My Only Valentine

by Victoria Hinshaw, Donna Lea Simpson, Julia Parks

Cupid finds a way to soothe ruffled feelings and thaw frozen hearts in these three short stories, set on the most romantic day of the year: A Bitter Misunderstanding, A Secret Longing and A Bold Deception.

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Victoria Hinshaw loves all things English and Regency; she writes about clever heroines and dashing heroes on their intriguing paths to love—that is when she can overcome her execrable typing and lack of tech-savvy. In fact, but for modern plumbing, e-readers, and internet research, she would gladly live in 1815.
Victoria binges on Jane Austen, Bridgerton, visiting British Stately Homes (when she can travel), and her secret identity as a baroness in disguise. Enjoy Victoria’s stories…and Experience the Elegance.

Reviews

[Pooja Peravali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three couples in Regency England find their way to each other through various Valentine's Day related events and hijinks.

In "The Valentine Poem" by Victoria Henshaw, Susan Kimball falls in love with her Italian tutor, little suspecting that he is actually a nobleman undercover. This is a cute romance with little plot, and I liked the relationship between John and his half-brother the duke. However, Susan's bleak moment seemed very illogical for a generally logical heroine - it really should have been timed for before the revelation of John's identity. 3 stars.

In "The Ugly Duckling's Valentine" by Julia Parks, Lady Claire considers herself the odd one out in her family. In an effort to raise her confidence, her brother's best friend Kit starts writing to her as an anonymous admirer, only to realize his admiration may be real. This was my favorite of the novellas, with well-matched leads and a warm, close-knit family. Kit's dawning realization about his feelings for Claire and the way she gets back at him for the deception is the icing on the cake. 4 stars.

In "Valentine Dreams" by Donna Simpson, Hartley swears off love after his fiancée Melony breaks off their engagement in the aftermath of a horrible tragedy. Eleven years later, his sister Lady Charmian brings them together in an effort to achieve closure. I'm usually not a big fan of second chance romances, but this one was sweet, and I liked seeing how Hartley and Melony rediscovered their feelings for one another and resolve the break in their past. 4 stars.

[Lisa Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Valentine Poem" comes from Victoria Hinshaw. This is a sweet tale. Susan Kimball has no idea that the Italian tutor she adores is really Lord John, the minor son of a duke.

Julia Parks writes "The Ugly Duckling's Valentine." As the title predicts, Lady Claire Lester is the "ugly" one in her family, but Viscount Kittridge finds her everything delightful. He is her long time friend and the one she loves, but she does not realize that he is more than her brother's "chum."

"Valentine Dreams" comes from Donna Simpson. Hartley scars make him something of a recluse. The woman he once loved turned from him, but they meet again at a Valentine masque. The author uses three points of view: Hartley, Melody, and his sister Lady Charmain (who serves as the matchmaker in the tale).