Review + Giveaway: 'Twas the Night After Christmas by Sabrina Jeffries

'Twas the Night After Christmas 
by Sabrina Jeffries 
(Hellions of Halstead Hall #6)
Published October 30th 2012 by Gallery Books
Amazon - B&N

A heartwarming Christmas romance from a beloved New York Times bestselling author!

Pierce Waverly, the Earl of Devonmont, has been estranged from his mother for most of his life. When his mother’s new companion, Mrs. Camilla Stuart, writes to tell him that his mother is seriously ill, he goes home. But when he learns that the lovely widow tricked him in order to effect a holiday reconciliation, he refuses to stay—unless she meets his “terms.” Somewhere between trying to seduce the beautiful Camilla and struggling with the cruel memories of his childhood Christmases, Pierce discovers that not only does forgiveness go two ways, but that love can blossom even in the coldest of winters.

REVIEW:

I have read every book within the Hellions of Halstead Hall series and this one did not disappoint. 'Twas the Night After Christmas such a sweet, holiday read.

The leading man, Pierce Waverly, the Earl of Devonmont, is a tortured soul, which is my favorite kind of hero. At the tender age of 8, he was abandoned by his parents, shipped off to boarding school, and shunned even after he came of age. After the death of his father, his mother tried to make contact, wanting to be in her son's life, but Pierce is not interested in getting to know the mother he had once been close with. Unfortunately for Pierce, Camilla Stuart, his mother’s hired companion, really wants to bring the estranged mother and son together, especially for Christmas. Camilla reaches out to Pierce and, believing that his mother is gravely ill, he rushes to be by her side. When he arrives and learns he was…kind tricked, he is not happy.

I truly enjoyed Camilla’s character. She was not the stereotypical regency heroine: orphaned, a widow with a child, she has never known love (not even in her first marriage), and she is an average woman, with curves. Also, I must add that I loved Pierce’s reaction when he met Camilla’s son and how he interacted with the boy. Got to love a man that loves kids.

Naturally, Pierce and Camilla know they should keep their relationship professional, but their attraction is immediate while their relationship slowly builds. The only reason I did not score this book 5 of 5 is because I felt it was a bit longer than necessary, some parts did drag. However, Sabrina Jeffries did a wonderful job with tailoring the plot around the holiday theme while keeping her characters interesting and proding a few twists at the end.

Whether you are a historical romance reader or not, you should pick this book up for the holiday season. It is heart warming, sweet, and has a touch of intrigue with a dash of mystery. I love this series and highly recommend it.

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HR Review: A Lady Never Surrenders by Sabrina Jeffries

A Lady Never Surrenders
(Hellions of Halstead Hall #5)
by Sabrina Jeffries
Historical Romance
Paperback, 388 pages
Published January 24th 2012
Amazon - B&N
 ★★★ 1/2
When the youngest Sharpe sister hatches a plan to gain marriage offers, the straight-laced Bow Street Runner Jackson Pinter knows he'll do whatever it takes to ruin her scheme... 
Lady Celia Sharpe hopes that if she can garner offers of marriage from several eligible gentlemen and show her grandmother she is capable of gaining a husband, she can convince Gran to rescind the marriage ultimatum for her. And if that plan doesn’t work, at least she’ll have a husband lined up. But Bow Street Runner Jackson Pinter seems determined to ruin her plans by disapproving of every suitor she asks him to investigate. It’s only when she and Jackson work together to solve her parents’ murders, plunging them both into danger, that she realizes why--because the only man he wants her to marry is himself! (From Goodreads)

REVIEW:

Lady Celia is the youngest of the Sharpe siblings and the last to find a spouse. Her family, mainly her grandmother, believes she is not marriageable material- it is not fashionable for a lady to know her mind, be outspoken, stubborn, or shoot better than any gentlemen in the ton.

Wanting to prove her family wrong, she sets out to find a suitor and ends up with more than she knows what to do with, but the one she wants is not one of them.

Jackson Pinter struggles to hide his attraction to Lady Celia while he works for her family and researches the mystery that surrounds her parent's deaths. He is shocked when Celia asks him to do some research on her suitors, not only does he not want to see her married to anyone but him, he certainty does not want help her do the job.

After being thrown together, they eventually find themselves alone in a cabin in the woods with desires that need sating. Will one night of passion be enough to force Jackson to see past their difference in station? Or will his stubbornness about their differences keep them apart?

Now, A Lady Never Surrenders was...a little disappointing for me. I was hoping for more, but it was still a solid story. The relationship between Celia and Jackson has been slowly building throughout the other books and it was nice to finally see them together.

A Lady Never Surrenders also being about the end of the mystery of the Sharpe sibling's parent's death. The explanation was a bit weak for my taste, as previously stated, I was hoping for more.

If you are a fan of historical romance, this series is just right for you. Sabrina Jeffries's characters are individuals and none adhere to the stereotypes of the day. Each book stands alone, though they are linked together with similar themes. I can't wait to start next within the series, 'Twas the Night After Christmas (Hellions of Halstead Hall #6) - perfect for the holiday season! I'm excited!

HR Review: The Truth About Lord Stoneville by Sabrina Jeffries

The Truth About Lord Stoneville 

by Sabrina Jeffries

(Hellions of Halstead Hall #1)
Pocket Books; Original edition (January 19, 2010)
Purchase B&N - Amazon
★★★★ 1/2

They're the scandalous Sharpes, five hell-raising siblings tainted by a shocking family legacy. Now each faces a daunting ultimatum: marry by year's end—or kiss their inheritance good-bye.

In the two decades since a tragic "accident" took the lives of his parents, Oliver Sharpe, the Marquess of Stoneville, has survived the scandal surrounding that fateful night by living as an unrepentant rakehell. And with his grandmother vowing to disinherit him if he doesn't settle down and wed, he plans to fulfill the bargain in true Sharpe style—by bringing home a fake fiancee from a brothel! But his scheme is derailed when he rescues an American beauty in a dire predicament instead.

Maria Butterfield came to London to track down her groom-to-be, who's gone missing, but her engagement won't stop Oliver from getting what he wants: her, in his bed. His rebellious masquerade may call his grandmother's bluff, but it's soon made all too real—by a love that tempts him to be a hellion no more. (From Goodreads)

Review:

Having read book two before, my hopes were high for book one and I was not disappointed.

This is a wonderful beginning to a historical romance series.

Oliver Sharpe was living a peaceful life of debauchery before his grandmother turned his life upside down. As the wealthy matriarch of the family, she was sworn to disinherit all her grandchildren if they do not marry within a year. She has grown tired of her grandson's wayward life styles and her granddaughter's inappropriate behavior (such as pistol dueling with men and writing Gothic romance novels). But, Oliver has deviced a plan, intending to call his grandmother's bluff.

Maria Butterfield was at the wrong place at the right time. Having come to England in search of her scoundrel of a fiance, she never expected to be proposed to in a brothel...well, not exactly proposed to, but Lord Stoneville asks her pretend to be his fiance in exchange for is help finding hers.

Oliver's is the typical rake with a secret that he fear will make his family hate him. Maria is stubborn American, who keeps her eye on the prize. The two are very entertaining and great couple.

Neither expects the rues to turn into romance, least of all Oliver, who has never wanted to marry.

This book was really fun and I can't wait to read the rest. This family is very entertaining and with 5 total grandchildren, their grandmother has her work cut out for her. If you like regency romance, I would recommend this series!