From some of the biggest names in Regency historical romance, over twenty witty, romantic, and sensual short stories. The collection will include stories from Mary Balogh, Julia Templeton, Sara Bennett, Jo Beverley, and Amanda Grange.
The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
For Regency fans - ruination, reconciliation and romance most with a 'highly improper' bit of steam,
By
This review is from: The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance (Paperback)
I love these Mammoth Romance Anthologies. So, even though regency romances are not my thing, I couldn't resist giving The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance (TMBoRR) with its twenty three short romances a try. And I ended up being glad that I did.
This BIG book had a nice variety of stories, most of which felt much longer than I would have imagined and many with a surprising amount of steam. I found that the stories which I liked best were not the ones with the most complicated setups, mostly because there just wasn't the space for those stories to transition in a way which made the resolutions satisfying. On the whole I found that stories which built off of a 'big misunderstanding' to keep former lovers apart for years and which had them hating each other at the start were my least favorite. Instead, I preferred the stories with lovers seperated by circumstance getting a second chance, or the ones with neighbors or friends taking it to the next level. I am not knowledgeable when it comes to this genre - although, to my surprise, I did actually recognize a few authors. So I can't really comment on the popularity of the collection of authors which editor Tricia Telep has amassed for TMBoRR. But if Telep's other collections are any indication, I am sure that regency fans will find many beloved names. Here's a short blurb for each author's story and my rating for each (2 stars= didn't like it, 3 stars - it was ok, 3.5 stars - it was pretty good, 4 stars - liked it, 4.5 stars - I really liked it) "Desperate Measures" - Candace Hern - She's decided to get the attention of the man she's secretly loved by making him jealous but there's a slight hitch in her plan. (4 stars) "Upon a Midnight Clear" - Anna Campbell - An accident brings an estranged husband and wife back together after ten years. Could fate be offering them a second chance? (3 stars - a ten year big misunderstanding was just too much for me) "The Dashing Miss Langley" - Amanda Grange - After two years, an independent woman reconnects with the man she thought would 'offer' for her but whose absence left her questioning his true feelings. (4 stars) "Cynders and Ashe" - Elizabeth Boyle - A dissatisfied customer and a misplaced invitation combine to offer a talented seamstress a second opportunity to attend a highly coveted annual ball and to see the 'prince' she was forced to flee the last go round. (4.5 stars - A charming twist on Cinderella, a bit of 'magic' made the initial quick connection work for me) "His Wicked Revenge" - Vanessa Kelly - He plans to blackmail his former lover into becoming his mistress to gain revenge on her family (2 star -a big misunderstanding plus the leading man in this one started out so ruthless that I was mad at the heroine for forgiving his repeated rotten treatment so easily.) "Lady Invisible" - Patricia Rice - A widowed Major back from war needs a wife to help him tame his wild child. (4 stars - pleasant enough, I liked the former military officer who was clueless about the women in his life) "The Piano Tutor" - Anthea Lawson - A handsome piano tutor brings more than music back into a young widow's life. (3.5 stars - pleasant enough) "Stolen" - Emma Wildes - Friends since childhood, after helping her 'retrieve' her property, he maneuvers her into sharing a room at an inn and the intimate adventure he's always dreamt of (4.5 stars - I love it when dreams come true) "Her Gentleman Thief" - A victim of highway robbery on the eve of her wedding, a young woman allows a thief to steal her reputation in order to save her sister's. (4 stars - The hero had promise and I'd have liked for this one to have been a bit longer) "The Weatherly's Ball" - Christine Kelley - Even though it's been years and she is now a widow, the tales of her ruination still persist as the woman returns to the ball where her reputation was lost and finds the ghost from her past still alive. (4 stars - the hero loses some of his appeal when he's cruel to the heroine) "Panchamaabhuta"- Leah Ball - A widow and a sexy roguish thief vie for the possession of a ring (3 stars - I had a hard time getting past, the heroine sleeping with stranger she knows is a thief) "Angelique" - Margo Maguire - Returning from abroad after her father's death, a woman finds that the fiancé she jilted is trustee to her inheritance. (3.5 stars) "Like No Other" - Caroline Linden - A retired sea captain, captivated by his widowed neighbor longs to move their friendship beyond pleasant conversation shared across their common garden wall. (4.5 stars - the slow growing love and two people finally taking the risk to acknowledge it, appealed to me) "Catch of the Season" - Shirley Kennedy - Lord Melton, the "catch of the Season", has asked her to wed. She should be thrilled but should she go with her head or with her heart when she meets his "ne'er do well" younger brother. (4 stars) "French Intuition" - Delilah Marvelle - An estranged couple will play a bedroom game to try to regain what was lost between them and save their marriage. (3 stars - this has the skeleton of really good story but needed to be longer to capitalize on it) "A Suitable Gentleman" - Sara Bennett - Resigned to taking care of her hypochondriac aunt, a woman entertains no hope of marriage or family, but a newcomer to town captivated by her wit may just change her mind. (3.5 stars - this one also needed to be longer, but the hero's enchantment with the heroine, connected with me) "Gretna Green" - Sharon Page - Though she's fled from marriage herself, a dressmaker facilitates elopements for young ladies wishing to wed men not of their parents choosing - until the lover she left behind turns up to investigate the disappearance of one of the young ladies. (4 stars) "Little Miss Independent" - Julia Templeton - Five years later she is no longer a child in pigtails but a beautiful young women who takes his breath away. She sees past the scars which have made him a monster in society's eyes to the man she has always loved. (4.5 stars - beauty and the beast, with a dollop of secret love for a big brother's best friend - both favorite themes of mine) "The Devil's Bargain" - Deborah Raleigh - A married woman has carved a new life for herself until the husband she abandoned on her wedding day turns up. (3 stars - another big misunderstanding too easily resolved) "Kindred Souls" - Barbara Metzger - A woman who was 'ruined' and a former soldier whose name was besmirched by the same foul man, are former sweethearts who have a chance to reclaim their honor and their love. (2 stars - I just wasn't able to get involved in this story) "Remember" - Michelle Ann Young - A rakish man is hired by a family to save a young lord from offering for a fortune seeking woman and if at the same time the rake gets his revenge on the woman with whom he shared a past, it's all the better. (3.5 stars) "Moonlight" - Carolyn Jewel - A young man and a widow who have shared a lifelong friendship discover that everything between them suddenly looks different by moonlight. (4 stars - but I'd have liked it better as a full novel, the transition from friends to lovers needed days not minutes - for those with language issues this one has a variant of the f-word) "Invitation to a Scandal" - Lorraine Heath - Inheriting a title and a huge debt, a broken young Earl sits in an almost empty mansion until he receives and invitation and a proposition from a beautiful wealthy young woman with a scandalous heritage. (4.5 stars - the heroine was incredibly appealing and I liked how she achieves her dreams while bringing him back to life)
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A delightful collection of delicious treats!,
By
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This review is from: The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance (Paperback)
Some people like anthologies... others do not. Me? I happen to love them because I always find a new author or two to add to my reading list! I know... a blessing and a curse when looking at shelf space. But what makes this book even better is that all the stories are brand new, and original - no reprints here!
Below is a brief synopsis of each story - in published order - and to simplify rating 23 individual stories, I have rated them as follows... LOVED IT, ENJOYED IT, JUST OK, or DIDN'T LIKE IT. DESPERATE MEASURES by Candice Hern (17 pages)- It's all planned... Philip will pose as Lydia's attentive love interest at the Erskine ball in a scheme to get the man she loves to notice her. But when Philip doesn't show and Geoffrey steps in to help Lydia instead, can she hide the fact that Geoffrey was the man she was trying to make jealous to begin with? ENJOYED IT. I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet story with, of course, a sweet happy ending. UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR by Anna Campbell (31 pages)- Sebastian Sinclair, Earl of Kinvarra comes to the aid of a coach that tumbled off a frosty road. When the woman who emerges from the