Regency Christmas Magic

The first tale 'Upon a Midnight Clear' by Amanda McCabe is the story of Antoinette, from 'A Loving Spirit'. The heroine is definitely a change, since black heroines are rare (cannot remember another) in Regency. Still, one wonders if it was a show of originality or comercial cunning. 'The Ultimate Magic' is a sequel to 'Emily's Beaux' by Allison Lane - this one is clearly rushed, which will detract from the enjoyment but still nice if you can manage to finish it. 'Two Dancing Daughters' by Edith Layton. A former Military man is hired to solve the mistery of two sisters and a worn-out pair of dancing shoes (does this sound vaguely familiar to you, too?) 'The Enchanted Earl' by Barbara Metzger - a young widow invites a lot of magical creatures for a Christmas party but one of them may be more than he looks. 'In Green Gauze Gown' by Sandra Heath - a widow and her two sons return from America after her oldest son becomes the Marquess of Southdown. When they arrive at Puckscroft Park (a very appropriate name), the youngest son forms a friendship with a Mr Dobbs who apart from being a magical being proves himself to me a valuable ally. The selection does suffer from the faults of its kind - a bit too much sentimentalism here and the impression that some plots are just not satisfactory developed with a couple good stories in between. Still not one of the worst.

Upon A Midnight Clear by Amanda McCabe Antoinette is a Jamaican beauty that lives in Cornwall with a friend's family. The family goes off to Bath for Christmas, but Antoinette elects to remain in Cornwall. She is facing a publication deadline for her next herbal book. THIS holiday season though, she will meet a once-handsome naval caption who is a hermit in the area. The Ultimate Magic by Allison Lane Edith Knolton only needs to keep her charge from causing a scandal for four more days. That is when the lovely Diana is due to wed Giles. But it is going to take the combined efforts of Edith and Lord Charles Beaumont to succeed. Two Dancing Daughters by Edith Layton Major Gabriel Blanchard (retired due to wounds) takes a job to find out how two daughters keep disappearing from their home every night. No one in the house ever hears a thing, but the dancing slippers of the two daughters are clearly worn out the next morning. The Enchanted Earl by Barbara Metzger It is said that Laurel's grandmother was fey. When her awful husband dies and her time of mourning is almost over, Laurel decides to throw a huge Christmas party for everyone, no matter their stations in life. And her shrew of a sister-in-law will not stop her! But during a magical night Laurel makes a wish for true magic. Now she has warlocks, bogeymen, shape-shifters, apparitionists, and pyromages (fire mages) all over the place. Then there is the old magician, Spinrod, who claims he is there to protect her from the others. The Green Gauze Gown by Sandra Heath Widow Rosalind Harwood and her two sons left their Albany, New York, home and returned to Brighton. Rosalind's nine-year-old son, Peter, has become the sixth Marquess of Southdown. Her eight-year-old son, Jake, can see fairies and specters. Everyone, including Rosalind, believed Jake made up the ghost stories. Yet Jake insisted all those stories were true. He also insists that a Pharisee (fairy), named Master Dobbs, resides in the kitchen pantry. Rosalind is about to believe in magic. ***** Five wonderful and magical stories by five talented Regency authors within one cover. Smashing! They are set during the Holiday Season, but may be read at any time of year. I, honestly, do not know which I enjoyed most. Usually anthologies tend to have at least one tale that I consider unimaginative. Yet all five stories in this novel are great. I loved them! ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

[...]Christmas is magic, you know, so why not a book wrapped around that idea? Some of the stories are more magical than others, to be sure. Amanda McCabe's "Upon a Midnight Clear" was delightful in its presentation of a heroine other than petite, blond and barely out of the schoolroom. Hurrah for that! Antoinette Duvall's presence in England and this book are a welcome addition to the genre, as well as being a perfect match for Captain Mark Payne, invalided out of His Majesty's Navy. Other than a slightly commercial, rather modern sensibility regarding buying gifts for everyone imaginable, this is a charming story. Based on past experiences, I wasn't overly hopeful of `The Ultimate Magic' by Alison Lane. When the first paragraph contained a young lady `snarling' and slamming a door, followed by the next paragraph with a different young lady cursing, I decided to follow my initial inclination and proceed to the next in line, Edith Layton's "The Two Dancing Daughters". This one is magical, but how could it not be with Ms. Layton in command. It's whimsical, yet grounded in the tale of two sisters, `Rose Red' and `Rose White' who don't seem to leave their home of an evening, yet wear out pair after pair of dancing shoes. A recuperating army Major is hired to find the solution, which of course he does, and he also gets one of the sisters for his own, as a reward. Delightful in its whimsy, it's just not as Christmas-y as some of her previous stories. On the other hand, "The Enchanted Earl" is about as magical and Christmas-y as it's possible to be! Barbara Metzger always delights with her sometimes slightly cock-eyed take on various situations, and this tale is no exception. Laurel Mumphrey is a youngish widow, just out of mourning for her late, unlamented spouse. To celebrate her inheritance as well as Christmas, she plans a celebration at her home, and recalling magicians from her childhood, she sets out to engage one for her party. Little does she realize the hazards involved in trying to find one real magician. Spinrod the Sorcerer could hardly be the fulfillment of her dreams; he was elderly and not very magical. Or maybe she was wrong? Magical and romantic describe "The Green Gauze Gown" by Sandra Heath. Two years after the death of her husband, Rosalind Harwood's older son-nine-year-old Peter-had become the sixth Marquess of Southdown, necessitating their return from America to Puckscroft Park, near Brighton. Her other son, six-year-old Jake, has seemingly formed an alliance with an invisible man, Mr. Dobbs, who does all sorts of wondrous things. Rosalind's first love, Sir Henry Trafford, still lives almost next door to the Park, with his sister and mother. His well-intentioned gift threatens to produce a major scandal until Jake and Mr. Dobbs intervene, clearing the way for the Rosalind and Henry to re-affirm their love. Volume Sixteen is a splendid addition to Signet's tradition. Have some eggnog, light the candles, and enjoy the so

What a fabulous book, filled with rich characters and holiday charm. I admit, I sighed a dreamy sigh when I finished, wishing for more. You won't be disappointed.

If you purchase this book, you likely know what you're getting: a collection of 5 Christmas stories by top-selling Regency authors. And this collection, like others of its kind, does not disappoint. The first story, "Upon a Midnight Clear", is a follow-up to one of Amanda McCabe's earlier novels. The story would be made more rewarding if you take the time to read "A Loving Spirit." The short story is about Antoinette, the Jamaican woman who went to England with her friend (who found her love in "A Loving Spirit"). Antoinette nearly faces the prospect of a lonely Christmas--until fate intervenes and lands her in the company of a scarred ex-soldier who is just as lonely as she is. 4 stars for this one. "The Ultimate Magic" by Allison Lane is also a follow-up to a previous novel ("Emily's Beaux"). In this story, governess Edith Knolton is chaperoning a troublesome young girl. Edith hopes to catch the eye of the man who has already caught hers. I thought there were too many characters in this one, especially in the beginning, and it was difficult to follow--even though I had read "Emily's Beaux." I give it a somewhat disappointing 2 stars. In Edith Layton's "Two Dancing Daughters", a penniless ex-soldier is hired to keep an eye on a man's daugthers. The ex-soldier finds one of the daughters especially intriguing... The story itself was intriguing, but it didn't seem to have a lot to do with Christmas. Also, there could have been more interaction between the two leads. 2 1/2 stars. "The Enchanted Earl" by Barbara Metzger was my favorite of the bunch. In the story, a widow seeks out a magician to entertain guests at her Christmas party. Instead, she conjures REAL wizards and REAL magic... including an odd, old half-mage named Spinrod. This is exactly kind of story one hopes to read when they pick up something called "Regency Christmas Magic." It was fun, light, atypical, and is riddled with the Barbara Metzger's humor. Metzger proves to be just as adept at writing fantasy as she as at writing romance. 5 stars. In "The Green Gauze Gown" by Sandra Heath, a widow with two sons moves back to England... and reunites with the man she's always loved. A scheming sister, missing letters, and a green gown are a few of the elements they must face. I enjoyed this story, particularly the hero, a bespeckled man with a limp. I give it 3 1/2 stars. I beg to differ with the other reviewer. I think this book is well worth your while. Barbara Metzger's story alone makes it worth the price. If you're looking for pleasant, light reading for the holiday season, look no furthur.