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Hiatt Regency Classics #4.5-5
Holly & Mistletoe: A Hiatt Regency Classic Christmas Duet
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B076MZVG4L
Holly and Hunt’s entire story in one volume!
Christmas Promises (a novella)
Lord Vandover regrets his promise to wed by Christmas until he meets lovely Miss Holly Paxton. Holly finds the handsome Marquess so serious she makes a promise, too: to bring joy and laughter into his life. A sparkling prequel to Christmas Bride.
Christmas Bride (a full-length novel)
All of her life, Holly has dreamed of adventure and heroics. Indeed, she would far rather be a spy for the British against Napoleon, like her twin brother, Noel, than make her London debut. That is, until she meets Hunt, the handsome Marquess of Vandover. After a whirlwind courtship, they are married on Christmas Eve—Holly’s (and Noel’s) birthday. Holly is deeply in love, and her new husband’s career in the Foreign Office allows her to rub shoulders with diplomats and ambassadors, feeding her love of adventure. The future seems full of promise until her inept attempts to assist her husband in his career—and become a heroine in her own right—leads her to trust the wrong person. Suddenly Holly is plunged into a terrible conflict of loyalties, where she must choose between saving her nearly-broken marriage–and her beloved brother’s life!
Holly and Hunt’s entire story in one volume!
Christmas Promises (a novella)
Lord Vandover regrets his promise to wed by Christmas until he meets lovely Miss Holly Paxton. Holly finds the handsome Marquess so serious she makes a promise, too: to bring joy and laughter into his life. A sparkling prequel to Christmas Bride.
Christmas Bride (a full-length novel)
All of her life, Holly has dreamed of adventure and heroics. Indeed, she would far rather be a spy for the British against Napoleon, like her twin brother, Noel, than make her London debut. That is, until she meets Hunt, the handsome Marquess of Vandover. After a whirlwind courtship, they are married on Christmas Eve—Holly’s (and Noel’s) birthday. Holly is deeply in love, and her new husband’s career in the Foreign Office allows her to rub shoulders with diplomats and ambassadors, feeding her love of adventure. The future seems full of promise until her inept attempts to assist her husband in his career—and become a heroine in her own right—leads her to trust the wrong person. Suddenly Holly is plunged into a terrible conflict of loyalties, where she must choose between saving her nearly-broken marriage–and her beloved brother’s life!
328 pages, ebook
First published October 20, 2017
612 people are currently reading
338 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Hiatt
98Ìýbooks511ÌýfollowersBrenda Hiatt is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of sparkling romantic adventure. She's written twenty-five novels (so far), including sweet and spicy historical romance, time travel romance, humorous mystery, and her young adult science fiction STARSTRUCK series. Brenda began in traditional publishing with Harlequin, HarperCollins and Avon Books and later made a transition to indie publishing as she began getting rights back to her older books. So far, she hasn't been sorry! She is an active member of Romance Writers of America and Novelists, Inc, where she has served as president. In addition to writing, Brenda is passionate about embracing life to the fullest, to include scuba diving (she has over 60 dives to her credit), Taekwondo (where she is working toward her 4th degree black belt), hiking, traveling…and reading, of course!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
November 22, 2017
2.5 stars. Handsome but uptight and straitlaced Lord Vandover suddenly decides he needs to get married, because of Grandmama's pleas, and maybe because his brother isn't such a great heir to the estate. Holly Paxton is having a belated first season in London. His stepmother tries to turf his plans. Her sister is jealous and tries to get in the way of her prospects. Do either of these nasty women succeed in their plans?
While I'm not a fan of unnecessary drama, this whole story needed a little more spice to it. The novella (how the couple meets and weds) is as bland as pudding, and by the time I got to the end of it and read the first couple of chapters of the novel that followed, I was utterly unable to drum up any interest in the spying/misunderstanding plot of the novel. I skipped to the end just to see how it all would work out, so it's a dnf for me.
Regency romances either need a strong romance with lots of sexual tension or (if they're of the more traditional sort) lots of witty dialogue. Or both. :) This one had neither.
Not recommended unless you're a diehard Regency fan ... even if it's free.
