Ten Reasons To Stay by Sabrina Jeffries cemented my decision to pick up more of her work. I picked up the playaway for [b:A Hellion in Her Bed|7645928|A Hellion in Her Bed (Hellions of Halstead Hall, #2)|Sabrina Jeffries|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1284586151s/7645928.jpg|10190255] mostly because it was one of the few non-contemporary romances available in that format from the library, and I remembered enjoying her story in [b:Fantasy|303251|Fantasy (Includes Leopard People, #1; Midnight, #1)|Christine Feehan|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173555957s/303251.jpg|294303]. This story had all my favorite bits of angst. Abused/neglected and insecure/curvy (read:chubby) heroine, troubled hero, adversarial banter between the couple, sweet and steamy sex. Her story in [b:Snowy Night with a Stranger|2897990|Snowy Night with a Stranger (School for Heiresses, Anthology 2)|Jane Feather|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1256145432s/2897990.jpg|2924402], which I just read, was also dinging all my bells. I've definitely got a formula right now that I like. I'm going to have to pick up more of her work tomorrow, especially since I'm on this historical romance kick. (4.5 stars)

After Midnight by Liz Carlyle, however, was whatever the opposite of the phrase "up my ally" is. I just couldn't buy into it. I'm a cynic, so I admit an author has to work for me to suspend my disbelief when it comes to the notion of falling in love in a matter of days (to be honest, I scoff at anything short of six months), but it is possible for me to get into it. Just see my review for the previous story in this anthology. This was too quick though. Not bad for a set up. Hero is an unrepentant rake, heroine has a somewhat mysterious pass. But suddenly, the virginal Martinique, waking up to an accidental bed partner, decides seemingly randomly to sleep with him. There is tepid passion, no real angst, and suddenly they are in love? With no (non-cheesy) conversation and what seems to be little chemistry? Er, ok. This story was apparently the prequel to a series I will not be reading. (1 star)

The Merchant's Gift by Julia London was sweet, but made me discover a bit more about themes I do not prefer. Namely, rich lady/poor man. Perhaps I would like the reverse, but I disliked that the crux of the drama centered around the hero being in trade and the heroine (whose father was also in trade) was intended to marry higher. I also found an aversion to love triangles (at least, the non-sexy kind). I think this is because I like my romance to be all happily ever after, and don't like seeing someone get hurt. I read fluff because as a diversion from the world, thank you very much, and there is enough pain there as it is. Misunderstandings are my preferred drama, because I know it will turn out alright in the end. So, while I wasn't a fan of this particular plot (though it was cute), I would read more by this author as I liked the other short story I read by her in [b:Snowy Night with a Stranger|2897990|Snowy Night with a Stranger (School for Heiresses, Anthology 2)|Jane Feather|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1256145432s/2897990.jpg|2924402]. (3 stars)

Mischief's Holiday by Renee Bernard was the final story, one I enjoyed as well. The heroine, Alyssa, is clumsy and good-natured about it, always getting into some kind of trouble. Leland is more somber, and clear in his disinterest in marriage. A series of adorable mishaps bring the two together, much to Alyssa's embarrassment. I enjoyed her vulnerability and charm, and always like a good protective leading man who defends his lady. I'll be checking out more of Renee Bernard's work, I suspect. (3.5 stars) ( )

I read 'After Midnight' by Liz Carlyle. Story of unvirgin like virgin, originally from the West Indies, who has had some schooling in England. She then meets a rake, St. Vrain, and he 'accidentally' ends up in her bed and she begs him to bed her. They are caught and they become betrothed, not intending to follow through. They decide they are really in love, she will marry him and he gives her the family ring. The End. (no epilogue) There is not enough detail because it is a novella and everything seems to happen very quickly. ( )

Ten Reasons To Stay by Sabrina Jeffries cemented my decision to pick up more of her work. I picked up the playaway for [b:A Hellion in Her Bed|7645928|A Hellion in Her Bed (Hellions of Halstead Hall, #2)|Sabrina Jeffries|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1284586151s/7645928.jpg|10190255] mostly because it was one of the few non-contemporary romances available in that format from the library, and I remembered enjoying her story in [b:Fantasy|303251|Fantasy (Includes Leopard People, #1; Midnight, #1)|Christine Feehan|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173555957s/303251.jpg|294303]. This story had all my favorite bits of angst. Abused/neglected and insecure/curvy (read:chubby) heroine, troubled hero, adversarial banter between the couple, sweet and steamy sex. Her story in [b:Snowy Night with a Stranger|2897990|Snowy Night with a Stranger (School for Heiresses, Anthology 2)|Jane Feather|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1256145432s/2897990.jpg|2924402], which I just read, was also dinging all my bells. I've definitely got a formula right now that I like. I'm going to have to pick up more of her work tomorrow, especially since I'm on this historical romance kick. (4.5 stars)

After Midnight by Liz Carlyle, however, was whatever the opposite of the phrase "up my ally" is. I just couldn't buy into it. I'm a cynic, so I admit an author has to work for me to suspend my disbelief when it comes to the notion of falling in love in a matter of days (to be honest, I scoff at anything short of six months), but it is possible for me to get into it. Just see my review for the previous story in this anthology. This was too quick though. Not bad for a set up. Hero is an unrepentant rake, heroine has a somewhat mysterious pass. But suddenly, the virginal Martinique, waking up to an accidental bed partner, decides seemingly randomly to sleep with him. There is tepid passion, no real angst, and suddenly they are in love? With no (non-cheesy) conversation and what seems to be little chemistry? Er, ok. This story was apparently the prequel to a series I will not be reading. (1 star)

The Merchant's Gift by Julia London was sweet, but made me discover a bit more about themes I do not prefer. Namely, rich lady/poor man. Perhaps I would like the reverse, but I disliked that the crux of the drama centered around the hero being in trade and the heroine (whose father was also in trade) was intended to marry higher. I also found an aversion to love triangles (at least, the non-sexy kind). I think this is because I like my romance to be all happily ever after, and don't like seeing someone get hurt. I read fluff because as a diversion from the world, thank you very much, and there is enough pain there as it is. Misunderstandings are my preferred drama, because I know it will turn out alright in the end. So, while I wasn't a fan of this particular plot (though it was cute), I would read more by this author as I liked the other short story I read by her in [b:Snowy Night with a Stranger|2897990|Snowy Night with a Stranger (School for Heiresses, Anthology 2)|Jane Feather|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1256145432s/2897990.jpg|2924402]. (3 stars)

Mischief's Holiday by Renee Bernard was the final story, one I enjoyed as well. The heroine, Alyssa, is clumsy and good-natured about it, always getting into some kind of trouble. Leland is more somber, and clear in his disinterest in marriage. A series of adorable mishaps bring the two together, much to Alyssa's embarrassment. I enjoyed her vulnerability and charm, and always like a good protective leading man who defends his lady. I'll be checking out more of Renee Bernard's work, I suspect. (3.5 stars) ( )

Four short stories about four girls who went to the same finishing school.

Ten Reasons to stay by Sabrina Jeffries features an Anglo-Indian lord who discovers a horse thief isn't who he appears to be, and in fact isn't a he at all. Rescuing the lovely lady is going to compicate his life. This one is probably the best of the bunch, the descriptions of her finding erotic prints is hilarious.

After Midnight by Liz Carlyle is the story of the daughter of a courtesan who discovers love. She's never thought that she would find someone who would accept her and her heritage.

The Merchant's Gift by Julia London is the story of a nouveau riche heiress who finds love where her father will never approve. Her father has invested a lot of energy into her marrying an earl not a common merchant but her heart can't be guided as easily as she thought.

Mischief's Holiday by Renee Bernard is the story of a woman who seems to attract chaos who finally finds someone who seems to still it, or at least laughs with her rather than at her. She also brings him out of his serious scolarly life and makes him laugh.

Not bad but not stellar, I enjoyed it but it can go. ( )

THE MERCHANT’S GIFT

As always these stories are too short. There never seems to be enough detail and they are often unsatisfying. There are authors that can pack a good deal of emotion and background into a novella to really make the reader feel like they have read a full length book. This story while well done is still short on something.

There is emotion in the story especially at the end but maybe it is that Grace Holcomb seems so mercenary. I understand in this time period marriages among the gentry were often arranged and had little to do with love but Grace is just so blind to the possibility. Most of this blindness is her father’s greed to have a titled gentleman as a son-in-law. Grace has been raised to be the wife of a titled man and that is all she knows. Unfortunately it takes the entire story for Grace to even question that she might want.

Barrett Adlaine is a self-made man. He has come up from very little and accumulated quite a fortune. He hasn’t considered needing a wife until he meets Grace. He has known her for most of her life but he is stuck with what a lovely woman she has become. It isn’t long before he is courting Grace and trying to win her heart.

There is only one very short love scene in this story and while steamy it was not very fulfilling. There is only one other character in the story worth wondering about and that is Sir William. I felt very bad for him when Grace rejected his suit. I hope that he finds his happy ending soon. ( )