Mary Balogh's name is the reason I picked up this anthology; I've read something by each of these authors before, except for Laura Matthews. Her name does not seem familiar. This collection was published in 1995. I was very disappointed in this collection; the overall score = 3.5 stars.
THE CHRISTMAS GHOST (Sandra Heath) -- 2 stars
Widow Rebecca Winterbourne has a second chance at love with the help of her father. Unfortunately, her father has been dead for some 10 years. I do not like ghost stories and this had nothing much to recommend it.
THE RAKE'S CHRISTMAS (Edith Layton) -- 4 stars
The opening chapter of this book was not very clear. Eventually, it emerges that Lord Shelton (an older rake of the ton) convinces a younger rake (Viscount Hunt) to accompany him to a house party for Christmas. Hunt agrees to accompany Shelton because he thinks he needs to help save a needy young lady (Eve) from Shelton (because Hunt knows he is less dangerous than the older man). I hesitate to say more and destroy the charm of the story.
LADY BOUNTIFUL (Laura Matthews) -- 4 stars
Drucilla Carruthers has been taking care of the estate for some years because her father has a worsening case of dementia. The estate is entailed to Lord Meacham and he has been notified by the estate's solicitor, Mr. Wicker, that the estate has been spending too much money. Wicker suggests Lord Meacham go to find out what is happening to Meacham's inheritance. The house is not spending much money; the tenants have been receiving needed repairs to their cottages, instead. But why weren't the repairs made years ago? That is the interesting crux of the story.
A MUMMER'S PLAY (Jo Beverly) -- 3 stars
Justine Travers has been grieving for her fiancee' (Simon) who died in battle three years earlier. She is adamant that she will get the people responsible. To that end, she disguises herself as a mummer, performing at the castle of Lucky Jack Beaufort, the Duke of Cranmore. She sneaks into Jack's private rooms and starts searching the books for evidence. Jack and Simon were best friends and Justine thinks Jack's actions led to Simon's death.
I didn't think this was realistic. Justine has fostered her anger against Jack for three years, so I don't believe her sudden capitulation.
THE SURPRISE PARTY (Mary Balogh) -- 3 stars
Three orphans (Rupert, Caroline, and Patricia Parr), bring their estranged uncle and aunt together for Christmas. Viscount Timothy Morsey and Lady Carlysle were betrothed when Timothy's sister and Ursula Carlysle's brother ran away together and married years ago. Timothy and Ursula's anger was such that they broke up. Ursula married another and has been a widow for some years. Timothy never married. They are notified of the Parr parents' deaths and their need to come to rescue the children.
I cannot believe I'm saying this about a Mary Balogh story but I skip-read through much of this story. It just wasn't very interesting or believable.
THE CHRISTMAS GHOST (Sandra Heath) -- 2 stars
Widow Rebecca Winterbourne has a second chance at love with the help of her father. Unfortunately, her father has been dead for some 10 years. I do not like ghost stories and this had nothing much to recommend it.
THE RAKE'S CHRISTMAS (Edith Layton) -- 4 stars
The opening chapter of this book was not very clear. Eventually, it emerges that Lord Shelton (an older rake of the ton) convinces a younger rake (Viscount Hunt) to accompany him to a house party for Christmas. Hunt agrees to accompany Shelton because he thinks he needs to help save a needy young lady (Eve) from Shelton (because Hunt knows he is less dangerous than the older man). I hesitate to say more and destroy the charm of the story.
LADY BOUNTIFUL (Laura Matthews) -- 4 stars
Drucilla Carruthers has been taking care of the estate for some years because her father has a worsening case of dementia. The estate is entailed to Lord Meacham and he has been notified by the estate's solicitor, Mr. Wicker, that the estate has been spending too much money. Wicker suggests Lord Meacham go to find out what is happening to Meacham's inheritance. The house is not spending much money; the tenants have been receiving needed repairs to their cottages, instead. But why weren't the repairs made years ago? That is the interesting crux of the story.
A MUMMER'S PLAY (Jo Beverly) -- 3 stars
Justine Travers has been grieving for her fiancee' (Simon) who died in battle three years earlier. She is adamant that she will get the people responsible. To that end, she disguises herself as a mummer, performing at the castle of Lucky Jack Beaufort, the Duke of Cranmore. She sneaks into Jack's private rooms and starts searching the books for evidence. Jack and Simon were best friends and Justine thinks Jack's actions led to Simon's death.
I didn't think this was realistic. Justine has fostered her anger against Jack for three years, so I don't believe her sudden capitulation.
THE SURPRISE PARTY (Mary Balogh) -- 3 stars
Three orphans (Rupert, Caroline, and Patricia Parr), bring their estranged uncle and aunt together for Christmas. Viscount Timothy Morsey and Lady Carlysle were betrothed when Timothy's sister and Ursula Carlysle's brother ran away together and married years ago. Timothy and Ursula's anger was such that they broke up. Ursula married another and has been a widow for some years. Timothy never married. They are notified of the Parr parents' deaths and their need to come to rescue the children.
I cannot believe I'm saying this about a Mary Balogh story but I skip-read through much of this story. It just wasn't very interesting or believable.
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