Heather Boyd

A charming anthology of short stories of Christmas romance. 9 stories in total, each with its own plot, not tied together. I had my favorite and my least favorite, but all were enjoyable and an easy read. A couple of the authors are new to me and it's always a pleasure to try out a new style and discover a new author to follow.

Between the stories we have a couple of house parties, second chances, love at first sight, lots of snow and a couple of Cinderellas.

For me Ella Quinn, Caroline show more Linden, Barbara Monajem, and Browen Evans especially hit the mark with heartwarming holiday stories. One author gave up a convoluted mess with unlikable characters. The rest were enjoyable stories with thoughtful plots making classic holiday romances. My recommendation is this presentation is a delightful way to enjoy Regency romance and the Christmas season.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. show less

from the widow's point of view!

Richard Hill, the Earl of Windermere, needs to marry and beget an heir, entailing a curious ritual that had been part of the family myth for generations. This he refuses to do. All Richard's affairs have led him to believe that he may be unable to have children--but, nary a by blow in sight.
Esme, Lady Heathcote, a not so discreet widow lady knew she was barren. She thoroughly enjoys her independence. Lovers and no involvement are part of that.
Although never show more involved, Richard and Esme had crossed paths more than once. Indeed Esme did him a favor not so long ago, one that initially infuriated Richard--publicly! To make amends, Richard invites Esme to a select house party, aiming to show the world they were not at logger heads.
When Esme's lover announces his engagement to another, Esme is furious. Her code of behaviour has always included the strict rule of no engaged or married men for a dalliance.
Richard offers her an affair for the duration of the house party--an offer that will ease her public humiliation. Neither of them can foresee the emotional link that will be forged. But Esme is determined that the affair will be short lived and that the man who has become more than a friend will be able to move on to a more suitable bride, one who will provide Richard with his much needed heir. I quite enjoyed Esme, her strong character, her determination and compassion. An interesting plot that involves a woman that in other novels is nearly always the 'other'; the hardened widow seeking a husband using all her wicked wiles, only to be let down when the innocent young beguiling thing walks away with the hero (often a rake!) Here we have a mature woman who enjoys her life and takes charge of her inclinations, without pretence and prevarication. Quite liberating. I have gone through years of reading, convinced that those widows who took lovers, were always grasping harpies looking for the main chance. Esme is certainly not of that mould. Refreshing!

A NetGalley ARC show less

Miss Watson’s First Scandal by Heather Boyd
(A Miss Mayhem Novella)
Source: Purchase
Rating: 4½/5 stars

David Hawke has a serious problem: he has to foreclose on the house of his next door neighbor and friend. What should have been a much-deserved and relaxing week at his Brighton home has turned into something far more serious and far, far from relaxing. David Hawke has another problem: apparently while he was away working in London for the last year, Abigail Watson, the sister of the show more soon-to-be-foreclosed-on neighbor has grown up and oh, is she a sight!

Abigail Watson has a problem: her family home is about to be foreclosed on because her loving though seriously worthless brother has a gambling problem. Abigail is a smart girl and thanks to a little clever snooping, she already has a plan in the works to get she and her brother out of financial trouble. Abigail Watson has another problem: The man coming to foreclose on she and her brother is David Hawke, her handsome, confirmed bachelor next-door neighbor whom she has had a crush on for years. What is a girl to do?

Well, if that girl happens to be Abigail Watson, then she takes her destiny in her own hands and sets out to fix everyone’s problems, including her own. First, there is the matter of marrying her brother to a wealthy woman so they can keep their family home, next is the matter of attracting the attention of David Hawke without compromising her reputation and, finally there is the matter of ensuring that no one knows precisely what she is up too until the time is right. That last part would have be a lot easier to do if Abigail hadn’t stolen and read the foreclosure note from David, gotten caught by him and, then kissed his socks in a moment of pure abandon. Oh, dear Abigail!

I have to say, this little regency read kept me turning pages and grinning from ear to ear from the very beginning. I love novels (in this case a novella) when a woman is ahead of her time and Abigail Watson certainly is. Rather than fall in line with societal custom and marry for status and wealth rather than love, Abigail has chosen to pursue the man who captured her heart years ago. David is a wonderful character who truly struggles with the task of foreclosing on his friend as well as managing his growing feelings for his much younger neighbor. But alas, even this confirmed bachelor is no match for Abigail Watson!

The Bottom Line: I am apparently a huge sucker for this type of read. Miss Watson’s First Scandal has a little bit of everything I love: a strong-willed and intelligent heroine, a kind and caring man (he takes in a stray puppy for cryin’ out loud!), fun secondary characters (Imogen!! Wait ‘till you discover her secret), a period piece (regency in this case) and, a nice little cliffhanger guaranteeing I will be back for round two of the Miss Mayhem novella series. show less

I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour in exchange for a fair and honest review. I rated it 4.5 out of 5 Stars.

An utterly charming historical romance, Miss George’s Second Chance by Heather Boyd, is a good reminder to seize love when you find it. Well developed characters, good dialogue and the added physical and emotional issues accompanying someone losing their vision kept me turning the pages to discover what would happen next. While the second book in the show more Miss Mayhem series, this story can be read and enjoyed on its own.

Imogen George enjoys life living in her brother’s home, secretly penning stories under an assumed name and visiting her host of friends. Realizing something’s wrong with her vision, and wanting to help a friend she cares deeply for, Imogen does the unthinkable and proposes marriage to Peter Watson, a dear friend, for “convenience” sake. He needs her money and she’s afraid she’ll need someone to take care of her if she becomes blind. Never thinking Peter could care for her as more than a friend, Imogen keeps her emotions towards Peter guarded.

Peter Watson hasn’t always been wise with his money and now in financial straits he’s worried about ending up in debtor’s prison. When his friend Imogen George proposes a platonic marriage that will get him out of financial trouble, Peter easily agrees assuming that they will eventually develop feelings between then. When a distant cousin passes away, and leaves his immense fortune to Peter, he suddenly finds himself without a fiancé – Imogen breaks their engagement on the basis they no longer need each other. It’s only when he compares every other woman he meets to her that Peter realizes he’s already in love with the woman who sent him away.

The scenes between Imogen and Peter are well written and completely enjoyable. They have great verbal and emotional chemistry, though Imogen is reluctant to admit to her emotions at first. Ms. Boyd does a good job developing both characters and I really enjoyed getting to know Imogen and Peter both and learning their strengths and weaknesses. I also enjoyed getting to know the secondary characters, especially her brother Walter and her friends Miss Radley and Miss Long. Ms. Boyd does a good job keeping the reader engaged with just the right amount of action and emotional angst within the pages of her short story.

Will Peter convince Imogen to give their love a second chance? Will Imogen loose her sight forever? You’ll have to read Miss George’s Second Chance to find out. I enjoyed it quite a bit and look forward to reading more of Ms. Boyd’s work. show less