Friday, December 7, 2012

'Twas the Night After Christmas by Sabrina Jeffries + giveaway

Pierce Waverly, the Earl of Devonmont, has been estranged from his mother for most of his life. When his mother’s new companion, Mrs. Camilla Stuart, writes to tell him that his mother is seriously ill, he goes home. But when he learns that the lovely widow tricked him in order to effect a holiday reconciliation, he refuses to stay—unless she meets his “terms.” 

Somewhere between trying to seduce the beautiful Camilla and struggling with the cruel memories of his childhood Christmases, Pierce discovers that not only does forgiveness go two ways, but that love can blossom even in the coldest of winters.



Type: Historical Romance, Christmas
Heat: 2 out of 5
Rating: 5 out of 5

I fell in love with Sabrina Jeffries' Hellions of Halstead Hall series earlier this year and was so excited when I heard Pierce Waverly was going to have his story told as well. And I mean total squealy fangirl excited. After little glimpses of him in the series I was dying to find out more about him and let me tell you he was so much more than I could have hoped for. 'Twas the Night After Christmas was an amazingly powerful read that's both sweet and touching with a little humor added in. It had me on the edge of tears more than once as well. It hit all my emotions and is one that will always have a place on my shelves.

Camilla and Pierce were wonderfully written characters. I loved their whole set up with Camilla more or less tricking Pierce into coming home to visit his estranged mother who was "deathly ill". Camilla was, quite simply, a meddler. Not to mention determined and head strong. She wanted this family to mend itself and was going to make that happen no matter what it took.

And Pierce, well, he had quite the reputation and could be such an ass but really you couldn't hold it against him all that long. You could feel his hurt and pain and see exactly where he was coming from. I was on his side nearly the entire book when it came to his family who had just been horrid to him in the past. He's really an amazingly sweet man under it all and does such sweet things for the people around him and you can't help but fall a little in love.
"I'm considered something of a catch." 
"I am well aware of that," she said dryly. "You forget that I've read all about you in the papers." 
That seemed to bring him up short. "I'm not as bad as they make me out to be." 
"Says the man who already has me half naked in a drawing room."
Overall the book's a bit more serious than the others of Jeffries' that I've read but there's little bits of humor tucked in here and there that kept the serious tone from being too overwhelming. There were some great moments between Camilla and Pierce when they'd call each other's bluff. These two definitely played a game with each other and weren't willing to back down...[this is from a scene where Camilla insists she's read a racy book and he calls her on it telling her to read her favorite page which turns out a little different than she expected]
Nothing in Camilla's experience had prepared her for such a blatant display of carnality. 
"Well, read on," the earl taunted when she hesitated. 
A blush rose on her cheeks. "I can't." She lifted her stunned gaze to his. "There are no words. Just a...picture." 
The color drained from his face. Reaching over, he snatched the book from her and stared at it, then shot her a horrified look. "Oh, holy hell. It has pictures."
One of the things I loved most about the storyline and writing was that it grabbed my emotions and drew me in completely. I was so wrapped up in the book that 300 pages flew by before I realized. The ending was just wonderful but I still wish it had been a little longer because I just wasn't quite ready to give the book up. You know that feeling? 'Twas the Night After Christmas is easily my favorite Christmas story and one I'd recommend for anyone who loves historicals and heart warming, healing stories. Jeffries really outdid herself and has me eager for more...
*This review was originally posted on 10/30/12

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At the tender age of twelve, Sabrina Jeffries decided she wanted to be a romance writer. It took her eighteen more years and a boring stint in graduate school to sell her first book, but now her sexy and humorous Regency-set historicals routinely land on the USA Today and New York Times lists. They’ve also won several awards, from the Booksellers’ Best to the Maggie Award for Excellence.
Her current series, the School for Heiresses, features the spirited graduates of Mrs. Harris’s School for Young Ladies, unconventional heiresses who prove a match for society’s most irresistible rogues.
Sabrina lives in North Carolina with her husband and son, where she writes full-time. 


I'd love to hear what you think of Twas the Night After Christmas!
Have you read Jeffries? Have a favorite? 

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40 comments:

  1. This review made me giggle! I love the excerpts! Sounds like such a fun read...maybe I can talk hubby into an early book for christmas cause I want to pick this one up! Ihaven't read any of this author yet so it will be great to find a new one to collect :-)

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    1. All of her books are really wonderful Penni. I've always finished them and been ready to run out and pick up the next right that second :) Hope you enjoy em!

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  2. yes excerpts are really tempting, i haven't read anything by sabrina yet but your review make me think it should be the book to start with ^^
    I'm also quite new to the holidays romances, christmas book etc so i'm reading some this month and even if it's for later i have to add this book on my list


    thank you for this great review * too tempting*

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    1. They're so fun Miki. Everything she writes has nice little twists and the characters are all really well done. I love Christmas/Winter books and read them all through the year. There's such a special feel to them.

      Hope you enjoy Sabrina's books as much as I do!! And that you're loving the Christmas ones you've been picking up!

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  3. Jeffries is one of my fave authors. She is also a comfort read for me ;) The review was helpful but she's never been an author to disappoint. I haven't read this book yet so will indeedl check it out soon. She is also a fave among family so it's always a great book to use as a stocking stuffer. Nothing like having a great book in hand and something other than gift certificates. I love gift certificates too. Thanks for having Sabrina. Happy Holidays!!!

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    1. That's a great description of her books. They really are comfort reads. And so easy to fall into. That's awesome a bunch of yall in the family enjoy her books :) Sounds like the perfect stocking stuffer to me!

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  4. another christmas story to read, love Sabrina's book :)

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  5. I just skimmed your review a bit, I so want to read this book! Sabrina Jeffries is one of my favourite historical romance authors, and I own and have read all of her books so far. The Hellions of Hellstead Hall is a great series, but so are all the others. I hope she writes 50 more books :)

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    1. Me too!! I still have a few to read of hers but I hope she writes for many, many more years. Can't go wrong with her :)

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  6. I loved the Hellions of Halstead Hall series so I'm curious to catch up with the characters from those stories while meeting these new ones.

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    1. Isn't that the best? Catching up with the old characters? I'm really excited about her next series too!

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  7. I've read several Jeffries books. My favorites are the Lords trilogy, but all are fun. She is a talented writer.

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    1. Oh I've not read that one yet TxDee! I'll have to hunt them down :) She really is a very talented lady!

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  8. I enjoyed your review and I'm glad to see that you loved it. I love Christmas stories, and I'm really looking forward to reading Sabrina's new one.

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    1. Ah it's excellent. Well, as you saw, I loved it :) Never thought she'd top Celia and Jackson's story but this one came pretty darn close and tied with it. I love a good Christmas story too :)

      Happy reading Barbara!

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  9. Great review; makes me want to read the book!

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  10. I enjoyed this review, can't wait to read this book!!

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  11. When a book brings me to tears I know the author is a must buy for me. I enjoy the ones that have me laughing and pull at my heart within the pages and this one sounds as if it holds all that.

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    1. Oh it does. Sabrina is definitely a must buy for me. Some of the most entertaining and remarkable heroes and heroines out there. She just never disappoints :)

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  12. I haven't read any of Sabrina's books. I think I'm missing out though on the Hellions of Hellstead Hall series by not having read any. I'm going to check out the other books in this series.
    luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

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    1. Its a great one and I think my favorite historical series. Her women have some real spunk and aren't your average Miss. The guys are pretty sexy too :) Always a plus!

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  13. The review really captures the spirit of the book of this really great and accomplished author. I loved reading it, and hope to be able to pick a copy up soon. sdylion(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Oh so glad you enjoyed it! It's one I know I'll read again and again :)

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  14. I love her book. She is very talented.
    Sue B

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  15. This is the only Sabrina Jeffries book I don't have yet! I can't wait to read it though.

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  16. Jeffries is a talented writer. I have a handful of her books. Unfortunately, I have a couple of the Lords series, a couple of the Hellions series, and a couple of the Heiresses series (a little here and there). It has been a while since I've read the once I have, not sure of a fav. But you can tell how well she writes, I was actually laughing aloud over the excerpt you posted, . Great review, too!

    vickykerr(at)sbcglobal.net

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    1. Oy you know that's how I got them too! LOL I had 8 books I think and not one full series.

      Happy reading! Glad ya enjoyed the excerpt :) It gave me a good laugh!

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  17. I did read this book! I really enjoyed it, it was wonderful and sweet and now I must find the first few book in the series :)

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    1. Oh yay! So glad you loved it too! Oh you definitely need to read the rest of the series. They're all really pretty fantastic :)

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  18. Love the review, =) i´ve been wanting to read something of Jeffries for quite a while, now. It´s on my TBR list since ages XD

    Happy New Year!
    //Linda

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  19. Another new author for me. But sounds like it would be a keeper. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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  20. I love Sabrina's books and can't believe I missed picking up a copy of Twas the Night After Christmas before the holidays!

    After reading your review I'm adding it to my TBR list because no matter the season Sabrina's books aren't to be missed!

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  21. YOu had me with the snippet about the book having pictures. I must own it now!

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