Customer Reviews

Snowy Night with a Stranger

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

 

 

There are three short stories in this book. All three are entertaining reads and each is better than the one before. I was quite satisfied when I finished and recommend as a good read, especially if you love these authors.

The first is a story by Jane Feather about a lady who intends to escape the clutches of her distant relative and guardian and his nefarious friends. The hero unexpectedly comes into her life and aids in this mission. This was an enjoyable read. However, I felt the love between the hero and heroine was not quite well developed enough and the ending a little too abrupt.

The second story by Sabrina Jeffires is about a recluse lord who accidentally falls into the path of an heiress who has decided it is time to give up on the marriage mart. He has suffered the loss of his family and his reputation and only wants to create inventions to improve mine safety. But this Christmas makes life anew for these two lonely souls. These characters were unique and it is a joy to watch their transformations.

The final, and I admit my favorite, was A Snowy Night with a Highlander by Julia London. She is at her best in this short story, creating memorable and lovable characters and circumstances. Although, this was short, it was as good as any full length and a worthy read. Tragedy struck the life of rake and libertine Duncan and he is a changed man, both physically and emotionally. He is embarrassed at who he has become when Fiona comes back into his life. She, to his dismay and relief, doesn't even recognize him. But these two grow together and their journey is a gift for the reader.

Enjoyable recommended read.

There's one in every anthology and the stand-out story in this one belongs to Sabrina Jeffries. Her contribution, "When Sparks Fly," deserves 5 stars. I gave the book as a whole 4 stars (actually 3.5, but that's not an option here), because the other two entries lacked the same quality, in my opinion. Despite the fact that there are only three stories in this book, meaning the stories were longer than what we usually see in an anthology, the other two didn't have the character development necessary for me to really enjoy them, particularly in the case of "A Holiday Gamble" by Jane Feather.

Jeffries' contribution is an installment of her School for Heiresses series. It's about heiress Elinor Bancroft, whom fans of the series may remember from "Let Sleeping Rogues Lie." It's Jeffries' own take on "A Christmas Carol" and she actually writes a young Charles Dickens into the story, having him witness what happens between the hero and heroine, presumably inspiring him to write his classic tale.
Elinor is traveling home with her aunt and cousins, along with their classmate Charlie Dickens, when her aunt's carriage runs off the road in foul weather and her aunt is injured. In the nick of time, the surly Lord Thorncliffe arrives to save the day, offering them shelter at his estate until the storm clears. Thorncliffe, punishing himself for a tragedy that occurred years ago, just wants to be alone and forget about Christmas and the painful memories it dredges up. But he quickly finds himself enjoying the life his visitors bring to his gloomy manor. And as for Elinor, he finds he dreads losing her company and has trouble keeping his hands off her body.

"Snowy Night with a Highlander" is Julia London's contribution and it's a light, enjoyable story. Fiona Haines fled her Highland home for London years ago as a debutante after overhearing the man she longed to wed make a cruel joke about her. Now, a search for her rakehell brother brings her back and she finds herself drawn to her mysterious escort, who obscures is scarred face and speaks infrequently. What she doesn't know is that he is the same man who once broke her heart, Duncan, the Laird of Blackwood. Duncan was injured in a fire after Fiona left and, though it disfigured him, it made him a better, more considerate man. He now wants nothing more than to make amends and be forgiven by Fiona.

"A Holiday Gamble" by Jane Feather was the weakest of the stories in my opinion. I liked the heroine, a brave, strong-willed young woman being forced into an unwanted marriage by her guardian. She's making careful plans for her escape when a snow storm brings the hero, Ned Vasey, Viscount Allenton, into her path. He takes refuge at the home of her guardian during a house party. The two are immediately attracted to each other and he decides to aid her in her escape. His character seemed rather flat to me and I thought the story had a weak climax.

I admit I'm a sucker for a Christmas romance. And these three very enjoyable short stories (~130 pages each) more than satisfied my holiday historical romance craving. There is something magical about a romance when a twist of fate, such as a snowstorm, forces the heroine and heroine into each others company -two people who under normal circumstances would have never met. And results are a holiday they would never forget.

A Holiday Gamble by Jane Feather
During his journey to his estate, after many years away from Northumberland, Ned Vasey, Viscount Allenton 1)gets trapped in a snowstorm, 2)robbed and 3)is forced to take shelter in the home of questionable gentleman and his less than reputable guests. He never wanted to leave India and return home. And this certainly wasn't the homecoming he was expecting. The one bright light in his cold miserable journey is the gentleman's lovely and spirited ward, Georgiana, who somehow doesn't seem to fit in with rest of the rowdy bunch. Nor does she seem to match up with her unpleasant fiance. Something is afoot and Ned is keen on finding out -most especially the beguiling Georgie's secrets.
****Good romance (could have been a little more sexual tension, no earth shattering passion here) with a bit of mystery thrown in. My favorite parts were all the sneaking around between Ned and Georgie. Him trying to find out whats going on and her trying to keep it secret while doing what she has to do and not distract herself by falling for him.

When Sparks Fly by Sabrina Jeffries
Martin, Baron Thorncliff aka Black Baron, doesn't need another distraction, most especially when he is so close to an experimental breakthrough. But a snowstorm deposits an injured widower on his land. His only choice is to take her in along with her three children and bespectacled niece, Ellie, who happens to be a great heiress. He soon discovers that the young lady is not the hot house flower he assumed her to be. In fact she manages to bring back into his house the love and warmth of the season that Martin thought he'd never see again.
*****Jeffries is a favorite author of mine and I bought this anthology primarily for this story and I'm not disappointed. Here we have two people who start out with a great dislike of each other until they realize that their initial presumptions were all wrong. Both hind behind a heartache/insecurity that can only be overcome with true love. A nice warm and fuzzy Christmas romance.

Snowy Night With A Highlander by Julia London
Fiona Haines must travel deep into the Highlands in order to find her rakish brother and give him an urgent message. Once in Scotland she enlists the help of a Laird who sends his men with her on the journey north. But the rugged scarred Highlander she gets stuck in a storm with is no ordinary man and soon she falls under his spell. When his identity is revealed Fiona has to decide weather its worth forgiving and forgetting the past and taking a chance with her future.
*****A beauty and the the beast type Christmas romance. Duncan regrets the man he used to be and fears because of his past reputation and current appearance he'll never have a family. Fiona manages to set aside past insults and give him the love he's longed for. Wonderful heart warming romance.

Other Christmas romances I've enjoyed-
A Gift of Love : Double Exposure / Just Curious / Gabriel's Angel / Yuletide Treasure / Five Golden Rings -my favorite holiday anthology
A Historical Christmas Present
Christmas Revels- fantastic beauty and the beast type Christmas romance
A Wallflower Christmas

"A Holiday Gamble" by Jane Feather

On his way home to take his place as the new Viscount Allerton, Ned Vasey finds himself robbed by a highwayman and then trapped in a snowstorm. Forced to take refuge at the nearby Selby Hall, Ned is quick to determine Lord Selby and his companions are a less than reputable lot. Then Lord Selby's ward, the troubled Georgiana, catches Ned's eye. Ned is drawn to the spirited beauty, whom he knows is more than the placid miss she pretends to be. Selby Hall is filled with secrets, and Ned finds himself determined to uncover them all. The question is, will he succeed?

Jane Feather heats up the holidays with this entertaining novella. "A Holiday Gamble" is an enjoyable love story with a likeable hero and heroine who are sure to charm. While I liked Georgiana and Ned, their romance was a bit abrupt for my taste. Though I have no issue with characters falling in love quickly, I never truly saw why they fell in love with one another, other than Ms. Feather leaving me no room but to accept that it should be so.

A touch of menace from Georgiana's disreputable guardian, a brutish "fiancé," and a hunt for a missing will give depth to "A Holiday Gamble" that kept me more engaged in the story than the romance itself. Overall, I found "A Holiday Gamble" to be an appealing read and I will be on the lookout for more of Ms. Feather's work in the future.



"When Sparks Fly" by Sabrina Jeffries

After a carriage accident leaves her aunt injured and she and her family stranded, heiress Elinor Bancroft has no choice but to take refuge at the home of Baron Thorncliff aka the "Black Baron." If the accident weren't enough to put a damper on Christmas, their host just might finish the job. Martin, Baron Thorncliff, would rather have nothing to do with his unwanted guests, but he can't ignore the children underfoot any more than he can overlook the intriguing Ellie. She's nothing like the spoiled London miss he expected her to be and she's determined not to let him dismiss her as such. For both Ellie and Martin, this Christmas is the perfect time to discover that love and passion are the best gifts of all.

My absolute favorite story of the book, "When Sparks Fly" is a heartwarming delight with a lovable heroine, a tender but gruff hero, and a place for one of the most famous authors of all time, Charles Dickens.

