Kate Noble (1) (1978–)

There's a lot to say about friends who go on to become lovers. Isn't that what a lot of people claim they want? But there's also something to the fact that sometimes its nice to have mystery about the person you're falling in love with and I think that was kind of what was missing for these two at times.

Their correspondence starts out professional, but as the year progresses their letters contain just as much personal updates as they do professional updates. Little polite conversational questions become larger conversational questions that lead to an intimacy. Especially if you don't think you'll ever meet the person on the other end of the letter.

When they finally meet...when they finally acknowledge their feelings...I honestly wonder if circumstances hadn't pushed the issue if they would have danced around the topic for years yet. Margaret is no polished lady - she's awkward, more at home in her greenhouse then a ball room, happiest when she can coo over her beloved roses. She's no startling beauty either - too tall for fashion with a striking face and form, but lack of ability to showcase it properly. She's at her best when discussing her new hybridization of roses.

I enjoyed the strong bond between the two. They obviously were well matched as friends; drawing strength from the other's belief in their abilities, being a source of peacefulness when everyone around them seemed to be anything but.

Their romance though...the two were both a bit too skittish. A bit too unbelieving that the other person they admired, admired them back so fervently. No matter what anyone said. In Margaret's case I think she was too green and unused to the attention. Rhys...I don't know, maybe he thought she was too high for him to aspire towards?

As for the historical nature...I've always enjoyed Noble's romances because they are refreshing and light with interesting heroines. This book however felt less "time period" than usual and I can't tell if its because I was so busy wanting to smack sense into Rhys or Margaret, so I took better note of the fact it felt "modern" or what. It felt a bit like AUSTENLAND - the players were saying the right things, going about the right sort of jobs, but only in a shallow sense. Its hard to define.

In all its a good diverting read. While its not the best I've read of Noble's (REVEALED remains that tops for me), it should please any romance reader.… (more)

squarechristmasFour breathtakingly romantic tales of a Regency Christmas from four bestselling romance authors.

Down through the years, enchantment touches a tall gray house in Grosvenor Square. The legend of Lady Winterson’s Christmas ball promises true love and happiness to one lucky couple. Who will feel the magic this winter? You’re invited to join the whirling dance at Lady Winterson’s sparkling Christmas ball, where miracles happen and true love shines forever. How can you resist?

1803 - The Seduction of a Duchess by Shana Galen

Rowena Harcourt, the Duchess of Valère, never forgot the handsome footman who helped her escape the French Revolution. For fourteen years, Gabriel Lamarque has loved Rowena—now at Lady Winterson’s Christmas ball, has fate finally delivered a chance to win her hand?

1818 - One Kiss for Christmas by Vanessa Kelly

Nigel Dash is London’s most reliable gentleman, a reputation he never minded until he fell in love with beautiful Amelia Easton. Unfortunately, Amelia sees Nigel as a dependable friend, not a dashing suitor. At Lady Winterson’s famous Christmas ball, Nigel vows to change Amelia’s mind—by sweeping her off her feet.

1825 - His Christmas Cinderella by Anna Campbell

At the season’s most glittering ball, a girl who has never dared to dream of forever after discovers a Christmas miracle.

1830 - The Last First Kiss by Kate Noble

Susannah Westforth has always loved Sebastian Beckett – but he’s only ever seen her as a friend. When Sebastian takes his Grand Tour, Susannah transforms herself into a woman he’ll notice. Now Sebastian is back, just in time for Lady Winterson's Christmas ball – but the last thing he expects to see is his little Susie, all grown up...

Picked up free from Amazon, and read on an iPad using kindle software

Whilst there is a running thread of Lady Winterson, she and her butler dont make much of an appearance until the last book, which means the all authors can concentrate on their own story. Apart from a reference in The Last First Kiss to the ageing of Lady Winterson, there's little difference in the stories that would reflect that changing of the years. Each story is different, as befitsdifferent writers, and covers 16 year old innocents to dowager mothers of 4, all finding love at the ball.

However, between reading them and writing the review, I have already forgotten much about them. So in summary: the stories are light, and befit a quick holiday themed read to wind down the reading year… (more)

squarechristmasFour breathtakingly romantic tales of a Regency Christmas from four bestselling romance authors.

Down through the years, enchantment touches a tall gray house in Grosvenor Square. The legend of Lady Winterson’s Christmas ball promises true love and happiness to one lucky couple. Who will feel the magic this winter? You’re invited to join the whirling dance at Lady Winterson’s sparkling Christmas ball, where miracles happen and true love shines forever. How can you resist?

1803 - The Seduction of a Duchess by Shana Galen

Rowena Harcourt, the Duchess of Valère, never forgot the handsome footman who helped her escape the French Revolution. For fourteen years, Gabriel Lamarque has loved Rowena—now at Lady Winterson’s Christmas ball, has fate finally delivered a chance to win her hand?

1818 - One Kiss for Christmas by Vanessa Kelly

Nigel Dash is London’s most reliable gentleman, a reputation he never minded until he fell in love with beautiful Amelia Easton. Unfortunately, Amelia sees Nigel as a dependable friend, not a dashing suitor. At Lady Winterson’s famous Christmas ball, Nigel vows to change Amelia’s mind—by sweeping her off her feet.

1825 - His Christmas Cinderella by Anna Campbell

At the season’s most glittering ball, a girl who has never dared to dream of forever after discovers a Christmas miracle.

1830 - The Last First Kiss by Kate Noble

Susannah Westforth has always loved Sebastian Beckett – but he’s only ever seen her as a friend. When Sebastian takes his Grand Tour, Susannah transforms herself into a woman he’ll notice. Now Sebastian is back, just in time for Lady Winterson's Christmas ball – but the last thing he expects to see is his little Susie, all grown up...

Picked up free from Amazon, and read on an iPad using kindle software

Whilst there is a running thread of Lady Winterson, she and her butler dont make much of an appearance until the last book, which means the all authors can concentrate on their own story. Apart from a reference in The Last First Kiss to the ageing of Lady Winterson, there's little difference in the stories that would reflect that changing of the years. Each story is different, as befitsdifferent writers, and covers 16 year old innocents to dowager mothers of 4, all finding love at the ball.

However, between reading them and writing the review, I have already forgotten much about them. So in summary: the stories are light, and befit a quick holiday themed read to wind down the reading year… (more)