Initial post: Kindle freebie, November 20, 2017. Regency romantic suspense Christmas fluff, YAY! This is a twofer: a novella and a novel about the same couple.
While I'm not a fan of unnecessary drama, this whole story needed a little more spice to it. The novella (how the couple meets and weds) is as bland as pudding, and by the time I got to the end of it and read the first couple of chapters of the novel that followed, I was utterly unable to drum up any interest in the spying/misunderstanding plot of the novel. I skipped to the end just to see how it all would work out, so it's a dnf for me.
Regency romances either need a strong romance with lots of sexual tension or (if they're of the more traditional sort) lots of witty dialogue. Or both. :) This one had neither.
Not recommended unless you're a diehard Regency fan ... even if it's free.
Initial post: Kindle freebie, November 20, 2017. Regency romantic suspense Christmas fluff, YAY! This is a twofer: a novella and a novel about the same couple.
December 11, 2017
Hunt and Holly
This book is two novellas. The first is Christmas Promise and second is Christmas Bride.
Christmas Promise
Ashton Huntcliff Maitland, Marquess of Vandover, better known as Hunt, makes his grandmother a promise -- to bring home a bride for Christmas. He departs for London for the Little Season.
Holly Paxton is having her first debut. She is with her sister, Blanche, who is in her third season, and her maman, Mrs. Paxton. Holly doesn't expect to do better than her sister. She is more straight forward and unpretentious.
Hunt finds Holly a breath of fresh air compared to the other debutantes. He can't believe his luck. Holly would get along fabulous with his grandmother. But does Holly have what it takes to be a marchioness? Does she even consider it a possibility?
Christmas Bride
I cannot review this one as it ended abruptly. The ebook must of had an error to stop in the first chapter. It's a shame. The first chapter was promising.
This book is two novellas. The first is Christmas Promise and second is Christmas Bride.
Christmas Promise
Ashton Huntcliff Maitland, Marquess of Vandover, better known as Hunt, makes his grandmother a promise -- to bring home a bride for Christmas. He departs for London for the Little Season.
Holly Paxton is having her first debut. She is with her sister, Blanche, who is in her third season, and her maman, Mrs. Paxton. Holly doesn't expect to do better than her sister. She is more straight forward and unpretentious.
Hunt finds Holly a breath of fresh air compared to the other debutantes. He can't believe his luck. Holly would get along fabulous with his grandmother. But does Holly have what it takes to be a marchioness? Does she even consider it a possibility?
Christmas Bride
I cannot review this one as it ended abruptly. The ebook must of had an error to stop in the first chapter. It's a shame. The first chapter was promising.
December 14, 2017
I really enjoyed the entire concept of this book. It was a simple and fun read. Holly and Hunt were so perfect together even when they knew they had a large task in front of them. The story of their attraction was one filled with emotion and tender moments.
I look forward to more stories by this creative author.
I look forward to more stories by this creative author.
December 27, 2017
Mon Dieu ! Que d'aventures !
March 5, 2024
The first story was good. The second story was unbelievable because in the few months between the two, apparently the heroine’s brain fell out of her head. She made good choices for the first two months, but when she and her new husband and his family went to London, she made one stupid decision after another.
January 29, 2018
All-in-all it was good. I really liked the novella/prequel where the two main characters: Holly and Hunt meet. The full length story following it was good too; except at times I felt like banging my head against the wall at Holly's actions; then I had to remind myself that she wasn't even 20 years-old yet and had led a somewhat sheltered life in the country, until coming to London for her season. So, I guess it's probably just me ... :p
This story takes place during the Napoleonic wars in Europe. The characters are pretty well defined, the story flowed well and the descriptions of people/places were actually a little sparse. I don't mind that so much; but, I do know that some readers prefer a little more detail in the surroundings so that they can better picture it in their "mind's eye". It was an entertaining story and I did feel a connection with the characters (which is what made me bothered me about some of Holly's actions).
This story takes place during the Napoleonic wars in Europe. The characters are pretty well defined, the story flowed well and the descriptions of people/places were actually a little sparse. I don't mind that so much; but, I do know that some readers prefer a little more detail in the surroundings so that they can better picture it in their "mind's eye". It was an entertaining story and I did feel a connection with the characters (which is what made me bothered me about some of Holly's actions).
December 1, 2019
Christmas blessings
A very good Regency with strong, well developed characters. The story has mystery and suspense and revolves around the Napoleonic wars.
A very good Regency with strong, well developed characters. The story has mystery and suspense and revolves around the Napoleonic wars.
December 9, 2017
In Christmas Promises, Lord Vandover promises his beloved grandmother that he will bring her home a Christmas present, but all she wants is for him to find a bride, and not just any Lass will do. She wants him to be happy, as he has not been most of his life.
Miss Holly Paxson is making her debut in the Little Season in the fall, having been delayed by mourning for her father. She is cheerful, vivacious, intelligent, naïve, and not impressed by most of the fashionable beaux. She is worried about her twin, Noël, an unofficial spy in France who has sworn her to secrecy to protect himself, so she has no one with whom to share her concerns.
Holly and Hunt, Lord Vandover, like each other, and Hunt is willing to discuss the war with Holly, unusual in men and disapproved by her snarky sister, if not her mother, but a great relief to Holly. Hunt has seen enough, and thinks Holly will be a good wife, and eventually his Duchess.
Christmas Bride begins with Holly and Hunt's Christmas Eve wedding, and covers their first year together. Since he proposed only two weeks after they met, they still do not know each other very well. Grandmama, the Dowager Duchess, teaches Holly how to manage the estate, which will one day be her job, and comes to love her.
Hunt is away on Foreign Office business more than he is home, and Holly still has no one to talk to about her worries on Noël's account, but tries her best to help England's cause in the war. Her unsophisticated eagerness to help, and frustration at her powerlessness to help, leave her easy prey for the traitor in the Foreign Office whom her husband is striving to identify. The traitor blackmails her, threatening both Hunt and Noël if she exposes him, leading, of course, to secrets and misunderstandings, and forbids her to see or even write to her husband, whose arrest he has engineered to protect his own nefarious activities .
Both lovers are of course desperately unhappy, but cannot talk to each other even when they are in the same country. Hunt's half-brother and Grandmama try to effect a reconciliation of the obvious estrangement, but since neither party will admit to a problem or discuss it with anyone, their efforts go nowhere. As Christmas approaches and the family gathers at the ducal estate, the continued efforts to hide the obvious fool no one who watches, but there seems no way out, and the Grandmama everyone, including Holly, loves is dying, along with both Holly's and Hunt's hopes and dreams for the future. Is there any way out of this miserable dilemma?
Miss Holly Paxson is making her debut in the Little Season in the fall, having been delayed by mourning for her father. She is cheerful, vivacious, intelligent, naïve, and not impressed by most of the fashionable beaux. She is worried about her twin, Noël, an unofficial spy in France who has sworn her to secrecy to protect himself, so she has no one with whom to share her concerns.
Holly and Hunt, Lord Vandover, like each other, and Hunt is willing to discuss the war with Holly, unusual in men and disapproved by her snarky sister, if not her mother, but a great relief to Holly. Hunt has seen enough, and thinks Holly will be a good wife, and eventually his Duchess.
Christmas Bride begins with Holly and Hunt's Christmas Eve wedding, and covers their first year together. Since he proposed only two weeks after they met, they still do not know each other very well. Grandmama, the Dowager Duchess, teaches Holly how to manage the estate, which will one day be her job, and comes to love her.
Hunt is away on Foreign Office business more than he is home, and Holly still has no one to talk to about her worries on Noël's account, but tries her best to help England's cause in the war. Her unsophisticated eagerness to help, and frustration at her powerlessness to help, leave her easy prey for the traitor in the Foreign Office whom her husband is striving to identify. The traitor blackmails her, threatening both Hunt and Noël if she exposes him, leading, of course, to secrets and misunderstandings, and forbids her to see or even write to her husband, whose arrest he has engineered to protect his own nefarious activities .
