Eight years ago, Max, then Viscount Evendon, was engaged to Judith Blakeford. But, with a month to go until the wedding, she eloped with Andrew Easton. Judith found her fiancé cold and forbidding, whereas Andrew tempted her with romance and passion. Yet marriage disillusions her: her husband is a drunken debaucher who spends most of his time away from her and their children, engaging in seduction.

Eight years later, Judith, now widowed, returns to London, and encounters her former fiancé once more. Max, now the Marquess of Denbigh, has nursed a desire for vengeance for the entire eight years since she ran off, leaving her father to break the news that he'd been jilted. His once-time love for Judith has turned to hatred, and he wants revenge.

Max ensures that his and Judith's paths cross as frequently as possible, doing his best to charm his way into her children's good graces and those of her sister-in-law, Amy - that seems to be the easiest way to get Judith to spend time with him. When he succeeds in getting her to accept his invitation to spend Christmas at his estate he knows that his plan is succeeding. All he needs to do is to make her fall in love with him, the way he once loved her, and then abandon her, just as she once abandoned him. Then his revenge will be complete.

But this is Christmas, a time for love and peace and forgiveness, not a time for darkness and hatred. Can Max really sustain his desire for vengeance in the face of the woman he still loves? Can Judith overcome the memory of her fear of Denbigh and her guilt for what she once did to him - and her conviction that he means only to hurt her? Can these two people ever learn to trust one another?

This is a lovely book, and one of Balogh's better Christmas novels, a period she does so well. Its theme is very seasonal, with love, forgiveness and hope at the core of the book, and a cast of supporting characters who are alone and in need of love. There is also a very sweet secondary romance featuring two characters both of whom thought themselves never likely to fall in love or marry. The book is very hard to find, but well worth it!

One of Balogh's best. Lovely story with believable characters, believable problems, and best of all touchingly believable conclusion.

Eight years previously Judith Easton had jilted the Marquess of Denbigh to elope with another man. Now recently widowed she returns to London, and into the sights of the waiting Marquess. Max has had eight years to plan his subtle revenge. He will worm his way into her heart; shower her with affection and warmth. Then, when she least expects it, he will abandon her without a word. It is a good plan, a perfect plan, but as Max slowly discovers it is very hard to hurt the woman that still holds his heart.

Eight years ago, Judith Easton eloped, breaking her betrothal to the Viscount Evendon. Now newly widowed, she is maneuvered into spending the Christmas holidays with him, along with her two children and sister-in-law. She doesn't trust the now Marquess of Denbigh, and for good reason; he is setting her up to break her heart, in revenge for his earlier heartbreak. Both have loads of pain and guilt to deal with. A reconcilliation would take a miracle. But, fortunately, Christmas is a time for miracles..... This shows Mary Balogh at her best - no contrived plots with runaway heiresses or French spies, just two people who fight the overwhelming odds to reach for love. The final scene is heartrending, and truly inspired. Both display a newly-found maturity that allows them to put aside their past mistakes and start again. I truly love this book.

Samantha is visiting with her cousin when she wanders off for a walk and meets the wealthy and crippled Marquess of Carew. He is dressed in gardener's clothes and she mistakes him for one. The marquess is charmed that this beautiful young woman wants to talk to a mere gardener, and so he does not enlighten her to his true station. The two develop a deep connection: they become true friends. Additionally, the marquess falls in love with her and, when Samantha returns to London, he is quite miserable without her.

While in London Samantha meets up with the only man she has ever loved, the villianous Lionel Kersey. She has not seen him in 6 years and is terrified of her attraction to him. When her friend - the marquess she believes is a gardener - follows her to London, she is relieved to see him. She desperately wants a distraction from her attraction to Lionel.

What will happen? You have to read to find out! This is a wonderful regency romance and I recommend it highly.

This is something special -- a romance about people who start out as friends and gradually grow into loving each other. Samantha and Lord Carew are very much like real people; when they make the wrong decision, you understand exactly what drives them to do so.

It also avoids the usual cliches -- bestowing lots of surprises and twists on the reader instead.

Fans of "Dark Angel" will be glad (?) to know that the notorious Lionel Kersey makes a return appearance in this book. And he's even more despicable in this book.

I gave this book Desert Island Keeper status at All About Romance.

Samantha is young and beautiful. . .and terrified of her erstwhile suitor(anyone who has read Balogh's "Dark Angel" will recognize both Samantha and the man she once believed she loved. Fleeing the handsome "suitor" she runs straight into the arms of wealthy but hardly imposing Lord Hartley Carew--a man who though physically handicapped has a whole heart.

I thought the handsome villain and the physically handicapped hero made a nice juxtaposition. There is no miracle cure for the hero's handicaps, but that made his winning the love of his beautiful bride more sweet. The beast remains the "beast" though he always had a heart of gold, and the naive young heroine grows to learn that it is the heart and not physical beauty that matters.

(This book is part of the series of Balogh novels beginning with "Dark Angel" and going to "The Famous Heroine")

I have to say I am biased; I like this series by Mary Balogh so much that they are all keepers (starting with THE FAMOUS HEROINE and ending with THE CHRISTMAS BRIDE, which is also part of another series). What makes THE PLUMED BONNET special to me among the wonderful books in this series is the amount of realism that Balogh brings to this particular book. Normally, Regency writers often have heroines tramping around the countryside with little recognition of some real dangers that could exist. This book shows some of the dangers that could befall a woman travelling alone, and makes us understand some of those "peculiar" social conventions such as having your maid or a man servant travel with you.

The story begins with a bored Duke of Bridgwater (who has appeared in several other books in the series as a friend or acquaintance of the other heroes) deciding to leave London. On the way he takes up a young woman whom he believes to be a woman of easy virtue. He jumps to this conclusion based on her attire (incidentally, the cover art shows her in the wrong color dress, and the duke not dressed for the country). As it happens, appearances are deceiving, but the duke has been well-entertained by the young woman's efforts to spin him a story about her expectations (she has just inherited a fortune, she is a former governess, but she must marry within a specified time period, and so forth).

It turns out that the young woman was speaking the truth, and the Duke realizes that he has compromised her, and then offers to marry her to protect her name and reputation, and his own honor. The story then moves to London, where the heroine - Stephanie Gray - is being trained to be a duchess by the Dowager Duchess (the very same Duchess who was chaperoning Cora in the THE FAMOUS HEROINE). She is also painfully aware of how much she owes the duke - not just her reputation, but more. The duke wants much more than formality from his fiancee, but he cannot seem to communicate that to her - or she misinterprets his words, his expressions, and his actions.

After the marriage, the Duke confesses the truth to his wife - that he thought her a lady of easy virtue, and that he intended to make her his mistress. Stephanie realizes that she has built up the duke to be a paragon. Although the confession is painful, it is necessary for them to rebuild a new life together. And here, Balogh displays her genius by showing us a new side of the Duke (as if we had not been surprised by being allowed inside the duke's mind in the first place).

If you like Mary Balogh and the like (Carla Kelly, and others who take time to build up characters slowly), you will love THE PLUMED BONNET. This is not a story filled with dash and intrigue; the tension comes from the story itself, and the changes in the hero and the heroine as they struggle to adjust to expectations of each other and what society expects of them. No spies, no major villains - just a story of how an unlikely couple meet and fall in love. Best of all, the falling in love comes after the marriage, and under somewhat interesting circumstances (maypole, anyone?).

This was my first Mary balogh book and i loved it. It was a refreshing change from the same old cynical hero, and perfect, sickly sweet heroine and perfect romance...... it was closer to reality because it was not so perfect and the way it was written,.....u could relate to the characters and understand their feelings. I especially liked the scene where she first meets her in-laws-to-be and she doesn't suddenly become witty and chraming but reacts like a normal person would..... she was not perfect and neither was the hero....thats what made the book so enjoyable!

Jennifer Winwood and her cousin Samantha are in London for their first season. Jennifer is thrilled because after five long years of waiting, she is to become officially engaged to the devastatingly handsome and honorable Lionel Kersey. She is deeply in love with him even though she's only met him a few times in the last five years.

In the park one day, Jennifer and Samantha come across two men, one of which is the notorious Earl of Thornhill, Regency England's most notorious rake. He is back in England after more than a year abroad....I won't say anymore for fear of giving away too much information. Suffice it to say that 'Dark Angel' is one of my favorite books. It is well-written with richly drawn main and secondary characters and a great plot. Don't miss it.

P.S. Try 'Lord Carew's Bride' next. It is Samantha's story.

The first chapter alone will have you laughing is stitches.. The completely delightful, completely misguided Daisy is used to managing everyone and everything around her. When she sees a man accosted by thugs, she rushes to his rescue, complete with cold cream and nightgown. Her weapon of choice is nothing less than a black umbrella, and to the Viscount's shame, she actually succeeds in driving them off!

The Viscount is proud, handsome, arrogant, and completely eligible. And he's NOT happy with having a slip of a girl rescue him and embarrass him publicly. Daisy wants to set him up with her beautiful and meek sister. But somehow, she finds herself gravitating towards him herself, and to his utter disgust, he finds himself equally gravitating towards her.

This book is for keeps despite being quite short. You'll enjoy the characters and the dialogue. Mary Balogh takes a few historical licenses, but they don't affect the story in any way. Besides, you will enjoy the dialogue and the twists and turns so much; you'll probably not even notice them!

The minute you see this volume anywhere, buy it. (Unless, of course, it's a library book. In that case, just borrow it for a while.) Take it home, and after an aggravating day, pick it up and read THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING by Barbara Metzger. I guarantee you'll laugh out loud as you read about the ingenious young widow who tries to find a husband for her sister--only to win one for herself, instead.

On the other hand, if you're already too buoyant, and want to shed a few tears, Patricia Rice will oblige with THE CHRISTMAS GOOSE. Men go off to war seldom considering the woman they leave behind, and if you mix in a curmudgeonly father who ignores his now-widowed daughter, you have the ingredients for a real tear-prompting tale.

If you've ever all-of-a-sudden come to realize something that had been lurking in the recesses of your mind, you'll identify immediately with the young duke in Edith Layton's THE GINGERBREAD MAN. Awakened every morning by a scented memory, he discovers his heart's desire practically under his nose. You'll feel wonderful all day after this delight.

Have you ever wondered what on earth was a Syllabub? Wonder no more. In this instance, it, too, is a memory-maker as Sandra Heath whips up the tangled remnants of a marriage into a new concoction, and straightens them out to everyone's satisfaction in SOPHIE'S SYLLABUB.

And finally, Mary Balogh utilizes THE WASSAIL BOWL as a receptacle for love, hope and still more tears--all the things you need, in order to have a wonderful Holiday. Be sure to have a good one--and don't blame the reviewer for the calories you'll find in this delicious book--along with a related recipe from each author.

I love romantic fiction set within the context of Christmas and regencies are a particular favourite of mine. I always treat myself to the various Christmas anthologies because they make a particularly nice read at the holiday season when things get so frantic you begin to wish Christmas had never been invented! I recently obtained a few of the old Signet Regency Christmas anthologies now out of print and it was truly worth the effort.

If you never read another Christmas regency novella, may I recommend Mary Balogh's "The Porcelain Madonna". This exquisitely written (what else would you expect from Mary Balogh?), emotionally tender and moving story is the best I have ever read in the Christmas setting, either contemporary or historical. The painfully tragic story of the difficult, prickly but kind hearted Darcy Austin, the Earl of Kevern, and the gentle, sympathetic Julie Bevan, is full of healing, joy, compassion and love. Their personal "go between", the little boy from the slums, Charlie Cobban, is also a memorable character whose family, through the birth of yet another mouth to fill, brings real peace and healing to the bereaved Earl.

I simply cannot speak highly enough of this charming little story - it is the sort you will want to turn to again and again when you need a little inspiration and comfort.

The other stories are also good; I was quite surprised by Emma Lange's as I don't know her and she presented a well written study of a large family which is mindful of Georgette Heyer's "A Civil Contract". Marjorie Farrell is a favourite of mine; she writes very well and her contribution, "Christmas Rose" tells a poignant story of a couple who have drifted apart through the curse of infertility (told within the proper context of the times and painfully realistic). How a foundling child first brings them together, then drives a wedge between them and then ultimately brings them peace and joy is also a wonderfully heartwarming illustration of what Christmas really means.

I do recommend this collection. It's worth the effort to obtain an out of print copy. What a star is Mary Balogh!

I am working my way through a little horde of Regency Christmas anthologies, savouring them one at a time. I picked this one up whilst on holiday recently and just read it; what a pleasure it was! I don't ordinarly seek out short stories as a matter of course but I am very fond of this particular little mini sub-genre. Three of the contributions stood out for me.

"The Rake's Christmas" by Edith Layton is the poignant story of a young man, back from the Peninsular wars, saddened and a little self loathing, who throws himself into some half-hearted rakery in order to put the wars behind him. He is taken up by a truly accomplished rake, Lord Shelton. During a Christmas house party, the elder rake plays deus ex machina to young Ian, Viscount Hunt in order to bring him together with Miss Eve Thompkins. Eve is the daughter Shelton never had - the offspring of his true life-long secret and unrequited love. So, he stands in an almost fatherly way over Hunt, helping him to overcome his sombre loneliness and sad boyhood in making a match for him and Eve. Edith Layton is a favourite of mine and she packs a lot of emotion into just a few short pages.

Jo Beverley is a writer whose books I have been collecting with the aim of indulging myself. Why she and Layton and Balogh are not published in the UK is beyone my comprehension - such a shame! I was delighted with her contribution to this anthology. "A Mummer's Play" is the story of Col "Lucky Jack" Beaufort, by default the new Duke of Cranmoore. Justina Travers lost her fiance in the Peninsula when he was under the command of his close friend, Jack. Justina has some reason to suspect that Cranmoore may have been a traitor and, therefore, the cause of her fiance's death. She insinuates herself into Jack's first Christmas house party as the new duke by hiding herself amongst the mummers who come to perform. Her aim is to expose him as a traitor and murderer. The story takes place during the course of just one evening and, in just a few intense, emotional pages, Jo Beverley brings an almost unbearably high degree of tension and emotion as these two lonely, hurt but passionate people find an extraordinary and unexpected love and mutual redemption. Simply excellent.

Mary Balogh's contribution is, as always, as near to perfection as you can get. Hers is the story of three young orphaned children whose wastrel parents largely ignored them. Their maternal uncle, Viscount Morsey, and paternal aunt, Lady Carlyle, reluctantly leave London to come to the depths of the countryside to "do their duty" and make some half-hearted provision for their upbringing. It emerges that the two adults were once engaged but huge family problems, anger and recriminations tore them apart. The story is largely told through the eyes of the children and the theme of the story, as Lady Carlyle discovers, is that Christmas is about birth, parenthood, love, hope and commitment. In the context of this very brief piece, all five players find themselves turned into a loving family. Mary Balogh is pure magic. She writes such poignant, moving and emotional stories which are refined to pure gold. Wonderful.

Do find yourself a second hand copy of this anthology; reading it is simply a pleasure worth the effort.

Newly widowed, Felicity, Lady Wren finally gets the chance to have a London Season for herself. She was married at the age of 18 to a man in his late fifties, because her family was practically bankrupt and they needed the marriage settlement to save them. At the time, she'd been in love with her childhood friend, Tom Russell, and both of them had been devastated that Felicity had to marry someone else.

However, time passes and heals many wounds, and now that Felicity is free again at the age of 26 she's matured and she feels that Tom would have been the wrong man for her. He's a country farmer, after all, and she likes Society life. She wants a man who is not only charming, handsome and close to her own age - all of which Tom is - but who is also wealthy, titled and who enjoys Society life.

In London, she meets Lord Edmond Waite, a handsome sophisticate who is obviously attracted to her; unfortunately, she discovers very quickly that he wants her as his mistress, which is something she's definitely not interested in. So how to make him come around to the idea of marriage?

Simple - make him jealous.

And how better to do that than to enlist the help of her oldest friend, who most conveniently has followed her to London and is squiring her and her younger twin sisters about?

So Tom agrees to pretend to be a devoted suitor, and of course they have to be very convincing in order to make Lord Edmond believe that he really has competition. The only problem for Felicity is: is she risking awakening old feelings by getting so close to Tom again? Is she absolutely sure that what she once felt for him is dead?

This is another Balogh classic, which I was delighted to find. As usual, she creates some very believable and entertaining characters - in particular, I loved the secondary characters of twins Lucy and Laura, and their suitors. And as usual, Balogh doesn't write a one-dimensional villain; I'm looking forward to seeing his story in the third book of the trilogy to which this belongs!

Admittedly, at first I thought that Felicity was rather shallow, with her desire for a life of froth and pleasure and her wish to marry a titled, wealthy man (who cares about love?). But then I realised that her nature at that point - or at least what she believes to be her preferences - were very much influenced by her sudden freedom from a marriage to a man much older than she was. It's a classic case of someone thinking that they know what they want, only to discover, when they have it, that it wasn't what they wanted after all.

If I had one criticism of The Trysting Place, it's that Tom is just a little bit too perfect. He agrees to everything Felicity asks of him, including pretending to be engaged to her; he's always there when she needs him; and, even though he's deeply in love with her and the thought of seeing her married to another man almost kills him inside, he's still unselfish enough to help her get what she thinks she wants. Once or twice I wanted to scream at him to develop some backbone... but then he is a pretty unselfish character.

As this is an early Balogh, there's a minor niggle in the shape of titles used incorrectly: for instance, Lord Waite is not the same title (and therefore person) as Lord Edmond Waite, and likewise Lady Dorothea Page may not also be addressed as Lady Page. However, Balogh doesn't make these errors in later books.

All in all, definitely a keeper and one of my favourites of the early Baloghs.

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the characters and more importantly **liked** the characters. The hero has been disappointed by his first marriage having realized that though he married for love (or more exactly for infatuation) he and his lovely first wife were complete opposites with little or nothing in common. Determined to not make the same mistake twice he sees the quiet Jane as the perfect companion for the country life with his daughters that he wishes to lead. It's all very practical. Jane on the other hand has been quite infatuated with the handsome, titled nobleman, but she has a good head on her shoulders and a good heart. When he proposes and speaks of little but duty and comfort she realizes that in her heart that could never be enough. Stunning the hero (and herself), she tells him no. She could never accept a marriage of convenience.

I enjoyed the way the author looked at love and took in its facets. Infatuation exists in the novel but it isn't mistaken for love. Neither is comfort an adequate substitute. When the lovers finally find one another you feel that they both know what real love is and that they truly love one another. A nice read.