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Once Upon a Christmas Past

Regan Walker (Goodreads Author),

Paula Quinn (Goodreads Author),

Catherine Kean (Goodreads Author),

Brenda Jernigan (Goodreads Author)

4.30 · Rating details · 44 ratings · 12 reviews

Christmas in Scotland or Christmas in England – it is the best time of the year.

NY Times & USA Today & Bestselling Authors present Once Upon a Christmas Past – 4 full books of Christmas and Love

A Secret Scottish Christmas by Regan Walker

Spies, Scots, and Shipmasters celebrate a very secret Christmas in Scotland as identical twins, Robbie and Nash Powell, spies for the Crow ...more

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ebook, 878 pages

Published October 1st 2019

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· 44 ratings · 12 reviews

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Sep 24, 2019 Frankie (Chicks, Rogues and Scandals) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: anthology, arc-from-author, christmas, historical-romance

Is there a better way to get into the festive spirit then reading four gorgeous Christmassy historical romances? I can’t think of anything, this anthology is a real treat, there is something for every historical romance reader, whether it is handsome spies, devastating highlanders, sinful Knights or the Knights of the round table, I can guarantee no matter what you love about romance, you will find a whole new love somewhere in this anthology. I must admit that I did start this anthology a littl Is there a better way to get into the festive spirit then reading four gorgeous Christmassy historical romances? I can’t think of anything, this anthology is a real treat, there is something for every historical romance reader, whether it is handsome spies, devastating highlanders, sinful Knights or the Knights of the round table, I can guarantee no matter what you love about romance, you will find a whole new love somewhere in this anthology. I must admit that I did start this anthology a little biased as I had read A Secret Scottish Christmas Last year, I adore this book when I first read it and I loved it so much I was more then happy to read it again and I knew with having Ms Walker amongst this anthology I would be in for a treat – but then again Regan Walker could write a bus timetable and I would be in heaven. What I love about anthology’s is that you are introduced to author’s whom you have not read before and by the end your TBR pile has just tripled in size as you start adding all the authors past work to it.

So as you would have gathered this anthology is all historical romance, I have decided to review the anthology as a whole with little nod to each book, instead of my usual full individual book review, only because if I did this post would go on and on – really no one wants to fall asleep mid way through as I waffle on.

A Secret Scottish Christmas is just as I remember; a gorgeous, festive and beautifully written Christmassy romance. I love Regan Walker’s work, this was a favourite of mine the first time I read it, re-reading it has just confirmed what I new already; that Ms Walker has a beautiful eye for detail, her grasp at language that can take the reader to another time and place is stunning.

A Highlander For Christmas by Paula Quinn is a very loving and heart-warming story, the characters are so charming and well defined that they instantly make you cheer them on as they find their way to a happily ever after. The story is a real winner, it’s charming and very easy to read.

A Knight’s Redemption by Catherine Kean is such a fun and very witty romance, it’s a proper enemies to lovers (well that’s how I saw it) the story starts when they are very young and when they don’t exactly see eye to eye, then we fast forward to them as adults there is a lot for them to move past before they reach their happy ending.

Christmas In Camelot by Brenda Jernigan what a fabulous story this is, who doesn’t love the stories about Arthur and his Knights of the round table? This is just as compelling and engrossing as the Arthurian stories themselves, full of action and romance a real winner.

I thoroughly enjoyed this anthology, I liked how the stories complimented one and other, even though they are full length novels on their own the four stories seem to fit really well as they sit side by side. Each of the four authors are all so different in writing style, they each have their own way with words which will grab your attention and take you off on a festive adventure into the past – or should that be four festive adventure’s? You have rich detail, gorgeous settings, amazing and wonderfully crafted characters and four brilliantly engaging, romantic and atmospheric stories.

Overall an immensely romantic and utterly charming anthology that will make you feel warm and festive, this is like opening a Christmas gift, there is excitement for what is to come then when you have read each of the beautiful stories you feel a sense of serenity and joy.
...more

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Oct 01, 2019 April rated it it was amazing

Once Upon a Christmas Past: A Historical Romance Holiday Collection by Regan Walker, Paula Quinn, Catherine Kean and Brenda Jereigan is an absolute must read for this Holiday season. Four very talented authors created four well written and well excuted stories. Each story is written in the author's own writing style.
Four full books of Christmas and Love by four bestselling authors.
Each story will hold the reader in awe, as love, holiday magic and unexpected gifts and so More.
Simply put, Wow, a ...more

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Sep 03, 2019 Carole Burant rated it it was amazing

Four wonderful authors and four excellent stories that take place at Christmas time. I thoroughly enjoyed each story.....