Both lovers are of course desperately unhappy, but cannot talk to each other even when they are in the same country. Hunt's half-brother and Grandmama try to effect a reconciliation of the obvious estrangement, but since neither party will admit to a problem or discuss it with anyone, their efforts go nowhere. As Christmas approaches and the family gathers at the ducal estate, the continued efforts to hide the obvious fool no one who watches, but there seems no way out, and the Grandmama everyone, including Holly, loves is dying, along with both Holly's and Hunt's hopes and dreams for the future. Is there any way out of this miserable dilemma?
December 3, 2017
One of the most solid, dedicated and authentic writers of this genre. She displays her love of the Regency period by being true to her craft. I have yet to come across a Hiatt Regency using "okay" and other Annoying present day words and phrases that totally destroys the timeline. Now to the books ~ These involve conflict in loyalty to king and country and loyalty in a marriage. The Marquess of Vandover exhibited his wisdom and prudence by choosing an intelligent bride that he both admires and can converse with as well as someone his grandmother can approve of. Holly is quite intelligent but she is also ignorant of the darker sides of her fellow man. Her eagerness to prove her worth to her menfolk embroiled her into unwittingly confiding to the enemy thus further complicating her relationship with her husband, put her marriage in jeopardy and endangered the lives of both her husband and her twin brother.
December 4, 2017
Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read~
ByCindy in GA on December 3, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Loved reading this book, especially at this time of year. Noel and Holly, twins, are very close. When he goes on a mission to spy for his country, England is the better for it. Holly, the only one who knows Noel's true whereabouts, wants to be helpful, but ends up giving information to the wrong person, and unwittingly sends her intended to jail. How everyone gets extricated from various predicaments makes for a great read. Doesn't hurt at all that the storyline is free of mistakes, typos, and misspellings to detract from the plot. You won't go wrong reading this one. Thanks, Ms Hiatt, for an excellent read!
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5.0 out of 5 stars Great read~
ByCindy in GA on December 3, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Loved reading this book, especially at this time of year. Noel and Holly, twins, are very close. When he goes on a mission to spy for his country, England is the better for it. Holly, the only one who knows Noel's true whereabouts, wants to be helpful, but ends up giving information to the wrong person, and unwittingly sends her intended to jail. How everyone gets extricated from various predicaments makes for a great read. Doesn't hurt at all that the storyline is free of mistakes, typos, and misspellings to detract from the plot. You won't go wrong reading this one. Thanks, Ms Hiatt, for an excellent read!
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November 24, 2017
I enjoyed the first chapters as another nice read of my favotite genre the Regency. As soon as the main characters were married the likable heroine did a 180. She became ambitious trying her hand as a spy and failed dramatically.
The whole plot was ridiculous: a 19 year old English youngster dreaming of serving his country planted himself as a secretary in the French ministry for Foreign Affairs, even in those times employees had to have recommendations. His twin sister wanted to do the same and uncover a mole in the English ministry, a woman with no society experience, fresh from the classroom, and she fails spetacularly. The whole story was so ridiculous I saved my time, read the end, and discovered that I didn't miss a thing.
The whole plot was ridiculous: a 19 year old English youngster dreaming of serving his country planted himself as a secretary in the French ministry for Foreign Affairs, even in those times employees had to have recommendations. His twin sister wanted to do the same and uncover a mole in the English ministry, a woman with no society experience, fresh from the classroom, and she fails spetacularly. The whole story was so ridiculous I saved my time, read the end, and discovered that I didn't miss a thing.
December 2, 2017
So this review is totally unfair because I am really only reviewing the novella. I had time for a novella and started this one without really realizing there were two stories and I didn't read the second one.
the novella I am rounding up from 2.5 stars. The idea for the story is cute but it just it wasn't one that I would love to read again and it didn't peak my interest enough to care if I read the second story or not. After reading the synopsis for the novel I kind of felt like it was going to be the same old story I've read a bunch of times. So maybe sometime I'll come back to read the novel but no promises.
the novella I am rounding up from 2.5 stars. The idea for the story is cute but it just it wasn't one that I would love to read again and it didn't peak my interest enough to care if I read the second story or not. After reading the synopsis for the novel I kind of felt like it was going to be the same old story I've read a bunch of times. So maybe sometime I'll come back to read the novel but no promises.
