Celebrate a Gilded Age Christmas! Two stories!
In Amanda McCabe’s A Convenient Winter Wedding: marrying
Connor O’Neill is about survival for penniless heiress May Van Der Berg. The
distant self-made millionaire is far from the passionate husband she’d once
dreamed of…except for that scorching kiss!
As one of New York's oldest families, May's parents have
standing and influence but little money. Her parents have made it clear that
she needs to make a good marriage to the right person, but May hopes to find a
man she can love. Connor O'Neill has plenty of money but is not accepted by New
York society. Marriage to someone with the right pedigree would help his mother
and sister.
The story opens with May avoiding a ball given for her to
find a husband. She sneaks off to the gazebo for a few minutes of peace. She's
surprised to see an unfamiliar man there already. A few minutes of conversation
while neither worries about the usual façade sparks a quick connection between
them. His wealth overcomes May's mother's attitude toward "new money,"
and her parents allow Connor to court her. Connor worries about turning May off
with his rough around the edges personality, so he works extra hard at
imitating the "gentlemen" of her class. His sudden formality causes
May to wonder if he is only interested in what her family can do for him and
not herself.
I loved that May dared to speak to Connor about her worries
and that he answered her honestly. Once they cleared up that confusion, the
courtship was everything she could hope for. I especially enjoyed the ice skating
scene. Their initial connection grows into the love they both hoped for and a
heartwarming ending.
I loved Connor's mother and sister. His need to make the
best life possible for them was sweet. Their close ties were terrific. I
laughed out loud when Connor's sister advised him how to win May - she knew
exactly what to tell him.
In Lauri Robinson’s The Railroad Baron's Mistletoe Bride:
after years of estrangement, romance blooms when Kurt invites store clerk
Harper and their shared niece to spend Christmas at his mansion. But are they
just a family for the holidays?
Harper and her niece, Katie Jo, moved to another town after
Harper's sister died giving birth to her. She worried that Katie Jo's father's
family, wealthy railroad barons, would find them and take her away. She found a
lovely little town without a railroad stop and made friends and a good life for
herself and Katie Jo.
Seven years later, the day Harper feared arrived. Kurt
Cavanaugh, Katie Jo's uncle, arrived, planning to take Katie Jo to Baltimore to
meet his grandfather. Harper is not happy with the plan, as his grandfather was
the one who forced Katie Jo's father to marry another woman.
Complicating matters, seven years ago, Harper was in love
with Kurt, a customer at the restaurant where she worked. She had no idea that
he had fallen for her, too. She fears falling further for him, even as he works
to calm her fears, showing her he is on her side. But as her feelings for Kurt
grow stronger, can she trust him not to break her heart again? I enjoyed seeing
Katie Jo and Harper's effect on Kurt and the changes they brought to his life.
There is a bit of trouble at the end, but it is easily resolved. The ending was
great.
Katie Jo is a bright and cheerful child, and I enjoyed
seeing her interact with the adults. It didn't take long for Kurt to fall under
her spell. From the trip in the private railroad car to decorating for Christmas
to sledding in the snow, Katie Jo easily fits into the Cavanaugh household.
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