What do you think?
Rate this book
Signet Regency Christmas #4
A Regency Christmas IV
The holiday spirit comes alive in this wondrous new collection of five enchanting Christmas stories, written by some of the most beloved Regency authors. Filled with joyous Yuletide celebrations and heartwarming romance, this evocative, richly drawn treasury is a delight all year round. Includes:
"The Christmas Tart" by Mary Joy Putney
"A Seasonal Stratagem" by Sandra Heath
"The Porcelain Madonna" by Mary Balogh
"Christmas Rose" by Marjorie Farrell
"The Best Gift of All" by Emma Lange
"The Christmas Tart" by Mary Joy Putney
"A Seasonal Stratagem" by Sandra Heath
"The Porcelain Madonna" by Mary Balogh
"Christmas Rose" by Marjorie Farrell
"The Best Gift of All" by Emma Lange
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1992
1 person is currently reading
342 people want to read
About the author
Mary Balogh
195 books6,369 followersMary Jenkins was born in 1944 in Swansea, Wales, UK. After graduating from university, moved to Saskatchewan, Canada, to teach high school English, on a two-year teaching contract in 1967. She married her Canadian husband, Robert Balogh, and had three children, Jacqueline, Christopher and Sian. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, music and knitting. She also enjoys watching tennis and curling.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 4, 2016
With the exception of the Balogh story (3*) and maybe Putney's romance (2.5*), I didn't really care for this anthology. All in all, I can't recommend this book.
December 22, 2017
The Christmas Tart by Mary Jo Putney features a down-on-her-luck heroine and a nobleman with too many cares. When dressmaker Nicole Chambord is fired through no actual fault of her own, she’s kicked out on the streets on Christmas. With only a gaudy cloak and a few coins her in pocket, how will she survive? Sir Philip Selbourne has been working too hard since his father’s death. His friends decide he needs some Christmas cheer in the form of a woman warming his bed. When Nicole is propositioned by Philip’s friends, she weighs the offer. Can she go through with it? Philip wants nothing more than peace and quiet before he returns to work. When he finds a woman in his bed, the offer is tempting but is all what it seems?
The very beginning of this story sounded so familiar but none of the rest of it did! It was predictable but I liked it. Despite the premise, this is a clean story with only kisses and very mild sensuality. Philip is a saintly, swoony sort of hero. He loves his family and respects women. Nicole is admirable. I can’t imagine going through all the tough situations she’s been through in her life. She’s a very strong young woman and I really liked her.
In A Season Stratagem by Sandra Heath, Leon, Earl of Holmwood, bets his friend he can seduce a kiss from the lovely Miss Rosalind Faraday, niece of a very respectable matron. The usual complications ensue. This story is pretty standard in the Regency canon. I’m not fond of heroes who try to seduce unsuspecting females –especially those who do it for a wager. Leon is no exception. The misunderstanding was typical and the ending predictable.
The Porcelain Madonna by Mary Balogh features a Christmas-hating hero, Darcy Austin (yes really, she went there), Earl of Kevern and a shabby genteel heroine, Julie Bevan. When the Earl spies the lovely young woman staring at the porcelain Madonna and Child figure in the window of the jewelers, he is enchanted. He is thrust into her company when he stops a young would-be pickpocket from stealing her reticule. Instead of allowing him to thrash the boy, Julie takes pity on the poor boy who surely must have a great need to steal. It is Charlie who continues to bring these lonely souls together again and again during the Christmas season. As they await a Christmas miracle, the Earl makes a startling discovery about himself.
This is by far the best story in the collection. It’s a real Christmas story about helping others, forgiveness and joy. There were lots of feels and I even teared up a little towards the end. I’m not sure about the historical accuracy of the figure and I really don’t think an Earl would do some of the things he does in the story, but it’s a sweet story. I really liked how the hero’s backstory wasn’t revealed until the end. I had already guessed what it must be but it still came as a revelation. This wounded gentleman captured my heart. Julie is an angel. She’s a little too saintly for my taste yet I did feel the same way she did about Charlie. She’s a Dickensian sort of heroine! This is a sweet, kisses only romance for Christmas.
The next story Christmas Rose by Marjorie Ferrell is a long tale about a couple who are unable to conceive and have grown apart. When Lord Holford returns home from Christmas revels, he discovers a woman leaving a basket on a doorstep. He is horrified to discover the basket contains a young baby! The mother claims she can’t keep the baby because her lover is on his way home from the Continent and she is desperate to keep him and his love. If he finds out there is a child, their relationship will be over. Lord Holford comes up with an ingenious plan, but will it work? His wife will need to think it was all her own idea if it is to succeed.
