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Lady Osbaldestone's Christmas Chronicles #3
Lady Osbaldestone's Plum Puddings
Therese, Lady Osbaldestone, and her household again welcome her younger daughter’s children, Jamie, George, and Lottie, plus their cousins Melissa and Mandy, all of whom have insisted on spending the three weeks prior to Christmas at Therese’s house, Hartington Manor, in the village of Little Moseley.
The children are looking forward to the village’s traditional events, and this year, Therese has arranged a new distraction—the plum puddings she and her staff are making for the entire village. But while cleaning the coins donated as the puddings’ good-luck tokens, the children discover that three aren’t coins of the realm. When consulted, Reverend Colebatch summons a friend, an archaeological scholar from Oxford, who confirms the coins are Roman, raising the possibility of a Roman treasure buried somewhere near. Unfortunately, Professor Webster is facing a deadline and cannot assist in the search, but along with his niece Honor, he will stay in the village, writing, remaining available for consultation should the children and their helpers uncover more treasure.
It soon becomes clear that discovering the source of the coins—or even which villager donated them—isn’t a straightforward matter. Then the children come across a personable gentleman who knows a great deal about Roman antiquities. He introduces himself as Callum Harris, and they agree to allow him to help, and he gets their search back on track.
But while the manor five, assisted by the gentlemen from Fulsom Hall, scour the village for who had the coins and search the countryside for signs of excavation and Harris combs through the village’s country-house libraries, amassing evidence of a Roman compound somewhere near, the site from which the coins actually came remains a frustrating mystery.
Then Therese recognises Harris, who is more than he’s pretending to be. She also notes the romance burgeoning between Harris and Honor Webster, and given the girl doesn’t know Harris’s full name, let alone his fraught relationship with her uncle, Therese steps in. But while she can engineer a successful resolution to one romance-of-the-season, as well as a reconciliation long overdue, another romance that strikes much closer to home is beyond her ability to manipulate.
Meanwhile, the search for the source of the coins goes on, but time is running out. Will Therese’s grandchildren and their Fulsom Hall helpers locate the Roman merchant’s villa Harris is sure lies near before they all must leave the village for Christmas with their families?
The children are looking forward to the village’s traditional events, and this year, Therese has arranged a new distraction—the plum puddings she and her staff are making for the entire village. But while cleaning the coins donated as the puddings’ good-luck tokens, the children discover that three aren’t coins of the realm. When consulted, Reverend Colebatch summons a friend, an archaeological scholar from Oxford, who confirms the coins are Roman, raising the possibility of a Roman treasure buried somewhere near. Unfortunately, Professor Webster is facing a deadline and cannot assist in the search, but along with his niece Honor, he will stay in the village, writing, remaining available for consultation should the children and their helpers uncover more treasure.
It soon becomes clear that discovering the source of the coins—or even which villager donated them—isn’t a straightforward matter. Then the children come across a personable gentleman who knows a great deal about Roman antiquities. He introduces himself as Callum Harris, and they agree to allow him to help, and he gets their search back on track.
But while the manor five, assisted by the gentlemen from Fulsom Hall, scour the village for who had the coins and search the countryside for signs of excavation and Harris combs through the village’s country-house libraries, amassing evidence of a Roman compound somewhere near, the site from which the coins actually came remains a frustrating mystery.
Then Therese recognises Harris, who is more than he’s pretending to be. She also notes the romance burgeoning between Harris and Honor Webster, and given the girl doesn’t know Harris’s full name, let alone his fraught relationship with her uncle, Therese steps in. But while she can engineer a successful resolution to one romance-of-the-season, as well as a reconciliation long overdue, another romance that strikes much closer to home is beyond her ability to manipulate.
Meanwhile, the search for the source of the coins goes on, but time is running out. Will Therese’s grandchildren and their Fulsom Hall helpers locate the Roman merchant’s villa Harris is sure lies near before they all must leave the village for Christmas with their families?
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 17, 2019
342 people are currently reading
444 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Laurens
206 books5,585 followersStephanie Laurens was born in Sri Lanka, which was at the time the British colony of Ceylon. When she was 5, her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, where she was raised. After continuing through school and earning a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in Australia, Stephanie and her husband moved to Great Britain, taking one of the last true overland journeys from Katmandu to London.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
December 25, 2023
I have to admit that I am utterly fascinated by this series. In this book I love the Christmas theme, the star-crossed lovers, the other love match, the mystery, Lady O, and above all the children. This is my second Lady Osbaldestone book this Christmas season and I really want to read the remaining book because I can't wait to get to the full-length book about Melissa and Julian Delamere, Viscount Dagenham.
Once again Therese, Lady Osbaldestone, is host to her three young grandchildren, Jamie, George, and Lottie, for the three weeks before the whole family gathers for Christmas. Joining them are their older cousins, Mandy and Melissa. The staff at Hartington Manor and the villagers of Little Moseley love having the children as part of the Christmas festivities.
There was a bountiful plum crop, and the plan is to make plum pudding for the entire village. To that end collection jars were set at the village store and the tavern to collect the coins which are traditionally baked into the pudding. While cleaning the coins the children discover some rather strange ones. They turn out to be ancient Roman coins. This is confirmed by an archeologist friend of Reverend Colebatch, Professor Webster. Finding who placed the coins in the jar and where they came from, becomes the mystery needed to keep the grandchildren occupied.
Joining the grandchildren in their search are the young gentlemen from Fulsom Hall. Also joining in are the professor's niece, Honor and a personable gentleman who happens to be in the area, Callum Harris. Mr. Harris is much more than he appears to be and soon he and Honor have a burgeoning friendship. Another friendship that is growing is that of 15-year-old Melissa and Julian Delamere, Viscount Dagenham.
Once again Therese, Lady Osbaldestone, is host to her three young grandchildren, Jamie, George, and Lottie, for the three weeks before the whole family gathers for Christmas. Joining them are their older cousins, Mandy and Melissa. The staff at Hartington Manor and the villagers of Little Moseley love having the children as part of the Christmas festivities.
There was a bountiful plum crop, and the plan is to make plum pudding for the entire village. To that end collection jars were set at the village store and the tavern to collect the coins which are traditionally baked into the pudding. While cleaning the coins the children discover some rather strange ones. They turn out to be ancient Roman coins. This is confirmed by an archeologist friend of Reverend Colebatch, Professor Webster. Finding who placed the coins in the jar and where they came from, becomes the mystery needed to keep the grandchildren occupied.
Joining the grandchildren in their search are the young gentlemen from Fulsom Hall. Also joining in are the professor's niece, Honor and a personable gentleman who happens to be in the area, Callum Harris. Mr. Harris is much more than he appears to be and soon he and Honor have a burgeoning friendship. Another friendship that is growing is that of 15-year-old Melissa and Julian Delamere, Viscount Dagenham.
August 12, 2022
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡
Romance: 💞💞
Sensuality: 0
Sex Scene Length: 0
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 0
Humor: Yes, a bit.
Perspective: Third person from various characters - Lady Osbaldestone, her grandchildren, Callum (our matchmade 'hero'), and Honor (our matchmade 'heroine')
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
It's not really needed - these are all mysteries with a light matchmaking theme (I don't know if I'd even consider these romance really, it's very, very light) and stand alone very well. There is brief mention of previous matchmade couples within the village. No deep character arcs missed if you read out of order.
Basic plot:
In this mystery, Lady Osbaldestone is back with her grandchildren again at Christmastime. They are searching for information about some interesting old coins put in a donation jar. Of course she is also up to her matchmaking, this time between a scholar, Callum, and Honor in the small town of Little Mosely. There's also a budding romance between Melissa, one of Lady Osbaldestone's grandchildren, and Dagenham.
Give this a try if you want:
- A cozy feeling small town mystery
- More adventures of Lady Osbaldestone matchmaking in Little Mosely village (though she doesn't have quite as much page time in this one it felt like)
- Low steam - some light sexual tension but nothing on page
- Small town romance feel
- Large family/lots of characters
- Regency time period (1812)
My thoughts:
Another sweet mystery focused light hearted romance! I got all these from the library together and they aren't exactly 100% my thing, but they are short and I generally enjoy Lauren's writing so I'm going through them.
The thing I liked about this one was there was a bit more perspective here from the hero, Callum. I liked being in his head more than Lady Osbaldestone (I am a romance lover after all so give me all the hero/heroine perspectives lol)
I don't really have too much to say about this one - the mystery was mildly interesting and I liked the interspersed facts about the roman empire. I'll read the next in the series because it's next to me but I don't think I'll continue with more than that (if there's more.) I just prefer more romance than what's in these.
I do think mystery lovers would love these short Christmas reads though, especially around the holidays.
Content warnings:
August 3, 2020
2020, bk 259: I love this collection of Christmas stories, especially as they are keeping my mind set on cooler weather when it it above 90 outside. In this story, Lady O and her cook have volunteered to make the plum puddings for each house and croft in the village. In order to help out, jars were placed at two point in which people could place the shiny tiny silver coins. Imagine her grandchildren's delight, when sorting and washing the coins they find....Roman coins. This book revolves around a hidden treasure trove, lovesick archaeologists, and the Christmas visitors who love to solve mysteries. Thoroughly enjoyable.
November 27, 2019
Delightful! Kudos to Stephanie Laurens for entertaining us with another Lady Osbaldestone and the town of Little Moseley Christmas story. All three of these books are a delight and a treasure.
Enjoy! BD
Enjoy! BD
December 23, 2019
Delightful addition to the series
I was so happy to see another installment in this series. I hope there are many more to come. Fun, sweet stories.
I was so happy to see another installment in this series. I hope there are many more to come. Fun, sweet stories.
December 17, 2024
Now that I've started this Lady Osbaldestone series, I'd like to know what happens to the family at the end. So, I'll be reading the next two for sure.
Each of the chronicles are fun to listen to while wrapping Christmas gifts, baking or doing other festive activities. The characters are mostly interesting to read about and I especially have a fondness for Lady Osbaldestone herself. She's clever, knowledgeable, witty and also has that "old-word authority" that always guarantees amusing conversations and situations around her.
I find this series similar to Julie Klassen's books, though with a little less depth (probably due to the length of the book) and mostly focusing on Christmas. Overall, an entertaining read for the holiday season.
Each of the chronicles are fun to listen to while wrapping Christmas gifts, baking or doing other festive activities. The characters are mostly interesting to read about and I especially have a fondness for Lady Osbaldestone herself. She's clever, knowledgeable, witty and also has that "old-word authority" that always guarantees amusing conversations and situations around her.
