I love anthologies. It is wonderful to read shorter stories from my favorite authors but also discover new ones. This anthology has offerings from several of my favorites, along with some that I am familiar with, as well as several new to me authors. All of the tales focus around an ancient legend and a stone with magical romantic powers. It is said that couple who touch hands over the stone are destined to marry. Each author provides a twist on the legend with their own couples. Some are just waiting for their love to meet them over the stone, others don't even know each other but an accidental touch starts them on an enviable road. The tales are made even more unique by occurring in different time periods. It all ends up in a nice, very readable collection.

I’m a sucker for an anthology and this one is just story after story of perfection! The commonality of the folklore/history of the stone is so fun and romantic that you’ll read every story.

The Legend of the Well - magical or mythical? I loved how the authors incorporated it into each of their stories! I have only read a few but will continue adding reviews as I read the remaining books.

𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐃𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐭: A delightful historical romance that sweeps readers off their feet with its charming characters (Rory is a hot Scot, whew) & engaging plot with a little myth thrown in. The story revolves around a spirited heroine & a dashing duke, each with their own set of challenges & desires. Platt’s writing is enchanting, filled with witty dialogue & heartfelt moments. The chemistry between the characters is instant & fun, making for a thoroughly enjoyable read. This book is perfect for those who love a good mix of romance & humor.

𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐲𝐬𝐨𝐧: A heartfelt tale that captures the essence of love & redemption. The story is both tender & passionate, bringing to life the struggles & triumph of the characters. The story follows Elizabeth, a strong & resilient woman, & her journey find love again. William, formerly a vicar & now the Duke of Hethersby, left Elizabeth two years ago to find a bride after his father forbade him to marry a commoner. William returns to beg for forgiveness, will they get their Second Chance?

𝐀𝐧 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐒𝐭. 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞: This heartwarming novella captures the essence of romance and follows Anna Bawtry, who is afraid to fall in love because of past pain but unexpectedly finds herself drawn to the charismatic & kind Viscount Percival Bowles, who has been attracted to her since they met a year ago. Their sweet romance blossoms as they navigate their attraction & their connection deepens, which leads to a beautiful & heartfelt epiphany of love. The author's writing is both engaging & evocative, bringing the characters & their emotions to life.

𝐎𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐞: This fun story follows Hiroshi Fukuyo, a dedicated butler and best friend of a duke who has sent Hiroshi to travel as a companion/protector for his sister. Amanda Kincaid is the sister of the duke, possesses an adventurous spirit with desires to experience as many foreign countries as possible. As Mandy and Hiro travel, they must navigate the complexities of their secret relationship. The author's writing is humorous, enjoyable, and rich with love and emotion, leaving readers with a warm feeling after finishing the book.

A fun Anthology with a lot of entertaining content - I only wonder if any of these will be expanded upon in the future!

This medieval historical anthology of an ancient stone legend and the promise of an everlasting love told throughout sixteen magical stories by sixteen brilliant authors was very entertaining and engaging. I enjoyed every minute of each characters' enchanting love story. I highly recommend reading!

I really enjoyed this as a historical romance anthology, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed each story going on. It was everything that I wanted and was glad I was able to go through this collection.

A Delightful Set of Short Historical Romances

This is an entertaining boxed set of historical romance novellas. They are all surrounding the legend of a stone, said to bring people together. There are a variety of tropes, including class differences, second chance romance, time travel, and much more. There are sixteen stories, and each one can be read in one sitting. The anthology has various historical time periods, too. I recommend this delightful anthology to lovers of historical romance.

Wow what more could you ask for than a conglomerate of your favorite authors? This is actually the first ever anthology that I have read where I have liked every single story. That's saying a lot. I will let you know some stories are sweet some stories are steamy. ( I just skipped the steamy parts of the story) all steamy ones had a plot outside the bedroom. So it was worth reading the story. I would tell you which was my favorite but honestly I really thought the majority of them are my favorite. There were a couple that would come in close second. There were no thirds.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with guidelines.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a mixed bunch, but good overall. I particularly enjoyed Laura Stricklands story. I would have preferred the stories to be in the order of the time they were set so you don’t keep going backwards and forwards.

If you’re a historical romance fan like me, "Lords of Midwinter’s Festival" is one anthology you don’t want to miss! With contributions from 16 talented authors, including Maeve Greyson, Caroline Lee, and Meara Platt, this collection brings together a little bit of everything: second chances, enemies-to-lovers, forbidden love, time travel, and more. The stories are tied together by the magical legend of Midrummill’s Oathing Stone, which supposedly binds destined couples when they hold hands over it at the Midwinter Festival. Each novella has its own take on this legend, set across various historical periods, from medieval times to Regency England. Some stories are sweet and tender, others steamy and suspenseful, and I also discovered a few new-to-me authors, which is always a bonus.

