Review: Christmas Forevermore by Sally Britton, Sarah M. Eden, Ashtyn Newbold, Karen Thornell

My rating: 5 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

This holiday season, fall in love with a brand-new collection of swoon-worthy novellas from four of your favorite historical romance authors. From meddling matchmakers to fortuitous fiascos, the holidays have never been more magical!
 

A Family Christmas by Sally Britton

After years abroad, Cyril Grant worries about relating to his highborn relatives at the family’s holiday celebration. But an unexpected connection with a member of the household staff opens his heart—in more ways than one.
 

Christmas Forevermore by Sarah M. Eden

In this reimagining of the beloved Charles Dickens tale A Christmas Carol, spinster Minna Schofield is inadvertently ensnared by a local matchmaker whose meddling launches Minna on a journey of self-reflection that could lead her to unexpected love.
 

Christmas at Cranfield by Ashtyn Newbold

Though childhood friends Hannah and Samuel secretly adore one another, fate conspires to keep them apart. But after years of shared holidays and missed opportunities, this Christmas brings the hope that their stars will align.
 

A Thrill of Hope by Karen Thornell

After a devastating loss, Christmas holds little appeal for Isabel Reid. But when a snowstorm traps her in the company of a surprising traveling companion, the perpetual winter of Isabel’s heart may just begin to thaw.

My Review

I always love a good Christmas novella! This collection is wonderful, and provided some lovely reading sessions during a busy season. The authors all did an amazing job with quick character development and engaging plots, drawing me into the story and leaving me with a satisfied feeling from connecting with the emotions. The sweet romance and warm Christmas vibes brought depth and joy to each character's journey. Highly recommend for winter reading and anytime you need a heartwarming escape!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: Romancing the Artist by Sally Britton

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Caroline Clapham isn’t a world renown artist—she’s simply a farmer’s daughter possessed of natural talent with a paintbrush. Talent that her mentor, the Countess of Inglewood, is happy to foster for a summer at her beautiful seaside estate. Caroline’s friends warn her that the season will end and she will return home as insignificant as ever, but Caroline refuses to let go of the hope for something more. 

 

Mr. Edward Everly is preparing to take over the management of the estate from his father. His new responsibilities are many and varied, and include marrying the girl his parents have selected for him. Unfortunately, the chosen bride is in love with another, and Edward would rather help her cause than champion his own. When he stumbles upon Miss Clapham painting in the woods, he hatches a plan to help both himself and his supposed intended. The beautiful young artist agrees to enter into a pretend courtship with him, but before summer’s end, Edward’s emotions are far from feigned. 

 

Though it starts as a ruse, Caroline and Edward’s relationship quickly deepens into something neither of them expected. Edward has a role to fill, and Caroline’s lifelong dream is almost within reach. Will their pretend courtship have the chance to blossom into more, or will Edward follow the wishes of his family and risk breaking more than his own heart?

My Review

An absolute delight! I felt immersed in the setting and the characters' emotions. I loved Caroline's progress as an artist, that she recognizes her talent but also her desire for growth and further mentorship. It's fun to have characters from the author's previous books playing roles in this new series among the younger generation. It's interesting to see the dynamics between Caroline and her stepfather Lord Neil, as well as her art mentor, Lady Inglewood (Esther, from Rescuing Lord Inglewood- this makes me want to read it again!) Edward and Caroline have delicious chemistry based on friendship, and I enjoyed every minute of reading this book, even when they were still trying to figure out the future and the potential for their blossoming relationship while also following their dreams and fulfilling the expectations of others. 

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: Her Unsuitable Match by Sally Britton

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Lady Philippa must wed to gain her fortune and freedom. A former soldier wants only peace and seclusion. Marriage to each other is their best solution.

Lady Philippa Gillensford is three and twenty, an heiress, and sister to a penny-pinching earl. After rejecting every bachelor her mother approves of, Philippa is ready to take her future into her own hands. Though she doubts she’ll marry for love, she is more than willing to marry for freedom from her family’s influence.

