What do you think?
The de Burghs #3.5 - The Unexpected Guest
The Brides of Christmas
In the age of chivalry and the season of hope three marriages are forged...
In The Wise Virgin by Jo Beverly, a lord from a rival clan steals the wrong holiday bride for his brother, and discovers his own true love in the witty and wise captive maiden!
In The Vagabond Knight by Margaret Moore two wounded souls, a roguish mercenary and a stern beauty, teach each other how to live and love again during a yuletide blizzard...
In The Unexpected Guest by Deborah Simmons (The de Burghs #3.5) the head of the mighty de Burgh family finds his quiet reserve shattered by the seductive young widow who stays at his keep for the twelve days of Christmas!
In The Wise Virgin by Jo Beverly, a lord from a rival clan steals the wrong holiday bride for his brother, and discovers his own true love in the witty and wise captive maiden!
In The Vagabond Knight by Margaret Moore two wounded souls, a roguish mercenary and a stern beauty, teach each other how to live and love again during a yuletide blizzard...
In The Unexpected Guest by Deborah Simmons (The de Burghs #3.5) the head of the mighty de Burgh family finds his quiet reserve shattered by the seductive young widow who stays at his keep for the twelve days of Christmas!
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
About the author
Deborah Simmons
158 books206 followersDeborah Simmons is the author of twenty-five historical romances and novellas, published by Avon, Berkley, and Harlequin.
A native midwesterner, Simmons graduated cum laude from Wittenberg University and was a journalist before turning to fiction. Her first book, Heart's Masquerade, was published by Avon in 1989 and was followed by a number of Harlequin Historicals, including a USA Today Bestselling anthology. Her 2003 release, A Man of Many Talents, was a launch title for Berkley's Sensation imprint.
Two of her books have been finalists in the Romance Writers of America's annual RITA competition for excellence: The Gentleman Thief in 2001 and A Lady of Distinction in 2005.
Simmons has sold two million books in North America, and her work has been translated and published in twenty-four foreign countries, including illustrated editions in Japan. She is a member of RWA, Novelists Inc., and the Author's Guild.
"I like to think of my stories as adventures," Simmons says. Most take place in Regency or Medieval England, such as her popular series on the thirteen century de Burgh family. But no matter what the setting, you'll find interesting characters, romance, humor, and mystery.
A native midwesterner, Simmons graduated cum laude from Wittenberg University and was a journalist before turning to fiction. Her first book, Heart's Masquerade, was published by Avon in 1989 and was followed by a number of Harlequin Historicals, including a USA Today Bestselling anthology. Her 2003 release, A Man of Many Talents, was a launch title for Berkley's Sensation imprint.
Two of her books have been finalists in the Romance Writers of America's annual RITA competition for excellence: The Gentleman Thief in 2001 and A Lady of Distinction in 2005.
Simmons has sold two million books in North America, and her work has been translated and published in twenty-four foreign countries, including illustrated editions in Japan. She is a member of RWA, Novelists Inc., and the Author's Guild.
"I like to think of my stories as adventures," Simmons says. Most take place in Regency or Medieval England, such as her popular series on the thirteen century de Burgh family. But no matter what the setting, you'll find interesting characters, romance, humor, and mystery.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 20, 2026
This was three books in one. I enjoyed all of them. You have the Wise Virgin by Jo Beverley which I really enjoyed. You have a lord that steals the wrong lady during Christmas. I found myself laughing and enjoying the characters interaction with each other.
Next was the Vagabond Knight by Margaret Moore. You have. Knight who comes to a house of a lady looking for shelter during a blizzard. A strong woman who feels she doesn’t need a man. This one also made me smile.
Last book was The Unexpected Guest. A traveling party arrives at Lord Campion’s home during the Yuletide. Her name is Joy and she too is a very independent woman who decides to seduce Lord Campion only to realize she is falling in love.
All three books have strong willed women.
