What a delightful Christmas Treat! It's like one of those sweet Christmas Cookies - you know what you are getting but you still get a lot of enjoyment out of it. This book has everythinng you could wlish and English Earl who was raised in Scotland and is thought to be a pirate, love at first sight and a donkey who isn't the most behaved animal. After being at sea for 20 years (since he was 11) Rory, Earl of Channing comes back to the Abbey to take over as the Earl. He is guided in this new task by Bess Farrar, the vicar's daughter who gets him to open his home and his heart.
If you only have a short time to read, this is the book to pick. It will make your holidays brighter. ( )

Read this for 12 Tasks of the Festive Season:

Task the Fourth: The Gift Card:
- Read a book that you either received as a gift or have given as a gift.


This woman was meant for him. He wasn't sure yet what he felt about it, but the conclusion was inescapable.

It's love at first sight for our hero and while I understand using this trope in a novella, it's not my favorite. The hero and heroine have about a five minute conversation when the hero decides/knows he will be marrying the heroine. I didn't feel the excitement of a budding relationship and because of a lack of felt emotion between the two, the heat was missing from their one or two kissing/making out scenes.
The small village feel was there with the activity of putting on a play and with a snow storm and mistletoe causing some havoc, it had a nice holiday feel. ( )

This was a great little Christmas romance that is short enough for you to read on the way to Grandma's house to get you in the spirit for gathering and merriment. Plus - there is a Christmas donkey! I love Christmas donkeys! My mom's church has a Christmas donkey and last year he was braying so loud you could barely hear the pastor. So Daisy the Donkey was definitely very cute.

Our "pirate" is Rory Beaton, the new Earl of Channing (having inherited after the death of his brother). Rory is also a Scot! Oh my! As soon as he is in residence at Penton Wyck, he is being hounded about his ass by "that blasted Farrar besom." However, once he sets his eyes on the beautiful besom, Rory clearly sees the advantage to being managed by such a headstrong lass. Rory was sweet and honorable, and his campaign to win Bess over was nice to watch/read.

Our leading lady is Bess Farrar, is used to managing the village of Penton Wyck, the former earl, and her absentminded vicar father. Determined to get her Christmas ass, she marches up to the earl's estate. Only she learns she may not be able to manage this alleged pirate, but instead may have to bargain for what she wants... with kisses! Even though Bess was a bit of a manager, she really was working for the betterment of her village.

This was a really sweet love story. I didn't feel like it was too long or too short, and the Christmas theme was woven in nicely. I loved that the village got together every year to put on a Christmas play/nativity. You don't really see that type of community activity anymore, and it is always nice to see things like this around the holidays. If you find yourself traveling this season, pick this one up to get you in the spirit. Happy Holidays!

4 stars / 2 flames. ( )

A sweet novella just in time for the holidays. Bess, the vicar's daughter, enthralls the new Earl and Rory, a teasing Scotsman, decided that she will be perfect as his wife. But he doesn't know how to woo a wife despite his time on the high seas and Bess doesn't make it easy for him.
Delightful characters and a fun story made this a quick and enjoyable read. ( )