Bound By the Christmastide Moon by Christina McKnight - 3 stars: I didn't really care for this story. I didn't feel like the H/H spent enough time together to make their love story believable...

Once Upon a Midnight Clear by Ava Stone - 4 stars: I really enjoyed Ivy and Michael's story. The bantering between the two had me laughing out loud.

The Sweetest Christmas by Michelle Willingham - 4 stars: I really enjoyed Marjorie and Williams story. I enjoyed Marjorie's attempts at matchmaking for William when she was the perfect choice for him!

I am voluntarily submitting my honest review after receiving a copy of the ARC of this ebook via NetGalley.

This is a delightful collection of quick reads that make for perfect ways to while away an afternoon by the fire with a glass of wine. Although part of the Castle Keyvnor collection of stories and enhanced by some familiarity with the legend, all parts well as standalone stories. In this installment, the cast of characters are brought to Castle Keyvnor once again, this time for a wedding. In each of the three novellas in the anthology, we see how the ghosts, and events, conspire in their own unique and often humorous ways, to bring together more couples from among the guests in attendance at he wedding. I enjoyed all three immensely, and while Christina McKnight's Bound by the Christmastide Moon introduced me to two charae Scters I want to see more of in future books, and I admired the tenacity and heart of Michael in Ava Stone's Upon a Midnight Clear, I think it was Michelle Willingham's The Sweetest Christmas that I enjoyed the most. I loved seeing the transformation of the shy, withdrawn William and the softening of Marjorie's heart, and the antics of the ghosts (particularly the incident at the card game), made me laugh. This light-hearted collection is perfect for fans of historical fiction looking for novella-sized bites of Christmas magic.

Quick and easy read. Kept my interest throughout. I hadn't read anything by these authors before, but I will check out some of their other works now.

An enchanting easy to read historical romance novel. Book 3 in the "Christmas at castle Keyvnor" series but a standalone read as each novella is complete in itself. I was interested as I had read titles from one of the authors previously.

I really enjoyed the book - it was a lovely escape from reality and a foray into slightly paranormal historical romances.

Well worth purchasing and I have since investigated the other titles in the series too.

With many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC.

Christina McKnight's Bound By the Christmastide Moon
The first story involves Mallory and Silas, they have an arranged marriage and are meeting for the first time. For Silas, Mallory is the one he’s chosen to marry, but he worries she sees visions of the future. Silas needs to marry to settled numerous debts, he’ll need to marry a woman with money in order to protect his siblings. Once they see each other for who they really are can they find happiness? Mallory expected to be a spinster and much to her surprise a marriage of convenience comes her way, but will they find a love match afterall?
Ava Stone's Once Upon a Midnight Clear
Lady Ivy Dallimore has learned from her married sisters is that love is fleeting but a title lasts forever, but she needs to convince her heart of that fact. Lord Michael Beck, a younger son has set out to collect debt from the people he’s loaned money to and what better place than wedding where many who owe him money will be in attendance, but he runs into Lady Ivy Dallimore the woman of his dreams.
Michelle Willingham's The Sweetest Christmas
Lady Marjorie Hamblyn has been engaged before to a total domineering man who wanted to control every aspect of her life from what she wore to what she ate and she’s decided marriage is definitely is not for her, but she has no problem playing matchmaker. She meets Sir William Crandall at the castle and feels he’s a shy man who is in need of a wife. Marjorie and William end up falling for each other with a little help along the way.
This is my honest opinions after I voluntarily read a copy of this book that was provided to me with no requirements for a review.

Absolutely Great Stories! Must Read for the Holidays! I hope they bring out more characters from each story! I absolutely highly recommend! Thanks! Enjoy!
carolintallahassee 👒

This is my first in reading the Castle Keyvnor series. Christine McKnight is a writer I have enjoyed for some time, but Ava Stone and Michelle Willingham are new to me. So, I did not realize this novella set was part of a series which explains why there are so many people and romances involved. Generally, most books can be a stand alone as with this one, but it might be a good idea to go back and start with the beginning of the series.

Each of the novella is set in the castle with plenty of romance and some mischievous ghosts to add to the mix. I loved the way the ghosts insert themselves to help with warning of danger, playing cards and bringing a chill to any room in which they might be hiding.

These authors are great at bringing the lives of their characters together in a way that does not make it seem as though you are reading novellas. They add that touch of the sensuous without taking it too far and making sure the relationship fits with the couple. Each of these three couples seems to be up against difficult odds. Yet, work through to find their HEA in a genuine way.

Kissed at Christmas
Christmas at Castle Keyvnor #3

Three full length novellas with a Christmas wedding in a haunted castle provide happily ever after endings for three happy couples. I have read previous books in this series and enjoyed them both so was looking forward to this one and thoroughly enjoyed it, too!

Bound by a Christmas Moon by Christina McKnight:
Silas has been called back to England to be the 8th Earl of Lichfield only to find out that to put his family estate in order he will need to marry a woman with money. With a recommendation in hand he pursues an agreement and is given such by Lady Mallory Hughes’ father so he heads off to meet his intended. Mallory has a bit of clairvoyance that has led her to believe she will become a spinster BUT perhaps not since she is soon to meet Silas. This is a fun story of two people expecting a marriage of convenience but happy to find that theirs will be a love match instead.

Once Upon a Midnight Clear by Ana Stone:
Lord Michael Beck, a younger son, has decided to make collect debts from those he has lent money to so that he can proceed with a business venture he believes will give him satisfaction and wealth. Stopping at a wedding where many who owe him money will be in attendance he runs into Lady Ivy Dallimore, a woman he is fond of. The story has romance but also includes ghosts, a wannabe murderer, gypsies and more.

The Sweetest Christmas by Michelle Willingham:
Lady Marjorie Hamblyn and Sir William Crandall meet at the castle. They have both been affianced without achieving a wedding and neither really intends to ever marry. Marjorie’s preconceptions upon first meeting William prove false and instead of him falling for her cousin, as she first thought, they fall for one another. This is about finding the right partner and loving them for the right reasons while also giving them freedom to be who they truly are. It, too, has ghosts and other surprises.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barclay Publicity for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

I received this book from netgalley in exchange for a review. I must say these are some of my favorite authors. So I was very excited to begin reading this. I did not realize that this was going to be a paranormal book. I am not a fan of paranormal books and personally would not purchase this book for myself. That being said, these are still 3 very good authors, who wrote 3 good stories. All stories take place at Castle Keyvnor, where everyone is gathered for a wedding. Castle Keyvnor is haunted. So a lot of unusual things happen. This book is part of a 4 book series in which all the characters cross between books, yet it can be read as a stand alone.

Christmas is my favorite time of year with the chill of snow, the idea of a Holiday House party or wedding, relationships that surprise you, and just the love and cheer that abound. All 3 of these stories contained every bit of the things listed above. From couples who had bad experiences with engagements that leave them leery about starting a new relationship to couples who want and need a significant other to complete their lives! There were just so many secondary characters involved that I'm going to need their stories as well! Plus, the ghosts!

Publisher's Description:
The Earl and Countess of Banfield cordially request your attendance at the wedding for their daughters: Lady Tamsyn Hambly to Mr. Gryffyn Cardew, & Lady Morgan Hambly to Harold Mort, Viscount...

KISSED AT CHRISTMAS
includes:

Christina McKnight's Bound By the Christmastide Moon

Silas Anson has spent his life dealing with other people’s mistakes. Now, as the Earl of Lichfield, he has a plan that will protect his siblings, and give him a chance at a normal life. His arranged marriage to Mallory Hughes should be perfect—except for one thing: she sees visions of the future. When a man determined to free himself from the shackles of the past marries a woman with precognition, happiness in the present may be just a kiss under the Christmastide moon away.


Ava Stone's Once Upon a Midnight Clear

Only a duke will do for Lady Ivy Dallimore. If her unhappily married sisters have taught her anything, it’s that love is fleeting but a title lasts forever, which is all well and good in theory until she finds herself falling for the scandalous third son of a marquess who is bound and determined to make his fortune in trade! Lord Michael Beck courts scandal, living life to the fullest and dabbling in games of chance. Unfortunately, he’s neither heir nor spare to his father’s title, and the time has come to enter a profession. Michael is no soldier, and he certainly isn’t cut out for the cloth, so he embarks on the most scandalous and risky venture of his life. He will need capital, however, and collecting a number of outstanding gambling debts at a Christmas Eve wedding at Castle Keyvnor seems like the perfect place to start, at least until he stumbles across the lady of his dreams. But what are the odds the practiced gambler can win the girl without losing everything he's worked for?


Michelle Willingham's The Sweetest Christmas

Lady Marjorie despises the idea of marriage. After being engaged to a man who tried to command every aspect of her life, from what she wore to what she ate, she refuses to consider matrimony again. Though she isn’t at all opposed to playing matchmaker for her cousin… Sir William Crandall is startled when Lady Marjorie believes he is a shy, withdrawn knight in need of a wife. He has nothing at all in common with her bluestocking cousin, but he is fascinated by the spirited Lady Marjorie. Despite her attempts at matchmaking, he intends to avoid marriage at all costs, after being abandoned at the altar. But a stolen kiss, a feast of gingerbread, and two unexpected friends find that there is magic in the Christmas holiday and a match that neither of them expected…

My Thoughts:
There are three well written holiday themed novellas. Some are better than others. The last two include the somewhat ghostly theme which occurred in the original Castle Keyvnor stories. I couldn't put down the first two and finished them in short order. I had a harder time with the last one with it's fewer number, but longer chapters.
I gave this anthology an overall 4.25 of 5.0 star rating with a lower sensual rating since there are only kisses involved of 2.0 of 5.0 flames.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this collection from the publisher via NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Ghosts, Mistletoe and Romance 4*
I have heard about the Castle Keyvnor stories but this was the first time that I have read any of them. This box set is sweet and clean.

