Mistletoe Kisses: A Soldier's Tale\A Winter Night's Tale\A Twelfth Night Tale (Harlequin Historical Series) 
asked by shawn on November 27, 2006 5:30 PM
A Soldier's Tale by Elizabeth Rolls
Dominic, Viscount Alderley's family are looking to him to marry an heiress, but only his downtrodden, compassionate cousin Pippa seems able to ignore his scars….
A Winter Night's Tale by Deborah Hale
This year's festivities for Christabel and her young son will be sparse and cold--or so she thinks. When the man she'd loved and lost returns, offering her warmth, comfort and a true family Christmas, she can't resist!
A Twelfth Night Tale by Diane Gaston
One impulsive night of love changed Elizabeth's life forever. Now, ten years later, Elizabeth and Zachary meet again. Will their second Twelfth Night together see their happiness reborn?
Reviews
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A Soldier's Tale by Elizabeth Rolls - Dominic, Viscount Alderley had put off going home as long as he could. He wasn't ready to face his family with the consequences of his injuries received at Waterloo. Wallowing in self-pity his cousin and heir Reverend Alex Martindale had come to escort him home to participate in the holiday celebrations. He wasn't terribly surprised by the shocked and stunned silences his sudden appearance made, but what shocked him more was to see his little cousin Pippa all grown up and looking lovelier and more desirable than he'd ever noticed before.
*** This was a very touching and well written story that should bring a smile and a slight mist to most eyes. I loved the characters of both Pippa and Dominic who were both developed beautifully with enough complexity to make them very appealing and endearing. *** Ms. Rolls is a new author for me and whose writing style is very impressive. I will definitely be looking to research this author's back list!
A Winter's Night Tale by Deborah Hale - Six years earlier Christabel was a foolish young girl who jilted her staid and dull fiancé Jonathan Frost to elope with the dashing Major Wilton. It was an ill thought plan but gave her the one joy in her now widowed and bleak existence, her son Christopher. Hearing of her reduced circumstances, Jonathan came to pay a call and found her extremely ill but as lovely as he remembered. Bundling her up Jonathan brought Christabel and her son to his home at Candlewood to recuperate. Later Jonathan would extend his hospitality to include the Christmas holidays. It was an opportunity for Christable to see Jonathan through more mature eyes and for both to secretly hope the magic of Christmas time would grant them a second chance at love.
*** This was a terrific story that encompassed all the elements of warmth and magic one expects to find during the magical Christmas season. Jonathan was fashioned as more than just a handsome man but one with charm, warmth and honor that the author did an amazing job in creating. Jonathan's loving guardianship and tolerance of caring for his aunt Fanny was beautifully described and added a magnificent layer of compassion to his character that I found to be immensely attractive. It demonstrated for Christabel, more than any of his other kindnesses, what a terrific human being he was. How could anyone NOT fall in love with Jonathan - I know I certainly did! Beautifully done this is an emotional story that will leave you all warm and fuzzy!
A Twelfth Night Tale by Diane Gaston - Elizabeth Arrington and Anna, her pregnant charge were desperately trying to reach her parents by Christmas but along the way the stormy weather hampered their progress and to their dismay, there was `no room in the inn'. Knowing she had to find shelter and remembering that the Earl of Bolton's estate was less than three miles away, Elizabeth borrowed a horse hoping they could expect to find hospitality there and help for both Anna and herself. Elizabeth was stunned when the person who greeted them was none other than Zachery the boy, now grown up whom she'd loved and who had abandoned her ten years before. Seeing him brought back memories of a different Twelfth Night that had forever changed her life. Would they now have a second chance at happiness that each had thought lost forever?
*** Diane Gaston is an author that writes from the heart and in this example it certainly proves that point. Zachary and Elizabeth were beautifully characterized with human emotion and passion making them heart wrenchingly real. The reader is pulled into the story and will experience the anguish of their misgivings and misunderstandings by the pure eloquence of writing that this award winning author is noted for.
This entire trio of Christmas stories is a splendid collection of stories that lovers of the Regency genre should gift to themselves and special friends.
Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization
*** This was a very touching and well written story that should bring a smile and a slight mist to most eyes. I loved the characters of both Pippa and Dominic who were both developed beautifully with enough complexity to make them very appealing and endearing. *** Ms. Rolls is a new author for me and whose writing style is very impressive. I will definitely be looking to research this author's back list!
