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A Christmas Charade
Elizabeth Gore-Langton was hardly in a position to refuse to accompany Lady Astley to the Christmas party at Stenton Castle. After all, a paid companion must follow her employer's wishes. It scarcely signified that Elizabeth would be forced to face the man who had unknowingly broken her heart years ago during her first season. Most likely, the Duke of Stenton wouldn't even recognize her. But once she looked up into his dark, piercing eyes, she knew this was a man who forgot very little and forgave even less. Well, she was no longer a blushing schoolgirl, and the dashing duke would soon find that a broken heart, once mended, could be formidable, indeed!
Clive Rowland, Fifth Duke of Stenton, was in no mood for a holiday gathering. But the Christmas gala would provide the perfect cover as he investigated reports that French agents were doing a brisk trade in stolen documents along the Sussex coast. It would be devilishly difficult to play the host while tracking down traitors, but Clive was up to the task provided he kept his wits about him and didn't get distracted by yule logs and Christmas folderol or the delightful charms of the disturbingly familiar Elizabeth. The little minx was hiding something, to be sure, she was about to learn that he liked nothing better than unveiling a lady's secrets!
Clive Rowland, Fifth Duke of Stenton, was in no mood for a holiday gathering. But the Christmas gala would provide the perfect cover as he investigated reports that French agents were doing a brisk trade in stolen documents along the Sussex coast. It would be devilishly difficult to play the host while tracking down traitors, but Clive was up to the task provided he kept his wits about him and didn't get distracted by yule logs and Christmas folderol or the delightful charms of the disturbingly familiar Elizabeth. The little minx was hiding something, to be sure, she was about to learn that he liked nothing better than unveiling a lady's secrets!
352 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1991
92 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
About the author
Karla Hocker
32 books7 followersKarla Hocker, a native of Germany, was the author of fourteen Regency novels and various novellas. She attributed her love of the English language and her fascination with the Regency period to a three-year stay in England. Karla lived with her family - and far too many cats - in San Antonio, Texas. She passed away after a battle with cancer on May 28, 2004.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
April 19, 2020
3.75*
I enjoyed this traditional regency with a gothic plus spy/thriller twist.
Good read.
I enjoyed this traditional regency with a gothic plus spy/thriller twist.
Good read.
December 27, 2009
Another Christmas story from a new author this A Christmas Charade is my final entry for the 2009 Holiday Reading Challenge. I have been trying a lot of new authors for these Christmas challenges and if not all of them are winner they at least are entertaining for an afternoon of leisure.
I found that this story suffered from the same problem that many other Christmas reads where there are too many things going on. Here we have a house party, a search for lost family jewels, smugglers and French spies, a secondary romance and a ghost all in one book.
I was particularly interested in this story because, from the blurb, it seemed a "second chance" kind of story and I do love those (I blame it on Austen's Persuasion). However I found that particular side of the story ends up being one of the least important ones and the hero doesn't remember the heroine almost till the end so it was like they were getting to know each other for the first time.
What really made it entertaining for me was the presence of the ghost, I normally complain of paranormal elements in my traditional regency reading but I must confess that this time I found the ghost of Annie Tuck fun and a good addition to the story. Especially when she helps the secondary characters reunite.
I think the smugglers and the spies really weren't needed, although the search for a French spy was the reason for Stenton to reunite the family at his home I thought he could have searched for him better without them and so the story could have been just their reunion because of the Christmas festivities and their interaction with each other.
With so many things going on it is only natural that Clive and Elizabeth don't have that much time to interact and their relationship seemed to me a bit superficial. But it was still entertaning and pleasant.
Grade: 3.5/5
I found that this story suffered from the same problem that many other Christmas reads where there are too many things going on. Here we have a house party, a search for lost family jewels, smugglers and French spies, a secondary romance and a ghost all in one book.
I was particularly interested in this story because, from the blurb, it seemed a "second chance" kind of story and I do love those (I blame it on Austen's Persuasion). However I found that particular side of the story ends up being one of the least important ones and the hero doesn't remember the heroine almost till the end so it was like they were getting to know each other for the first time.
What really made it entertaining for me was the presence of the ghost, I normally complain of paranormal elements in my traditional regency reading but I must confess that this time I found the ghost of Annie Tuck fun and a good addition to the story. Especially when she helps the secondary characters reunite.