A Secret Scottish Christmas by Regan Walker: This is so well written and how I wish I could have joined the characters on the sleigh to gather the Christmas greenery needed to decorate:) I loved Ailie and Nash's story and the secondary characters were also very lovable. You can really tell this author does her research and I love it when real places are used....I go on Google Four wonderful authors and four excellent stories that take place at Christmas time. I thoroughly enjoyed each story.....

A Secret Scottish Christmas by Regan Walker: This is so well written and how I wish I could have joined the characters on the sleigh to gather the Christmas greenery needed to decorate:) I loved Ailie and Nash's story and the secondary characters were also very lovable. You can really tell this author does her research and I love it when real places are used....I go on Google Earth, type in the places and then do the street view so that I can see it all for myself, it just makes the story come to life!! Dunnottar Castle, The Ship Inn, Dunnottar Parish Kirk, Arbroath....all real places:) I also loved the humor in the story and I agree with Nash on the kale and haggis! lol

A Highlander for Christmas by Paula Quinn: This is a heartwarming story and you can't help but fall in love with Finn and Leslie. Just when they finally admit how they feel about each other, they are forced apart because of family duty but Finn won't give her up that easily! An action packed story that will keep you mesmerized.

A Knight's Redemption by Catherine Kean: I really enjoyed this story as well! We first meet Mary and Holden when they are young teens and it doesn't go so well...having been chosen as the Lord of Misrule that Christmas, Holden demands a kiss from Mary and when she refuses, he has her put in the dungeon. He didn't intend to have her in there for very long but due to circumstances, he ends up forgetting her in there for hours!! Now 6 years later, they meet again and he has a lot of grovelling to do if he wants another chance with her!

Christmas in Camelot by Brenda Jernigan: Being a huge fan of Camelot, I absolutely adored this story! Imagine being able to spend Christmas in Camelot with King Arthur, Guinevere, Sir Lancelot, Merlin, etc!! Nicholas is one of the Knights of the Round Table and doesn't believe in love. Noelle comes along and he's finally met someone who is as stubborn as he is!! Another action packed story that will keep you in its grip.

I was given an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. ...more

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Sep 15, 2019 Janice Hougland rated it it was amazing

Every single story in this collection was wonderful:
A Secret Scottish Christmas by Regan Walker
The descriptive writing style made me feel like I was right there in the story, enjoying sledge (sleigh) rides in the snow, collecting greens to decorate the home and eating delicious Scottish fare at the dinner table. Using Dunnottar Castle in Winter, where the hero and Aislie pledge their troth and marry, was so romantic!
A Highlander for Christmas by Paula Quinn
Finn and Leslie, in love but from diffe ...more

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Aug 28, 2019 Nicole Laverdure rated it really liked it

My review is for Brenda Jernigan's story 'Christmas in Camelot'!

Brenda Jernigan's Christmas story 'Christmas in Camelot' was first published in October 2001 and is now part of 'Once Upon a Christmas Past: A Historical Romance Holiday Collection'. Four talented authors have written four full books of Christmas and Love. Brenda Jernigan, Regan Walker, Paula Quinn and Catherine Kean.

This is a classic love story. It tells of Sir Nicholas the Dragon and a beautiful lady named Noelle. Upon the king's ...more

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Oct 01, 2019 Barbara Mccarthy rated it it was amazing

Regan Walkers story is a Wonderful Christmastime read ! It will put you in the mood for an old fashioned Christmas celebration with kith + kin for sure. Twins Robie + Nash are gorgeous, and smart and although they are identical physically, they have very different personalities. Use to being mistaken for each other they have honed that to a fine point in their undercover work as spies for the Crown. They are invited to spend Christmas with the wonderful Powell family at their country estate whic Regan Walkers story is a Wonderful Christmastime read ! It will put you in the mood for an old fashioned Christmas celebration with kith + kin for sure. Twins Robie + Nash are gorgeous, and smart and although they are identical physically, they have very different personalities. Use to being mistaken for each other they have honed that to a fine point in their undercover work as spies for the Crown. They are invited to spend Christmas with the wonderful Powell family at their country estate which is the perfect rouse for looking for a man wanted by the Crown in that very area. This draws them to town, taking turns posing as each other to gain information on his whereabouts and it won't be gotten without intrigue and danger. When they arrive at the Powell's they are stunned by the unexpected pleasure of meeting Ailene, the beautiful sister of their friend with fiery red hair and a bit of a sharp tongue, with a delightful Scottish brogue. They are each smitten and as they have often done in the past, the game is on, to compete for her attention in a horse drawn sleigh as they venture into the woods to look for Christmas tree and a yule log and get separated, but which twin is it that steals the kiss ? And which one will fall in love and wish to make her his wife? This is a well researched novel for the facts of the era, so well done that I felt as if I were there with them enjoying the merriment by the Yule log burning in the hearth waiting for the goose to be done cooking that filled the home with wonderful aromas. Oh yes, there is a Dowager Countess there who is a well known matchmaker sizing them all up to ply her talents on. There is much to love in this book and I'll not give any spoilers away. You will just have to read it and enjoy the adventure like I did. This is just one of four delightful stories that you should not pass up. Set in different time periods, there is something for everyone. Each author brings her own special flavor to make for great reads. Enjoy. I did. ...more

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Jan 19, 2020 Amy Thompson rated it really liked it

Enjoyable and educational.

