Once Upon a True Love's Kiss

by Julie Johnstone, Katherine Bone, Collette Cameron

USA Today Best-selling author, Julie Johnstone, joins best-selling, award-winning authors, Katherine Bone, Collette Cameron, Jillian Chantal, Samantha Grace, Alanna Lucas, Lauren Smith, and Victoria Vane in this delightful limited edition, containing eight tantalizing kiss-and-tell stories. Meet dashing, wildly charming rogues, spies, pirates, rakes and their extraordinary, intrepid heroines as they whisk you along on sweet to sizzling romantic romps in these wickedly entertaining historical romances.

AFTER FOREVER by JULIE JOHNSTONE-
Widowed Lady Julianna Barrows never wants to fall in love again. But when the notorious former boxer Nash Overton hires her to transform him into a gentleman, Julianna quickly becomes the student, learning more about passion than she’s ever known, and more importantly, learning how to love again.

THE PIRATE’S DUCHESS by KATHERINE BONE -
Duty forces him to take on the pirate code, but honor brings him back.

Prudence, Duchess of Blackmoor, has one desire—to be happy again. After struggling to overcome the horrifying death of her husband, she accepts an earl’s offer of marriage, confident she’s taking a step in the right direction. But demons, refuse to die, and Prudence finds herself caught in an intricate web of deceit that threatens the very foundations of all she holds dear.

Tobias, the Duke of Blackmoor, crosses the line when an assassination attempt on him fails. To restore the reputations of friends under attack by the same villain, and ensure his wife’s safety, he stages his own death, becoming The Black Regent, a notorious pirate bent on brandishing justice, never thinking he’d survive. But to his amazement, he has, and now the darkest-kept secrets are not worth losing the duchess his wife has become.

HER SCANDALOUS WISH by COLLETTE CAMERON
A marriage offer obligated by duty . . . an acceptance compelled by desperation.

Philomena Pomfrett is resigned to spinsterhood, but to ease her dying brother’s fretting, she reluctantly agrees to attend a London Season with one purpose—to acquire a husband. Stumbling upon her hiding in a secluded garden arbor during a ball, Bradford, Viscount Kingsley doesn’t recognize his first love, yet something about the mysterious woman enthralls him, and he steals a passionate, moonlit kiss.

Caught in the act by Philomena’s brother, Bradford is issued an ultimatum—a duel or marry Philomena. He offers marriage, but even impoverished and with no other decent prospects, she rejects his half-hearted proposal until her brother collapses. Now, Philomena’s faced with marrying a man who deserted her once already.


MILADY AND HER SPY by JILLIAN CHANTEL
A lady, a spy, a traitor… a battle of wills.

Raised in the country after her mother’s death with only the company of three unruly brothers, Lady Augusta Covington is more proficient at fencing, riding and playing cards than being prim and proper. Myles Cuthbert, a spy in His Majesty’s service on a mission to find and expose a traitor, crosses paths with Lady Augusta when she rides to the aid of her brother, believing him to be injured. With the assignment at risk, Cuthbert agrees to accept the assistance of the troublesome lady eager for intrigue. As they move forward, his sense of obligation to her and the danger involved stir his soul.

KISSED BY A SCOTTISH ROGUE by SAMANTHA GRACE
His Mother Insists He Needs a Wife.

Fergus McTaggart, Aldmist Fell’s land steward, has no time for wife hunting. Any day his employer's sisters will be arriving at the Scottish castle for a long overdue reunion. Fergus is determined to make their stay memorable, but all anyone is likely to recall are the loud rows between him and his employer’s cheeky paid companion.

She Insists He Needs a Good Knock to the Head.
Edith Gallagher has been charged with watching over her employer’s youngest sister while the family winters in Scotland, but the stubborn land steward interferes at every turn. Eventually, she and the Scot call a truce for the sisters’ sakes only to discover their passionate battles are masking hidden desires.

STOLEN KISSES FROM THE VISCOUNT by ALANNA LUCAS
Desperate times call for drastic measures as Miss Aveline Redgrave enters her third season. Fearful of fortune hunters, she attempts to stay clear of Lord Leybourne, a rogue who is not to be trusted. But his seductive smile and enticing kisses awaken a passion that threatens her common sense. No stranger to scandal, Leybourne is determined to save his family from ruin whatever the cost, even marrying an heiress he doesn’t love. But an unexpected desire and need to protect threatens his plans. Will past heartaches and a devastating wager destroy their future or will true love’s kiss triumph?

TEMPTED BY A ROGUE by LAUREN SMITH
Gemma never planned on falling in love with her childhood sweetheart’s best friend, Jasper, when he returns home, but she can’t resist the naval officer’s brooding char...

Genres: Historical Romance, Anthologies, Historical, Romance, Regency Romance, Espionage

714 pages, ebook

First published January 4, 2016

About the author

Julie Johnstone is a USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author. Scottish historical romance and Regency historical romance featuring highlanders and aristocrats are her love, and she enjoys creating both with a hefty dose of twists, plenty of heartstring tugs, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Her books have been dubbed "fabulously entertaining and engaging," making readers cry, laugh, and swoon. Johnstone lives in Alabama with her very own lowlander husband, her two children - the heir and the spare, her snobby cat, and her perpetually happy dog.

In her spare time she enjoys way too much coffee balanced by super hot yoga, reading, and traveling.


Sign up for her newsletter here: http://juliejohnstoneauthor.com/newsl...

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once Upon a True Love’s Kiss
Release Date: January 4th 2016
This is an anthology of eight short stories

After Forever by Julie Johnstone
Story Rating ~ 4 second Chance at Love Stars!
Hero Rating ~ 5 Stars
Heroine Rating ~ 5 Stars
Romance Rating ~ 5 Stars
Heat Level ~ 3.5 Stars
Ending ~ 4 Stars
Overall Rating ~ 4.5 Pleasantly Surprising Stars!

This is my first read by Julie Johnstone and I was pleasantly surprised at just how much I enjoyed this short story.
This is a story about Julianna Barrow’s, a widower who has been in mourning over her husband’s death for over a year and a half. She is having a hard time because she loved her husband very much. She is trying her hardest to get over the pain for the sake of her daughter Liza. But one thing she knows for certain, she will never marry again and take the chance of loving someone else because if she lost another love, she fells it would literally break her heart and cause the death of her.
Nash Wolverton grew up on the streets. He managed to pull himself up and become quite wealthy by opening and running a gaming hell. He has a young daughter, Maggie that he loves with all his heart. Maggie’s mother Lavinia wants nothing to do with her as a matter of fact she dumped Maggie off at an orphanage after she gave birth to her. Of course when Nash found out he immediately went and got his daughter and has been raising her on his own. He tries to get Lavinia to take part in her daughter life but she refuses due to the fact that she is married to an older man and is wanting his money once he passes on.
The story opens up at a ball, Julianna is finally trying to snap herself out of the deep depression she has been in. Of course her good friend Audrey decides to do some matchmaking and tries to set Julianna up. Julianna wants no part of this seeing that all the men showing interest in her seem to be after her body and not her as a person. She decides she’s had enough and escapes to the terrace to be alone. As she is waiting on her brother inn law to come a fetch her so she can leave the ball, she notices through the windows a couple having what she thinks is a tryst going on.
Nash is at the ball trying to talk Lavinia into being a mother to their daughter. All Lavinia wants is to have hot and heavy sex with him. When he turns her down, she becomes nasty saying all types of hurtful things to him. Julianna over hears and can’t help but come to his rescue. She tells Lavinia off and I have to say I was cheering her on as she did so.
The story takes off from there and I was truly invested in the storyline and these characters. There was also some really good sexual tension added in and once these two can’t deny their desire for one another the heat kicked in quite nicely.
The only reason I did not give this story 5 stars is because I was left wanting more. I can honestly say that I am very much wanting to read more of Julie Johnstone’s historical romances in the near future.

The Pirate’s Duchess by Katherine Bone
Story Rating ~ 3 Stars
Hero Rating ~ 4 Stars
Heroine Rating ~ 4 Stars
Romance Rating ~ 3.5 Stars
Heat Level ~ 2 Stars
Ending ~ 3 Stars
Overall Rating ~ 3 Stars

Katherine Bone is a new to me author too. I thought The Pirates Duchess was an OK read but it never totally grabbed me leaving me able to easily put the book down.
I have to say that I really like the H&h of this story, they were both very likable characters and I felt they were both interesting and well written.
There were 2 things I felt that were lacking for me in this read.
#1, passion, the heat level was on the low side of my meter but that is just my personal preference. I usually prefer my reads on the hotter side.
#2, the fact that it was not mentioned how the villain met his demise. All that was offered up was that he was taken away. I always like to know just how the villain punished.
In the end I rate this story a 3 stars. Despite not knowing what happen to the villain, the ending was a good one.

Her Scandalous Wish by Collette Cameron
Story Rating ~ 4 Stars
Hero Rating ~ 4 Stars
Heroine Rating ~ 4 Stars
Romance Rating ~ 3.5 Stars
Heat Level ~ 2.5 Stars
Ending ~ 4 Stars
Overall Rating ~ 4 Wish Upon a Falling Star Stars

This was my first read by this author and I really enjoyed it. The H&h’s characters were wonderfully written. This story had a tragic and sad feeling to it and it tugged on my heartstrings. The ending was wonderful and left me with a huge smile. Would I consider reading another book by this author? Yes, I’d love to try a full length book by Collette Cameron one day.

Milady And Her Spy by Jillian Chantal
Story Rating ~ 3 Stars
Hero Rating ~ 2.5 Stars
Heroine Rating ~ 3 Stars
Romance Rating ~ 2 Stars
Heat Level ~ 1 Star
Ending ~ 2 Stars
Overall Rating ~ 3 Stars

This was just an ok read for me. I felt the story was rushed due to the length. I also felt the only character I got to know even a little was the heroine. I really liked that she was feisty.
The heat level was non - existing, only a mention of a kiss at the end. It was hard for me to see the connection between the H&h and I found it hard to believe that they would become betrothed when they really didn’t know each other.
I rated this read 3 stars because it did keep me interested and the heroine was well written.

Kissed By A Scottish Rouge by Samantha Grace
Story Rating ~ 4 Stars
Hero Rating ~ 5 Stars
Heroine Rating ~ 4.5 Stars
Romance ~ 5 Stars!
Heat Level ~ 2 Stars
Ending ~ 5 Stars
Overall Rating ~ 4.5 Stars!

What a lovely read. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, had a smile on my face almost the whole time I was reading. The story line was cute and I LOVED reading as Edith and Fergus grew to care for each other and fall in love. My favorite character was Fergus. He was a fun loving character with a heart of gold. There was also some wonderful secondary characters that had their own romances going on too. This was a well-rounded story that was easy to read. I was so wrapped up in what was going on that the heat level being so low did not even factor in on my enjoyment and for me that is saying a lot! I would definitely read more from this author, WELL DONE Samantha Grace!

Stolen Kisses from the Viscount by Alanna Lucas
Story Rating ~ 4 Stars
Hero Rating ~ 4 Stars
Heroine Rating ~ 4 Stars
Romance Rating ~ 4 Stars
Heat Level ~ 3 Stars
Ending ~ 5 Stars
Overall Rating ~ 4 Stars
Another enjoyable read from a new to me author.
This was a romance about a man and a women who both needed to marry for different reasons. The story line kept me interested and I really liked the characters. This book had a tad more steam to it than most of the others so far. The ending was wonderful and gave me a huge smile. Overall this was a good read for me.

Tempted By A Rogue by Lauren Smith
Story Rating ~ 4 Stars
Hero Rating ~ 5 Stars
Heroine Rating ~ 4.5 Stars
Romance Rating ~ 4 Stars
Heat Level~ 3.5 Stars
Ending ~ 5 Stars
Overall Rating ~ 4.5 Stars

Tempted by a Rogues is a story about 25 year old woman named Gemma who has never married because she has been waiting on the man who she loves to return from His Majesty’s Navy.
James Randol joined His Majesty’s Navy 11 years ago. He joined with his best friend Jasper Holland. While away at sea, James asked Jasper to write a letter to Gemma pretending to be him and then to break things off between them. The thing is Jasper just did not have to heart to hurt Gemma so instead he kept pretending to be James and wrote to Gemma for years.
This was a very good read for me and YES another new to me author. So far out of the seven other stories I have read, this one was the type of story that I would choose to read. It had a bit of angst, some good humor, excellent characters and some really sensual love scenes. I’m definitely going to check out more of Lauren Smith’s books in the future.

The Redemption of Julian Price by Victoria Vane
Story Rating ~ 4 Stars
Hero Rating ~ 5 Stars
Heroine Rating ~ 5 Stars
Romance Rating ~ 5 Stars
Heat Level ~ 3.5 Stars
Ending ~ 4.5 Stars
Overall Rating ~ 5, You Should Be Careful What you Wish For Stars!

This was another FANTATIC read for me from Victoria Vane. This was a story about childhood friends who were separated due to the hero Julian going off to war. When Julian finally comes home, he finds out that his Uncle had wasted away all of his inheritance and left him with a huge debt that still needed to be paid.
Henrietta has waited all these years for Julian to come home. She has secretly been on love with Julian since they were children. When she finds out that Julian plans be sell everything to pay off his debt and then move to another country, she sets out to find a way that she can help him pay off the debt and not move away.
Both Henrietta and Julian’s characters were wonderfully done. I loved how honest they were with each other and how perfectly matched they were by the end of the story. We also got some amazing secondary characters that added a lot to the storyline.
For a Rake, Julian sure showed a lot of patients where Henrietta was concerned. He held his desire for her until after they wed, only sharing a few heated moments and searing kisses beforehand. The wedding night was VERY SENSUAL and it was well worth the wait.
There is no secret that Victoria Vane is one of my favorite authors. I love her writing style, her storylines, the spiciness she adds in but most of all, I LOVE just how well she writes the most fascinating characters. These things are why Victoria Vane will ALWAYS’S be a must read author for me.

Once Upon A True Loves Kiss introduced to me 7 new to me authors. I enjoyed reading ALL the stories and will definitely be reading more of these authors’ books in the future. If you think you would enjoy reading some or all of these stories I recommend you give them a try. With the price set at only 0.99 cents, how can you go wrong?

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

[Beebs · Rating 4 out of 5]

An anthology of eight short stories - 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 - I always enjoy an anthology, so handy for a quick fix, especially when things are busy and I don't have time for a full book. Unfortunately, because the stories are so short they can feel a bit rushed, as was the case with some of the stories here, but there were some hidden gems too.

AFTER FOREVER by JULIE JOHNSTONE - 3 stars - A sweet, second chance at romance story. Having been widowed for a year and finding herself with no means of support for herself and her daughter, Lady Juliana accepts a position tutoring Nash Wolverton and his daughter in the ways of the ton. Having made his fortune, Nash turns his mind to marriage in order to ensure a secure future for his daughter. They both get more than they bargained for. Book 4 in the Whisper of Scandal series.

THE PIRATE’S DUCHESS by KATHERINE BONE - 2 stars - My least favourite of the stories. Prudence is about to get married when her dead husband appears in the church to reclaim her. Tobias has been pretending to be dead and working as a pirate for the last 2 years to keep Prudence safe from the Marquess of Underwood. It was all a little far fetched and a little too easily reconciled for me.

HER SCANDALOUS WISH by COLLETTE CAMERON - 3 stars - Bradford was told by his evil uncle that his first love Philomena had died in a fire. After being away in the West Indies, he has returned to London after inheriting the Viscouncy. Philomena believes that Bradford had left her and wanted nothing to do with her after she is burned and scarred in the fire that killed her parents. While Philomena is hiding in the garden at a ball, Bradford comes across her and ends up kissing her, not knowing who she is. Her brother catches them and forces them to marry. A sweet short story but it felt a little rushed. Follow-up to A Kiss for Miss Kingsley.

MILADY AND HER SPY by JILLIAN CHANTEL - 3 stars - Lady Augusta has grown up a bit of a tomboy having been raised by three brothers, she is helping to host a house party when she overhears that one of her brothers is in trouble. She rushes to the rescue only to discover that he isn't in danger at all but is there with his commanding officer to catch a spy. Miles isn't happy about Lady Augusta's part in helping to catch this spy but accepts he has no choice. A sweet regency spy story, though I would have preferred it be a little longer because it felt rushed as it was so short.

KISSED BY A SCOTTISH ROGUE by SAMANTHA GRACE - 4 stars - my favourite story in this book. Fergus is Steward at Almidst fell, and Edith is there to look after her employer's youngest sister. Sparks fly when these two meet and it is fun watching them come to know and love each other. I loved Fergus' family and his unconditional acceptance of Edith's past.Book 2.5 in the Rival Rogues series

STOLEN KISSES FROM THE VISCOUNT by ALANNA LUCAS - 3 stars - Lord Leybourne must marry an heiress if he is to save his family from ruin due to his dead father's reckless ways. Lady Aveline must marry if she wishes to escape the machinations of her evil uncle. Both make a list of suitable candidates but end up falling for each other despite interfering ill-meaning friends and the gossiping ton.

TEMPTED BY A ROGUE by LAUREN SMITH - 3 stars - Gemma's childhood sweetheart, James, has been away at sea for eleven years. During that time they have written each other diligently every month. James is about to return home and Gemma is expecting to be married very soon. Jasper is in trouble, James talked him into writing to Gemma on his behalf, to end their understanding, but Jasper couldn't do it. He has been writing to Gemma as James for eleven years and now the truth is about to be revealed. This is one of those stories where a simple conversation could have sorted the whole mess out. James is an ass and Gemma and Jasper were idiotic at times but it was a nice read nonetheless and I loved Lady Greenley.

THE REDEMPTION OF JULIAN PRICE by VICTORIA VANE - 3.5 stars - Julian has returned from war to discover that his uncle has wasted away his fortune and he is destitute. He plans to sell everything to clear his debts and return to Portugal as a mercenary thinking that killing is all he is any good for. Henrietta has just turned 21 and is at a loss to know what to do with her life, all her siblings are married and she has no desire to spend her life as an unpaid nanny to her siblings children. Her scandalous Aunt endows her with a large dowry and she sees this as a way to help Julian and give her a life of relative freedom. They plan a marriage of convenience but of course things don't always work to plan. A good friends to lovers story with little angst and I loved Henrietta's naughty aunt.

*Received from author Victoria Vane in exchange for an honest review

[Krys · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Forever by Julie Johnstone - 4/5 stars This was such a delightful story that I couldn't stop reading until I had finished it. The first in the Once Upon A True Love's Kiss collection, I feel that this story perfectly set the tone for the theme.

It is one thing to read a story where one of the main characters have lost their spouse, but it is a whole other thing when the grief of that loss is as palpable as the one the author expressed here. You couldn't help but sympathize with Julianna as you grasped the depth of her love for her husband - the main reason she was so adamant against re-marriage. On the flip side of that, you couldn't help but adore Nash. His obvious love for his daughter made him endearing right from the start, but the fact that he was willing to take things slowly with Julianna in order to win her over made him a winner in my book.

The characters were well developed, and the story-line captivated me from the start. And although it is technically considered a short story, I felt that the author told her story in such a way that I felt like there was a beginning, a middle and an end. It didn't have that rushed feel that so many other short stories tend to feel.

I would love to read more by this author (especially if there will be more stories featuring these characters).

**********

The Pirate's Duchess by Katherine Bone - 5/5 stars I'm not even going to lie - this was the story I was most looking forward to. I knew it was going to be amazing (and it was), and I felt that if I found any other new authors during the course of reading the anthology that would just be the whipped cream on my sundae.

I LOVE Katherine Bone. In fact, her pirate stories are ranked among my top ten favorite series. She doesn't just tell a story - she is able to bring you into her world so that you become a part of it. The world around you ceases to exist, and instead of your couch, bed, whatever - you are transported to heaving ships surrounded by pirates. And somehow - she manages to make that sexy.

If you haven't already ready her Nelson's Tea series, I highly suggest you get on it immediately. While it isn't necessary that you read this in order to understand The Pirate's Duchess (in fact The Pirate's Duchess is an introduction to an entirely new series), it will allow you to experience firsthand the amazing amount of work (and historical details) that Ms.Bone puts into her work.

I suppose I should take a moment to talk about why I liked this book specifically instead of simply gushing about the author and her other books. To put it simply - its all in the writing. Her characters become real almost from page one. You experience their losses, their hopes, their fears. You cling to your kindle anxiously as the story unfolds desperate to find out what happens next. Does the Heroine arrive in time to save her husband? Does the Hero accomplish his mission or is he thwarted by the very people he calls friend?

When you are reading a book such as this (even if it is a short story and I would have loved for it to be full length simply because I'm selfish and I wanted more time with these characters and more time in their world), time ceases to exist. It it just you, and these wonderfully written characters trying to overcome extraordinary odds.

**********

Her Scandalous Wish by Collette Cameron - 3/5 Stars
So this story. I really wanted to like it (and I did to a point). I really wanted to give it 4 (or even 5) stars, but in the end - I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Its not that there is anything wrong with the author's writing style, nor is there anything wrong with the majority of this story. All of the elements were there - including an objection to the wedding that I had not seen happen in that way before.

However - this was one of those stories that really needs to be longer. Everything just ends so suddenly that I was left not only confused, but desperately wanting more. I felt that there was no real resolution to the conflict - no repercussions to what was done. While all of the elements were there to keep this story going - things were simply left how they were with no explanation and that didn't sit well with me.

In closing - I have no doubt that this story would be a five star read if it was longer, and I will definitely read more from this author.

**********

Milady and Her Spy by Jillian Chantel - 4/5 stars
Even though this was a short story, it was another that I read in one day. I absolutely loved these characters! Each character was not only unique to the story itself, but they were that well-developed perfect mix of being both perfect and flawed. Out of all of them however- I have to say that Augusta was hands down my favorite of the bunch. From her willingness to sneak off into the night to come to her brother's aide, to her ability to adapt to her surroundings - she was definitely the strong female lead that this book demanded. Augusta never lost her head - even when presented with situations that would give most young ladies of her ilk a fit of the vapors, Augusta kept her wits about her and was able to overcome her circumstances. I also enjoyed watching the romance between her and Myles bloom. They definitely did not get off to the best start, so watching them not only work together - but discover each other as well was pure joy.

That being said, I would definitely like to read more about these characters. Whether it be more adventures of the spies, or stories where Augusta's unmarried brothers find their true loves - I want to read it all!


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Kissed by a Scottish Rogue by Samantha Grace - 4/5 stars
  These characters were absolutely fantastic. I adored watching Fergus and Edith go from sniping at each other at every turn, to cautious friends, to more. There was definitely a tension between these two that was not only palpable, but thoroughly enjoyable as well. 

One of the things that really stood out to me with this novel is the fact that these two characters - at first glance - couldn't seem more ill-suited to each other. Despite their mutual respect for their employers, and their love for the youngest sister - they come from entirely different backgrounds and upbringings. Edith in particular came from a background that is not often discussed - so to see how she overcame the odds she was given was remarkable. 

Their story didn't feel rushed as so many short stories often do, however I felt like I experienced the full journey with these two - although I would have loved to get more back-story on the others mentioned in this story.


**********

Stolen Kisses from the Viscount by Alanna Lucas - 3/5 stars
This wasn't a bad story by any means. So I'm sure you are wondering why the three star rating. That my dear readers is because there is nothing that sets this story apart from others of the same genre. And unfortunately, I have read several recently in which the overall plot is the same - about to face financial ruin notorious rake meets jaded heiress. In his attempt to woo said heiress into marriage in order to save his family name, rake ends up losing his heart - and almost his love - in the process. Its a tried and true plot-line, and although it is a good one, there are just too many competing stories that are longer and include more details than this one did.

That is not to say that others won't enjoy the story as much as I did (or even more than I did) - in fact I did find this story to be an enjoyable one. The characters themselves were unique and well developed, plus I felt the way that Leybourne approached things in the end was a bit different however overall, this story fades into the collective pile of other stories. There was nothing that outright set it apart.

Even with that, I would still give this author another chance as I did enjoy her writing style. 

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Tempted by a Rogue by Lauren Smith - 4 stars
The first thing that I feel I should mention (as I know it is not everyone's cup of tea), there is a scene of a sexual nature that occurs between the two main characters out of wedlock (and where someone may happen upon them at any time). Other than that, I enjoyed this novel.

While I feel that a lot of the angst of this story could have been avoided early on by Jasper simply telling Gemma the truth, I don't feel the story would have been as good. I can also understand completely why he was hesitant to tell her at first, and I found the fact that Gemma was already developing feelings for Jasper without knowing it was he behind the letters made their romance all the sweeter. It was also fairly easy to hate James once you realized what a no good tosser he was to begin with.

Even though this was a quick read, the overall story was filled with several laugh out loud moments. Especially when they concerned one formidable old lady and her weapon on choice - her parasol.

I would definitely read more by this author!

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The Redemption of Julian Prince by Victoria Vane - 4/5 stars
This story had a different feel to it - not only different to the others in this anthology, but different in general for the genre. Never before have I come across a story where the main characters are not only childhood friends - but where it is the woman who willingly proposes marriage to a man in order to save him from ruin. Usually there is some sort of duplicity involved at first - so this novel was like a breath of fresh air as far as that plot-line is concerned.

Even though all of these characters were well developed and the author obviously spent a lot of time making each one of them unique to the story, I have to say that my favorite character was that of Henrietta's great aunt – who knew that true love could overcome the odds and who had no qualms gifting a substantial amount of money to her niece, knowing exactly how she would use said gift.

Watching the childhood friends figure each other out and how best to navigate the world of marriage however – was a priceless gift to the reader.

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DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

[Arlena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Once Upon A True Love's Kiss
Authors: Julie Johnstone, Katherine Bone, Collette Cameron, Jullian Chantal, Lauren Smith, Samantha Grace, Alanna Lucas, Victoria Vane
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Once Upon A True Love's Kiss" ...by: Julie Johnstone, Katherine Bone, Collette Cameron, Jullian Chantal, Lauren Smith, Samantha Grace, Alanna Lucas and Victoria Vane.

My Thoughts....

These eight anthologies by these authors were beautifully well written quick reads.

1. AFTER FOREVER by JULIE JOHNSTONE
2. THE PIRATE’S DUCHESS by KATHERINE BONE
3. HER SCANDALOUS WISH by COLLETTE CAMERON
4. MILADY AND HER SPY by JILLIAN CHANTEL
5. KISSED BY A SCOTTISH ROGUE by SAMANTHA GRACE
6. STOLEN KISSES FROM THE VISCOUNT by ALANNA LUCAS
7. TEMPTED BY A ROGUE by LAUREN SMITH
8. THE REDEMPTION OF JULIAN PRICE by VICTORIA VANE

Many of the stories were of a historical romance theme and even some with a holiday/Christmas theme. Be ready for a little bit of it all...'second chance at romance,dead husband thought dead but alive, marriage of convenience, military, regency, pirates, rakes spies,even a forced marriage and hot steamy sex partners.' I really didn't have a favorite one because I rather enjoyed them all. So, if you have time for eight quick anthology reads you have come to the right place for these authors will give the reader some interesting reads.

I received from author Victoria Vane in exchange for an honest review.

[Jonel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a collection! There wasn’t a single story in this set that didn’t hold my attention throughout. I loved how each story stood out on their own yet at the same time, the entire anthology fit together. The variety of plot lines also kept me engaged. I loved how I became fully immersed in each of the tales individually. Each author develops their tale in an engaging manner creating 8 different stories that were each lovely little bits of romance that were perfect reads for a quick dose of romance.

This was a fantastic collection of romance tales, both individually and as a whole. I’d definitely recommend it to all those who enjoy the genre.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

When this lovely came to my attention, I didn't even hesitate to snatch it up. A blend of familiar and new-t0-me writers all presenting a variety of historical romances that range from sweet to some heat. As it's an anthology, I'll be taking the stories one at a time in mini-reviews as I go.

After Forever by Julie Johnston 3.5 stars
#4 Whisper of Scandal
A widowed woman swears off love after having her heart broken, but for some reason has to fight attraction to Nash Overton who hires her to teach him and his daughter how to fit in with Society. Julianna fights her feels out of fear, but Nash knows she is exactly the woman for him.

I found the story enjoyable and able to standalone though part of a series. It was well-developed and the author worked a good story for the page count. I was sympathetic to Julianna's plight though I did feel she was putting Henry up on a pedestal and he sounded like a twit to me and she was somewhat over dramatic about her 'nevers' and vows. Nash was fun and flirty and I loved seeing him court Julianna. Her friends were fun and quirky, too. Engaging story.

The Pirate's Duchess by Katherine Bone 3.5 stars
All set to marry a friend and get over the loss of the love of her life, Prudence the Duchess of Blackmoor gets the shock of her life when her wedding is interrupted by none other than her husband long thought dead. Tobias was nearly killed by a scheming murderer who destroyed several other men already and thought the only way to keep Pru safe was to let her and everyone else think he was dead. But now after she accidentally showed the wrong man Tobias' papers, her life is in danger, too. Only the swashbuckling pirate The Black Regent can save her now.

I love a good pirate romance and it was fun to get this romp of a story not to be taken seriously that gave a wink toward the gothic novels of old with swoony romance, dastardly danger, and black-hearted villain. I'll have to check out more of the author's work.

Her Scandalous Wish by Collette Cameron 4 stars
A Waltz With a Rogue Novella

Oh how lovely! I do enjoy second chance romances and that is what we get when Philomena goes to a ball with her sickly brother. She sees her one-time friend and man she thought to marry before he left her without a word after the fire and he thinks he is seeing a ghost. Her brother decides their quickly shared kiss is compromising to his sister and now they must marry. But Phil wants love and doubts Bradley can ever love the scarred woman she has become.

This was a sweet tale and I enjoyed seeing two separated lovers get another chance. The 'cant' was fun, but also distracting at times when it was strung together. The characters were engaging including the surrounding cast. The story had depth and heart. The author is one I've enjoyed her books in the past.

Milady and Her Spy by Jillian Chantal 3.5
I am always up for a good cloak and dagger during a Regency house party. Lady Augusta has three older brothers and has learned several skills that no lady should have so she impishly foists her way into her brother's mission to trap a traitor. Miles is shocked by the new partner he acquires when she insists on helping her brother trap their traitor. But it is not long before he is enamored by Gus and find his mind on matters other than the mission.

This was an engaging story. It is light and swift even with a treacherous spy in the mix. It clips along and I could wish for a little more development especially with the romance. But I did enjoy Miles and Gus as a couple and hope for more espionage adventures for the pair of them.

Kissed by a Scottish Rogue by Samantha Grace 5 stars
#2.5 Rival Rogues

Ah, this was an adorable holiday romance in the Highlands. Edith and Fergus tend to butt heads, but call a truce for Lord and Lady Thorne's family house party. And the truce grows to something more as they enjoy the festivities and a new understanding. But will Edith let old fears hold her back?

This book is part of a series, but it can work well alone though the other ongoing story lines are present. Loved catching up on familiar characters. The story was a nicely layered piece that left me with a smile and a satisfied sigh.

Stolen Kisses From the Viscount by Alanna Lucas 4 stars
A bet, financial ruin, an ultimatum, a large dowry, and could there possibly be a chance for true love? Patrick's father gambled away everything and left the family in ruin. His only chance to look after his aunt and sisters is to marry well. Aveline has received an ultimatum from her father's despicable brother that she will be forced into his guardianship in three months since her mother's brother is dying. But she will not have a rake like Patrick even if he is the only man that makes her pulse quicken.

This one is a sensual tease and then a spicy romp, but also a battle of wills as Aveline struggles against her fear that Patrick will hurt her and doesn't really love her and Patrick must overcome the bad choice of a private bet and the fear that he can't win the woman he wants, Aveline. I enjoyed this one and was rooting for Patrick to win her over.

Tempted by a Rogue by Lauren Smith 3.5 stars
She thinks she's in love with his best friend when he is the man behind the powerful letters they exchange the whole time he is at sea. However, now Jasper Holland is come home. How will he ever get Gemma to love him after all the lies. Because the letters weren't a lie...
This was quick, humorous, hot, and ready to serve now style. For that, it was just right.


The Redemption of Julian Price by Victoria Vane 5 Stars
This one grabbed me and I delighted in this friends to lovers romance between the bad boy and his tomboy friend grown up. Julian comes back from the war hollow and also his finances are in desperate straights after a profligate uncle squandered it all. Hen is looking spinsterhood in the face, but she does come into some money which leads her to a shocking plan involving Julian who was once the boy next door.
The author infused a passionate romance with elements such as survivor's guilt, PTSD, arranged marriage, fidelity, and so much more. For a shorter story, this had heart and depth, but a lightness. And such connection and chemistry that I wanted more of Hen and Julian.


All in all, I had a good time with this pack of stories. Not one was a dud and I found something appealing in all of them. The variety of situations, settings, and characters made for a strong anthology. I encountered familiar authors and new to me authors with backlists that I definitely want to pursue. I can easily recommend this set of historical romance gems to those that enjoy the genre.

My thanks to the authors who provided the book in exchange for an honest review.

[AnnMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many anthologies in my time, and although I have enjoyed them all, I particularly loved this one. So many of my favourite authors, joined by new authors that I am glad I had the opportunity to 'meet' in this book.
Every story is a real pleasure to read with the heroes and heroines both being strong characters who face adversity but through thick and thin they fight for happiness with each other.
The stories make you run the gamut of emotions, from sadness to fist pumping happiness when something great happens. And speaking of great, the passionate love scenes by each author are all beautifully written. Some stories are more spicy than others, but nothing crude.
I definitely recommend this book, and if you want to read my full review of all the stories which was much too long to post here, then head on over to Buried Under Romance to read it on or after release day.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, and that's what I have happily given.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 5 stars are based on those books, in the order they were read. And all are wonderful! Looking at all the fabulous authors participating in this box set, the stars are bound to be multiplied many times over!


THE REDEMPTION OF JULIAN PRICE by VICTORIA VANE

Henrietta Houghton and Julian Price were childhood friends. Henrietta was even one of the boys until the dreadful day when her friends noticed she really was a girl. Julian was raised by a dissolute uncle, and he more or less followed in his footsteps, until there is no more money; his uncle has squandered everything and Julian is almost penniless. His name is worthless and even going to war didn’t bring him any honour, only heartache. Henrietta’s twin brother is getting married, her only suitor died in the war, and now she’s resigned to be a spinster. She’s travelling to London to see her great-aunt, the formidable Lady Cheswick, in hope of maybe procuring a position as her companion. As it happens, Julian is also going to London to see how he can try to salvage whatever little is left of his paltry inheritance. Nothing much ever happened between Julian and Henrietta as they were growing up; they were friends, even though there was a little flirtation happening. And they might not have revealed everything they felt about each other throughout the years. Upon arriving in London, Lady Cheswick does something that will change Henrietta and Julian’s life…

THE REDEMPTION OF JULIAN PRICE is a novella of absolute perfection! There are no silly misunderstandings, it’s fast-paced, every character is interesting and complex, the story is solid and everything is entirely believable. Julian and Henrietta are wonderfully engaging; theirs is a beautiful romance, growing from an honest and deep friendship. The dialogues sound entirely natural, and Ms. Vane’s prose is absolutely flawless; it is gorgeously written, there are delicious sensuous moments, and one prickly issue is settled in a most satisfying manner. And I so loved the deliciously wicked Lady Cheswick. THE REDEMPTION OF JULIAN PRICE could easily have been a whole book, there is so much story in there! Just wonderful!

TEMPTED BY A ROGUE by Lauren Smith

Gemma Haverford is nearly on the shelf; she has been waiting for James Randolph for eleven years, while he was at sea. There was no lack of suitors, but James’ letters captured her heart. Gemma, James, and Jasper Holland had been childhood friends; Gemma has always been sweet on James, and then James and Jasper both left to join the navy. What Gemma didn’t know is that James had asked Jasper to write the letters for him, and to dump Gemma after a short while. Jasper had come to grow to like Gemma quite a bit, and was thrilled to receive her letters. James wasn’t too thrilled that Jasper had continued to correspond with Gemma, and when both men come back to England, James tells Jasper to compromise Gemma so he can be rid of her and marry the tart he recently met.

Although TEMPTED BY A ROGUE is a bit of a spin on Cyrano de Bergerac, it is not a remake. James is truly despicable, and while Jasper is a rogue, he cares about Gemma, and what fascinating characters they all are. Ms. Smith’s lush descriptions of the English gardens are breathtaking, the dialogues are delightful and flirtatious, and I read and re-read several sentences several times for the sheer beauty of the Ms. Smith’s lyrical prose. In spite of it all, Gemma fights back; she is not a dishrag, and Jasper fights for her. The characters are extremely complex; this novella is enthralling. And I absolutely adored a secondary character: Lady Greenley, she of the menacing parasol. A fabulous story!

I swear Collette Cameron nearly gave me a fit of the vapours with HER SCANDALOUS WISH! Philomena Pomfrett must marry as quickly as possible; her brother Giles has a fragile heart which could give out any day, and they are almost out of funds. Things look grim as Philomena was severely burned in a fire years before, where her parents died. The love of her life, Bradford, now Viscount Kingsley, vanished; she never heard from him, and Philomena’s heart was shattered. And so, trying to choose the less repulsive of her present suitors, who should be attending the Wimpleton’s ball, but Bradford.

This novella is grandiose! The story is extremely complex and fabulously compelling, there are plot twists every few pages, nothing happened the way I expected; at some places, I thought my heart would break. And what about the sumptuous, luminous, exquisite prose! Ms. Cameron is a wordsmith beyond compare! Every word is perfectly chosen, everything absolutely in context, the dialogues are glorious, there are a few quite humorous touches! Sublime!

THE PIRATE’S DUCHESS by KATHERINE BONE : Gasp! Prudence is getting married again. After being devastated after learning of her husband Tobias’ death, she tried valiantly to go on. But what a shock Prudence gets on her wedding day, when the person who objects to her marriage is… her late husband, Tobias! He had to lay low, while trying to avenge his friends, and to do so, he became the infamous Black Regent, a pirate! What a fantastic novella! Super fast-paced, all the characters are terrific: complex, engaging. The story is solid: there are no plot holes as to why and how Tobias became a pirate, and he is the epitome of dashing! I loved this story so much! Lots of action, with so many fabulous plot twists, and best of all, everything makes perfect sense, and nothing is convoluted. The romance is just right, it progresses organically: a sympathetic and strong heroine, a delectable pirate, who’s a most honourable man. And that ending that left me begging for more! Excellent!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Dee Deacon Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you get when you bring 8 amazing authors together? Eight GREAT stories of course with a wide range of storylines!

From the long thought dead Duke (with a secrets) returning to protect his Duchess & to reveal the lurking evil; to a self-sufficient Lady with a strong sense of family thinking she is retrieving her ill brother so he will be home for Christmas only to encounter his frustrating superior, learn her brother’s secret & become involved in capturing a traitor; to a love that crosses classes, a devastating event & a host of lies – can these 2 overcome the past to make a future?; to lady with a checkered past whose every conversation with her employers land steward is an argument; to the former boxer turned landowner being taught to be a proper gentleman by a beautiful widow; to the Lady close to being “on the shelf” & the charming rogue trying to save his family; to the Lady thinking she was in love with her childhood sweetheart only to find out it was all a lie; to the gentleman returned from war a changed man & the Lady who sets out to prove he is worthy of love. Each story will surprise & delight you…but most of all they will have you falling in love with Julie Johnstone, Katherine Bone, Collette Cameron, Samantha Grace, Lauren Smith, Jillian, Chantel, Alanna Lucas & Victoria Vane then hurrying to read more stories from each author.

A couple of these stories are from an author’s series (& said book can be read as a stand-alone) but don’t fret – they do an outstanding job filling you in without detracting from the current hero/heroine. A couple of these authors are on my MUST read list, some I have their books but this is the first story I have read & a couple are new to me…after reading Once Upon A True Love’s Kiss they are all on my MUST read list.

Disclaimer - I received a copy in return for an honest review.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful anthology of historical romance and so worth reading.

AFTER FOREVER by Julie Johnstone

Widowed Lady Julianna Barrows never wants to fall in love again. But when the notorious former boxer Nash Overton hires her to transform him into a gentleman, Julianna quickly becomes the student, learning more about passion than she’s ever known, and more importantly, learning how to love again.

***This is a delightful story that definitely sets the tone for the anthology. Julianna grieves so greatly for her late husband that she becomes adamant about never falling in love again or entertaining the idea of remarriage but things change when she meets Nash who exudes a great capacity for love. His love for his daughter demonstrates his big heart. Julianna soon learns that love is possible even when the pain of a loss is as great as what she feels for her husband. Nash takes it slow, and eventually wins her heart.
Good characters, a well-developed story line, especially for a novella, and it felt complete. I really liked this one. I’ve found myself a new author I enjoy reading, and look forward to more of Julie Johnstone’s work.

THE PIRATE’S DUCHESS by Katherine Bone

Duty forces him to take on the pirate code, but honor brings him back.

Prudence, Duchess of Blackmoor, has one desire—to be happy again. After struggling to overcome the horrifying death of her husband, she accepts an earl’s offer of marriage, confident she’s taking a step in the right direction. But demons, refuse to die, and Prudence finds herself caught in an intricate web of deceit that threatens the very foundations of all she holds dear.

Tobias, the Duke of Blackmoor, crosses the line when an assassination attempt on him fails. To restore the reputations of friends under attack by the same villain, and ensure his wife’s safety, he stages his own death, becoming The Black Regent, a notorious pirate bent on brandishing justice, never thinking he’d survive. But to his amazement, he has, and now the darkest-kept secrets are not worth losing the duchess his wife has become.

***Katherine Bone is great at giving you the best in pirate stories. With her usual flair, Katherine gives us excitement, intrigue, and romance. Prudence is about to marry when Tobias, her late husband, suddenly returns interrupting the wedding. Having pretended to be dead for 2 years to keep his wife safe from the man who wanted him dead, he’s been sailing the high seas as a pirate. Whereas the premise of this novella was good, I think it would have played out better had it been given more time and length to make it reconcile better. It just seemed to be missing too much to make it work well.

HER SCANDALOUS WISH by Collette Cameron

A marriage offer obligated by duty . . . an acceptance compelled by desperation.

Philomena Pomfrett is resigned to spinsterhood, but to ease her dying brother’s fretting, she reluctantly agrees to attend a London Season with one purpose—to acquire a husband. Stumbling upon her hiding in a secluded garden arbor during a ball, Bradford, Viscount Kingsley doesn’t recognize his first love, yet something about the mysterious woman enthralls him, and he steals a passionate, moonlit kiss.

Caught in the act by Philomena’s brother, Bradford is issued an ultimatum—a duel or marry Philomena. He offers marriage, but even impoverished and with no other decent prospects, she rejects his half-hearted proposal until her brother collapses. Now, Philomena’s faced with marrying a man who deserted her once already.

***A second chance at love romance…believing his first love, Philomena died in a fire, Bradford prefers to stay away from England but must soon return after inheriting the Viscount title. Meanwhile, Philomena who didn’t die in the fire, which claimed her parents, believes Bradford left her because of her burn injuries. Not comfortable in social gatherings, she hides in the garden rather than partake in the ball she's attending. Not recognizing her, Bradford encounters her and the rest is the HEA when her brother discovers them kissing, although it doesn't go too smoothly.
I like the idea of this story but felt it was rushed. This is a case where a truly sweet romance novella needs to be extended into a full-length novel.

MILADY AND HER SPY by Jillian Chantel

A lady, a spy, a traitor… a battle of wills.

Raised in the country after her mother’s death with only the company of three unruly brothers, Lady Augusta Covington is more proficient at fencing, riding and playing cards than being prim and proper. Myles Cuthbert, a spy in His Majesty’s service on a mission to find and expose a traitor, crosses paths with Lady Augusta when she rides to the aid of her brother, believing him to be injured. With the assignment at risk, Cuthbert agrees to accept the assistance of the troublesome lady eager for intrigue.

As they move forward, his sense of obligation to her and the danger involved stir his soul.

***This is a good regency spy story. Augusta is rather a tomboy having grown up with three brothers. When she hears her brother may be in trouble, she rushes to the rescue and stumbles into a mission to catch a spy. Myles, her brother’s commander, isn’t too happy about Augusta’s involvement but has no choice but to allow her assistance. Yet another story with such great potential, which I would love to see fulfilling its complexities and allowing growth in the characters in a full-length novel.

KISSED BY A SCOTTISH ROGUE by Samantha Grace

His Mother Insists He Needs a Wife.

Fergus McTaggart, Aldmist Fell’s land steward, has no time for wife hunting. Any day his employer's sisters will be arriving at the Scottish castle for a long overdue reunion. Fergus is determined to make their stay memorable, but all anyone is likely to recall are the loud rows between him and his employer’s cheeky paid companion.

She Insists He Needs a Good Knock to the Head.

Edith Gallagher has been charged with watching over her employer’s youngest sister while the family winters in Scotland, but the stubborn land steward interferes at every turn. Eventually, she and the Scot call a truce for the sisters’ sakes only to discover their passionate battles are masking hidden desires.

***Fergus and Edith battle at every turn. As land steward, Fergus has no time for romance but when he meets Edith, sparks fly. Oh at first, it’s a battle of wills, arguments at every turn, and unruly confrontations but when they call a truce for the sake of the sisters, they come to think of each other in a way that neither expects. This one might be my favorite in the anthology. I enjoyed watching Fergus and Edith get to know each other, and fall in love. I’d very much love to read more from this series.

STOLEN KISSES FROM THE VISCOUNT by Alanna Lucas

Desperate times call for drastic measures as Miss Aveline Redgrave enters her third season. Fearful of fortune hunters, she attempts to stay clear of Lord Leybourne, a rogue who is not to be trusted. But his seductive smile and enticing kisses awaken a passion that threatens her common sense. No stranger to scandal, Leybourne is determined to save his family from ruin whatever the cost, even marrying an heiress he doesn’t love. But an unexpected desire and need to protect threatens his plans. Will past heartaches and a devastating wager destroy their future or will true love’s kiss triumph?

***Still unmarried as she faces her third season, Aveline fears the attentions of fortune hunters but knows she must marry or face her uncle choosing for her. She does her best to stay away from those least desirable as husbands, especially Lord Leybourne who needs desperately to marry an heiress if he is to save his family from ruin. When both make lists of suitable candidates, they soon discover they are probably best suited for each other. They set about trying to make things work despite interfering friends and gossiping ton. I liked this story, the characters were strong and the plot very plausible. I’d like to read more from Alanna. She’s a new author for me and I’m looking forward to reading more from her.

TEMPTED BY A ROGUE by Lauren Smith

Gemma never planned on falling in love with her childhood sweetheart’s best friend, Jasper, when he returns home, but she can’t resist the naval officer’s brooding charm.

Gemma plans to marry James, her childhood sweetheart. With every letter written between them while he's been off at sea, their love has grown. Now they will be reunited with his return to England. But the man whose words she'd fallen in love with isn’t James...

Jasper, a gentleman rogue of the first order, is trapped. Talked into a scheme by his friend, he pretended to be James for eleven years while writing to Gemma. He’s promised James he’d break it off. But when he returns home, his secret will come out – and he’ll lose the one woman he can’t live without.

***Sometimes, when I start reading a story I can sense right away that the plot is trying to be far more complicated than it needs to be. This is one of those. When it becomes obvious too fast that a simple conversation could sort out the trouble, it’s difficult for me to keep reading but I do, always in the hope that things will get more exciting.
James has been away at sea for eleven years, during which time he, and Gemma write to each other diligently every month, only…it isn’t James writing to Gemma but instead, Jasper, James’s best friend. Gemma plans to marry James as soon as he returns for she’s fallen even further in love with him through his letters. Jasper has come to love Gemma but now feels trapped because he can’t tell Gemma the truth. I can’t help but think when I read a story like this…the truth is the simplest solution and it will set you free. It was okay but it could’ve been much better with its Cyrano de Bergerac start.

THE REDEMPTION OF JULIAN PRICE by Victoria Vane

She gave him a chance to bury his past… but the price would be his heart…

Burdened by the past…Orphaned at a young age and left to run wild, at eighteen Julian Price joins the fight against Napoleon in the hope of attaining honor. Devastated when his best friend, Thomas, is killed in battle, Julian returns home burdened with guilt, only to find his wastrel uncle has squandered his inheritance.

Desperate to live her own life… Facing a future of drudgery caring for her aging mother and raising her brother’s children, Henrietta Houghton believes her chance at a real life died with Thomas, the only man who ever wanted her. But Henrietta is still full of dreams. When her wealthy aunt, offers her a gift of ten thousand pounds, Henrietta finally has the chance to choose her own destiny.

Everything has a price...With a fortune at her command, Henrietta offers Julian a marriage of convenience, unaware that she really offers Julian a means of salvation—not just his fortune, but his very soul.

***A longtime fan of Victoria Vane’s historical romances, this one was a good friends to lovers story but not necessarily her best. I’m so used to her rich characters that I felt Julian and Henrietta fell kind of flat. Perhaps if the story had been longer, their development could have been greater. It had its moments though, and Henrietta’s naughty aunt made it all worth reading.
Julian returns from war to discover his uncle has lost his fortune and he is destitute. He plans to sell everything in hopes of clearing his debt, and then return to Portugal to work as a mercenary since his only skill seems to be in killing. Henrietta feels lost. She’s unmarried whereas all her siblings are, but she has no desire to spend her life as an unpaid nanny to her nieces and nephews. When her scandalously naughty great aunt endows her with a large dowry, she decides she has the means to help her childhood friend, Julian and give herself the gift of relative freedom. She proposes to him and they plan a marriage of convenience…of course, we all know how that will go. This story truly had great potential and although I would love to have seen it expanded further, I enjoyed reading it.

This one is well worth the spending 99¢ on...I highly recommend it.

***eARC provided by authors in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

[Aleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The common link that binds this book set together is that of finding one's true love. A kiss that brings the characters together and takes us on a journey of love, lust, friendship, and adventure. Each story has it's own unique aspect and I loved reading each and every one of these stories. Some were sweet, some were spicy. It has something for everyone. There is a guide that describes the heat level of each story by rating it with the number of kisses. 1 kiss being not too steamy, to 5 kisses being detailed and has frequent love scenes. It was an interesting system and helpful to those who need to know that kind of information. The reader will be satisfied to know that all the stories end happily. Even though at times you doubt if the characters will surpass their stubbornness. I felt that each of the stories could be read as standalone, however, I was so endeared with each of these stories that I would want more from their worlds.

After Forever by Julie Johnstone-4 stars

The anthology begins with this story. It's a sweet tale about a woman learning to let love in again, after she loses her husband to an illness.
Julianna at times, could be a little annoying. I did want to shake some common sense into her. With her mentality that she will soil the memory of her husband if she loves again, is totally ridiculous. She at times came off as selfish to me. Rather than give her daughter the security of a home, she opts to never marry again. She will contradict herself at times saying that she needs that security. It was a good insight into her personality and inner workings. It made the character more realistic. I did enjoy Julianna's and Nash's conversations. Nash was a sexy character and I loved his sense of humor. He certainly had his work cut out for him in wooing Julianna. I believe, it was Julianna's daughter and Nash's daughter that formed a common ground for them and brought down their barriers. It was interesting to find out how the story progressed and Julianna's character growth was something to look forward to.

The Pirate's Duchess by Katherine Bone-5 stars

This was such a fun read. I loved the dramatic flair and adventure so much that I could not put this story down. A husband who re-enters Prudence's life and sweeps her off her feet with the flair of any romantic pirate. Tobias's duty is to regain her trust and expose a murderous peer. True love's kiss never left Prudence after all. She just needs to rekindle the passion, which is not a hard thing to do. Such a romantic and brave hero, Tobias is very easy to like and root for. I did not want to leave their world, so I was sad to see it end.

Her Scandalous Wish by Collette Cameron-5 stars

Had me grinning from chapter one. It's always fun reading a Collette Cameron story. A heroine with scars on her body and soul, determined to stay a spinster, Philomena believes that her true love left because of her scars. A horrendous fire that left her homeless, and without parents, her only family left is her brother. However, her brother, sickly and on death's door, is determined to marry her off before he dies. Philomena is left without any choices. A wish upon a star brings her love back from the past. Only, she doesn't know that he thought her dead. The dialogue between the characters was fun to read. I loved that the heroine wasn't perfect. She had insecurities and doubts which made her character endearing. The hero, Bradford (after we find out his good reason for leaving) was honorable, sexy, and sweet. What more can we ask for? Shooting stars start the story with a wish and ends with that wish coming true for both of the characters.

Milady and Her Spy by Jillian Chantal-4 stars

A woman with a penchant for eavesdropping, finds herself wanting to play the hero and fetch her brother, who is assumed to be injured. One of my favorite tropes was used in this story. The heroine dresses up as a boy. Of course it is because of this that she meets her future love. Although, it was an interesting tale of disguise and spies, I found a hard time believing the romantic connection between Lady Augusta and Myles Cuthbert. She was a strong character with the ability to save herself and Myles. But I just wish there was something more to their romance.

Kissed by a Scottish Rogue by Samantha Chase-5 stars

Classic enemies to lovers story. A charming Scotsman and a spinster with a past, clash heads from the very beginning. But a Christmas pact is struck and a truce is declared. A cute little girl is the key that brings them together. Of course, Edith's past is what keeps her from fully giving in and falling in love. True to a hero, Fergus does not care about her past and discovers his love for her. I loved this story. It had me smile, grinning, and at times laughing. The secondary characters were charming and made the story more enjoyable. Anyone can find true love, even those spinsters with questionable backgrounds.

Stolen Kisses From a Viscount by Alanna Lucas-4 stars

Our hero and heroine both find that they each have to find a spouse. Our hero Lord Leybourne is close to financial ruin and our heroine, Aveline, is faced with an ultimatum that she needs to answer to. Aveline detests rakes and scoundrels. Having lost her family because of a scandal, she wants nothing to do with our hero who has that reputation. Their relationship was an interesting one to read. Lord Leyborne had to constantly prove that he has reformed his ways. The attraction was there and Aveline had to choose between acting on desire and fulfilling her ultimatum. Even though all accounts proved that he was a good man, Aveline was still hung up on the fact that he was a rake. Luckily, she came to her senses. She learned to see past her previous judgement and let love in.

Tempted by a Rogue by Lauren Smith-5 stars

This was the sexiest and steamiest story in the anthology. The sexual tension was constantly there. Even from the beginning it was naughty. The garden scene was probably my favorite part. Our poor heroine, Gemma, was duped into thinking her childhood sweetheart loves her. She finds that his friend has been acting as impostor. She suffers a cruel break up, but finds that the man who has been writing to her all those years was actually the one she wants. Sexually and mentally attracted to Jasper, she decides to explore her feelings. Jasper's character was roguish and sexy. If he didn't have have honor and guilt over duping Gemma, he could have been a villain. But his saving grace was his humanity. This was truly a fun read.

The Redemption of Julian Price by Victoria Vane-5 stars

A lovely story about friendship blooming into love. A man like Julian, wanting to prove himself to the world comes back from the war to discover his inheritance has been squandered and his estate near bankruptcy. Not expecting to rekindle a past friendship with Henrietta, he finds that he still loves her but can't offer her anything. Henrietta finds herself becoming a spinster. Her friendship with Julian blooms into feelings of love. However, she doesn't believe he returns those sentiments. Discovering Julian's financial dilemma, and also finding out that she will actually come into some money, Henrietta proposes to him. I loved that this was a tale of redemption. Julian was complex in his thinking and stubborn to boot. His character could have taken a bad turn if he had not listened to his heart. Julian's and Henrietta's attraction was believable and sweet.

*I was given an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

[Seanna Yeager · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely collection of regency romances, centered around true love. A fun collection for trying out new to you authors.

AFTER FOREVER by JULIE JOHNSTONE-
I love when a noble woman falls in love with a self-made man. Lady Julianna Barrows has been widowed, left with a young daughter to provide for, and does not want to love again. When she meets the notorious former boxer and gaming hell owner, Nash Overton she meets her match. He needs someone to teach him to be a gentleman, to ensure his daughter's future. He finds just the perfect woman to be his wife, full of passion and love, despite her trying to never fall in love again. A really fun story.

THE PIRATE’S DUCHESS by KATHERINE BONE -

Whew, Prudence dodges being a bigamist, when he long "dead" husband shows up on her wedding day to stop the ceremony. She has mourned and buried the love of her life Tobias, the Duke of Blackmoor, only problem is he was not dead, he was in hiding to seek revenge. Tobias has become The Black Regent, a notorious pirate, who steals from the rich to give to the poor. There is plenty of intrigue and swashbuckling good time in this tale. Loved it, a Pirate Duchess!

HER SCANDALOUS WISH by COLLETTE CAMERON

Philomena has already been abandoned by her first love, after a horrific fire took her parent's lives and left her horribly scarred. She has resigned herself to being a spinster, but her brother does not have long to live and there is no money to support her after he passes. So her brother pushes her to find a husband who will take care of her after he is gone.

Bradford is Phil's long lost love, who believed that she was dead this whole time. They happen upon each other at a party, when she is compromised, her brother insists that they marry or there will be a duel. Despite the odds stacked against them, to fall in love again Bradford and Phil, fall hard for each other once again despite the misunderstandings of the past.

MILADY AND HER SPY by JILLIAN CHANTEL
Lady Augusta Covington is a woman who has always been more skilled in the art of unladylike purists, fencing, riding, and hunting. Which has caused her trouble in finding someone to marry.

Myles Cuthbert is a spy, who would do anything to protect England, he is trying to unearth a traitor, who is giving information to France. To complete the assignment, Myles enlists the help of Gus, to catch the traitor. There is plenty of intrigue and passion in this story. Lots of fun, I will check out more of Chantel's work.

KISSED BY A SCOTTISH ROGUE by SAMANTHA GRACE
I love a romance where people of the servant class fall in love, there are not enough stories out there about these people.

Fergus McTaggart is Aldmist Fell’s land steward, he is always busy taking care of everything around the manor. Fergus appears to be gruff and no-nonsense type of man. He keeps fighting with Edith Gallagher, his employer's paid companion. They finally call a truce, so they do not ruin their employer's Christmas. As they start to get to know one another they realize that they completely misjudged one another. They fall in love despite the fights and misunderstandings.

STOLEN KISSES FROM THE VISCOUNT by ALANNA LUCAS

Falling for someone that appears to be all wrong for you, can be a challenge especially when your first impressions are wrong. Aveline wants desperately to not have to marry a rake, she is afraid of ending up like her parents. Lord Leybourne has had his moments where he is a rogue, but he secretly possess the qualities that Aveline wants in a husband. Lucas gives us some twists and turns in this couple's courtship.

TEMPTED BY A ROGUE by LAUREN SMITH

A fun story where the heroine believes she is in love with her childhood sweetheart, that she has been writing for years but really it was his best friend writing. I loved how you thought okay the truth is finally going to come out, but then it didn't. Ugh, Jasper you had me yelling at my kindle. They finally get it together, but there are some definitely funny moments.

THE REDEMPTION OF JULIAN PRICE by VICTORIA VANE

My first historical read from Vane. I really enjoy this troupe, a best friends who were secretly in love with each other all along. Even though Henrietta had an understanding with their mutual friend Thomas, who died in the war, she was always in love with Julian.

Julian thought he was never good enough for love, especially with Hen. Finally some unfortunate financial situations throw them together as a couple. They find their way back to being friends and lovers again.

[Janice Hougland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pre-publication copy of this anthology was given to me in exchange for an honest review, which follows:
Lady Julianna, a grief-stricken new widow with a young daughter, is introduced to Nash, an outside-of-the-ton prizefighter who needs a wife for his young daughter and an introduction into society on behalf of his daughter. Designing friends help this unlikely couple find a happy-ever-after love. After Forever by Julie Johnstone.
Tobias, a duke thought dead for two years, reappears when his wife, Prudence, is about to be wed to another. There is a mystery involved (who caused Tobias’ supposed death) and suspense as Tobias discloses the identity of the pirate, The Black Regent, and attempts to prove the nefarious dealings of the man who would have him dead and his wife married to another. An exciting adventure leading to a happy-ever-after ending! The Pirate’s Duchess by Katherine Bone.
Bradford and Philomena…a truly sigh-worthy second chance romance! Bradford returns to England thinking his childhood love (Philomena) was dead from a fire and has to woo her all over again when he discovers her still alive(!) and living with her ailing brother. Her Scandalous Wish by Collette Cameron.
Augusta meets Myles while looking for her brother (who was supposedly wounded and/or in trouble) and gets involved in their plot to apprehend a French spy during the house party at Augusta’s home. A little intrigue, a spy/bully and an unexpected romance make this a very exciting novella. Milady and Her Spy by Jillian Chantal.
What a terrific little romance this was between Edith and Fergus, two untitled older adults who had been in service for landed gentry for years…and who finally found their happy ever after with each other. Loved it! Kissed by a Scottish Rogue by Samantha Grace.
Aveline, an heiress who wants to marry for love and not her dowry, and Patrick, an honorable man who loves Aveline for herself but has to convince her that it is not her dowry that he is after…make for a darling regency romp of a romance! Stolen Kisses from the Viscount by Alanna Lucas.
Jasper, just returned from 11-years of a sea-faring life, and Gemma, who has been waiting for Jasper’s best friend, James, to return for her, meet under circumstances vastly different than when they were children playing together. Jasper had fallen in love with Gemma a long time ago through her letters sent to James, and Gemma is second thinking her feelings for James when she sees them both after their return. An exciting romance! Tempted by a Rogue by Lauren Smith.
Henrietta, an on-the-shelf heiress who hasn’t found “the one” to love and cherish, and Julian, a jaded war returnee who doesn’t get excited about much anymore and who is broke because of his wastrel uncle’s running down his estate while he was at war—when these two meet again after so many years, sparks fly! And thus is the beginning of a sigh-worthy true love story…a fitting end to this wonderful collection of stories! The Redemption of Julian Price by Victoria Vane.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

With this set of stories I knew they would be set in back in earlier days, but I did not know they would be a set of fine gems waiting to be opened and discovered. During those times kisses would be sometimes the only thing a girl had to go on if it was to be the one or if passion was indeed there. These authors have put together in this fine collection some of the most tantalizing reading I have had in a long time. The anticipation alone in each story is a emotional ride because it is the kind that is alluring with finesse. You are given those who were thought to have been lost to each other only to be united again. You have pirates and spies with not all having to have been of the male to do that deed. You have your villains that could of been right at your back door you were running from. Honor was placed very high thing to have also. The one thing though is being that some marriages were arranged to be married to the one you truly loved was the most precious thing of all in those days. If your heart beats faster to that Scottish tongue there is one for you along with the spirit of humor. Stolen or given these kisses all are the ones who can make any woman sigh because it was done with the style of that era. When hearts are filled with love no time or space can keep true love apart as shown in here. All in all this one is a set that will make anyone that loves romance drool and swoon themselves causing tingles to cascade starting at the top and going all the way to the toes.

[Melody May (What I'm Reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4 1/2 Stars
Posted on What I'm Reading

I love anthologies, because you can get to sample of an author's work. Plus, a great way to find new to you authors if you are unsure about an author. In Once Upon A True Love's Kiss you get to read eight different authors whose stories vary from sweet and innocence to I think I might need a little fan. Some of the stories in the collection have been previously published as a single story or they are connected to a series. If you love those stories you can look for others in that series (useful information). Lets get this party started.

After Forever
Whisper of Scandal, 4
Julie Johnstone

In After Forever, we meet Julianna. She's a widow and has no desire to marry again after her marriage. She loved her husband, so she never wants to feel the pain of loss again. Which I didn't quite understand, because she had a daughter. Of she loves, I would think she would be worry about losing her daughter. Anyway, I digress. She struggled with depression if they had grief counseling in the 1800s she would have benefited. Now Nash. He's a gaming hell owner, and he knew some secrets of Julianna's decease husband, but he has a little more tact than her brother in law. I adore Nash, because he was patient with Julianna. He was willing to do anything for Julianna.

After Forever, is a story about a widow trying to find her footing after a death of a love one. I wish the story could have had an epilogue. I think I would have liked a little more closure on Nash and Julianna. However, it is what it is. Overall, a good story.

The Pirate's Duchess
Katherine Bone

In The Pirate's Duchess, we meet Prudence and she's about to marry again, but there is a slight problem. What you may ask would be the problem? Good question, how about her dead husband rising from the dead. Okay, he never died, he just fake his death in order to avenge his father's death. A pretty good reason, but at the same time not good. After all, he did make his lovely wife grieve his death. Tobias, the Duke of Blackmore is trying to ferret out his best friend's father to confess his crimes and it's going to be a challenge. On top of it he's trying to keep his wife safe.

All right, The Pirate's Duchess is filled with danger trying to prove Lord Underwood is a dastardly bad guy. He's pretty cunning, but he's no match for Tobias and his wife. A pretty good read.

Her Scandalous Wish
College Cameron

Her Scandalous Wish is a heartbreaking read, but pretty darn good. We have Philomena and her brother, Giles, basically looking for a decent suitor for Philomena. There is a rush on finding a decent guy, because Giles is dying. However, she's avoiding rogues, because she had her heart broken by a rogue when she was a young woman. The man who did this was Bradford Kingsley. There is more to why Bradford didn't come to her after the fire, and his uncle had a hand. His uncle was a horrible man, who felt wronged. Anyway, enjoyable story about second chance at love.

Milady and Her Spy
Jillian Chantal

Milady and Her Spy was a favorite read. It was a lot of fun. We had Augusta Covington who is a spunky young lady who has a little problem adhering to the rules of society. Things like sewing, painting, and what other young ladies her age enjoy she finds dull. So, giving a chance to help her brother Lancelot and his friend Myles Cuthbert catch Nigel Hastings she just had to jump at the chance.

Love how Myles underestimates Augusta's ability until he sees her in action, of course he quickly changes her mind. Yes, there is more than meets the eye when it comes Augusta. A fun quick story.

Kissed by a Scottish Rogue
Rival Rogues, 2.5
Samantha Grace

In Kissed By A Scottish Rogue we meet up with Edith Gallagher and Fergus McTaggat. Now it's Christmas time and Edith and Fergus has made a pack to keep peace around one another. Which is a huge feat, because they fight like cats and dogs. There are only two reasons you would fight constantly with another person: 1) You can't stand each other and will murder one another or 2) You are masking your true feelings by antagonizing the other person. Fortunately, it's the latter in this story. It's understandable to feel for Edith, because she's not quite sure where she fits in. So, most of the house believes she's mighty high mighty, but she's not that way. It's not until Fergus starts to get to know the real Edith that he starts to realize he judged her all wrong. All Edith ever wanted is to feel truly like she belonged somewhere.

I enjoyed this quick read. Once Edith and Fergus start to understand one another it seems to fall into place. I was pleased with how the story ended. Gave me a little chuckle.

Stolen Kisses From the Viscount
Alanna Lucas

I have to say that Stolen Kisses From the Viscount is a pretty good read. We have Patrick Leyborne. He's a viscount, and his family is in desperate needs of funds. The only logical way is to marry an heiress. He never wanted to do that, but desperate time calls for desperate measures. They compromise a list of eligible ladies that fit the criteria, but one name stands out Lady Aveline Redgrave. Now Aveline needs to find a husband and quick since her uncle doesn't have much time on earth otherwise she goes back to the other uncle. She rather deal with marriage. Now that says a lot. She aims to avoid rogues, wastrels, rakes, and fortune hunters. Well, that pretty much eliminates Patrick. However, rakes never backdown from a challenge.

A great story and the bonus part is a wager. Love when there is a wager set they always make for an interesting read. Especially, when the wager becomes know and makes the courtship prospects a bit more challenging.


Tempted By A Rogue
Lauren Smith

Tempted By A Rogue is one of the steamier reads. We have Gemma Haverford who has been in love with James Randolph forever, and she thought they had an understanding. Well, he had other plans, so he enlisted his best friend, Jasper Holland, to break things off with Gemma. Instead he kept writing to her. Now they find themselves in a pickle. Yet James came up with a brilliant plan. Okay, it was a terrible plan and he was too chicken to break things off in the first place. James is a cad and that's being nice. Yet his charming personality makes up for things, right? WRONG!

I thought Tempted By A Rogue was brilliant story. Loved this story so much. I was a little worry that Gemma and Jasper wouldn't find happiness cause of James callous feelings. Fortunately conquers all.

The Redemption of Julian Price
Victoria Vane

Another great story. In The Redemption of Julian Price we meet four characters that were best friends until one faithful day when everything changed. Okay Julian is on the brink of financial ruin, but he's trying to figure out what to do. Then we meet Henrietta and Harry Houghton who have been friends with Julian forever. Now you wonder where the fourth friend is, well that is part of the story.

I love this story, because we have Henrietta who is willing save Julian from disaster. While Julian believes it's too much a sacrifice for her. Yet, she loves him so much that he can't see it. One the secondary characters I adore was Lady Cheswick, because she straight up told Henrietta to go after what she wants. This is a fantastic story that makes the heroine be the hero if that makes any sense. Overall, a great read.

Once Upon A True Love's Kiss is a great sample of reads that will keep you entertained. Yes, some are sweeter than others but a great balance of stories.

Copy provided by an author.

[Romancing the Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Robin
Book provided by the authors for review
Originally posted at Romancing the Book

I love anthologies because you buy it to read something new from a beloved author and most times you find a new author along the way. I also enjoy the bit of variety in the stories as they capture the essence of the time making me fall in love with the time period all over again. The gentleness, the passion, the intrigue, the pure promiscuity that shows things never change from time to time. They can be very entertaining while being witty, funny and charming. They are full of characters that keep you on your toes…Whether you love the ton of England, the Scottish Countryside or a Pirate and his sea there is something for everyone in this anthology.

Pirate’s Duchess by Katherine Bone — Prudence’s husband returns from the dead on her wedding day. Tobias who now goes by the name Black Regent has been living as a pirate all these years; a Robin Hood of the high seas.

I really enjoyed Ms. Bone’s world of pirating. She invites you in and shows you a world that she has filled with details of life as a pirate. She made the story of Prudence and Tobias come to life with characters that unfold showing you what they feel. It was a fast paced story full of action and adventure leaving you on the horizon not knowing where these two were going to take you.

I enjoyed Ms. Bone’s story and look forward to more from this talented author. She has a way of bringing the Pirate to life right in your home.

After Forever by Julie Johnstone — Noble woman Lady Julianna overhears ex-boxer Nash having a meeting of sorts with a women. As she listens she steps in standing up for Nash. Nash finds this woman…well just what he is looking for. Nash wants to be taught the way of the ton…good manners, so his daughter is insured a good future. Nash finds Julianna perfect in every way possible.

Ms. Johnstone gives us a match that may not seem to work but it does. I found that I fell in love with Nash right away. He was the scoundrel that everyone thought him to be. I loved this fun story of falling in love all over again. Ms. Johnstone kept it moving along at a fast pace never allowing me to become bored with her characters. You wouldn’t have gotten bored with Nash and Julianna anyways.

Her Scandalous Wish by Collette Cameron — This to me was a beauty and the beast switch. Philomena was abandoned by the love of her life; having been scared by the fire that took her parents lives. Philomena’s brother is deathly ill and needs to marry her off so she is taken care of and also because they need the money.

In walks Bradford her long lost love who has abandoned her. He thought she had died. Why he didn’t stick around to find out? Ms. Cameron shows us that sometimes we are given a second chance at love with it being our choice to take it or give it up. I liked the story but was left with a lot of unanswered questions which I did overlook as it is hard at times to fit all you want to say in a short story. Story had lots of explaining on Bradford’s part. But overall a nice read.

Milady and Her Spy by Jillian Chantal — I loved Lady Augusta from the start. She was her own woman holding her own in a man’s world. She loved to fence, ride and hunt to name a few. So she wouldn’t work with a namby pamby man. In walks Myles Cuthbert a spy. Perfect…
Myles needs help finding a traitor and enlists Augusta’s help.

This was a fun passion filled adventure. Ms. Chantal shows us how easy it was for Augusta to adapt to the life of a spy. She seemed to have a lot of fun in the process. She gave us well developed characters that were fun. Augusta was a modern woman in regency England. Enjoyed this story.

Kissed by a Scottish Rogue by Samantha Grace — Finally a working class love story… guess what it absolutely works. Land Stewart Fergus McTaggert doesn’t like his employer’s paid companion Edith Gallagher. They butt heads all the time, fighting. But they find that they have one thing in common and that is their loyalty to their employer. So they find they must work together to make the Christmas party a success.

