A Midwinter Ball by Heidi Ashworth, Annette Lyon, & Michele Paige Holmes (Review)

A Midwinter BallA Midwinter Ball
(Timeless Regency Collection)
by Heidi Ashworth, Annette Lyon, & Michele Paige Holmes
Adult Historical Romance
ebook, 300 Pages
December 1st 2015 by Mirror Press
Summary

From the publisher of the #1 Amazon bestselling A Timeless Romance Anthology series in Clean Romance.

Join three bestselling regency romance authors, Heidi Ashworth, Annette Lyon, and Michele Paige Holmes, for three new regency romance novellas in A MIDWINTER BALL.

MUCH ADO ABOUT DANCING by Heidi Ashworth. Two years have passed since Lord Northrup declared his intentions for Miss Analisa Lloyd-Jones and forbade any other man to court her. Angry at the neglect, Analisa stopped reading his letters, never even breaking the seals. Tired of waiting, Analisa joins the house party at Mrs. Smith’s famous country home, determined to find a beau. When Lord Northrup unexpectedly joins the party, Analisa discovers she is no longer repulsed by the man who first laid claim to her hand.

SWEETER THAN ANY DREAM by Annette Lyon. Olivia Wallington is firmly established as a spinster, but that doesn’t stop her from dreaming about the perfect man. Ever since her father’s death, Olivia has been forced into seclusion by her mother. When her brother and his wife come for a visit, they discover the extent to which she lives under their mother’s thumb. With their help, Olivia sneaks out to attend a local ball, where she meets Edward Blakemoore. For a few divine moments, all of her dreams seem possible. But even someone like Mr. Blakemoore would be hard pressed to get past Mrs. Wallington’s fortress of protection—or past Olivia’s pride.

AN INVITATION TO DANCE by Michele Paige Holmes. Lady Ella has been isolated on her father’s estate since her mother’s death as her father travels the world. When Alex Darling arrives with a letter from her long-dead fiancé, and a demand that she travel to London for a series of engagements, Ella thinks her father instigated the strange demands and agrees. In London, she discovers the truth behind her fiancé’s death, and that new love might be possible in the arms of the most unexpected man.

 

This is the second collection from this line of books that I've read. You can read my review of Autumn Masquerade here.

My Review


I don't know what it is about reading stories from historical England, particularly the Regency period, but I know that I always enjoy them with their charming gentleman, proper etiquette (that can add to some wonderful humor and romance), their lovely dresses, and some sweet romance when the couple is looking for love and not just wealth or station. A MIDWINTER BALL represents all of that as its three novellas involve, in some way, dancing or a ball. I loved seeing the various women's reactions to such events, some in excitement, others in disdain, and one in hope at the prospects. I enjoyed seeing the men who seek their hearts and how they seek to know the hearts of these women and to court them. Even though each story is around 100 pages, the writing was wonderful, the characters well developed, and the stories engaging. It was an enjoyable compilation from beginning to end.

MUCH ADO ABOUT DANCING by Heidi Ashworth. If you've enjoyed Heidi's other stories with their crazy antics and hilarity, this story also promised much the same, but with a feisty and confrontational heroine who thought her heart wanted something to find that she was mistaken. I felt rather sad for the heroine, Analisa, because she makes such a fool of herself even though she doesn't mean to. She has done everything to avoid a course that she hasn't even assessed what she wants properly. She has a ways to come, some soul-searching, and some amends to make. I liked seeing how she develops and gains some maturity. I also loved the sweet moments in this one that were made sweeter by the heartbreak both characters experienced. Loved it!

SWEETER THAN ANY DREAM by Annette Lyon. This was such a great story! I was getting a little restless with Olivia's situation because I didn't want her to continue on the path she had been set on and then things get stirred up. She has the opportunity for love. I loved the way she changes and finally finds herself. I loved her brother and his wife. I also loved the hero, Edward, and how he really puts it all on the line. It was a very sweet and heartwarming story. Another one that I loved!

AN INVITATION TO DANCE by Michele Paige Holmes. This was probably my favorite of the set. I loved the way the main characters first meet and how spirited Ella is, while she also shows a tenderness and vulnerability. I loved the tension, the heartbreaking moments, how both characters challenge each other, how they begin not caring for each other, develop a friendship, and then come to the possibility of more. The ending had a rather humorous moment and then a very sweet one. This story was a perfect ending the collection.

A MIDWINTER BALL was another novella collection that I thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end. I'd recommend it to all romance readers, especially those who enjoy their stories on the sweeter side.

Content: Clean

Source: Received a complimentary copy from one of the authors, which did not affect my review in any way.


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