ebook, 85 pages
Published
December 9th 2015
by Mirror Press
Source: I received a copy through ebooksforreview.com in exchange for an honest review
My Rating: 5 Stars
A Christmas Novella from the bestselling Hearthfire Romance series by Michele Paige Holmes:
Five months isn’t enough time to grieve the death of her husband and marry again, but when the unexpected opportunity to take her sister’s place as the bride of wealthy New York businessman, William Vancer, presents itself, twenty-four year-old Charlotte Holbrook agrees. Their marriage of convenience will provide a secure future for her son, while William will be able to claim the inheritance he needs to expand his company westward.
To begin their perfect and perfectly safe arrangement, William allots the last twelve days in December to become acquainted with his new family—a task more easily accomplished than he had imagined. For in Charlotte he finds a tender heart and companion, while stepping into the role of father to her son, brings William a great measure of joy as well. Before the twelve days have passed, he finds himself wishing their marriage of convenience could be something much more.
For Charlotte, every day with William is one of overwhelming gratitude, as he anticipates and provides for her needs, as well as the fondest desires of her heart. More than material comforts, William offers friendship as well, and a loving concern that Charlotte has gone too long without. Guilt ridden, she struggles with her growing attraction and wonders how she can ever remain loyal to her first husband, while allowing herself to love William as he deserves.
Five months isn’t enough time to grieve the death of her husband and marry again, but when the unexpected opportunity to take her sister’s place as the bride of wealthy New York businessman, William Vancer, presents itself, twenty-four year-old Charlotte Holbrook agrees. Their marriage of convenience will provide a secure future for her son, while William will be able to claim the inheritance he needs to expand his company westward.
To begin their perfect and perfectly safe arrangement, William allots the last twelve days in December to become acquainted with his new family—a task more easily accomplished than he had imagined. For in Charlotte he finds a tender heart and companion, while stepping into the role of father to her son, brings William a great measure of joy as well. Before the twelve days have passed, he finds himself wishing their marriage of convenience could be something much more.
For Charlotte, every day with William is one of overwhelming gratitude, as he anticipates and provides for her needs, as well as the fondest desires of her heart. More than material comforts, William offers friendship as well, and a loving concern that Charlotte has gone too long without. Guilt ridden, she struggles with her growing attraction and wonders how she can ever remain loyal to her first husband, while allowing herself to love William as he deserves.
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I've loved this series and was really hoping that Mr. Vancer and Charlotte would get a happy ending. A marriage of convenience is a favorite theme of mine and as much as I, personally, would hate to enter one, I love to read about them. It's such a risky situation and could really go either way, but they always seem to work out okay--phew!
Charlotte is widowed and when she joins her sister, who is newly arrived in New York, she meets Mr. Vancer. When her sister discovers that her husband really lives, she leaves William, almost at the alter. An arrangement is made between Charlotte and William, to benefit them both, and a marriage ensues. Given twelve days to adjust, this couple tentatively becomes better acquainted with one another and a sweet, heartfelt relationship develops--one of friendship, respect, admiration, and more.
I couldn't help but admire William and Charlotte. They are each determined to make the best of their situation. William is so kind and I felt sorry for him. I love when Charlotte finally thinks beyond her guilt and steps up to do what she needs to do in order to unite herself with her new husband. I loved the swoony sparks that ignited in my heart and the genuine and deep emotions that drifted off each page.
Content: mild romance; mild religious elements. Clean!
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About the Author:
Michele
Paige Holmes spent her childhood and youth in Arizona and northern
California, often curled up with a good book instead of out enjoying
the sunshine. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree
in Elementary Education, and found it an excellent major in which to
indulge her love of children’s literature. Her first novel, Counting Stars (Covenant Communications 2007), won the 2007 Whitney Award for best romance. Her companion novel, a romantic suspense titled, All the Stars in Heaven (Covenant 2009), was a Whitney finalist, as was her first historical romance, Captive Heart (Covenant 2011). My Lucky Stars (Covenant 2012) completed the Stars series.
After having a novella published in A Timeless Romance Anthology European Collection (Mirror Press, 2013), Michele decided to focus on historical romance and began Hearthfire Historicals, with the debut novel Saving Grace. A companion novella, Loving Helen will be released February 2015.
Michele has been a member of the same critique group for over fourteen years and feels privileged to meet with fellow authors Annette Lyon, Heather B. Moore, LuAnn Staheli, Sarah M. Eden, J. Scott Savage, and Robison Wells. She has been a member of RWA and URWA, LDStorymakers, and The League of Utah Writers. Michele enjoys both attending and teaching at conferences.
When not reading or writing romance, Michele is busy with her full time job as a wife and mother. She and her husband live in Utah with their five high maintenance children and a Shih-tzu that resembles a teddy bear, in a house with a wonderful view of the mountains.
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