Ms. Grace takes two wonderful characters from dislike to friendship and finally love. It’s the natural process right? Well for some anyways. It worked for me. I found it easy to relate to the characters because of their working background not one of privilege. Sometimes not knowing what the other had to endure or overcome to get to where they are now, not really knowing everything can make one a little skeptical. It was fun to watch them overcome their odds and fall in love. This was a really sweet romance.

Stolen Kisses from the Viscount by Alanna Lucas — Who hasn’t had a wrong first impression about someone. Lady Aveline was not going to marry a rake no that just would not do. She wants a different life than what her parents had. Just saying a rake would be so much more fun. Lord Leybourne can really be a rake at times but after all he has a title and everything that Aveline wants…really?

A Ms. Lucas fold in a lot of twists and turns into their relationship but for me it just wasn’t enough it fell flat but was still an okay read.

Tempted by a Rogue by Lauren Smith — Gemma and Jasper a love made through letters. Gemma has written letters to her best friend for years. When it turns out that the letters weren’t written by her best friend but her best friend’s best friend. Did you follow that? To top it off Gemma was finding she was falling for Jasper who is the author of the letters and didn’t want to tell her best friend that. Confused yet?

Ms. Smith wrote a funny, quick read with a very endearing love story. She gave us characters that were easy to fall in love with along with a story that was charming. Why doesn’t anyone write letter’s anymore. It could be fun.

The Redemption of Julian Price by Victoria Vane — Best friends since childhood…always in love with each other…but, Henrietta had an understanding with Julian’s best friend Thomas who just died in the war. Julian unsure of his worth is thrown back into Henrietta’s life. Money…the root of problems. Short story…Henrietta inherits a lot of money from an Aunt who happens to know exactly what Henrietta will do with it.

Ms. Vane takes us from a friendship to lovers and that is just how it should be. These two went through a lot. They survived. Julian is the one that needs saved and Henrietta is the right person for the job. It was easy to fall for Julian and Henrietta as I watched their love unfold; taking them slowly from friendship to lovers. Ms. Vane gave us a twist on the normal regencies which was refreshing because instead of the woman needing the saving it was the man. Fun/fast paced and just a little different.

So, I have to say this was a very enjoyable collection of stories with just the right amount of adventure, intrigue, romance, rogues, pirates and Scottish men to cover anyone’s taste. Find that comfy chair and settle in for your own adventure.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in return for an honest review of this collection: Worth purchasing for your "Keeper" Shelf!

AFTER FOREVER by JULIE JOHNSTONE-

Lady Julianna Barrows has sworn off love, having been widowed and left with a young daughter to provide for. Rather than risking love, she has no plans to marry again until she meets Nash Overton, a self-made man who sees Julia as the perfect match for him and the perfect mother for his won daughter, as well. Julianna is not so convention-bound as to worry about Nash's working class background as much as she is unwilling to risk her heart on a second chance at love. Will he convince her otherwise?

THE PIRATE’S DUCHESS by KATHERINE BONE -

Prudence has buried her first husband, only to be liberated on the occasion of her 2nd wedding by none other than her "deceased" husband, also know as The Black Regent, a notorious pirate. In true Robin Hood fashion, Pru must be rescued & convinced of the necessity of her husband's ruse, as well as being convinced of his true love.

HER SCANDALOUS WISH by COLLETTE CAMERON

Philomena and Bradford have to overcome not only emotional scars from his unknowing abandonment of Philomena, but physical scarring as well. In spite of misunderstandings and past betrayal, these two must take the risk of finding and appreciating true love.

MILADY AND HER SPY by JILLIAN CHANTEL

I truly enjoyed the unconventional heroine and the dedicated spy who quickly came to appreciate her courage and spirit without being blinded by convention. Definitely a great read!

KISSED BY A SCOTTISH ROGUE by SAMANTHA GRACE

Fergus and Edith both come from servants' backgrounds and initially loathe each other. Through Fergus' (surprisingly!) patience, he's able to help Edith overcome the tragedy of her beginnings and convince her to take a risk.


STOLEN KISSES FROM THE VISCOUNT by ALANNA LUCAS

Aveline's greatest fear is to marry and a rake and have a disastrous relationship like her parents. Lord Leybourne is a bit of a rogue, reformed out of necessity, who desperately wants to convince Aveline to give his a chance to prove himself. Can they overcome their fears and live happily ever after?

TEMPTED BY A ROGUE by LAUREN SMITH

One would think that perhaps Lauren Smith's "rogue" in Tempted by a Rogue would be obvious from the outset: our intrepid heroine's childhood love who has been away in the Royal Navy. Thanks to his revelation as a totally selfish and spoiled brat, our heroine has the opportunity to find the true love offered by his "roguish" and best friend who has revealed his devotion to her in a surprising way over his years at sea. As always, a delightful HEA with lots of chuckles & spice added to the mix!

THE REDEMPTION OF JULIAN PRICE by VICTORIA VANE

Vane is new to me, and I usually approach the friends-to-lovers path with some trepidation. Henrietta and Julian have a past, and Henrietta's willingness to see beyond the past to the man Julian really is makes for a delicious and entertaining romance.

[Lacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical romance analogy was thoroughly engaging and dangerous. The book was engaging because each story sucked me in. It was dangerous because I am now adding these author’s previous books to my always growing to read list. I read this book because I am a big fan of Alanna Lucas. The other authors were new to me and I am so glad that I was introduced to them with this collection of stories. There was a widow finding new love, a pirate, mistaken death, spies, a Scottish rogue, saved by true love’s kiss, love through letters, and childhood friends. Each story was well written, had witty characters, sexy men, and reeled you in within the first chapter. I loved the endings and the journeys that I took to get there.
I will definitely be recommending this book to my family and friends.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like most boxed sets, some of these appealed to me more than others.The writing is universally good. and most are far above the normal run of romance books. It is a bargain and well worth the purchase.

Her Scandalous Wish, with its second chance theme, and Kissed by a Scottish Rogue, with its unusual hero and heroine, both struck a strong emotional chord with me. I think I'm in love with Fergus McTaggart, the steward of Aldmist Fell. Neither has explicit sex although some of the others do. The Redemption of Julian Price, with particularly strong character development for a novella, absorbed me also.

Well done authors, all seven of you!

For full disclosure: I read an advance reader copy.

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

True love

What a nice collection of romance. On the whole I enjoyed all the stories but my fav's were the ball by Colette Cameron and the pirate story byCatherine Bone. I would definitely give those stories 5 stars. A couple of the of the stories were tedious and I would give them only 3 stars but the rest were solid 4 stars. A definite must read.

[Toula · Rating 5 out of 5]

A box set with 8 award winning historical authors . It's a steal for 99cents . Each other has their own story . But they plead so perfectly together . From a second chance at love . To a pirate and a Duke and Duchess . To a lady spy with 2 spymasters. To a lady that thought she was writing to her young love . To a young lord that came back from the war and his relatives had lost everything

[Vonnie Alto · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was gifted a copy of this anthology. "Her Scandalous Wish" by Collette Cameron is an engaging Regency tale of love lost and found amid the romance of shooting stars, true love kisses, scandalous wishes, waltzes, flowers, and moonbeams. The author skillfully creates a fast paced, quick witted read with a fun ending. It will cast its charm upon your heart.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and a delightful way to lose several hours

A good collection of short love stories, some poignant, some a bit humorous, but all satisfying. Grab a glass of wine or a cup of tea, curl up and be transported with these swoon worthy love stories. There are several authors that I will now be looking out for other of their books.

[Ann Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This set of eight short stories is fantastic. The authors are very talented. A few of the stories seemed a bit rushed, but that is usually how short stories are. My only complaint with any of the stories that I would have preferred them to be longer. I'm not going to review each story or give away any of the best parts. The characters were all well written. I highly recommend this box set to any Regency romance fan.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5.0

All the tales in this anthology are well researched (a must when writing in any historical setting), with clothing, manners, and descriptions suitable to their times.

Read full review in the 2016 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this anthology! I have read ones before that I only liked a few of the stories.Not this one! Everyone of the stories held my interest and makes me want to read the authors other books. I highly recommend this collection of stories.

[Kimberly Westrope · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of historical romance. There is something for everyone in this collection - rogues, rakes, pirates, kidnappings, intrigue, romance, and so much more. Most of the authors I had never read before, but I thoroughly enjoyed all the stories.

[L JONES · Rating 4 out of 5]

April 2023

Basically a good collection of stories some better than others, some smut but fairly good plots and characters although some were rather short

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had received a copy in exchange for a review but I enjoyed this anthology and ended up purchasing a copy.

This anthology was a great way for me to read authors whose work I had not read before. There is a good variety in the types of stories as well as heat levels in this anthology.

Some of the stories were touching such as Julie Johnstone's, After Forever and Collette Cameron's, Her Scandalous Wish. I've read Collette Cameron before and I've never been disappointed. Julie Johnstone's book about risking love after profound loss was also excellent.

Other stories were lighthearted. I did enjoy reading Samantha Grace's, Kissed by a Scottish Rogue. I've never read any of her stories before but found her characters to be lively and unique. The interaction between Fergus and Edith in this story kept me reading to see what would happen next between them

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

After forever: 4 stars.
Nash <3 Julianne. Sweet and romantic short story. Bridging the class divide on couple at a time.

The pirate's duchess: 1 star.
The heroine, Prudence, was just to stupid to love and she kept overreacting to everything. The hero just wouldn't sit down and explain everything like a normal human being. =(.Did not finish. Sorry to say i skipped to the epilogue. Giving it one star because it had an epilogue.

Her scandalous wish: 4,5 stars.
A wonderfully sad and romantic story of true, everlasting love.

Milady and her spy: 3,5 stars.
A cute story, in spite of instant love and some inconsistency with the language and manners of the era. A kick ass heroine who stands up for her self and a hero who loves her.

Kissed by a scottish rouge: 5 stars.
Oh, what a lovely short story about love downstairs in a scottish castle. A two for one love story. Just perfect. Will be reading more from this author.

Stolen kisses from the viscount: 4 stars.
An enjoyable read. Heroine needs to wed within 3 months or go live with her horrible uncle. Hero needs to marry an heiress because of his father gabling debts. Problems ensue. Lovely read, a bit steamy.

Tempted by a rogue: 2 stars.
DNF at 50%. It was sometimes cute, but the heroine and hero gave me whiplash and the whole setup seemed completely improbable.

The redemption of Julian Price: Did not read, need to take a break. Maybe i'll come back to it.