Ella J. QuinceBesprekingen

Sebastian and Bella are both trying to do what is best for their families. While Sebastian is less headstrong about it, he is well matched with vivacious Bella. I especially liked her take-charge attitude.

Not sure how historically accurate this was and there were some issues which I think an editor could've helped with, but I noticed these were self published, so I would say very good quality for that. And sort of just what I needed...

Not sure how historically accurate this was and there were some issues which I think an editor could've helped with, but I noticed these were self published, so I would say very good quality for that. And sort of just what I needed...

Not sure how historically accurate this was and there were some issues which I think an editor could've helped with, but I noticed these were self published, so I would say very good quality for that. And sort of just what I needed...

Not sure how historically accurate this was and there were some issues which I think an editor could've helped with, but I noticed these were self published, so I would say very good quality for that. And sort of just what I needed...

Not sure how historically accurate this was and there were some issues which I think an editor could've helped with, but I noticed these were self published, so I would say very good quality for that. And sort of just what I needed...

Not sure how historically accurate this was and there were some issues which I think an editor could've helped with, but I noticed these were self published, so I would say very good quality for that. And sort of just what I needed...

Not sure how historically accurate this was and there were some issues which I think an editor could've helped with, but I noticed these were self published, so I would say very good quality for that. And sort of just what I needed...

I think this was my favorite of the series so far.

Not sure how historically accurate this was and there were some issues which I think an editor could've helped with, but I noticed these were self published, so I would say very good quality for that. And sort of just what I needed...

Aaaand, I finally finished! Before Christmas, even! :)
Lots of interesting stuff here (varying time periods, settings, writing styles, editing, and levels/types of steam), but these were my favorites:

Hell’s Wedding Bells - Annabelle Anders
Home for Christmas - Celeste Jones
Holly and the Beast - Annabel Joseph
Mistletoe Kisses - Elise Marion
The Holiday Hussy - Merry Farmer
Christmas Charity - Beverly Oakley
The Russian Betrothal - Elsa Holland
Marrying Miss Bright - Dayna Quince
The Russian Prince’s Bride - Mariah Stone
Holly and Old Lace - Vanessa Brooks
Wedded in Winter - Scarlett Scott
A Wicked Wedding - Laura Trentham
The Angel of an Astronomer - Linda Rae Sande

Thanks to all of the authors for putting together this enormous collection and making it free. It kept me entertained off and on almost all year long, and now I have a bunch of new writers to check out…:)

Mine, All Mine, by Ella J. Quince, was her debut book in 2012. It's been published under 3 different names, Ella J. Quince, Dayna Quince, & D.L. Rose. Confusing to say the least. Mine, All Mine is book 1 in the Fated For Love series, which I believe ran 4 books long. It's not a bad book but I'm jaded from many years of reading historical romance stories. Ms Quince writes well and the historical inaccuracies can be forgiven to a certain extent. A good editor might have made a big difference. I wasn't terribly interested in the main characters. The slow start with not enough background information did it for me. The hero went from tortured to lecher in about 60 seconds. Her smart mouth makes it impossible to believe she could hide in a kitchen as a cook. These 2 characters were ok but I couldn't get caught up in their problems. I did find 2 of the secondary characters interesting enough to check into their stories. Amazon provides this e-book as a freebie if you'd like to check it out.

I never want to read about a wedding on Christmas ever again.

I am so so so glad I am FINALLY done with this. The relief! While I actually enjoyed more of the stories than I expected, this went downhill when I read the whole second half over the last week.


THINGS I LEARNED FROM THIS ANTHOLOGY (in categories cause I'm just that sick of everything)
Plot & character things
- All men speak in a rich baritone
- A woman's hair is always long and usually curly
- Every blonde woman is an angel (twice the angel if her hair is also blonde & curly)
- Scotsmen are always rugged and we'd forget they're Scottish if they didn't call the heroine "lassie" in at least every second sentence
- Epilogues only exist to show us that the heroine is pregnant
- Isn't it funny to call this heroine in Christmas romance anthology Holly? So original!

Sex things
- "It's called a cock."
- There's always oral sex before the virgin is deflowered (or "claimed", as most stories put it. By his rod.)
- "What was that?!" - "It's called an orgasm."

Actual serious criticism
- People of color didn't exist in 19th century England, not even as servants (except for that one story)
- Neither did queer people
- Beta readers for spelling and grammar? We don't need them cause we're just THAT good. 99% of these mistakes were things spellcheck should've picked up on, what are you even doing?!
- Apparently spanking is so sexy that there's no need to distinguish it from abuse. Hard disagree.


INDIVIDUAL RATINGS (to be taken with a grain of salt, especially those at the beginning - when I wasn't sick of the premise yet - and those at the end, when I was too sick of the premise. I've also got an update with a mini review after every single story for you to enjoy...)
Hell's Wedding Bells - 4 stars
Two Lady Scoundrels and a Duke - 1 star
A Wicked Wedding - 5 stars
The Lady's Guide to Mistletoe and Mayhem - 1 star
The Russian Betrothal - 4 stars
Beautifully Reckless - 2 stars
The Mistletoe Mistress - 3 stars
Deeds Not Words - 2 stars
Holly and the Beast - 3 stars
The Winter Bride - 3 stars
Mistletoe Kisses - 3 stars
The Christmas Countess - 2 stars
Mischief and Mistletoe - 2 stars
Kidnapped With the Knight - 1 star
The Russian Prince's Bride - 4 stars
Christmas Charity - 3 stars
The Angel of an Astronomer - 4 stars
Wassail, Wagers and Weddings - 3 stars
Highland Yule - 1 star
Marrying Miss Bright - 3 stars
Kiss Me, Macrae - 3 stars
Holly and Old Lace - 1 star
Home for Christmas - 2 stars
A Spinster at the Highland Court - 2 stars
The Holiday Hussy - 1 star
December Debauchery - 3 stars
Wedded in Winter - 2 stars

Please see my other reviews on my blog at www.robinlovesreading.blogspot.com.

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Lady Hazel's twin Annabelle has just gotten married. As Hazel fondly looks out the window at her departure, she is approached by Lord Bainbridge, Garrett, who cannot stop staring at her. He wants one thing: just one kiss. Garrett takes that kiss and Hazel's life is forever changed. What was so special about the soft press of their lips? Evidently, it was something quite special, because, before short order, Garrett asks for Hazel's hand in marriage.

Unlike most historical romances that I have read, the marriage occurs immediately, then the courtship. Neither Garrett nor Hazel married for love. So, the question is whether or not the powerful attraction that they share will be enough to sustain the foundation they need for the rest of their lives.

As Hazel and Garrett attempt to discover what could be a wonderful future together, there is a huge hiccup. That hiccup is Garrett's aunt. She raised him, and, as we discover, refuses to let him go - even to his new wife. especially to his new wife. She is overbearing, condescending and controlling. For every stop that Garrett and Hazel make forward, she deigns to take them backwards. Will Garrett recognize the true disaster that could possibly result due to his aunt's actions?

I found Just One Kiss to be a remarkable story. It was a wonderful love story when it focused on the growing relationship between Garrett and Hazel. However, it also was a story of angst as Garrett finds himself pulled between what are the most two important people in his life. Kudos to the author for writing such a well-balanced story. While Just One Kiss was a very quick read, it was extremely interesting. How could you not vote for an enduring love to be shared for such a deserving couple? These romances by Dayna Quince are a true delight. Each story is well-written, complete in and of itself, while at the same time leaving me eager to read the next book in the series.

Many thanks to Jack's House Publishing and to Inkslinger PR for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Please see all of my reviews on my blog www.robinlovesreading.blogspot.com.

Well, it all started with a rumor, and Lord Draven can't really say why he began a rumor that he and Lady Anabelle Darling kissed. He tells her this. While Anabelle isn't sure either, she certainly is intrigued. If the rumor indeed has been spread, then her chances for a good match during this season might just be ruined. Anabelle wants to marry, and only for love. Nothing less.

Draven can't quite figure out what is wrong with him. He is a scoundrel and quite proud of it. Admittedly he enjoys what single gentlemen in London often does, including dalliances with women. But a single kiss and stolen glances with Anabelle is turning him into a changed man. He doesn't believe in love, or marriage. Nope, not for him. But, maybe another kiss...or two...with Anabelle. No, he won't ruin her chances for a good match. Or will he?