I love Sabrina Jeffries's School for Heiresses series, of which "When Sparks Fly" is a part, and I've been impatiently waiting for a story for Elinor Bancroft since meeting her in Let Sleeping Rogues Lie. Happily, Ellie's story is all that I wished it to be for her. Ellie can be shy at times, but she is intelligent, kind-hearted, and possesses a gentle, but firm demeanor. Despite Martin's attempts to push everyone away from him, including Ellie, she stands firm, making her his perfect match. Martin, in turn, is sympathetic even in his gruffness. His brother's death and the rumors which continue to be spread about it haunt him. His fear of anyone else being hurt or killed makes him push people away, and it takes Ellie's bright spirit to make Martin reconnect with the world. They fit one another perfectly and it was pure joy watching the two of them fall in love. A sparkling romance with characters that are sure to win your heart, "When Sparks Fly" is the perfect Christmas treat to be enjoyed all year `round.



"Snowy Night with a Highlander" by Julia London

After her brother, Jack, finds himself embroiled in a scandal, Lady Fiona Haines is charged with finding him and delivering an important message. Forced to travel to the Highlands right before Christmas, Fiona finds help from a surprising source. Duncan, a man scarred, physically and mentally, from a fire, is willing to take her. As their journey draws the two closer together, neither Fiona nor Duncan can resist the strong pull of desire. But what Fiona doesn't know is that Duncan is Duncan Buchanan, Laird of Blackwood. A man Fiona claims to despise. What will happen to their burgeoning romance when Fiona discovers the truth?

"Snowy Night with a Highlander" is a lovely, Beauty and the Beast-type tale that is truly delightful. Duncan is a fallen hero, a once proud, rakish man who has been brought low in many ways because of the devastating accident he was involved in. He leads only half a life, and I eagerly read the tale, hoping to see him find love and happiness with Fiona. For her part, Fiona has a sparkling personality that I found endearing, but there were a few times her personality went towards the pushy side. I suppose given how she was raised and the situation she found herself in that this wasn't too unreasonable, so though it bothered me a bit in spots, I was able to push it aside.

"Snowy Night with a Highlander" is part of Ms. London's Scandal series, which began with The Book of Scandal. Though this story stood on it's own, I am eager to look for the previous book, and am definitely looking forward to Jack's story, Highland Scandal.



Snowy Night with a Stranger is an enchanting collection of stories that, though centered around Christmastime, are stories I would be captivated by all year long. Jane Feather, Sabrina Jeffries, and Julia London each tell stories of sensuous passion and tender romance that left me feeling warm, satisfied, and eager for more. Snowy Night with a Stranger is not to be missed!

Shayna
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

"Holiday Gamble" by Jane Feather. The blizzard forces Lord Ned Vasey to seek shelter at the home of Lord Roger Selby. Ned meets Selby's ward, Georgina, who he believes is hiding something that he plans to uncover.

"When Sparks Fly" by Sabrina Jeffries. The coach accident leaves Lady Eleanor Bancroft and her three young charges with no options except to beg for hospitality from the cranky hermit and are at the mercy of Martin "Black Baron" Thorncliffe. She is not sure he will let them stay. He would prefer to refuse them, but even he cannot. Neither of the adults is prepared for the attraction between them.

"A Snowy Night With a Highlander" by Julia London. Lady Fiona Haines searches for her missing Laird Duncan Buchanan, with an injured arm and a patch over his eye, offers his help. Together they seek her sibling while an attraction between them ignites; However Duncan fears what will happen to their just starting relationship when she learns who he is.

SNOWY NIGHT WITH A STRANGER contains three warm (in spite of the weather) Regency holiday romances that showcase top talent. Fans will enjoy this fine historical collection.

Harriet Klausner

A book too make you feel good at christmas time," Happy endings".

My favorite story by far in this collection is Sabrina Jeffries' light and funny story, which features Charles Dickens as a little boy! The other stories in the anthology were a bit dark for me, especially for the holiday season.

Christmas comes alive in three charming historical tales that exemplify the spirit of the season....

Jane Feather starts things off with "A Holiday Gamble". Ned Vasey, Viscount Allenton, is robbed by a group of highwaymen in the midst of a snowstorm while returning to a home he'd left many years ago. He takes refuge in the home of Roger Selby only to find himself in the midst of a raucous celebration featuring the Lord of Misrule. One woman stands out... the Lady Georgiana but she has her own secrets.

