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The Hallaway Family #0.5 Once Upon a Ball
Marquesses at the Masquerade
An unmarried marquess is a sorry creature. Hounded by matchmakers, waltzed off his handsome feet by debutantes, importuned by impoverished relations and impecunious friends... How he wishes he could be somebody else, if only for one night. Grace Burrowes, Susanna Ives, and Emily Greenwood team up to present three novellas, each of which features a marquess who attends a masquerade ball for all the wrong reasons, and finds that true love can see through any disguise.
404 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 17, 2018
110 people are currently reading
277 people want to read
About the author
Grace Burrowes
191 books2,939 followersGrace Burrowes started writing as an antidote to empty nest and soon found it an antidote to life in general. She is the sixth out of seven children, raised in the rural surrounds of central Pennsylvania. Early in life she spent a lot of time reading romance novels and practicing the piano. Her first career was as a technical writer and editor in the Washington, DC, area, a busy job that nonetheless left enough time to read a lot of romance novels.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 23, 2018
Once upon a Ball by Emily Greenwood - 2* - Good Story till the ending ruined it for me.
Only unto him - Susanna Ives -2* - Very forgettable - I read this yesterday and I have already had to look up the story twice because I couldn't remember anything about it.
The Governess and the Norse God - Grace Burrowes - superb like always from Grace Burrowes - she is definitely an author par excellence - 5+ stars.
Only unto him - Susanna Ives -2* - Very forgettable - I read this yesterday and I have already had to look up the story twice because I couldn't remember anything about it.
The Governess and the Norse God - Grace Burrowes - superb like always from Grace Burrowes - she is definitely an author par excellence - 5+ stars.
April 19, 2018
I bought this book because I love everything Grace Burrowes pens. And once again Grace does not disappoint. Her story The Governess and the Norse God has all the elements that I love about her plots - entirely realistic characters, gentle humor, sparkling dialogue and a love story that evolves along an entirely natural path.
So, I read her story first and then swung back to the start. After reading a charming novella, Once Upon a Ball by Emily Greenwood, I arrived at Only Unto Him which I realized was the most perfect little gem of a story by Susanna Ives.
Two souls damaged by unrequited love and abandonment meet and form a friendship of sorts. They do not recognize love when it creeps up on them. Exmoor and Annalise are human in a way that is surprisingly rare in romance books. They do not pretend to be anything other than what they are - souls in pain. There is no haughty marquess here - although he does throw an aristocratic tantrum every now then. He is a man who believes he has found safety in his 'friend' Annalise's arms. And Annalise is just fatigued by loss.
The brilliance of Susanna Ives writing is such that not a word, not a scene is superfluous. The emotions of the two main characters come forth with such incisive clarity that I at times thought myself in Exmoor's head and at times in Annalise's.
What an achingly beautiful portrayal of love!
So, I read her story first and then swung back to the start. After reading a charming novella, Once Upon a Ball by Emily Greenwood, I arrived at Only Unto Him which I realized was the most perfect little gem of a story by Susanna Ives.
Two souls damaged by unrequited love and abandonment meet and form a friendship of sorts. They do not recognize love when it creeps up on them. Exmoor and Annalise are human in a way that is surprisingly rare in romance books. They do not pretend to be anything other than what they are - souls in pain. There is no haughty marquess here - although he does throw an aristocratic tantrum every now then. He is a man who believes he has found safety in his 'friend' Annalise's arms. And Annalise is just fatigued by loss.
The brilliance of Susanna Ives writing is such that not a word, not a scene is superfluous. The emotions of the two main characters come forth with such incisive clarity that I at times thought myself in Exmoor's head and at times in Annalise's.
What an achingly beautiful portrayal of love!
March 5, 2020
This is the third collaboration of Greenwood, Ives and Burrowes written around a theme. Ives contribution is the most outstanding contribution of the three, deserving four stars. The story of Annalise and her marquess is a poignant and sweet relationship between two grieving people with a history that made them enemies finding laughter and light with each other after three years in the dark. Greenwood’s was initially disappointing, one of dozens of romance writers who have done their version of the Cinderella story. The first half of the story was formulaic, but the second half had an enjoyable twist with her hero Marcus hiring his Cinderella Rosamund as a companion to his lap dog puppy Socrates. Laughs and doggy adorableness ensues. I read the anthology primarily for Burrowes. Her entry was a sweet take on the single parent-governess romance, but it felt like a rerun. Lately Burrowes has been specializing in romances about couples who are a little older with more life experience, and I have enjoyed her novels all the more for it; however, this novella, while enjoyable as Burrowes usually is, felt like a variation of several stories she’s already told—though I loved the Viking theme she used well the whole way through. Hammer time!
April 24, 2018
Susanna Ives's story was the best of the bunch.
December 27, 2018
Fun stories and I especially like Grace Burrowes’ one the best.
April 29, 2018
I read romance for the escapism, which is why I prefer historicals to contemporaries—they’re the closest thing I can get to time travel. Marquesses at the Masquerade was doubly appealing because all the novellas took place at a masquerade ball, that most magical and liminal of spaces, where tricks of the light often provoke tricks of the heart. I loved the mythic connotations of all the stories, especially the appearance of Ariadne’s story in the second novella, “Only Unto Him,” which deftly played up the theme of young immature infatuation versus deep abiding true love (appropriate since both those stories share themes of grief and obsession, dissolution and rebirth, and ultimately passion and joy). A sweetly seductive collection.
June 8, 2020
Once Upon a ball by Emily Greenwood
Rosamund Shufflebottom has been relegated to being the seamstress for her aunt and cousins. The night before a big ball held by the Marquess of Boxham, they force her to stay up almost all night. But her uncle presents her with a ball gown and her own pearl necklace which her aunt demanded as payment for taking Rosamund in. And Rosamund gets to attend the ball where she meets the Marquess but also loses the pearl necklace. Her aunt finds out and casts her out of the house.
Two and a half stars - Rosamund was described as a firebrand but we never really see it or the reasons why the Marquess would fall in love with her. Yes, it's a Cinderella story but so short that there's not much built out from that bare bones beginning.
Only Unto Him by Susanna Ives
Lord Exmore knows that Miss Annalise Van Der Keer is not right for his cousin. And he tells her so in no uncertain terms, sending her from London. Three years later, she is back but the circumstances have changed. She is no longer so silly, having nursed her parents while they were dying and he is no longer held in regard, having gone off the rails after his wife died.
But then he sees Annalise in a print shop and realizes that she's changed. And with his own changes, maybe something they could work on.
The first part of the story, Annalise and Exmore moving from enemies to friends was captivating. It sort of fell apart when they got married and the Big Misunderstanding but the first three quarters was quite delightful.
Three and a half stars
The Governess and the Norse God by Grace Burrowes
Darien St. Ives, Marquess of Tyne, loves his daughters and is grateful that his newest nanny, Lucy, has been able to help cheer them since the death of their mother. Lucy is forthright and humble, the perfect nanny. And when they both attend the same masquerade, it opens his eyes to the fact that she may just be his perfect woman.
There was a subplot of a love triangle that didn't need to be there in such a short story but overall an enjoyable read.
Three and a half stars
Rosamund Shufflebottom has been relegated to being the seamstress for her aunt and cousins. The night before a big ball held by the Marquess of Boxham, they force her to stay up almost all night. But her uncle presents her with a ball gown and her own pearl necklace which her aunt demanded as payment for taking Rosamund in. And Rosamund gets to attend the ball where she meets the Marquess but also loses the pearl necklace. Her aunt finds out and casts her out of the house.
Two and a half stars - Rosamund was described as a firebrand but we never really see it or the reasons why the Marquess would fall in love with her. Yes, it's a Cinderella story but so short that there's not much built out from that bare bones beginning.
Only Unto Him by Susanna Ives
Lord Exmore knows that Miss Annalise Van Der Keer is not right for his cousin. And he tells her so in no uncertain terms, sending her from London. Three years later, she is back but the circumstances have changed. She is no longer so silly, having nursed her parents while they were dying and he is no longer held in regard, having gone off the rails after his wife died.
But then he sees Annalise in a print shop and realizes that she's changed. And with his own changes, maybe something they could work on.
The first part of the story, Annalise and Exmore moving from enemies to friends was captivating. It sort of fell apart when they got married and the Big Misunderstanding but the first three quarters was quite delightful.
Three and a half stars
The Governess and the Norse God by Grace Burrowes
Darien St. Ives, Marquess of Tyne, loves his daughters and is grateful that his newest nanny, Lucy, has been able to help cheer them since the death of their mother. Lucy is forthright and humble, the perfect nanny. And when they both attend the same masquerade, it opens his eyes to the fact that she may just be his perfect woman.
There was a subplot of a love triangle that didn't need to be there in such a short story but overall an enjoyable read.
Three and a half stars
June 30, 2020
3 stories in one volume all taking place at the Boxhaven Ball.
Once Upon a Ball by Emily Greenwood - Marcus Hallaway the Marquess beleaguered by his matchmaking mother to hold yet another ball finds his own romance with a Cinderella heroine called Rosamund Shufflebottom aka Poppy! A humorous and romantic tale and hugely enjoyable thanks to his adorable puppy presented to him by his mother! Really enjoyed this one. My favourite of the 3.
Only Unto Him by Susanna Ives - the story of outwardly 2 opposite personalities at the start of the novella Lord Exmoor and Annalise Van Der Keer whom he separates from his young cousin Patrick; meeting again 3 years later to discover how much they have in common, a friendship develops into romance for them both. Quite enjoyable in its genre.
The Governess and the Norse God by Grace Burrowes - the story of the widowed Darien St Ives, Marquess of Tyne, his daughters Sylvie and Amanda, and their Governess Miss Lucy Fletcher.
I enjoyed it.
Once Upon a Ball by Emily Greenwood - Marcus Hallaway the Marquess beleaguered by his matchmaking mother to hold yet another ball finds his own romance with a Cinderella heroine called Rosamund Shufflebottom aka Poppy! A humorous and romantic tale and hugely enjoyable thanks to his adorable puppy presented to him by his mother! Really enjoyed this one. My favourite of the 3.
Only Unto Him by Susanna Ives - the story of outwardly 2 opposite personalities at the start of the novella Lord Exmoor and Annalise Van Der Keer whom he separates from his young cousin Patrick; meeting again 3 years later to discover how much they have in common, a friendship develops into romance for them both. Quite enjoyable in its genre.
The Governess and the Norse God by Grace Burrowes - the story of the widowed Darien St Ives, Marquess of Tyne, his daughters Sylvie and Amanda, and their Governess Miss Lucy Fletcher.
I enjoyed it.
April 23, 2018
Three Marquess attend a masquerade ball with varying results. This book is three separate stories by three different authors.
Grace Burrowes is on my must-buy list, and I loved her story here of the widower Marquess of Tyne who dresses as Thor (complete with sledgehammer) for the masquerade and finds his own Valkyrie. I also loved Susanna Ives story of the Marquess of Exmore and Annalise Van Der Keer who both find that love is best the second time around. I enjoyed Emily Greenwood's retelling of Cinderella though I found the plot somewhat improbable for Regency times.
All in all, another very fine collection from these ladies.
Grace Burrowes is on my must-buy list, and I loved her story here of the widower Marquess of Tyne who dresses as Thor (complete with sledgehammer) for the masquerade and finds his own Valkyrie. I also loved Susanna Ives story of the Marquess of Exmore and Annalise Van Der Keer who both find that love is best the second time around. I enjoyed Emily Greenwood's retelling of Cinderella though I found the plot somewhat improbable for Regency times.
All in all, another very fine collection from these ladies.
May 29, 2018
Once Upon a Ball by Emily Greenwood
3.5/5
Cinderella story (if Cinderella was a dog-walker)
My favorite line was from this one "I love you, and I don't care if your name is Shufflebottom, Fingerpuller, or Jellyleg."
Only Unto Him by Susanna Ives
4.5/5
Widower falls for the former dingbat he convinced his nephew to ditch. After time spent nursing her dying parents the former dingbat shows great maturity, but no one in London can see it except the hero.
The Governess and the Norse God by Grace Burrowes
4.5/5
Stuffy politician/Marquess/widower/Thor falls for his governess who specializes in grieving children, conveniently.
3.5/5
Cinderella story (if Cinderella was a dog-walker)
My favorite line was from this one "I love you, and I don't care if your name is Shufflebottom, Fingerpuller, or Jellyleg."
Only Unto Him by Susanna Ives
4.5/5
Widower falls for the former dingbat he convinced his nephew to ditch. After time spent nursing her dying parents the former dingbat shows great maturity, but no one in London can see it except the hero.
The Governess and the Norse God by Grace Burrowes
4.5/5
Stuffy politician/Marquess/widower/Thor falls for his governess who specializes in grieving children, conveniently.
April 18, 2018
This is another fantastic book. I love the novels Grace does with other authors & this did not disappoint. I hope these type of books continue.
Each couple are fantastic in their own right & although they have the same premise the authors make them individual to be great in their own right but follow enough to make an amazing set.
I can’t wait for the next one.
Each couple are fantastic in their own right & although they have the same premise the authors make them individual to be great in their own right but follow enough to make an amazing set.
I can’t wait for the next one.
May 16, 2018
4 stars for Grace Burrows
The first story was a Cinderella remake with a tortured plot. The 2nd story had great dialogue but I’m not sure if I liked or cared for the main characters. Grace Burrows story had her distinctive writing style, likable hero, heroine and children and one arrogant ex.
The first story was a Cinderella remake with a tortured plot. The 2nd story had great dialogue but I’m not sure if I liked or cared for the main characters. Grace Burrows story had her distinctive writing style, likable hero, heroine and children and one arrogant ex.
July 28, 2018
Three lovely ladies combining their years of experience and unique writing styles to entertain reader. Each story starts at the ball and ends in marriage. They each put their spin on the tales but #2 written by Ms. Ives was the most poignant. That might make you cry a little. The first one is fun and the final one is witty and charming. Excellent trio of stories.
January 15, 2019
Too many Americanism in the first book
The 1at book was too bad if you discount the American words which spoilt the flow
2nd book has already faded
Grace Burrowed book which is reason why bought this was disappointing
Made me get out my Georgette Heyer books and lose myself in a real Regency tale
The 1at book was too bad if you discount the American words which spoilt the flow
2nd book has already faded
Grace Burrowed book which is reason why bought this was disappointing
Made me get out my Georgette Heyer books and lose myself in a real Regency tale
April 30, 2018
Grace Burrowes' story about a marquess who needs love and care, and a governess who would love to provide it, is actually very good and rates 4 stars. The one by Susanna Ives is a melodrama that borders on ridiculousness - 2 stars at most. The Cinderella story by Emily Greenwood is OK - 3 stars.
June 18, 2018
😁Cupid strikes at the Masquerade
Three delightful stories of love starting at a masquerade ball. Including a charming lapdog named Socrates and a marquess talking to his horse. There is a lot of laughter, a great summer read.
Three delightful stories of love starting at a masquerade ball. Including a charming lapdog named Socrates and a marquess talking to his horse. There is a lot of laughter, a great summer read.
April 19, 2018
Each collection of stories by these three authors is better than the last. The second story is especially good.
April 21, 2018
Anything by Grace Burrowes is guaranteed to be enjoyable. The other two novellas were good also but dragged a bit. Grace's was short, funny and thoroughly satisfying.
April 21, 2018
All are exceptional stories!
All three of theses stories are very good. Fast paced very enjoyable. Racy and good fun. Makes me order the next books they are writing!
All three of theses stories are very good. Fast paced very enjoyable. Racy and good fun. Makes me order the next books they are writing!
May 19, 2018
I enjoyed it! :)
November 2, 2018
Loved all of them. 4☆
August 22, 2018
Only Unto Him (Susanna Ives) - 4.5 stars
Once Upon a Ball (Emily Greenwood) - 4 stars
The Governess and the Norse God (Grace Burrowes) - 3.5 stars
Once Upon a Ball (Emily Greenwood) - 4 stars
The Governess and the Norse God (Grace Burrowes) - 3.5 stars
January 1, 2019
Delightful
A delightful collection of novellas. Each delightful in their own way and truly enjoyable. You will thoroughly enjoy reading this collection.
A delightful collection of novellas. Each delightful in their own way and truly enjoyable. You will thoroughly enjoy reading this collection.
May 11, 2019
Rating for Burrowes. Had no patience for the other two.
August 7, 2022
Note to self, the only story worth reading is the one by Grace Burrowes. Skip the other two!
June 22, 2025
Fun read. Authors worth seeking out.
March 5, 2020
Tough to review.
The Cinderella version by started out so good then flopped and became a DNF. Why? Cinderella is my favorite trope? Because a gentleman would never hire a woman who was genteel but on hard times to accompany him. The dog knows a good person when he sees one but this was Too Stupid to Finish.
The next one by Susanna Ives started out with a Marquess who has stepped in to stop a relationship of an inappropriate lady with his relation. Happens. But then in the midst of telling her, he begins to get interested. I stopped reading. Do not take my word on this story because others have picked it as their favorite. I just couldn't stomach a Marquess becoming involved with a cast-off he created and stopped reading rather quickly.
The last is by Grace Burrowes who is the reason I bought this e-book. She has a way with words that works for me. She makes a novella as complete as a full-length story as far as character development and storytelling. I didn't get the feeling she had a box of puzzle pieces that she picked from to put together a picture. She knows families and how they really work whether good or bad.
The Cinderella version by started out so good then flopped and became a DNF. Why? Cinderella is my favorite trope? Because a gentleman would never hire a woman who was genteel but on hard times to accompany him. The dog knows a good person when he sees one but this was Too Stupid to Finish.
The next one by Susanna Ives started out with a Marquess who has stepped in to stop a relationship of an inappropriate lady with his relation. Happens. But then in the midst of telling her, he begins to get interested. I stopped reading. Do not take my word on this story because others have picked it as their favorite. I just couldn't stomach a Marquess becoming involved with a cast-off he created and stopped reading rather quickly.
The last is by Grace Burrowes who is the reason I bought this e-book. She has a way with words that works for me. She makes a novella as complete as a full-length story as far as character development and storytelling. I didn't get the feeling she had a box of puzzle pieces that she picked from to put together a picture. She knows families and how they really work whether good or bad.
February 23, 2020
Somehow lost this review and had to re-capture it. The net result is 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
Once Upon a Ball by Emily Greenwood: 3.5 stars rounded up
Nothing I can point to here as meriting 4 stars. I just surprised myself by enjoying it a lot.
Only Unto Him by Susanna Ives: 3 stars
While enjoyable, the plot stretches the bounds of credibility, and there was not enough room in the novella to add what would have been needed to fix that.
The Governess and the Norse God by Grace Burrowes: 4 stars (clear)
Few authors can take such a trite plot and turn it into a great story.
Once Upon a Ball by Emily Greenwood: 3.5 stars rounded up
Nothing I can point to here as meriting 4 stars. I just surprised myself by enjoying it a lot.
Only Unto Him by Susanna Ives: 3 stars
While enjoyable, the plot stretches the bounds of credibility, and there was not enough room in the novella to add what would have been needed to fix that.
The Governess and the Norse God by Grace Burrowes: 4 stars (clear)
Few authors can take such a trite plot and turn it into a great story.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews