My Pre-Release Review of
Holiday House Parties
Two Tales
by Elizabeth Mansfield
Open Road Integrated Media
Romance
Pub Date: 04th, October 2016
Publisher’s Description:
Unlikely lovers find passion under the Christmas mistletoe in this duet of Regency tales from an award-winning romance author.
In “The Girl with Airs,” Lord Dunvegan—Laird Geordie to his friends—attempts to persuade bluestocking Caroline Woolcott to give his besotted, tongue-tied friend Sir Archibald Halford a chance to win her hand in marriage.
A Scotsman banished to England to cultivate a more genteel manner, Geordie has yet to meet a female who tempts him to settle down. It certainly isn’t the headstrong lass who wants nothing to do with Archie—or Geordie. But then Geordie’s father decides the standoffish Caroline would make an ideal bride for his wayward son, and a sizzling kiss in the doorway of a grand Lancashire estate turns two warring hearts to love . . .
In “A Sneeze on Tuesday,” Elinor Selby succumbs to the worst cold she’s ever known five days before Christmas, and her entire future takes a catastrophic turn.
After an absence of five years, Elinor’s betrothed, Julian Henshaw, Lord Lovebourne, is due home any day. Were it not for her quick-thinking, curmudgeonly neighbor, Miles Endicott, on whom she’s relied since childhood, she might not be able to cope with the momentous reunion. But then an unexpected series of events forces Elinor and Miles to take part in a scandalous deception that will ignite a firestorm of longing and love.
Elizabeth Mansfield’s pair of irresistible holiday romances features men and women who discover love they didn’t know they were missing.
My Thoughts:
I had not previously read this author’s work and found this pair of sweet holiday romances delightful.
It is getting close to the time of year that I usually yearn for a good holiday romance. It is still a little early but I loved these two short Christmas reads.
Overall I would give this collection 4.25 stars for content, characters and story lines.
The heat level is 1 star. These are not your average heat filled romantic tales. They are sweet enough so that you would have no qualms about your teen family members reading them.
I received a Digital ARC compliments of the publisher in exchange for an honext review.
About Elizabeth Mansfield:
Elizabeth Mansfield is one of the pseudonyms for author Paula Schwartz, who lost her fight with ovarian cancer in December of 2003. During her life, she was an author, a teacher of dramatic arts, a professor of English, a playwright, actor, director, and most importantly, a mother.
This website is dedicated to her and her legacy of writing that she’s left behind for us all to enjoy: http://elizabethmansfield.com/
Her daughter’s (Wendy Sheridan) plans for this site are to make announcements of forthcoming reprints of her body of work, and publishing her other writings as she find’s them among her papers.
Dilemma In Yellow Silk
Emperors Of London
by Lynne Connolly
Digital Price: $0.99 at
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Ever ready to do the right thing, The Emperors of London act bravely—and when it comes to matters of the heart, impetuously…
Despite her cover as the daughter of the land steward for Lord Malton, Marcus Aurelius, spirited Viola Gates is tied by birth to the treacherous Jacobite legacy. Not that this keeps her from falling for the dashing Lord from afar. Despite his staid demeanor, Marcus is devastatingly handsome—and hopelessly beyond her reach. Then Viola’s father is mortally wounded and her secret identity revealed, sending her straight into danger’s path—and Marcus’s arms…
For years, he’d only known her as a wild child, the tempting—and forbidden—daughter of his trusted steward. But when Viola’s life is threatened, Marcus must act as duty—and his barely contained passion—dictates. Ferrying the bold beauty on an eventful journey to safer quarters, he offers her the protection of his name. Their tempestuous union might succeed in vanquishing their enemies, but will the chivalrous lord and his unsuitable wife surrender to the power of love?
