This is a book of 3 novellas that are all sweet romances revolving around Christmas time. They are well written and engaging. A nice way to escape into sweetness during the stress of the holidays. I would recommend each of the stories. Thank you #NetGalley for allowing me to give my honest and voluntary opinion on #AChristmasLoveRedeemed

A Christmas Love Redeemed, an anthology of three short stories by best selling authors Suzanne Bellamy, Alison Stuart and Pamela Hart, is set in regency England with each of the stories loosely using the second chance at love trope.

A Spy for Lady Clementine, by Suzanne Bellamy, stars Lady Clementine Basingthwaite and businessman William Ravenshoe and opens in 1813. These two are clearly in love and all but become officially engaged when he is called upon to spy for England. He’s obliged to leave immediately and can’t tell Clem where he’s going. As the years go by and she’s pressured to marry she enters into an arrangement with his best friend. When Will eventually returns misunderstandings make for an entertaining story. This book is well researched, well written and makes for an entertaining short read. businessman,

A Christmas Love Redeemed, by Alison Stuart is set in 1816 and sees French Fabien Brassard, Comte de Mont Clair, and former officer in Napoleon’s navy, paired with Hannah, Lady Maxwell, who is widowed and has been supporting herself by acting as a chaperone to young ladies of the ton. Hannah and her mother had rescued Fabien years earlier after his ship was wrecked on the English coast and they developed feelings for each other in the brief time he was recuperating before capture. This is a sweet, tender and utterly captivating story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Eleven Pipers Piping, by Pamela Hart is an utterly enchanting story. Elizabeth MacDonald, widowed at Waterloo, has sworn not to marry another soldier despite her strong attraction to Captain Gavin Sunderland, her husband’s commander and friend. Her husband Lachie was a piper with the Scots Greys and she is terrified that Robin, their son, a talented pianist & musician will want to follow in his father’s footsteps. I loved the internal conflict that Elizabeth faced over her relationship. I also loved watching Gavin and Robin bond as Gavin taught Robin to ride a horse and play the bagpipes. This story is beautifully written and was a joy to read.

A lovely short story about second chance love, this one is set in 1806 and 1817 and we get to meet Fabien, Comte de Mont Claire although in 1806 he is a young man fighting for his country of France and Hannah Linton a young British woman living on the coast of England, when she watches a fight between two ships and the French one goes down she ends up rescuing young Fabien and this will change her life forever.

Now it is 1817 and Fabien is back in England when he spies Hannah across a ballroom and although it is a long time since he has seen her he has never forgotten her, their first meeting was Christmas and it is Christmas again and this time it is Fabien doing the saving, saving Hannah from a life of chaperoning and finally finding the woman he had never forgotten.

I beautiful story, a quick read that hit the right spot and is sure to leave the reader feeling very happy, love was meant to be for these two even if a lot had happened in between, a beautiful HEA and a story I would recommend.

My thanks to Netgalley for my digital copy to read and review.

A beautiful quick and moving story, where we get to meet strong and lovely Elizabeth McDonald, widowed and mother to young Robin, she lost her husband at Waterloo, he was part of the Grey Scots and always piped the men into battle and one thing that Elizabeth is determined is that young Robin will not be a soldier, come along and meet Elizabeth it is a great story.

Elizabeth is doing her best to keep busy since becoming a widow life is quiet with her son but when one of her husband’s friends arrives in town and is offering to teach Robin to ride and play the bagpipes, Elizabeth is determined that he will only learn to ride. Spending time with Gavin is opening Elizabeth up to what her future holds and when a friend steps in a does a bit of match making with a Marquis Elizabeth is happy to settle.

Gavin Sunderland wants more than anything to be more a part of Elizabeth and Robin’s lives and the more time he spends with them the more he is determined, Elizabeth is a strong passionate woman and needs someone who will encourage her and he does what he must to win her heart.

This is a lovely Christmas story with fabulous characters, getting to know Elizabeth, Gavin and Robin was a joy, I could almost hear the bagpipes. This is a moving and wonderful story that I would highly recommend, it has a beautiful ending, a gorgeous HEA and left me smiling.

My thanks to Netgalley for my digital copy to read and review.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable romance, beautifully written it shows that true love can be strong through hardships like war and pressure from families to take a husband it is set while Bonaparte is causing lots of havoc for England, a quick read with wonderful characters.

William Ravenshoe is a businessman and wants to make the beautiful and caring Lady Clementine his wife but when he is interviewed for a position of spy for his country asking for Lady Clementine’s hand is put on hold while he is sent to France and for eighteen months goes through the worst of times never forgetting his Clementine.

Lady Clementine is madly in love with William, he all but proposed to her when he just vanishes, Clementine is devastated, when Will’s friend Rufus steps up to become a true friend and offers a fake engagement to keep her family from pressuring her to marry in the hopes that Will, will return home soon from wherever he is.

If you are looking for a quick and lovely read then this is the one for you, spies and balls during the cold winter weather in London and France, fabulous characters and a beautiful HEA, to see Clementine and Will find their well -deserved happiness was worth it very much, I do highly recommend this one.

My thanks to Netgalley for my copy to read and review.

A Christmas redeemed by Alison Stuart, Susanne Bellany and Pamela Hart
This is a lovely short story of impossible love. I loved how the story was written in two-time frames giving us two stories. It was a well written and sweet read. It was different from your usual Ton romances because the hero was a Frenchman who had been kept a prisoner on English soil. I received this book as part of an anthology “A Christmas Love Redeemed” from Netgalley as an ARC and freely give my review.

Eleven Pipers Piping by Pamela Hart

This is the first book by this author. It was a short sweet read and I enjoyed it very much. I liked the storyline of the soldiers and the heroine enjoying following the drum. It was a sweet read with a lovely little hero as part of the story. I received this book as part of an anthology “A Christmas Love Redeemed” from Netgalley as an ARC and freely give my review.


ASpy for Lady Clementine Susanna Bellamy
This is the first story by this author that I have read. I enjoyed the side story of the hero in France with a couple of twists. I know this was only a novella but I would have loved to read more of his spy activities in France. It was a nice read and will look for more from this author. I received this book as part of an anthology “A Christmas Love Redeemed” from Netgalley as an ARC and freely give my review.

My only true complaint with “A Christmas Love Redeemed” is that it’s not long enough. It’s more of a short story than a novella, which is unfortunate. Don’t get me wrong, Stewart does an excellent job of setting up a romantic historical story… I just loved it so much that I wanted more.

However, even though the story wasn’t long, there was enough detail and character development. I felt so sorry for Hannah and couldn’t help but root for her because she was so likable. Her adult life was one disappointment after the other and I just wanted her to finally get her happy ending.

As for Fabien, he had slightly less depth than Hannah so while I did enjoy his character, I wasn’t as invested in his part of the story. Overall though, I really enjoyed this novella and found it to be extremely well written.

If you’re looking for something quick and easy to read during the holiday season, I don’t think you’d regret buying this sweet Christmas romance.

A Christmas Love Redeemed by Alison Stuart

Once, on Christmas Day, she sacrificed her heart to save his life. Now, after nine years, will a single glance spark the fire of redemption?

February 1816

Fabien, Comte de Mont Clair, once a highly decorated officer of the exiled Napoleon, cuts a dashing swathe through a London society ball, his eyes only for the glittering ladies of the ton. His heart jolts at the sight of a woman sitting in a shadowed corner. Not just any woman, but one he would have once given the world for.

For Hannah, Lady Maxwell, catering to the spoiled darlings of the ton as a humble chaperone is nothing compared to the pain she suffered at the hands of her late husband. Alone and impoverished, she is a person of no consequence but once, a long time ago, she sacrificed her world for the dashing Comte de Mont Clair. Now all she can do is hope that he may glance her way ...

Revised and updated. This novella was previously published as Nine Years 'Til Christmas in the 12 Rogues of Christmas anthology

Release date: 2021-11-15

ISBN: 9781867245155



Eleven Pipers Piping by Pamela Hart

She'll never love another soldier ... will she?

Elizabeth MacDonald, made a widow at Waterloo, is determined to keep herself and her son away from anything military. Gavan Sunderland, her husband's captain, is determined to teach her son the bagpipes, so he can be a piper like his father. When two strong-willed people clash at Christmas time, will the result be disaster or lasting happiness?

Revised and updated. Previously published in the 12 Rogues of Christmas anthology

Release date: 2021-12-01

ISBN: 9781867247159



A Spy for Lady Clementine by Susanne Bellamy

He's the King's man ... will he also be hers?

The war with Bonaparte rages in France while the London Season is in full swing. Businessman William Ravenshoe plans to propose to Lady Clementine, but a secret interview at the War Office upsets his plans and he is immediately deployed to spy for the King.

When Clementine's fiance goes missing before the announcement is made, she agrees to a fake engagement with his best friend to keep her parents happy.

But where is Will, and why did he disappear right before their betrothal?