The first chapter was very sweet. Failure to conceive and adoption are not common subjects in Regency romances so it was refreshing to read about a different plot. However, the rest of the story derails from there. The misunderstanding is so annoying! Lady Lanford is an idiot. She obviously doesn’t know or trust her husband. They should just TALK to each other. He is a very nice gentleman and trying hard to please his wife. It breaks his heart that she is so depressed from her perceived inability to become pregnant. She repays his gift to her by behaving childishly and even her parents think she behaved badly. The story goes on too long and is too improbable. Give this one a miss if you don’t like silly wives and misunderstandings.
Warning: semi-graphic love scenes with the emphasis on how the characters feel
The final story The Best Gift of All by Emma Lange seems to be based on Georgette Heyer’s A Civil Contract. (and shows why Georgette Heyer is the master of her craft). Newlyweds Philip and Megan Lindsay, Earl and Countess of Westphal have grown apart after only one week together. Philip resents his father and elder brother dying with deep debts that forced him to marry a cit’s daughter. While Philip has been with his mistress in London, Megan is back at the estate overseeing repairs. She both dreads and longs for her husband to return to her and to her bed. The memories of that week together make her blush furiously! When Philip returns, he brings a party of stranded travelers, including one who makes his family raise their eyebrows. He feels captivated by his fresh, youthful bride and knows he can easily seduce her. Is that enough?
UGH! I did not like this story. I hated this Philip. He’s a selfish, immature rat turd who doesn’t deserve a nice girl like Megan. I can see why he would fall in love with her but other than seeing him riding in the park, she doesn’t know him well enough to love him. Where Georgette Heyer paints a realistic portrait of a couple learning to live together and come together as a couple, this story features a randy hero and his equally lustful bride who continually think about going to bed together. That isn’t much to base a relationship on. I did enjoy the Christmas festivities and the lively, loving family but that was about all.
Warning: Graphic love scenes.
The very beginning of this story sounded so familiar but none of the rest of it did! It was predictable but I liked it. Despite the premise, this is a clean story with only kisses and very mild sensuality. Philip is a saintly, swoony sort of hero. He loves his family and respects women. Nicole is admirable. I can’t imagine going through all the tough situations she’s been through in her life. She’s a very strong young woman and I really liked her.
In A Season Stratagem by Sandra Heath, Leon, Earl of Holmwood, bets his friend he can seduce a kiss from the lovely Miss Rosalind Faraday, niece of a very respectable matron. The usual complications ensue. This story is pretty standard in the Regency canon. I’m not fond of heroes who try to seduce unsuspecting females –especially those who do it for a wager. Leon is no exception. The misunderstanding was typical and the ending predictable.
The Porcelain Madonna by Mary Balogh features a Christmas-hating hero, Darcy Austin (yes really, she went there), Earl of Kevern and a shabby genteel heroine, Julie Bevan. When the Earl spies the lovely young woman staring at the porcelain Madonna and Child figure in the window of the jewelers, he is enchanted. He is thrust into her company when he stops a young would-be pickpocket from stealing her reticule. Instead of allowing him to thrash the boy, Julie takes pity on the poor boy who surely must have a great need to steal. It is Charlie who continues to bring these lonely souls together again and again during the Christmas season. As they await a Christmas miracle, the Earl makes a startling discovery about himself.
This is by far the best story in the collection. It’s a real Christmas story about helping others, forgiveness and joy. There were lots of feels and I even teared up a little towards the end. I’m not sure about the historical accuracy of the figure and I really don’t think an Earl would do some of the things he does in the story, but it’s a sweet story. I really liked how the hero’s backstory wasn’t revealed until the end. I had already guessed what it must be but it still came as a revelation. This wounded gentleman captured my heart. Julie is an angel. She’s a little too saintly for my taste yet I did feel the same way she did about Charlie. She’s a Dickensian sort of heroine! This is a sweet, kisses only romance for Christmas.
The next story Christmas Rose by Marjorie Ferrell is a long tale about a couple who are unable to conceive and have grown apart. When Lord Holford returns home from Christmas revels, he discovers a woman leaving a basket on a doorstep. He is horrified to discover the basket contains a young baby! The mother claims she can’t keep the baby because her lover is on his way home from the Continent and she is desperate to keep him and his love. If he finds out there is a child, their relationship will be over. Lord Holford comes up with an ingenious plan, but will it work? His wife will need to think it was all her own idea if it is to succeed.
The first chapter was very sweet. Failure to conceive and adoption are not common subjects in Regency romances so it was refreshing to read about a different plot. However, the rest of the story derails from there. The misunderstanding is so annoying! Lady Lanford is an idiot. She obviously doesn’t know or trust her husband. They should just TALK to each other. He is a very nice gentleman and trying hard to please his wife. It breaks his heart that she is so depressed from her perceived inability to become pregnant. She repays his gift to her by behaving childishly and even her parents think she behaved badly. The story goes on too long and is too improbable. Give this one a miss if you don’t like silly wives and misunderstandings.
Warning: semi-graphic love scenes with the emphasis on how the characters feel
The final story The Best Gift of All by Emma Lange seems to be based on Georgette Heyer’s A Civil Contract. (and shows why Georgette Heyer is the master of her craft). Newlyweds Philip and Megan Lindsay, Earl and Countess of Westphal have grown apart after only one week together. Philip resents his father and elder brother dying with deep debts that forced him to marry a cit’s daughter. While Philip has been with his mistress in London, Megan is back at the estate overseeing repairs. She both dreads and longs for her husband to return to her and to her bed. The memories of that week together make her blush furiously! When Philip returns, he brings a party of stranded travelers, including one who makes his family raise their eyebrows. He feels captivated by his fresh, youthful bride and knows he can easily seduce her. Is that enough?
UGH! I did not like this story. I hated this Philip. He’s a selfish, immature rat turd who doesn’t deserve a nice girl like Megan. I can see why he would fall in love with her but other than seeing him riding in the park, she doesn’t know him well enough to love him. Where Georgette Heyer paints a realistic portrait of a couple learning to live together and come together as a couple, this story features a randy hero and his equally lustful bride who continually think about going to bed together. That isn’t much to base a relationship on. I did enjoy the Christmas festivities and the lively, loving family but that was about all.
Warning: Graphic love scenes.
December 30, 2017
I read "The Porcelain Madonna" by Mary Balogh.
Darcy Austin, Earl of Kevern, just wants to get through Christmas. He is strolling down the street when he notices a woman admiring Christmas items in a window. When he sees she is about to be robbed by a young cutpurse, Darcy catches the thief red-handed. Julie Bevan forgives the young boy for trying to take her purse. From that moment on, Darcy finds himself trying to help the impoverished woman and the boy who claims that he needs money to feed his starving family.
This was an cute Christmas themed novella. I loved that the young boy was giving tips to Darcy about how to win over the heroine. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
Darcy Austin, Earl of Kevern, just wants to get through Christmas. He is strolling down the street when he notices a woman admiring Christmas items in a window. When he sees she is about to be robbed by a young cutpurse, Darcy catches the thief red-handed. Julie Bevan forgives the young boy for trying to take her purse. From that moment on, Darcy finds himself trying to help the impoverished woman and the boy who claims that he needs money to feed his starving family.
This was an cute Christmas themed novella. I loved that the young boy was giving tips to Darcy about how to win over the heroine. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
November 9, 2008
Another Signet Christmas Anthology with some really nice stories.
In Mary Jo Putney's THE CHRISTMAS TART a young lady in distress is confused with a woman of ill repute by the friend's of the hero who decide to make her present for him. He realises the truth, decides to help her and soon they are falling in love. Nothing new here but the characters are so nice that I can't help enjoying it. A B
In Sandra Heath's A SEASONAL STRATAGEM two gentleman wager that one of them will manage to seduce and get a kiss from a young lady. The gentleman in question does fall in love with the lady but she finds out about the wager and doesn't believe him. It was nice to see him go after her and win her back. A B+
In Mary Balogh,'s THE PORCELAIN MADONNAa gentleman has decided not to celebrate Christmas due to some tragedies in his past but discovering a young boy stealing to feed his family and a young lady who asks him not to punish the boy will lead him to rediscover the magic of Christmas again. A truly enjoyable story. A B+
In Marjorie Farrell,'s CHRISTMAS ROSE a couple that has no children is given a baby to take care of by it's mother. I wasn't too fond of this story because I didn't feel the reasons of the mother were good enough to give the child away. I would have preferred if the child was simply found alone. Then the distrust of the heroine appeared to me as just a way to extend the story more. A C.
In Emma Lange's THE BEST GIFT OF ALL a marriage of convenience becomes something more during the Christmas season. This was a nice enough story but a bit predictable as the hero first believes the heroine just married him for his title and then changes his feelings when he discovers it might not be so. An ex mistress also brings some misunderstandings to thicken the plot. A C+.
