A Christmas Surprise by Lindsay Downs
If I hear one more debutante declare that they will never marry unless it is for love, well. I shall break my quill! And we all know what happens when I break my quill. Things become very up-setting and it isn’t long before I— Well, that is quite another story. Let this author, this matri-arch, this paragon of society guide you with her infinite wisdom. It is apparent that many of you have gotten this silly notion of love in your head, most likely from American influence, and please do not get me started on those savages. The point, young dears, is that love, is silly. Take for example Lady Aleece, poor young dear never stood a chance! Can you imagine being mauled in public? By a commoner no less? Although, rumors have been running rampant that this very delicious commoner is in fact the Marquess of Somerset, I have my doubts. For one thing, a Marquess should be more unfortunate looking which is clearly not the case with Somerset. Let this be a lesson dear readers. If you marry for love, there is a very big chance that you will end up with your heart broken, or in that wretched commoners case—kidnapped (though many be-lieve he should have been killed for even breathing the same air as our fair lady). Dear readers, have I taught you nothing this holiday season?
My thoughts:
A Christmas Surprise is a clean regency romance with a Christmas theme. Aleece is my kind of heroin. She is outspoken, assertive and good with a sabre. Thomas is charismatic and tempting. Aleece sees Thomas across the crowded dance floor and there is instant attraction for both parties. Aleece and Thomas secretly meet and write letters to each other. Aleece assumes her dad will not approve of Thomas because he is not title. Little does she know he is and is hiding it to find a good wife without the help of the match making mothers. A Christmas Surprise is bursting with fascinating characters. Debbi her companion who is a very lenient chaperone. Her parents are an interesting couple and I enjoyed their addition to the story. The author also sprinkled in a mystery.
Published by Astraea Press – Pure Fiction
