Will Lord Bellamy find Julia? Will our hero and heroine act on their attraction?

I enjoyed Once upon A Christmas Scandal by Alexandra Hawkins. The novella had great characters and a suspenseful storyline. Our heroine, Lady Ellen is thirty years old and unmarried. She learns that her parents have invited many guests to a Christmastide gathering and that her father has tripled her dowry to attract many eligible men. Ellen meets our hero Derrick Hunt, the Earl of Swainsbury and is intrigued by him. After speaking with her brother and his friends, Ellen wonders if Derrick is another man who is interested in her money, not her.

Will Ellen marry for love? Or is there someone willing to marry Ellen for her money? What lengths will that person go to?

I loved Ian Worth, the hero in Elizabeth Essex's story The Scandal before Christmas. Ian has a very large problem to work through and very little time to accomplish it! Shortly before the holidays, Ian's father, Viscount Rainsford, arrives at Ian's cottage. The Viscount demands that Ian marry and has the perfect bride in mind for his son. Ian's response: I am already married....but he's not!

Ian meets his former commander Colonel Lesley at a local bar and explains that he has six days to find a wife. Colonel Lesley has an unmarried daughter who according to her Father is quiet, unassuming and prefers to be left alone. Just what Ian thinks he wants. Or is it? I loved this couple and their path toward passion and romance. Reading this story was a fabulous way to spend an afternoon.

Will Viscount Rainsford figure out Ian's deception? Will Ian give up his career in the Navy to please his Father? Does Ian see Anne for the person she is and could become?

Valerie Bowman's It Happened Under the Mistletoe was fabulous! Great storyline and wonderful characters. I loved how our heroine and hero are introduced; Cerian Blake and Oliver Townsende meet in a silver closet. With a cat as a chaperone, the couple is hiding from the matching making Mothers and eager suitors who are interested in their fortunes.

Cerian feels she does not belong at the party. She would rather spend the holidays in Wales. Her father is a wealthy businessman who owns a successful copper business. Her mother uses a family connection to get an invitation to the Christmas party in hopes of finding a suitable husband for her daughter. Cerian. is dreaming of a love match, not an arranged marriage. Oliver has recently inherited his title and wonders if when he marries--will his wife love him or his title? Enjoyed this couple very much and loved their honest often humorous conversations.

Will Lady Selina and her mother ruin Cerian's chances for a love match? Who will kiss the Duke of Markingham under the mistletoe? And where did our cut kitty scamper off to?

Each of these authors was a new-to-me author. I enjoyed each one of these short stories and novellas and look forward to reading more from Suzanne Enoch. Alexandra Hawkins, Elizabeth Essex and Valerie Bowman. CHRISTMAS BRIDES is a perfect winter read. I highly recommend it!

Book Summary