Myles Cobbett has withdrawn from Society, content to remain alone after surviving the horrors of the Napoleonic wars. When a friend convinces Myles to attend a ball benefiting wounded veterans like himself, Myles meets the lively Lady Philippa. Shortly thereafter, to help Philippa avoid scandal, Myles rescues her from a complete cad.

Sensing a chance to escape her family’s control, Philippa convinces Myles he must marry her to save her reputation. In exchange for this favor, Philippa promises him the very thing he thought he always wanted: a quiet life, alone in the country.

While the two put on a show of marital happiness for their neighbors, both realize they want much more from this arrangement. Can they take a marriage of convenience and turn it into a love match?

Her Unsuitable Match is a sweet Regency romance and can be read as a stand-alone or as the sequel to Sally Britton's previous novel, His Unexpected Heiress.

It is also part of the Supposed Scandal series.

My Review

Myles and Philippa are both in difficult circumstances, but I loved how they showed determination to stay true to themselves and persevere through their trials. They are intrigued by each other, and even though it is unexpected, the solution of a marriage of convenience frees them both and opens their options for the future. Some couples from the authors other books are woven into the local society and I enjoyed revisiting them and the way they exemplified genuine love for Pippa and Myles. There's just something about the way they allow themselves to reach for more in their relationship that brings romantic tension and a sweetness to their special moments. 

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the previous book, His Unexpected Heiress . . .

Check out the other books in the Supposed Scandal series . . .

Review: Timeless Regency Collection: The Inns of Devonshire by Sally Britton, Annette Lyon, Deborah M. Hathaway

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

    

Synopsis

Three novellas, three times the romance, and three times the love . . . in this brand new Timeless Regency Collection: The Inns of Devonshire

THE SEVENTH STAR INN by Sally Britton
After years of looking after one another, Susan Baxter and her mother view their neighbors in Totnes as family. When a new landlord inherits the leases on their homes and businesses alike, Susan dreads knowing her world could change at the whim of a stranger. But when she meets Collin Stonecroft and his inquisitive daughter, her feelings shift quickly from cautionary to hopeful. Collin has lived in the confines of London boarding houses all his life, and he’s determined to give his daughter more. They check into the Seventh Star Inn with plans to return to London as soon as possible, but both find Miss Baxter and her local history lessons far too enchanting to leave behind. When Susan learns of Collin’s proposed changes to her beloved neighborhood, will she be able to help him see that some things are perfect the way they are?

THE TRUTH ABOUT MR. BLACKMORE by Annette Lyon
Leigh’s life at the Old Grey Inn is drudgery broken by flights of fancy thanks in part to novels by Simon Blackmore. When Mattias McGrady comes to the inn for a fortnight, Leigh captures his attention. A relationship develops, and she dreads the end of his stay, which will mean a return to an unhappy life. An urgent letter to Mattias leads to him inviting Leigh to an event that stands to change both of their lives forever. If all goes well, Leigh will have a life of her choosing after all. But half-truths and lies have a way of complicating matters. When their plans go awry, Leigh loses her reputation and Mattias almost surely loses his career. Can either of them find happiness?

THE COACHMAN'S CHOICE by Deborah M. Hathaway
Ever-reliable Mary Thorne has helped her widowed mother run The Golden Mermaid Inn for years. She spends her days greeting guests, ensuring the inn runs smoothly—and dodging flirtatious remarks from passing coachmen. But she’s far too busy to pay any attention to such men, even the enticingly attractive Mr. Northcott. Known far and wide for his horsemanship, punctuality, and dallying reputation, Robert Northcott relishes his life as a coachman, especially his freedom to flirt with numerous women from inn to inn, all without the messy details of commitment. There’s just one woman who's immune to his charms: the lovely, single landlady of The Golden Mermaid. Robert is determined to win Mary over, just as heartily as she is determined to keep her distance from him. But his carefree life is threatened when his pursual of Mary becomes more than just a game...

My Review

This collection is delightful from start to finish! I loved the countryside setting with inns as a main feature. The role of the inn was different with each story, and I appreciated the variety. A similarity between them is that the heroine is in a situation with low marriage prospects, considered a spinster, when the opportunity for love arrive unexpectedly. I was enthralled with each story, and loved them each equally, which is the best thing ever in a collection! I give credit to the authors for creating characters that I could quickly relate to and connect with, interesting plots, and fun relationships of sweet romance blossoming with attraction and chemistry. Adding this one to the faves folder on my Kindle for re-reading in the future!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

About the Authors

Sally Britton is a wife, mother, and author who loves the world of romance, received her BA in English from Brigham Young University, and reads voraciously. She started her writing journey at the tender age of fourteen on an electric typewriter, and she’s never looked back.

Sally primarily lives in Oklahoma with her husband, four children, and Izzie the Aussie Shepherd. She loves researching, hiking, and eating too much chocolate.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads | Bookbub

Annette Lyon is a USA Today Bestselling author. She's won a Whitney Award (2010) and is an eight-time recipient of Utah's Best of State medal for fiction and short stories. She's the author of more than a dozen novels, even more novellas, a cookbook, a grammar guide, and some 120+ articles. She's worked as a professional editor for publishers and bestselling authors and graduated cum laude from BYU with a degree in English.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads | Bookbub

Deborah M. Hathaway graduated from Utah State University with a BA in Creative Writing. As a young girl, she devoured Jane Austen's novels while watching and re-watching every adaptation she could. She finds inspiration for her novels during her travels with her English husband to the United Kingdom, where she draws on the beauty of the country in such places as Ireland, Yorkshire, and her beloved Cornwall. Be sure to sign up for Deborah's Newsletter to stay updated on new releases, free and discounted Clean Romance novels, and more!

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Bookbub

 

Join the virtual book tour of THE INNS OF DEVONSHIRE, a collection of novellas by bestselling authors Sally Britton, Annette Lyon, & Deborah M. Hathaway, October 4-17, 2021. Thirty-five popular on-line influencers specializing in Regency romance, historical romance, and inspirational fiction will join in the celebration of the release of the 18th book in the bestselling Timeless Regency Collection with a spotlights, exclusive excerpts, and reviews of this new anthology set in Regency England.

Oct 04 Fire and Ice 

Oct 04 Austenprose 

Oct 04 Timeless Novels 
Oct 05 Lu Reviews Books 
Oct 05 Beauty in the Binding 
Oct 05 For Where Your Treasure Is
Oct 06 Probably at the Library 
Oct 06 Our Book Confessions 
Oct 06 Bookworm Lisa 
Oct 07 Literary Time Out 
Oct 07 Reading with Emily 
Oct 08 Bringing Up Books 
Oct 08 Gwendalyn's Books 
Oct 09 Becky on Books 
Oct 09 Books and Socks Rock 
Oct 10 The Christian Fiction Girl 
Oct 10 Heidi Reads 
Oct 11 My Jane Austen Book Club 
Oct 11 Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen 
Oct 11 Wishful Endings 
Oct 12 So Little Time… 
Oct 12 The Caffeinated Bibliophile 
Oct 12 Laura's Reviews 
Oct 13 Austenesque Reviews 
Oct 13 Storeybook Reviews 
Oct 13 Rosanne E. Lortz 
Oct 14 From Pemberley to Milton 
Oct 14 Chicks, Rogues and Scandals 
Oct 14 Christian Chick's Thoughts 
Oct 15 A Darn Good Read 
Oct 15 Relz Reviewz 
Oct 15 Reading is My Superpower 
Oct 15 Book Confessions of an Ex-Ballerina
Oct 16 My Bookish Bliss 

Oct 17 The Book Diva Reads