I think the smugglers and the spies really weren't needed, although the search for a French spy was the reason for Stenton to reunite the family at his home I thought he could have searched for him better without them and so the story could have been just their reunion because of the Christmas festivities and their interaction with each other.
With so many things going on it is only natural that Clive and Elizabeth don't have that much time to interact and their relationship seemed to me a bit superficial. But it was still entertaning and pleasant.
Grade: 3.5/5
October 31, 2020
Heroine's Second Chance At Love
For the most part I enjoyed this story. I think Ms. Hocker did a very nice job fleshing out her characters and the storyline is entertaining. I also really liked her writing style. However, I have to agree with other reviewers who stated that there was a lot going on in this story--maybe a bit too much. There is a smuggling ring, French spy, a second chance at love, a secondary romance, a ghost, and lost family jewels. Really, the only thing missing is the kitchen sink. LOL Seriously though, I wasn't too bothered by the many different aspects of the story, but I do think that I would have enjoyed it more had there been less. Because of course, everything else that was going on in the book took away from the central plot, which was the romance between Elizabeth and Clive. For instance, as much as I enjoyed the ghost and lost family jewels aspect, as far as I am concerned, the story could've easily done without them. What really bothered me about the story are all the details with which it was inundated. I'm one of those readers who likes the action in a story to begin on page one, or very soon thereafter. In a romance, that action is the first meeting between the H and h. In this book, Clive and Elizabeth don't lay eyes on each other until Chapter Four! In the meantime I had to hear about the ghost, who we meet in the epilogue, the layout of the castle, which I didn't care about, and on and on. I just wasn't that interested; and to be honest, in the beginning I skimmed over whole passages of the story.
Fortunately, the details seemed to get less as the story progressed; or maybe the story got more interesting so that I didn't notice them as much? It's hard to say, but whatever the case, I got into the story and it moved along at a nice pace. Elizabeth and Clive met during her first season, when Clive only had eyes for her best friend, who he ended up marrying. Elizabeth fell in love with Clive, but although he was very polite to her as his intended's best friend, he hardly noticed her. Now, some eleven years later, the two are reunited when Clive hosts a house-party at his country estate and invites Elizabeth's employer to attend. Considering Clive barely knew Elizabeth existed when they first met, and doesn't even recognize her when the meet again, I wouldn't say this is a true "second chance at love" romance--except for Elizabeth, that is. In any event, the real purpose of the house-party is to give Clive a reason for being at his ancestral home, which has been unoccupied for some forty years. Of course, as the story is set during the French war and Clive's home estate is located on the coast, there are "gentlemen" smugglers who are operating in the area. Then there is the ghost, Annie, who died in the fire that destroyed a wing of the family home many years previously, a king's ransom in jewels that is rumored to have been lost during the fire, and a secondary romance between Clive's cousin, Juliette, and her husband, Stewart--which for me was even more interesting than the romance between Clive and Elizabeth.
Despite the multi-layered plot, I liked the book. While there are a lot of different things going on, I found each aspect interesting, especially the secondary romance between Juliette and Stewart. However, while reading the scene where the spy is captured, I found myself rolling my eyes. For one thing, I was beyond annoyed when Elizabeth took it upon herself to follow Clive, because "someone had to look out for him." I hate when heroines feel they can help to protect the H when they can't even protect themselves. Bear in mind that Clive wasn't going into the situation without prior knowledge, and he had back-up in the form of his friend, Lord Nicholas, so really I didn't know what the heck she thought to accomplish! She didn't know how to fight, and she didn't have a weapon, so what was her great plan--talk the man to safety, should he need saving? Ugh! It's equivalent to a present day police officer's wife deciding--without her husband's knowledge--that she's going to go play backup for him during a dangerous mission...stupid and ill-considered! In any event, Elizabeth's stupidity was just about saved when Annie gave her a legitimate reason--at least to me it seemed legitimate--to follow Clive. Then there were the circumstances surrounding the actual capture. OMG! At this point, Ms. Hocker threw in the kitchen sink that had been missing from the story up to that point. I mean, did we really have to have more people added to the mix to complicate the matter even more? Sigh.
So bottom line, while I liked this book, it wasn't anything awe-inspiring. Truthfully, I was so eagerly looking forward to reading it that I felt a bit let down afterwards. Nevertheless, it makes for entertaining reading and I would definitely read another book by this author. FYI, this is a clean romance. Happy reading!
For the most part I enjoyed this story. I think Ms. Hocker did a very nice job fleshing out her characters and the storyline is entertaining. I also really liked her writing style. However, I have to agree with other reviewers who stated that there was a lot going on in this story--maybe a bit too much. There is a smuggling ring, French spy, a second chance at love, a secondary romance, a ghost, and lost family jewels. Really, the only thing missing is the kitchen sink. LOL Seriously though, I wasn't too bothered by the many different aspects of the story, but I do think that I would have enjoyed it more had there been less. Because of course, everything else that was going on in the book took away from the central plot, which was the romance between Elizabeth and Clive. For instance, as much as I enjoyed the ghost and lost family jewels aspect, as far as I am concerned, the story could've easily done without them. What really bothered me about the story are all the details with which it was inundated. I'm one of those readers who likes the action in a story to begin on page one, or very soon thereafter. In a romance, that action is the first meeting between the H and h. In this book, Clive and Elizabeth don't lay eyes on each other until Chapter Four! In the meantime I had to hear about the ghost, who we meet in the epilogue, the layout of the castle, which I didn't care about, and on and on. I just wasn't that interested; and to be honest, in the beginning I skimmed over whole passages of the story.
Fortunately, the details seemed to get less as the story progressed; or maybe the story got more interesting so that I didn't notice them as much? It's hard to say, but whatever the case, I got into the story and it moved along at a nice pace. Elizabeth and Clive met during her first season, when Clive only had eyes for her best friend, who he ended up marrying. Elizabeth fell in love with Clive, but although he was very polite to her as his intended's best friend, he hardly noticed her. Now, some eleven years later, the two are reunited when Clive hosts a house-party at his country estate and invites Elizabeth's employer to attend. Considering Clive barely knew Elizabeth existed when they first met, and doesn't even recognize her when the meet again, I wouldn't say this is a true "second chance at love" romance--except for Elizabeth, that is. In any event, the real purpose of the house-party is to give Clive a reason for being at his ancestral home, which has been unoccupied for some forty years. Of course, as the story is set during the French war and Clive's home estate is located on the coast, there are "gentlemen" smugglers who are operating in the area. Then there is the ghost, Annie, who died in the fire that destroyed a wing of the family home many years previously, a king's ransom in jewels that is rumored to have been lost during the fire, and a secondary romance between Clive's cousin, Juliette, and her husband, Stewart--which for me was even more interesting than the romance between Clive and Elizabeth.
Despite the multi-layered plot, I liked the book. While there are a lot of different things going on, I found each aspect interesting, especially the secondary romance between Juliette and Stewart. However, while reading the scene where the spy is captured, I found myself rolling my eyes. For one thing, I was beyond annoyed when Elizabeth took it upon herself to follow Clive, because "someone had to look out for him." I hate when heroines feel they can help to protect the H when they can't even protect themselves. Bear in mind that Clive wasn't going into the situation without prior knowledge, and he had back-up in the form of his friend, Lord Nicholas, so really I didn't know what the heck she thought to accomplish! She didn't know how to fight, and she didn't have a weapon, so what was her great plan--talk the man to safety, should he need saving? Ugh! It's equivalent to a present day police officer's wife deciding--without her husband's knowledge--that she's going to go play backup for him during a dangerous mission...stupid and ill-considered! In any event, Elizabeth's stupidity was just about saved when Annie gave her a legitimate reason--at least to me it seemed legitimate--to follow Clive. Then there were the circumstances surrounding the actual capture. OMG! At this point, Ms. Hocker threw in the kitchen sink that had been missing from the story up to that point. I mean, did we really have to have more people added to the mix to complicate the matter even more? Sigh.
So bottom line, while I liked this book, it wasn't anything awe-inspiring. Truthfully, I was so eagerly looking forward to reading it that I felt a bit let down afterwards. Nevertheless, it makes for entertaining reading and I would definitely read another book by this author. FYI, this is a clean romance. Happy reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2015
A charming romance with a most winsome spirit.
A Multi leveled romance with a little something for every taste. A duke, a Cinderella character, hidden treasue, smugglers, spies, and a charming ghost.
A Multi leveled romance with a little something for every taste. A duke, a Cinderella character, hidden treasue, smugglers, spies, and a charming ghost.
January 12, 2024
In the early 1800s, Elizabeth is called to Stenton Castle in her role as a ladies maid. The castle has been unoccupied for 41 years since a fire in the South Wing took the lives of the duchess, the children, and staff. Over the last 41 years, Annie the ghost has been wandering around the castle wishing for some company.
