Winter Wonderland [Paperback]

This was a good Regency romance book that I enjoyed reading it's about a guy named Barnaby Traherne and a lady named Miranda Pardew. Ten years earlier during a ball a young and shy Barnaby asked Miranda for a dance but she turned him down and made a fool out of him but now ten years later Miranda is broke and working as a governess to the children of Barnaby's brother and Barnaby is still secretly smitten with Miranda. This is a good book.

If you have been reading RR for a while you are familiar with the Regency Miss that is often called a Jilt or a Flirt. A young woman known about town as taking pleasure in her power over men. She is also known for the amount of proposal of marriages she rejects in one season and the men she forces to leave town humiliated because of her. Have you ever wanted a story about her and one of her poor victims? If so this is the story for you, about what happens to the Jilt and one of her victims 11yrs after she issues a very public and brutal set down to a shy young man at his first ball.

Barnaby the 4th son of an Earl has never forgotten that long ago night when he was publically humiliated by Maranda. He made a vow that night which shaped the rest of his life. He would never be that vulnerable again to any woman. It is 11yrs later, Barnaby is a success at the Foreign Office and a most desirable matrimonial catch. But to much dismay the marriageable young ladies were afraid of him. He has earned a fearsome reputation of being forbidding. The persons that see beneath the wall he as erected around his tender emotions are his family members. As Barnaby star was rising Maranda's was descending into heartache and shame. Her much anticipated marriage was an utter disaster and she is left penniless once her unfaithful husband dies in a most disgraceful way. She seeks employment and is hired by Barnaby's sister-in-law to be a governess to her 3 boys. They will meet again unexpectedly as they travel together in a coach to his brother's home.

I first read Winter Wonderland 18yrs ago it is my favorite Christmas Regency, Barnaby and Maranda's love story can still make me LOL. It becomes evident quickly that Barnaby is still infatuated with Maranda and experiencing him fighting it was delightful. Maranda makes a believable change to a young woman you will be rooting for as she finds her way in her new role as Governess. There will be many bumps in the road before they admit their love for each other. Their fights were stimulating and filled with romantic tension, you just know they are made for each other.

Another aspect of this story that made it very enjoyable was the role Barnaby's family played in this book. They are a major part of this story and made excellent supporting characters. The love shown and interaction between Barnaby's family members is sadly missing in most RR you read. Why...I don't know, I get so tired reading about neglectful or mean parents, wicked guardians or jealous siblings. I strongly recommend this old RR by Elizabeth Mansfield. Years ago when I had an auto buy list she use to be at the top of my list with Mary Balogh. Sad to say Ms Mansfield is no longer with us but she left beautifully written RR for us to enjoy. I have listed a few of her books below along with a few of my old favorites.

Regency Sting
A Christmas Kiss
Regency Charade
Regency Match
The Reluctant Flirt
The Frost Fair
The Determined Bachelor - Judith Harkness
Lord Rivington's Lady - Eileen Jackson
Lady With The Black Umbrella - Mary Balogh
A Certain Magic - Mary Balogh
Counterfeit Betrothal - Mary Balogh
Pearl Beyond Price - Alisa McNair
Lord Harry's Folly aka Lord Harry - Catherine Coulter

› Go to Amazon U.S. to see both reviews  4.5 out of 5 stars