Book Review: A Christmas Promise: Timeless Regency Collection


Series: Timeless Regency Collection: Book 16
Publisher: Mirror Press
Release Date: November 17, 2020
Genre: Victorian Historical Romance

♡ THE TWO BELLS OF CHRISTMAS by Joanna Barker
Roland Hastings made a promise to his father: to marry and carry on the family line. But after a year of searching, he has given up hope of finding the right woman. Anticipating a quiet Christmas with his mother, Roland is frustrated to learn she has organized an entire house party to help him find a bride. Cassandra Bell arrives for the house party with her twin sister Vivian, who has set her heart on winning a proposal from the eligible Mr. Hastings. But when Vivian grows ill, she begs Cassie to switch places with her and keep the other conniving ladies away from Mr. Hastings. Cassie reluctantly takes on the role of her poised and proper twin, but things become much more complicated when Roland begins to take an interest in the spunky and unconventional Cassie...

♡ PROMISE ME AGAIN by Annette Lyon
Secret wedding plans. A powerful brother who will go to any lengths to stop them. Can love truly conquer all? Miriam and Jacob have loved each other for as long as they can remember. They want to wed, but Jacob's older brother Norman forbids it. Deciding to do so secretly without his blessing, Miriam and Jacob make plans to marry on Christmas Eve at a church several hours’ journey away. Despite their efforts, Norman’s long reach finds them. Miriam’s love is tested to the very limit when she is forced into a devil’s bargain with him. She agrees only to spare Jacob pain, but can their hearts find their way back to each other no matter what—or who—stands in their way?

♡ A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY by Jennifer Moore
The war is over, but Lucy Breckenridge’s plans for a perfect Christmas are ruined when Captain James Stewart brings news that her father will not return in time for the holiday. Determined to not miss yet another Christmas with her father, Lucy starts on a journey for London with her trusty maid and manservant. Learning they have gone, James follows, hoping to stop her before she discovers the true reason for Colonel Breckenridge’s absence. Along the way, the two join in local holiday celebrations and learn that families have flaws, friendship requires trust, and Christmas traditions can be created in the most unexpected places.

PURCHASE LINKS: AmazonGoodreads | Bookbub


My Review ❤️

Novellas are my go-to reads during the busy holiday season, and A Christmas Promise was the perfect escape during a cold, rainy winter weekend.  I adore each of these authors, and the tales they bring to the table are delightful!

I have reviewed each novella individually below and gave each story their own rating, each showing that there is still joy through the pain...you just have to open your eyes to see it.

♡ 

The Two Bells of Christmas by Joanna Barker 

My favorite Regency stories are the ones where there is a rebel that goes against the grain, and that is exactly what you find with Cassie Bell.  Her attitude and spirit is refreshing, and I can see why Roland felt the attraction.  For a short story, this is perfection!  Though a quick read, you feel like you really get to know the characters and plots, and I loved the chemistry between Roland and Cassie.  such a sweet and fun read!

My Rating: ★★★

♡ 

Promise Me Again by Annette Lyon

So incredibly heartfelt!  I cannot even imagine the pain and anguish that Jacob and Miriam experienced!  To lose the love of your life is gut-wrenching, but I loved the beauty that came out of this tragic event.

My favorite part of this novella was the music aspect that came into play.  Music always speaks to me, no matter the form and, in Promise Me Again, it was no exception.  I could so hear Jacob's incredible voice flowing through the pages right to my spirit and it truly touched my heart.  Though a tragic tale it was still charming in its own right, and had the happiest of endings.

My Rating: ★★★

♡ 

A Christmas Journey by Jennifer Moore

A Christmas Journey is hands down my favorite novella of the bunch!  I adored every charming little detail, loving all the Christmas traditions and activities, especially the very special, and entertaining, Christmas Eve activities.  To see a few traditions that have stood the test of the time warmed my heart.  We need more traditions right now in our world.

All the characters are wonderful, each different and interesting, my favorite story line actually being with two of the supporting characters, Private Matthews and Meg.  To me, their relationship is so very special, stealing my mind and heart, but truth be told, I loved them all!

This novella could not be more perfect and a sublime ending to this collection.

My Rating: ★★★

After reading A Christmas Promise I was more in the Christmas spirit than I had been before I picked it up!  I even got a few ideas to include in my holiday celebrations this year!  I love it!  This was unquestionably one of my favorite holiday reads this season!

My Rating: ★★★★★

Other Books in the "Timeless Regency Collection"
              

Be sure to check out my reviews for these books from the 
❤️

About the Authors

 

Joanna Barker


Joanna Barker was born and raised in northern California. She discovered her love for historical fiction after visiting England as an eleven-year-old, and subsequently read every Jane Austen book she could get her hands on. After graduating with a degree in English, she worked as an acquisitions editor before devoting herself full-time to writing. She enjoys music, chocolate, and reading everything from romance to science fiction. She lives near the mountains and is just a little crazy about her husband and two wild-but-loveable boys.

CONNECT WITH JOANNA: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

 

Annette Lyon


Annette Lyon is a USA Today Bestselling author. She's won a Whitney Award (2010) and is a 5-time recipient of Utah's Best of State medal for fiction. She's the author of more than a dozen novels, even more novellas, a cookbook, a grammar guide, and some 120+ articles. She's worked as a professional editor for publishers and bestselling authors and graduated cum laude from BYU with a degree in English. Annette is represented by Heather Karpas at ICM Partners.

CONNECT WITH ANNETTE: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

 

Jennifer Moore


Jennifer Moore is a passionate reader and writer of all things romance due to the need to balance the rest of her world that includes a perpetually traveling husband and four active sons, who create heaps of laundry that is anything but romantic. Jennifer has a B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Utah and is a Guitar Hero champion. She lives in northern Utah with her family, but most of the time wishes she was aboard a British frigate during the age of sail.

CONNECT WITH JENNIFER: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions are completely honest, and my own.

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