Next was the Vagabond Knight by Margaret Moore. You have. Knight who comes to a house of a lady looking for shelter during a blizzard. A strong woman who feels she doesn’t need a man. This one also made me smile.
Last book was The Unexpected Guest. A traveling party arrives at Lord Campion’s home during the Yuletide. Her name is Joy and she too is a very independent woman who decides to seduce Lord Campion only to realize she is falling in love.
All three books have strong willed women.
December 18, 2023
All three novellas were very enjoyable. The characters were entertaining. The novellas appear in my order of preference - my favorite was The Wise Virgin and least favorite was The Unexpected Guest, which had an increasingly aggravated repetition of the female lead turning her chin up defiantly. Like seriously, it seemed to happen every few pages. WE GET IT.
All in all an enjoyable selection, and a good intro to those three authors.
I was absolutely not expecting the sex scenes. They aren't very graphic, just a sort of typical "she cried out in ecstasy and he released" kind of language, but I know some people don't want any of that stuff at all. All three stories have it. They were nicely written, I just got caught off-guard by it.
All in all an enjoyable selection, and a good intro to those three authors.
I was absolutely not expecting the sex scenes. They aren't very graphic, just a sort of typical "she cried out in ecstasy and he released" kind of language, but I know some people don't want any of that stuff at all. All three stories have it. They were nicely written, I just got caught off-guard by it.
December 16, 2021
Reading a set of three medieval Christmas novellas was a change of pace for me. I enjoyed the storylines, but they would appeal more to someone who doesn't mind some graphic sexual content. It was distracting and not necessary to the stories themselves, but I'm sure there's an argument to be made for this being a part of rougher, coarser medieval times. The cover doesn't make it clear that there is some sexual content. I would recommend only for adults.
July 28, 2023
THE WISE VIRGIN by Jo Beverley ///.
The wrong bride gets made away with during a Christmas revelry, and while Joan of Hawes isn’t at all the quiet, biddable woman her cousin Nicole is, the Golden Lion isn’t exactly the man she expected either…
And fortunately, it’s a season for miracles, or just the season of love, or both.
The wrong bride gets made away with during a Christmas revelry, and while Joan of Hawes isn’t at all the quiet, biddable woman her cousin Nicole is, the Golden Lion isn’t exactly the man she expected either…
And fortunately, it’s a season for miracles, or just the season of love, or both.
December 4, 2020
I LOVED the first two of these stories SO much. I was in the mood for light, happy Christmas historical romance, and I definitely found it in these stories. I couldn’t get through the third one, I just found it boring and too similar to other books I’ve read before, but I won’t take any stars away for that since the majority of reviews for this story happened to love this one.
The Wise Virgin: 5 stars
The Vagabond Knight: 5 stars
The Unexpected Guest: 2 stars, just not my cup of tea. I found the headstrong heroine to be a bit boring and stuck up, but I did like Campion. I think I might pick up earlier books in this series because the hints about the previous stories were interesting.
The Wise Virgin: 5 stars
The Vagabond Knight: 5 stars
The Unexpected Guest: 2 stars, just not my cup of tea. I found the headstrong heroine to be a bit boring and stuck up, but I did like Campion. I think I might pick up earlier books in this series because the hints about the previous stories were interesting.
June 25, 2017
Not really a huge fan of any of these... It wasn't bad, just not good either...
September 4, 2017
Not too bad but not good enough. Nothing to write home about.
January 5, 2010
Two of these stories were just mediocre. However, the story by Deborah Simmons is amazing, and worth picking up this book JUST for her story! Her story is already one of my all-time favorites!
The Wise Virgin by Jo Beverley- 2 ½ stars. First time reading this author. I don’t think her writing style is to my taste. This is a medieval romance and they are talking as if they were living in present day. Joan is kidnapped by mistake by a feuding family. Edmund is the head of said family- and also the one who kidnapped her because he thought she was Nicolette, his younger brother's pregnant lover. Edmund puts his family and position before love, but Joan takes him anyway.
