His Mistress by Christmas by Victoria Alexander {review-giveaway}

His Mistress by Christmas
by Victoria Alexander
Series: Sinful Family Secrets #1
Publisher: Kensington
Publication date: Sept 25, 2012
Genre: Adult Historical Romance
Purchase: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository

For three years, Lady Veronica Smithson has been perfectly happy as a widow—and thoroughly independent. Still, the right gentleman could provide the benefits of marriage without the tedious restrictions. And in Sir Sebastian Hadley-Attwater, renowned explorer and rogue, Veronica is sure she has found him. Sebastian will come into his inheritance in a matter of weeks—if his family deems him responsible enough. There's no better way to prove his maturity than with a home and a wife. But though the lovely Veronica will share his bed, she steadfastly refuses to marry. However, Sebastian has a plan.An intimate sojourn at his new country house will surely change Veronica's mind. For Sebastian never takes no for an answer. And even in the midst of mischief-making relatives and unexpected complications, he intends to persuade his Christmas mistress that they belong together—in this, and every season to come...

As many of you know I love holiday themed tales. His Mistress by Christmas grabbed my attention with its lovely cover and teaser synopsis. Author Victoria Alexander delighted me with this tale, its colorful characters, humor and twists. I quickly consumed this and closed the book with a smile. This is the perfect Regency romance to get you in the mood for the holidays.

The tale begins when we meet the widowed Lady Veronica Smithson. She and her friend Portia are watching a speech presented by the dashingly handsome Sir Sebastian Hadley-Attwater. He is a renowned explorer, published writer and a reported rogue. While Veronica is financially independent and enjoys her freedom and collecting hats something is missing from her life. She misses the passion one experiences with a man, and decides upon meeting Sebastian that she will offer to be his mistress. Sebastian cannot help but noticing the striking redhead in attendance with his sister and is quite taken with her. While Veronica plots to become his mistress by Christmas, Sebastian is determined to have her as his wife by Christmas and the tale that unfolds is hilarious, heartwarming, romantic and captivating.

I love a good strong, feisty, witty heroine who thinks she knows her own mind, but hasn't a clue when it comes to matters of the heart. Veronica was positively delightful and I laughed and giggled at the outlandish things she did. Sebastian is gifted when it comes to words and his novels and speeches have men’s admiration and woman swooning. Yet he muddles things with Veronica, she completely throws him off his game and I loved it. As she peeled back his layers I feel more in love with this poetic man. The banter between them was positively delicious and at times humorous. As they each plot their next move, they find their families tossed into the mix and it was all quite smashing. Even the secondary characters added to the tale and had me in stitches. I adored Portia and Julia the three of them together were a hoot. I liked Sebastian’s American friend Sinclair and so want to read his story. *hint*

The tale Alexander spun was such fun and the characters brought the tale to life for me. I truly became wrapped up in this fast paced tale and could not put it down. I loved all the complications and family meddling and loved sharing their holiday with them. Even the servants made me laugh. The romance was filled with sexual tension, wicked banter and sweetness. There is only one sexual encounter but it’s detailed and spicy. The tale is heartwarming and leaves you filled with that gooey-mushy-Christmassy kind of happy as you close the book.

For those looking for a fun romantic holiday read I recommend His Mistress by Christmas. Victoria Alexander has over thirty-six published works and I will definitely be reading more. I was also delighted to discover she lives in my town.

I want to thank Kensington Publishing for sending me this finished copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

I gave this novel 4.5 coffee cups out of 5

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My Kind of Christmas by Robyn Carr

My Kind of Christmas
by Robyn Carr
Series: Virgin River #20
Publisher: Harlequin/Mira
Publication date: October 23, 2012
Genre: Contemporary Adult Romance
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository

PATRICK RIORDAN ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT NOTHING COULD MATCH THE ADRENALINE RUSH HE GETS FROM HIS JOB. BUT THIS CHRISTMAS, PATRICK’S PULSE IS REALLY RACING...
The Riordan brothers may have a reputation for being rough-and tumble, but Patrick has always been the gentle, sweet-natured one. These days, his easygoing manner is being tested by his high-octane career as a navy pilot. But for the Riordan brothers, when the going gets tough…the tough find the love of a good woman.Except the woman who has caught Patrick’s attention is Jack Sheridan’s very attractive niece. Angie LeCroix comes to Virgin River to spend Christmas relaxing, away from her well-intentioned but hovering mother. Yet instead of freedom, she gets Jack Sheridan. If her uncle had his way, she’d never go out again. And certainly not with rugged, handsome Patrick Riordan. But Angie has her own idea of the kind of Christmas she wants—and the kind of man! Patrick and Angie thought they wanted to be left alone this Christmas—until they meet each other. Then they want to be left alone together. But the Sheridan and Riordan families have different plans for Patrick and Angie—and for Christmas, Virgin River–style!

I absolutely love Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series and each time I open one of her books I get a warm fuzzy feeling. My Kind of Christmas did exactly that and I enjoyed reading Patrick and Angie’s story. For those of you with your jaw still hanging open at the thought of twenty books in a series; relax. While it is wonderful seeing all the different townsfolk and knowing their stories, you can easily read them as standalone. Each introduced a new couple and their story. I began reading this after dinner Tuesday night which was a mistake. I know once I open her books that I cannot put them down. I found myself up till 2:32 am on a work night! I did that whole "just one more chapter" thing till I got my HEA. * facepalm* I will say it was worth it and I do not regret getting only four hours sleep!

The tale takes place between Thanksgiving and a few days before Christmas. Angie LeCroix the niece of Jack Sheridan comes to Virgin River to get a break from her overbearing, concerned mother. Angie was in a horrible auto accident during her first year of medical school, and it has her rethinking her future. She wants quiet time at the cabins to contemplate life, read and have a little fun. That’s when she meets Patrick Riordan at Jack’s tavern and is instantly attracted to the pilot and his dreamy green eyes. Jack warns his niece away from the troubled Riordan but Angie cannot help but be drawn to him. The tale that unfolds is heartwarming, romantic, and kept me enthralled.

I love the Riordan boys and was so excited to get Patrick (Paddy’s) story. Paddy is enlisted in the military as a pilot and is on medical leave. He lost his best friend Jake in combat and is struggling with the loss. He has until after Christmas to decide whether to take his next assignment. Paddy is noble, sweet, incredibly smexy and I just wanted to hold him. Angie is bright, full of optimism and at a loss as to what direction she should take. While she is intellectually brilliant, her people skills are lacking; that is until she meets Paddy. I loved watching their romance and its complication unfold. Of course all of the Riordan’s and Sheridan’s make appearance in the book and meddle with the young couple. It was delightful!

If I could pick the perfect place to live, Virgin River would immediately comes to mind. While it is a small mountain town it's residence have stolen my heart. Carr has a knack for giving me characters with depth that I immediately connect with. Her understanding and tribute to men and women in uniform is wonderful. In this novel she addresses PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and fully captured aspects of it. Now that the townsfolk have erected the town Christmas tree, I find myself looking forward to the holiday season. For me it wouldn't be the holidays without visiting Virgin River. 

I highly recommend My Kind of Christmas to those looking for a small town romance. The Virgin River series never ceases to delight me and I hope to visit for many years to come. As you can imagine Robyn Carr is on my auto-buy list.

I want to thank Harlequin Mira for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

I gave this novel 4 pumpkin lattes out of 5.