The Queen's Ball ~ A Timeless Victorian Collection

The Queen's Ball by Anthea Lawson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Victorian Era Novella Romance

Book Description:  THE QUEEN'S BALL: Three brand new Victorian Romance novellas by Anthea Lawson, Rebecca Connolly, and Jennifer Moore. 

WALTZED by Anthea Lawson:
Eleanor Tremont never expected her father to pass away unexpectedly – leaving her with a horrible stepmother, two grasping step-sisters, and no dowry whatsoever. Relegated to a servant in her own home, she struggles to come to terms with her bleak new life. Summoned to Queen Victoria’s Stuart Ball, can Ellie find her happily-ever-after despite impossible odds? Add an absent-minded Godmother, an orange carriage, and a dancing-slipper mishap, and prepare to be swept away into this fairytale romance…

A LOVE TO CLAIM by Rebecca Connolly:
Abigail Sterling is not at all pleased to see that the man who broke her heart is in London, and even less pleased that he wants to renew their friendship. But, against her better judgment, she finds herself drawn to him, just as she always had been. Letters from a secret admirer keep her from completely giving into Matthew again, and soon her heart is torn between a familiar love and a mysterious one.

COMING HOME by Jennifer Moore:
After the sudden death of her father, Clara Brightly is sent far from her home in India to live with relatives on the Isle of Wight. The islanders are suspicious of newcomers, and none more so than a local landowner, Grant Mason who, at first meeting, considers Clara to be arrogant and disdainful of the island he loves. When the two are appointed to lead the church choir in an island-wide competition, Clara discovers that she may have a place on the island after all. Grant comes to realize that what he took as haughtiness was merely shyness, and Queen Victoria’s ball at Osborne house seems the perfect place to tell her. But when Clara is offered a chance to return to India, she must decide once and for all what “home” really means.


Books in the Timeless Victorian Collections: 
SUMMER HOLIDAY 
A GRAND TOUR 
THE ORIENT EXPRESS 
THE QUEEN'S BALL 
My thoughts: I love great stories. Whenever I read one of the Timeless Collections, I know I am in for a treat. This collection of three novellas did not disappoint.

The stories were unique in plot and characters. The first book is a Cinderella retelling. I loved how Anthea Lawson incorporated many of the aspects of the original tale but added her own spin on them. She made the tale realistic in the Victorian Era.

Rebecca Connely's story is one of forgiveness and second chances. Matthew is meticulous on how he deals with the woman he loved years before. It really is sweet. It also illustrates how sometimes people put their families before the one they love.

The final story is by Jennifer Moore. A broken heart can be healed when one is accepted and cherished. Clara is in England due to the generosity of distant relatives. Life and opinions change when understanding and charity are given.

Each story has a common element, they all at some point go to the Queen's Ball. This is a great escape book. The stories are short and sweet. Perfect for when you don't have a lot of time to become invested in a longer book.

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