of bestselling traditional authors like Pamela Clare, Elisabeth Naughton, and Erin Kellison, who are also self-publishing. You can find the Rock*It Reads authors at www.rockitreads.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique, Emotional, Heartwarming October 2, 2012

By Lena J. Diaz

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I am extremely fortunate to have been given an advance copy of His Mistletoe Bride, by one of my favorite historical romance authors, Vanessa Kelly. I thoroughly believe Vanessa could write about the phone book and make it an enthralling tale. Her writing style is smart, engaging, and sexy. Her descriptions are pure poetry. And she skillfully brings her characters to life with a mastery I envy as a fellow author, and admire and enjoy as a reader.

When I first began this book, and discovered the heroine was a Quaker, I admit I was worried that I wouldn't enjoy this story as much as I have enjoyed others by Vanessa Kelly. The use of 'thee' and 'thou' and the unfamiliar beliefs and mannerisms of the Quakers was off-putting at first. But the author's skill quickly drew me in and I fell in love with the characters.

Phoebe, the heroine, had an English mother and a Quaker father, and she goes from America to England to live with her grandfather because her parents died. She struggles to fit in, and speaks 'proper' English except when she's upset, in which case she slips back into 'plain English' and the 'thee' and 'thou' words start cropping into her sentences. It's quite endearing seeing her struggle to belong and be accepted but to not abandon her belief system.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story for the same reason that I enjoy all of Vanessa's stories--it is unique. Vanessa is not your ordinary historical romance author. She ALWAYS figures out how to makes her stories different from anything else that is out there, while still keeping enough of the typical historical romance world-building that readers expect. I particularly enjoyed how she used Mistletoe as the name of the hero's manor, and most of the servants had the surname 'Christmas'.... There's even a mutt named Holly.

But perhaps best of all is the sprinkling of well-loved supporting characters from Vanessa's other books. Her die-hard fans will be thrilled to see so many favorites. I loved seeing sexy Dr. John Blackmore again and the fun interplay with his wife, Bathsheba, from My Favorite Countess.

I highly recommend this book. Stick with it past the 'thee' and 'thou' opening chapter. I promise the language gets easier and more familiar, and the wonderful, endearing characters are a true joy. I'll definitely be buying my own copy to put on my keeper shelf, even though I have a free electronic arc. Well-done, Vanessa. Keep them coming! Read more ›

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars His Mistletoe Bride~ October 2, 2012

By Lisa Wolff

Format:Kindle Edition

Phoebe Linville is delighted to finally be going to England to meet her long estranged grandfather. It caused much pain for her mother and she died without resolving the conflict from her marrying a Quaker and moving to America. Now Phoebe has the chance to put the past behind her and find some happiness with her English relatives. However, much to her disappointment, she is met with the news that her grandfather passed away during her voyage over and her grandfather left a very unusual request for her--marry the new earl, Major Lucas Stanton. With her options dwindling (she thinks she should return to her Quaker roots in America with her half brothers family), Phoebe is persuaded to stay with her new English relatives and finds herself falling for the dashing new earl and succumbing to his wicked kisses. One compromising position later, Lucas and Phoebe are forced to wed....but at what cost? Lucas has no faith in love having been badly burned in the past and it has shaped him to the man he is today. With the threat of a smuggling ring at their new home, Mistletoe Manor, it divides Lucas and Phoebe. Will the holiday spirit of friends and family lead this couple to see the joys of love?

This was my first time reading Vanessa Kelly and it won't be my last! I loved the mix of family, steam, intriguing main characters and holiday cheer. Phoebe was a delight to read--I loved how when she was upset (and she gets upset with Lucas often for his hard headed ways) she reverts back into her Quaker plain speak. It becomes an enduring quality to her but she is also bold, smart, loyal, sassy and loves with her whole heart. When she learns more about the smuggling ring, she does all she can to help end it without getting anyone hurt.... Phoebe also sees how the town is struggling and takes it upon herself to revive the holiday traditions of years past and as she grew up without all these traditions, she learns them all along the way. Lucas was a bit harder to warm up to. A former major, he has seen the horrors of war and takes his new, unexpected, responsibilities seriously...perhaps a bit too seriously at times. One moment he is warm and caring with Phoebe and the next, in his attempt to protect her, he comes off hard and standoffish. With his failed relationship in the past, he thinks will never love again but Phoebe just settles herself into his heart but it takes awhile for him to finally admit that. There are also so many wonderful secondary characters (all from previous books that I can't wait to read now) and they add some great fun banter but also some tension. Overall, a delightful holiday read filled with heart, hope, humor, family, trust and happiness that will be sure to warm the cold winter days. A perfect holiday treat! 4 solid stars

*review copy* Read more ›

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars refreshing October 6, 2012

By orphee

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I just finished His Mistletoe bride and i looooved it!!!
they were so natural, so earthy and unexpected, Ms Kelly's books always charmed me
and continue to do so!!!
I am already looking forward to what's next!!!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Layered family relationships. Made me interested to read others in this series! October 2, 2012

By Miranda Owen

Format:Mass Market Paperback

This book contains characters from previous books by this author. Having never read those other ones before, I was still able to enjoy this story. To fully appreciate this story, you have to understand the main characters. Phoebe Linville comes from a Quaker community in America. Her mother was born in England and part of the aristocracy but met, fell in love with, and married somebody from a completely different world. Her parents were happy together but after their death Phoebe felt more strongly that she did not belong in her given environment. When word comes from her maternal grandfather in England that he wishes to meet her and for her to embrace her mother's family, she is thrilled. Although she loves her brother, she feels drawn to England and whatever that may bring. She also yearns for a family connection to provide what she lost by losing her parents. She is surprised to find, when she gets to England, that her grandfather is dead and that his last wishes were for her to live with her maternal relatives and marry Major Lucas Stanton. Lucas is a distant cousin whom Phoebe's grandfather thought would help provide for and protect her. Lucas has a tangled past. When he was a young man, he competed with one of his relatives over the affections of a great beauty. In the end, the woman chose neither man and married someone else. The damage that she left in her wake created a huge rift in Lucas and Stephen's relationship. Lucas threw himself into military life to forget his troubles. It's an older and slightly bitter Lucas that Phoebe first meets. She is a little attracted to him, but worries that his military lifestyle and past family estrangements have made him a man too quick to anger. Lucas is more and more captivated by Phoebe each day. He enjoys her personality and finds her very beautiful.... He is just wary of being in a woman's thrall after his last experience. The main source of conflict in this book is, after their marriage, they find themselves on opposite sides of the local smuggling issue. I liked watching their relationship evolve and how the characters developed over time. I was satisfied with the ending and it made me interested in reading earlier books in this series. Read more ›