broken coach turns out to be his own wife travelling with another man, he's stunned but helps her get to safety. But when the storm strands them at a roadside inn for the night, will they be able to tolerate each other in the morning? ENJOYED IT. Rather predictable but a good read! I wish it had been longer. THE DASHING MISS LANGLEY by Amanda Grange (27 pages)- Annabelle Langley whisks her besotted niece, Caroline, away to the country hoping to cure her infatuation with the gardener's grandson. But when they happen upon Daniel, the man Annabelle lost her heart to a year ago, will sparks have time to rekindle before Daniel walks away from her again? JUST OK. Most of the story seemed devoured by Caroline's subplot so just when things were starting to actually move and get romancey, it came to an abrupt end. And Annabelle (with her Amazonian figure) was a bit too eccentric and over the top for me at first, but her personality faded into something more likeable as the story progressed. I also think Annabelle and Caroline's names would have better suited the characters if they had been swapped. CYNDERS AND ASHE by Elizabeth Boyle (33 pages)- Five years after meeting at a Masquerade, Ella Cynders reappears at the ball in which Lord Ashe must choose a bride. LOVED IT. The story would have been a tad more enjoyable without the play on names, but it was still a sweet twist on the classic Cinderella tale. I also love when a public display of affection seals the deal. HIS WICKED REVENGE by Vanessa Kelly (31 pages)- Captain Anthony Barnett is hell-bent on revenge when he blackmails his former lover, Marissa, into becoming his mistress. But when they reconcile their past, could he maybe be the one asking for forgiveness? LOVED IT. A lot of ground was covered in this story, but it didn't feel crammed full of fluff... it was just a great story, and one I wish was a full length novel. LADY INVISIBLE by Patricia Rice (23 pages)- Major Lucas Sumner returns from war and reclaims his daughter from his family. But now he needs a sturdy wife to tame his wild child. ENJOYED IT. Lucas had no knowledge of how to woo a woman, but when the perfect one shows up, she shows him that her wild side might just be the perfect match for him and his daughter. THE PIANO TUTOR by Anthea Lawson (18 pages)- Viscountess Merrowstone has just packed away her last black dress when a handsome referral appears in place of the regular piano tutor. LOVED IT. A bit lacking in the 'getting to know you' part but a delightful and satisfying quickie read! I'm new to Ms. Lawson's writing but will be adding her immediately to my shopping list. STOLEN by Emma Wildes (27 pages)- Lady Sabrina Pearson enlists her life-long best friend, Stephen, to help her steal , err, take back something that rightfully belongs to her. But on the trip home, Stephen has a plot to steal something as well... her heart. LOVED IT. A sweet, steamy story about the bond of childhood friendship that has grown and matured into love. HER GENTLEMAN THEIF by Robyn DeHart (20 pages)- On the eve of her wedding, Annalise's coach is stopped by a highwayman. But when she pleads with him to save her from an arranged marriage, could it be that the thief learns a thing or two about love? LOVED IT. Very heavy on the introspective side but I really wished this story had been longer. THE WEATHERLY'S BALL by Christie Kelley (23 pages)- Five years ago, Lady Tessa Townson was ruined by the man she loved when he left to go to war. Believing he was dead, she can't believe her eyes when she sees him again. A lot has changed over the past five years... but then again, maybe one thing hasn't. ENJOYED IT... but I got mad at the hero because I thought his plan with Georgiana was just beyond cruel. Really, I did enjoy this story... I just wanted to kick him in the tookus. THE PANCHAMAABHUTA by Leah Ball (29 pages)- Francis' rare and valuable ring becomes a prize to be sought by a thief. But could he be after another prize as well? DIDN'T LIKE IT. When I can't pronounce a title, I get frustrated enough. But this story made me roll my eyes... I'm sorry but trying to steal back your own possession from a thief (no matter how handsome or tanned he may be) does not justify sleeping with him. I struggled through this one. ANGELIQUE by Margo Maguire (22 pages)- Miss Angelique Drummond inherits after her father dies, but for some reason he left her funds under the control of her former fiancé. ENJOYED IT but... real close to being JUST OK. The story was fine, but nothing special. My big gripe was the ending... it felt like a magical dusting of pixie dust suddenly fell over the whole misunderstanding and everything became peaches and roses and teddy bears and the promised happy ending. LIKE NONE OTHER by Caroline