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When a Child is Born: A Regency Yuletide Collection
"A baby changes everything especially at Christmas!"
War-weary Baron Paxton is on his way home to celebrate a peaceful holiday with his family. But when he finds an abandoned baby in his carriage with a note telling him the child is his there s no peace to be had in "Child of Mine?" by Virginia Brown
Ladies maid Adelaide Rowland finds herself on a Yuletide adventure, fleeing her home with her mistress s child, in "What Child Is This" by Jo Ann Ferguson. But what happens when her mistress doesn t meet her, as arranged? And a very curious and handsome gentleman takes a personal interest in her "and" the little girl?
In "Through the Eyes of a Child" by Karen Frisch, Annabelle Sedgewick s hope of having a family of her own disappeared when her husband was killed in battle. But while en route to her cousin s home for Christmas, she gets a Christmas proposal from her battle-scarred first love and the baby boy he s just inherited!
In "Baby s First Christmas," by Sharon Sobel, newly widowed Marianne Westlyme expects her young son s first Christmas to be a somber affair until her best friend arrives to brighten things up her bookish, but irresistible, brother in tow. Little does Marianne guess she ll want to give her son a new father for Christmas!"
War-weary Baron Paxton is on his way home to celebrate a peaceful holiday with his family. But when he finds an abandoned baby in his carriage with a note telling him the child is his there s no peace to be had in "Child of Mine?" by Virginia Brown
Ladies maid Adelaide Rowland finds herself on a Yuletide adventure, fleeing her home with her mistress s child, in "What Child Is This" by Jo Ann Ferguson. But what happens when her mistress doesn t meet her, as arranged? And a very curious and handsome gentleman takes a personal interest in her "and" the little girl?
In "Through the Eyes of a Child" by Karen Frisch, Annabelle Sedgewick s hope of having a family of her own disappeared when her husband was killed in battle. But while en route to her cousin s home for Christmas, she gets a Christmas proposal from her battle-scarred first love and the baby boy he s just inherited!
In "Baby s First Christmas," by Sharon Sobel, newly widowed Marianne Westlyme expects her young son s first Christmas to be a somber affair until her best friend arrives to brighten things up her bookish, but irresistible, brother in tow. Little does Marianne guess she ll want to give her son a new father for Christmas!"
542 pages, Hardcover
Published November 16, 2016
20 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Brown
104 books107 followersSince writing her first romance novel in 1984, Virginia Brown has written nearly 50 romance novels. Many of her books have been nominated for Romantic Times' Reviewer's Choice, Career Achievement Award for Love and Laughter, and Career Achievement Award for Adventure. Her works regularly appear on national bestseller lists. Having written under several different names about historical eras such as the old West, Regency-era, and the American Civil War, she now writes under a new pseudonym, Juliana Garnett, to focus upon the medieval era.
A native of Tennessee, Virginia spent her childhood traveling with her parents as a "military brat,” living all over the US and in Japan. This influenced her love of travel and adventure, which is reflected in her work.
Twice a year, Virginia visits England to research her novels, and includes Scotland in her travels. She feels this adds a new dimension to her work, and enables her to more authentically impart the true flavor of the geographical and historical sites.
In addition to appearing on the nationally syndicated television program What's Hot, What's Not, Virginia Brown has been interviewed by Jane Pauley on the Today Show, and regularly appears on local television and radio shows in addition to coverage by the press. She also experienced a first for a romance writer by appearing on the cover of Memphis, the magazine.
Virginia is the mother of four grown children, and now enjoys her menagerie of dogs that includes a fat beagle, two part-chows, a hound and five cats. As the grandmother of three lovely children, one of her greatest pleasures these days is visiting with Justin, Christina, and Gaby.
A native of Tennessee, Virginia spent her childhood traveling with her parents as a "military brat,” living all over the US and in Japan. This influenced her love of travel and adventure, which is reflected in her work.
Twice a year, Virginia visits England to research her novels, and includes Scotland in her travels. She feels this adds a new dimension to her work, and enables her to more authentically impart the true flavor of the geographical and historical sites.
In addition to appearing on the nationally syndicated television program What's Hot, What's Not, Virginia Brown has been interviewed by Jane Pauley on the Today Show, and regularly appears on local television and radio shows in addition to coverage by the press. She also experienced a first for a romance writer by appearing on the cover of Memphis, the magazine.
Virginia is the mother of four grown children, and now enjoys her menagerie of dogs that includes a fat beagle, two part-chows, a hound and five cats. As the grandmother of three lovely children, one of her greatest pleasures these days is visiting with Justin, Christina, and Gaby.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 12, 2021
Anthology including babies & romance. I skipped 1 story.