I thoroughly enjoyed all the stories . Each story brought something different to the table. I did find misprint in all of them. However this did not take away from anything. It was time well spent😊

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Dec 27, 2019 Connie Huddleston rated it really liked it

Three very good stories and one that is filled with characters from the author's series that I have not read making it very hard to identify all the names. Fun, some steamy, good Christmas trash reading. ...more

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Sep 30, 2019 Amy rated it it was amazing

Once Upon a Christmas Past is a collection of four stories. These stories include:
A Secret Scottish Christmas by Regan Walker
A Highlander for Christmas by Paula Quinn
A Knight’s Redemption by Catherine Kean
Christmas in Camelot by Brenda Jernigan
I enjoyed every one of these stories. My favorite is by far Regan Walker's A Secret Scottish Christmas. It was great to find a couple of new to me authors to look forward to reading in the future. I highly recommend this book for readers who enjoy histori ...more

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Nov 28, 2019 Brandi rated it it was amazing

Once Upon a Christmas Past: A Historical Romance Holiday Collection is an entertaining collection of historical romances taking place during different time frames, but all at Christmastime. My favorite is Christmas in Camelot. I loved the characters of Noelle, Nicholas, Isabelle, Carolyn, Dirk, etc. There was quite a bit of humor in this one, and it is from a time period that I do not get to read about as often.
I enjoyed all the stories, and greatly enjoyed this collection. They were all well-wr ...more

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Oct 29, 2019 Betty Reynolds rated it it was amazing

I loved every book in this collection! Now I need to read more books by these authors- It is that good!

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Dec 08, 2019 Lupe rated it it was amazing

Surprise Ending

This is the first novel I’ve read by this author. I love the characters, the setting of of story and the surprising end. I recommend this book.

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Aug 28, 2019 Brenda Jernigan rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

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Aug 23, 2019 Paula Quinn rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

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About Regan Walker

Regan Walker

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Signup for Regan's Newsletter and get all the news, new releases and deals... and you might win a book! http://www.reganwalkerauthor.com/

Award-winning, bestselling author of Regency, Georgian and Medieval romantic historical fiction. Also an avid reader/reviewer of historical love stories set in the 19th century or earlier. Author website: www.reganwalkerauthor.com. Historical Romance Review blog Signup for Regan's Newsletter and get all the news, new releases and deals... and you might win a book! http://www.reganwalkerauthor.com/

Award-winning, bestselling author of Regency, Georgian and Medieval romantic historical fiction. Also an avid reader/reviewer of historical love stories set in the 19th century or earlier. Author website: www.reganwalkerauthor.com. Historical Romance Review blog: reganromancereview.blogspot.com.

My stories will sweep you away, I promise. They are historically authentic with real historical figures. I do hundreds of hours of research for each book.

Praise for THE AGENTS OF THE CROWN:

“Ms. Walker has the rare ability to make you forget you are reading a book…the characters become real, the modern world fades away and all that is left is the intrigue, drama and romance.” ~ Straight from the Library

RACING WITH THE WIND: "... a superb historical romance, filled with passion, political intrigue, and a worthy hero and heroine!" ~ NY Times Bestselling author Cynthia Wright

AGAINST THE WIND: "A fabulous tale with exciting twists and turns reflecting a little known event in England's history and, at its heart, a wonderful love story." ~ NY Times Bestselling author Shirlee Busbee

WIND RAVEN: “A salty, sweeping, evocative tale of romance on the high seas—and a good old-fashioned love story that will keep you up far, far past your bedtime. So, reach for the coffee. Brava for Regan Walker!" ~ NY Times Bestselling author Danelle Harmon

THE MEDIEVAL WARRIORS series:

“This series captures the Medieval era perfectly, creating the true sensation of traveling back in time to experience epic, riveting love stories that ignite the imagination. Beautifully written, perfectly paced and action-packed with passionate love affairs... What more can you ask?” ~ The Book Review

THE DONET TRILOGY:

“The Donet Trilogy has everything you’d ever want in historical romance. From spies, smugglers and pirates to masked balls and opulent palaces—what more could you ask for? Regan has created an immersive world packed with well-researched historical detail and a cast of characters that you really grow to love.” – Reading in Wellies ...more