A Yuletide Kiss is a fantastic Christmas Collection by 3 wonderful authors.

I thoroughly enjoyed how each story was closely related and intertwined. I was wonderful seeing the different perspective of the couples and how the authors managed to keep it feeling cohesive.
My favourite of the stories was the last one by Mary Jo Putney, there was something about the story line and the writing that hooked me back into the story.

Well done Ladies on a lovely Christmas book

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for an eArc to review.

This was one of the best anthologies I've ever read. The stories were closely tied but the characters fit into each author's various series. It's set in the closed White Rose Inn during a snowstorm over Christmas. The various characters interact with each other at the inn but have their own individual love stories. Each author has excellent stories. The Inn's owner has let all her staff go home for the holidays and she's planning for a relaxing time off when travelers end up finding shelter there while on their way to holiday celebrations.

Sabrina Jeffries' When We Finally Kiss is a second chance story. Konrad Junker is known as a playwright and he's on his way to his partner's home for Christmas. He gets stranded at the White Rose and so does Flora Younger whom he met years ago during her first season. She's now a companion to Lady Hortensia Whitmarsh who is also stranded there. He and the Duke of Thornstock were in Bath together years ago when they started writing plays together. Thorn wanted to ease Konrad into society starting in Bath when he met Flora and they started to fall in love. Now they're stranded at the Inn and with time fall again.

Madeline Hunter's The Unexpected Gift is the innkeeper's story. Jenna an unmarried Lady inherited some money and purchased the inn instead of trying to live a modest life in society. Unfortunately she put the inn in both her and her brother's name. She's discovered her brother mortgaged the inn without her knowledge and has to come up with the money her worthless brother will never do. In the mean time she's trying to patch together enough food to keep her unexpected lodgers fed while nursing an injured man found on her property. Turns out Lucas Avonwood works for the home office and recognizes smuggled goods in Jenna's cellar. He figures out who is the culprit while falling in love with his nurse.

Mary Jo Putney's When Strangers Meet is a fascinating story of reunited spouses. Kate McLeod was an orphaned seventeen year old and stranded in India. Her drunk uncle takes her to bar and auctions her off to the highest bidder insisting marriage in the bargain. Daniel Faringdon is there trying to drink himself to death after the death of his men. When he sees her and decides to keep her safe by winning. He takes her to a merchant whom he knows is a good man and charges him to get her home safely. Seven years later they meet at the inn while he's on his way to claim his title he's inherited. Kate tells him the marriage was officiated by an ordained minister and it's been difficult to annul the marriage without being able to find him. He's about to be declared dead to free her to marry her family's good friend. They spend the time getting to know each other to see if they can make the marriage real.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

“When We Finally Kiss Good Night” (Duke Dynasty, Book 4.5) by Sabrina Jeffries
Years ago, poet Konrad Junker swept Flora Younger off her feet…then disappeared without so much as a goodbye. They’ve crossed swords the times they’ve met since then, but now, stranded at an inn during a snowstorm, Flora and Konrad finally have a chance to reconnect and see if the spark that was once between them still burns hot.

“When We Finally Kiss Good Night” is such a treat. Konrad’s long-held secret – playing the role of playwright of what are actually the Duke of Thornstock’s plays – has held him back from taking a wife and starting a family. He’s at a crossroads when he meets Flora at the White Rose Inn, and though it’s easy for him to fall for her all over again, the problem he has still remains.

It’s easy to like Konrad and Flora. Konrad is always ready to lend a hand and he has a good heart and a sense of humor. Flora is sensible and kind, willing to pitch in and not take herself too seriously, and though she was hurt by Konrad in the past she works through her problems. The two of them suit each other well and it was easy to fall into their romance. I loved the Christmas cheer Sabrina Jeffries infused in this story. From bringing traditions together to Christmas songs and merriment, this was a heartwarming story. Add in a sweet second chance romance with just a dash of spice and it’s easy to see why I found “When We Finally Kiss Good Night” to be a perfectly delightful holiday romance.


“The Unexpected Gift” by Madeline Hunter
Innkeeper Jenna Waverly is looking forward to a few days with no guests and only two servants on-hand. It’s a respite she looks forward to all year long. Then a fierce snowstorm happens, bringing her a houseful of stranded travelers. One of those travelers is a seriously ill man. Lucas Avonwood is flirtatious when feverish, so heaven help her when the man recovers…

“The Unexpected Gift” is a sweet romance. It was easy to adore Jenna – she works hard, takes care of others, and doesn’t have a moment’s hesitation of stretching what she has to take in a group of strangers in a storm. I liked her practical nature – more so because her burgeoning relationship with Lucas allows her the chance to dream of more. Lucas is a mystery at the start of the story. He’s a man on a mission, but what that mission is I’ll leave for readers to discover. Lucas is determined but honorable and when Jenna’s life becomes tangled up in his hunt, he searches for a good solution. The result is a bit too rushed and not quite believable for my taste. I liked Lucas and Jenna together so I was all for Madeline Hunter finding a solution that would give them their happily ever after (even one so speedily developed). However, it felt like Hunter took a few shortcuts to wrap things up in a tidy bow. If there had been a bit more development to make things believable it would have been nice.


“When Strangers Meet” by Mary Jo Putney
The last thing Kate expects to find when snowbound at an inn is her long-lost husband, Daniel. The man rescued her years ago when her uncle auctioned off the grieving young woman and Daniel married her to rescue her, thinking it was a sham marriage. Except it wasn’t actually a sham and now both are curious to see if perhaps that long-ago night could have been the start of something real…

“When Strangers Meet” was the most uneven story for me. I liked the premise and how Daniel and Kate were reunited after not having seen each other for seven years. The snowbound setting allowed them to drop all pretenses and I enjoyed seeing their honest conversations as they got to know one another. Kate and Daniel have an easy chemistry and if their burgeoning relationship had been given a bit more room to develop I would have really enjoyed their romance (though no amount of page time could completely make up for Mary Jo Putney’s extreme overuse of exclamation points). However, the rush to get to “I love you” and happily ever after made the last part of this novella feel stilted and unearned. Even though I wished for more development in the love story, the scene-stealing cat and the solid chemistry Kate and Daniel had made “When Strangers Meet” enjoyable overall.


A Yuletide Kiss has three stories sure to warm your heart this winter. Jeffries, Hunter, and Putney all balance yuletide cheer with their romances in their own ways. I liked that each story was unique yet they all worked as a cohesive unit to fit the setting. Sabrina Jeffries’s installment was my favorite of the lot, but if you’re a fan of any of these authors this anthology is worth reading.

HOLIDAY CHARM AT IT’S BEST!!! A Yuletide Kiss by Madeline Hunter, Sabrina Jeffries and Mary Jo Putney was a true delight. What can I say about 3 fantastic writer but you have to read this book to get into the holiday spirit. Oh so charming. From second chance of love to just plan falling in love. This book has it all. I found each story easy yo read, original and just really good writing. These stories has being stranded at the White Rose Inn, secrets, mystery, being someone you are not, illness, revenge, protection, an unwanted betrothal, rescue and falling in love. Each couple just sizzles. I am highly recommending you read this book. FANTASTIC!!!

***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.

A Yuletide Kiss contains three novellas by Sabrina Jeffries, Madeline Hunter and Mary Jo Putney. I love that all three novellas take place during the same time with each author focusing on a different couple. They all get stranded at an inn right before Christmas. I am already a hug fan of Sabrina Jeffries, so, of course, I really loved her story. We have already met Flora and Karl so I was happy to read their story. I have never read Madeline Hunter or Mary Jo Putney, but I enjoyed their stories. I liked the endings for all three novellas and I will be reading more by all three authors. Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

These three stories tied together as if they were by the same author. They all take place at an inn that is supposed to be closed for Christmas, but opens to several snowbound travelers. The first story ties up the tale of Konrad Juncker and Flora Younger. Juncker was introduced in Sabrina Jeffries' Duke Dynasty series. The pair were in love many years ago and meet up unexpectedly at the inn. Their rekindled romance sets the scene for the next two stories. In the second story, inn owner Jenna Waverly plans to be alone for the holiday, but stays open to accommodate travelers and a sick stranger she saves from the storm. Lucas Avonwood is on a mission to find a scoundrel, but is charmed enough by Miss Waverly that he wonders if he should extend his stay. Putney's story is last. She brings together two characters who married years ago when Kate Mcleod was in danger. They never saw each other again until their chance meeting at the inn. Daniel Faringdon is older and wiser now and hopes he can convince Kate to truly become his wife. She is betrothed to another man and is hoping to get an annulment. Her complicated feelings for Daniel change her plans and she wonder if they can have a real marriage. I really enjoyed this holiday read.

This anthology has three interconnected holiday novellas revolving around an inn called The White Rose. Bad weather, the holidays approaching and stranded guests looking for a room at the inn are the basis for each short story.

My favorite story was When Strangers Meet by Mary Jo Putney. Daniel and Kate met 7 years ago in India under unusual circumstances and meet again at The White Rose. Daniel is stunned to discover they are legally married. I also enjoyed The Unexpected Gift by Madeline Hunter. The inn's owner Jenner Waverly nurses a secretive stranger back to health. But it's no coincidence that Lucas Avonwood is there.

I liked how the authors worked together to have certain parts of each story overlap with the other stories. Reading these novellas gave me all the Christmas feels. This is a wonderful trio of stories to get you in the holiday spirit!

Thank you to Kensington Books for an e copy of this book.

Coming home to each other at Christmastime

Forced to seek shelter from a punishing winter storm , three sets of travelers descend on The White Rose, an upscale coaching inn that has just closed for the Holidays. The proprietress, Mrs. Jenna Waverly offers shelter - but little in the way of creature comforts or provisions as only two servants remain. In this setting, the guests are forced not only to interact but to actively co-operate to feed and entertain themselves, but also create some semblance of a Christmas celebration. A trying order for complete strangers, but even more fraught for two pairs of star-crossed lovers and one instance of soul-mate recognition in the face of a life-or-death crisis. All works out in the end, but not without a great deal of self-examination, forgiveness, and a few plot twists.

When We Finally Kiss Goodnight by Sabrina Jeffries

Flora and Konrad were once on the verge of "an understanding" (read: engagement) many years previous, but poor advice led Konrad to turn his back on love and pursue a career as a playwright. Left to social embarrassment, Flora made the best of her ruin and is companion to Lady Whitmarsh, an outspoken, well-meaning busybody. The two ex-lovers soon encounter each other and their mutual pain and blazing connection soon resurface. A truce is declared to help them navigate the next few days, and as they share Christmas preparation duties, Konrad and Flora face their feelings. He attempts to convince her they have a future together despite concern about his financial prospects. As they talk through their issues and rediscover each other in ways both figurative and literal, the pair keep secrets from each other that could destroy their hope of happiness.

I enjoyed the story, with Konrad's deep regret and passion and Flora's tentativeness - after all, once bitten, twice shy. The supporting characters of Alice and Lady Whitmarsh bring humor to the tale, which has its poignant moments - one character is orphaned, another ostracized, both heartbroken at an early age. A few sensual interludes and one beautiful nighttime visit will make your heart thrum, and Konrad's back story is both improbable and engaging. That being said, when a contemporary author attempts to speak to current issues through a historical lens, it rarely rings true. Instead of being illuminating, it sounds preachy, regardless of your convictions on the matter discussed.

