Monday, December 17, 2018

Tessa Dare’s ONCE UPON A WINTER’S EVE – A Christmas Novella with a Great Heroine

Set in Spindle Cove on the coast of England in Sussex, beginning in 1813, this is the story of Violet Winterbottom, who is recovering from having lost her heart and her innocence to a man who quite suddenly thereafter left England, leaving her only a short note. She calls him “The Disappointment.”

On the night of the Spindle Cove Christmas ball, a mysterious stranger crashes into the ballroom and collapses at Violet’s feet. He has a remarkable resemblance to The Disappointment and is speaking only Breton. The men of Spindle Cove believe him a spy and are keeping a close watch on him.

This is a well written and intriguing story, albeit with limited characters and a very abrupt ending. Still, it will hold your attention as you learn Violet’s secrets and the mystery of the half-dead stranger is uncovered. Violet is a remarkable heroine who speaks many languages and is determined to get over the man to whom she gave her heart and her virginity.

One could have wanted more characters and more story. Alas, that is often the case with a short novella.

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