I find this series similar to Julie Klassen's books, though with a little less depth (probably due to the length of the book) and mostly focusing on Christmas. Overall, an entertaining read for the holiday season.
December 29, 2021
Another delightful installment in what has become my favorite Christmas series.
November 20, 2019
I really like these Christmas stories. Lovely read. 4☆
September 26, 2021
My rating: 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.
This was a fun, quick read, with likable characters. It was very light-hearted, and contained a cute mystery and matchmaking. The only real problem I found was that the plot developed a bit slowly -- I think mostly because it was so light-hearted and contained so many characters.
I have always enjoyed Lady Osbaldestone in all Laurens' books. She is an interesting, and quite entertaining character. I read, and enjoyed, the first two Christmas stories with her and her grandchildren as the main characters -- so I decided to read the rest of the series.
I still like Lady Osbaldestone, and her grandchildren were adorable little imps. It was fun how she worked to find something to keep them busy, so that they wouldn't keep getting into trouble. I loved how she also encouraged her grandchildren to help with her matchmaking attempts, and they took to it immediately. It was cute how they thought of ways to encourage the couple, sometimes all on their own. I especially liked that Jamie was so good at figuring out ways to "convince" people to do what he wanted -- he was quite the little manipulator, and it made for fun reading.
The part with Melissa and her attraction to Lord Dagenham was a bit sad. They cared deeply for each other, but decided they had to part since she was so young. I get that they have their own book coming, where they will reunite, but it was sad that they had to choose to let each other go. Their decision, while difficult, was made in a very adult way -- they both understood that it simply wouldn't be possible for them to be a couple until she was older.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
This was a fun, quick read, with likable characters. It was very light-hearted, and contained a cute mystery and matchmaking. The only real problem I found was that the plot developed a bit slowly -- I think mostly because it was so light-hearted and contained so many characters.
I have always enjoyed Lady Osbaldestone in all Laurens' books. She is an interesting, and quite entertaining character. I read, and enjoyed, the first two Christmas stories with her and her grandchildren as the main characters -- so I decided to read the rest of the series.
I still like Lady Osbaldestone, and her grandchildren were adorable little imps. It was fun how she worked to find something to keep them busy, so that they wouldn't keep getting into trouble. I loved how she also encouraged her grandchildren to help with her matchmaking attempts, and they took to it immediately. It was cute how they thought of ways to encourage the couple, sometimes all on their own. I especially liked that Jamie was so good at figuring out ways to "convince" people to do what he wanted -- he was quite the little manipulator, and it made for fun reading.
The part with Melissa and her attraction to Lord Dagenham was a bit sad. They cared deeply for each other, but decided they had to part since she was so young. I get that they have their own book coming, where they will reunite, but it was sad that they had to choose to let each other go. Their decision, while difficult, was made in a very adult way -- they both understood that it simply wouldn't be possible for them to be a couple until she was older.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
November 28, 2025
Sadly this one wasn't as good as the previous two in the series, mostly because I felt that it was more of a romance novel than a Christmas novel. But I did enjoy being back with siblings and grandchildren Jamie, George, Lottie and their cousins Melissa and Mandy. The children are all put to work by Lady Osbaldstone to clean the coins that are going into the plum puddings. With such a bumper crop of plums this fall, Lady Osbaldstone decided to provide plum puddings for everyone in the village. In turn, the villagers provided the coins to go into the puddings. As the children are cleaning the coins that were collected at the pub and the general store, they find three odd ones. When they take them to Reverand Colebatch he thinks that they may be Roman coins and he calls in Professor Webster to investigate. The professor arrives with his niece and assistant, Honor, and he says that they are indeed Roman and that there may be a horde nearby but he has to finish a paper by the end of the year so he cannot look for it. The children all agree to search and they interview every villager to see if they picked them up anywhere and no one can recall. They meet a man visiting the village named Harris who offers to help. It turns out that he is the professor's prior student and assistant but they parted ways when the professor thought that Harris was selling hordes for profit when in reality Harris was selling them to rich owners who would agree to display them in museums with most of the profits going to the museum for their upkeep. Harris pours over volumes of history books in the manor houses searching for clues to where the horde could be in the village while the children continue their interviews. Along the way, Harris falls for Honor and Melissa rekindles her romance with Dagenham, although the latter two realize that Melissa is too young for a relationship. Harris reveals his rift with her uncle to Honor and she sides with him and mediates a reunion between the two men. When the horde is eventually found as they hunt for a yule log, Harris and the professor agree to split the horde. While there were the usual ice skating parties, pageant performances and choir concerts, I found this to be the least Christmassy of the three so far.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2022
This annual holiday tradition centers around the bounteous plum crop in the village of Little Moseley. Lady Osbaldestone has offered her cook’s expertise to make plum puddings for each household in the village from the surfeit of fruit. Coin jars have been collecting in the pub and the mercantile. The coins will be inserted into the puddings as part of the traditional celebration.
Lady O’s grandchildren are visiting again for the weeks before Christmas. One of their projects is to sort and clean the coins before they are inserted into the puddings. They discover three very special coins in the lot: three roman coins. Now they have a true adventure: find out who donated the coins and where they were found. There may be a Roman hoard somewhere near the village.