3/5*

The Unexpected Gift by Madeline Hunter
Jenna Waverly, innkeeper extraordinaire at The White Rose, hopes for a quiet few days around Christmas. Much of the staff has headed home, and she and two retainers have settled in for a bit of rest and relaxation. The weather has other plans, and a brutal storm brings an unconscious man burning with fever, along with a throng of other stranded travelers. Fearing contagion, she houses him in the absent brewmaster's quarters and nurses him through his delirium while contriving to feed and fete her other guests. In addition to the unexpected guests and sickroom duties, she worries about her wayward brother, her only kin, and hopes he will come to her for the Holidays.

Lucas Avonwood is on a mission of honor, to recover a stolen item and find the blackguard responsible for a loved one's distress. When he's overtaken by illness and awakens to find an attractive woman undressing him, he flirts and then drifts into oblivion. His fever rages, and Jenna provides a touchpoint for him as he fades in and out of consciousness, snippets of what he set out to do taunting him.

A deep and intense intimacy builds between the two as she cares for him and he appreciates his helplessness. As an occasional caregiver, I understand the bond that is generated by tending to someone at their weakest and worst, and the levels of trust required - giving that to a stranger, as Lucas does with Jenna, is a most vulnerable gift. Of course, Lucas is handsome and Jenna pretty, and this begins to seep into their interactions. When he finally recovers and is well enough to join the others for meals, both enjoy Christmas and give in to their obvious attraction, knowing that it may last as long as the Yuletide festivities.

Meanwhile, Lucas prowls The White Rose looking for evidence of crimes committed, and what he finds - and who may be the perpetrator - could shatter his new-found happiness. Can love prevail in the face of deception and disappointment?

This novella was my personal favorite! I must admit that Madeline Hunter's name on the book cover drew me to this anthology, as she has become one of my favorite romance authors, but Lucas and Jenna's relationship touched me deeply. I'm an entrepreneur - even hosted short-term paying guests in my home for a while! - and understood Jenna's resolve to build a business that would support her and empathized with her family's financial demands . Her genteel establishment - and background - were a perfect foil to her hard work, determination and loneliness. Lucas is adrift in a sense, too - he leads a secretive existence by necessity and responds to Jenna's care and loves her grit. I felt a sense of true shared intimacy in their (steamy) lovemaking, not just a romp in the sheets. As the story concluded, I felt they would live truly and happily ever after.

5/5*

When Strangers Meet by Mary Jo Putney

When Kate and Daniel first encounter at The White Rose one snowy night, she shrieks in outrage and shock - is he her long lost "husband" who rescued her from disaster when she was quite young? Daniel was drunk at the time, but chivalry overrode his inebriated fog and he swept her out of harm's way. Seven years have passed, and Kate is now a self-possessed young woman on the verge of marrying another man, having thought her husband of short duration was dead. She's also become a ravishing and confident beauty, and Daniel convinces her to temporarily honor their bond - surely their days of seclusion at the Inn will help them decide whether or not they'll suit? Both parties have matured since they last saw one another, and Kate has the unenviable decision of heart versus head when it comes to her future. Will she select the comfortable option, or will she instead risk her stability for a man she knew through his moment's kindness?

I was the least engaged by this story. Daniel seems earnest and is understandably eager to renew his attentions to a now-delectable young woman, and Kate is rightfully cautious about aligning herself with a man she little knows. The story fell apart in the hurried interaction with her fiancee, who seems to unravel and become completely odious in the space of a fifteen-minute carriage ride. The jilted lover also seems to take his rejection - and that of the plans both families made - a little too well. Drama over Kate's early marriage was unfounded, as it could probably been annulled on easily verifiable grounds, eliminating that plot point. The cat was adorable, but would a loyal subject have named a kitten princess anything? Who knows.

2.5/5*

I'd like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for the  digital ARC; my opinions are purely my own.

I was very excited when I see this book was written by three of my favorite authors. And I wasn't disappointed, since the 3 stories bring back the best of these authors.
This book is certainly a nice option to read during the Christmas season. Enjoy it!

Three separate stories, three wonderful tales of love — and best of all written by three authors at the tops of their games. Madeline Hunter, Sabrina Jeffries and Mary Jo Putney know how to tell a story. Three three tales are united by the setting -- an inn during the holidays, with the characters brought together by what else (?), bad weather. From the opening story of an inn owner who is nursing an ill man back to health to — finally — learning more about Konrad Juncker from the Dukes Dynasty series to the couple who were married (or were they?) and hadn't met up for seven years, this was just a wonderful trilogy. It will get you in the holiday spirit, that's for sure.
(I received an ARC via NetGalley. Opinions mine.)

This book was such fun to read! The three stories are written by different authors, but are all related. I love this type of anthology as it allows you to learn more about all the characters, and gives you a more thorough view of the entire storyline.

The basic plot is pretty straightforward - travelers stranded at an inn just before Christmas due to bad weather - but the individual stories vary. I felt like the authors managed to keep the consistency through each story, and tied them together very well.

This was a fun read that really puts you in the holiday mood.

Likeable, readable Regency collection
4 stars

This is a collection of 3 Christmas novellas that are interconnected but each stand alone. All the characters find themselves stranded at a country inn during a snowstorm at Christmas, giving them all a chance at love. Who could resist such a book?


When We Finally Kiss Good-Night by Sabrina Jeffries
Sabrina Jeffries was definitely the biggest draw for me with this book. The fact that it’s a Christmas romance is just the cherry on the top.

Our hero, Konrad, has been on the edges of Jeffries’ Duke Dynasty series and he now gets his own story with Flora - a romance teased in Undercover Duke, the previous book in this series.

While Ms Jeffries writing is up to her usual standard, for some reason this story didn’t give me the excitement or emotion that I’ve come to expect. While Konrad went through the motions, I just didn’t feel that his actions told of someone who had been - or was now - madly in love with Flora. There was sex and kisses but I didn’t feel that elemental connection that I really wanted which was a shame.


An Unexpected Christmas Gift by Madeline Hunter

In the second tale, our innkeeper, Jenna, finds her match in a mysterious stranger she nurses back to health. The first part of the story moved along nicely as we’re introduced to our characters and learn of a little intrigue with both Jenna and Lucas.

The intrigue isn’t really all that intriguing and while I suppose it comes to a conclusion - it’s fairly unsatisfying. That’s maybe the kind of storyline that works better in a full-length novel. As for Jenna and Lucas - I liked them as a couple but, like the first story, felt the emotion was somewhat lacking. There was sex but it was hidden behind some fancy wordplay and in the end, the ‘love yous’ were pleasing but somewhat sudden. Still readable and likeable.


When Strangers Meet by Mary Jo Putney
Our last story has Kate and Daniel realising that they have actually met before. Met before and married. But is the marriage real and should they make it real?

I liked this cute, fun (and surprisingly believable) premise and enjoyed that it was more Daniel that pushed for them to give their union a try. Kate and Daniel were likeable characters and I would have enjoyed more than the few kisses that they engaged in. While I felt this was the most well-rounded of all the stories, nothing much actually happened. There was much more detail about the Christmas preparations at the inn, and conversations, than any real storytelling. Still, a likeable and pleasing romance.


This was definitely a readable collection of stories that were eminently likeable. The Christmas element worked well what with the snowstorm, the inn and all the guests coming together and participating in Christmas merriment. None of the stories really dazzled me but all were fun and the pages turned easily. I’d probably give this 3.5 stars but rounding up to 4 because it’s Christmas!

A Yuletide Kiss consist of 3 connected holiday novellas by 3 talented and well-established authors in the historical romance genre taking place in the days just before Christmas when several travelers find shelter from a winter ice storm at a small but reputable inn that had planned to be closed for the holidays. All 3 stories work well within the confines of a novella format and are enjoyable, though my favorite was "When We Finally Kiss Good Night" by Sabrina Jeffries. As it is a true 2nd chance romance it had a slight leg up on the couple having a connection and thus the quick romance feel more a little more solid (and while it is connected to her Duke's Dynasty series, it stands well on its own). While each story was fully developed and able to stand on its own, the best part of the book was how well the authors blended their individual concurrent stories into one unified book that felt like more than just its parts while still maintaining (& complementing) each author's individual voice. This book will help put you in the holiday spirit while also (thanks to the format) allowing a reading pause to hang up your own mistletoe and greens or do a little celebrating or shopping of your own.

This anthology from some of my favorite authors is just in time to make your holiday reading complete. All set in one inn over the Christmas holiday, these stories will keep you warm on a cold winter’s night. With second chances and new beginnings, this book is filled with holiday miracles.

This sweet, slightly sexy holiday book has three separate stories in it and they all revolve around guest who get stranded at The White Rose Inn.

WHEN WE FINALLY KISS GOOD NIGHT by Sabrina Jeffries
If you are a fan of Sabrina Jeffries' Duke Dynasty series, you will love that Konrad Juncker finally gets his own story. Konrad has pined for Flora Younger ever since he first met her and made a mess of things. Can he finally get his happy ever after after a second chance with her when they are snowed in?

THE UNEXPECTED GIFT by Madeline Hunter
When widower Jenna Waverly has stranded, unexpected guests showing up at her inn, The White Rose even though it is closed because of the holiday, she doesn't have the heart to turn them away. When one of these guest is found laying in the snow outside and noticeably sick, Jenna decides to nurse the man back to health. Lucas Avonwood has been trying to track down a man who has been cheating people. When he wakes up he finds himself being taken care of by a lovely woman that he can't seem to ignore. Lucas' mission may have found him something he wasn't even look for!

WHEN STRANGERS MEET by Mary Jo Putney
Kate Mcleod is stranded in a snowstorm and who shows up? Her husband, Daniel Faringdon, whom she hasn't seen since he married her seven years ago! Daniel rescued her seven years ago but didn't realize that the marriage vows he took were real. It is obvious the attraction is there, but can these two make a real go at their marriage?


I just loved this sweet, slightly sexy book! I loved how each of the couples had a second chance at love. I also really enjoyed how each of the stories interwove with the others. It was like you were getting the same story from six different perspectives. If you enjoy a fun holiday read, with wonderful characters, give this one a try.

Three seasonal novellas connected by travellers stranded at an inn because of bad weather

When We Finally Kiss Good Night by Sabrina Jeffries
When Flora Younger first met Konrad Juncker, she thought she’d found her match, only to have her hopes dashed. Konrad is now a famous playwright whose plays Flora has secretly panned in reviews. But a chance meeting in a secluded inn may help them rewrite this star-crossed romance . I’m so pleased Konrad had his story, I'd liked him in The Duke’s Dynasty series by the author. An entertaining second chance romance, which I loved & read in a sitting.

The Unexpected Gift by Madeline Hunter
Jenna Waverly has closed her inn, anticipating a blissfully quiet Christmas, until a snowstorm brings the first of several strangers to her property. Lucas Avonwood, as charming as he is secretive, is on a mission to track down a scoundrel. Another well written page turner. An engrossing novella with mystery as well as romance, right up my street.

When Strangers Meet by Mary Jo Putney
Kate Mcleod is shocked to find that her fellow guest in the snowbound inn is the dashing soldier who may or may not be her husband. Daniel Faringdon barely remembers that long-ago night when he rescued her from disaster, but the desire they discover now will be impossible to forget, or to ignore. Will they part or make a go of their marriage? I loved everything about this novella, the characters with their faults, their attraction & there’s a cat
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I was so spoiled by this absolutely excellent anthology of historical romances from three phenomenal romance authors. Admittedly, I have only read Sabrina Jeffries to this point, but you'd best believe that's going to be changing now!

All three stories run parallel in an inn closed for the holidays but opened to the stranded travellers who find themselves in need of shelter. I want to say that WHEN WE FINALLY KISS GOOD NIGHT by Sabrina Jeffries is my favorite because of its link to her exceptional Duke Dynasty series, and because I loved the second chance feels of Flora and Konrad, but then again WHEN STRANGERS MEET by Mary Jo Putney made me smile and swoon and perfectly balanced the past with the future, and was an altogether well-rounded story.

At the end of the day, though, it was THE UNEXPECTED GIFT by Madeline Hunter that has stuck with me the most since I finished by ARC of A Yuletide Kiss. I'm a sucker for a forced proximity story and this one takes that a little further than the other two. Plus, a protective alpha man who takes charge but retains a level of vulnerability...be still my beating heart.

Whichever one you end up loving most, there is something for every reader in this anthology!

When We Finally Kiss Good Night by Sabrina Jeffries:

This was such a great novella. It included so much of the Christmas traditions that began during this time period or those that had not yet spread widely. Flora and Konrad were likeable characters that I found easy to connect with. Konrad especially won my heart. He had made decisions that cost him Flora’s heart and was at a loss how to win her back. Especially since he found himself in a position that was not favorable to making her his own forever.

Despite the novella length, this felt full and well rounded. I enjoyed the secondary characters as well as the premise that brought them all together. With a bit of spice topping it off made this all the more easy to love.


The Unexpected Gift by Madeline Hunter:

This was a pleasant surprise with it’s touch of mystery running through it. It consisted of a story that was multi-layered and fully developed. Another full fledged novella as the previous one. I was a huge fan of Lucas and Jenna. Their chemistry was believable and there was an edge of anticipation as Lucas tried to find what he was looking for. That also carried with it the promise of angst that kept me on the edge.


When Strangers Meet by Mary Jo Putney:

This was a nice little read. I enjoyed that the author added the charm of a small kitten to the mix. The hero and heroine were very likeable and their story entertaining.

What a delightful surprise A YULETIDE KISS was to read

I grabbed A YULETIDE KISS to read Sabrina Jeffries short story, When We Finally Kiss Good Night, a novella that wraps up her Duke Dynasty series. And, yes, this conclusion to the tale of Konrad Juncker is immensely satisfying.

Even more satisfying is the overall premise of this book of three novellas as well as the ways the authors weave their tales together. All three stories take place in a country inn that is closed for the Christmas season. When a brutal winter storm brings stranded travelers to the door, innkeeper Jenna Waverly cannot turn them away.

Author Madeline Hunter presents Jenna’s story of caring for a wounded traveler found in the snow in The Unexpected Gift. Mary Jo Putney presents When Strangers Meet about Kate Macleod and Daniel Faringdon who met years ago in India and find they may still be linked together.

What is beautiful about this book is that the authors worked hard to repeat the common segments of the book — those pieces where all the characters interact, such as meals, working in the kitchen, celebrating Christmas Eve. Yet each story continues to its conclusion individually after guests continue on their journeys.

If you love the Christmas spirit, a bit of intrique and HEAs, A YULETIDE KISS needs to be in your TBR pile.

Sweet and spicy Christmas Regency romances

I like the writing of Mary Jo Putney so was drawn to this trilogy of interconnected Christmas Regency romances. I found it just spicy enough for my aging psyche. The three stories are connected as the groups of travelers are storm-stayed over Christmas at an inn, whose innkeeper HAD thought she could close over the season... I definitely had a smile on my face as I read the stories and watched the couples come together, have troubles, and finally the happy endings. Not great literature, but a sweet escape from normal life!

Since I had not read anything by the other two authors, I now have two new authors to read!!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-limited e-arc via Netgalley. This review is optional and my own opinion.