⇒ [PDF] Free A Holiday By Gaslight A Victorian Christmas Novella edition by Mimi Matthews Literature Fiction eBooks

A Holiday By Gaslight A Victorian Christmas Novella edition by Mimi Matthews Literature Fiction eBooks

Download As PDF : A Holiday By Gaslight A Victorian Christmas Novella edition by Mimi Matthews Literature Fiction eBooks

A Holiday By Gaslight A Victorian Christmas Novella edition by Mimi Matthews Literature Fiction eBooks

Most HR Christmas novellas written in recent years are worthy neither of the H (historical) nor the R (romance) of the genre. They should instead be classified as AL for Anachronistic Lustfests. Some authors, such as Anna Campbell, used to write some good holiday fare but her last few Christmas novellas have been tailored to readers who like a little bit of hackneyed plot with a lot of lusty thoughts and pages of sex. For my Christmas reading fix, I have to reread my old Mary Balogh, Carla Kelly, Marian Devon and Barbara Metzger holiday stories.

But now we have Mimi Matthews to counteract those authors of wallpaper mistoricals. She's the real deal as far as historical accuracy. Just check out her nonfiction works, A VICTORIAN LADY'S GUIDE TO FASHION AND BEAUTY and THE PUG WHO BIT NAPOLEON, or follow her blog, and you'll see the amount of research this author does.

So that establishes her bona fides as far as history goes. Now, how about the romance? Yes, indeed, it's there. And it's the kind I like: real romance, the warm and fuzzy, tasteful, classy version of love between a man and a woman. Love that develops realistically and thoughtfully without losing any of the romance. You can feel the sexual attraction between Matthews' Hs and hs without the need for all those tented trousers and lustful thoughts.

This little Victorian Christmas novella was a real treat. Our heroine, Sophie Appersett, is the daughter of a spendthrift baronet, Sir William, who puts all his money into modernization of Appersett House in Derbyshire and into his comfortable lifestyle. The money has dried up long ago but his spending goes on. He and Sophie's sister Emily make no sacrifices and it's up to Sophie and her mother to make ends meet.

Sir William has even used up Sophie's dowry to have their Derbyshire home fitted for gas, a very expensive and really unnecessary undertaking. So it seemed an answer from heaven when wealthy manufactory owner Edward Sharpe became interested in Sophie and asked permission to court her. After all, he's so wealthy he wouldn't even mind the lack of a dowry.

So Ned and Sophie spend a month or two courting and walking out together, but Ned is so reserved and uncommunicative when they are together that Sophie decides they won't suit and breaks off the relationship. But after discussion with her mother, she decides to give the relationship another try by inviting him and his family to spend Christmas with the Appersett family at their newly gaslit residence in Derbyshire.

That's the basic story. One of those "falling into love after the relationship has been called off" romances. I've read a few before but this one is my favorite. What gives this that extra something is (1) the really lovely reboot of the couple's courtship, and (2) all the very interesting historical tidbits included. There are references to Darwin and adaptation, the country's reaction to the death of Prince Albert, Christmas customs, and fashion and make-up. One particularly fun thing I learned was what women used as hairspray in 1861.

This was an entertaining read with a great romance. There are also lots of interesting secondary characters, some of whom you will like, many you will dislike, and others you will learn to understand and accept, all of these very well developed for a novella. And, I mustn't forget: This is a twofer romance. There's a romance also for two of the secondary characters.

I'm so glad we now have Mimi Matthews as a new historical romance author. I was about to give up on the genre. But as long as she and my old standbys such as Sherry Thomas, Meredith Duran, and Jayne Fresina continue to write, I'll still be reading.


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A Holiday By Gaslight A Victorian Christmas Novella edition by Mimi Matthews Literature Fiction eBooks Reviews

Mimi Matthews has once again hit all the right buttons for me in this novella about a young woman whose imprudent father imperils the financial solvency and general happiness of his entire family - all in the name of progress. And true to the era, the solution to this dilemma is marriage to a well-heeled cit. Yes, this story has been told before, but rarely as well as Ms. Matthews has done. Every character is well-drawn, the H/h are both likable and very believable, besides. As I read, I could not help thinking about John Thornton and his mother [North and South, Elizabeth Gaskell], and sure enough, my intuition was not off. [Brilliant and welcomed by this reader, who loves that novel and its excellent BBC adaptation]. Honestly, what can one do after reading such a great tale, besides complain that it's over? She can turn around and read it again, which is precisely what I have done.

Highly recommended!
If you like Gaskell's North and South, you'll love this Victorian Christmas novella. Sophia Appersett has been courted for the last two months by London merchant Edward (Ned) Sharpe. She breaks it off, despite her family desperately needing his money, because she thinks the two of them have nothing in common. Ned has been the epitome of a gentleman, guided by a helpful manual, who speaks of nothing, thinking it's how he should behave, while Sophia only talks about the weather.
After thinking it over, Sophia decides maybe she misjudged the man and invites him and his family to her family estate for Christmas. She's been reading Darwin and thinking about how species adapt which leads her into some revelations about her own courtship.
Ned is very much the epitome of John Thornton, complete with the cold stern mother. Sophia is not quite the same as Margaret Hale, but close enough. I love both the book and movie of North and South, so I enjoyed this story very much. The ending was just perfect (something Gaskell didn't quite do as well). Even aside from my love of N&S, I would love this story. The writing flows, the characters are interesting and multi-faceted, and the Victorian setting is perfect in its details.
Another great story from Ms. Matthews that's perfect for the holidays.
For an excellent summary of this book, read OLT's review.

I loved a heroine who read Darwin's "Origin of the Species" when it was published and understood its implications. An intelligent woman who is an independent thinker is a treat.

Sophie would have been running counter to the prevailing mood of the time and was lucky to have access to the book.

Her open-mindedness struck me because I live near a major fossil site in Appalachia. It has a nifty museum with explanations of the fascinating creatures who once lived there and were painstakingly uncovered by scientists. But many local people forbid their children to visit because the museum celebrates Darwin's birthday with activities and lectures. That is seen as heresy. We have made progress since Sophie's time, but not as much as might have been expected.

At any rate, I thoroughly enjoyed Sophie, a practical, open-hearted girl who takes tentative steps to get to know Ned, a very reserved Cit. And Ned is very much in love with Sophie, but has trouble figuring out the ton's socially acceptable ways to tell her so.

Watching the two of them tentatively explore the border between two classes is delightful, with snow and Christmas decorating their story.
Most HR Christmas novellas written in recent years are worthy neither of the H (historical) nor the R (romance) of the genre. They should instead be classified as AL for Anachronistic Lustfests. Some authors, such as Anna Campbell, used to write some good holiday fare but her last few Christmas novellas have been tailored to readers who like a little bit of hackneyed plot with a lot of lusty thoughts and pages of sex. For my Christmas reading fix, I have to reread my old Mary Balogh, Carla Kelly, Marian Devon and Barbara Metzger holiday stories.

But now we have Mimi Matthews to counteract those authors of wallpaper mistoricals. She's the real deal as far as historical accuracy. Just check out her nonfiction works, A VICTORIAN LADY'S GUIDE TO FASHION AND BEAUTY and THE PUG WHO BIT NAPOLEON, or follow her blog, and you'll see the amount of research this author does.

So that establishes her bona fides as far as history goes. Now, how about the romance? Yes, indeed, it's there. And it's the kind I like real romance, the warm and fuzzy, tasteful, classy version of love between a man and a woman. Love that develops realistically and thoughtfully without losing any of the romance. You can feel the sexual attraction between Matthews' Hs and hs without the need for all those tented trousers and lustful thoughts.

This little Victorian Christmas novella was a real treat. Our heroine, Sophie Appersett, is the daughter of a spendthrift baronet, Sir William, who puts all his money into modernization of Appersett House in Derbyshire and into his comfortable lifestyle. The money has dried up long ago but his spending goes on. He and Sophie's sister Emily make no sacrifices and it's up to Sophie and her mother to make ends meet.

Sir William has even used up Sophie's dowry to have their Derbyshire home fitted for gas, a very expensive and really unnecessary undertaking. So it seemed an answer from heaven when wealthy manufactory owner Edward Sharpe became interested in Sophie and asked permission to court her. After all, he's so wealthy he wouldn't even mind the lack of a dowry.

So Ned and Sophie spend a month or two courting and walking out together, but Ned is so reserved and uncommunicative when they are together that Sophie decides they won't suit and breaks off the relationship. But after discussion with her mother, she decides to give the relationship another try by inviting him and his family to spend Christmas with the Appersett family at their newly gaslit residence in Derbyshire.

That's the basic story. One of those "falling into love after the relationship has been called off" romances. I've read a few before but this one is my favorite. What gives this that extra something is (1) the really lovely reboot of the couple's courtship, and (2) all the very interesting historical tidbits included. There are references to Darwin and adaptation, the country's reaction to the death of Prince Albert, Christmas customs, and fashion and make-up. One particularly fun thing I learned was what women used as hairspray in 1861.

This was an entertaining read with a great romance. There are also lots of interesting secondary characters, some of whom you will like, many you will dislike, and others you will learn to understand and accept, all of these very well developed for a novella. And, I mustn't forget This is a twofer romance. There's a romance also for two of the secondary characters.

I'm so glad we now have Mimi Matthews as a new historical romance author. I was about to give up on the genre. But as long as she and my old standbys such as Sherry Thomas, Meredith Duran, and Jayne Fresina continue to write, I'll still be reading.