Linden (24 pages)- Widowed Emma Bowen and a retired sea captain share pleasant conversations over their shared garden wall. But Captain Phineas Quentin is enchanted by Emma and wants more than just friendship between neighbors. Could it be she does too? LOVED IT. Loved it, loved it, loved it! My favorite in this anthology so far and oh, how I didn't want it to end! A sweet, romantic story by an author I am ashamed to admit I have yet to read. I'm off to pluck one of her books from my TBR shelf. THE CATCH OF THE SEASON by Shirley Kennedy (28 pages)- Miss Julia Winslow receives a proposal from Lord Melton, the catch of the season, but Julia isn't impressed when his kiss feels like "kissing a piece of paper." Going home to the country to think things over, she meets his ne'er-do-well brother and wonders if his kiss could be any different. ENJOYED IT. Good story! Julia's mother was almost too much for me but her grandmother was a hoot. And Robert was charming, giving the story a sweet happy ending. FRENCH INTUITION by Delilah Marvelle (22 pages)- Lady Gwendolyn Redford reconnects with her estranged husband by playing a bedroom game to rekindle their romance. DIDN'T LIKE IT. This story didn't do anything for me but I think it needed a lot more than 22 pages to tell it well. This was simply the wife using seduction to convince her husband that she wasn't having an affair with another man. Unfortunately, I didn't really see any romance in it, and I highly doubt that one bedroom game would be the defining moment in fixing an estranged marriage headed for divorce. A SUITABLE GENTLEMAN by Sara Bennett (19 pages)- Clarinda Howitt meets James Quentin on the street one blustery day and there is a spark of mutual attraction. However, Clarinda has resigned herself to be a martyr, caring for her hypochondriac aunt, and seeking a good match for her younger sister. But could it be that there is more to James than meets the eye? And could that eye be on Clarinda? JUST OK. This is a good example of a short-story casualty. Adding ten more pages could have made this story great, but instead it felt half baked, then microwaved. I also got frustrated hearing Clarinda say she wasn't a martyr even though you are constantly reminded that she is. Really, she had no hope for herself and that just made me want to give her a satin-slippered kick in the drawers. GRETNA GREEN by Sharon Page (29 pages)- Reformed childhood gang members reunite when a Bow Street Runner interviews his former lover who is now a dressmaker that secretly helps young ladies escape forced marriages. ENJOYED IT. A nice original story by an author I have never read before. Ms. Page has me intrigued. LITTLE MISS INDEPENDENT by Julia Templeton (24 pages)- Adelaide Bruce has grown up over the past five years and battle-scarred Naval Captain Lord Drayton takes notice. But with all of society judging his appearance, could it be that Adelaide, his best friend's sister, sees the man for who he truly is? LOVED IT. This was a charming Beauty and the Beast kind of story PLUS you had the whole "forbidden fruit" thing going on. My first story by Julia Templeton, who typically pens erotic romance. I'd love to see a full-length novel in the historical romance genre. THE DEVIL'S BARGAIN by Deborah Raleigh (26 pages)- Lord Spaulding crashes a party hosted by the woman who married then abandonded him exactly one year ago. Amelia is still bitter with resentment but could it be her husband valued more than just her dowry after all? JUST OK... Nothing special and the story ended as predicted. This is the third story in this anthology involving a misunderstanding that led to a married couple leading separate lives. I really... Read more ›
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
enticing snippets,
By
This review is from: The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance (Paperback)
I really enjoyed this book, the stories were all very sweet and the editor kept a good pace for each one. They flowed and were concise. As advertised on the back of the book, they were supposedly more racy than your typical Regency. But only a few of the stories were sexually explicit. I noticed more that they tended to feature slightly older heroines and sometimes there were children; this is rare in most Regency books I read. And while I acutely dislike Romances with kids in them, all of these were handled smoothly and didn't take away from the plots. There was a Twilight moment about half way through where I had been reading a Fourth story (in a row!) with a blond heroine and a green eyed hero, being slightly output, it was luckily rectified after those four simultaneous stories. I wrote a synopsis of each story as I read, I've edited them to read as an enticing snippet. Fun!
