Title:  A Kiss At Christmastide
Series:
Author:  Christina McKnight
Genre:  Regency Romance, Christmas Romance
Published:  September 27, 2016
Publisher:  La Loma Elite Publishing
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

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?

Read on for my thoughts on A Kiss At Christmastide.  No true spoilers, promise.

As A Kiss At Christmastide is a short Regency Novella, I don’t want to get into great details about this story – and the Cover Description explains the premise quite well.

In an era where the slightest whisper of impropriety can completely ruin a lady’s reputation, Pippa has been betrayed by a woman she had considered a friend.  Why she acted as she did is beyond Pippa’s understanding.  She has left London for one of her parent’s country estates to sooth her wounds, take some quiet time and simply enjoy the Christmas season in the safety of her home.  She wants no more unwanted attention or scandal.  Unfortunately, she won’t be alone for long.

Lucas, the Earl of Maddox is as arrogant as his title implies.  When his carriage becomes damaged in the midst of a major winter storm, he heads for the nearest shelter.  And as usual for him when he is not immediately admitted demands entrance based on his title.  The home he entered belongs to Pippa’s parents, and the very last thing she wanted was to be stuck with this pompous Earl, alone aside from the household servants.  But, she had little choice in the matter.

Fortunately first impressions don’t always last once we get to know someone.  For Pippa and Lucas the days they are forced to share shelter during the storm brings about an attraction neither expected.  Lucas is aware of what his parents have planned for him – is he brave and strong enough to stand up against them and make his own choice with the young woman who has come to mean so much to him.

There are a few twists and turns that make A Kiss At Christmastide a very interesting novella.  While the story is short, it certainly packs a satisfying tale into a small space.  I liked that after such a short acquaintance we could see Lucas softening under Pippa’s gentle presence.  Pippa is no pushover by any means, but she has been burned and trusting Lucas is not as easy as it should be.

I enjoyed my time spent with Lucas and Pippa.  The subtle twists made this a very interesting tale and perhaps there is more to come.

I would not hesitate to recommend A Kiss At Christmastide to any reader who enjoys Regency Romance, an entertaining look at Christmas celebrations of a time long gone by and a simply good story.

*I received an e-ARC of A Kiss At Christmastide from the publisher,  La Loma Elite Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Available in paperback and for the Kindle