Some highlights:
- “His Precious Elizabeth” by Maeve Greyson: This one tugged at my heartstrings! It’s a second-chance romance between Elizabeth, a humble bookshop owner, and William, a duke who had to leave her behind for duty. Watching him grovel to win her back? So satisfying.
- “Wishing for a Duke” by Meara Platt: A classic “falling-for-the-wrong-person” story (literally!) with a duke rescuing a lady from a well and realizing she’s not meant for him… or is she? A fun and romantic read.
- “A Whisper of You” by Sherry Ewing: Time travel and romance? Yes, please! This story features a love that transcends time, with a 21st-century woman and a medieval earl connecting in their dreams.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

This is a anthology containing 16 books all by different authors some new to me some not. Overall an enjoyable group of romances. Some I really loved and will look for more (admittedly these were mostly authors I knew) a few were a bit slow going but entertaining all in all. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Lords of Midwinter's Festival is a delightful historical romance anthology that extends the magic of the holiday season beyond Christmas. Set around an ancient legend tied to an Oathing Stone, each novella brings a unique twist on love, fate, and happily ever afters. I loved how the stories centered around Epiphany, offering a refreshing change from the usual holiday romances. The mix of tropes—second chances, time travel, enemies-to-lovers—kept things exciting, and it was a treat to read from favorite Dragonblade authors while discovering new ones. This anthology is a great way to savor a bit more winter romance before the season fades. If you love historical romance with a touch of legend, you will enjoy this collection.

Lords of the Midwinter Festival anthology
An ancient stone in Midrummill is said to predict when a couple is destined to be married as they hold hands over the stone. The town has an annual midwinter festival each year to celebrate.
Or a well with a stone and a promise of love.
Or….
1000 pages of historical romance, love and destiny. 16 stories to bring you cheer and heartwarming feelings of the season.

His Precious Elizabeth by Mauve Grayson. Connected to Seven Unsuitable Sisters series.
Elizabeth and William are destined according to the ancient stone. But that was when he was still a young vicar and before he inherited the Dukedom. She runs her family bookstore and according to his father, unsuitable. He left her behind in the small village. But he’s back, begging her forgiveness. She has a decision to make.

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas by Caroline Lee. Connected to Surprise! Dukes series.
Lady Amanda Kincade is an adventurer. She loves to travel and experience and learn new things. She travels with Hiroshi Fukuyo, her brother’s butler, who acts as her bodyguard.
They are also lovers. Their positions make their actual relationship a secret. They head to their respective homes which means hiding their feelings.
Can they find a way to be together?

Unexpected Vows by Hildie McQueen
Eloise Tanner finds arguments easier than conversation with Lord Ronan Craig. He hurt her feelings a few years back, calling her cantankerous but now she must travel alone with him to Midrummill. It’s two days of travel by carriage without any buffers. Spending so much time with him, Eloise fears he may not be as contrary as she’s believed.

Wishing for a Duke by Meara Platt
Ruairi Sinclair, Duke of Lamorgan, saves a shapely lass from falling in a well and ends up falling for her in the process.
A fun coincidence backstory and a chuckle-worthy reference to her accidentally reading books that are lurid and fascinating.

A Perfectly Planned Liaison by Mary Wine

Clement Basset, Lord Lumley, plans to wed Elizabeth Russel, the Earl of Bedford’s daughter. But the fortune hunter Jeffrey Fulke does as well and he’s willing to manipulate and murder to get his prize.
A few surprises in this story made the challenge suspenseful and heartwarming.

Lady Farnsworth’s Second Chance at Love by C.H. Admirand
The Earl’s Dilemma by Belle Ami
A Highlander’s Epiphany by Brenna Ash
Heart of Flint by Elizabeth Ellen Carter
A Whisper of You by Sherry Ewing
Falling for the Wrong Knight by Elizabeth Heights
For the Love of Mr. Grace by Alanna Lucas
Beast of the Ton by Emily Royal
An Epiphany of Love by Anna St. Claire
Fool Me Once, Fool Me Twice by Laura Strickland
The Knight and the Moon by Leslie Vollard

Overall a lovely grouping of romances. A few I really loved. A few that dragged. A few new-to-me authors I look forward to reading again.
All happy endings at an ancient stone I’d like to visit with the right person.
4,5

Sixteen amazing, fantastic, awesome stories from some of the best authors in the industry. Each story takes you back in time to when men were gentlemen and women were true ladies. Each story hasn't ever been published before and captures the essence of romance and history. The characters are fantastic, the plots engaging and each story will keep you wanting more. Magical in every story as they center around Midrummil at Epiphany a magical well that's guaranteed to draw you in and keep you enthralled.

I really enjoyed this heartwarming and romantic anthology of 16 previously unpublished novellas by well-known authors, that are partly connected to other series and are centred around the legend of star-crossed lovers Brigit and Angus, who were transformed by the goddess Anu into a magical stone and well in the idyllic village of Midrummill to be together forever, and prophesise to lovers during the Midwinter Festival at Epiphany whether a couple is truly in love and destined to be together. The anthology brings together men and women who lost their beloved ones and get a second chance at love, became estranged but reunite, strangers who fall instantly in love, lovers who come from different classes, cultures and times, enemies who turn into lovers, star-crossed lovers who finally find their happy ending, who unknowingly love each other without knowing that their feelings are reciprocated…
The stories are set in different centuries, from the Middle Ages to the present day, have different steam levels (from sweet and clean to medium steam), some with a touch of suspense and danger, a whole cast of different characters that I found very likable throughout the collection and many popular tropes, such as second chance, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, strangers to lovers, instalove, class disparity, time-travel romance, road trip, house party, boss-employee, friend‘s sister… to name a few.

All in all, a great anthology that has something for all historical romance lovers and offers readers the opportunity to discover new authors and writing styles.

I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.


HIS PRECIOUS ELIZABETH
By Maeve Greyson

Elizabeth, the bookseller's daughter, and William Myer, the Vicar of Midrummil, were in love and were about to marry before William unexpectedly became the heir to the Duchy and abandoned her at his father's behest.
Now, three years later, William remorsefully returns as the Duke of Hethersby to convince Elizabeth, now the owner of the bookshop, to grant him a second chance at love…

ON THE TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS
By Caroline Lee

For three years, the unconventional Lady Amanda Kincaid has been travelling the world with Hiroshi "Hiro" Fukuyo, her brother's friend and butler who also acts as her bodyguard, where they have had many adventures together and in that time they have become best friends and lovers. However, it hurts Amanda that Hiro always pulls away from her in public when they are back in civilisation and in England. Despite their feelings for each other, Hiro is unwilling to admit them publicly nor can he forget the class difference between them. The only thing that can help is a visit to the Midwinter Festival in Midrummill and its love stone...

UNEXPECTED VOWS
By Hildie McQueen

Eloise Tanner is very much looking forward to attending the Midwinter Festival in Midrummill with her family. Her parents have already travelled in advance and her brother was supposed to accompany her on the trip, but circumstances force him to stay at home and instead he asks his best friend Lord Ronan Craig to accompany Eloise. However, she is anything but enthusiastic because she can't stand Ronan, with whom she was once in love and who broke her heart without his knowledge…

WISHING FOR A DUKE
By Meara Platt

When Lady Allison Bancroft tries to look into the magical well, she is "rescued" by a stranger who grabs her by the hands and tries to stop her from falling into it. Unfortunately, Allison is already as good as engaged and the fulfilment of the legend is the last thing she needs right now.
Travelling to Scotland, Ruairi „Rory“ Sinclair, Duke of Lamorgan, stops off in Midrummill to deliver a letter to his friend's brother. When he sees a young woman leaning dangerously over the edge of the well, he stops her from tumbling in. He is immediately attracted to her, but she is the almost fiancée of his best friend's reserved, self-centered brother and definitely too good for this unfeeling man...

A PERFECTLY PLANNED LIAISON
By Mary Wine

Lady Elisabeth "Tibbet" does not want to become Queen Elisabeth's Maid of Honour, nor does she want to be forced to marry one of the Queen’s favourites. So she runs away to meet her reticent beloved Clement Basset, Lord Lumley, in Midrummill and marry him there in secret. But a scheming suitor from court takes up the chase...

LADY FARNSWORTH‘S SECOND CHANCE AT LOVE
By C.H. Admirand

Widowed Lady Amelia Farnsworth, mother-in-law of the Duke of Wyndmere, and widowed Lord Jeremy Yarmouth have been friends for some time and are travelling to Midrummill with Jeremy's matchmaking sons to see if their budding feelings for each other are genuine and reciprocated...

THE EARL‘S DILEMMA
By Belle Ami

A widowed earl rescues a young lady from the magic well, who turns out to be his daughters' governess and to whom he feels irresistibly attracted…

A HIGHLANDER‘S EPIPHANY
By Brenna Ash

Laird Arthur Hart accompanies his cousin to the Midwinter Festival in Midrummill. He doesn't believe in the legend, but still feels a magical attraction to the well and falls in love with Lillias of all people, a woman who hates Scots and whom his cousin has his eye on...

HEART OF FLINT
By Elizabeth Ellen Carter

When Lewis Montforte, the Earl of Runcorn and son of the Duke of Prescott, is dumped by his fiancée and accused of betrayal by his best friend, Lewis returns heartbroken, after ten years of absence, to his father's country estate in Midrummill, to live in seclusion. There, by chance, he meets his childhood friend and daughter of his father’s steward Julia Garnett, with whom he unwittingly held hands over the magical well a decade ago and suddenly finds himself attracted to her…

A WHISPER OF YOU
By Sherry Ewing

Lorelai Crawford, a young woman from the twenty-first century, and Constantine Warin, Earl of Charlbury, from the Middle Ages, fall in love with each other in their dreams and travel to Midrummill to meet beyond space and time...

FALLING FOR THE WRONG KNIGHT
By Elizabeth Heights

At her father's request, Lady Violetta Locksley is to marry an influential man, but in a vision she sees a young knight who captures her interest. When she comes face to face with Sir Tristan, a knight who will soon go into battle with her father, she recognises him from her vision and they fall in love at first sight. Lavinia's father does not consider Tristan to be an important enough potential husband for his daughter, but the young knight is not who he appears to be...

FOR THE LOVE OF MR. GRACE

Lavinia Summerford attends a house party in Midrummill with her mother, who tries to force her to accept a proposal from an unwanted suitor. Instead, she falls head over heels in love with Alexander Grace, whom her mother rejects...

BEAST OF THE TON
By Emily Royal

Society beauty Lady Irma Fairchild has been jilted by her fiancé and is travelling to Midrummill with her family to avoid the gossip. There, at the well, she meets the rumored recluse Duncan Berwick, who was severely disfigured in a fire years ago, and falls in love with the vulnerable man behind his scars…

AN EPIPHANY OF LOVE
By Anna St. Claire

Miss Anna Bawtry, the illegitimate daughter of an Earl and now lady’s maid, is no longer ready to love after losing everyone she loved when her father sent her away as a child because of her stepmother's hatred towards her. That's why she doesn't dare open her heart when Percival, Viscount Bowles, confesses his love for her at the Midrummill Midwinter Festival...

FOOL ME ONCE, FOOL ME TWICE
By Laura Strickland

Ethelind, Jarl Aldfrith's niece, has set her heart on Gifre, her uncle's favorite warrior. After he flirts with her, she assumes he'll meet her at the magic well, but instead she mistakenly pledges herself to the Scotsman Rath MacBeith, whom she thinks is a savage and loathes...

THE KNIGHT AND THE MOON
By Leslie Vollard

Years ago, Lord Crispin, Earl of Bamburgh, and Eilidh were lovers and swore eternal love over the well in Midrummill, but then his parents forced him to betray and abandon her. Eilidh married another man and Crispin could never forget her. When the widowed Eilidh, Lady of the Campell Clan, asks Crispin for help against an old mutual enemy who wants to force her into marriage and take over her clan's lands, he immediately rushes to her aid, even though he knows that Eilidh will probably never forgive him...

I was intrigued by the manner in which the authors in this anthology managed to incorporate the central theme of The Legend of the Well into their stories. Although each novella is short and can be read in one sitting, they are nevertheless romantic and entertaining. As the characters made their way to the village of Midrummil at Epiphany, whether by accident or design, they all found the answer to their hearts' desire. Thank you Dragonblade Publishing for this delightful seasonal collection. I received a copy of this book as a gift from NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

A plethora...

A collections of historical novellas. Some have some a PR twist (lore) and some a bit gothic.
Many authors you know are included in this collection.
Recommend.

I am a huge fan of anthologies such as this one because they give me the opportunity to enjoy short love stories by an assortment of authors (some new to me, others known to me) between longer, heavier reads. LORDS OF MIDWINTER’S FESTIVAL was a particularly enjoyable collection of historical romances centered around this festival. The underlying theme was woven throughout each story with each author's interpretation. I read one story at a time over the holiday period and enjoyed each one. I highly recommend this book to others that enjoy novella length reads. TBR & Enjoy!

A magical well that approves love matches and the couples who seek its confirmation is the basis for sixteen delightful new novellas. Though most are set during the Regency or Georgian period, there are others from much earlier plus a time travel story. All are of high quality and well worth reading.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sixteen stories from different periods surrounding one legend... How could a reader not enjoy that! The stories span a thousand years of the legend of Brigit and Angus' love for each other. Each story had such depth of emotion, characters that were rich, and a love story that tied to the legend. This is an enjoyable winter read!