1) Child of Mine by Virginia Brown 4 stars of 5.
A baron & former soldier discovered a baby in a basket
in his carriage. He & his family vowed to find the baby's
mama. 1 minor character w/ consumption was given
shelter. Doubtful this would have happened b/c of fear
of exposure. The H + h re-discovered each other as adults.
3) Through the Eyes of a Child by Karen Frisch 2.5 stars.
This featured a viscount/former army captain (injured in
war) whose commanding officer and wife died in war. They
left their infant son for him to raise. The H + h ruminated
too much about past sorrows & forgiveness. She had a poor
understanding of the nature of war. I liked him better than
her. The superficial h pictured the H whole again. Her
selfish ways exhausted me. He deserved a better woman.
4) Baby's 1st Christmas by Sharon Sobel 3 stars.
A friend + her academic brother (an earl) spent Christmas
w/ Marianne (widowed 1 yr) and her infant son. This had
near insta-love. This was baby's 1st Christmas, he'd been
born in the Spring and Dad never met him. So the time-line
was wrong? Or baby learned to talk at 8-9 months?
1) Child of Mine by Virginia Brown 4 stars of 5.
A baron & former soldier discovered a baby in a basket
in his carriage. He & his family vowed to find the baby's
mama. 1 minor character w/ consumption was given
shelter. Doubtful this would have happened b/c of fear
of exposure. The H + h re-discovered each other as adults.
3) Through the Eyes of a Child by Karen Frisch 2.5 stars.
This featured a viscount/former army captain (injured in
war) whose commanding officer and wife died in war. They
left their infant son for him to raise. The H + h ruminated
too much about past sorrows & forgiveness. She had a poor
understanding of the nature of war. I liked him better than
her. The superficial h pictured the H whole again. Her
selfish ways exhausted me. He deserved a better woman.
4) Baby's 1st Christmas by Sharon Sobel 3 stars.
A friend + her academic brother (an earl) spent Christmas
w/ Marianne (widowed 1 yr) and her infant son. This had
near insta-love. This was baby's 1st Christmas, he'd been
born in the Spring and Dad never met him. So the time-line
was wrong? Or baby learned to talk at 8-9 months?
January 10, 2016
I lovely way to pass a winter's evening. All of these romances are a bit terse with interior emotions but the historical details, steady heartbeat of love you can believe in, and babies of all kinds make it a good read.
I especially like the lack of Dukes in these short stories and diversity of the troupe found here.
I was given this book for my honest review. So, there you have it.
I especially like the lack of Dukes in these short stories and diversity of the troupe found here.
I was given this book for my honest review. So, there you have it.
January 10, 2016
The concept was promising but the delivery was poor - Mary Balogh explored this theme brilliantly in one of her wonderful Signet Regency Christmas anthologies and all of these stories were lacklustre in comparison.
February 18, 2023
Most of these were pretty meh and I only liked the final novella.
Child of Mine: 2.5 ⭐️
What Child is This: DNF, I simply can’t get into stories that involve princelings from made up European principalities.
Through the Eyes of a Child: 2 ⭐️
Couldn’t stand the heroine, not much romance, hero spent very little time with his brand new ward which honestly is part of the draw of this trope so what was the point ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Baby’s First Christmas: 3 ⭐️
The only one of the bunch that I actually enjoyed. Love a quiet nerdy hero.
Child of Mine: 2.5 ⭐️
What Child is This: DNF, I simply can’t get into stories that involve princelings from made up European principalities.
Through the Eyes of a Child: 2 ⭐️
Couldn’t stand the heroine, not much romance, hero spent very little time with his brand new ward which honestly is part of the draw of this trope so what was the point ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Baby’s First Christmas: 3 ⭐️
The only one of the bunch that I actually enjoyed. Love a quiet nerdy hero.
December 27, 2021
Wonderful collection
I loved the theme of this anthology and enjoyed the varied ways these authors incorporated it in their Christmas tales. This was great book to read during this holiday season.
I loved the theme of this anthology and enjoyed the varied ways these authors incorporated it in their Christmas tales. This was great book to read during this holiday season.
December 15, 2015
When a Child is born is a collection of short stories set in Regency England during the magical Christmas season and with each involving the love of a child. The authors of these Regency Christmas stories are Virginia Brown, Jo Ann Ferguson, Karen Frisch, and Sharon Sobel. Christmas stories set during Regency England are heartwarming for me as I picture a time where Christ and the message of good will toward me is the focus of the season and the commercial gift giving hasn’t taken over.