What an interesting twist on the Christmas theme! Jane Feather does a beautiful job at showing the vulgarity of the celebrations in Roger Selby's home without crossing the line to being offensive. Georgiana's determination and spirit to withstand such impropriety and crudeness is admirable. Ned is the perfect hero for Georgiana as he has his own brand of spunk as well. Jane Feather demonstrates why she is so popular with "A Holiday Gamble"!

"When Sparks Fly" by Sabrina Jeffries features spirited heiress Ellie Bancroft. When one of her carriages wrecks on the way home, Ellie is left stranded with her aunt and her young cousins. Baron Martin Thorncliff rescues them all, but is the Black Baron truly as prickly as he seems? Can Ellie reignite the Christmas spirit in a man as hardened as Lord Thorncliff?

Oh, what a joy to read such a heartwarming story! Sabrina Jeffries writes such vivid characters that their emotions practically jump off the pages. Martin's story broke my heart as his inner pain and anguish are overwhelming. Ellie is a strong, determined character who clearly knows her own mind. The conclusion is emotionally powerful and ends the story perfectly. Fans of Sabrina Jeffries will note that "When Sparks Fly" is part of her School for Heiresses series although it is easily a stand alone story.

Julia London concludes the anthology with "Snowy Night with a Highlander". Lady Fiona Haines is forced to leave London and search for her brother in Edinburgh to warn him of a possible scandal. Duncan Buchanan finds himself aiding Fiona in her quest, but Fiona is unaware that he is the same man who scorned her in the past. How will she react when his identity is revealed?

"Snowy Night with a Highlander" is perhaps the most traditional tale in SNOWY NIGHT WITH A STRANGER. Duncan is a man scarred by his past, both physically and emotionally. Fiona is a bit too self absorbed at times, but her love and her willingness to sacrifice for her brother help soften her. The ending is sweet and perfect for a Christmas themed anthology.

SNOWY NIGHT WITH A STRANGER contains three stories with a common theme and yet each story takes a different twist. Jane Feather, Sabrina Jeffries, and Julia London each write beautiful stories that are sure to warm the hardest of hearts as they show the beauty of the Christmas spirit. SNOWY NIGHT WITH A STRANGER is easily recommended!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

One of my pet peeves is a book marketed as one thing while it's actually something completely different. I collect christmas books and I've noticed that more and more over the years that publishers are pushing books as 'heartwarming gifts of the season' that have little to nothing to do with christmas.

Unfortunately, THIS is one of those books.

I bought the book because of it's great cover and the blurbs in back which made it seem really christmasy, hoping that at least one story would make the purchase worth it. I was VERY frustrated by the middle of the second story.

Okay, so. The first story is Jane Feathers. I think someone asked her to do a christmas story and she really didn't want to so she grabbed a short story she'd written, added a few lines saying it took place at a christmas house party and there you go. There was nothing warm or fuzzy or heartwarming about this story at all. It read like a suspense novel where you kept waiting for the vicious brute to start beating the heroine. The hero I liked well enough, the heroine was okay. The story was one of those that kept your stomach cramped with suspense and impending doom. Okay for the rest of the year, not so great for a christmas story.

The second story was Sabrina Jeffries. This was lighter and had a few more christmas details. The problem was the hero. EVERYONE has had some tragedy in their life-that doesn't excuse someone being rude and mean in my book. I think the author was going for a 'beast into prince' characterization, but the problem for me was that I didn't like the hero's actions from the start and she lost me. The heroine wasn't bad, though she had an annoying habit of receiting quotes, I guess to prove she was 'bookish'. It wasn't a bad story, just forgettable.

The third was Julia London and I dragged myself through it. When it started out with some idiotic story of her brother being accused of sleeping with the royal princess and the prince running after him to accuse him of treason....it was a little too farfetched even for a romance novel. This was another 'beast' story as the hero was physically injured and scarred. There just was not a spark for me here and it didn't bode well when the heroine talked about hating the hero because he was a jerk when she was 19 (which he was. I tend to lose sympathy for a character when they act cruelly toward others).

So, my advice....check out the beautiful cover, rent it at the library if you have to...but I'd skip it if you're looking for a light, happy christmasy read. Or any kind of Christmasy read. I'd see if any of the old Signet christmas anthologies are still available as they always had at least one story that made you smile (except for the last one-christmas magic).