Edie Cay

As someone who enjoys exploring romance anthologies, I was thrilled to come across "The Mistletoe Assembly," especially since one of my favorite authors contributed to it.

The anthology features six stories, all set during the same charity ball before Christmas. What struck me the most was how seamlessly the authors wove their tales together, creating a cohesive narrative that felt like one grand event rather than separate stories. This collaboration made it seem as if the authors were not show more only familiar with each other's work but also shared a genuine friendship. The characters from one story often made cameos in others, enhancing the sense of a unified world and making the ball feel alive and bustling with intrigue and romance.

Each story stands out in its own right, offering diverse perspectives and engaging plots. "Lily's Scandalous Secret" by Pamela Gibson and "Surprising Captain Davies" by Jemma Frost were particularly delightful, featuring women in their later years who navigate the ton with a refreshing sense of freedom and audacity. It was heartwarming to see widows portrayed with such vitality and given a chance at new love.

"The Footman's Mistake" by Edie Cay was a pleasant surprise, introducing the concept of female boxing in the 19th century. This story added a unique and empowering twist to the anthology, showcasing strong, independent women who defied societal expectations.

On the other hand, "Captured at the Ball" by Sara Adrien had a different tone, focusing on villainous main characters and exploring themes of antisemitism with a distinct voice. While this story wasn't my personal favorite due to its darker vibe, it was powerful and thought-provoking, demonstrating the anthology's range and depth.

Overall, "The Mistletoe Assembly" is an outstanding anthology that not only delivers captivating individual stories but also creates a hidden meta-narrative about the authors' collaboration. The joy and synergy in their writing are palpable, making this collection a must-read for fans of regency romance.

I highly recommend "The Mistletoe Assembly" for its warmth, diversity, and the unique experience it offers. It's a soothing, engaging read that will leave you enchanted by the magic of the regency era and the remarkable storytelling of these talented authors. show less

A historical romance with a non-binary MC? Yes please! I loved this book - Agnes and Jack are so different from the MCs you'd normally find in the historical romances, and they were done so well. It's rare to find LGBTQIA+ representation in historical romances, and I thought Cay did an excellent job of bringing both setting and characters to life in a way that transports the reader into the story. Agnes and Jack were clearly meant to be together - despite the trying circumstances they find show more themselves in. I won't give any spoilers, but this will tug at your heartstrings, and you'll find it hard to put down once you start. I'll definitely be checking out other books by Cay! show less

Dukes All Night Long

~ A Baker’s dozen of short stories and novellas by new-to-me authors I love ~

This collection has something for everyone and with thirteen stories to choose from you can read one a day in random order or read straight through from first page to last. I finished eight of the thirteen and hope to read the rest soon.

The stories I read included:
* Betrayal by a twin sister that separated a couple for months due to amnesia
* A privateer who inherited a dukedom and fell in show more love with the woman asked to help train him assume his title
* A lord wanting a glimpse of the woman he was betrothed to and going undercover to check her out
* Young love thwarted but given a second chance when one stumbles upon the other living in a hermit’s cave
* Betrayal by family hide misdeeds of the heir by besmirching the good name of his brother and temporarily ruining his chance to marry the woman he loves
* One of my favorites ~ A scarred war hero meeting the perfect woman who sees him in spite of the burn scars he survived
* Another favorite is about a friendship of a stable lad and the daughter of the house that had no chance till one day she was used as collateral for gambling debts
* A locked room requiring honesty of two people that were separated by circumstances and needed to talk things out

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Did I find new authors I would read again? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade for the ARC – This is my honest review

4 Stars show less

Despite its historical accuracy, the fact that back then women used to fight isn’t so widespread yet. I wasn’t aware of that myself, and that’s a shame. ALR is not only a refreshing take on historical fiction, it also taught me something new.

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