Grade: B
In Mary Jo Putney's THE CHRISTMAS TART a young lady in distress is confused with a woman of ill repute by the friend's of the hero who decide to make her present for him. He realises the truth, decides to help her and soon they are falling in love. Nothing new here but the characters are so nice that I can't help enjoying it. A B
In Sandra Heath's A SEASONAL STRATAGEM two gentleman wager that one of them will manage to seduce and get a kiss from a young lady. The gentleman in question does fall in love with the lady but she finds out about the wager and doesn't believe him. It was nice to see him go after her and win her back. A B+
In Mary Balogh,'s THE PORCELAIN MADONNAa gentleman has decided not to celebrate Christmas due to some tragedies in his past but discovering a young boy stealing to feed his family and a young lady who asks him not to punish the boy will lead him to rediscover the magic of Christmas again. A truly enjoyable story. A B+
In Marjorie Farrell,'s CHRISTMAS ROSE a couple that has no children is given a baby to take care of by it's mother. I wasn't too fond of this story because I didn't feel the reasons of the mother were good enough to give the child away. I would have preferred if the child was simply found alone. Then the distrust of the heroine appeared to me as just a way to extend the story more. A C.
In Emma Lange's THE BEST GIFT OF ALL a marriage of convenience becomes something more during the Christmas season. This was a nice enough story but a bit predictable as the hero first believes the heroine just married him for his title and then changes his feelings when he discovers it might not be so. An ex mistress also brings some misunderstandings to thicken the plot. A C+.
Grade: B
October 20, 2010
These older Regency Christmas anthologies are fantabulous. I feel so lucky to have collected a fair number of them.
July 19, 2010
Mary Balogh's and Mary Jo Putney's stories are nice. Emma Lange's is excellent.
January 2, 2026
M.J.P - 3.5* S.H -2.5* M.B - 4* M.F - 3.5* E.L - 2*
August 17, 2020
The Christmas stories by Mary Balogh and Marjorie Farrell were well-worth a reader's time. The other three stories were very average -- or less. Overall score = 3.5 stars
The Christmas Tart (Mary Jo Putney) -- 3.5 stars
NicoleChambord is a young French woman living in England (since the tender age of6). When the story opens, she has been accused of theft by her London employer and tossed out in the streets without a reference or her life savings of $50 pounds. Later, when two men accost Nicole and offer her money to “be a Christmas surprise” for their overworked friend, Nicole saw no choice but to agree for a huge fee. Sir Philip Selbourne, the overworked friend, engages Nicole in conversation and makes a decision to help her, not use her. Rather average.
Seasonal Stratagem (Sandra Heath) -- 2 stars
Rake Leon, Earl of Holmwood, is immediately smitten with Miss Rosalind Faraday. Her cousin sets up a wager with Leon, that he can't get Rosalind to kiss Leon in 2 weeks. The wager is substantial, 1000 guineas. After all, Rosalind is ready to be betrothed to Lincoln Granville. This story was so boring, I couldn't finish it. I read over half of the story and couldn't stand any more; I didn't care who won.
The Porcelain Madonna (Mary Balogh) -- 5 stars
This is what Christmas stories should be! Darcey Austin, Earl of Kevern, catches a street urchin stealing from a young woman who could not afford the loss. When he starts to cane the hooligan, Julie Bevan, the woman who might have been robbed, interferes. The urchin, Charlie, weaves a fantastic story about his family. Cynically, Darcey doesn't believe him but takes both of them to a pastry shop to eat. This leads to a most engaging story. Enjoy!
Christmas Rose (Marjorie Farrell ) -- 4 stars
It was a love match for Jonathan and Madeline Holford, Earl and Lady Meare. They have been married for 5 years but don't have any offspring. It has caused an estrangement in the relationship. One night, Jonathan has the opportunity to give Madeline a baby girl; a child for them to raise together. Things start out well until Madeline has reason to think that the baby is Jonathan's child.
The Best Gift of All (Emma Lange) -- 2.5 stars
Philip has a title but needs money; Megan Tarrant, daughter of "Midas" Tarrant has money (and her father wants her to marry a title). Philip is rather cold-hearted when he decides that he can marry but keep his lifestyle the same (including his mistress). During Philip's 3-month absence, Megan has been renovating Philip's family homestead. When Philip arrives with guests (that includes his mistress), Megan realizes that the bargain she got with her wonderfully-handsome husband was no bargain. There was absolutely no way to save Philip in such a short story -- he was awful.
