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Signet Regency Christmas #3
A Regency Christmas III
Set in Regency England and America, here are five Christmas love stories that are at once humorous, deeply romantic, and full of holiday lore. Includes:
"Mistletoe and Folly" by Sandra Heath
"The Christmas Cuckoo" by Mary Jo Putney
"The Best Christmas Ever" by Mary Balogh
"Home for Christmas" by Melinda McRae
"The Dark Man" by Edith Layton
"Mistletoe and Folly" by Sandra Heath
"The Christmas Cuckoo" by Mary Jo Putney
"The Best Christmas Ever" by Mary Balogh
"Home for Christmas" by Melinda McRae
"The Dark Man" by Edith Layton
348 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1991
About the author
Mary Balogh
192 books6,422 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.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 22, 2021
Sandra Heath - 3 stars
Mary Jo Putney - 4,5 stars
Mary Balogh - 4 stars
Melinda McRae - 3,5 stars
Edith Layton - 2 stars
Mary Jo Putney - 4,5 stars
Mary Balogh - 4 stars
Melinda McRae - 3,5 stars
Edith Layton - 2 stars
December 30, 2017
I read "The Best Christmas Ever" by Mary Balogh.
Edwin Gwent, Viscount Radbrook, is worried about his young daughter, Anna. Five-year-old Anna has not spoken since her mother drowned trying to retrieve Anna's ball from the lake. Edwin asks Anna what she wants for Christmas, but she doesn't make a sound. Anna knows exactly what she wants...a new mom. And when the family holds their annual Christmas party, Anna finds the woman she wants to be her mom. Unfortunately, her father and Emily have an unhappy history.
This was a Christmas themed novella with a predictable plot. My rating: 3 Stars.
Edwin Gwent, Viscount Radbrook, is worried about his young daughter, Anna. Five-year-old Anna has not spoken since her mother drowned trying to retrieve Anna's ball from the lake. Edwin asks Anna what she wants for Christmas, but she doesn't make a sound. Anna knows exactly what she wants...a new mom. And when the family holds their annual Christmas party, Anna finds the woman she wants to be her mom. Unfortunately, her father and Emily have an unhappy history.
This was a Christmas themed novella with a predictable plot. My rating: 3 Stars.
December 8, 2018
MISTLETOE AND FOLLY by Sandra Heath 2*s Somewhat dryer Christmas regency about misunderstandings of the past and present.
THE CHRISTMAS CUCKOO by Mary Jo Putney 4.5*s A lovely short story of an older soldier who returns to England, is mistaken for someone else and finds love. Both a heartwarming and gentle romance with older MCs.
THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER by Mary Balogh 3*s A visit from a past love, a Christmas wish from a child and healing hurt feelings. Likeable story but would have probably been better if it was a little longer with the main characters fleshed out more.
HOME FOR CHRISTMAS by Melinda McRae 4*s Second best story. A sailor and second son of a nobleman returns home after being gone for many years. He is hoping to relive some of his best Christmas memories from his childhood. He finds out all of his family is spending the holidays elsewhere when he meets the governess to his older brother's children. The two find out they have more in common then they both initially realize. A sweet read.
THE DARK MAN by Edith Layton 2*s Edith Layton, what can I say? I either really like her regencies or I don't. This is a short Christmas story of a couple who become engaged, she finds out he has a mistress, he finally falls in love with his intended only to have her stop the engagement, more misunderstandings and a rushed HEA. Tied with MISTLETOE AND FOLLY as my least favorite stories.
THE CHRISTMAS CUCKOO by Mary Jo Putney 4.5*s A lovely short story of an older soldier who returns to England, is mistaken for someone else and finds love. Both a heartwarming and gentle romance with older MCs.
THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER by Mary Balogh 3*s A visit from a past love, a Christmas wish from a child and healing hurt feelings. Likeable story but would have probably been better if it was a little longer with the main characters fleshed out more.
HOME FOR CHRISTMAS by Melinda McRae 4*s Second best story. A sailor and second son of a nobleman returns home after being gone for many years. He is hoping to relive some of his best Christmas memories from his childhood. He finds out all of his family is spending the holidays elsewhere when he meets the governess to his older brother's children. The two find out they have more in common then they both initially realize. A sweet read.
THE DARK MAN by Edith Layton 2*s Edith Layton, what can I say? I either really like her regencies or I don't. This is a short Christmas story of a couple who become engaged, she finds out he has a mistress, he finally falls in love with his intended only to have her stop the engagement, more misunderstandings and a rushed HEA. Tied with MISTLETOE AND FOLLY as my least favorite stories.
March 20, 2021
A terrific anthology of Christmas themed stories. Each author has presented her perspective on how to have a holiday filled with romance, family and delicious sounding food.
I believe that I read several of these stories in other Signet anthologies. But, in reality, I enjoyed each of them so much, I did not mind.
I think my favorite story was by Mary Jo Putney. She made me hope for a happily every after with all my heart.
I believe that I read several of these stories in other Signet anthologies. But, in reality, I enjoyed each of them so much, I did not mind.
I think my favorite story was by Mary Jo Putney. She made me hope for a happily every after with all my heart.
November 20, 2015
Mistletoe and Folly by Sandra Heath ~ 2 stars
The Christmas Cuckoo by Mary Jo Putney ~ 5 stars
The Best Christmas Ever ~ Mary Balogh ~ 2 stars
Home for Christmas by Melinda McRae ~ 3 stars
The Dark Man by Edith Layton ~ 1 star
The Christmas Cuckoo by Mary Jo Putney ~ 5 stars
The Best Christmas Ever ~ Mary Balogh ~ 2 stars
Home for Christmas by Melinda McRae ~ 3 stars
The Dark Man by Edith Layton ~ 1 star
March 11, 2022
This has a couple of my warm favorites in the genre, stories I'll re-read for comfort and relaxation. Not all the stories are excellent, of course, and they're all short, but overall, it's a solid set of regencies.
It's interesting to read them in comparison to modern regencies, which are far racier. I'm not against sex in my reading, but something about having in regencies bugs me, given the real restrictions on social interaction in the period.
Misteltoe and Folly by Sandra Heath: Cute enough, but a little bland. Classic trope; she rejected him years ago to marry someone else rich to save her family/home/something, and he's now rich and resents the rejection, but still loves her. Lifted out of total boredom by the complete idiocy of the 'other woman', who seems to believe that a serial cheater will change just for her.
The Christmas Cuckoo by Mary Joe Putney: Lovely. Returning soldier with common name comes home to controlling matriarch because he's inherited the title. He rejects her micromanagement and, while escaping, is accidentally brought home by the heroine because her brother's best friend shares the hero's name. Everything turns out well, of course. The characters are kind and intelligent and no one has to be an idiot for the plot to work.
The Best Christmas Ever by Mary Balogh: Another 'rejected hero', but in this version, he's got a 6 year old daughter with selective mutism from watching her mother drown. The heroine is a bit Fanny Price, but otherwise, it's nice and sweet.
Home For Christmas by Melinda McRae: Returning prodigal son befriends the left-alone-for-the-holiday governess, they fall in love in two days. Or as close as may be. This one is lifted by the fact that he's become a thriving merchant based in Salem Mass and he's offended that the woman he's fallen for is thought of as lesser just because she's got to work for a living. Pleasantly forward thinking, without the weird Modern Morals thing that became really common for a while.
the Dark Man by Edith Layton: Great idea - the hero's known for always doing the 'correct thing', and somehow this pisses off his fiance, the heroine, so she dumps him. He pretends to be unconcerned, but is (of course) quite distressed. But then he hares off to after her and covers himself in soot to be a 'first footer' on NYE and she (of course) forgives him. Somehow, it just didn't gel for me. I never really get a sense that the male character gets what the problem is.
Anyway. Cute stories, decently told. Good for spending a short bit of time reading.
It's interesting to read them in comparison to modern regencies, which are far racier. I'm not against sex in my reading, but something about having in regencies bugs me, given the real restrictions on social interaction in the period.
Misteltoe and Folly by Sandra Heath: Cute enough, but a little bland. Classic trope; she rejected him years ago to marry someone else rich to save her family/home/something, and he's now rich and resents the rejection, but still loves her. Lifted out of total boredom by the complete idiocy of the 'other woman', who seems to believe that a serial cheater will change just for her.
The Christmas Cuckoo by Mary Joe Putney: Lovely. Returning soldier with common name comes home to controlling matriarch because he's inherited the title. He rejects her micromanagement and, while escaping, is accidentally brought home by the heroine because her brother's best friend shares the hero's name. Everything turns out well, of course. The characters are kind and intelligent and no one has to be an idiot for the plot to work.
The Best Christmas Ever by Mary Balogh: Another 'rejected hero', but in this version, he's got a 6 year old daughter with selective mutism from watching her mother drown. The heroine is a bit Fanny Price, but otherwise, it's nice and sweet.
Home For Christmas by Melinda McRae: Returning prodigal son befriends the left-alone-for-the-holiday governess, they fall in love in two days. Or as close as may be. This one is lifted by the fact that he's become a thriving merchant based in Salem Mass and he's offended that the woman he's fallen for is thought of as lesser just because she's got to work for a living. Pleasantly forward thinking, without the weird Modern Morals thing that became really common for a while.
the Dark Man by Edith Layton: Great idea - the hero's known for always doing the 'correct thing', and somehow this pisses off his fiance, the heroine, so she dumps him. He pretends to be unconcerned, but is (of course) quite distressed. But then he hares off to after her and covers himself in soot to be a 'first footer' on NYE and she (of course) forgives him. Somehow, it just didn't gel for me. I never really get a sense that the male character gets what the problem is.
Anyway. Cute stories, decently told. Good for spending a short bit of time reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2024
This was a lovely set of Christmas novellas. Of course, Mary Balogh can't be beat. Her beautiful, tearful wishes really do come true at Christmas, and the story is beyond heartwarming. She combines a child's silent Christmas wish with a second chance love and does it with literary perfection.
Then there is Mistletoe and Folly by Sandra Heath, who delivers another wonderful second chance novella. Richard is shocked when he unexpectedly, in a mere act of kindness, comes face to face with the woman he has never forgotten. Diana left England without a word and Richard Curzon heartbroken and bitter. She had reasons, but can he forgive them?
Then there is the delightful The Christmas Cuckoo by award-winning novelist Mary Jo Putney. What does one do when a domineering aunt, who happens to be a haughty countess, decides to turn her newly titled nephew into an acceptable Lord of the Realm? Major Jack Howard is met upon his return to England by The Countess' pompous secretary and her long list of to-dos. If you are the major, you take the next stagecoach out of London bound for who knows where with a friendly passenger who shares his Christmas flax of undiluted whisky with him. Jack wakes in a quaint farmhouse with an obliging Miss, who believes him to be Captain Jack Howard, a friend of her brother. When the Major attempts to explain, Meg is far too busy to listen, preparing for Christmas and her brother's arrival. And this Jack is becoming attached to the quaint household.
Melinda McRae brings us a sweet story of a prodigal son who, after 16 years, returns home to find his family away for Christmas and might have just found what he has been searching for all these lonely years by way of the governess left behind.
Last but certainly not least is Edith Layton's The Dark Man, where Miss Eve Swanson comes to London with her father, a younger son of a title gentleman and finds herself betrothed to the most sought-after bachelor in the ton, The Earl of Poole. With no town bronze, Eve falls victim to the envy and spite of her ambitious cousins, who believe she is unworthy of the Earl, and she calls off the betrothal. Her distraught and embarrassed parents banish her to the north country. But the earl truly loves the young lady, so what will a gentleman, who always does exactly what is expected of a titled gentleman, do now?
It is unusual to enjoy all the stories in an anthology. However, maybe it was due to the Christmas theme or the fine selection of authors, I'm not at all certain, but I enjoyed all 5.
Then there is Mistletoe and Folly by Sandra Heath, who delivers another wonderful second chance novella. Richard is shocked when he unexpectedly, in a mere act of kindness, comes face to face with the woman he has never forgotten. Diana left England without a word and Richard Curzon heartbroken and bitter. She had reasons, but can he forgive them?
Then there is the delightful The Christmas Cuckoo by award-winning novelist Mary Jo Putney. What does one do when a domineering aunt, who happens to be a haughty countess, decides to turn her newly titled nephew into an acceptable Lord of the Realm? Major Jack Howard is met upon his return to England by The Countess' pompous secretary and her long list of to-dos. If you are the major, you take the next stagecoach out of London bound for who knows where with a friendly passenger who shares his Christmas flax of undiluted whisky with him. Jack wakes in a quaint farmhouse with an obliging Miss, who believes him to be Captain Jack Howard, a friend of her brother. When the Major attempts to explain, Meg is far too busy to listen, preparing for Christmas and her brother's arrival. And this Jack is becoming attached to the quaint household.
Melinda McRae brings us a sweet story of a prodigal son who, after 16 years, returns home to find his family away for Christmas and might have just found what he has been searching for all these lonely years by way of the governess left behind.
Last but certainly not least is Edith Layton's The Dark Man, where Miss Eve Swanson comes to London with her father, a younger son of a title gentleman and finds herself betrothed to the most sought-after bachelor in the ton, The Earl of Poole. With no town bronze, Eve falls victim to the envy and spite of her ambitious cousins, who believe she is unworthy of the Earl, and she calls off the betrothal. Her distraught and embarrassed parents banish her to the north country. But the earl truly loves the young lady, so what will a gentleman, who always does exactly what is expected of a titled gentleman, do now?
It is unusual to enjoy all the stories in an anthology. However, maybe it was due to the Christmas theme or the fine selection of authors, I'm not at all certain, but I enjoyed all 5.
January 3, 2025
Mistletoe and Folly (Sandra Heath)- meh
The Christmas Cuckoo (Mary Jo Putney)- good
The Best Christmas Ever (Mary Balogh)- not bad
Home for Christmas (Melinda McRae)- sweet & simple
The Dark Man (Edith Layton)- meh
The Christmas Cuckoo (Mary Jo Putney)- good
The Best Christmas Ever (Mary Balogh)- not bad
Home for Christmas (Melinda McRae)- sweet & simple
The Dark Man (Edith Layton)- meh
July 19, 2017
Somewhat better than the average mixed-bag holiday collection thanks to Mary Balogh.
reprint
April 12, 2020read Baloghs Best Christmas Ever in her rerelease Christmas Gifts
December 23, 2022
Pulled this at random from my shelf of this series, and enjoyed all the stories, so it was a good choice.
December 15, 2025
Novella 1 - 4/5
Novella 2 - 3/5
Novella 3 - 5/5
Novella 4 - 4/5
Novella 5 - 5/5
Average 4.2
Novella 2 - 3/5
Novella 3 - 5/5
Novella 4 - 4/5
Novella 5 - 5/5
Average 4.2
January 5, 2017
I just reread this one and I'm upping it from 3 stars to 4 stars
January 2, 2011
This gets a high rating because of Mary Balogh's "The Best Christmas Ever," a deeply emotional story.
November 23, 2014
I don't think I would have rated this as well if it weren't for Mary Balogh's story.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews