"Anthology of four historical romances."

"I Will" by Lisa Kleypas

England 1833

Andrew, Lord Drake, is a rake, a rogue, and "beyond shame". His father, the Earl of Rochester, has disowned him as much as possible, leaving his un-entailed fortune elsewhere. To try to win back his father's favor, Andrew blackmails Caroline Hargreave into pretending to be the woman he is courting. As they spend time together, they also become very attracted to each other. On the day of his father's death, Andrew gives Caro the idea that she means a great deal to him. But the path of true love never seems to run straight, and it's Andrew's actions after his father's death that has Caro making a Christmas wish that brings about startling results.

Excellent story, strong heroine, wonderful black haired, blue-eyed hero. Secondary characters quite good, not overpowering. Sensuality--R. Sensual; some mild bondage, oral sex.

"Puddings, Parties, and Thou" by Lisa Cach

England, 1818

Vivian Ambrose has spent the last nine years, since she was sixteen, as companion to a horrid old relative. Now the relative is dead and Vivian has been shuffled off to some distant cousins. She is determined to marry and have a home of her own. Things might just turn out right, if she can convince her over protective cousins that the bad reputation of Richard Brent is not all it's made out to be.

This also is a good one, with all the characters being likable. The heroine shows good sense in not immediately believing the worst she hears of the hero and the hero and heroine both refuse to give up on being together.

Sensuality--PG. Descriptive heavy petting, non-descriptive sex.

"Union" by Claudia Dain

England 1808

It's time for Clarissa Walingford to find a husband. Though she has no desire to do so, she will do her duty. All she truly requires in the man she marries is that he own land in Ireland. Setting out with list in hand, she finds herself drawn to the one man she really would rather not match up with.

The tale is well written, the story line was good, and the characters were well formed and likable, but I didn't really care for the way the story was told. Having never read anything else by this author, I don't know if this is her usual "voice", but it just didn't appeal to me.

Sensuality--PG13. Fairly descriptive sex with non- descriptive language.

"All I Want" by Lynsay Sands

England early 1800's

All Prudence Prescott's mother wants for Christmas is for her husband "to stop his gambling before he sees us in debtor's prison". So Pru sets out to show her father the error of his ways. The main one to suffer, though, from her misdirected good intentions is the owner of the gaming hell her father frequents. Lord Stephen Stockton finds himself on the receiving end of Pru's schemes, and losing his heart in the process.

Humorous and fast moving, but also touching, this was my favorite of the four stories in this collection. The heroine was bright, smart, and a bit unpractical. The hero was just everything a hero should be.

Sensuality--Y. No sex, but some hot kisses and heavy petting.

Reviewed by Flora Bell
Posted March 6, 2002

Summary

The holiday season offers hope for the best life has to give -- laughter and love, family and home. It means a chance at all one desires. In this anthology, see four lucky couples unwrap just that.