Book Review: A Very Scandalous Holiday

Authors: Nancy Fraser, Sophia Garrett, Amber Lin, Crista McHugh.

Published October 14th 2013 by Entangled: Scandalous

Age: Adult

Entangled Publishing presents…A Very Scandalous Holiday Anthology. Four very spirited vignettes of holidays past.

Erin’s Gift by Nancy Fraser

Chicago 1920

Widower, Seth Harrison, has no intention of falling in love again but will he be able to resist the sweetness of his son’s nanny, Erin O’Mara—his sister’s best friend?

An Eternity of You by Sophia Garrett

England 1833

The Duke of Sharrington left Rebecca with more than a broken heart six years ago—he left her with a son. His return rekindles their passion, but only a Christmas miracle will convince the town surgeon to believe in his promises of eternity again.

Letters at Christmas by Amber Lin

England, late Regency

After three years at sea, Captain Hale Prescott has the means to marry the love of his life and his best friend’s sister, Sidony Harbeck. However, she might never speak to him again. Despite their whispered adolescent promises, he never wrote her a single letter…at least, none he ever sent.

Eight Tiny Flames by Crista McHugh

1944 Ardennes, WWII

Lt. Ruth Mencher has always secretly admired Capt. Joseph Klein, but it takes the lighting of a Hanukkah candle to uncover the spark of mutual attraction. Each night awakens a new facet of their relationship, but as the Battle of the Bulge begins, the approaching Nazi forces threaten to tear them apart.

I like to read holidays anthologies, for me it's the perfect way to get in the holiday mood. So when I saw A Very Scandalous Holiday at NetGalley I didn't wait to request it.

Eight Tiny Flames by Crista McHugh was a surprise for me because I thought I wasn't going to enjoy it, but did. Lt. Ruth Mencher is proud of her religion and wants to share Hanukkah with Capt. Joseph Klein, who she secretly admires. Their attraction was strong but their romance is very sweet, mixed with the horrible WWII. I was also surprised to discover some things from this story really happened. I think it got the real meaning of the holidays, you can find and share hope and love even in the most awful situations.

Letters at Christmas by Amber Lin is about promises. Captain Hale Prescott has been three years at sea and finally can return to marry Sidony Harbeck, but she doesn't want him anymore....he promised to write but never got one letter. In just a few days, he will make Sidony trust in him again, not only with her body but her heart too. Their romance is very passionate and it would have loved to know more about these characters.

An Eternity of You by Sophia Garrett is about forgiveness. Rebecca, the poor town surgeon and mother of a bastard, can believe when The Duke of Sharrington, the father of her son, returns to his home with his new family. She doesn't want anything to do with him, but they soon discover he never knew about his son, and still have feeling for her. A little bit predictable but very cute.

Erin’s Gift by Nancy Fraser is about finding love. Widower Seth Harrison is attracted to his son's nanny, Erin O’Mara, his sister’s best friend. She's poor and alone, so he offers her the job, but he isn't sure he can handle their attraction. It's a very sweet romance, definitely felt the Holiday spirit, and is has a little bit of passion...the perfect combination!

Overall, I enjoyed A Very Scandalous Holiday. It was a great read to start the season and I'm definitely checking for more books from the authors.