Deborah Hale

Oh my! This novel had all the romance, struggle and drama one could expect from a Jane Austen book! It was the story of Cinderella, yet quite different as well, and I could safely say that I loved every single bit of it.

I must be honest though and say that I approached "The Baron's Governess Bride" with caution. I wasn't sure whether I'd find in it what I'd expected, and indeed I didn't. I'd expected something average, but it turned out to be superior.

I'm a sucker for quality romance of the show more historical genre, and Ms. Hale's story completely won me over. From the very beginning, I was acquainted with both leading characters. I got to see their reasoning, their feelings, their fears. I felt sad and outraged because of their hurt and trials. And I respected them for their desire to fight for their happiness. Could you believe it if I said that I even cried a little at one point? That's how touched I felt!

The fact that both Lord Steadwell and Ms. Grace Ellerby were amiable characters with realistic personalities, made me want to cherish this story as much as I do "Pride and Prejudice".

Now more about the characters themselves:

*Grace was a young woman who had never felt good in her own skin due to the constant pestering of people who envied her beauty. She ended up hating her looks, because they only brought her trouble. She was smart, educated in everything (and perhaps beyond) that a self-respecting young woman should know, and yet very humble. I loved her personality because of its complexity. Grace just felt real, like a friend I'd known my whole life. It was nice to read her fairy tale.

*Rupert, Lord Steadwell - as his name suggests is a man of steady heart. He'd spent the past 4 years mourning his late wife, whom he'd loved dearly. I'm pretty sure he would've spent 4 more years in grief had he not met Grace and fallen for the charms of her personality. I was pleasantly surprised by how honorable Rupert was. Even in his anger he rarely raised his voice. It was obvious that he was not a person of conflict, that he'd rather settle everything quietly, with understanding. And he was just. In more than one occasion he could've been harsher with Grace, but he was kind and understanding. Also, the fact that other noblemen respected him and his political opinions was a great advantage - a clever man is always a good asset.

*Rupert's daughters were such amiable creatures! I loved all three of them. Sure, Charlotte, the eldest, was a tough nut to crack, but once she was won over, she was Grace's firmest ally. Little, sweet Sophie could stir anyone's heart, and Phoebe's quick with and bright character were a nice addition to the family.

If you love nice historical romance, if you are a Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte sort of reader, this book would be just right for you. It was just right for me. show less

Normally in anthologies like these, the best story is reserved for last—presumably to end on a delicious, cozy note. Considering Elizabeth Rolls' and Deborah Hale's offerings brimmed over with warmth and generosity, Christmas spirit and tenderness and love, I was sure I was in for a treat with that last story.

Alas, Mistletoe Kisses broke with tradition. Diane Gaston's tale was almost exclusively tell with no show, and given all the secrets and self-pity and distrust between the hero and show more heroine, I felt more Christmas spirit, tenderness, and love between the heroine and her pregnant ex-student, the hero and his long-dead brother and father and uncle, and the pregnant ex-student and her supposedly dead fiancé.

The rating for this book is entirely due to Elizabeth Rolls' and Deborah Hale's novellas, and while I would advise any new readers to avoid Diane Gaston's story altogether, if you must read it, make sure you read it first and save the other two for last. show less

Hannah Fletcher is determined to fulfill her promise to her now dead mistress to look after the children in her care. When Colonel Gavin Romney, Earl of Hawkehurst, arrives from battle, injured and exhausted, she decides to use the time to help him bond with his children. Can these two readjust the judgments they made about each other and find love along the way?

This one left me conflicted. They both made vows to dying vows, but neither one was willing to see things from the other's point of show more view. Hannah herself annoyed me the majority of the time. While I could understand her feelings, I found her to be pushy and I found myself skimming over much of her dialogue.

Gavin did not annoy me as much, but he did make me roll my eyes quite a bit. I'm hoping the rest of the series is a bit more entertaining. show less

After a disastrously unhappy marriage ended with her husband's death, lovely, wealthy , barren Lady Felicity Lyte wanted a bed partner without losing control over her destiny. The lively lady chose the responsible, honorable, financially embarrassed Thorn Greenwood for a temporary affair. All went beautifully and over the weeks of their liaison an apparently deep mutual attachment developed between them. Then Lady Lyte is shocked but overjoyed to discover that she is not barren after all. show more Telling Mr. Greenwood is unthinkable. Lady Lyte writes Mr. Greenwood a brief note terminating their liaison, and prepares to disappear into the depths of England never to cross paths with him or her circle again. Then, amazingly, Mr. Greenwood's vivacious little sister elopes with Lady Lyte's studious nephew-by-marriage whom she has treated like a son. Thorn Greenwood and Felicity Lyte embark on a road trip to catch the couple so that they will not commit to a marriage Thorn Greenwood and Felicity Lyte are convinced would be a mistake. Felicity must decide...will she trust Thorn with her little secret? If she does trust him, will Thorn trust her?

This is the first Deborah Hale work I have read. I have conflicting thoughts about it. Felicity Lyte is a complex, and often unlikeable, character. The road trip she reluctantly undertakes with Thorn Greenwood is more than a vehicle for them to confront and work out their differences, she also learns a great deal about herself. The details of the story explore issues of self-worth, trust, making hard decisions, and the question of what we owe one another. The story is tightly woven, kept me turning pages, and made me think. At the end I wondered what things would look like 25 years down the road. It was a sometimes unsettling read. show less