Mistletoe Christmas

Lost loves and first loves come together in this delightfully festive quartet of Regency romances, all brimming with holiday spice and mistletoe mischief. Set against the Duke of Greystoke’s 1815 Christmastide Revelry, each story features strong, mid-20s heroines paired with—and pitted against—equally fascinating male counterparts. James’s opener, “A Mistletoe Kiss,” sets the tone and utterly charms, following Lady Cressida, Greystoke’s youngest daughter and the secret mastermind behind the Revelry, as she trips into love against her father’s wishes. Unconventional Lady Isabelle gets a chance to shine as a playwright—but to do so she must work with a lost love in Christi Caldwell’s “Wishing Under the Mistletoe.” “Compromise Under the Mistletoe” by Janna MacGregor offers a quaint glimpse into the lives of a married couple whose relationship is on the rocks. Erica Ridley’s closing tale, “Mischief & Mistletoe,” hinges on the art of deception as poet Louisa, under pressure to marry soon, searches for a mate who understands her. While lighthearted, each story brings a certain gravitas in highlighting the artistic talents of the heroines. This Christmas confection will be a treat for Regency romance fans. Agent: (for James, Caldwell, and MacGregor) Kim Witherspoon, InkWell Management, (for Ridley) Lauren E. Abramo, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Oct.)