February 8, 2022
Holly is having her first trip to London's marraige mart and the heir to a Dukedom, Hunt, falls in love at first sight with the refreshingly honest and sweet young woman. This all happens while her twin brother is in France during Napoleon's war with the world. Well her husband Hunt is busy trying to work behind the scenes with his father while Holly is trying to make sure her brother is safe and mistakenly her husband thinks she is spying for the French. All happens a bit too melodramatically for me but it does have its romance! I am trying to express my enjoyment of the book but also my frustration with the melodrama! Only read if you have a lot of time and patience!
December 11, 2017
I liked that the author included both books in one set as it really is one story. I felt like there were some nuances I was missing since this was the first I had read in the series. Overall, it was a cute story. There were many misunderstandings that communication could have solved, but the author handled that much better than many I have read. There was a little mystery and some suspense which kept the story moving.
There was too much steam for me to call it clean, but not enough to be really spicy. (all situations are between a married couple, so I was ok with the heat)
There was too much steam for me to call it clean, but not enough to be really spicy. (all situations are between a married couple, so I was ok with the heat)
December 21, 2018
I love it that we get to read the novella that introduces us to Hunt and Holly, how they met and married and then the full length story that takes place after their marriage. I thought they were both enjoyable reads and my heart really went out to Holly who only wanted adventure and to help out her husband in the spy business but being young and too trusting, she really does make a mess of it which leads to misunderstandings and mistrust between her and Hunt. As usual, though, love conquers all and I really loved the ending which filled me with love and hope at Christmastime.
January 5, 2019
Christmas Love
It is said that Christmas is a time for forgiving and new love. In this story you will see both to the fullest. The strong lead female Holly and her twin brother was born on Christmas Eve. Her brother was involved in the foreign services as was her husband to be, Hunt, Marquess of Vandover. Holly and Hunt marry on Christmas Day and the start of their relationship seemed to be going well until the work the men did with the foreign services interfered in many different ways and keeps you turning pages til you find the next twist.
It is said that Christmas is a time for forgiving and new love. In this story you will see both to the fullest. The strong lead female Holly and her twin brother was born on Christmas Eve. Her brother was involved in the foreign services as was her husband to be, Hunt, Marquess of Vandover. Holly and Hunt marry on Christmas Day and the start of their relationship seemed to be going well until the work the men did with the foreign services interfered in many different ways and keeps you turning pages til you find the next twist.
December 1, 2017
A CHARMING CHRISTMAS DUO UNDER ONE COVER
This charming Christmas duo 5 star set comes to us under a Wonderful Seasonal name. We are quickly thrown into love affair between Holly & Hunt. This is for 16 yrs and older to read the trials of this relationship and the intrigue of spies with the Foreign Department. Unwrap this shinning package of holiday joy and read with your heart, maybe a smile, and some could have tears in their eyes it is Christmas after all.
This charming Christmas duo 5 star set comes to us under a Wonderful Seasonal name. We are quickly thrown into love affair between Holly & Hunt. This is for 16 yrs and older to read the trials of this relationship and the intrigue of spies with the Foreign Department. Unwrap this shinning package of holiday joy and read with your heart, maybe a smile, and some could have tears in their eyes it is Christmas after all.
December 3, 2017
Holly & Mistletoe: A Hiatt Regency Classic Christmas Duet
The love story of Holly and Hunt. This has two book in it the first is "Christmas Promise" the meeting and wedding of Holly and Hunt. The second is the first year of their marriage "Christmas Bride". Holly want to help Hunt find a spy. Can she do it. To great Christmas story.
The love story of Holly and Hunt. This has two book in it the first is "Christmas Promise" the meeting and wedding of Holly and Hunt. The second is the first year of their marriage "Christmas Bride". Holly want to help Hunt find a spy. Can she do it. To great Christmas story.
January 15, 2018
An intelligent regency romance with a holiday twist. I enjoyed the character of Holly Paxton - now the bride of Lord Vandover. She is caught between the love for her new, overworked husband (in Foreign Affairs) and devotion to her brother Noel who is serving covertly as a spy in France. There are a lot of misunderstandings and Holly has to constantly weigh her options and take risks
December 20, 2018
Recency Romance
A fairly typical upper class English romance taking place at the time England was at war with France and Napoleon Bonaparte. This story has an bit more depth because of the international conflict, which causes some of the characters to get involved with spying and political intrigue. A predictable ending made better by the historical background.
A fairly typical upper class English romance taking place at the time England was at war with France and Napoleon Bonaparte. This story has an bit more depth because of the international conflict, which causes some of the characters to get involved with spying and political intrigue. A predictable ending made better by the historical background.
December 30, 2023
Very enjoyable
I don't recall reading anything written by this author before. I was happy to discover what a talented writer she is. The intriguing plot and the depth of presentation of each character, I found delightful. I must admit I read far beyond my normal bedtime, because I simply didn't want to stop reading this book.
I don't recall reading anything written by this author before. I was happy to discover what a talented writer she is. The intriguing plot and the depth of presentation of each character, I found delightful. I must admit I read far beyond my normal bedtime, because I simply didn't want to stop reading this book.
April 21, 2024
Fantastic!
The book was a truly fantastic read.
Holly was a tiresome character but in its own way tells you how great the author is , chapter in and chapter out I got irritated with Holly and her choices but rather than drop the book , I wondered when and where her redemption would be and kept on reading.
If that isn’t brilliant, I don’t know what is
The book was a truly fantastic read.
Holly was a tiresome character but in its own way tells you how great the author is , chapter in and chapter out I got irritated with Holly and her choices but rather than drop the book , I wondered when and where her redemption would be and kept on reading.
If that isn’t brilliant, I don’t know what is
November 23, 2017
Secrets
Rather enjoyable. I liked the intrigue, mystery, keeping of secrets and the tangled web people tend to weave. How can one truly trust another without truly knowing the other.
Rather enjoyable. I liked the intrigue, mystery, keeping of secrets and the tangled web people tend to weave. How can one truly trust another without truly knowing the other.
November 25, 2017
Intrigue and suspense wrapped up in a holiday story.
Wonderfully written and a delightful, if suspenseful story. Intrigue and betrayal make for an interesting, page turning book. A good holiday read without being only a Christmas romance.
Wonderfully written and a delightful, if suspenseful story. Intrigue and betrayal make for an interesting, page turning book. A good holiday read without being only a Christmas romance.
November 28, 2017
Splendid Clean Story
Holly & Mistletoe by Brenda Hiatt is a Regency Classic Christmas Duet. A clean delightful story. At times frustrated Holly would tell her secrets. A good story to read. My free opinion. Thanks
Holly & Mistletoe by Brenda Hiatt is a Regency Classic Christmas Duet. A clean delightful story. At times frustrated Holly would tell her secrets. A good story to read. My free opinion. Thanks
November 30, 2017
A wonderful story about love, misconceptions, suspense, & spying. Lots of manipulation of Holly from a spy. So glad she finally turned him over to the authorities but wish she had trusted her husband more. Made women seem to be Nieve when they are anything but. But a good story nevertheless.
December 5, 2017
I enjoyed this story. It could have had better editing at times, and there were some parts that were a little more explicit than I prefer (nothing too bad, but more than I like), but over all the story was cute. It is a quick, easy read. I found the characters enjoyable
December 11, 2017
The novella was short and sweet but really felt like just a few more chapters in the main book with the same characters and story line so that was okay. I liked the characters and the plot but sometimes you just want to bash someone over the head and say tell the truth! Clean and sweet though.
December 11, 2017
Conflict and deceit
When a small (at least in her thoughts) deception causes a conflict of opinion with her husband, Holly becomes completely estranged from him. It takes more deception on the part of family to make LOVE win!
When a small (at least in her thoughts) deception causes a conflict of opinion with her husband, Holly becomes completely estranged from him. It takes more deception on the part of family to make LOVE win!
December 19, 2017
VERY GOOD REGENCY ROMANCE INTRIGUE
A well-written story and many good characters, make this a great Christmas story. To have part 1 and part 2 together let us enjoy no cliffhangers. Thank you for an engaging story, Danny and Debbie Scott.
A well-written story and many good characters, make this a great Christmas story. To have part 1 and part 2 together let us enjoy no cliffhangers. Thank you for an engaging story, Danny and Debbie Scott.
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