Bound by a Christmastide Moon - Christina McKnight 3*
A clairvoyant woman who has been kept sequestered by her family and an impoverished and self-schooled Earl - a match made in heaven? I enjoyed the story but felt it needed tightening as the pace was uneven (sometimes slow and sometimes rushed).

Once Upon a Midnight Clear - Ava Stone 5*
Will Lady Ivy, daughter and sister of a Duke entertain the suit of a third son of a marquess planning to go into trade? Ivy is determined not to be charmed by the scandalous Lord Michael Beck. A ghost takes a fancy to their romance and lends a hand.

The Sweetest Christmas - Michelle Willingham 4*
This is the shortest story, only 5 chapters. Marjorie is a sister of the brides but has no intention of marrying herself and giving control of her life to a man. However at the request of a shy cousin, she agrees to play matchmaker. Unfortunately the man she deems a match for her cousin is vehemently opposed to marriage. Benign and evil ghosts play a part in this Yuletide romance. A charming short story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Christina McKnight's Bound By the Christmastide Moon

Silas Anson now the Earl of Lichfield has a plan that will protect his twin brother & younger sister, and give him a chance at a normal life. His arranged marriage to Lady Mallory Hughes should be perfect except for one thing: she sees visions of the future. Mallory lives with her aunt, sent to live in the country as she’s seen as eccentric because of her visions. Silas & Mallory have entered into an arranged marriage & each have their reasons for doing so but each didn’t expect to be so attracted to each other. A delightful easy read that I read in one session, the characters are well portrayed & there are misunderstandings but everything is resolved under the Christmastide moon. 4.5 stars

Ava Stone's Once Upon a Midnight Clear

Only a duke will do for Lady Ivy Dallimore. If her unhappily married sisters have taught her anything, it’s that love is fleeting but a title lasts forever, which is all well and good in theory until she finds herself falling for the scandalous third son of a marquis who is bound and determined to make his fortune in trade! Lord Michael Beck courts scandal, living life to the fullest and dabbling in games of chance. However he’s now decided to make his fortune by buying a welsh copper mine so he needs capital, collecting a number of outstanding gambling debts at the Keyvnor wedding seems like the perfect place to start, at least until he stumbles across the lady of his dreams. Another well written endearing, riveting novella the verbal spats between Michael & Ivy are brilliant. The story is well paced, I read it in two sessions, only sleep keeping me from reading it in a single reading. The characters are very well developed for a novella. 5 stars

Michelle Willingham's The Sweetest Christmas

Lady Marjorie Hambly was engaged to a controlling man & now despises the idea of marriage. Although she isn’t at all opposed to playing matchmaker for her cousin. Sir William Crandall is startled when Lady Marjorie believes he is a shy, withdrawn knight in need of a wife. He has nothing at all in common with her bluestocking cousin, but he is fascinated by the spirited Lady Marjorie. He’s also not interested in marriage after being left at the alter the previous year. However stolen kisses, a feast of gingerbread, a berry trail in the maze & matchmaking ghosts all make sure that this is a lovely short read. William & Marjorie are delightful, both wanting to avoid marriage but both fall heavily for each other. A lovely heartwarming & often amusing read. 4.5 stars

Again the interleaving of stories is captivating & something that raises these books above the parapet. The characterisation is very good & the verbal exchanges are witty & amusing. I love these 3 authors novels & their short stories don’t disappoint.

This is volume 3 from Castle Keyvnor series. I haven't read any of the series besides this one but after reading it I will definitely be putting it on my "to be read" list. I am familiar with Christina McKnight as an author and now will be checking into books and Michelle Willingham as well after this delightful read. All three of the stories are based at Castle Keyvnor and tie together so well. A wonderful combination of romance, humor, some intrigue and of course the resident ghosts. I would not call it a Christmas story but all the stories do take place at Christmas time. I love the descriptions of the castle and surrounding area with a great cast of characters in all the stories. I normally am not a big fan of short stories but I would highly recommend reading Kissed at Christmas.

Tales of rapture, hints of magic and the beauty of romance are key aspects of Kissed at Christmas. Cocoa and peppermint have nothing on these seductively sweet, yet addictively spicy tales.

Bound By the Christmastide Moon by Christina McKnight - What does an Earl have in common with an unconventional young miss? The need for a happy ending. Bound by the Christmastide Moon adds an element of mystique to an already mystifying romance.


Once Upon a Midnight Clear by Ava Stone - Ava Stone delivers the mischief that has made her a household name while dancing her way right into any romantic's heart with Once Upon A Midnight Clear.


The Sweetest Christmas by Michelle Willingham - A series of misconceptions lead to a sweetly seductive romance.