The Vagabond Knight by Margaret Moore - Book 11 in her Warrior series. 3 stars. A vagabond knight, Sir Rafe Bracton, with no home or wealth takes shelter from the terrible cold and snow storms at Lady Katherine DuMonde’s estate. Katherine a beautiful widowed spinster is just as lonely as Rafe. Can they admit their love in time for Christmas? I was not a fan of the heroine, she was way too grumpy.
The Unexpected Guest by Deborah Simmons - Book 3.5 in the de Burgh series. 5 stars!! I LOVE this story!! It makes me want to read the other books in this series! Wonderfully written, well developed and flushed out characters, sweet Christmas story. What more can you ask for? Lady Warwick (Joy), a widow, is traveling to see her cousin for the Christmas season when bad weather forces her and her traveling companions seek shelter at Campion. Fawke de Burgh, Earl of Campion is twice a widower himself. He believes he’s too old to be stirred by a young and pretty face until he sees Joy.
The Wise Virgin by Jo Beverley- 2 ½ stars. First time reading this author. I don’t think her writing style is to my taste. This is a medieval romance and they are talking as if they were living in present day. Joan is kidnapped by mistake by a feuding family. Edmund is the head of said family- and also the one who kidnapped her because he thought she was Nicolette, his younger brother's pregnant lover. Edmund puts his family and position before love, but Joan takes him anyway.
The Vagabond Knight by Margaret Moore - Book 11 in her Warrior series. 3 stars. A vagabond knight, Sir Rafe Bracton, with no home or wealth takes shelter from the terrible cold and snow storms at Lady Katherine DuMonde’s estate. Katherine a beautiful widowed spinster is just as lonely as Rafe. Can they admit their love in time for Christmas? I was not a fan of the heroine, she was way too grumpy.
The Unexpected Guest by Deborah Simmons - Book 3.5 in the de Burgh series. 5 stars!! I LOVE this story!! It makes me want to read the other books in this series! Wonderfully written, well developed and flushed out characters, sweet Christmas story. What more can you ask for? Lady Warwick (Joy), a widow, is traveling to see her cousin for the Christmas season when bad weather forces her and her traveling companions seek shelter at Campion. Fawke de Burgh, Earl of Campion is twice a widower himself. He believes he’s too old to be stirred by a young and pretty face until he sees Joy.
May 2, 2022
The Wise Virgin- I loved it
The Vagabond Knight- unusual
The Unexpected Guest - cute & predictable
The Vagabond Knight- unusual
The Unexpected Guest - cute & predictable
July 9, 2013
O Clã dos De Burgh 04
The Unexpected Guest
Uma Visita Inesperada
Deborah Simmons.
H. Históricos 91.
2011.
O livro contém duas estórias, a primeira é sobre o patriarca dos De Burgh, Fawke De Burgh, Conde de Campion, que vai ser obrigado a deixar sua viuvez de lado, e enfrentar uma paixão com a fogosa e também viúva, Joy.
Fawke se senti velho e sozinho, pois seus filhos estão se casando e constituindo família, e deixando Campion. O Conde achava que chegaria o momento que ficaria completamente sozinho. Mas a chagada inesperada de Joy vai lhe dar esperança e conforto.
Adorei está estória, pena que é curtinha, esperava obter mais informações sobre o casal nos livros de Stephen, Robin e Reynold, mas muito pouco foi mencionado, ainda não perdi completamente as esperança, porque acredito que ainda vai haver uma estória sobre o caçula Nicholas.
Estou louca pra saber se Joy vai engravidar e dar continuidade aos De Burgh. Já pensou se ela tem uma menininha, que loucura, seria completamente mimada pelos irmão e pelo papai. Seria demais, fico na torcida...
RECOMENDADÍSSIMO!!!
ADORO!!!
The Unexpected Guest
Uma Visita Inesperada
Deborah Simmons.
H. Históricos 91.
2011.
O livro contém duas estórias, a primeira é sobre o patriarca dos De Burgh, Fawke De Burgh, Conde de Campion, que vai ser obrigado a deixar sua viuvez de lado, e enfrentar uma paixão com a fogosa e também viúva, Joy.
Fawke se senti velho e sozinho, pois seus filhos estão se casando e constituindo família, e deixando Campion. O Conde achava que chegaria o momento que ficaria completamente sozinho. Mas a chagada inesperada de Joy vai lhe dar esperança e conforto.
Adorei está estória, pena que é curtinha, esperava obter mais informações sobre o casal nos livros de Stephen, Robin e Reynold, mas muito pouco foi mencionado, ainda não perdi completamente as esperança, porque acredito que ainda vai haver uma estória sobre o caçula Nicholas.
Estou louca pra saber se Joy vai engravidar e dar continuidade aos De Burgh. Já pensou se ela tem uma menininha, que loucura, seria completamente mimada pelos irmão e pelo papai. Seria demais, fico na torcida...
RECOMENDADÍSSIMO!!!
ADORO!!!
September 25, 2013
4 stars for Jo Beverley's charming story. 3 stars for Deborah Simmons' story, which has very good characterization but at least one glaring anachronism - a married woman or widow in medieval times never ever wore her hair unbound and head uncovered in public! (Long hair would be bound in braids during the day for purely practical reasons even if there weren't religious and social proscriptions against it being uncovered.)
November 2, 2010
I was in the mood for love. These 3 stories fit the bill. They were pretty much all the same plot... Only names and locales changed and they were a fast read from start to finish...not the greatest, but a nice way to pass the time.
November 4, 2012
Eveett yeni yıl misafiri Kont Campion için gelmiş :D Eğlenceliydi baba de Burgh'u bu şekilde okumak :D Özellikle kitabın son cümlesine bittim "Daha fazla bebeğe hayır demem. Ancak dünya daha fazla de Burgha hazır mı?" Valla ben hazırım gelsinler seve seve okurum :D
December 30, 2012
I already had 2 of these stories in other collections, so it pays to check on the individual titles before buying. On the other hand they are all enjoyable, especially if like me you are a sucker for Christmas tales.
December 28, 2008
Three knights and three ladies find love at Christmas. The stories were all a little predictable, but enjoyable.
November 21, 2009
Jo Beverley - The Wise Virgin - read in a previous anthology - annoying that it is repeated!
Margaret Moore - The Vagabond Knight - 4/5
Deborah Simmons - The Unexpected Guest - 4/5
Margaret Moore - The Vagabond Knight - 4/5
Deborah Simmons - The Unexpected Guest - 4/5
December 22, 2010
Completely fluffy trashy typical romance fun. Three different stories of medieval women who are thrown together with an irresistible stranger around Christmas and of course, romance ensues.
October 17, 2011
Interesting take on romance at Christmas in medieval times.
February 20, 2012
The 5-star rating is for Deborah Simmons' excellent short story about the De Burgh family patriarch and his Christmas guest.
January 26, 2013
It was OK.
December 30, 2013
This review it's only for "The Unexpected Guest" by Deborah Simmons.
1,5 stars.
Uh... O__o
1,5 stars.
Uh... O__o
November 22, 2014
The book cover has a nice historical christmas touch to the book, I give the book 5 stars.
January 12, 2016
The only readable one was by Simmons otherwise, I would have given it one star.
Want to Read
March 4, 2016OVERALL:
The Wise Virgin by Jo Beverley
The Vagabond Knight by Margaret Moore
The Unexpected Guest by Deborah Simmons
The Wise Virgin by Jo Beverley
The Vagabond Knight by Margaret Moore
The Unexpected Guest by Deborah Simmons
December 29, 2008
3 very good stories set in the Medieval world at Christmas time.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews