The School for Heiresses

Loved this collection of holiday stories about Ms. Harris' School for Heiresses! Loved Sabrina Jeffries' story of course, since she is the creator of the series. She captures scenes so well, and my only complaint was that I wanted more! Renee Bernard is a new-to-me author and I absolutely loved the short story she contributed. I'll be looking for more from her in the future.

England 1800'S The delightful four stories are wonderful and could have easily been made into four separate novels! Will definitely look for more from these authors! Very Enjoyable!

Just like sampling the flavors of the day at the ice cream shop, anthologies are great for giving you a taste of several authors and their individual takes on a theme. This one did just that, and offered a wide variety for an adventurous palate. We have Sabrina Jeffries' offering for wit and adventure and sheer fun. Liz Carlyle delivers heat, angst and emotional depth. Julia London's story is heartfelt and warm. And Renee Brenard caps it off with a sweet, antic-filled romp. Variety and satisfaction. Exactly what I'm looking for in an anthology.

"Ten Reasons to Stay" by Sabrina Jeffries. Students are leaving Mrs. Harris's School for Young Ladies to go home for the Yuletide holidays. However, not all want to go home as Eliza Crenshawe knows awaiting her there is her odious Uncle Silas who plans to wed her to Minyard, a sot like he is. Eliza tries to steal a horse from Earl Colin Hunt, used to the balmy weather of his native India, but he catches her. "After Midnight" by Liz Carlyle. Out of guilt, her uncle Lord Rothewell sent Martinique, a courtesan's daughter, from her West Indies home to attend Mrs. Harris' school. However, the female hellion knows no one wants her in England or the Caribbean, but goes to the Rothewell home for the holidays. Rakish guest Lord St. Vrain mistakenly enters her room, but instead of screaming, she welcomes the rogue. "The Merchant's Gift" by Julia London. In Leeds, Grace Holcomb, the daughter of a wealthy wool merchant, has high expectations to marry amongst the bluest of the bluebloods. However, to her chagrin she is attracted to a non titled nobody Barrett Adlaine when she has Lord Middleton in her greedy grasp. "Mischief's Holiday" by Renee Bernard. No matter how hard she tries to stay out of mischief, Alyssa Martin always ends up in trouble. She vows to end these escapades because she feels if she fails to do so, logical businessman Leland Yates will only notice her as a pest not his loving wife. The Mrs. Harris' novels (see NEVER SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL) are always fun to read and this four novella anthology affirms that belief, as each entry is a terrific Regency romance starring likable lead characters. Harriet Klausner

I am a huge fan of Sabrina Jeffries as well as Renee Bernard and for me they did not disappoint. The first story is Colin's, whom we read about in, "Only A Duke Will Do". The widowered half English half Indian cousin just returned from his much beloved country of India to claim his title. He discovers a horse thief in his stables and attempts to apprehend the 'lad`. What he discovers is more than each of them bargains for. Eliza is fleeing an arranged marriage and lands herself as a welcome captive in the arms of Colin. This was a very steamy read written with Ms. Jeffries' eloquent artistry. They become each other's salvation. The second story by Liz Carlyle, was my least favorite. Perhaps because it should have been a full-length novel but instead was tied up in a hundred or so pages. Ms. Carlyle writes more on the gothic edge so that did not bother me. It was more because the romance moved so quickly I didn't really care about Martinique or St. Vrain. The love scenes were hot as any Liz Carlyle fan is familiar with, but that wasn't enough to sustain the story for me. The third story by Julia London was enjoyable. The protagonists are two wealthy commoners from Leeds. Grace Holcombe is headed to London to find a husband, but there is something about Barret Adlaine that stirs her soul. What follows is some exquisite tension and high emotions as Grace feels she must do her duty by her father and marry above her station. The final installment by newcomer, Renee Bernard rounds out the series on a high note. This author is an auto-buy for me since her debut, 'A Ladys Pleasure`. The last story showcases accident-prone Alyssa Martin and the dashing Leland Yates. These two meet when Alyssa needs rescuing from a rather embarrasing situation. Leland falls instantly in lust with his mysterious little baggage and then they're officially introduced.... What follows is page after page of taut sexual tension as Alyssa and Leland steal moments alone. Overall, I loved this book. I encourage the novella reader to understand that the author has only a hundred or so pages from start to finish to create a love story. In that vein, things progress much faster than in a novel.