Rebecca Warren

The Princess Bride has been one of my favorite movies for decades. The book has been languishing on my bookshelf for nearly as long. While what makes the film great is there, numerous extraneous tangents and long expository interludes ruin the book's flow and destroy the experience.

How the Dukes Stole Christmas is another anthology that didn't match my expectations. I have enjoyed stories from Tessa Dare and Sarah MacLean in the past, so I was hopeful that I would at least enjoy their novellas. Unfortunately, Tessa Dare's Meet Me in Mayfair was the only one I liked.

The great thing about anthologies entirely by an author I enjoy is that I know I will like all of the novellas, which is the case with this one. Mary Jo Putney's collection of Christmas stories shines. The stories were written between 1990 and 2002, but they all hold up well. I laughed, smiled, and ended the book wanting to read more.

While this book has the usual first book growing pains, it sets the stage for a beautiful ongoing partnership. This book offers a unique view of Regency London, and I can't wait to return.

Ellie Blix seems to see herself as the next coming of Mrs. Marple when she starts to investigate a former friend's suspicious death. That is all well and good. Unfortunately, she appears to be on the verge of a mental breakdown throughout most of the book. Nevertheless, a fun small-town cast keeps things interesting, with Sylvia as a standout that makes up for Ellie's shortcomings.