The anthology of Christmas novellas “Dashing all the Way” provided quite diverse stories with romance, mystery and spies, making for an entertaining read.

Eva Devon’s “A Rake For Christmas” rated 3 or 4 Stars. This was a sweet romance with Anthony trying to find a husband for Evangeline, by calling on his sister to help. However, he finds himself drawn to her as she to him. I liked the characters but I knew where this story was going from the very beginning. I did enjoy the secondary characters and their rapport with Anthony in particular. This brought the story up and made it more entertaining.

Elizabeth Essex’s “Up on the Rooftops” was a great story so I would say 4 ½ stars. Both characters Caledonia (Cally) and Tobias (Toby) were very entertaining as they both endeavour to clear his name as the thief, stealing jewels. Cally has always had a crush on Toby as to her, he has always been the naval hero, always on an adventure (and with her brother). Elizabeth Essex manages to draw the reader in with her witty dialogue between characters who have great chemistry.
Heather Snow’s “The Very Debonair Lady Claire” was great – 5 stars! Lady Claire has taken on her twin brother’s role, working undercover to break codes during the Napoleonic Wars. It is when Andrew Sedgewick returns that she has to work with him, to solve his murder. Andrew left her six years earlier without an explanation but has always loved her. This second chance romance was my favourite of the four as it found the story very well paced and despite being a novella, the characters were very well developed.

Celeste Bradley’s “A Liar Under the Mistletoe” 4 stars! The character of Amie Jackham is stealing from the rich help her younger sisters. When both she and Lord Elliot Hughes attempt to steal from the same house, it becomes apparent that their lives are going to get more interesting. This was a clever story that together with interesting characters, made for an entertaining read.

I received an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I did love the first story of Anthony and Evangeline. She slowly came out of her shell and realized her love for Anthony. He was fun to watch as he fell in love as well. Together they made an awesome love story!
The story with Callie and Toby was my least favorite. I did enjoy Toby's part of the story, but Callie just struck me as a mean, cruel and immature girl. She started out by dragging Toby through the crowded ball room and introducing him to everyone even though she knew he was trying to be discreet, was saying his real name out loud and laughing about everything, treating his safety as a lark while she threw herself at him constantly. I couldn't stand her.
Claire and Andrew's story was my favorite of the bunch! Everyone thinking she's a male except Andrew noticed immediately. When they were finding out secrets of their own past while finding the killer kept me reading through dinner!
Amie and Elliot's story was a close 2nd on favorites. Amie trying desperately to keep her sisters safe and cared for while trying to keep food on the table and bills paid. The ending was where you truly saw Amie's steel spine!

These are romantic, amusing and captivating stories. The characters are likable, fascinating and funny, brave, charming and romantic. Each story has it's own unique twists and surprises, but all steal your heart. It's the perfect book to read at Christmas time, so put it at the top of your TBR list.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.

This is an anthology by 4 of the best regency authors. Their stories did not disappoint. The only thing that connected these stories were that they took place at Christmas., otherwise they were independent of each other. There were 4 novellas that felt like 4 short books. Many times I find novellas short, rushed, and incomplete, only part of a story. These 4 stories in no way felt that way. I saw the relationships develop and the storylines progress. Instead of feeling like I'm reading a novella, it just felt like i was reading a shortened book.
Each story had romance and intrigue. The first story was by an author I'd only read once before, Eva Devon. Lets just say it sets the bar for the rest of the book and it doesn't disappoint. When I finished reading this story, I thought,I don't know how the other authors could top this novella. Even though I don't feel they topped it, they were just as good.
Congratulations to all the authors in this book for a job well done.

Cute anthology of novellas for the holidays. Enjoyed the quick individual reads. Easy to read one, then later read another.

I really enjoyed these stories. The women are strong, capable and different. As usual, the men are trying to protect the women whether they need it or not.

A Rake for Christmas: Lady Evangeline is tired of being a wallflower. Tired of the way her parents treat her. She needs to get a husband and get out of their house. So, she asks a rake, Anthony, to help her be more desirable. Anthony is not in the market for a wife, but there is something about Evangeline.

Up On The Rooftops: Caledonia is tired of being hidden away in Scotland. She is a very lonely widow. When she visits her mother in London, she gets to have some fun. She has a knack for finding trouble, and Tobias is trouble. Tobias was a notorious thief. He paid is debt to society and became a hero. Now there is a thief who is making everyone think that he has gone back to his old ways. Cally is the only one who can help him find the real thief.

The Very Debonair Lady Claire:
Claire dresses as a man and goes to work every day. She is taking her twin's place and no one has noticed. Except when Andrew shows up as her new boss. He has known her and loved her since they were kids and he instantly knows that she isn't her brother. They have to put the past behind them and find out who murdered Claire's brother.

A Liar Under the Mistletoe: Amie and Elliot are both unremarkable people. Everyone pays no attention to them. They like it that way. Elliot works for the government and Amie is trying to keep her two sisters and herself from starving. When the two meet, everything changes.

This novel contains 4 stories around Christmas time. They all involve love and romance, but each is unique in its own way. The stories do not overlap match, as each of the characters in each story are separate from the others, but they all occur in London and there is some of the same locations. In one novella, you have a wallflower seeking to find a husband to escape her family. The man she asks to help her be more seductive sees more to her than any man ever has. In the next story, you have a widow trying to prove a former thief's innocence, seeing that they have more of a connection then they initially realize. The next novella has former lovers meeting together again for the first time in 6 years. Both still love and desire the other, but the past has impacted their relationship. In order to find her brother's killer, she must work with the man who left her at Christmas time and stop Napoleon's plans. In the final novella, a thief and spy go head to head with stealing jewels and uncovering secrets. All are happy endings, which shows that love can be found at Christmas time.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley to read in exchange for a fair review. Dashing all the way is a collection of novellas that all take place over the Christmas season. The stories are about an ugly duckling and a rake my favourite of the 4. A reformed thief seeking to clear his name and a feisty widow. A couple of spies seeking to solve some murders including that of the heroine’s twin brother whom she is pretending to be and a thief and a spy meet up when they go after the same loot and sparks fly. Each story is a stand alone from the other stories in this collection but I believe that they may parts of series by the individual authors. Sizzle levels medium. Publishing Date October 26th so it is available now.

This is a fair and honest review in return for this ARC. I am not one for Christmas tales, usually. However the authors of these intrigued me and happily I must say that I did enjoy these.

I found the anthology Dashing All the Way through two of the authors that I had met at the Historical Romance Retreat in 2017. While I had not read anything by any of the authors, meeting these two charming ladies in person made me extremely excited to read the anthology. And being the beginning of November, I’m absolutely ready for some Christmas cheer! In general, I absolutely enjoyed this anthology. It has absolutely added new authors and series to my To Be Read pile and I look forward to spending more time with these authors, their characters, and in their wonderful worlds soon!

Eva Devon - A Rake For Christmas – 3 Stars. Well, this one certainly sticks close to the title! The heroine and hero, Evangaline and Anthony, meet under rather mysterious circumstances. I believe he was visitng in her home, but she finds him alone, after midnight, and asks him to help her be more daring, more herself, and therefore, happier with her life. He invites her to a house party during Christmas and promises to help her find her happiness – and, essentially, a husband. You can guess how their working together towards this common goal goes, but it is very sweet to watch each of them go through a metamorphosis. Anthony’s emotional growth is particularly rewarding to watch. I wish there was a little more detail in this story, though. More atmospheric elements to really make the story come alive in my head. What color were the carpets? What did they eat at the dinner tables? The best part of this entire story was the cast of secondary characters – the Dukes, Cordelia, and Duchess Aston simply stole the story. I look forward to exploring the rest of Eva Devon’s books to find their stories!

Elizabeth Essex, Up on the Rooftops – 5 stars! OK, I know that I may be biased since I met Elizabeth Essex at HRR, but c’mon – her bubbly, effusive, charming personality is literally leaping off of the page in this story! The hero and heroine, Caledonia and Tobias – Cally and Toby – are simply a delight to read. Toby has a history as a jewel thief and naval hero who sailed under Cally’s Captain of a brother. She has followed his exploits for years and always had a bit of a crush on him. Cally is a widow with a lust for life, appreciating the hurly-burly and topsy-turvy, and a passion for making mischief. The two work together to solve a spate of jewel heists and to clear Toby’s name. And, in the process, they have some rather spectacular adventures. The one in the back of a carriage is particularly exciting! This story has it all. Witty banter (OH the word play!), combat, running from the law, amazing chemistry, and romantic build. It literally made me laugh, giggle, and rush to download everything else Elizabeth Essex has ever written. Her author’s voice is simply charming, and I can’t wait to devour her other books!

Heather Snow, The Very Debonair Lady Claire – 5 stars! I had the delight of meeting Heather Snow at the Historical Romance Retreat, as well. After speaking with her, it is OBVIOUS that she is intelligent and articulate, so it came as absolutely no surprise that her heroine, Lady Claire, would share her intellect and fondness for language. In the story, Clare works with her ex, Andrew, doing code breaking for the War Department during the Napoleonic Wars. She is posing as her twin brother to solve two murders. This is a rekindled romance story – Claire and Andrew have a history – and a little bit of a second chance at love story for them. It is VERY fast paced, well written, and will keep you on your toes. The romance is steamy and I love the idea of a woman posing as a man in many social and business situations. I also had quite a giggle at the crossover with Elizabeth Essex’s Up on the Rooftops – they feature the same Masquerade Ball. All in all, this was a fantastic story and I can’t wait to read more of Ms. Snow’s books!

Celeste Bradley, A Liar Under the Mistletoe – 3 stars! How marvelous! This story also ties in with the story line of the Vixen and her jewel thefts during London at Christmas, as well a new, mysterious, clandestine spy agency working on behalf of the Crown. I enjoyed this entirely new-to-me series and author, though it was obvious that I was reading a novella in an established series. My reading experience would have been enriched if I had been familiar with the secondary character’s backstories and I was certainly missing the subtlety of character nuance. But, the story was well paced and full of adventure. The romance was a little weak to me – and a little one sided (him obsessed with her; she was always in a weaker power situation, which bothered me). I also wish that this story had been placed in the anthology BEFORE Elizabeth Essex’s entry, since we begin this story already knowing who the Vixen is. That placement would have given a better sense of mystery, wondering if the Liars were the Vixen, or if there really WAS a Vixen, at all. Overall, though, it was well done and I hope my path crosses with the Liars again soon!

Best-selling and critically acclaimed historical romance authors Celeste Bradley, Eva Devon, Elizabeth Essex and Heather Snow heat up this Christmas with four never-before-released novellas guaranteed to make your holiday season merry and bright.

“A Rake for Christmas” by Eva Devon
Lady Evangeline Pennyworth is done with being a wallflower and turns to London's most notorious rake, demanding he teach her how to be desirable. After witnessing the love of his parents devolve into pain and anger, Anthony Basingstoke has vowed never to be swept away by passion, even if he finds himself taken by this wallflower in a way he’s never been before. Only a Christmas miracle will make true love a gift that will last forever.

My Thoughts:

This story is just what it seem, a Holiday romance of a wallflower and a rake.

The story is woven around holiday revelry and a man who has steered clear of love because of the disastrous marriage of his parents.

I gave this mostly sweet regency 4 of 5 stars for storyline and characterization. This story was enjoyable but pretty much predictable.

“Up on the Rooftops” by Elizabeth Essex
Mischievous widow Caledonia Bowmont longs for London’s Christmas cheer, but a string of jewel thefts has brought the festive season to a standstill—and Society accuses the Scottish Wraith, Tobias McTavish. Toby is determined to clear his name and reclaim the life he’s built, so with Cally’s help, he heads up on the rooftops to trap the thief. Will they stop the high-carat crime, or find the hidden gem of lasting love instead?

My Thoughts:

I have read other works by this author and have found them all compelling.

Cally is sure she knows the identity of the thief, but it's not who she thinks it is.

Toby once was known as the Scottish Wraith but he reformed and came back from war a hero. Now someone is mimicking his old crimes and has managed to get society to think him a thief once more.

Can Cally and Toby prove his innocence?

I gave this tale 4.5 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 3.75 of 5.0 flames. It, too isn't strictly a holiday romance but a mystery woven around the season.

“The Very Debonair Lady Claire” by Heather Snow
When Claire Barton’s twin is murdered, she takes his place in the War Department to flush out his killer. Her ruse works perfectly—until the man who once broke her heart becomes her new spymaster. The worst mistake of Andrew Sedgewick’s life was walking away from Claire that Christmas six years ago. Now that he’s found her again, he doesn’t intend to let her go—if they both survive this holiday season.

My Thoughts:

This was my first time reading anything by this author and I was pleasantly surprised.

This story is much more than a holiday romance with murder being it's true essence.

When Claire Barton's twin brother is fatally stabbed she conveniences her family friend who is his superior in the War Department to let her masquerade as her brother and take his place. After all she has been the one solving the coded messages all along.

Andrew is appointed to oversee the department when it's head man is also murdered. Imagine his surprise when he discovers Claire disguised as her brother. He had let his friend scare him away from his sister six years ago, but now that he has found her he will not leave her again or will he let the circumstances chase him away again?

I found this the most compelling of the four stories in this anthology.

I gave this novella 4.75 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 4 of 5 flames. There is only one very intimate scene but it truly heats up the pages.


“A Liar Under the Mistletoe” by Celeste Bradley
Fearless Amie Jackham doesn't attend balls to dance, she's there for the thrill of robbing the lockboxes of the unscrupulous. With the notorious Vixen still at large, Liar's Club spy Lord Elliot Hughes is taking the opportunity to clean out a few lockboxes for the good of Crown and Country—and leaving the Vixen's trademark lacy handkerchief behind.
Thief and spy can’t resist each other in this sexy, catch-me-if-you-can Liar’s Club holiday novella.

My Thoughts:

Who is the thief known as the Vixen? Is it Amie or Elliot or someone else entirely?

This is another well written tale by one of my favorite authors.

Will the actual culprit be found out or will these thefts lead to a very different ending?

I gave this novella 4.5 stars for storyline and character development and a sensual rating of 2.75 of 5.0 flames. This is another mystery of sorts woven around the holiday season.

I gave this collection an overall rating of 4.5 stars. I have rated each one individually above.

I received a complimentary digital ARC of this anthology to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this collection which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

simply a divine set of historical romances for the Christmas season. Solid well-written romances.