About The Author:

“Plots, deviousness and passion galore…a truly enjoyable read.” – Fresh Fiction on Temptation Has Green Eyes
One Scandalous Kiss
An Accidental Heirs Novel
by Christy Carlyle
Digital Price: $0.99 at:
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When a scheming marquess’s daughter offers her one hundred pounds to publicly kiss a nobleman, a desperate Jessamin Wright agrees. She believes the money will save her failing bookstore and finally free her from her father’s debts. But when Jess bursts into an aristocratic party and shocks the entire ton, she never expects to enjoy the outrageous embrace she shares with a grim viscount.
Lucius Crawford, Viscount Grimsby, has never met, or kissed, anyone like the beautiful suffragette who unsettles him with a single touch. He has always strived for control and avoided passion at all costs. Lucius is determined to protect his title and restore the estate he’s unexpectedly inherited, but Jess’s appearance in his life poses a threat to his plans and his heart. After a country house party brings them together once more, neither can resist temptation, and both find that one scandalous kiss just isn’t enough.
About The Author:
Fueled by Pacific Northwest coffee and inspired by multiple viewings of every British costume drama she can get her hands on, USA Today bestselling author Christy Carlyle writes sensual historical romance set in the Victorian era. She loves heroes who struggle against all odds and heroines who are ahead of their time. A former teacher with a degree in history, she finds there’s nothing better than being able to combine her love of the past with a die-hard belief in happy endings.
Contact Christy at christy@christycarlyle.com or find out more at www.christycarlyle.com
To Avenge Her Highland Warrior
Highland Fae Chronicles Book 3
by Samantha Holt
Digital List Price: $3.99
$0.99 For a Limited Time at Amazon
(Goes back to $3.99 on Oct. 01, 2016)
The final book of the Highland Fae Chronicles
Lorna lost everything to war. Her home, her wealth… her lover. And now she wants revenge.
When her hasty plan throws her at the mercy of her enemy’s men, she holds little hope of returning to her kin and fears death is around the corner. But could her salvation lie in the arms of her dark captor?
Logan has little time to be dealing with a stubborn noble woman. His orders are to prepare for war. His laird—the man he owes his life to—intends to join forces with the Norse and bring a battle to Scotland that will see the fate of the country forever changed. Scarred, and with no memory of his past, Logan is determined to forge a new future for himself as well as prove his loyalty to the laird.
But the beautiful lass has him questioning his previous life and his goals. When she starts claiming he once loved her, he knows he’s being manipulated and she’s taking advantage of his memory loss. So why is it so hard to resist the idea of having once been her lover?
With the threat of impending war—a battle that promises to bring slaughter to her family—can Lorna persuade Logan to believe her, and is the bitter man he’s become even worth saving?
Whatever the outcome of the battle, a certain interfering faery is resolved to see fate back on its correct path. And that means forcing Lorna and Logan together—no matter their differences.
About The Author:
Claim your free historical romance boxset here: https://www.instafreebie.com/free/ZqtZR
You can find Samantha on Facebook and join in her weekly Funday Friday giveaway: https://www.facebook.com/samanthaholtromance
Samantha lives in a small village in England with her twin girls and a dachshund called Duke. She enjoys writing historical romance involving chivalrous knights, hot highlanders and cravatted men. Writing is her (more than) full time job but on the rare occasion, she’s not writing, she loves to visit the many stately homes and castles nearby.
Wedding Series Boxed Set 3 Books in 1
The Wedding Series Book 97
by Patricia McLinn
Digital List Price: $9.99
FREE For a Limited Time at:
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You are cordially invited to join the wedding celebration as college friends embark on the greatest education of all – falling in love, finding the perfect bride, and becoming the happiest grooms around.
Get the first three books — PRELUDE TO A WEDDING, WEDDING PARTY, and GRADY’S WEDDING — complete in this volume. The Wedding Series continues to unfold with THE FORGOTTEN PRINCE.
“A must read series” – 5*
The free spirit: Paul Monroe
Book 1 – Prelude to a Wedding
Charming Paul Monroe has the Peter Pan thing down pat. As an antique toy appraiser, even his work involves play. Which is fine, unless your job is to keep his Chicago business running smoothly . . . and all that charm, humor — and sexiness — is aimed at you.
