Sunday, December 2, 2012

His Mistletoe Bride by Vanessa Kelly

When Major Lucas Stanton inherited his earldom, he never dreamed his property would include the previous earl’s granddaughter. Phoebe Linville is a sparkling American beauty, yes, but with a talent for getting into trouble. Witness the compromising position that forced them into wedlock. Whisked away to Mistletoe Manor, his country estate, it isn’t long before she is challenging his rules—and surprising him in and out of bed.

Phoebe has no intention of bowing to Lucas’ stubbornness, even though he offers all that she wants. His kisses and unexpected warmth are enticing, but Phoebe is determined to show the Earl of Merritt what real love is all about. And if that takes twelve nights of delicious seduction by a roaring fire, she’s more than willing to reveal her gifts very slowly…

Type: Historical Romance, England
Heat: 3 out of 5 (there's not a ton but what's there it's good)
Rating: 5 out of 5

His Mistletoe Bride was one of those books that had me smiling on page one and by the time I reached the last page I was full on grinning. It easily made my top 5 Christmas stories list with it's utterly unique and quirky characters, entertaining storyline and the exciting addition of a bit of mystery and danger.
I absolutely loved Phoebe, Lucas and their sort of arranged/forced to marry situation. They're really quite the pair. Phoebe's a Quaker, which was a first for me, that's come to England to live with her Grandfather only to find he's passed away and left her to Lucas, an ex-soldier that's been forced to join the ton after inheriting an earldom he's less than thrilled over. 

The Quaker aspect was really interesting to me and I found Phoebe's little slips into the way Quaker's spoke (for lack of a better way of saying it) when she was flustered or angry really endearing. It provided some fun experiences for her as well since her life as a Quaker in America was so very different from the extravagance of life with the ton in England.
And who-boy it was not smooth sailing for them at all, what with their drastically different life philosophies, but I loved how it worked out in the end and that they felt like real people. People who had insecurities. Were passionate and occasionally lost their temper. That struggled with a difficult situation but still found a way to form a life together. They're just fun characters too. They have great inner dialogues and you can just see the chemistry flowing off of them. And the sexy scenes. Oh. My. They're intense. Steamy, passionate, sensual and utterly delicious!
She eyed him silently, biting her lip. Sighing, he folded his lean frame to crouch down before her. He took her hands, lifting first one, then the other to kiss her palms.  
"Love, I'm not an ogre, and I'm not going to eat you." He flashed a glimpse of strong white teeth. "At least not until after the guests have left." 
"Lucas, really!" 
One of the things I liked so much about the book were the character interactions. The secondary characters were completely different than any other set I've met in historicals and I loved them! Everyone acted so familiar with each other. The servants spoke pretty freely and were oh so cheeky, family was casual with one another. There's lots of touching and discussion of scandalously inappropriate topics which I found delightfully refreshing. It was just so fun to be around these men and women who weren't always prim and proper like the rest of the ton. Who rolled their eyes and teased each other and made themselves impossible not to love.
He rolled his eyes. "Hell and damnation, Aunt Georgie. I have no idea what you're talking about."

His oath earned him a glare from a passing matron, the purple plumes of her high-crowned bonnet quivering with indignation. He winked at her, and her mouth dropped open.

"Language, dear." Aunt Georgie admonished.

He grinned. She didn't give a hoot about such things and he knew it.

"Dreadful boy,"she said, her lips twitching.
If you love historicals, sweet holiday romances and something a little new and different with the most endearing lot of characters you'll meet then His Mistletoe Bride is definitely something to try out! 

Buy His Mistletoe Bride
Amazon   B&N  Bookdepository


Vanessa Kelly is an award-winning author who was named by Booklist, the review journal of the American Library Association, as one of the “New Stars of Historical Romance.”  Her Regency-set historical romances have been nominated for awards in a number of contests, and her second book, Sex and The Single Earl, won the prestigious Maggie Medallion for Best Historical Romance.  Her latest book, My Favorite Countess, was nominated for an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Regency Historical Romance.

Vanessa spends most of the year in Ottawa, Ontario with her husband, but she’s lucky enough to spend some of the winter near lovely Amelia Island, Florida.  When she’s not dreaming of plots for her next Regency novel, she’s writing contemporary romances with her husband, under the pen name of V.K. Sykes. 

Find Vanessa Online!
Website   Pinterest   Facebook   Twitter   Goodreads   Blog


For extra entries in the Grand Prize Giveaway leave some meaningful review book love!
Rafflecopter is over on the right -----> 

[And don't forget to check out our interview with Vanessa for even more chances to win!]

70 comments:

  1. When I started reading romance novels, it was historicals. I may try other genres from time to time, but I'm always returning to what I started out with. His Mistletoe Bride sounds like such a great read. I'd love to read it.
    luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

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    1. I hope you enjoy it Julianne! I started out with PNR and am the same way. I always end up back there but I've really been loving historicals lately.

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  2. thanks for the review...this sounds likea fun read--- just perfect for the holidays!
    ivegotmail8889(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. It is a really great holiday read. Definitely has that spirit about it :) Enjoy!

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  3. I haven't read any of Vanessa's historicals but I love her contemps writing as V.K. Sykes. I will definitely be reading HIS MISTLETOE BRIDE! Thanks for the giveaway! Great review!

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    1. Thanks hun! Oh yes you really need to read her. I had such a good time with it and wanted to pick up all the rest of the books the very second I finished this one. Was a great time :)

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  4. I have heard great things about this story and Vanessa Kelly.

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    1. In my opinion they're all true Leah :) It was fantastic!

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  5. This looks wonderful. I don't generally like too many Victorian/Regency Historicals. All the stiff upper lip ton make me want to start taking anti-depressants. But this one sounds like it has a good sense of humor. I will definitely have to check it out. Thanks!

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    1. Yeah that gets to me in a lot of them too but not at all in Vanessa's book. It's so incredibly different and has a nice touch of humor. It was really nicely done :) Hope you enjoy it Judy-Ree!

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  6. I enjoy reading Historical Romance. I will definitely be reading this in the next few days. :)

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    1. Oooo great! Let us know what you think Julie! Happy reading :)

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  7. Great review! I love Vanessa's books :)

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  8. Love this review, =) can´t wait for my chance to read

    best wishes & Happy Monday!
    //Linda

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  9. Loved the review! My TBR list is growing by the minute lately! Loving all the books :-)

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    1. Ahh the curse of the bookworm ;) Mine grows by the minute too! LOL

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  10. This sounds like a really sweet story!

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  11. This book sounds absolutely delicious. Thanks!

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  12. I love Vanessa Kelly's books and I'm looking forward to reading His Mistletoe Bride. It's interesting that Phoebe's a Quaker, I think that will add an interesting element to the story.

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    1. It was such an interesting addition to the story Barbara. A first for me and I thought really well done. Hope you enjoy it!

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  13. Love the review. Can't wait to read, the stry sounds sweet.

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  14. I liked this review. I am really digging the idea of a novel written for the holidays and how its woven into the story line. sdylion(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Some of my favorites are Christmas/winter related. They've got a certain magic to em :)

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  15. Vanessa's books are always so much fun - this is perfect for the season!
    sallans d at yahoo dot com

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  16. I've never read any of Vanessa's books YET (my TBR pile is a bit... Big) but every time I see a review of His Mistletoe Bride I get more and more curious. Proof that reviews DO help authors.

    Adria
    Breath of Life Reviews

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    1. It's definitely worth the read Adria! I'd so be picking it up again some day :)

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  17. Enjoy books by Vanessa Kelley! I haven't read this book yet however can't wait to find and purchase it. I enjoy Christmas reads anytime of the year as long as its a good one ;)
    lorih824(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Me too. I read a slew of them back in July when it was so hot here. They always hit the spot. Glad to find another Vanessa Kelly Fan! Hope you enjoy it!

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  18. Very nice review and another new author to check out.

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  19. Sounds like my kind of read. I love reading about women who have spunk and give their men a run for their money!

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    1. Me too! It's always so fun to watch them get flustered over their women :)

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  20. It's a great book and I love this book!

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  21. Great review...I definitely must check it out!
    ivegotmail8889(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  22. Thanks for sharing the great interview seems like something that I can enjoy reading
    BeckeyWhiteATgmailDOTcom

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  23. I adore historicals! I love the grandeur of the era. Love the sexy green dress!
    grapeapril75(AT)gmail.com

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    1. They're great aren't they? Other than the corsets I wouldn't mind giving them a whirl ;) And oh yeah that's a gorgeous dress!

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  24. This will be on my tbr list.
    Nicole.nobles@aol.com

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  25. 12 nights of delicious seduction i like the sound of that thanks for the review
    kaholgate at ymail dot com

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  26. Wow, another book to add to my wish list. I am very particular about my historical books, but this one sounds really good.

    koonie2888 at yahoo dot com

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    1. Oh it really was Michelle. I can't wait to read more from Vanessa :)

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  27. This sounds like a lot of fun, if not quit what we are use to in a Regency romance. Which is a good thing, since the same old, same old gets really old! Great review as well, warning us to expect relaxed attitudes (some historical readers are very strict about that sort of thing, so good to warn them), and about the h being a Quaker in the ton setting. That is a first for me as well.
    I'm not sure I have read any of Vanessa's books, although I have come across her work with her hubby (other pin name). And I agree with other commenter who said they liked reading Christmas stories all year long. Its great to read them in July when it is too hot to be outside (here in OK at least). Either way, this is one I will be looking for!
    vickykerr(at)sbcglobal.net

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    1. It was definitely something new. I really liked her Quaker background though. Made for some really interesting situations and tension now and again :)

      Ohhh yeah. I did an entire month of "Christmas in July" here on the blog :) Nothing but winter/Christmas reviews/recipes/projects. It was so much fun and helped with the 100+ degree days we were having. Even started dreaming of snow!

      THanks for coming by Vicky!

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  28. Oh gosh I been wanting to read this book for a while! but I ran out of budget D: hopefully even thought christmas is over, I will still get to read this soon - cause let's face it, I love christmas books no matter what time of year it is ;)

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    1. LOL isn't it awful when that happens?! I think the ebook is on sale right now. I read the Christmas ones all year too. Kinda fun mid summer to escape into the cold of winter :)

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  29. His Mistletoe Bride sounds like a fun and unique holiday read. I'm looking forward to checking it out!

    Happy New Year & thanks for the amazing giveaway!
    elizabeth @ bookattict . com

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    1. No prob! It really was a fun one and so different than many of the historicals I've picked up.

      Happy New Year to you too!

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  30. I love Christmas books, read them all year long :) not just in December.

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  31. what a lovely cover! I would love to wear that dress

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  32. Loved the review on this book! I have been reading alot of contemporaries lately, but I'm going to slip this one in. I used to read alot of historicals & still love them.

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    1. Oh yay! It's soooo goood! I've been doing just the opposite of you. So many historicals lately. I need to start mixing it up again :) Hope you enjoy it!

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  33. This sounds like something I would really like! I love Christmas stories

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  34. Thanks for sharing your review. I dont normally read historicals, but I think I do have a copy of this one will have to check it out

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  35. I read Misletoe Bride over the Christmas holiday and loved your review which explained exactly what I felt after reading Vanessa's book!

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  36. Beautiful cover. This book has been on my TBR list for awhile.

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