The usual cast of characters assume the search: five of Lady O’s grandchildren, Henry Fitzgibbon and his friends, and Reverend Colebatch with his archeological friend Professor Webster and his niece assistant Honor Webster. Callum Harris Goodrich, former Webster assistant and current persona non grata in that sphere, also becomes involved in the search.
There is adventure, an accident, many frustrating dead ends, and the usual holiday festivities. We have a gentle romance and potential heartache with all the charm and warmth of the earlier titles. Recommended as a light, warm addition to any reading, but especially over the holidays.
Readalikes:
Stephanie Laurens’ Osbaldestone series and Cynster series; Grace Burrowes – Truly Beloved; Mary Balogh – Simply Unforgettable; Lisa Kleypas – Mine Till Midnight; Julie Anne Long – I’m Only Wicked with You; Eloisa James – A Fool Again; Cynthia Rylant – Christmas in the Country; Elvira Woodruff, Troy Howl – The Christmas Doll.
Pace: Fast-paced
Characters: Well-developed; Well revealed; Likeable
Storyline: Character-driven
Writing style: Engaging;
Tone: Upbeat;
Frame: Little Moseley, Hampshire England; 1812
Theme: Love in a small town; village life
Lady O’s grandchildren are visiting again for the weeks before Christmas. One of their projects is to sort and clean the coins before they are inserted into the puddings. They discover three very special coins in the lot: three roman coins. Now they have a true adventure: find out who donated the coins and where they were found. There may be a Roman hoard somewhere near the village.
The usual cast of characters assume the search: five of Lady O’s grandchildren, Henry Fitzgibbon and his friends, and Reverend Colebatch with his archeological friend Professor Webster and his niece assistant Honor Webster. Callum Harris Goodrich, former Webster assistant and current persona non grata in that sphere, also becomes involved in the search.
There is adventure, an accident, many frustrating dead ends, and the usual holiday festivities. We have a gentle romance and potential heartache with all the charm and warmth of the earlier titles. Recommended as a light, warm addition to any reading, but especially over the holidays.
Readalikes:
Stephanie Laurens’ Osbaldestone series and Cynster series; Grace Burrowes – Truly Beloved; Mary Balogh – Simply Unforgettable; Lisa Kleypas – Mine Till Midnight; Julie Anne Long – I’m Only Wicked with You; Eloisa James – A Fool Again; Cynthia Rylant – Christmas in the Country; Elvira Woodruff, Troy Howl – The Christmas Doll.
Pace: Fast-paced
Characters: Well-developed; Well revealed; Likeable
Storyline: Character-driven
Writing style: Engaging;
Tone: Upbeat;
Frame: Little Moseley, Hampshire England; 1812
Theme: Love in a small town; village life
January 14, 2024
Title: Lady Osbaldestone’s Plum Puddings
Author: Stephanie Laurens
Narrated by: Helen Lloyd
Publisher: Stephanie Laurens
Length: Approximately 7 hours and 53 minutes
Source: Purchased from Amazon.com
Do you have any specific subgenres that are a favorite? I LOVE regency romance Christmas novels. This seems like a very specific subgenre, but I love it. I realized in December that I was lacking Christmas regency romance novels, so I decided it was time to return to the world of Lady Osbaldestone. Lady Osbaldestone’s Plum Puddings is the third book in this series.
Therese, Lady Osbaldestone, is happy to welcome her grandchildren for a visit during the Christmas season to her estate in the village of Little Moseley. The children gather donations for plum puddings to be made for the entire village when they discover that some of the coins they collected are ancient Roman coins. Where did these coins come from and is there more Roman artifacts to be found?
I love this series and I loved this book. It’s a sweet and gentle story full of regency Christmas traditions. The characters are fun, and I enjoyed the star-crossed romance in this book. I feel like I am visiting the village of Little Mosely each Christmas when I read one of these books. I sadly only have one left in this series.
I also enjoyed the cozy mystery in this book, and I was intrigued by the ancient Roman find myself. It was a fun treasure hunt.
Helen Lloyd was a great narrator and I enjoyed listening to this audiobook.
This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2024...
Author: Stephanie Laurens
Narrated by: Helen Lloyd
Publisher: Stephanie Laurens
Length: Approximately 7 hours and 53 minutes
Source: Purchased from Amazon.com
Do you have any specific subgenres that are a favorite? I LOVE regency romance Christmas novels. This seems like a very specific subgenre, but I love it. I realized in December that I was lacking Christmas regency romance novels, so I decided it was time to return to the world of Lady Osbaldestone. Lady Osbaldestone’s Plum Puddings is the third book in this series.
Therese, Lady Osbaldestone, is happy to welcome her grandchildren for a visit during the Christmas season to her estate in the village of Little Moseley. The children gather donations for plum puddings to be made for the entire village when they discover that some of the coins they collected are ancient Roman coins. Where did these coins come from and is there more Roman artifacts to be found?
I love this series and I loved this book. It’s a sweet and gentle story full of regency Christmas traditions. The characters are fun, and I enjoyed the star-crossed romance in this book. I feel like I am visiting the village of Little Mosely each Christmas when I read one of these books. I sadly only have one left in this series.
I also enjoyed the cozy mystery in this book, and I was intrigued by the ancient Roman find myself. It was a fun treasure hunt.
Helen Lloyd was a great narrator and I enjoyed listening to this audiobook.
This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2024...
December 26, 2019
VV: Stephanie Laurens, Lady Osbaldestone’s Plum Puddings (Lady Osbaldestone's Christmas Chronicles Book 3) 212 lk Savdek Management Pty Ltd 2019.
See on praeguseks grande dame leedi Osbaldestone lugudest kõige värskem. Järgmist tuleb oodata veel terve aasta. See meeldis mulle neist ka kõige enam. Loos tegutsevad jälle lapselapsed, juba kolmandas raamatus tegutsevad James, Georgie ja Lottie. Eelmisel aastal liitus nendega Melissa ja sellel aastal siis Mandy.
Vanaema on seekord lastele saabumiseks valmis pannud tegevuse - vaja on puhastada hõbemünte jõulupudingusse segamiseks. Müntide seast leitakse aga tundmatuid, mis lähemal vaatlusel osutuvad vana rooma müntideks. Kutsutakse Oxfordist külla professor, kes on leiust väga huvitatud, kuid peab siiski keskenduma oma raamatu kirjutamisele. Professori õetütar, tegutseb tema abilisena on raamatu romantiline kangelanna, kellele kosjasobitamisega lapsed enda aega sisustavad. Romantiliseks kangelaseks on Callum Harris, kes professori jälgedes külla satub ning kellele samuti arheoloogilised leiud huvi pakuvad.
Tihedalt tegevust täis raamatus juhtub palju põnevat. Lapsed asuvad koos kaaslastega otsima rooma kaupmehe kodu lootes enne jõule veel leida aarde, kust need mündid pärit võisid olla. Romantiline liin on üsna kõrvaline ja kõige liigutavam on ehk hoopis Melissa ja tema kaaslase lugu. Sellele loole lubab Stephanie Laurens järelsõnas järge mõnes tulevases raamatus.
Hoogne ja tempokas jõululugu väikese seikluse ja põnevusega. Just pühadeaega sobiv lugemine. 5/5
See on praeguseks grande dame leedi Osbaldestone lugudest kõige värskem. Järgmist tuleb oodata veel terve aasta. See meeldis mulle neist ka kõige enam. Loos tegutsevad jälle lapselapsed, juba kolmandas raamatus tegutsevad James, Georgie ja Lottie. Eelmisel aastal liitus nendega Melissa ja sellel aastal siis Mandy.
Vanaema on seekord lastele saabumiseks valmis pannud tegevuse - vaja on puhastada hõbemünte jõulupudingusse segamiseks. Müntide seast leitakse aga tundmatuid, mis lähemal vaatlusel osutuvad vana rooma müntideks. Kutsutakse Oxfordist külla professor, kes on leiust väga huvitatud, kuid peab siiski keskenduma oma raamatu kirjutamisele. Professori õetütar, tegutseb tema abilisena on raamatu romantiline kangelanna, kellele kosjasobitamisega lapsed enda aega sisustavad. Romantiliseks kangelaseks on Callum Harris, kes professori jälgedes külla satub ning kellele samuti arheoloogilised leiud huvi pakuvad.
Tihedalt tegevust täis raamatus juhtub palju põnevat. Lapsed asuvad koos kaaslastega otsima rooma kaupmehe kodu lootes enne jõule veel leida aarde, kust need mündid pärit võisid olla. Romantiline liin on üsna kõrvaline ja kõige liigutavam on ehk hoopis Melissa ja tema kaaslase lugu. Sellele loole lubab Stephanie Laurens järelsõnas järge mõnes tulevases raamatus.
Hoogne ja tempokas jõululugu väikese seikluse ja põnevusega. Just pühadeaega sobiv lugemine. 5/5
December 12, 2021
Autorka v této své vánoční sérii jede již podle zavedené šablony. Byť by se to možná někomu mohlo zdát na jedno brdo (jako že to asi je na jedno brdo), tak mne tahle série prostě baví a před Vánoci si ráda přečtu nové pokračování.
Opět se tu setkáváme se starými známými postavami, které jsme poznali již v předchozích knihách. Je to jako vracet se mezi staré přátele a opět se dostavit do míst, kde je člověku příjemně. Poznáváme tu ale osoby nové, což přináší příjemné osvěžení do zavedeného řádu. Příběh navíc znovu nabízí určité dobrodružství a záhadu, kterou je třeba rozlousknout, což jsem si opět užila.
Zároveň tu lady Osbaldestoneová, podle níž se série jmenuje, opět pletichaří a staví se do role laskavé dohazovačky a urovnávačky mezilidských sporů a nedorozumění. Ale dělá to z dobroty srdce, někdy nenápadně, někdy naopak záměně okatě, ale vždy s dobrým úmyslem, bez vidiny osobního prospěchu - a takovým způsobem, že jí to člověk rád odpustí.
Kniha je psaná jednoduchým, přímočarým stylem, který románu sice nedodává nějakou větší hloubku a ani nenabízí nic navíc mezi řádky, ale v tom mne kniha (potažmo celá série) prostě baví - na nic si nehraje a nesnaží se na sílu nabízet to, co nabídnout neumí a ani nechce. Jedná se o milou, odpočinkovou oddechovku s (před)vánoční tématikou s trochou dobrodružství a lehkou romantikou (čisté, trochu naivní, ale příjemné pohlazení po duši).
Za mne fajn čtení takhle uprostřed adventu, které mi na pár hodit umožní vypnout. 3 hvězdy z 5 jsou dle mého adekvátní.
Opět se tu setkáváme se starými známými postavami, které jsme poznali již v předchozích knihách. Je to jako vracet se mezi staré přátele a opět se dostavit do míst, kde je člověku příjemně. Poznáváme tu ale osoby nové, což přináší příjemné osvěžení do zavedeného řádu. Příběh navíc znovu nabízí určité dobrodružství a záhadu, kterou je třeba rozlousknout, což jsem si opět užila.
Zároveň tu lady Osbaldestoneová, podle níž se série jmenuje, opět pletichaří a staví se do role laskavé dohazovačky a urovnávačky mezilidských sporů a nedorozumění. Ale dělá to z dobroty srdce, někdy nenápadně, někdy naopak záměně okatě, ale vždy s dobrým úmyslem, bez vidiny osobního prospěchu - a takovým způsobem, že jí to člověk rád odpustí.
Kniha je psaná jednoduchým, přímočarým stylem, který románu sice nedodává nějakou větší hloubku a ani nenabízí nic navíc mezi řádky, ale v tom mne kniha (potažmo celá série) prostě baví - na nic si nehraje a nesnaží se na sílu nabízet to, co nabídnout neumí a ani nechce. Jedná se o milou, odpočinkovou oddechovku s (před)vánoční tématikou s trochou dobrodružství a lehkou romantikou (čisté, trochu naivní, ale příjemné pohlazení po duši).
Za mne fajn čtení takhle uprostřed adventu, které mi na pár hodit umožní vypnout. 3 hvězdy z 5 jsou dle mého adekvátní.
October 30, 2022
Stephanie Laurens (2019) LADY OSBALDESTONE'S PLUM PUDDINGS (AUDIOBOOK)
Audible - Savdek Management Pty, Ltd/Blackstone Publishing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5 stars
Audible writes, "Therese, Lady Osbaldestone, and her household again welcome her younger daughter’s children, Jamie, George, and Lottie, plus their cousins Melissa and Mandy, all of whom have insisted on spending the three weeks prior to Christmas at Therese’s house, Hartington Manor, in the village of Little Moseley. The children are looking forward to the village’s traditional events, and this year, Therese has arranged a new distraction - the plum puddings she and her staff are making for the entire village. But while cleaning the coins donated as the puddings’ good-luck tokens, the children discover that three aren’t coins of the realm. Will Therese’s grandchildren and their Fulsom Hall helpers locate the Roman merchant’s villa Harris is sure lies near before they all must leave the village for Christmas with their families."
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Best one of the 3 I've read so far. One more to go. Brilliant characters, Christmassy like crazy with an element of peril and danger!
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#StephanieLaurens #LadyOsbaldestonesPlumPuddings #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads #Audiobook #Audiobooks #Audible #Christmas #Xmas #MerryChristmas #HappyChristmas #MerryXmas #HappyXmas #HappyHolidays #CrimboReads
Audible - Savdek Management Pty, Ltd/Blackstone Publishing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5 stars
Audible writes, "Therese, Lady Osbaldestone, and her household again welcome her younger daughter’s children, Jamie, George, and Lottie, plus their cousins Melissa and Mandy, all of whom have insisted on spending the three weeks prior to Christmas at Therese’s house, Hartington Manor, in the village of Little Moseley. The children are looking forward to the village’s traditional events, and this year, Therese has arranged a new distraction - the plum puddings she and her staff are making for the entire village. But while cleaning the coins donated as the puddings’ good-luck tokens, the children discover that three aren’t coins of the realm. Will Therese’s grandchildren and their Fulsom Hall helpers locate the Roman merchant’s villa Harris is sure lies near before they all must leave the village for Christmas with their families."
=====
Best one of the 3 I've read so far. One more to go. Brilliant characters, Christmassy like crazy with an element of peril and danger!
=====
#StephanieLaurens #LadyOsbaldestonesPlumPuddings #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads #Audiobook #Audiobooks #Audible #Christmas #Xmas #MerryChristmas #HappyChristmas #MerryXmas #HappyXmas #HappyHolidays #CrimboReads
May 6, 2024
"Lady Osbaldestone's Plum Pudding" is a delightful addition to the series, perfect for any time of year, but will work perfectly for getting into the holiday spirit! The blend of family gatherings, romance, mystery, and the spirit of giving through the town's involvement in making the plum pudding treats memorable creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. It's heartwarming to see the grandchildren returning to Lady Osbaldestone's home for the holidays, and their initiative to track down the origins of the unusual coins found in the jar of coins adds an element of adventure to the story.
Overall, "Lady Osbaldestone's Plum Pudding" captures the spirit of Christmas with its heartwarming story, lovable characters, and intriguing mystery. The grandchildren and their friends bring a smile to my face every time they are in a scene. It is the perfect novel to curl up with, bringing joy and cheer to readers of all ages.
Overall, "Lady Osbaldestone's Plum Pudding" captures the spirit of Christmas with its heartwarming story, lovable characters, and intriguing mystery. The grandchildren and their friends bring a smile to my face every time they are in a scene. It is the perfect novel to curl up with, bringing joy and cheer to readers of all ages.
December 9, 2019
I was delighted to find that this eagerly anticipated installment of the series does not disappoint - indeed, it's better than the previous two books! Lady Osbaldestone's five grandchildren all come for what now is their annual pre-Christmas visit to Hartington Manor. This year, I was glad to find that the mystery the children become involved in is not something "missing" in the same sense of the previous two books. A surfeit of plums has led Lady Osbaldestone to conceive the capital idea of gifting plum puddings to all the residents of the village. The villagers insist on contributing the silver pennies that are traditionally baked into the puddings for the diners to find. However, in the collection of donated coins the children find three unusual ones, which turn out to be ancient Roman denarii. The hunt is now on to find the hoard that they must have come from.
The romances that blossom among the characters seem to me to be much more mature and more engaging in this book, especially the bittersweet one of the teenaged Melissa. But the author in the afterword reassures readers that Melissa's story will continue in a book of her own, and I am keenly looking forward to that! As well, there are books planned for the characters of the other children when they become adults. I only hope that this does not mean the end of the Osbaldestone Christmas series, because there should still be a year or two left before the children become too old for this charming series to continue.
My rating is 4.5; I just can't give a full 5 stars to a frivolous romance despite my enjoyment of it so I will round down.
The romances that blossom among the characters seem to me to be much more mature and more engaging in this book, especially the bittersweet one of the teenaged Melissa. But the author in the afterword reassures readers that Melissa's story will continue in a book of her own, and I am keenly looking forward to that! As well, there are books planned for the characters of the other children when they become adults. I only hope that this does not mean the end of the Osbaldestone Christmas series, because there should still be a year or two left before the children become too old for this charming series to continue.
My rating is 4.5; I just can't give a full 5 stars to a frivolous romance despite my enjoyment of it so I will round down.
December 29, 2019
My absolute favorite of the Lady O Christmas novellas!
Lady O and her grandchildren are once again in Little Mosely for all the holiday festivities. This year an especially large plum harvest has Lady O and her staff providing plum puddings to the entire village. While polishing the silver pennies to be hidden inside each, Lady O's grandchildren discover ancient Roman coinage. The search is on for the board allowing the introduction of a couple of scholarly outsiders to the village.
I loved everything about this, the updates on favorite characters, the gentle romances, the lively children. I thought the whole Roman hoard, the history proved, the artifact debate, everything to be the icing on the cake, the cherry on top of the sundae. I am thrilled Laurens has already announced that at least one more of these Lady O holiday stories will come our way next year.
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Lady O and her grandchildren are once again in Little Mosely for all the holiday festivities. This year an especially large plum harvest has Lady O and her staff providing plum puddings to the entire village. While polishing the silver pennies to be hidden inside each, Lady O's grandchildren discover ancient Roman coinage. The search is on for the board allowing the introduction of a couple of scholarly outsiders to the village.
I loved everything about this, the updates on favorite characters, the gentle romances, the lively children. I thought the whole Roman hoard, the history proved, the artifact debate, everything to be the icing on the cake, the cherry on top of the sundae. I am thrilled Laurens has already announced that at least one more of these Lady O holiday stories will come our way next year.
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Read
October 28, 2025I am leaving this book unrated.
I have to get off my chest that I found out the ages of Dagenham (sp?) and Melissa near the end of the book. He is 21 and she is 15. That means that when they first got the hots for each other in book 2, he was 20 and she was FOURTEEN!. That is so gross, icky, creepy as hellllllllllllllllllll that it thoroughly ruined my enjoyment of other aspects of the story. Why couldn't Laurens have made one of them 17? It would still have been a "forbidden young love," but not gawd-awful predatory.
Just yuck.
Also, why would it be completely fine for 10-year-old James to drive a carriage without supervision?
Given the above, Callum and Honor was very sweet and fun, and the search around the countryside mirrored the previous 2 books in the category of kid-friendly romp.
I have to get off my chest that I found out the ages of Dagenham (sp?) and Melissa near the end of the book. He is 21 and she is 15. That means that when they first got the hots for each other in book 2, he was 20 and she was FOURTEEN!. That is so gross, icky, creepy as hellllllllllllllllllll that it thoroughly ruined my enjoyment of other aspects of the story. Why couldn't Laurens have made one of them 17? It would still have been a "forbidden young love," but not gawd-awful predatory.
Just yuck.
Also, why would it be completely fine for 10-year-old James to drive a carriage without supervision?
Given the above, Callum and Honor was very sweet and fun, and the search around the countryside mirrored the previous 2 books in the category of kid-friendly romp.
January 24, 2022
The Lady Osbaldestone series is set in a small English village at Christmas. It’s a little like a Christmas Hallmark movie, but set in the late 1800’s. Each year her grandchildren come to visit for a couple of weeks in December and a mystery ensures. Most are fluff reading but this one was a little more meaty.
As the young crew tries to solve the mystery of three Roman coins, the author educates the reader on Roman antiquities and Compounds.
Still it’s mostly the same cast of characters and traditional Christmas events in Little Mosley. A sweet little read that makes you wish you were there for Christmas.
As the young crew tries to solve the mystery of three Roman coins, the author educates the reader on Roman antiquities and Compounds.
Still it’s mostly the same cast of characters and traditional Christmas events in Little Mosley. A sweet little read that makes you wish you were there for Christmas.
December 28, 2019
Again, so delightful! This third book of the series is a bit different, though. With the addition of more adult characters, this is turning more romancey, which is NOT my thing. I have no use for Regency bodice rippers, but this is nothing of that kind. The Lady Osbaldstone series is anchored by the grand dame and her three young grandchildren. They are what make the stories such innocent pleasure. The mysteries are clever and bloodless. The current installment actually gives you a bit of history for British Roman sites and the change of private collection vs. museum collections that were changing at the time. I can't wait for next year's story!
November 28, 2021
Další z Vánočních příběhů Lady Osbaldestoneové, tentokrát o švestkovém pudinku a nalezeném pokladu. A jak už to tak v této sérii bývá, nechybí ani tentokrát lehce detektivní zápletka, Vánoční tradice a atmosféra, koledy, zvyky, ani nově se rodící láska a samozřejmě - vnoučata Lady Osbaldestoneové. Já jsem si postupně tuto sérii zamilovala, její lehce nostalgická nálada a příjemný, pomalu plynoucí děj, mi přináší tolik kýžený klid a oddech do předvánočního shonu. Už teď se moc těším, na 4. díl, který si prozatím schovávám, až na samotné Vánoce.
January 26, 2021
A Wonderful Series for the Whole Famiy
The books in this series have been delightful to read. The relationships developing between Lady Obaldestone and her grandchildren when they make their now annual pre-Christmas visit has been a special treat. It reminded me of when my mother-in-law told my husband and I that she loved having her grandchildren come stay with her, especially when the parents went somewhere else!
The books in this series have been delightful to read. The relationships developing between Lady Obaldestone and her grandchildren when they make their now annual pre-Christmas visit has been a special treat. It reminded me of when my mother-in-law told my husband and I that she loved having her grandchildren come stay with her, especially when the parents went somewhere else!
December 13, 2022
Happiness and heartache
The return to Little Mosey. Jamie, George and Lottie are back for a nother Christmas with their grandmother and are joined with their cousin's Mandy and Melissa. Another treasure hunt is underway for the origins of three Roman coins. There is love and heartache along the way. This is the third book in the series and each one is better than the last. Enjoy!
The return to Little Mosey. Jamie, George and Lottie are back for a nother Christmas with their grandmother and are joined with their cousin's Mandy and Melissa. Another treasure hunt is underway for the origins of three Roman coins. There is love and heartache along the way. This is the third book in the series and each one is better than the last. Enjoy!
December 23, 2023
I enjoyed returning to the world of Lady Osbaldestone and her grandchildren. The stories are sweet, predictable little love stories that are exactly what I am looking for this time of year. This book had the added bonus of learning about Roman antiquities and the ethical questions of the business of finding and preserving them at that time. The added touch of the Christmas timing of the stories is the icing on the cake for a great holiday tradition.
December 28, 2019
A great christmas.read
This.is the second in the Lady Osbaldestones series. There is humour with the antics of the grandchildren. So good old.fashion matchmaking for a lasting romance all set.round a.village mystery at Christmas time . A really great read. Now I have eleven months until the. Next.one
This.is the second in the Lady Osbaldestones series. There is humour with the antics of the grandchildren. So good old.fashion matchmaking for a lasting romance all set.round a.village mystery at Christmas time . A really great read. Now I have eleven months until the. Next.one
February 5, 2020
Absolutely brilliant
I absolutely love every book by Stephanie Laurens. She writes every character so they are so memorable and you can't wait to find out what happens next. Can't wait to read the next instalment of this series. I can't believe we have to wait years to find out what happens next to Melissa.
I absolutely love every book by Stephanie Laurens. She writes every character so they are so memorable and you can't wait to find out what happens next. Can't wait to read the next instalment of this series. I can't believe we have to wait years to find out what happens next to Melissa.
October 25, 2020
Fabulous
All I can say is how much this story and the characters had me enthralled. I have enjoyed reading this series and cannot wait to dive into the next book. I can not wait to read the future stories as the characters grow and mature. I hope that fate does play nicely in the years to come.
All I can say is how much this story and the characters had me enthralled. I have enjoyed reading this series and cannot wait to dive into the next book. I can not wait to read the future stories as the characters grow and mature. I hope that fate does play nicely in the years to come.
January 1, 2022
3.5 stars.
Another nice Christmassy read. But I did find the budding romance of Lady O's 15 yo granddaughter just a bit weird? Granted she's a very matured girl and it would seem he never really knew how old she was when they met last year. But still....
Also, I reckon the yule log guy should get better rewarded than just a plum pudding?
Another nice Christmassy read. But I did find the budding romance of Lady O's 15 yo granddaughter just a bit weird? Granted she's a very matured girl and it would seem he never really knew how old she was when they met last year. But still....
Also, I reckon the yule log guy should get better rewarded than just a plum pudding?
October 10, 2022
I am quite enjoying these familial mysteries.
Once again Lady Osbaldestone's grandchildren return to spend the weeks preceding Christmas with their Grandmother in Little Moseley. This time while collecting and cleaning coins for the plum puddings to be made from the surfeit of plums. Three Roman coins are found and the search is on for where they were found. Romance is always encouraged.
Once again Lady Osbaldestone's grandchildren return to spend the weeks preceding Christmas with their Grandmother in Little Moseley. This time while collecting and cleaning coins for the plum puddings to be made from the surfeit of plums. Three Roman coins are found and the search is on for where they were found. Romance is always encouraged.
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