How the Dukes Stole Christmas by Tessa Dare, Sarah MacLean, Sophie Jordan, and Joanna Shupe
Avon Books, 2018
Ho, Ho, Ho, romance friends! I know. It’s supposed to be fall, right? But who cares?! Because as soon as this Christmas anthology was announced I COMPLETELY. FLIPPED. OUT. Holy holly berries, I freaking looove Christmas. And I love these authors! You’re going to love How the Dukes Stole Christmas.
Meet Me in Mayfair by Tessa Dare: Miss Louisa Ward and her family are hoping for a miracle this Christmas. She has one last chance to snare herself a wealthy husband and save her family home before the heartless Duke of Thorndale has them all evicted. To her great displeasure, Louisa ends up dancing with the very duke threatening to kick her family out of their beloved home. But is this duke really as heartless as he seems…?
The Duke of Christmas Present by Sarah MacLean: Eben, the Duke of Allryd, is OBSESSED with making money and a total grump. Obviously he can’t be bothered to stop working and enjoy something as frivilous as Christmas. But when the woman he loved and lost shows up in his kitchen one night and announces she’s in town for the holidays, Eben begins to wonder if there is more to life than money and so-called security…
Heiress Alone by Sophie Jordan: Annis Ballister’s family had to make a mad dash out the door to escape an impending snowstorm. But they forgot something…er, someone actually. Annis! Now Annis is stuck in the Highlands, alone, while a gang of brigands is reportedly roaming the countryside and robbing all the empty houses. But it turns out her grouchy neighbor might be the most dangerous thief of all. Because the Duke of Sinclair will steal her heart…
Christmas in Central Park by Joanna Shupe: “Mrs” Rose Walker, the writer behind a wildly successful domestic advice column, is adored and admired by women all over America. But when her paper’s owner, Mr. Duke Havemeyer, demands that she host a dinner party for him (or lose her job!) she finds herself in a spot of trouble. Because the worldly and glamorous Mrs. Walker isn’t real. Miss Rose Walker isn’t married, isn’t rich and can scarcely boil an egg. Can she fool her boss and his associates or is her career over? Romance ensues…
She tasted like Christmas. Brandy and plummy pudding and mulled wine and crisp snow.
What I loved most about this anthology is that each story is loosely based on a classic holiday movie reimagined for historical romance. Gah! Be still my Christmas loving heart. These stories are “retellings” but they are totally original and not at all predictable. Also, a reader would do well to keep her (or his) eyes peeled for a super cute shared “treat” appearing in each story AND a special surprise from one of the authors at the end of the book. So much fun.
And of course…these authors. Come on. I would buy a book by any one of these fabulous writers any day of the week. Put them all together in the name of Christmas? Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, YES! This a romance super team and no one author carries this collection because they are all so talented.
How the Dukes Stole Christmas is brimming with classic Christmas warm fuzzies and mushy, sexy romance. What more could a person need, right?. It’s a blend of holiday themes like redemption, grace, and forgiveness and yet still lighthearted and spicy. How the Dukes Stole Christmas releases on October, 15. Sooo if you are in the mood for some early holiday cheer (and who wouldn’t be these days?) then you MUST pre-order it today! Doooo it! Meanwhile, I’ll just be over here annoying my husband by bursting into Christmas carols…