2: An on-going pleasure --
For those who admire sweet, sensible, straight-forward stories; wonderful writing; characters who are so lively they have a difficult time staying within the pages of the book in which they live; and a particular attention paid to the customs and mor??s of the period of history in which the book is set, there is no better author to read than Elisabeth Mansfield. Having started her career as an author of Regency novels in the 1970s, her output is as vast as it is charming. There's not a clinker in the batch! Or at least if there is, I've yet to discover it.
Readers who wish to tear through a book quickly, so they can get on to the next book and the next one, and so on, will pull their hair out while trying to read one of these Mansfield books. For there is little in the way of fast action other than the occasional vent-a-terre ride through a woods or such. However, the dialogue crackles and there is love and laughter on every page. These are stories to be savored. And enjoyed. And re-read.
Many plaudits to Signet for having released these two Christmas stories in one volume. I believe there are enough titles in the Mansfield canon to allow for two of these double volumes for many years without repeating a title. We can but hope they'll continue to do so, even though they've given up on the Regency genre as a regular entry in their catalog, they'd be foolish to give up on their annual best-selling Regency Christmas Collection. A Mansfield double volume would be a worth sister to the usually-charming edition of novellas.
At any rate, A Christmas Kiss is a heart-warmer of a story. When Miss Evalyn Pennington, a governess, is accosted by the son of the house and she fends him off with the help of an atlas, causing him to tumble down a short staircase, his doting Mama promptly informs her that her services will no longer be needed. Furthermore, she will not have a `character'. This is a far worse calamity than having no position at all, for without a character (letter of recommendation) she will have great difficulties in finding another position.
Two friends of the troublesome young man decide to help the estimable Miss Pennington, and one, Jamie Gyllford, invites her to his home for Christmas. He believes his aunt will realize the young woman's worth, and either write a character for her or find her a position. Of course, his aunt-who has stood in the place of a mother to him since he was just a baby-and his father promptly decide that Jamie is bringing his prospective bride home for their inspection.
Aunt Clarissa has been trying-unsuccessfully--to marry off her brother Philip for nearly twenty years, but she hadn't reckoned on the charms of Miss Pennington. Jamie's father-the Earl-is almost twice her age, but sparks fly between the two, causing no end of interesting situations.
It takes some doing, to be sure, but to quote another famous writer, "all's well that end's well."
Winter Wonderland is a quite different kind of story, but after a brief prologue, we meet the protagonists when they're just on either side of thirty. A tad old, perhaps, for a Regency romance, maybe, but nonetheless charming. When nineteen-year-old Barnaby Traherne is pushed into attending his first London soir??, in company with his oldest brother and brother's wife-the Earl and Countess of Shallcross, he is immediately taken with a dashing young red-haired lady, Miranda Pardew. She is very polished; he is entirely raw, and promptly makes a fool of himself, with her encouragement.
Eleven years later, Barnaby has become a dignified diplomat, and doting uncle to three nephews, sons of his middle brother Terrence. Miranda has become an impoverished widow, seeking employment as a governess or companion. Of course, these two end up together in a coach on the way to the wilds of Norfolk a few days before Christmas. Miranda is to be the governess for Barnaby's nephews, although neither of them are yet aware of the identity of the other.
Barely has Barnaby realized just who his traveling companion really is, when highwaymen accost the coach. The travelers are left tied to a tree, and only with great effort and presence of mind do they escape. A five-mile walk takes them to the nearest tavern, where they will stay until rescued.
There is definitely an attraction between the two, but the spotlight quite rightly falls on the boys. They're utterly charming lads, determined to help out in ways not at all considered by the so-called adults in the group. Finally, after many ups and downs, Miranda and Barnaby realize that what's in the past should stay there; it's the future that counts.
You'll find yourself smiling as you read these two heart-warming stories, and I daresay you'll remember them when next year's holiday season approaches. This book is a great gift to yourself-enjoy and appreciate it.
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