Mischief & Mistletoe: Thirty Ways to Leave a Duke

Redeemable Rogues #4.5

by Tanya Anne Crosby

'Twas the Week Before Christmas...

Suspecting he can never be the man Emma Peters wishes him to be, Lucien Morgen, the fifth duke of Willyngham, decides to break off their long-standing engagement...only to discover the innocent fiancé he set aside for years has unexpectedly blossomed into a passionate, irresistible woman.

When All Through the House...

As the family counts down to Christmas, everyone else seems to realize Lucien and Emma are truly meant to be--except the oblivious couple. With the help of some very mischievous children, Emma and Lucien are about to discover that a little mischief beneath the mistletoe might just open their hearts to love.

Originally published in A Christmas Together by Avon Books, this new edition has been completely revised, with all new scenes.

Genres: Historical Romance, Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Historical, Short Stories, Novella

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2013

About the author

Tanya Anne Crosby is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thirty novels. She has been featured in magazines, such as People, Romantic Times and Publisher’s Weekly, and her books have been translated into eight languages. Her first novel was published in 1992 by Avon Books, where Tanya was hailed as “one of Avon’s fastest rising stars.” Her fourth book was chosen to launch the company’s Avon Romantic Treasure imprint.
Known for stories charged with emotion and humor and filled with flawed characters Tanya is an award-winning author, journalist, and editor, and her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews. She and her writer husband split their time between Charleston, SC, where she was raised, and northern Michigan, where the couple make their home.

Reviews

[HR-ML · Rating 2 out of 5]

Victorian England. Can't call this a 2nd chance b/c the
MCs barely knew each other the 1st time. 2.5 stars.

Emma's late sire was an Admiral. Lucien Morgen had
briefly served in the Navy under her dad, until he in-
herited a dukedom from his sib. Emma & Luc were
engaged in 1838, with no real enthusiasm on his part.
He wavered.

3 years on, Em lived w/ her brother, SIL & their 3 kids.
Luc showed up. Why? This had some snappy dialogue &
3 kids involved in mischief, until it didn't. Lucien did not
seem to know his own mind. He felt more lust than love
: we know the drill. This reminded me of a container of
popcorn that needed slightly more butter. It seemed too
dry as is.

[Trish R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this was a fun story BUT I could have done without Lucien thinking about what he’d like Emma to do with/for him sexually. Believe it or not I love sex in my books but not in a Christmas novella. This is my first story by Ms. Crosby and I doubt I’ll read more by her. Her sex scenes are just a little too nasty for me.

It was a cute story about Lucien breaking his and Emma’s betrothal but then finding it difficult to want to leave Emma’s and her brother’s Christmas festivities. But Emma trying constantly trying to rush him off because she was so heartbroken she didn’t want to be near him. What the kids did to try to get him to stay was pretty funny. It was a good read.

As to the narration: Marian Hussey did a great job on the voices and she reads with nice emotions.

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Original review can be found at https://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/...

In my hunt for some Christmas cheer to get me in the Christmas spirit I decided to pick this novella up and give it a try. In the interest of full disclosure I will admit that I have never really been drawn to historical romance. I love historical fiction but tend to stay away from these types of books. I don't know why.

I have to admit that I enjoyed this novella more than I thought I would. At only 78 pages I can't really say too much about it but it succeeded in giving me some holiday feels. Who doesn't smile at love discovered during the holiday season.

If I had to dissect the story I would say that the characters were a little weak especially Lucien. A broken betrothal because he didn't feel worthy but with no explanation was a little unbecoming. Also the fact that his feelings changed three years later when Emma was more mature, beautiful and self confident was a little slimy. However, I adored Emma's family and their closeness and holiday traditions.

In the end this novella did entertained me for a short time and succeeded in putting me in the holiday spirit.

[Barbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tanya Anne Crosby weaves yet another magnificent tale with that golden pen of hers in this magnificent novella "Mischief and Mistletoe".

In this book it is Spring 1838, about a betrothed couple Lucien Morgen, 5th Duke of Willyngham and Emma Peters. Emma is eighteen years old with love in her heart and wants to be loved, the usual things a young woman would want. One thing she knows is she does not want a marriage of convenience and becomes someone's breeding vessel for heirs.

Lucien, who has a fabricated scandal connected to him and grew up very neglected watched his parents very unhappy marriage that destroyed his mother wants a marriage of convenience as well as a dull wife, After Emma confesses her feelings of love to Lucien he decides to break of the engagement thinking he is saving Emma from a loveless unhappy marriage like his parents.

Lucien and Emma do not see each other for another three years, shortly before Christmas Lucien decides it is time to break the engagement officially once and for all. Expecting to see the dull young girl he saw three years ago but finds but a beautiful vivacious intelligent woman full grown, as he finds himself wanting her like no other. Emma has changed and wants nothing to do with him, but to have this engagement broken and His Grace out of her site. This time Lucien finds himself mesmerized by Emma not wanting to leave her or her loving family. Something Lucien never had but wanted very much growing up.

Emma's family see's what the engaged couple does not that Emma and Lucien do love each other even though they cannot see it. So with the help of some meddling relatives and three little mischievous urchins. Both Lucien and Emma find out love really does exist and conquers all.

This book was truly a magical holiday book thats pulls you into that feel good holiday spirit no matter what season you read it in. I loved it!

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very quick read. Nice story. I just wish there had been more interactions between them to make his change of heart more believable and romantic. It seemed a lot of it was him feeling spurned. I also hate long interval redemption stories - he strings her along for 3 years? He didn’t grovel enough for that.

[kookyquinn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spoiler: Sadly the hero doesn't get hit by a bus.

The best part about this book was I didn't read it during the holiday season and ruin my Christmas.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this holiday romance.

This holiday tale by Tanya Anne Crosby is totally delightful.
Our heroine starts out a very naive young woman who has no clue why her betrothed has decided he doesn't want to marry her.
After years pass before he decides to show his face she shows her anger at his disregard.
What will his reaction be? Will he decide he loves her after all?

The characters in this humorous story alone make it not to be missed.
Our heroines nieces and nephews are a wonderful addition to this story with their naughty antics.

I gave this book 4.9 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a mild sensual rating of 2.5 of 5.0 flames. There is very little intimacy in this sweet Christmas romance.

It is a truly delightful read for this or any Christmas season. I borrowed this book via KindleUnlimited. This in no way affected my opinion wich I reviewed voluntarily.

[Audry Wichelns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thirty Ways to Leave a Duke

I gave this book 5 stars because not only does the Duke fall off his high horse but he realizes very quickly what a mistake he made two years ago when he broke up with Emma Peter's and even though there was no one else there, it was totally humiliating for Emma. Now, 2 years later he is back to make the breakup public. Emma is not the same girl he remembered. Her father, who the Duke once served under has died and she lives with her brother, wife and 3 children. But the Duke is determined to make sure their broken engagement is made public. Emma thought it had been done 2 years previously. When the Duke sees Emma, he is not so sure he wants to break up for real and keeps coming up with excuses to stay. A good and funny Regency romp.

[Tampatha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mischief & Mistletoe by Tanya Anne Crosby is a charming, festive read filled with warmth, family, and a touch of holiday magic. I really enjoyed the family’s Christmas traditions—they added such a cozy, nostalgic feel—and the mischievous children absolutely stole the show with their antics.

The narration was lovely and engaging, making it easy to get swept up in the holiday spirit. I could’ve used a little more interaction between Lucien and Emma to really invest in their relationship, but overall, it was a cute, heartwarming story and the perfect way to kick off my holiday reads! 🎄✨

[Sheri-Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A recipe for a delicious Christmas Novella!

Start with one strong, determined female lead. Stir in one bull-headed, lost-in-life male lead. Add in a handful of adorable children and their romantic-minded parents. Toss in a dash of A Christmas Carol and a handful of spice. And you will have a wonderfully entertaining Christmas distraction!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

To have what you need and throw it away and then find that it's what you need and may not be able to get it back makes this an excellent, if short story. This was my second reading and just as good as the first.

[Lauren Sancer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet

Tanya Needs to do more comedy. This was sweet hilarious and full of feels! She really should consider writing comedy more often. I love all of her books but this one will hold a special place in my heart <3

[AmazingJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Wonderful, Loving & Romantic Story

A short but Delightful Story. I really wished Tanya would have made this Book longer.
Albeit it was a short but Wonderful Story with Adorable Characters, especially the Children.

[Anaïs Wilde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy bonito. Quizás le falta un poco de "picante" para mi gusto, pero está muy bien ambientada y realmente te transporta a una navidad en la campiña inglesa.

[Adrya Ribeiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Que conto fofinho, para aquecer o coração no Natal. Isso que é uma família empenhada em conseguir um marido para a Emma..rsrsrs Um bando de pestes!!

[Lissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

In romance under the mistletoe

[Tom Prejsner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance

Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you

[Rosalinda Cicio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una magica storia d'amore e quanto sono adorabili i nipotini di Emma :) povero Lucien

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/24/2021)! 🎁

[Barbara R Holbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ended too SOON.....

Lots of FEELS, Laughter, sulking, teasing, and Realization of The Truth. Tanya Anne Crosby has done it, again. MORE!!!
XoXBobi

[Jackie Neidhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute novella!! I wish it was longer but I loved how fast paced this was!

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought a nice little story set at Christmastime would be appropriate. Even though there were a few cute parts, overall it didn't do it for me.

[Virginie Marconato · Rating 5 out of 5]

a lovely quick read with an unusual starting point.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/4

[Tabitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything about this story was really enjoyable. The main characters and background characters were wonderful especially the children. I did want a little more exploration of the MMCs backstory, but that didn't take away my enjoyment. Also the narrator did a wonderful job.

[Kbee]

Audible Romance Package

AUDIOBOOK: Listened to 4 February 2018
3hrs 17min

Narrator: Marian Hussey
It was ok the kids made it fun.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another short and sweet story in the Redeemable Rogues series set a Christmastime.

As per usual, the hero is pretty reluctant in the beginning but soon learns he really feels differently. I'm not sure what exactly it is about this author's stories that grab me, but I do enjoy them.

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Eine Bescherung für den Herzog“ ist eine Novelle der Bestsellerautorin Tanya Ann Crosby.

Die Handlung spielt Mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts im viktorianischen England. Erzählt wird die Geschichte von Lucien Morgan, dem fünften Herzog von Willyngham, und Emma Peters, Tochter eines Admirals.

Drei Jahre sind vergangen, seit Lucien Morgan seiner Angetrauten erklärt hat, dass er die bestehende Verlobung lösen möchte. Jetzt soll die Entscheidung endlich auch öffentlich bekannt gegeben werden und so stattet der Herzog Emma und ihrer Familie kurz vor Weihnachten einen Besuch ab. Aber das vermeintlich so unschuldige und sanftmütige junge Mädchen hat sich mittlerweile zu einer Frau entwickelt, die ihren eigenen Kopf hat und mit ihrer Meinung nicht länger hinter dem Berg hält. Und als wären die Funken und Fetzen, die zwischen Emma und Lucien fliegen und sprühen nicht schon genug, schmieden auch Emmas Bruder sowie dessen Frau und Kinder ihre eigene Pläne, um den beiden unglücklich Verliebten doch noch zu ihrem Happy End zu verhelfen.

Das Buch ist eigentlich nur eine Novelle, dementsprechend knapp fallen natürlich auch die Handlung und die Entwicklung der Charaktere aus. Dennoch hat Tanya Ann Crosby es geschafft, den inneren Konflikt von Lucien schön herauszuarbeiten. Während die „alte“ Emma ihm in ihrer Lieblichkeit und (vermeintlichen Sanftmut) viel zu zerbrechlich vorkam, ist er nun fasziniert von der selbstbewussten jungen Frau, zu der seine Verlobte sich entwickelt hat. Emma hingegen ist fest entschlossen, dem Herzog zu zeigen, dass sie ihn weder braucht noch will und das Ende der Verlobung geradezu begrüßt.
Während Emma und Lucien mit sich und ihren Gefühlen füreinander beschäftigt sind, beschließt jedoch Emmas Familie, dass sie den beiden auf die Sprünge helfen müssen und hecken dafür allerlei Streiche aus.

Mir hat die Geschichte wirklich gut gefallen, weil sie romantisch und heiter ist. Ich bin kein Fan von düsteren Liebesgeschichten, und fand diese hier besonders charmant, weil sie sich nicht so ernst nimmt. Die Charaktere sind liebenswert, die Streiche der Kinder sind zum Brüllen und die Beziehung zwischen Emma und Lucien ist einfach unglaublich romantisch.

Mir hat’s gefallen!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still on the hunt for a new, good Christmas romance. In spite of the rating this one wasn't bad, but it also wasn't really what I was looking for. Sad Lucien feels unworthy of love (blah, could he have a more inane fault) and so rejects (wow, already forgot her name) Emma to save her from himself, but finds breaking their engagement more difficult than he originally imagined due to Emma's spirit and her nieces and nephew's wacky antics at Christmastime.

If that sounds appealing, there you go. You'll probably like it. The beginning was a little rough for me, and the book suffers from some editing problems--missing words, misplaced quotes, etc. I had some serious problems with the ending, but I don't imagine everyone one will.

Ending issues: (long and detailed spoiler)

1. Ladies don't get compromised. It's crass.
2. Even if they did, their brothers wouldn't blithely look the other way.
3. Especially not if the man in question has a reputation as a rake. As in he could ruin her and dash.
4. OMG! The sex scene was hysterically bad. "Bud of her womanhood?" Ha! No, really, hahahahaha!!! Btw, the earlier bed scene uses "quickened" twice. I happened to be reading it out loud to my husband while he cooked, and he said, "This guy sure quickens a lot."
5. Please give me more of Christmas morning, and I don't mean hilarious purple prose. We never get a pay off with the smug children getting to see the fruits of their labors. Bah humbug!



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Kindle Lending Library, December '13.

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty decent novella about Christmas. Lucien thinks he's a bad egg and in order to save the lovely and innocent fiancee from a lifetime of heartache with him, he ends their engagement. Only she's in love with him and is devastated. So when he comes back 3 years later to officially end it, she's turned into a bit of a termagant (which he sees as passion and fierceness) and he suddenly wonders if he can leave her. He obviously still thinks its for the best to end it, but suddenly she's irresistible to him. Then there's her neices and nephew who decide to mix things up a bit and give them both their Christmas wish - whether they want it or not.

I've just come off of reading The Impostor Prince, by the same author, and I would swear the female character is the same one! She says the same things and nearly acts the same way. Still, I feel for Lucien's situation and their angst makes for an engaging read. I had to suspend some serious disbelief to go along with the children's antics (and their father's part in it). I also felt that the ending was a bit rushed and had a few loose ends... For example, the whole cliff-side as the scene of her heartache and how he doesn't feel worthy were sort of glossed over. At the end of the story, she never got a truly good reason for why he rejected her in the first place. It seemed he just changed his mind.