A Matchmaker's Christmas (Zebra Regency Romance) [Paperback]

Simpson Donna (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821772899
• ISBN-13: 978-0821772898
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #444,039 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

When I was a kid, I thought you had to be someone extraordinary to become an author. I always loved to read and write, but was too unsure of myself to believe that I could ever become a published author. I've been fortunate enough in my life to have someone stand by me and repeatedly tell me I can do it. My advice to anyone who wants to write is, find someone who believes in you and cling to them! It's not an easy road, but it's worth it.

I read mysteries - Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers, among other authors - and then discovered, quite by accident, Regency romances. I suppose it's no surprise that when I decided to try writing seriously, I wrote a Regency. Absentee Heart, my first attempt, was published by Rubenesque Romances in 1997, but is still available online from Blackfriars Publications.

My first *big* break was with Zebra Books, for their Regency line. Lord St. Claire's Angel, my first with Zebra, is still a favorite among many reviewers. I wrote over twenty Regency romance novels and anthology contributions for them, and adored every moment of it.

But I wanted more' I wanted to write longer and more in-depth stories. I wanted to explore a darker side to life, and go beyond the shores and time of Regency England. I love mystery, and feel that every good story is truly a mystery in a sense; even if there is no murder involved in a romance novel (though there actually *may be* in my newest books - wink wink!!) there is mystery in love.

How are the hero and heroine going to get together? Will they know immediately that they belong together, or will they have to suffer and find each other through turmoil? What will happen to keep them apart, and can they defeat every obstacle to come together finally?

I have been fortunate enough recently to move on to write paranormal (werewolf) historical romance for Berkley Books and am loving every second of it. Set in the Lower Saxony region of Germany in 1795, the 'Awaiting' books are a fabulous and thrilling departure for me. The spookiness of a gothic castle in Germany, lies and deception, twisted family secrets and the dark world of weird occurrences makes for a rich and colorful tapestry when woven with human foibles and thrilling, erotic love and lust!

Romantic Times said about my first paranormal with Berkley, Awaiting the Moon, that: 'By mixing a classic gothic with paranormal overtones Simpson has a winner. This impossible-to-put-down romance belongs alongside Victoria Holt, Phyllis Whitney and Daphne du Maurier. Here is a pure classic plotline with just the right touch of the ominous, the perfect amount of suspense and plenty of sexual tension to keep you reading late into the night and finish satiated.'

About the second they said: 'Simpson continues the Wolfram saga as a young woman becomes entwined in dark secrets while threads of werewolves myth, greed, passion, lies and deceptions swirl around pulling you into a tightly crafted paranormal romance with gothic overtones. Victoria Holt would be proud.'

I was thrilled! What an honour to be compared to those writers. As I suppose you can tell, dear reader, I'm enjoying the ride so far... long may it last!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Give yourself a Christmas treat, November 7, 2002

By 

"thenonesuch" (The Stacks) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Matchmaker's Christmas (Zebra Regency Romance) (Paperback)

This is, quite simply, an excellent romance -- or should I say, romances? I imagine it is difficult enough creating a pair of well-drawn, fully realized characters and developing their romance in a satisfying way, but Donna Simpson achieves this with not one, not two, but three couples. Each character is distinct, and each romance is compelling.

The main couple -- politician Sir David Chappell & lady's companion Beatrice Copland -- are a refreshingly mature pair in their forties who think that their chance for happiness has passed. The assorted young people include a wild Canadian hoyden, a demure yet determined daughter of an earl, a reckless young lord who hopes to marry an heiress, and a vicar who dares not hope he can marry above his station. They are all brought together for Christmas by an elderly lady with matchmaking schemes, but love finds its own way in the end.

One of the best Regencies I've read this year. A real Christmas treat.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly right for the holidays, January 15, 2003

By 

Susan Smith (A small rural village in the English Midlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Matchmaker's Christmas (Zebra Regency Romance) (Paperback)

Congratulations to Donna Simpson for writing such a lovely Christmas read. A Matchmaker's Christmas combines four love stories well told against a holiday house party in the bleak north Yorkshire countryside. And, well done for getting the descriptions of the countryside, the weather and the travelling conditions accurately done!

An elderly widow, the comtesse Bournard, conspires to bring five people to her home for Christmas with the admitted goal of matchmaking. A sixth person, Lord Vaughan, conveniently appears, seeking refuge from a winter storm. The Rev Mark Rowland, a serious, handsome and sweet man hankers after Lady Silvia, the daughter of a haughty earl although Lady Bournard wants to attach him to Verity Allen, a boisterous but friendly girl from the wilds of Canada.

Watching over all of this with increasing concern is the comtesse's companion of more than a decade, Beatrice Copland. She is meant to be matched to Sir David Chappell, the protege of the comtesse.

Of course, Lady Bournard's plans go askew but, in this novel, it is not a comedic pen the author uses. Rather, there is a lot of introspection and saddness which contributes to misunderstandings and some initial unhappiness for the three couples. In the end (although not until a full year later) everything comes right.

I enjoyed this book and each couple was well drawn. It was particularly gratifying that Sir David and Beatrice are middle aged yet they, too, enjoy that frisson we all feel when we find true love and meet our soul mates.

And the fourth love story? It is, of course, Lady Bournard, married at 40 to a French emigre and widowed for 20 years. Still in love with him, still yearning for him and waiting to be with him again.

Highly recommended; not frothy but an extremely entertaining and satisfying read which highlights the true meaning of the sprirt of the Christmas season - love, giving, sacrifice and second chances.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun read..., December 4, 2002

By 

Brittney Hinson "garnet17" (Ashford, Alabama) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Matchmaker's Christmas (Zebra Regency Romance) (Paperback)

The reason I gave this book four stars is that it really contained three love stories in one and none of them got the length or developement that they deserved. You fall in love with the three very different, but all delightful couples and just when you are pulled into one love story and thoroughly caught, it jumps to another. That is my only complaint.

The plot was delightful in itself. An elderly lady decides to hold a Christmas house party and throw two couples that would be utterly perfect for each other in close proximity. But everything goes wrong (or right, depending on point of view) when love, not to mention some unexpected guests, are thrown into the mix.

Couple Number One: Beatrice, our matchmaker's companion, and David, the matchmaker's godson. They appear to be perfect for each other and their attraction is undeniable, but they share a past that could ruin their future before it ever begins.

Couple Number Two: Lady Silvia, a heiress and gentleman's daughter, and Mark, a poor vicar. This couple's story was the most romantic...and painful. Their love was immediate, but their different stations in life stand in the way.

Couple Number Three: Verity, an unconventional and wild Canadian, and Vaughn, a proper gentleman determined to marry...Silvia.

It's a merry Christmas indeed...full of second chances, first love, and plenty of mistletoe. Do not miss it!