Organization and reliability are Bette Wharton’s hallmarks. She handles the toughest clients with aplomb, until Paul provides a challenge that goes way beyond the office. She has a plan and a timetable. How can she let herself fall for Mr. Live-for-the-Moment when all he offers is Love-for-the-Moment?
The best man: Michael Dickinson
Book 2 – Wedding Party
Michael Dickinson is delighted to be best man at his friend’s wedding – but there’s one complication. Tris Donlin is a standing up for the bride. He’s wanted Tris for longer than he cares to remember, but to her, he’s just good old Michael – college pal, confidant, best buddy … Would a few days of wedding celebration let him finally get her out of his system once and for all?
Her cousin Paul’s wedding party has Tris’ head and heart full of memories of college days with him, Michael, and their friend Grady. Grady was her college crush and Michael was her buddy. Now that they’re all grown up, my how things have changed.
She’s certain she’s found the best man for her . . . if only she can convince him that friends can make the best lovers.
The last bachelor: Grady Roberts
Book 3 – Grady’s Wedding
Grady Roberts has never been the marrying kind – and he still isn’t. But after watching his best friends walk down the aisle to their brides and even start families, flipping through his little black book and ordering take-out for one suddenly seem boring …and lonely. Yet the one woman who intrigues him keeps him at arm’s length.
Leslie Craig is human. She feels the full effect of handsome, intelligent, wealthy, successful Grady’s attraction . . . and his loneliness. It’s the last element that snags her heart. She’s developed a knack for helping people with problems and sorrows without ever revealing her own. Can she do that for Grady?
“This trilogy was fun and serious all at the same time” – 5*
“These three stories were perfect. The characters were multi-dimensional and played off each other in warm, thoughtful, loving ways. Each couple faced a different situation and overcame their obstacles together and with the insightful comments of their friends. …Heart-warming.” – 5*
“Great love stories!
Must read all books in the series!
Really enjoyed each of them.
I laughed and cried! Must read.” – 5*
THE WEDDING SERIES
Prelude to a Wedding*
Wedding Party*
Grady’s Wedding*
The Runaway Bride
The Christmas Princess
Hoops (prequel to The Surprise Princess)
The Surprise Princess
Not a Family Man (prequel to The Forgotten Prince)
The Forgotten Prince
*Get all three books at a discount in one volume in The Wedding Series boxed set.
About The Author:
I write because people heal. And those are the people who fascinate me.
They heal from pinpricks and catastrophes. They heal seamlessly or with scars, hidden or visible. They heal in as many ways as there are things to heal from, then multiplied by the number of individuals there are in this world.
As a journalist, I witnessed moments of “injury” and frequently found myself asking “How does someone get past that?” – whether “that” was pinprick or catastrophe. That question is also at the heart of my stories. What my characters are healing from frequently falls into the realm of wounds most of us carry. That makes the healing no less fascinating and no less admirable than if a character has troubles few of us will ever encounter. (I am piling on with one character right now, and it’s starting to make me feel a little guilty.)
I find people often heal from doses of humor, honesty, and being pushed into situations they’ve been trying to avoid. Since few people will push themselves into situations they’ve been avoiding (wg), the characters need friends, family, and community willing to push. So my stories have a lot of those elements. That’s why I’m most pleased that my readers say my books blend “laughter and tears” with characters who “live and breathe.” I don’t have the most focused writing career – contemporary romance, mystery, women’s fiction, historical romance, nonfiction – but those elements unite my 40+ titles.
Some say my stories have happy endings. I like to think of each story as being the process of the main characters getting themselves to a point where they can have a happy beginning. Because they’ve done a lot of healing.
If you enjoy stories about characters learning, growing, and healing, with some humor, sometimes some mystery, and frequently romance, I hope you’ll try my books.
For more on what’s coming up with my writing, you can sign up for my newsletter at my website: http://www.PatriciaMcLinn.com
And if you truly want to know about my childhood, education, and journalism career, click on “Bio” at the website.
Enjoy your reading!
Patricia
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