Title: A Christmas Quintet
Author: Alina K. Field, Sherry Ewing, Jude Knight, Rue Allyn, Susana Ellis
Genre: Historical Romance
Book Blurb:
Five charming stories for your holiday season:
• Friends to Lovers—The farmer's daughter, the viscount's son, and the estate manager reunite as adults. Della is starry-eyed for the viscount's son, but is he really the one for her? (Regency, Christmas)
• Fake Relationship—When the pressure to marry is overwhelming, can a plan put in place at a Christmas house party turn into a love that will last forever? (Regency, Christmas)
• Second-Chance Love—An accident leaves the modiste burned, blinded and in despair until the physician offers hope and stirs memories. (Regency, Christmas)
• Country Mouse and Marriage-Shy Duke—Invited at the last minute to make up the numbers, she expects to be an interested observer. The duke has other ideas. (Georgian, Twelfth Night)
• Two Spies, One Secret—Trapped in a deserted wilderness, will they set aside secrets and past betrayals to rekindle their love and ring in the New Year together? (Medieval, Hogmanay)
Excerpt:
Laughter rang out in the room. People talked over one another as they created their treats for the biscuit contest. Although everyone had been invited to participate in the morning event, clearly there were those who were not up to the task of rising at such an early part of the day. As Elinor rolled out the dough, David stood next to her holding a biscuit cutter in the shape of a gingerbread man. Considering their conversation at the lake, there really was only one choice on the type of biscuit they would make together.
“Promise me you won’t tell my Cook that I was baking anything other than his own recipe or else I’ll never get another decent meal at home,” David teased, causing Elinor’s heart to flip end over end.
She leaned closer and realized how tall he was compared to her. “Your secret is safe with me, my lord,” she replied before stepping back. “I think this is ready and the dough thick enough. What do you think?”
“As long as they’re soft and chewy once they come out of the oven, they’ll be perfect,” he answered before leaning down to whisper in her ear, “just like you.”
She gave a bright laugh. “I am far from perfect, Lord Lockhart, and you best know from the start I can be very… opinionated when I need to be.”
He chuckled. “As long as you’re not one of those demanding women with no thought in their head beside what to wear for the evening, I believe we’ll get on just famously.”
David began cutting out the biscuits while Elinor placed them on a baking sheet. When they were done, she was a little bit sorry that this part of the contest was over. She was truly enjoying spending time with this man who, up until now, had always been reserved and quiet every year at their house party. To help the servants, David went to give the tray to the kitchen staff, while Elinor began cleaning up their work.
Upon his return, he studied her for a moment in silence until he reached out. When he ran his thumb over her right cheek, her heart once more betrayed the growing feelings she had for him.
“You had a dusting of flour on your cheek,” he said quietly as he took his hand away. The low baritone of his whispered words nearly made her knees weak. She had never been one to swoon but David might make her do so if he continued looking upon her as he was.
“Thank you,” she murmured, suddenly shy herself at the immediate loss of the warmth of his thumb gently rubbing her cheek. She was about to say more when her mother clapped her hands to draw everyone’s attention.
“I hope everyone had fun making your Christmas treats. The staff will take care of the rest of the cleanup. We’ll be decorating the ballroom next for anyone who would like to participate. In respect to the Duke’s German heritage, we’ve had a tree brought in to decorate and there will be sledding later this afternoon,” the duchess proclaimed as her guests began to leave the room.
“Another Lacey tradition?” David asked, looking down at her.
“Yes, although I don’t ever remember you participating before,” Elinor said as she raised her head to stare into blue eyes that continued to watch her intently. She couldn’t help the blush that rushed to her face.
“I admit I tended to keep to myself every year except the occasional requirement of the evening events,” David confessed honestly. “Until now, I never cared for the crowds at a house party.”
“What has changed your mind?” she asked since she enjoyed spending time with this man.
“You.”
The startled gasp that escaped her lips caused her to raise her fingertips to her mouth. She tore her gaze away from his intense blue eyes. “I can hardly be the reason why you’re suddenly taking part in my mother’s activities, my lord. As her daughter, I have always been here performing my duties by participating in all her plans for her guests.”
She widened her eyes when he took her chin to turn her head, tipping it upward so she had no choice but to directly stare at him. “Maybe for the first time I’m seeing the lady who has always been right before my eyes.”
“You could scarcely miss me, my lord.”
“And yet I did, but I see you now, Elinor.” He rubbed at her cheek with his thumb again causing her body to become flushed with excitement.
Away From the Holiday Crowd
Sherry Ewing
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPNMGWV5
Bookbub:
Goodreads:
Share a holiday family tradition:
Feast with extended family and friends and play games afterward. We play a gift game where everyone brings a gift, we choose numbers out of a hat, and each person in order gets to choose any gift, including one that has already been open. It’s all in good fun. Note: we don’t do this with small children. They cry if someone steals their gift!
Why is your featured book perfect to get readers in the holiday mood?
They are holiday happy-ever-afters set in popular historical periods.
Bookbub Review: This is a fun, entertaining, enthralling, quick read. The stories are as various as the authors who wrote them and they are good reads. Each captured my attention and held it until the very end. I feel in love with each of the main characters and cheered for their HEA. The stories take place across different time periods and are not connected. They can be read in one sitting or as quick reads – some more so than others 😊. Each of the stories are easy to read and get into.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $100 Amazon gift card.
Open internationally.
Runs December 1 – 31, 2024
Drawing will be held on January 2, 2025.
Author Biography:
The Bluestocking Belles (the “BellesInBlue”) are eight very different writers united by a love of history and a history of writing about love. From sweet to steamy, from light-hearted fun to dark tortured tales full of angst, from London ballrooms to country cottages to the sultan’s seraglio, one or more of us will have a tale to suit your tastes and mood.
Jude Knight • Caroline Warfield • Sherry Ewing • Susana Ellis • Cerise DeLand • Alina K. Field • Rue Allyn • Elizabeth Ellen Carter
Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.BluestockingBelles.net/
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dAJU_9
Teatime Tattler twice-weekly gossip magazine: https://bluestockingbelles.net/category/teatime-tattler/
X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/@bellesinblue
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bellesinblue