This was just lovely reading. I began at the beginning and have been reading at my leisure. The Mercenary’s Bride is the telling of a love, a love Mhairi held deep in her heart for a man ostracized from his clan, for daring to teach Mhairi, daughter of the clan how to use a crossbow and dagger, against specific commands from her da. This novella will be the first of a series author Claire Delacroix is starting.

Kathryn Le Veque’s Realm of Angels, unique in its presentation of the Mouse King, is a fantastic tale about a man who survived a fire, terribly scarred. His heart is wounded and seeks being close to a woman he loves, but carelessly let go six years ago for the lure of wealth and land. He works in the kitchen of her castle, masked to cover the hideousness of his face. This one is very touching and a testament that past errors can be overlooked when compared to the good wrought in the present.

Once Upon a Christmas Knight by Barbara Devlin moves us to London, 1813. Scandal is the dominant power molding lives, but the strong can survive. Percival Henry Forester Howe receives the whiplash of untruths and ton gossip. He wishes he could have offered for Margaret Hogart, but it is no way to start a marriage – she, too, would be shunned by the ton. Just has his situation clears, he receives a visit from Margaret’s father who’s in a rather financial pickle, being swindle by a so-called investor. Percy is very good with his investments and has high standing among the influential. Margaret’s father offers Margaret in marriage. Margaret is a rather shy woman, retiring, but plays the piano exquisitely. Can she be convinced to willingly marry Percy?

Suzan Tisdale writes a brilliant tale titled Rodrick the Bold. Taking place in 1357, he makes the usual wish upon a star on Christmas Tide – “I want naught more than a wife and bairns of me own. A family and home to call me own.” With strange dreams plaguing him, does what they ask – seek out Muriel McFarland, daughter of a warrior who had past. Tisdale has me weeping for the plight of Muriel. She is poorly used by and man and wife who say her father had owed them money. She is to work it off. Her brother not there to protect her, she finds she’s sold twice. Rodrick is her savior, but Rodrick can’t figure out why he’s spending so much time and money to find her for a man he should bother with.

Mayhap I have lost me mind, he quietly mused. Here I am, running around the Isle looking for a lass I have never met....Why are ye doin’ this to yerself? He had asked that question more than once in the past two days. Riskin’ yer own neck fer a lass ye’ve never met and fer a man who tried to kill ye.

On a side note: Rodrick has a love-hate relationship with his horse, Caderyn. It is the humor breaking a very bad and dangerous situation.

Lovely Quote:
Two lost souls stood in front of a tiny window in a small room at an inn. One wishing to die, the other wanting desperately for her to live. Once cried a river of tears, the other offered up whatever he could to console her.

Prelude to the Highlander’s Gift, written by Eliza Knight, is quite humorous. Bella Sutherland, daughter of the Chieftain of the Sutherland Clan, must wed. Her father gives her no choice, other than one of the men at the ball they sponsored, must be her new husband. She had decided never to marry for she has a secret. Stumbling upon a conversation of some merit, a warrior has been denied marriage to Princess Elizabeth. It’s because he is missing an arm, from battle. She’s also heard he has other injuries. Bella seizes upon the moment and claims the warrior for herself. What is nice about this one, it’s a prelude to The Highlander’s Gift, releasing in 2018.

The last one I’ll speak on, although there are four more stories, is Brash: Frederick by Hildie McQueen. Remember, readers, this is 677 pages long! This one takes place in Montana. Kennedy Brooks is short of help, in fact desperate for it. Rick Edwards, in search for his love-struck sister’s groom, happens upon Kennedy’s farm; she’s thinking about selling and he just might be interested. Kennedy has just come off a divorce, her ex found cheating. Animals play a large part in this contemporary romance. This is a story where hero and heroine go after what they want!

Bottom Line: Lovely collection of happy ever afters ready to be read and enjoyed as you purchase your tickets to see The Nutcracker Suite ballet this season. ( )