This is the product of the 'Word Wenches' -- a group of romance writers who created a blog about historical writing. This Internet enterprise is one of the most successful and longest-lasting blogs by cooperating authors available today. Eight of the 'wenches' collaborated and created this book of short stories of misadventures and misbehaving at Christmas.
SHE STOOPS TO WENCHDOM (Mary Jo Putney)
As the daughter of the vicar, Lucinda Richards leads a dull life; after all, who expects a vicar's daughter to be mischievous? At a party, Lucinda notices Gregory Kenmore. Before Gregory went to war, Lucinda thought herself in love with him. Now back from Spain, Gregory acts like he doesn't remember her; he seems distant and quiet. She hatches a plan to get close to him that (IMHO) is not realistic. Her goal is to find out what is going on. This story highlights the effects of war on sensitive young men.
MISS BROCKHURST'S CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN (Jo Beverley)
Penelope/Pen Brockhurst attends a Christmas party; she knows her best friend from her younger years (Ross Skerries) is expected to be there. Wondering if he has any romantic feelings for her, Pen is shocked to find Ross escorting Miss Gable-Gore. Family members indicate that they expect a betrothal between Ross and the lady during the holidays. I enjoyed the description of Christmas traditions as carried out by English country folk. Otherwise, I thought the story was fairly average.
INTRIGUE AND MISTLETOE (Joanna Bourne)
Jack Tyler has been looking for Elinor Pennington for 2 years. He tracks her down at an crowded inn on a cold, snowy night during the Christmas season. Elinor had thought she loved Jack but learned he was a government agent looking for spies. He used her to get to her uncle, who escaped to France. Now Jack was on the trail of another spy -- taking a message south. He asks her for help finding the message. This story was a surprise and a welcome addition to this bland book.
WENCH IN WONDERLAND (Patricia Rice)
Damaris Bledsoe is on an errand of mercy for her cousin Alice. Against her father's wishes, the cousin has eloped with the man she loves; Damaris is traveling alone to meet Jonathan Trevelyan, the person Lady Alice is supposed to be marrying. Unfortunately, Damaris is in an accident and arrives at the Trevelyan mansion with a head wound. Jonathan isn't there but his older, widowed brother Adam is there with his three children. Patricia Rice turned this oft used plot into a lovely Christmas story.
ON A WICKED WINTER'S NIGHT (Nicola Cornick)
As youngsters, Lydia Cole and John Jerrold were the best of friends. When he asked her to marry him, Lydia thought it was out of pity and turned him down. Now, four years later -- they meet again. He wants a room at her inn and she wants to lend him a horse (so he can leave quickly) instead. When disaster strikes, these two people realize what is important. A good mood piece.
WEATHERING THE STORM (Cara Elliott)
Sophie Thirkell and Lord Bentley Leete are at odds over the use of the only ship left to get them to England in time for Christmas. Leete pleads a matter of international consequence; Sophie states that she needs to turn over a package of family importance. Sophie gets on board with a wily maneuver and the two spar across the waters to London. These two characters respond to each other in ways that make for an entertaining story.
THE MISTLETOE BRIDE (Anne Gracie)
Ronan McAllister needs his inheritance; there's one catch -- he must marry again. He has no desire to approach the altar again but he is desperate. His lawyer suggests finding a woman near death and marrying her. McAllister's conscience is assuaged by the idea that he could aid an anxious woman with her last wishes. The hunt begins. What McAllister gets isn't what he expected.
A WILDER WENCH (Susan King)
Cristina Heron-Shaw had met 'Ned' as a child when he accompanied government men to ransack her father's home (John handled trade-free liquor). Now, years later, she needs to get past the new sheriff, Edward Armstrong. Her brother Patrick has been captured as a smuggler (although he isn't) and Christina must help him escape before they find out that he is John Heron-Shaw's son. There will be no justice then. The plan Christina comes up with is dangerous and dicey.
With a couple of notable exceptions, this was a very average offering. Perhaps Zebra Publishing knew it too; they dropped the retail price to $4.49 (for 400+ pages).
SHE STOOPS TO WENCHDOM (Mary Jo Putney)
As the daughter of the vicar, Lucinda Richards leads a dull life; after all, who expects a vicar's daughter to be mischievous? At a party, Lucinda notices Gregory Kenmore. Before Gregory went to war, Lucinda thought herself in love with him. Now back from Spain, Gregory acts like he doesn't remember her; he seems distant and quiet. She hatches a plan to get close to him that (IMHO) is not realistic. Her goal is to find out what is going on. This story highlights the effects of war on sensitive young men.
MISS BROCKHURST'S CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN (Jo Beverley)
Penelope/Pen Brockhurst attends a Christmas party; she knows her best friend from her younger years (Ross Skerries) is expected to be there. Wondering if he has any romantic feelings for her, Pen is shocked to find Ross escorting Miss Gable-Gore. Family members indicate that they expect a betrothal between Ross and the lady during the holidays. I enjoyed the description of Christmas traditions as carried out by English country folk. Otherwise, I thought the story was fairly average.
INTRIGUE AND MISTLETOE (Joanna Bourne)
Jack Tyler has been looking for Elinor Pennington for 2 years. He tracks her down at an crowded inn on a cold, snowy night during the Christmas season. Elinor had thought she loved Jack but learned he was a government agent looking for spies. He used her to get to her uncle, who escaped to France. Now Jack was on the trail of another spy -- taking a message south. He asks her for help finding the message. This story was a surprise and a welcome addition to this bland book.
WENCH IN WONDERLAND (Patricia Rice)
Damaris Bledsoe is on an errand of mercy for her cousin Alice. Against her father's wishes, the cousin has eloped with the man she loves; Damaris is traveling alone to meet Jonathan Trevelyan, the person Lady Alice is supposed to be marrying. Unfortunately, Damaris is in an accident and arrives at the Trevelyan mansion with a head wound. Jonathan isn't there but his older, widowed brother Adam is there with his three children. Patricia Rice turned this oft used plot into a lovely Christmas story.
ON A WICKED WINTER'S NIGHT (Nicola Cornick)
As youngsters, Lydia Cole and John Jerrold were the best of friends. When he asked her to marry him, Lydia thought it was out of pity and turned him down. Now, four years later -- they meet again. He wants a room at her inn and she wants to lend him a horse (so he can leave quickly) instead. When disaster strikes, these two people realize what is important. A good mood piece.
WEATHERING THE STORM (Cara Elliott)
Sophie Thirkell and Lord Bentley Leete are at odds over the use of the only ship left to get them to England in time for Christmas. Leete pleads a matter of international consequence; Sophie states that she needs to turn over a package of family importance. Sophie gets on board with a wily maneuver and the two spar across the waters to London. These two characters respond to each other in ways that make for an entertaining story.
THE MISTLETOE BRIDE (Anne Gracie)
Ronan McAllister needs his inheritance; there's one catch -- he must marry again. He has no desire to approach the altar again but he is desperate. His lawyer suggests finding a woman near death and marrying her. McAllister's conscience is assuaged by the idea that he could aid an anxious woman with her last wishes. The hunt begins. What McAllister gets isn't what he expected.
A WILDER WENCH (Susan King)
Cristina Heron-Shaw had met 'Ned' as a child when he accompanied government men to ransack her father's home (John handled trade-free liquor). Now, years later, she needs to get past the new sheriff, Edward Armstrong. Her brother Patrick has been captured as a smuggler (although he isn't) and Christina must help him escape before they find out that he is John Heron-Shaw's son. There will be no justice then. The plan Christina comes up with is dangerous and dicey.
With a couple of notable exceptions, this was a very average offering. Perhaps Zebra Publishing knew it too; they dropped the retail price to $4.49 (for 400+ pages).