The Christmas Tart (Mary Jo Putney) -- 3.5 stars
NicoleChambord is a young French woman living in England (since the tender age of6). When the story opens, she has been accused of theft by her London employer and tossed out in the streets without a reference or her life savings of $50 pounds. Later, when two men accost Nicole and offer her money to “be a Christmas surprise” for their overworked friend, Nicole saw no choice but to agree for a huge fee. Sir Philip Selbourne, the overworked friend, engages Nicole in conversation and makes a decision to help her, not use her. Rather average.
Seasonal Stratagem (Sandra Heath) -- 2 stars
Rake Leon, Earl of Holmwood, is immediately smitten with Miss Rosalind Faraday. Her cousin sets up a wager with Leon, that he can't get Rosalind to kiss Leon in 2 weeks. The wager is substantial, 1000 guineas. After all, Rosalind is ready to be betrothed to Lincoln Granville. This story was so boring, I couldn't finish it. I read over half of the story and couldn't stand any more; I didn't care who won.
The Porcelain Madonna (Mary Balogh) -- 5 stars
This is what Christmas stories should be! Darcey Austin, Earl of Kevern, catches a street urchin stealing from a young woman who could not afford the loss. When he starts to cane the hooligan, Julie Bevan, the woman who might have been robbed, interferes. The urchin, Charlie, weaves a fantastic story about his family. Cynically, Darcey doesn't believe him but takes both of them to a pastry shop to eat. This leads to a most engaging story. Enjoy!
Christmas Rose (Marjorie Farrell ) -- 4 stars
It was a love match for Jonathan and Madeline Holford, Earl and Lady Meare. They have been married for 5 years but don't have any offspring. It has caused an estrangement in the relationship. One night, Jonathan has the opportunity to give Madeline a baby girl; a child for them to raise together. Things start out well until Madeline has reason to think that the baby is Jonathan's child.
The Best Gift of All (Emma Lange) -- 2.5 stars
Philip has a title but needs money; Megan Tarrant, daughter of "Midas" Tarrant has money (and her father wants her to marry a title). Philip is rather cold-hearted when he decides that he can marry but keep his lifestyle the same (including his mistress). During Philip's 3-month absence, Megan has been renovating Philip's family homestead. When Philip arrives with guests (that includes his mistress), Megan realizes that the bargain she got with her wonderfully-handsome husband was no bargain. There was absolutely no way to save Philip in such a short story -- he was awful.
November 15, 2025
Novella #1 - The Christmas Tart 5/5
Novella #2 - A Seasonal Stratagem 4/5
Novella #3 - The Porcelain Madonna 4/5
Novella #4 - Christmas Rose 5/5
Novella #5 - The Best Gift of All 1/5
Average 3.8 - rounded up to 4
The last novella was a huge disappointment after such a strong showing from the other 4!
Novella #2 - A Seasonal Stratagem 4/5
Novella #3 - The Porcelain Madonna 4/5
Novella #4 - Christmas Rose 5/5
Novella #5 - The Best Gift of All 1/5
Average 3.8 - rounded up to 4
The last novella was a huge disappointment after such a strong showing from the other 4!
November 6, 2025
Five stories that all hit the mark by good Regency writers, including Mary Balogh, Mary Jo Putney, and Sandra Heath. Most of them had unlikely scenarios but were so well-written that it was easy to suspend one's disbelief.
December 27, 2025
This was a nice chance to try out new historical authors, but the only story that made me actually want to read more is Mary Balogh's, which is probably no surprise to all the people who only read that one. A couple of the others were fine, but overall it was a bit underwhelming.
February 15, 2018
"The Porcelain Madonna" by Mary Balogh
April 3, 2020
Balogh - "The Porcelain Madonna"
reprint
April 12, 2020Read Balogh Porcelain Madonna in her rerelease Christmas Gifts
November 26, 2022
A sweet and pretty story of kind hearts in Christmas.
February 8, 2024
This collection of stories has two favs going for it. Christmastime and Regency. I started reading the Mary Balogh one because that’s the one most are saying is the best one. I feel like the setting for this one is super cozy. It has a sort of Dickens at Christmas feel to it. It’s sweet and for a short little story at Christmas it’s cute.
I’m not a huge fan of those short story type books. Usually if it’s a good nugget find of a short story I’m always left wishing it were a full story. Or the opposite is true too — none of the other stories can catch my attention.
I’m not a huge fan of those short story type books. Usually if it’s a good nugget find of a short story I’m always left wishing it were a full story. Or the opposite is true too — none of the other stories can catch my attention.
December 18, 2009
Why do I read these? The only one that was worth reading was by, uh could it be Mary Balogh? The rest were either boring, stupid, or both.
Read
January 9, 2010Romance
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews