A Timeless Romance Anthology: Winter Collection
Authors: Sarah M. Eden, Heidi Ashworth, Annette Lyon, Joyce DiPastena, Donna Hatch, Heather B. Moore
Publisher: Mirror Press, LLC
Published: October 1, 2012
ISBN13: 9781301381166
ebook: 269 pages
Goodreads Summary of all 6 Short Stories: Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed brand new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Winter Collection. A collection unlike any other, readers will love this compilation of six sweet historical romance novellas, set in varying eras, yet all with one thing in common: Romance.
The Road to Cavan Town by Sarah M. Eden, set in 1864 Ireland, combines Eden’s sense of humor with her signature sweet romance. Alice Wheatley walks each weekend into town, accompanied by Isaac Dancy. And while Alice finds herself falling in love with the gentleman, unfortunately he has his eyes set on the belle of the town, Miss Sophia Kilchrest. Alice must find a way to turn Isaac’s eyes toward her.
Regency author Heidi Ashworth’s delightful story, It Happened Twelfth Night, set in England 1812, follows Luisa Darlington who discovers the man of her dreams, Percy Brooksby, isn’t in love with her as much as she thought he was. When Percy’s friend, the mysterious foreigner, Mr. Flynn, visits for the twelfth night holiday, he promptly sweeps Luisa off her feet, quite literally. Luisa is left catching her breath in more ways than one.
An Unexpected Proposal by Annette Lyon is a captivating romantic novella, set in remote Wood Camp, the snowy canyon of Logan, Utah, 1880. When Caroline Simpson is forced to thwart the aggressive advances of Mr. Butch Larson, she discovers that her long-time friend, James, has genuine affection for her. But as stubborn as Caroline is, she minimizes the feelings he’s awakened in her, and it takes almost losing James to admit her true feelings for him.
In Joyce Di Pastena’s charming medieval story, Caroles on the Green, we enter England of 1151, in which Lady Isabel has a dilemma. She promises herself that she’ll marry the man who sent a ring hidden in her pastry since the man she truly loves, Sir Lucian de Warrene, has proved to be impossible and exasperating. To forget him, Isabel sets her eyes on other eligible men, only to face another confrontation with Lucian—who isn’t about to back off and leave her to her newest plot.
Donna Hatch’s enchanting novella, A Winter’s Knight, begins when Clarissa Fairchild’s coach just happens to break down in front of the most forbidding estate in the county, that of Wyckburg Castle, a place where young brides have been murdered for generations by their husbands. Clarissa is horrified yet curious all in the same breath. When she meets widower Christopher de Champs, Earl of Wyckburg, she must decide if she should flee or uncover the greatest secret in the county about her handsome rescuer.
In Heather B. Moore’s exciting turn-of-the-century story, A Fortunate Exile, Lila Townsend finds herself the victim of a broken heart—broken by the most notorious bachelor in 1901 New York City. If that isn’t bad enough, her father sends her to Aunt Eugenia’s remote farm where Lila must wait for her father’s anger to subside and the gossip columns to find new fodder. When Lila meets her aunt’s boarder, Peter Weathers, she discovers a man who isn’t afraid to stand up to her formidable family and take a chance on a woman with a sullied reputation.
Mindy’s Review
4 1/2 stars. I was very excited to review these wonderful short stories by such talented authors. As I read them, I appreciated the individual style of each talented lady. All six stories are well-written and I was immediately taken into each story. The benefit of a short story is how quick the plot moves a long. I also enjoyed the way each author introduced the plot and characters quickly, but I never felt they were rushed. It was so nice reading six fantastic romance stories that were clean, romantic, and heart pounding. At the end of each, I was wishing for more. I reveled in each story, but I must say I did have a favorite. Donna Hatch’s A Winter’s Knight. It reminded me a bit of Beauty and the Beast. With a mysterious earl, ancient curses, and one curious red head, I was instantly hooked.
I think what I appreciated the most was how strong the women in these stories were. Even though the time periods represented vary, each woman brought to the table a fire of knowing who they are. A few learned that process during the course of the story, but found themselves and stood their ground.
Sheila’s Review
I was so thrilled to get to read a collection of stories written by some of my favorite authors. I know that these women can write, and I have read their previous work. I have to say I was not disappointed. The best part is that these are clean stories full of romance. Reading this anthology was like eating a platter of appetizers: you were able to get yummy bites of everything. The only thing I didn’t like is that I would just start to get into the story and then it would be done. All of these stories could easily be continued in a longer novel.
On the plus side, these stories are perfect for the busy reader. You could read one, enjoy it, finish it and then go off and run your errands. Then later that inght, you could come back and read another story. I was telling someone about the anthology. They asked if I had a favorite story out of the six, but it would be hard to choose just one. All of the stories had unique, and fun characters set in various eras. I liked the spunk of the women in the anthology. I loved the romance and the awakening that takes place when you realize that love is there. **sign**
I can see these anthologies becoming guilty pleasure for women everywhere , especially those that want to read about romance without the gratuitous sex that is prevalent in today’s society. Curl up in your jammies, grab your hot chocolate and get lost in this anthology of timeless romances!
Read more about this anthology from the Blog and Facebook page. There is a Spring Anthology coming next year!