I have read these previously in the. 12 Rogues of Christmas. One of them has been revised but not by much.
It was good to read them again.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

I am such a fan of Alison’s work and have reviewed her writing before (HERE). To kick off this Christmas season (Yes! A bit early I know) I thought a short novella by her might be the go! Gosh was I right … she sure packs a punch into this little tale!

‘Was it possible that a shred of the old Hannah Linton still remained? Would the grand Comte de Mont Clair still recognise the girl who nearly gave her life to save him?’

This is such a fantastic novella (something I am never a fan of if we are being honest here) with touches of Jane Austen’s, Persuasion, to it. Two Christmas’, nine years apart, with much going on. There are shipwrecks and concealing the enemy, to park promenading and Christmas Eve balls. Will the stars finally align for these two? Well it was one intense journey to arrive at that final destination - a ride well worth your time.

‘I beg to differ, chere madame. Everyone is of consequence, however great or small.’

Short, sweet and highly entertaining. I seriously consider that Alison could easily have constructed an entire novel around these two as there was just so much more that I wanted to read about. Therefore I am happy to report that Alison has swayed me over with this winning novella.





This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

An enjoyable novella of a love lost and found again nine years later. It was Christmas time in 1807 when Hannah Linton saved the life of Fabian, Compte de Mont Clair, fell in love and then was obliged to marry another man. Nine years later she is the widowed Lady Maxwell, penniless and employed as chaperone to a very unpleasant young lady, until Fabian and Hannah meet again.

Very short, but very sweet, this is an entertaining read. In fact I felt that the author could have made it into a full novel. There was so much there which could have been expanded. Anyway, as a novella it was good.

Hannah Linton lived with her mother in a small cottage, down on their luck. It was 1807 and Hannah was using her father’s spy glass to watch the French and British ships battle it out on the horizon when she saw the French ship take a direct hit and begin sinking immediately. The following morning, Hannah was searching for debris with the view of selling it. Her surprise at finding the badly wounded French officer led to trouble for Hannah and her mother…

Nine years later and Fabien, Comte de Mont Clair, graced the English society ladies with his presence while in England on business. Imagine his surprise when he saw a woman across the room whom he recognized from his past. Lady Maxwell was currently chaperone to a young woman coming out in society, but she too recognized the man in the distance…

A Christmas Love Redeemed is, according to NetGalley, an anthology by three different authors, but I only received this short story by Aussie author Alison Stuart. And an enjoyable historical romance it was too. I love Ms Stuart’s writing and this, although short, was no different. The author writes excellent characters and an enticing storyline. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

A Christmas Love Redeemed Novellas

A Spy for Lady Clementine has a loved Lady Clem waiting way too long for her hero, Will. After being ‘stood up’ waiting for Will to meet at their secret place, Clem ‘knows’ something is not right about his disappearance. After meeting Will’s close friend, Rufus and Clem join together to try to keep her parents from forcing her into marriage before Will returns from the war. I found this to be an adorable second chance romantic tale of enduring love and strength in that love.

A Christmas Love Redeemed is the sweetest second chance novella you will read. Hannah and Fabien were in a difficult situation with England and France at war. She saved his life, falling in love with each other while he healed. Life kept them apart, but now brings them together to find their HEA. I loved the back and forth from present time to the original meeting and how they grew into love. Just adorable!

I prefer not to review Eleven Pipers Piping but give 5 stars for the two romances reviewed.

Susanne Bellamy's "A Spy for Lady Clementine" has the male main character, Will, being recruited as a spy, "disappears' when he's about to propose to his lady, and well, the couple is separated for most of this short novella. I. AM. NOT. AMUSED. Where's the romance??

This is an anthology of theee pre-publushed books. Somehow I missed that in the description. I do not agree with giving money for books that have already been published and read years before. Granted, these three stories were enhanced and re-edited, but I still do not feel that the reader should have to pay for the same.story twice.
The three stories had similar synopsis': an older heroine with a hero that had, for any reason, left them years before and the heroine had either married someone else and they were widows or they were in service of some kind. The hero came back into their life and their love was rekindled.
Normally, this plot scene is one of my favorites. I enjoy reading how the heroine was strong enough to survive for all of those years at a time where women had no rights and couldn"t run businesses. And their tragic love story really hit's the reader and we are cheering for her. But this particular group of stories didn't hit me in a good way. The story plodded along, drawn out and the heroines weren't written as strong, and when they met with their heroes, it wasn't fireworks and happiness. Each heroine had to work for that happiness, then poof , the story was over. The stories weren't easy to read, and even if it was read closely, it still crawled. I wish I could say these re-vamped stories were sparkling gems, but I didn't see it. And in my opinion, I wouldn't buy this book. Maybe read from the library. I give this book 2 stars because there was no creativity. I want to read or purchase a book that hasn't been re-written and handed to me like a re-wrapped gift. And the stories were not up to par. If the stories were good, this would have been a different review.

Probably a 3.5* but rounded up because it was a reunion romance which is my jam.
Funnily enough I have the original short story in the anthology unread somewhere on my TBR but I was curious when I saw this enhanced freestanding novella on Netgalley from Escape who publish other work by the author.
Hannah and Fabian fell in love around nine years ago when she rescued the French naval officer from an English beach after his vessel was sunk by the British.
It all goes wrong of course when he is discovered and Hannah is forced into an unpleasant marriage to save the day.
Now Fabian is back in London busily doing French things and also British things like taking married women to be his mistresses. (Sorry Fabian, I docked you a star for that one.)
He is shocked to see a familiar but rather dowdy face among the chaperones, Hannah, now the widowed Lady Maxwell, living in genteel poverty and making ends meet by chaperoning an heiress to the events of the season.
Hannah is content to be a person of no consequence, as she is described by almost everyone to Fabian. Her life has been nothing but misery and poverty since her father's death, only enlivened by the brief happiness of falling in love with Fabian.
We get to see the events of the past in flashback and it's rather sweet to get to see them falling in love despite the danger of Fabian's situation. A good part of the novella deals with the events of the past.
Back to the present in 1816 however and we see Fabian is intrigued to learn Lady Maxwell is a widow. He does not acknowledge the past in their encounters which is rather mean to poor Hannah who has suffered quite enough in my opinion.
Overall this is a sweet reunion with the characters well painted. It did suffer a little from being a novella as I would have liked to see more development of the relationship in the present. The ending was nicely rounded off and the HEA believable, possibly because we saw how much depth their relationship had in the past.

This was shorter in a previous version? This was a pretty short novella from the copy I read.

I received a free copy of this from NetGalley and this is my review. This was a short historical novella that takes place in two time periods nine years apart.

In the past, December 1807, a young woman, Hannah, finds a young French survivor, Fabian, of a ship wreck near her home. His ship was part of the French navy, off course, and sunk by the Royal Navy. He managed to survive but was injured. She is a young woman who suffered her own losses related to the war, including her brother in the war, and because of his loss of life, a loss of her home and circumstances. However, she and her mother are still women of compassion, and took this man in and cared for him. Hannah and Fabian develop a love for each other over the period of days. She tries to help him escape when it was possible that he may be captured, but they are caught out, and she made further sacrifices to ensure that her family is not jailed or hung as traitors, whereas he is taken away.

In the "present", 1816, Hannah is now a widow, but in no better circumstances as she was left poor and having to make her own way in the world. She tries to do this by being a companion/chaperone to a Society debutante, and is dismissed by Society in general as a person of no consequence and ignored.

Fabian is freed, and out and about in Society himself. He appears to have managed to maintain his titles, and wealth, and is also the brother to a Countess. It sounds like he is popular in Society, and a bit of a rake. He sees Hannah at an event, but ignores her.

Ultimately they make their way back together, and the hint of a beginning of an HEA is implied.

This was quite a lovely story in parts; beautifully written, especially the parts from 1807 and Hannah and Fabian's meeting and development of their feelings. But I felt that this story was too short and unfinished, and I was generally left dissatisfied with many things. Such as how Fabian did not even approach Hannah when he recognized her, considering what she risked to save his life. The later him came across as a rather self centered fribble, more interested in having affairs with married women than anything else, and I found it unbelievable that he would be interested in having a relationship again with Hannah, when he did not even have the balls or grace to give her a basic greeting or acknowledgement when he saw her again. Society ladies, including the debutante, and his sister came across as self centered and one dimensional as well. The debutante did something truly mean-girl bitchy, and there were no consequences to her actions.

Then ultimately there was a bit of a Cinderella-esque HEA - if Cinderella was found at the bottom of the steps and the Prince helped her slip the slipper back on then and kissed her.

So while there were aspects I quite enjoyed about the story; namely the back story in the past, I felt like I opened the tin of Pringles and found only a couple left at the bottom. I enjoyed it, felt ultimately like I was craving more.

I really enjoyed this Christmas short.

Nine years earlier Hannah Linton saved the life of a french sailor Fabien, Comte de Mont Clair changing hers in the process.

They meet again in completely different circumstances. Will fate deal Hannah a kinder hand this time?

So why only 3*?

While I enjoyed this it finished far too soon for me. I had a sense of unhappy disbelief when it ended. I’m a lover of a good epilogue but here I would have been happy with just another chapter.

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by NetGalley