Belle of the Ball is the second in the Desperate and Daring series. It is a quick, fun and sexy read. I so enjoy this couple. She wants love. He doesn't believe in it. This is a time when propriety is everything, yet their attraction is beyond more than either of them can ignore, and they must find a way to stay away from each other. Anabelle has a list of prospective husbands and Draven is not on it. Now, can she find someone that she can truly love before she chances to lose her reputation, and her heart, to Draven? I have enjoyed the parrying between Anabelle and Draven.

What a delight these romances are by Dayna Quince are a true delight. Always fun, sexy and warm. While I loved Anabelle, there is just something so special about Draven that makes this book exceptional. There are ten books in this series and I do look forward to reading each and every one of them. Hazel's story is next in Just One Kiss. Will she succumb to her attraction to Lo rd Bainbridge? Check out the links above and grab these books!

Many thanks to Jack's House of Publishing and Inkslinger PR for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Please see all of my reviews on my blog at www.robinlovesreading.blogspot.com.

Heather Everly has some very painful and difficult decisions to make. Her father lost all the family had by his relentless gambling and then took his own life. But, not before his final bet. The prize is Heather's hand in marriage to a scoundrel, Lord Simon Ashley, Baron Brightly. Nothing could make Heather more miserable. Thankfully, Heather is allowed time to grieve her father's death.

A year later Heather makes an arrangement to marry the Duke of Ablehill. In so doing, she will be spared Brightly, but will also save her mother and sisters from certain ruin. The problem? The Duke is old enough to be Heather's grandfather. But she so chooses in order to do what is best for her family. A truly selfless deed, even if it means never knowing love at all.

As a house party approaches where she can present herself to the Duke, she meets his young and handsome secretary, a Mr. Erick Calder. Erick is there because the Duke is waylaid with an ankle injury and it is his duty to prove Heather worthy of marrying the Duke. However, from the moment Heather and Erick met, sparks fly. Heather is confused at these sudden and very powerful feelings, because she is intent on doing the noble thing, and that is to marry the Duke. Whatever are Erick and Heather supposed to do with their powerfully growing emotions and desires?

This book by Dayna Quince was absolutely wonderful. There are so many good things to say about it. The connection between Erick and Heather was so very intense. The conflicts had a sense of realism. This was also a spicy read. I loved both characters, and also really enjoyed Heather's mother. This was a quick read, rather short, but surprisingly so. The writing style was fluent and left me with a feeling of completeness. Heather may have been Desperate for a Duke, now let's just hope her wishes come true. This is the first in a ten-book series, to be followed by Belle of the Ball. I truly look forward to reading it.

Many thanks to Jack's House of Publishing and Inkslinger PR for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

A Wicked Wedding by Laura Trentham: “ . . . her smile and twinkling eyes had him grinning at her like a ninnyhammer." When I read that I knew I was in for a treat. And I was right. If Diana and Cole's story in A Wicked Wedding is any indication, the Once Upon a Christmas Wedding anthology it is part of is going to be one fantastic read. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and spice.

Diana and Cole have known each other since childhood; they grew up together. So the dialogue between them fairly snaps. But things are a little different now. Cole is The Earl of Linley. As the third son, he was never supposed to be but tragedy made it happen. Diana is just about marrying age, but with her outspoken manner and standing in the shadow of her sister’s beauty it might not be that easy. When Cole returns home as “My Lord” there is a new tension between them, some undercurrent that wasn’t there before. What’s happening? Diana can’t seem to stop her thoughts, “He would fill the emptiness and she wagered she wouldn’t even need a warming pan. What would happen if they were alone? . . . She pictured herself rubbing Cole’s feet.” I had to laugh out loud. Not sure foot rubbing would be on the agenda.

I always love anything and everything that Laura Trentham writes, and A Wicked Wedding was no exception. Her stories are so sweet, and the heat in this story didn’t hurt either!

I received an advance copy of A Wicked Wedding, thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it without hesitation. It has everything: a great plot populated by well-developed characters, and is full of humor, love, romance, surprise, suspense, danger, sadness – and LOVE. Read it!