Child of Mine? by Virginia Brown
Notice the question mark at the end of the title? It gives you a clue as to the story. Robert Bray, Baron Braxton is on his way home when he hears the sounds of what appears to be a kitten in his carriage, but the search uncovers a baby instead. Robert Bray immediately has his carriage turned around to discover the parents of the child but when none are to be found he decides to visit the local vicarage. While explaining the situation a startling surprise awaits the Baron as a note is uncovered naming him the father! With no choice until the Mother can be found, he must make the long tedious trip home with the babe.
Declaring his innocence doesn’t get him far with his family. The one constant ally he has is Miss Clare Seaton a family friend who has grown up to be lovely woman in the now opened eyes of Robert. As the family searches for the missing Mother, Robert and Clare are thrown together at every opportunity. When the circumstances of the baby’s parentage are revealed, Robert takes matters in hand. Will Clare agree with Robert’s decision and will she accept the role of being his Baroness?
What Child is This? By Jo Ann Ferguson
A story that gives us not only the Christmas season but also mystery and spies! Adelaide is a servant, one that is bit more outspoken than what is considered acceptable. When the Lady Norah asks her to take her baby, Lily, to Stonehall-on-Sea she goes with the orders to not reveal Lily’s true name, trust no one and to never give up a locket she gives her and to wait for her. Knowing she is being followed, Adelaide creates a lie to help her hide from those who are following her and Lily and quickly blends herself in with the locals. She never counted on meeting Theodore West.
Theodore West has his own secrets to hide. West is secretly trailing smugglers and trying to figure out how Adelaide fits in. He knows she is hiding something, but can’t figure her out. When the smugglers become more violent will he be able to solve the mystery in time to save Adelaide? Will he convince her he has fallen in love with her and will she be able to accept who he truly is?
Through the Eyes of a Child by Karen Frisch
Edmund Hadleigh, Viscount Tyndale has returned home from the war and finds himself thrown together with the one woman he will always love but married another man. Annabelle Sedgwick has and will always love Edmund, but when faced with he chose staying to fight in the war over coming back to her, she felt he didn’t love her enough and married another.
Edmund receives a surprising Christmas present….his friend and commanding officer and his wife were killed and left their son in his care. Knowing he cannot raise the boy without a Mother for him he begins to look for a wife even though no one will compare to Annabelle. Annabelle has always wanted children but never had them with her short marriage to her late husband, so when the baby arrives she is more than happy to take care of him and the two bond as if Mother and son. Will Edmund separate the baby from his one true love and keep himself closed off from her forever?
In this Christmas tale an orphan baby brings together two strong stubborn people who love each other but have allowed past hurts keep them apart.
Baby’s First Christmas by Sharon Sobel
Josiah Hampshire, Earl of Kingston, is a bit of recluse. He works for the Foreign Service by providing maps and has developed a nasty habit of closing off the rest of the world. His sister Liliana is done watching him do so. It is Christmas and she has accepted an invitation for them to spend the holidays with her best friend Marianne Westlyme.
Countess of Lashton, Marianne Westlyme, is alone for the holidays but for her infant son. She married her husband out of love, but quickly found he loved lots of women which ended in his drunken death during a duel before her son was born. When Liliana accepts her invitation, Marianne is surprised that her brother Josiah accompanies her. Having met Josiah before, her time with him during the holiday’s shows her recollections of him did not serve him justice. When a near tragedy with son has Josiah and Marianne admitting their developing feelings an unexpected twist in the family history may put a stop to everything. Can the magic of the mistletoe be enough for Josiah and Marianne?
A heartfelt holiday anthology to enjoy for the Christmas with authors that always give an enjoy story. These authors are all ones that I have enjoyed time and again.
Received an ARC copy in exchange for my review.
Child of Mine? by Virginia Brown
Notice the question mark at the end of the title? It gives you a clue as to the story. Robert Bray, Baron Braxton is on his way home when he hears the sounds of what appears to be a kitten in his carriage, but the search uncovers a baby instead. Robert Bray immediately has his carriage turned around to discover the parents of the child but when none are to be found he decides to visit the local vicarage. While explaining the situation a startling surprise awaits the Baron as a note is uncovered naming him the father! With no choice until the Mother can be found, he must make the long tedious trip home with the babe.
Declaring his innocence doesn’t get him far with his family. The one constant ally he has is Miss Clare Seaton a family friend who has grown up to be lovely woman in the now opened eyes of Robert. As the family searches for the missing Mother, Robert and Clare are thrown together at every opportunity. When the circumstances of the baby’s parentage are revealed, Robert takes matters in hand. Will Clare agree with Robert’s decision and will she accept the role of being his Baroness?
What Child is This? By Jo Ann Ferguson
A story that gives us not only the Christmas season but also mystery and spies! Adelaide is a servant, one that is bit more outspoken than what is considered acceptable. When the Lady Norah asks her to take her baby, Lily, to Stonehall-on-Sea she goes with the orders to not reveal Lily’s true name, trust no one and to never give up a locket she gives her and to wait for her. Knowing she is being followed, Adelaide creates a lie to help her hide from those who are following her and Lily and quickly blends herself in with the locals. She never counted on meeting Theodore West.
Theodore West has his own secrets to hide. West is secretly trailing smugglers and trying to figure out how Adelaide fits in. He knows she is hiding something, but can’t figure her out. When the smugglers become more violent will he be able to solve the mystery in time to save Adelaide? Will he convince her he has fallen in love with her and will she be able to accept who he truly is?
Through the Eyes of a Child by Karen Frisch
Edmund Hadleigh, Viscount Tyndale has returned home from the war and finds himself thrown together with the one woman he will always love but married another man. Annabelle Sedgwick has and will always love Edmund, but when faced with he chose staying to fight in the war over coming back to her, she felt he didn’t love her enough and married another.
Edmund receives a surprising Christmas present….his friend and commanding officer and his wife were killed and left their son in his care. Knowing he cannot raise the boy without a Mother for him he begins to look for a wife even though no one will compare to Annabelle. Annabelle has always wanted children but never had them with her short marriage to her late husband, so when the baby arrives she is more than happy to take care of him and the two bond as if Mother and son. Will Edmund separate the baby from his one true love and keep himself closed off from her forever?
In this Christmas tale an orphan baby brings together two strong stubborn people who love each other but have allowed past hurts keep them apart.
Baby’s First Christmas by Sharon Sobel
Josiah Hampshire, Earl of Kingston, is a bit of recluse. He works for the Foreign Service by providing maps and has developed a nasty habit of closing off the rest of the world. His sister Liliana is done watching him do so. It is Christmas and she has accepted an invitation for them to spend the holidays with her best friend Marianne Westlyme.
Countess of Lashton, Marianne Westlyme, is alone for the holidays but for her infant son. She married her husband out of love, but quickly found he loved lots of women which ended in his drunken death during a duel before her son was born. When Liliana accepts her invitation, Marianne is surprised that her brother Josiah accompanies her. Having met Josiah before, her time with him during the holiday’s shows her recollections of him did not serve him justice. When a near tragedy with son has Josiah and Marianne admitting their developing feelings an unexpected twist in the family history may put a stop to everything. Can the magic of the mistletoe be enough for Josiah and Marianne?
A heartfelt holiday anthology to enjoy for the Christmas with authors that always give an enjoy story. These authors are all ones that I have enjoyed time and again.
Received an ARC copy in exchange for my review.
February 2, 2016
Four different stories are told by four different authors. The only connecting theme is the baby that appears to them around Christmas time and the time period that the story is set. Each story is a romance story that tells about the chaos, blessing, and love that comes from having a child join the family.
I enjoyed each of these stories. The focus was mainly on the romance and the baby. But each story had a little extra with the secondary characters and the setting. The authors also did a great job with the plot lines in the limited setting of a novella. I would definitely read more by each of these authors based on these stories.
I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed each of these stories. The focus was mainly on the romance and the baby. But each story had a little extra with the secondary characters and the setting. The authors also did a great job with the plot lines in the limited setting of a novella. I would definitely read more by each of these authors based on these stories.
I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
February 13, 2016
This is a multiple books in one (about 300 pages).. they are short second chance at love stories that I really enjoyed. It is a really nice to have a book that gives us a second chance at love and also will give a good Christmas story too! I would recommend this is you need a quick Christmas story pick me up. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
December 30, 2015
A delightful Christmas anthology
A well written, varied collection of novellas that is the perfect way to spend a post-Christmas day. I am delighted to have discovered some new authors and look forward to spending more time in their company.
A well written, varied collection of novellas that is the perfect way to spend a post-Christmas day. I am delighted to have discovered some new authors and look forward to spending more time in their company.
December 15, 2015
Half of these stories were ok, half were a bit of a reach. As a woman in the sixth month of pregnancy, I'm a sucker for a good baby story.
September 4, 2016
Great read!
I love Christmas books for the feelings of hope and joy they evoke. If you enjoy historical romance, you'll love this book!
I love Christmas books for the feelings of hope and joy they evoke. If you enjoy historical romance, you'll love this book!
January 10, 2017
4 novellas; some better than others, but none great, imho.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews