Though Lady Joan Flynn is from a noble family, she also has a great talent for dress designing, and is quite passionate about it. When she is invited to tea by Lord Valmonte to supposedly discuss her designs with his mother, she doesn’t hesitate to accept. Valmonte, however, has ulterior motives. He plies Joan with excessively strong liqueur, and then takes liberties with her in her befuddled state. When she later awakes to find herself in disarray, and in a clinch with Valmonte, she panics and flees, leaving her designs. Her only thought is to escape to her family in the Scottish Highlands, and she heads for the train station, only to find there is not a seat available.Mill owner and widower Dante Hartwell is taking his family to the Highlands for a Christmas house party. He had been in town mingling with the noble classes, hoping to secure investors for his mill, or to possibly even find a well connected bride who could improve his station in life. He’s somewhat disheartened because he had little success. At the train station, he sees Joan’s predicament, and his children convince him to let her come along and ride in his private rail car. Joan was one of the people who treated Dante with courtesy and even danced with him. Because Joan has no maid or chaperone, and is only carrying a small bag, Dante knows something is wrong.During the journey, in the enforced intimacy of the rail car, Joan finds herself confessing to Dante what happened. She doesn’t actually remember if Valmonte took full advantage of her, but it doesn’t matter, because her reputation will be ruined. And if he did take advantage, there is the possibility of a child. Joan needs a husband, and quickly. Dante is willing to marry her, accepting that she may be carrying another man’s child. She can bring him the connections he needs, as well as being a mother for his children, and he can save her reputation. They tentatively agree to marry, and proceed to become better acquainted. Dante suggests a kiss -“I’ve changed my mind. My plan was to kiss you witless, and while that plan has appeal, I’m thinking you ought to be the one doing the kissing.” She kissed that mouth, their lips coming together in a pair of smiles that boded well for their future. Putting responsibility for prosecuting the kiss in her hands had been generous on his part, giving Joan the latitude to linger on new sensations. “Taste me, Joan. I’m dying for you to taste me.”What a perfectly wonderful couple Joan and Dante make! Despite the dire circumstances Joan is in, she remains honest, and never tries to deny what may have happened. She tells Dante everything, without sugarcoating it. Though of much higher birth, she never looks down on Dante, but treats him with respect and affection. Dante, while a commoner, and a little rough around the edges, is a hero to die for. He’s willing to accept Joan, despite what happened, and will happily raise her child (if there should be one) as his own. He doesn’t think less of Joan, but champions her. When the sleazy Valmonte comes back into their lives, intent on blackmail, Dante steps up to show how much of a hero he is.While the story takes place over a short amount of time, the Christmas holidays, Joan and Dante’s love unfolds believably and most satisfyingly. As with all of Grace Burrowes’ novels, there is wonderful dialogue, warmth, and even some laugh out loud humor from some amorous pet bunnies. Reading this story was like savoring a scrumptious Christmas dessert, and I recommend it most highly.As reviewed by Rose for Smitten by Books Reviewed by RobinBook provided by NetGalley for reviewReview originally posted at Romancing the BookWho wouldn’t enjoy Christmas in the Highlands of Scotland? Okay it could get cold but if you are a fan of Ms. Burrowes you will find that it could be very warm. Heartwarming…I enjoyed this well written story that is a continuation of the McGregor clan. Ms. Burrowes writes with feeling and a class that brings you right into the story; not letting you go until the very end, only to leave you wanting more.The story itself was easy to relate to. Everyone has had those moments where you think you find that right person only to find out that he/or she used you to obtain something they wanted. With this story Ms. Burrowes capture that moment and brings it to life.For instance we have Joan who likes to design her own clothes. She has a passion for it. Why does it have to be that oldest girl has the responsibility to marry first? She finds (Viscount Edward, whom she thinks is a good catch) someone who just uses her to get her drawings to help further their career and family. However, Joan leaves. Most would think that she was running from the situation but Ms. Burrowes made it seem as if she was running towards her destiny.While on the run, she ends up charming and being charmed by Charli, Dante’s daughter. Dante extremely hot and her soul mate. Reluctant at first Dante doesn’t want to share his compartments on the train with Joan. Dante at first seems like a Scrooge. But, thanks to his daughter Charli he bends and allows Joan to share their ride. They soon strike up a friendship. They soon find that they have a lot in common. He owns fabric mills, while she designs clothing. A perfect match? Perhaps.I loved the relationship between Joan and Dante. It was built of faith and trust. They were open with each other because of that trust. Because of that openness they were able to share…past, hopes, dreams and unconditional love and support.The interaction between family members showed what a normal caring family was like. The jealousy between the sister’s, the overprotective family and the way a family bands together to help each other was real and very well written. Each emotion was described with such feeling so that you the reader could experience what the characters were going through; from the gentleness of the wedding night to the sensuousness of the sex scenes that were tasteful and not overdone.Ms. Burrowes could have used anytime of the year to set this story but she chose Christmas. A magical time for starting over, healing, and love…a time that melt’s your heart. To me this is a perfect story for Christmas. Full of life, love, laughter and hope…So grab a glass of spiced cider and settle in for a very comfortable story set in the Scottish Highlands. It doesn’t matter that you haven’t read the first three in the series you will find each one can stand on its own. (But, they are great together and you just may have to purchase the other three).
Do You like book What A Lady Needs For Christmas (2014)?
