Beware of Barbara Metzger; she'll put smile lines on your face. Her way with words is as delightful as the meanings they convey.

THE MARRIAGE STAKES, Allison Lane After Miss Sophie Landiss rescues her very young, widowed and nearly to term half-sister Caroline from a possessive aunt-in-law, a broken carriage wheel halts their long flight home to Cumberland. Their chance rescuer seeks a temporary respite from Westlake Abbey and a large houseparty that includes all his relations, two dozen eligible young ladies and their hopeful papas and mamas. All await Christmas Eve, when Damon must name his intended bride, the next Countess of Westlake.

While suspense builds, a moving friendship develops between Sophie and Damon, two intelligent, decent and mature individuals. Read this endearing story to find out if Damon will recognize the treasure under his nose when Allison Lane treats readers to a lively expose of a 'marriage mart' taken to extremes.

THE GIFT OF THE SPOONS, Nancy Butler Desperate to help his son recover from a wasting disease, Christopher Herne's last hope sends him to a cottage in Chatham Wood to find the wisewoman healer, Pippa Spoon. Expecting a crone, he finds a young woman instead. Pippa hasn't the healing powers of her mother, but what power she has may well prove sufficient to heal both wounded spirits, Christopher's and his son's.

THE GIFT OF THE SPOONS will warm your hearts as the magic of Christmas joins forces with older mysteries under Nancy Butler's masterful touch.

THE RECKLESS MISS RIPLEY, Diane Farr Glad of the warmth and the passable accommodations to be had at the Coaches and Horses Inn on such a nasty night, Fred Bates takes his ease before continuing down the coaching road to Bath on his journey home for Christmas. At least, that's his plan before a lone female stumbles in from the snow and the cold--before Miss Claudia Ripley turns her beguiling smile his way.

With a lovable hoyden for a heroine, a thoroughly nice hero, and all the humorous banter that Diane Farr does so well, THE RECKLESS MISS RIPLEY becomes a delightful road romance.

THE CHRISTMAS THIEF, Edith Layton When his brother dies, Lt. Major Maxwell Evers leaves war behind to take up civilian life and his responsibilities toward his new barony and his orphaned niece, Gwenn. He also plans, at long last, to spend the rest of his life with his great love, Lizabeth. On his way home, however, he chances upon a newspaper article describing the failure of the venture in which all his funds are invested. Max hits bottom so hard that he must toil at hard labor, earning barely enough to settle himself and Gwenn in the country. Christmas is coming, and Max is determined to have a gift for Gwenn, even if he must steal it.

Max may be a bumbler as a thief, but he's a wonderful character--a true hero. The trials this honorable man goes through when pressed to do a wrong will tickle your funny bone while tugging on your heartstrings. Edith Layton's tale is a fittingly emotional conclusion to a collection of delightful Christmas stories.

Romance Reviews Today