A Seasonal Gift for You!

by Anna Campbell 

It's the time of year when for many of us, thoughts turn to gift giving! 

Way back at the beginning of 2013, wonderful historical romance writer Shana Galen contacted me about being part of a Christmas anthology with her, Kate Noble and Vanessa Kelly. I hadn't met Kate, but I knew and loved Vanessa and Shana (Shana was one of the very first Avon authors I met at my first RWA) both in person and as writers. 

Of course I said yes. This was a chance to hang out with some great authors. Even better, all of us were committed to putting the book up for FREE as a thank you to our readers. 

Much toing and froing ensued, although the girls were all such a pleasure to work with, it was all USEFUL toing and froing. We all wrote longish short stories so readers get great value for their zero expenditure (each story is more than 10,000 words). 

And voila, I introduce to you A GROSVENOR SQUARE CHRISTMAS: FOUR HOLIDAY SHORT STORIES, available free from your e-tailer! 

Here's the blurb:

Four breathtakingly romantic tales of a Regency Christmas from four bestselling romance authors.

Down through the years, enchantment touches a tall gray house in Grosvenor Square. The legend of Lady Winterson's Christmas ball promises true love and happiness to one lucky couple. Who will feel the magic this winter?

1803 - The Seduction of a Duchess by Shana Galen

Rowena Harcourt, the Duchess of Valere, never forgot the handsome footman who helped her escape the French Revolution. For fourteen years, Gabriel Lamarque has loved Rowena-now at Lady Winterson's Christmas ball, has fate finally delivered a chance to win her hand?

1818 - One Kiss for Christmas by Vanessa Kelly

Nigel Dash is London's most reliable gentleman, a reputation he never minded until he fell in love with beautiful Amelia Easton. Unfortunately, Amelia sees Nigel as a dependable friend, not a dashing suitor. At Lady Winterson's famous Christmas ball, Nigel vows to change Amelia's mind-by sweeping her off her feet.

1825 - His Christmas Cinderella by Anna Campbell 

At the season's most glittering ball, a girl who has never dared to dream of forever after discovers a Christmas miracle.

1830 - The Last First Kiss by Kate Noble

Susannah Westforth has always loved Sebastian Beckett - but he's only ever seen her as a friend.  When Sebastian takes his Grand Tour, Susannah transforms herself into a woman he'll notice. Now Sebastian is back, just in time for Lady Winterson's Christmas ball - but the last thing he expects to see is his little Susie, all grown up...

You're invited to join the whirling dance at Lady Winterson's sparkling Christmas ball, where miracles happen and true love shines forever. How can you resist?

I thought the idea of this glamorous Christmas ball was so romantic, that I went hyper romantic in my retelling of Cinderella. There's an ugly stepmother and one stepsister and a very charming fairy godmother. Or perhaps two if we count Lady Winterson as a person who facilitates the romance between humble but beautiful Campion Parnell and the magnificent Earl of Ravenglass.

You can read an excerpt from "His Christmas Cinderella" on my website here: http://annacampbell.info/xmascinderella.html

You can read an excerpt from Shana's "The Seduction of a Duchess" here: http://www.shanagalen.com/seduction-of-a-duchess1.php

You can read an excerpt from Vanessa's "One Kiss for Christmas" here: http://www.vanessakellyauthor.com/books/one-kiss-for-christmas/one-kiss-for-christmas-excerpt/

You can read an excerpt from Kate's "The Last First Kiss" here: http://katenoble.com/books/grosvenor.php

At this time of year, I love a short story or a novella. We're all so busy so it's an easy way for me to get my dollop of delicious romance without going totally off the rails! I hope you'll all download A GROSVENOR SQUARE CHRISTMAS and that our stories will give you a smile.

You can pick the book up at most etailers including Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Grosvenor-Square-Christmas-Shana-Galen-ebook/dp/B00FSLF4NO/ref=pd_sim_b_1 and Barnes and Noble: 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-grosvenor-square-christmas-vanessa-kelly/1117251695?ean=2940045347853
 

So do you like Christmas stories? Do you have a favorite? Are you planning on reading any Holiday-themed stories this Christmas?