A Winter's Night Tale by Deborah Hale - Six years earlier Christabel was a foolish young girl who jilted her staid and dull fiancé Jonathan Frost to elope with the dashing Major Wilton. It was an ill thought plan but gave her the one joy in her now widowed and bleak existence, her son Christopher. Hearing of her reduced circumstances, Jonathan came to pay a call and found her extremely ill but as lovely as he remembered. Bundling her up Jonathan brought Christabel and her son to his home at Candlewood to recuperate. Later Jonathan would extend his hospitality to include the Christmas holidays. It was an opportunity for Christable to see Jonathan through more mature eyes and for both to secretly hope the magic of Christmas time would grant them a second chance at love.
*** This was a terrific story that encompassed all the elements of warmth and magic one expects to find during the magical Christmas season. Jonathan was fashioned as more than just a handsome man but one with charm, warmth and honor that the author did an amazing job in creating. Jonathan's loving guardianship and tolerance of caring for his aunt Fanny was beautifully described and added a magnificent layer of compassion to his character that I found to be immensely attractive. It demonstrated for Christabel, more than any of his other kindnesses, what a terrific human being he was. How could anyone NOT fall in love with Jonathan - I know I certainly did! Beautifully done this is an emotional story that will leave you all warm and fuzzy!
A Twelfth Night Tale by Diane Gaston - Elizabeth Arrington and Anna, her pregnant charge were desperately trying to reach her parents by Christmas but along the way the stormy weather hampered their progress and to their dismay, there was `no room in the inn'. Knowing she had to find shelter and remembering that the Earl of Bolton's estate was less than three miles away, Elizabeth borrowed a horse hoping they could expect to find hospitality there and help for both Anna and herself. Elizabeth was stunned when the person who greeted them was none other than Zachery the boy, now grown up whom she'd loved and who had abandoned her ten years before. Seeing him brought back memories of a different Twelfth Night that had forever changed her life. Would they now have a second chance at happiness that each had thought lost forever?
*** Diane Gaston is an author that writes from the heart and in this example it certainly proves that point. Zachary and Elizabeth were beautifully characterized with human emotion and passion making them heart wrenchingly real. The reader is pulled into the story and will experience the anguish of their misgivings and misunderstandings by the pure eloquence of writing that this award winning author is noted for.
This entire trio of Christmas stories is a splendid collection of stories that lovers of the Regency genre should gift to themselves and special friends.
Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization
reviewed by noreason on November 28, 2006 5:47 PM
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Christmas is the time of year when the days are (sigh) a bit overwhelming and dreadfully hurried. So what's the remedy? Grab a cup of cocoa, drag the lazy-boy chair by the fire, and drift away to wintry Regency England with MISTLETOE KISSES. This seasonal anthology is a great diversion, for all three stories are romantic, touching, and wonderfully joyful.
Book 1 -
"A Soldier's Tale" by Elizabeth Rolls -
He could no longer avoid the inevitability. Dominic Martindale had to go home. His older brother was dead and he was the new Viscount Alderley. It was time to claim the title, start the duties, and show his family the ruthlessness of war. Certainly, his appearance would shock them . . . save for Pippa. Little sensible Pippa was she still at Alderley Hall? If she were, a tiny ray of sunlight would remain in his heart.
*** Comments:
Elizabeth Rolls delivers a seasonal winner. A SOLDIER'S TALE is a lovely story filled with the warmth, the magic, and the happily-ever-afters every Christmas story needs. Truly, I must hunt down more from this author!
Book 2 -
"A Winter Night's Tale" by Deborah Hale -
Six years ago, Christabel was an utterly foolish young woman! She had chosen another man over the steadfast Jonathan Frost! Now, the shadows of Christmas loomed, for Christabel and her young son did not have much to celebrate. Then Jonathan Frost knocked on her cottage door and a slim flicker of hope took form. Or was Christabel being foolish again . . . was there more to Jonathan's concern than simple generosity?
*** Comments:
A WINTER NIGHT'S TALE is very sweet and very romantic. The heroine's regret was palpable, the hero's forgiveness was acceptable, and the secondary characters were "capital." Deborah Hale creates two very likeable characters in Jonathan and Christabel and this reader cheered for their continual happiness.
Book 3 -
"A Twelfth Night Tale" by Diane Gaston -
After ten years, Elizabeth Arrington still strived to put Captain Zachary Weston out of her heart. Yet, fate intervened. A second chance is a rare and priceless gift and this time Zachary vowed he would not fail Elizabeth. This time he would be worthy . . . yet could he earn Elizabeth's respect and love?
*** Comments:
Her fantastic "The Mysterious Miss M" placed me in Diana Gaston's corner some time ago. In A TWELFTH NIGHT TALE Ms. Gaston grants two lovers a second chance. And although, overheard conversations and misinterpreted situations created the notorious "misunderstanding," the criticism remains minor.
MaryGrace Meloche.
Book 1 -
"A Soldier's Tale" by Elizabeth Rolls -
He could no longer avoid the inevitability. Dominic Martindale had to go home. His older brother was dead and he was the new Viscount Alderley. It was time to claim the title, start the duties, and show his family the ruthlessness of war. Certainly, his appearance would shock them . . . save for Pippa. Little sensible Pippa was she still at Alderley Hall? If she were, a tiny ray of sunlight would remain in his heart.
*** Comments:
Elizabeth Rolls delivers a seasonal winner. A SOLDIER'S TALE is a lovely story filled with the warmth, the magic, and the happily-ever-afters every Christmas story needs. Truly, I must hunt down more from this author!
Book 2 -
"A Winter Night's Tale" by Deborah Hale -
Six years ago, Christabel was an utterly foolish young woman! She had chosen another man over the steadfast Jonathan Frost! Now, the shadows of Christmas loomed, for Christabel and her young son did not have much to celebrate. Then Jonathan Frost knocked on her cottage door and a slim flicker of hope took form. Or was Christabel being foolish again . . . was there more to Jonathan's concern than simple generosity?
*** Comments:
A WINTER NIGHT'S TALE is very sweet and very romantic. The heroine's regret was palpable, the hero's forgiveness was acceptable, and the secondary characters were "capital." Deborah Hale creates two very likeable characters in Jonathan and Christabel and this reader cheered for their continual happiness.
Book 3 -
"A Twelfth Night Tale" by Diane Gaston -
After ten years, Elizabeth Arrington still strived to put Captain Zachary Weston out of her heart. Yet, fate intervened. A second chance is a rare and priceless gift and this time Zachary vowed he would not fail Elizabeth. This time he would be worthy . . . yet could he earn Elizabeth's respect and love?
*** Comments:
Her fantastic "The Mysterious Miss M" placed me in Diana Gaston's corner some time ago. In A TWELFTH NIGHT TALE Ms. Gaston grants two lovers a second chance. And although, overheard conversations and misinterpreted situations created the notorious "misunderstanding," the criticism remains minor.
MaryGrace Meloche.
reviewed by 90210 on November 29, 2006 9:30 AM
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And I'm so glad it did! In other anthologies I've read, at least one story was weak, but not this one! They are all delightful and worth rereading over and over again.
I wanted it first for Diane Gaston's story, since I discovered her writing earlier this year and have collected all her books. Now I've added two new authors to my favorites list!
A Soldier's Tale is filled with wonderful characters of depth and personality. There were some enchanting twists and turns. I reread it again as soon as I finished it.
A Winter Night's Tale's exploration of second chances and the difficulty of being a caretaker is enchanting and heartwarming. What a delight.
A Twelfth Night Tale was the perfect ending to the trio. The pain of regrets and misunderstandings is so gently explored. The courage to accept the future and face the past and still have hope is magical.
Brava!!
I wanted it first for Diane Gaston's story, since I discovered her writing earlier this year and have collected all her books. Now I've added two new authors to my favorites list!
A Soldier's Tale is filled with wonderful characters of depth and personality. There were some enchanting twists and turns. I reread it again as soon as I finished it.
A Winter Night's Tale's exploration of second chances and the difficulty of being a caretaker is enchanting and heartwarming. What a delight.
A Twelfth Night Tale was the perfect ending to the trio. The pain of regrets and misunderstandings is so gently explored. The courage to accept the future and face the past and still have hope is magical.
Brava!!
reviewed by guitarplayer on November 29, 2006 12:16 PM