Desperate Measures - Candice Hern Lydia schemes to make her brother's friend, Geoffrey, jealous and notice her. But when her scheduled accomplice doesn't show up at the ball... and Geoffrey arrives, she spontaneously tells him she pines for the Rake Lord Tennison! Upon a Midnight Clear - Anna Campbell Lord Kinvarra helps a couple from a carriage wreck only to discover his estranged wife! When her companion runs off she is stuck in the snow at the mercy of her husband, is there any compassion there? The Dashing Miss Langley - Amanda Grange Annabelle Langley picks up her niece for a trip to the Country, they are stranded by rain at an Inn where she finds her ex-fiance. Warily separating again they soon discover they share a destination. Cynders and Ashe - Elizabeth Boyle Ella Cynders creates a fairy gown for a Matron's daughter, who then refuses it. So she uses an invitation and attends the Masquerade wearing the gown, the same Masquerade she went to five years ago. Under the guise of her mistress, who was eloping. She also meets her the same man she fell in love with at first sight again. His Wicked Revenge - Vanessa Kelly Lady Marissa Paget meets up with her first love thirteen years after her father had cast him out onto the street and forced her to marry another. Lady Invisible - Patricia Rice Major Lucas Sumner comes home to find a wife and mother for his daughter. He discovers the Hoyden daughter of the town Squire has a lot to teach them both. The Piano Teacher - Anthea Lawson Widow Diana Wavely's piano tutor, for her step-daughter Samantha, is replaced by the handsome Nicholas Jameson. She is encouraged by her friend Lucy to "take him on..." Stolen - Emma Wildes Lady Sabrina Pearson has to steal her Father's notes back, with the help of childhood friend Stephen Hammond. He has plans for the merry adventure she leads him on, but will feelings be set aside when the original thief plots against them? Her Gentleman Thief - Robyn DeHart Annalise Petty rides to her wedding, but her carriage is stopped by a highwayman. Protecting her sister and escaping marriage to a boring man, who acquired her at a ball she chaperoned, she goes with the highwayman instead. The Weatherly's Ball - Christie Kelley Tessa and Garret shared a night together at a ball, ruining her. After he never offered for her and was presumed dead, she married an old Lord. Years later she sees Garret at the same ball. The Panchamaabhuta - Leah Ball A war widow, Francis, is stranded at an Inn transporting a ruby ring named The Panchamaabhuta. An interesting man, Jared White, steals the ring from her along with a kiss - she decides to steal it back. Angelique - Margo Maguire Her Father died leaving a pittance for her and her Aunt - and to top it off she has to go to the Duke of Heyworth, her former philandering fiancee, to get it! He waits for her, to explain, and watch the show of his beloved hellcat. Like None Other - Caroline Linden No. 12 George Street us where Emmaline Bowen lives, next door at No. 14 resides her fascinating neighbor: Captain Quentin Lives. After finally making up his mind to finally call on his neighbor, he is instead connived by her Mother into throwing a dinner party. Catch of the Season - Shirley Kennedy The very correct Lord Melton proposes to Julia; her family is shocked when she doesn't accept right away. Julia thinks he is like kissing paper. Once she meets his rakish, vibrant younger brother on the estate will she keep the Catch of the Season? French Intuition - Delilah Marvelle Gwendolyn comes to the ball in hopes to see her estranged husband, but finds out that Lord Westbrook has stolen a stocking and told her husband of her infidelity. Asking his Uncle for help, he delivers her husband bound and blindfolded. Is her ready to listen to her side of the story? A Suitable Gentleman - Sara Bennett Clarina Howitt rescues James Quentin's hat after it is blown away by the wind. He makes her laugh when she is resigned to a staid life with her hypochondriac Aunt. After meeting her again he feels an urge to slip her from under her Aunt's thumb, but the other reason he is Bath may ruin it. Gretna Green - Sharon Page Trevelyan Foxton walks into modiste Madame Desjardin's shop to question her as a Bow Street Runner about a girl she assisted to Gretna Green, and who has now disappeared. He also wants to ask the childhood friend from the slums about her secrets, like why she ran away from him and about her daughter. Little Miss Independent - Julie Templeton Adelaide Bruce see Lord Drayton after five years; she is now grown up, but he is a scarred war veteran. While he is believing he should burn in Hell for the thought he has about his friend's little sister, she hopes to get close to the man she always admired. Devil's Bargain - Deborah Raleigh Having been ruined by Lord Spaulding and consequently wed, Amelia has taken charge of her life and hosts an elegant party. But her husband crashes the party looking to rectify their marriage in name only on their one year anniversary. Kindred Souls - Barbara Metzger Mildred Cole stews in a tiny cottage with her Aunt Marisol after the Incident. Her 25th birthday comes and word from their solicitor that her father passed away six months ago. They pack up and arrive to the family estate and a harsh welcome. Discovering she has a fortune, Mildred also discovers the man she thought dead, Viscount Driscoll. (This was the only dud in the whole book, jumbled and barfy.) Remember - Michele Ann Young Charlotte, the widow Madame Beauchere, hopes to set her father free from prison by snaring a husband, but the boy's family who she hopes to marry instead hires Gerard Arnfield to stop her. Have they met their equal? Moonlight - Carolyn Jewel Phillipa helped the Earl of Dane, a family friend, and six years her junior, throw a party. The more he sees of her he becomes more entranced, even though she is to marry the priggish Captain Bancroft. But how she feels when he kisses her! An Invitation to Scandal - Lorraine Heath Nicholas Wynter, the impoverished Earl of Harteley accepts an unusual invitation from an unknown woman. Arianna Vernon happens to be the well-off daughter of a courtesan, she is looking for a champion.
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