A Christmas Ball (Includes: Nvengaria, #4)

A Christmas Ball (Nvengaria #4)

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3.42 of 5 stars 3.42  ·  rating details  ·  177 ratings  ·  26 reviews
It is the most anticipated event of the ton: the annual holiday ball at Hartwell House. The music is elegant, the food exquisite, and the guest list absolutely exclusive. Some come looking for love. Some will do almost anything to avoid it. But everyone wants to be there. No matter what their desires, amid the swirling gowns and soft glow of candlelight, magic tends to hap...more
Mass Market Paperback, 308 pages
Published September 29th 2009 by Dorchester/Leisure (first published 2009)
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Jessi
Three stories, all told the night of the Hartwell Ball.
"My Lady Belowstairs" by Emily Bryan-For a short story, has a lot going on. Lady Sybil has disappeared on the night of her engagement, having run off with the man who just finished her portrait. Her lookalike, scullery maid half-sister has to step in and save the day. Oh, and her fiance has a lot of debts and must marry soon but his debts have been paid off by a woman who wants him in her bed. Ending is just a little too trite and sappy but...more
Sandy M
If any of you read my reviews over the past holiday season, you’ll know I was on the search for a really feel-good Christmas story. I didn’t find exactly what I was looking for at the time. When I was offered the chance to read A Christmas Ball by three terrific historical authors, I jumped at the chance, even though the holiday season was months ago. While these three novellas don’t quite embody the Christmas-y feeling I was after either, it truly doesn’t matter because they’re each so good. Th...more
Jennifer Eckel
I always like to read the romanatic Christmas anthologies. Three stories about one magic ball are presented here. I like these stories as they give me a chance to review new authors of romantic fiction. I can't say these three are going to be repeat reads. The first and third stories are passable. It is certainly an interesting take on the Regency/Romance to have a story about a scullery maid impersonating her sister for one special evening. Plot turns are interesting as all couples involved com...more
JennJ

4.25 of 5 Stars

You are cordially invited to Lord and Lady Hartwell’s festive “Christmas Ball” by Best selling author Jennifer Ashley, Emily Bryan, and Alissa Johnson. This ball is sure to be the toast of the Ton as all of the main characters (some of whom are not who they seem and didn’t have an invite) are sure to excite and titillate with their unique and sensuous escapades! And believe me when I tell you that you will be most glad that they did!

The book starts off with Emily Bryan’s “My Lady...more
Rosemary
This Regency Christmas anthology was, predictably, predictable on many levels, but did break some conventions. The first story is really a "below stairs" romance. The second story is the most conventional. The third is my favorite with an unconventional, endearing hero and a heroine who wears glasses, but, in fact, is not a "bluestocking."

I've noticed over the years that romances do keep pace with current societal issues. In the 70's there was a focus on "woman power," in the 90's a focus on tol...more
Anna
This was a cute book. None of the characters in the story are really related to each other, but somehow each couple ends up at the same Christmas ball at Hartwell House.

The first story was probably my least favorite, but was still pretty good. It was about a young woman who lives in the household of her father, but she is his bastard child, and is serving as a member of staff. She actually looks a great deal like his legitimate daughter, and is pressed into service to masquerade as her half sist...more
☂ ℬrandi
Customarily I find anthologies to be disappointing but I was charmed by all of these stories. In general they are no more lacking or engaging that most other novellas yet their plots and characters are a good degree different. It's hard to formulate a great story in 100ish pages but these three stories were entertaining, colorful, a little steamy and unconventional. I've also found two new authors to consume.

Solid 3.5/4 Stars

My Lady Below Stairs by Emily Bryan

This is my first Emily Bryan story a...more
Carolyn F.
Anthology. Better than average anthology.

My Lady Below Stairs by Emily Bryan. This story is about the below stairs staff which I loved. I'm kind of sick of the ton being about 20,000 people or so. Isn't ton 1000? Anyway, the bastard daughter of a her employer has been making kissy face with the groom. Her half sister (legitimate daughter) has run off with an artist and she's asked/blackmailed into showing up at a ball and accepting a proposal of marriage on her half-sister's behalf. The groom is...more
Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress
Christmas Ball was an enjoyable read, but not particularly amazing. I had trouble keeping my interest in the stories. I'm not sure if it was the time of year, being so busy, or that I just didn't find them overwhelmingly interesting.

The Emily Bryan story was unique in that the couple were of the working class. Jane is the illegitimate daughter of a noble, consigned to work as a maid in the very house of her father. She has grown up with her spoiled legitimate sister and an indifferent father who...more
Penny Watson
A Christmas Ball by Jennifer Ashley, Emily Bryan, and Alissa Johnson

I did something with this book that I have not done in a long time. I read it totally fresh, without reading any blurbs, reviews, etc. I had no idea what the story was about. There is something wonderful about diving in with no preconceptions whatsoever.

I started out with Emily Bryan's My Lady Below Stairs. I got hooked on this story immediately and was extremely curious about how it would play out. I really did not know if Jan...more
Bobbie  Crawford-McCoy
Nov 02, 2009 Bobbie Crawford-McCoy rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Historical & Paranormal Romance Fans
A Christmas Ball
Written by: Jennifer Ashley, Emily Bryan & Alissa Johnson
Published by: Leisure Books
Date: September 29th, 2009
Pages: 336
Format: Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 978-0843962505

The first story in A Christmas Ball is My Lady Below Stairs by Emily Bryan. Emily’s characters are refreshing and unique and the witty dialog between them is just what I’ve come to expect and I have always loved about Emily’s writing.
Jane Tate, the illegitimate daughter of nobility, is coerced into impersonati...more
Lexie
Each approaches the Hartwells' Ball from different angles, for different reasons, and with mixed results, adding to the fun. Separately I think the stories have weak points that could handle more fleshing out, if that was possible, but as a whole overall, the three stories are a fun and diverting holiday read.

(for the full review please refer to Romance Reader at Heart)
Sooz Acuna
The first two were the best of the lot, the third, was good, but the heroine was a bit wimpy, and given what she'd been through, I'd expected a bit more steel. However, it was a good read all in all. A perfect book to take to the beach or to spend a night in and read.
Spoiler Whore drops the F bomb
Read only The Longest Night, the last story to the Nvengaria series. Cute though it was too short.
Maggie
Loved the first two stories, and liked the last one.
Paula
This was a light pleasant read.
Ingrid
In this heat, Christmas fluff is perfect.
Laura
Book rating (average of three stories)= 2.5 stars

My Lady Below Stairs by Emily Bryan
2.5 stars

The Longest Night by Jennifer Ashley
2 stars

Traditions by Alissa Johnson
3 stars
Rebecca (everyday reader)
This is an easy, sweet Christmas read with three heartwarming stories. The first is a nice take on the Prince and the Pauper, where love is found and the poor relation finds her worth. The second is the fourth story of the Nvengarian series and Mary finally finds her love. The third is a good story of an Earl in the ton who's plans were changed and he bacame a better man for them, and the heroine realizes not every molehill turns into a mountain. Great read!!
Wendy
More Christmas fluff :)
Kat
- "My Lady Below Stairs" by Emily Bryan - 1 star (though I liked the concept I didn't like the story or characters)

- "The Longest Night" by Jennifer Ashley - 3 stars

- "Traditions" by Alissa Johnson - 4 stars
Anohito
Character development can be interpreted as either terrible or lightning fast.

I'm constantly rolling my eyes.
Nikita
"My Lady Belowstairs" by Emily Bryan - 2 stars

"The Longest Night" by Jennifer Ashley - 2.5 stars

"Traditions" by Alissa Johnson - 2.5 stars
Tracy's Place
Overall 3.75 out of 5
Ilze
I couldn't finish either Jennifer Ashley's or Alissa Johnson's story. Not recommended.
Tara Strbo
May 18, 2010 Tara Strbo marked it as to-read
Shelves: not-decided
read all but last story
Tammy
May 21, 2013 Tammy marked it as to-read
Laura Weir
May 20, 2013 Laura Weir marked it as to-read
Carrie
May 18, 2013 Carrie marked it as to-read
Nancy
May 15, 2013 Nancy marked it as to-read
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A Christmas Ball (ebook)
A Christmas Ball (Includes: Nvengaria, #4)
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NY Times Bestselling author Jennifer Ashley has lived and traveled all over the world, and now lives in the Southwest. She writes historical and paranormal romance and historical mysteries, as Jennifer Ashley, Allyson James, and Ashley Gardner.

Jennifer's novels have won RWA's RITA and RT Reviewer's Choice awards. More about her books at http://www.jennifersromances.com, http://www.allysonjames.co...more
More about Jennifer Ashley...
The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Highland Pleasures, #1) Pride Mates (Shifters Unbound, #1) Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage (Highland Pleasures, #2) The Many Sins of Lord Cameron (Highland Pleasures, #3) Primal Bonds (Shifters Unbound, #2)

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