Review: Wonderful short stories! Perfect for Christmas. 5 stars.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 23, 2013
A Grosvenor Square Christmas is a delight group of short stories, one story excepted, set around one house in London over the years. Widowed Lucy Frost, the Countess of Winterson, hosts a Christmas ball or party and, along with the help of her faithful butler Philbert, they assist a couple in need of help. The stories are short, delightful, and perfect for Christmas. I read this while flying across country, suffering from a cold, and it was a lovely diversion and helped pass the time.Beginning in 1803, The Seduction of a Duchess by Shana Galen, tells the story of Rowena Harcourt, widowed Dowager Duchess of Valere, who escaped France with her small son only with the aid of her young footman, Gabriel. Now, older and surrounded by her sons and their wives, she is, for the most part content. But, memories remain of the past...and of Gabriel. Accepting a surprising invitation to Lucy Frost's ball only at the insistence of her children, Rowena is stunned to find that the handsome, confident man staring at her across the room is none other than Gabriel- no longer a footman, but an English hero. I wish this was a full length novel. The characters are very interesting and well-developed, and the reader can easily identify with Rowena- a woman in her forties, a grandmother, and a dowager duchess- as she struggles to come to terms with her attraction to a younger man. I liked how we are privy to Gabriel's thoughts, too. Just lovely!  (Rowena Harcourt is the matriarch of the family featured in Ms Galen's Sons of the Revolution series.) This is easily the best of the lot.One Kiss for Christmas by Vanessa Kelly, set in 1818, features Nigel Dash, liked by all, including Miss Amelia Easton, although he longs to be more than just her good friend. But, Amelia, surrounded by admirers, one in particular whom her parents expect her to marry, looks to Nigel as a safe companion. Hoping to change her view of him, Nigel sets out to woo Amelia at Lucy Frost's Christmas party. To his dismay, he ends up being called upon to amuse Amelia's younger siblings. The story is a fun one, and you will enjoy the characters. (Nigel Dash is a character from the author's Stanton Family series)Anna Campbell's His Christmas Cinderella, taking place in 1825, is the only one of the group that I did not like. For 10 years, Campion Parnell has waited on her aunt hand and foot, and when she meets the handsome Lachlan, Earl of Ravenglass, she falls in love. Lachlan asks her to have sex with him, and she agrees, slipping away each week to meet him in a "shabby chamber" belonging to a friend. OK- at this point I'm thinking that if Lachlan truly loves her, he would not be treating her this way. Surely, a man of his determination and clout could easily overcome any problems that might arise from his calling her like a gentleman should. The prolonged sex scene does not fit with the other stories. I found myself skimming this one. I'd recommend just skipping it.Set in 1830, The Last First Kiss, by Kate Noble, is a cute, sweet story. While not as well-written as the others, it is still enjoyable. Sebastian Beckett has always seen his neighbor, Susannah Westforth, as an amusing young girl who tagged along behind him, making him laugh. At twenty, Sebastian goes away on his Grand Tour, leaving 16 year-old Susannah watching in dismay. Encouraged by her Aunt Julia, Susannah decides to make herself into a young woman that Sebastian cannot help but notice when he returns. And he does just that while attending Lucy Frost's Christmas gala three years later. Philbert, Lucy's faithful butler gives Sebastian very good advice about love...and then decides to take his own advice. This gives us the perfect ending to this 30-year saga.Very nice, indeed. Get a cup of hot chocolate and settle down for 3 great short stories.