Clive inherits the castle, does it up, and hosts a Christmas party, all in a plot as a secret agent to catch a French secret agent hiding with the smugglers in the cove. Elizabeth met Clive some 10 years ago, and developed a crush on him. Now she's nervous about seeing him again, but it turns out he doesn't remember her.
The plot covers the hunt for the French agent, the smugglers, the blossoming romance between Clive and Elizabeth, the wager that Clive will / will not remember Elizabeth, the family party, Christmas at the castle, the treasure hunt for the hidden family jewels, the family politics, a husband and wife reconciling, and Annie the ghost meddling in everyone's affairs. I agree with other reviews I have read that there was just too much going on in this book, at the expense of the romance. I felt that none of the plots were fully developed, and it was very repetitive. The ending also felt very rushed, whereas the beginning was very slow and overly descriptive.
Clive inherits the castle, does it up, and hosts a Christmas party, all in a plot as a secret agent to catch a French secret agent hiding with the smugglers in the cove. Elizabeth met Clive some 10 years ago, and developed a crush on him. Now she's nervous about seeing him again, but it turns out he doesn't remember her.
The plot covers the hunt for the French agent, the smugglers, the blossoming romance between Clive and Elizabeth, the wager that Clive will / will not remember Elizabeth, the family party, Christmas at the castle, the treasure hunt for the hidden family jewels, the family politics, a husband and wife reconciling, and Annie the ghost meddling in everyone's affairs. I agree with other reviews I have read that there was just too much going on in this book, at the expense of the romance. I felt that none of the plots were fully developed, and it was very repetitive. The ending also felt very rushed, whereas the beginning was very slow and overly descriptive.
July 7, 2017
I enjoyed this book a lot. It was an easy funny read. Exactly the right book for the christmas season.
December 28, 2017
A delightful Christmas romance helped along by a ghost.
December 7, 2020
Lovely srory
I hardly ever write reviews, all I can say this story was so different a really beautiful story smugglers spies and a funny little ghost
I hardly ever write reviews, all I can say this story was so different a really beautiful story smugglers spies and a funny little ghost
December 26, 2021
A delightfully amusing Christmas distraction, well written.
February 28, 2022
Excellent Feb 2022
A hilarious story but well written totally unbelievable with wonderful characters including spies, smugglers, lots of romance and a ghost to help things along.
A hilarious story but well written totally unbelievable with wonderful characters including spies, smugglers, lots of romance and a ghost to help things along.
April 9, 2015
Historical Holiday country house party set in England with some second chance romance and a smuggling mystery.
Elizabeth Gore-Langton has been working as a Lady's companion since her father died and left her penniless a decade ago, but her job with the sweet weak Lady Astley makes her rethink her job options because she must confront her past by going to her first love's Christmas party at Stenton Castle. Lord Clive Rowland, Fifth Duke of Stenton is coming home to the coastal Stenton castle after forty years (about two generations?!) of neglect. So he is coming home and seeing his kind but estranged family for the holidays and meets Elizabeth and thinks that it is is the first time meeting her.
Ouch! This has happened to me! This is the worse! I can forgive forgetting names and places, but to completely forget someone that you had in your wedding party?! WHAT?!
So I wasn't a huge fan of Clive although the fun ghost Annie made up for the rest of this silly story.
256 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
Elizabeth Gore-Langton has been working as a Lady's companion since her father died and left her penniless a decade ago, but her job with the sweet weak Lady Astley makes her rethink her job options because she must confront her past by going to her first love's Christmas party at Stenton Castle. Lord Clive Rowland, Fifth Duke of Stenton is coming home to the coastal Stenton castle after forty years (about two generations?!) of neglect. So he is coming home and seeing his kind but estranged family for the holidays and meets Elizabeth and thinks that it is is the first time meeting her.
Ouch! This has happened to me! This is the worse! I can forgive forgetting names and places, but to completely forget someone that you had in your wedding party?! WHAT?!
So I wasn't a huge fan of Clive although the fun ghost Annie made up for the rest of this silly story.
256 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
January 21, 2015
Sweet, delightful, light-hearted diversion
Nice characters, the sort you want to know better. I liked the author's manner of introducing them to the story. Every one has a happy resolution, but not much seems contrived. I loved the ghost element. The spy element seemed a bit lightweight but at least it didn't overwhelm the romance. I did NOT expect to find it to be so charming, but it really felt satisfying to read. No major typos. Modern language but except for one purse, it was not jarring. Traditional in terms of sexual content.
Nice characters, the sort you want to know better. I liked the author's manner of introducing them to the story. Every one has a happy resolution, but not much seems contrived. I loved the ghost element. The spy element seemed a bit lightweight but at least it didn't overwhelm the romance. I did NOT expect to find it to be so charming, but it really felt satisfying to read. No major typos. Modern language but except for one purse, it was not jarring. Traditional in terms of sexual content.
November 15, 2016
Unexpected, Wonderful Romance
This story is filled with many characters and all are well written by the author...they are also handled in such a way that it is easy to keep them organised and to advance plot easily. A Lord with a hidden agenda and a lady's companion meet again at his Christmas house party...except he doesn't remember meeting her before. Smugglers abound. Children get into a bit of mischief. Relatives to be entertained and lost treasure. Plot twists and, so much more! I loved every page!
This story is filled with many characters and all are well written by the author...they are also handled in such a way that it is easy to keep them organised and to advance plot easily. A Lord with a hidden agenda and a lady's companion meet again at his Christmas house party...except he doesn't remember meeting her before. Smugglers abound. Children get into a bit of mischief. Relatives to be entertained and lost treasure. Plot twists and, so much more! I loved every page!
January 5, 2015
More than a Christmas romance
Thoroughly enjoyed reading the story. Hocker weaves together a smart, charming and ultimately entertaining story. Well-developed characters and storylines including a mischievous ghost, engage the reader in predicting outcomes. The reader will be pleasantly satisfied with the wrap-up of each story.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading the story. Hocker weaves together a smart, charming and ultimately entertaining story. Well-developed characters and storylines including a mischievous ghost, engage the reader in predicting outcomes. The reader will be pleasantly satisfied with the wrap-up of each story.
October 27, 2015
A must read
At first all the names and people had me confused on who was who. But once I got into the story it was amazing. Like watching a movie on tv, the descriptions were so vivid I could picture everything as if I was there myself
At first all the names and people had me confused on who was who. But once I got into the story it was amazing. Like watching a movie on tv, the descriptions were so vivid I could picture everything as if I was there myself
December 28, 2014
Very easy read, enjoyed the plot. On a cloudy day there is nothing better than to curl up with a good romance book. Sit and enjoy this book, would make a good discussion with your girlfriends for sure.
Laine
Laine
December 26, 2014
Interesting story.
I was intrigued by the highs and lows of this book, the story lines kept me interested the characters had me laughing and feeling sad at the same time , I really enjoyed reading A Christmas Charade.
I was intrigued by the highs and lows of this book, the story lines kept me interested the characters had me laughing and feeling sad at the same time , I really enjoyed reading A Christmas Charade.
January 14, 2015
Cute story
I'm not sure that I would call this a romance. There couples trying to make relationships work, but the fun part was Annie, the castle ghost. Kinda like a recency
"Topper."
I'm not sure that I would call this a romance. There couples trying to make relationships work, but the fun part was Annie, the castle ghost. Kinda like a recency
"Topper."
January 11, 2012
Loved this one! the ghost was a great addition to the story.could not put it down
February 5, 2015
Liked it a lot. Annie the ghost is fun. The characters are believable.
Smugglers, french spies and all. Although there was no sex scenes it was pretty darn good.
Smugglers, french spies and all. Although there was no sex scenes it was pretty darn good.
January 1, 2015
Is a great book to read
December 25, 2014
Surprisingly detailed and well written I'm glad I tried this book.
December 26, 2014
A cute and entertaining read.
December 26, 2014
More like 2.5
January 3, 2015
fun
This was a fun Christmas story with a bit of romance, suspense, and a touch of supernatural. Quick and easy read.
This was a fun Christmas story with a bit of romance, suspense, and a touch of supernatural. Quick and easy read.
December 31, 2014
The book started out slow but I'm glad I stuck with it because it really was a good story once read. I really enjoyed the second half of the book and caught myself giggling out loud at a few parts.
Read
January 6, 2015Enjoyed the story. Annie the good hearted meddling ghost a pleasant treat.
January 7, 2015
This was a fun, clean, Regency romance. Very enjoyable
January 7, 2015
Almost a three.
March 2, 2015
Takes place in England, I love how Karla puts her thoughts together to make her stories come alive.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews