Joanna Fulford (–2013)

E' un harmony e già questo dice tutto: un prodotto in serie, concepito per spegnere il cervello e permettere di rilassarsi un paio d'ore. Il canovaccio è sempre lo stesso: un uomo e una donna si incontrano, si piacciono, trovano ostacoli vari lungo il cammino e poi happy ending. In questo caso il tutto è condito da una spruzzata di mix storico/avventura che mi è particolarmente congeniale.
Poco altro da dire, i libri harmony raramente deludono ma altrettanto raramente entusiasmano. Innocuo e senza pretese.… (más)

An Earl Beneath the Mistletoe - Louise Allen

December 1814

Hugo, Earl of Burnham, gets caught in a storm while traveling and takes refuge at Emilia Weston's alehouse. Emilia is a widow and her husband died three years ago. She lives with her two, young, twin sons, Nathan and Joseph. Since the snow makes it impossible for Hugo to leave he gets to know the townsfolk, and Emilia, and her friendly sons. But the more he gets to know these people the harder it is for him to leave.

This was a sweet, heartwarming read. I liked the main couple and I was happy to see them find romance. I also found Emilia's twin sons really cute. I liked the warm, cozy feel of the village and I liked how they all helped each other out in the snowstorm. I also liked how Hugo brought Emilia and her parents (who were estranged from her) back together. I sort of wished they stayed in the village instead of leaving to go to Hugo's estate at the end. I liked the atmosphere of the village and alehouse.

Twelfth Night Proposal - Lucy Ashford

December 1817

Theo Dalbury inherits a fortune and an estate in Derbyshire called Northcote Hall. He leaves London and travels to Derbyshire to claim his new estate. When he arrives he meets Jenna Brook. Jenna and her mother used to live at Northcote Hall, but after the previous owner died they eventually got thrown out. And they are having difficulties with the steward who may be responsible for burning down their home. Theo fires the steward and tries to help Jenna and her mother by inviting them to stay at Northcote Hall (where Jenna's frail mother loved to live). Theo is expecting (unwanted) visitors from London for Christmas so he asks Jenna for her help with the Christmas preparations. But after his visitors arrive (including a girl that wants to be Theo's wife) they all get snowed in and Theo is stuck with his unwanted visitors for longer than he would have liked.

Theo doesn't like Christmas because his father left him at boarding school every Christmas when Theo was young. Jenna holds a small party for Theo with the villagers for Christmas and he finds it was his best Christmas ever. At first he couldn't wait to leave this place, but now, he starts to think maybe he should stay.

Jenna usually wore a long man's coat, drab clothes, and hid her long blonde hair up and under her cap. (I guess to discourage the steward and other men). She followed many of the village's traditions, myths (Hob Hurst goblin, etc...). I liked her. She was interesting and unusual, and very caring towards the children in the village. She also really looked out for her sick mother.

I liked how Theo changed his mind about the Derbyshire village. At first he really disliked it, but by the end he felt like he really belonged there. Jenna and Theo made a good couple. They were both very likable. This story was lovely, charming, and funny at times. It was my favorite story in the book.

Christmas At Oakhurst Manor - Joanna Fulford

Vivien Hastings accepts a friend's invitation to spend Christmas at Oakhurst Manor with her two children. She is a widow (her husband died of pneumonia eighteen months ago.) Then she discovers her ex-love (Max Calderwood) from ten years ago will be there too. But it's too late to change her plans, and her children are looking forward to going.

Vivien and Max eventually meet again. Max has been in India for many years. (Max broke up with Vivien because Vivien came from a well-to-do family and Max knew he wasn't good enough for her and her parents would never approve. He left for India to make his fortune. Vivien married another man to oblige her family.) But now that they have met again, Max realizes the mistake he made in the past regarding Vivien, and he wonders if they could maybe, now, have a future together?

This was another enjoyable read. I liked how Max got on with Vivien's children. He never really got over Vivien and she never forgot him. So they both get a second chance and a happy ever after.

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I enjoyed all the stories in this book. Each one had a snowbound theme. This was a pleasant and entertaining Christmas read.… (más)

After the deaths of his wife and son due to an epidemic that swept through his lands, Wulfgar and his men have spent the last six years as mercenaries. Wulfgar feels guilty that he had spent so much time away from his family and swears that he will never get emotionally close to anyone again.

Anwyn lost her husband a few months ago and rejoices in it. He had been a brutal man who enjoyed inflicting pain on her. She has no intention of marrying again, but the neighboring lord, Ingevar, has designs on her and her land.

After a storm damages his ship Wulfgar lands near Anywyn's home to make repairs. The neighbor tries to run him off, but Anwyn intercedes and invites Wulfgar and his men to stay as long as they need to for their repairs. After receiving threats, Anwyn first hires Wulfgar and his men as additional protection, but then proposes a marriage of convenience to protect her from forcible marriage to someone else.

Anwyn's experiences with men have been limited to types like her late husband, but she senses there is something different about Wulfgar. It doesn't take long for her to discover that he is both honorable and amazingly kind. It doesn't hurt that he's darned good looking too. I liked the courage that she showed in standing up to Ingevar, and also in overcoming her fears to ask Wulfgar for his help.

Wulfgar has spent the last six years actively seeking death, only to be defeated by his own abilities. I loved the way that Anwyn gets under his guard and he finds himself wanting to help her. He lets her know that he won't stay, even if they marry, but that he'll make sure she's well defended before he leaves.

Wulfgar's kindness to her and her son soon has Anwyn falling in love with him. She dreams of him staying, even though he has made it clear that he won't. Wulfgar also finds himself dreaming of staying, but his certainty that he would make a terrible husband and father forces him to continue his plans to leave.

Wulfgar nearly loses everything because of his fears, whereas Anwyn does a much better job of leaving her past behind. I really enjoyed seeing her confront Wulfgar about his fears and point out what he is doing to them both. His "ah-ha" moment came almost too late, but he did manage to save the day.

I did get frustrated with his actions regarding Ingevar, as by giving in to Anwyn regarding his fate he set up the trouble that came at the end. He'd have done better to follow his instincts, at least the second time, and explained to her why he did it.

I did enjoy the epilogue a lot. It was fun to see them a year down the line.… (más)