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Signet Christmas Anthologies #8
Regency Christmas Courtship
An anthology of original Christmas Regency novellas celebrates the holiday season with works by such renowned authors as Barbara Metzger, Edith Layton, Andrea Pickens, Nancy Butler, and Gayle Buck. Original.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 4, 2005
121 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Metzger
103 books200 followersBarbara Metzger is the author of over three dozen books and a dozen novellas. She has also been an editor, a proof-reader, a greeting card verse-writer, and an artist. When not painting, writing romances or reading them, she volunteers at the local library, gardens and goes beach-combing and yard-saling.
Her novels, mostly set in Regency-era England, have won numerous awards, including the Romance Writers of America RITA, the National Reader's Choice Award, and the Madcap award for humor in romance writing. In addition, Barbara has won two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times Magazine.
Source: http://www.barbarametzger.com/about_b...
Her novels, mostly set in Regency-era England, have won numerous awards, including the Romance Writers of America RITA, the National Reader's Choice Award, and the Madcap award for humor in romance writing. In addition, Barbara has won two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times Magazine.
Source: http://www.barbarametzger.com/about_b...
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 6, 2016
Do you when you feel a rush of giddy excitement and it simply refuses to subside for a long time? Reading this was just like it, but only due to Barbara Metzger and Edith Layton's lovely and delightful storytelling.
5 stars to Wooing the Wolf by Barbara Metzger
When their mother dies, two orphaned girls travel from India to England to stay with their aunt, who is a companion to a mean, elderly lady. She has no place to keep them, and a talk with the neighboring house's housekeeper convinces her to stay in the absent viscount's place during Christmas, until the solicitor can come back with clearer instructions. Unfortunately, the viscount suddenly comes back, and the girls have enjoyed their stay so much that they want to make it permanent. Their ploy? Get Viscount Wolfram to marry their aunt.
This is a tale of warmth and trademark Metzger humor.
5 stars to Dogstar by Edith Layton
Orphaned young marquess discovers a dog (who is seemingly more than a dog), and has to decide between staying with his mother's friend - who's a governess, or his deceased father's friend - a viscount, both of whom want him because secretly they're lonely and want some company for Christmas. So he suggests a solution: spend half of his holidays with each. It turns out that the viscount would rather spend more time with the lovely governess, though not for reasons she initially assumes.
This is a pretty fun story to read as well - very likable characters and the dog brightens up everything.
The other ones weren't particular interesting, but I enjoyed them enough to give 3 stars. Another reviewer has detailed plots on those stories. :)
5 stars to Wooing the Wolf by Barbara Metzger
When their mother dies, two orphaned girls travel from India to England to stay with their aunt, who is a companion to a mean, elderly lady. She has no place to keep them, and a talk with the neighboring house's housekeeper convinces her to stay in the absent viscount's place during Christmas, until the solicitor can come back with clearer instructions. Unfortunately, the viscount suddenly comes back, and the girls have enjoyed their stay so much that they want to make it permanent. Their ploy? Get Viscount Wolfram to marry their aunt.
This is a tale of warmth and trademark Metzger humor.
5 stars to Dogstar by Edith Layton
Orphaned young marquess discovers a dog (who is seemingly more than a dog), and has to decide between staying with his mother's friend - who's a governess, or his deceased father's friend - a viscount, both of whom want him because secretly they're lonely and want some company for Christmas. So he suggests a solution: spend half of his holidays with each. It turns out that the viscount would rather spend more time with the lovely governess, though not for reasons she initially assumes.
This is a pretty fun story to read as well - very likable characters and the dog brightens up everything.
The other ones weren't particular interesting, but I enjoyed them enough to give 3 stars. Another reviewer has detailed plots on those stories. :)
December 26, 2025
5 Stories of approximately 70 pages each . I liked 4 of them very much but the last one from Gayle Buck was only a 1 star worthy tale for me .
February 8, 2014
This Christmas collection contains five Regency-set Christmas stories. The strongest stories are the first three "Wooing the Wolf", "The Dogstar" and "Lost and Found."
In the first, Margaret Todd, a lady's companion, takes in her two orphaned nieces for the holidays. Not having anywhere else to go, they move in next door to Wolfram House as the owner is not in residence. The servants of Wolfram House enjoy the Christmas spirit with the two little girls much more than John, Viscount Wolfram is enjoying his holidays. Having grown bored with his latest mistress, Wolf tries to end the relationship, but the lady reacts violently and Wolf's face and pride are wounded. Arriving home with his tail between his legs, Wolf discovers the holiday cheer happening in his home and roars. Capable Margaret handles the situation well and John can't help but be charmed by her beauty and sensible nature so he allows her and her wards to stay on. Young Katherine and Alexandra love their new home and wish to stay there with their beloved aunt forever, so borrowing a pamphlet on courtship from Wolf's desk, they set to work trying to woo the Viscount for their aunt. In doing so, the girls create chaos and wreak havoc on Wolf's orderly life. By Christmas, he's at his wit's end and all hope of a marriage seems lost, but the girls have one last scheme in mind and Wolf finds himself charmed beyond his wildest imaginings.
In Dogstar, a lonely little boy travels to London for the holidays and picks up a stray dog along the way. Upon arriving in London, he's met with two adults who wish him to spend the holidays: his mother's old school friend Miss Laura Lockwood and his late father's friend Viscount Falconer. The imperious Viscount doesn't want Alex's dog and clashes with Laura about where Alex should spend his holidays. Laura's kindness wins out and Alex heads home with her to her lodgings. Alex doesn't care that Laura is very poor, he's happy to have a place to belong and his dog by his side. Sebastian, Viscount Falconer unbends a bit and agrees to spend time with Alex and Miss Lockwood sightseeing. The dog Pompey tags along and it becomes apparent that this is no ordinary dog when he charms everyone he meets, including the beats at the menagerie. Sebastian enjoys the time spent with Laura and Alex and is reluctant to let them go, however, he gets the wrong impression about Laura's background and offers her an indecent proposal, which she promptly refuses. It seems like Alex is about to return to his lonely life but Pompey does his best to provide Alex with the merriest Christmas ever. Both stories feature strong, independent heroines who are realistic and easy to relate to. The heroes are both rather snobby and rude but have kind hearts underneath. The children are cute without being obnoxious and both stories are heartwarming.
In "Lost and Found," Lord Nicholas Moreton's father demands his presence in London for Christmas where Nicholas will pay court to an influential foreign count's niece. Seething with resentment, Nicholas heads to Town in the midst of a snowstorm. He's forced to spend the night at an obscure country inn and rest his lame horse. Lady Anna Federova is also staying at the inn on her way to London to answer a summons from her uncle who wishes her to marry the Englishman he's chosen for her. The high-spirited Anna doesn't wish to marry a man she doesn't know or love though she has little choice in the matter. When she encounters Nicholas, she sees another arrogant man like her uncle and tries to knock the young man down off his high horse.
When his horse does not recover in time, Nicholas is forced to accept a ride from Anna. As the snow picks up, the journey becomes more dangerous and Nicholas and Anna have to work together to save themselves. During their journey, Anna gets to see the real Nicholas and realizes he is a kind, sensitive young man and Nicholas learns how to lighten up through Anna's teasing. However, the two are promised to others and dread their return to London. They must hope for a Christmas miracle to save them from their fates. Ignoring the obvious plot, the story is really good. I liked that the characters get to know one another well and that Nicholas is not a typical indolent alpha male hero. The story gets rather corny towards the end which took away some of my enjoyment.
The last two stories are too short to be completely believable or interesting. In "Christmas With Dora Davenport," the impoverished Elnora Nesbitt has been writing firebrand, radical articles to support herself, her mother and her aunt. However, Elnora's radical articles are not as popular as her domestic column she wrote previously. Elnora's wealthy suitor's mother is a great fan of Elnora's "Dora Davenport" articles and is dying to spend the holidays at Elnora's country home. The problem is that Elnora is not very domestic and their home has recently been vacated by a scoundrel of a tenant who left the home in shambles. Encouraged by her cousin August, Elnora and her family head back to the country to try to salvage their estate and win over Elnora's suitor. August promises to send help and come as soon as his visitor is well and able to travel. Help arrives in the guide of a Welsh sailor and friend of August's. Lieutenant Gowan Merthyr is kind, considerate, encouraging and makes Elnora's heart beat faster. He is, however, not a wealthy man. Elnora has a dilemma: whether to sacrifice her happiness in order to save her family or give in to her heart. That is, is the gentleman is willing... The results are predictable and because of the length of the story, not very believable. It would have been a better full-length novel with space to fully develop the characters and have them get to know one another better.
The final story in the collection, "Christmas Cheer," is about a young bride, Lady Hallcroft, who worries her husband doesn't love her and misses her large, loving family. When her husband asks her to plan a lavish holiday house party, she agrees, though is nervous because it's her first time acting as hostess and her husband will not even tell her who his guests are. Lady Hallcroft grows angry. She little suspects her husband has a pleasant surprise in store for her and seethes with resentment until she meets her husband's old tartar of an aunt and discovers what the Christmas season is really about. I hate stories about newlyweds and I hate misunderstanding plots. The surprise was so obvious that I couldn't stand that Lady Hallcroft did not figure it out. This story was the weakest in an otherwise very good collection of holiday stories.
April 2, 2018
Stories by Barbara Metzger and Edith Layton were my favourite.
November 29, 2017
Almost a 5 star, for cheesy recency christmas novellas, except "Christmas Cheer" was lacking an interesting plot.
June 15, 2019
As I had read something by each of these authors, I expected to find delightful stories. The book cover promised each of these stories was new.
WOOING THE WOLF (Barbara Metzger) Margaret Todd works for a pompous, hard-hearted older woman as a companion. Maggie finds that she has two nieces who are suddenly orphans, and they are on their way from India to her. It is nearly Christmas and Maggie's employer refuses to allow the children to stay in her home. A friendly neighbor/housekeeper offers her rooms in the empty house of Viscount Wolfram, who is with friends.
Unexpectedly, the Viscount returns home to find decorations and Christmas cooking in his home. It doesn't take long for the two 'angels' to decide that Maggie and the Viscount would make wonderful parents.
This was my favorite of the stories; it is charming and witty with two imps who have the best of intentions.
THE DOGSTAR (Edith Layton) If you like a little magic in your holiday stories, this is for you. A magical pup helps a poor governess meet a full-of-himself viscount. They do battle over the seven-year-old Marquess of Grenville, who was sent to London for the Christmas season.
I just don't care for pixie-dust in my Christmas stories; I wasn't particularly impressed.
LOST AND FOUND (Andrea Pickens) A British diplomat and a Russian heiress are trying to get to London for Christmas because of directives by their guardian/parent. Between show storms and problems with carriages and horses, they wind up traveling together (from their chance meeting at a roadside inn).
I found this story to be too contrived to be realistic.
CHRISTMAS WITH DORA DAVENPORT (Nancy Butler) A confirmed lover of all things London must play hostess to someone she hopes will ask her to marry him (and his mother) However, they want to meet her at their family's run-down country home.
A Welshman appears and helps Elnora Nesbitt and her family transform the shabby country house in record time. While they are working together, Elnora starts to wonder if she really wants her wealthy beau -- or maybe just the humble Welshman.
This story was interesting but very contrived. It just wasn't a realistic plot. Elnora's cousin really muddied the waters.
CHRISTMAS CHEER (Gayle Buck) A newly-married couple have returned from their wedding tour across Europe and are settling in at the family home. Essentially, this story is about how a couple learns to live with each other. There are misunderstandings and emotional hurts that have to be addressed.
I thought this story was the weakest of the bunch. It was so boring that I had to force myself to complete the book.
WOOING THE WOLF (Barbara Metzger) Margaret Todd works for a pompous, hard-hearted older woman as a companion. Maggie finds that she has two nieces who are suddenly orphans, and they are on their way from India to her. It is nearly Christmas and Maggie's employer refuses to allow the children to stay in her home. A friendly neighbor/housekeeper offers her rooms in the empty house of Viscount Wolfram, who is with friends.
Unexpectedly, the Viscount returns home to find decorations and Christmas cooking in his home. It doesn't take long for the two 'angels' to decide that Maggie and the Viscount would make wonderful parents.
This was my favorite of the stories; it is charming and witty with two imps who have the best of intentions.
THE DOGSTAR (Edith Layton) If you like a little magic in your holiday stories, this is for you. A magical pup helps a poor governess meet a full-of-himself viscount. They do battle over the seven-year-old Marquess of Grenville, who was sent to London for the Christmas season.
I just don't care for pixie-dust in my Christmas stories; I wasn't particularly impressed.
LOST AND FOUND (Andrea Pickens) A British diplomat and a Russian heiress are trying to get to London for Christmas because of directives by their guardian/parent. Between show storms and problems with carriages and horses, they wind up traveling together (from their chance meeting at a roadside inn).
I found this story to be too contrived to be realistic.
CHRISTMAS WITH DORA DAVENPORT (Nancy Butler) A confirmed lover of all things London must play hostess to someone she hopes will ask her to marry him (and his mother) However, they want to meet her at their family's run-down country home.
A Welshman appears and helps Elnora Nesbitt and her family transform the shabby country house in record time. While they are working together, Elnora starts to wonder if she really wants her wealthy beau -- or maybe just the humble Welshman.
This story was interesting but very contrived. It just wasn't a realistic plot. Elnora's cousin really muddied the waters.
CHRISTMAS CHEER (Gayle Buck) A newly-married couple have returned from their wedding tour across Europe and are settling in at the family home. Essentially, this story is about how a couple learns to live with each other. There are misunderstandings and emotional hurts that have to be addressed.
I thought this story was the weakest of the bunch. It was so boring that I had to force myself to complete the book.
October 12, 2025
5 stories I'd rate on a sliding scale of from 5 stars down to 3. The 5 stars easily going to Metzger and Layton. The rest so so.
On a side note the book is out of print so I bought the paperback used on the Amazon secondary market. Well worth the $3 I paid for it. However it's been a long time since I read a paperback. The kindle has spoiled me. I so missed enlarging the print . Looking up a word. Even lightening the screen. It was a trip back to the dark ages of reading.
On a side note the book is out of print so I bought the paperback used on the Amazon secondary market. Well worth the $3 I paid for it. However it's been a long time since I read a paperback. The kindle has spoiled me. I so missed enlarging the print . Looking up a word. Even lightening the screen. It was a trip back to the dark ages of reading.
October 4, 2020
I enjoyed the first two the most. The last was too stiff, formal and nothing really happened.
December 18, 2022
DNF at 70%
boring
boring
May 6, 2023
2.5
Pretty bland stuff, Metzger’s is the best of the lot.
Pretty bland stuff, Metzger’s is the best of the lot.
March 3, 2024
Five short stories and since only three were very good, I am giving this book three stars.
August 14, 2016
“Wooing the Wolf” by Barbara Metzger
I know without improbable plots HR genre would never survive but that doesn't mean I can't be disturbed by them. Still, an enjoyable read. 3/5
“The Dogstar”by Edith Layton
Fluffy, clever, and magical puppy saves the day. Who wouldn't love a story with such a dog? 5/5
“Lost and Found” by Andrea Pickens
Rehashed setting. Not very intriguing. I just skipped after reading first few pages.
“Christmas with Dora Davenport" by Nancy Butler
can't point out exactly what I liked about this story. it's just well written. 3/5
“Christmas Cheer”by Gayle Buck
No extraordinary circumstances brings H/h together, and the characters themselves are normal average people - young wife who's trying to adjust, her husband who's trying to get to know her. That was the charm of this novella, although it may be a little boring if you want something to happen. 4/5
I know without improbable plots HR genre would never survive but that doesn't mean I can't be disturbed by them. Still, an enjoyable read. 3/5
“The Dogstar”by Edith Layton
Fluffy, clever, and magical puppy saves the day. Who wouldn't love a story with such a dog? 5/5
“Lost and Found” by Andrea Pickens
Rehashed setting. Not very intriguing. I just skipped after reading first few pages.
“Christmas with Dora Davenport" by Nancy Butler
can't point out exactly what I liked about this story. it's just well written. 3/5
“Christmas Cheer”by Gayle Buck
No extraordinary circumstances brings H/h together, and the characters themselves are normal average people - young wife who's trying to adjust, her husband who's trying to get to know her. That was the charm of this novella, although it may be a little boring if you want something to happen. 4/5
August 28, 2009
5 Novellas
December 17, 2017
Metzger and Layton very good, other three just ok
December 29, 2016
This book is full of stories that put the reader in the holiday spirit. Sweet romances filled with holiday cheer.
June 6, 2014
Great holiday gift
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews