About the book:
Title: A Kiss at Christmastide
Author: Christina McKnight
Genre: Regency Historical Romance, Christmas
Release Date: September 27, 2016
Length: 35k words
Format: Digital/Paperback
Lady Pippa Godfrey has suffered the most ruinous London Season.
She escapes to her Somerset estate for a quiet Christmastide holiday with her
family, away from society’s prying eyes. But before her parents can join her, a
storm crashes down on Somerset to destroy any hope of Pippa’s white Christmas
dream. The roads have flooded and travel is impossible, leaving her stranded
and alone. But a muddied, angry and devilishly handsome lord appears at her
door demanding shelter.
Lucas Hartfeld, the Earl of Maddox, has been summoned by his
parents, the Marquis and Marchioness of Bowmont, to attend a holiday party in
the wilds of the country, far from his London townhouse. He suspects they
command his attendance for far different reasons than a simple country party.
When a storm strands his carriage, he’s forced to seek shelter at the only home
for miles around, a local manor called Helton House.
When Lady Pippa is reluctant to admit him, he does what he’s been
raised to do—demand she provide him and his servants with shelter until the
storm passes. But the beautiful woman draws his interest far more than he’s
willing to admit. Can Lucas find a way out of the predicament his parents are
planning?
As Lady Pippa scrutinizes another arrogant, demanding lord, she is bombarded with memories of betrayals in her past. Can she forget those difficult life lessons to claim a Christmastide kiss from a perfect stranger?
Available at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks
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Excerpt One:
A moment of confusion clouded her mind as the laughter dimmed and
a light breeze assaulted her face—as if someone had opened a window to a gusty
wind.
At her side, Pippa’s mother fanned her face. Her wrist whipped to
and fro, increasing as the room went silent.
Everything froze around her but her mother’s thrashing fan.
The Duchess of Midcrest, her dear mother, who’d labored for over
twenty years to rise above her merchant class upbringing, would once again be
embroiled in a scandal—all because of Pippa.
“Do you wish to depart?” her mother whispered.
“I did not…” Pippa stammered. “I would never…”
“I did not believe you had, my child.” Her mother sought to soften
the blow—something that society had done to the current Duchess of Midcrest a
hundred times over. “However, that does not change the appearance of things, no
matter what we say or do in this moment.”
Pippa lifted her chin to keep her tears from streaming down her
face.
“I do not understand why,” Pippa said as she leaned in close to
her mother to whisper. “Lady Natalie and I are such friends.”
“Friendship and jealously often hold hands so tightly that one
cannot distinguish between the pair.”
Excerpt Two:
Pippa pushed her hair away to continue with instructing the
servant to the nearest inn. “Your lord will be far more comfortable…”
The wind whipped the last of her hair from her face to reveal not
the servant from before, but a tall, very tall, broad-shouldered, very
broad-shouldered, man—that was all Pippa saw of him as her glance locked on his
chest. He was drenched, with his shirt plastered to his enormous width. It
hadn’t been the wind that had knocked the door from her hands and allowed the
storm access to her home, but the man before her.
And he was fuming mad—his nostrils flared as water dripped from
his hair and he stared at her pointedly—not bothering to mask his aggressive
stance.
“Were you truly going to turn away a man in need of shelter?” his
voice boomed.
Pippa gasped, taking yet another step back. She glanced quickly
over her shoulder, hoping the noise had awoken one of her servants, abed on the
third floor of the house. But none came running to aid her.
“I knew I was venturing to the depths of hell when I agreed to
come all this way from London, but are manners not taught in the wilds of
Somerset?” The man ran his hands down the front of his shirt, pushing the water
from his body to pool on the floor beneath him. “My servants will need space in
your stables. I thank you for…” he eyed her up and down before continuing.
“…your hospitality, my lady.”
He bowed before Pippa with his last words and his breath caressed
her body, making her acutely aware of two things; he smelled heavily of spirits and she was attired in a sheer nightshift that did not leave much to
the imagination.
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My Review:
I have been looking forward to reading a Christmas story ever since I started seeing them arrive on Netgalley. A Kiss at Christmastide was actually the first Christmas story on my list so what did I think...
The prologue showed exactly how strong a character Pippa is as she finds herself in a difficult situation. I felt sorry for Pippa and how things had gone so wrong for her in her first season. It was even worse because her so called friend was to blame. Then as the story progresses she became even more likeable and I couldn't wait to see if she would get her happy ending.
Lucas was infuriating and an annoyance for Pippa to start with and I enjoyed the interactions between them both. Even though they have a bad start they have a pretty instant connection that grows as they spend more time together.
Lucas was infuriating and an annoyance for Pippa to start with and I enjoyed the interactions between them both. Even though they have a bad start they have a pretty instant connection that grows as they spend more time together.
This story is a sweet romantic story set just before Christmas and the storyline and characters really put me in a cheerful festive mood. Even though this book is a novella the story wasn't rushed which can sometimes happen with shorter stories. The story moved at a good pace and managed to keep my interest.
Overall:
I enjoyed this festive story and I would love to read all about Natalie and to find out more about what happened between her and Pippa.
A Kiss at Christmastide is a lovely, sweet and enjoyable romance!
Four stars from me!
Thank you to La Loma Elite Publishing, Barclay Publicity & Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
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Giveaway!
Travel to Somerset, England for your Holiday Season!
Out Sept 27th – Regency Romance, A Kiss At Christmastide by Christina McKnight
Follow the blitz and enter to #win one of 5 signed copies of Christmas Ever More by Christina McKnight
Enter here
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Author Bio:
Christina McKnight is
a book lover turned writer. From a young age, her mother encouraged her to tell
her own stories. She’s been writing ever since.
Christina enjoys a quiet life in Northern California with her
family, her wine, and lots of coffee. Oh, and her books…don’t forget her books!
Most days she can be found writing, reading, or traveling the great state of
California.
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Follow the tour and enter to #win one of
5 signed paperbacks of Christmas Ever More by Christina McKnight
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