Wish List [Hardcover]

In Lisa Cach's 'Puddings, Pastries and Thou', Vivian Ambrose is a poor relation whose penny pinching and miserly patron has died, and the burden of her care has moved to distant cousin's. She's no happier to be a hungry burden than her cousin is to have her, and Vivian plans to marry as soon as she can find someone willing to take her. She'd have done it earlier but she was kept essentially as a servant by her now dead aunt. Richard Brent visits his sister's neighbours for a Christmas dinner and meets Vivian. He's a man with a past that not many women overlook, but in each other he and Vivian find what they need. A sweet and funny story, whose title is very apt.

'Union' by Claudia Dain, Clarissa Walingford is not exactly thrilled to be old enough to be in search of a husband, but she knows her duty and what is expected of her by her family. But she doesn't want to marry an Englishman - she wants an Irish husband if she has to have one. At the time of the troubles in Ireland, this isn't a popular ambition. Henry Wakefield, Lord of Montwyn aka Beau is looking for a wife. And it is soon clear to each that they want the other. Then her brothers begin to meddle.

The final in the quartet is 'All I Want' by Lynsay Sands, in which Prudence Prescott's gambling father is about to land them in debtors prison. Stephen, Lord Stocton owns Ballard's, one of gambling houses that her father spends so much time in. There are no women allowed in Ballard's, so Prudence must think of other ways to enter and approach her father. General hilarity results in usual Sands fashion as Prudence worms her way into Stephen's heart.

Each story is a typical example of Regency Romance. All four are talented romantic authors. I'm conflicted by one element however - I like that the length makes the stories are easy to read, but I feel cheated at the necessary short (and often unconvincing) time scales for the romance. Here my favourites were definitely 'Puddings' because of Vivian's eating habits, and 'All I Want' by Sands when I pictured the situations the two got into. Comedy works well in short stories and both authors are skilful at wielding it.

Pru, like all Lynsay's spunky characters, decides to take matters into her hands and corner papa in the gambling hell. Her efforts to get inside the Men Only club is a riot that will have you howling out loud. And naturally, who should she meet and fall for - the owner of the gaming hell. But can he make her wishes come true?

Lynsay is tops at giving you really funny situations, without insulting the intelligence of the characters or the readers. This is one of those stories that will linger in your mind for years to come.

Mark my words: Lynsay Sands is the next big break out writer. When I was selling Books there were three names I said would break away from the pack and shine, Linda Howard, Nora Roberts, and Jayne Ann Krentz. I have been saying to friends, watch out, Lynsay Sands will be the next one.

Any romance reader would love this under the trees. Men, give this and a box of chocolate and you will have her heart!!!

"Puddings, Pastries, and thou" by Lisa Cach
The heroine Vivian is portrayed well, you feel for her she is quirky and bright. Richard her hero is lovable but shunned by the ton, when you find out why though its not really surprising (one of the reasons is he has 2 children by a mistress who he not only recognises but has made them his heirs!). But all in all its good.

"Union" by Claudia Dain
This story lets the book down big style. Whilst it has a few good bits the rest lets it down, for example the heroine enters society a few weeks before Christmas and all her numerous brothers push her to get a husband before the year is out, even though there is no reason at all why she is in such a hurry! Plus if you want to read without too much of real life intruding you will want to give this a miss as it has a very disturbing image in it.

"All I want" by Lynsay Sands
This is a very good story with a nice touch of humour running through it. The heroine is feisty and determined, the hero Stephen accidentally gets caught up in her schemes and ends up agreeing with the doorman that she is 'one of them wormy sorts, one of them ones who worms under the skin by your heart and sticks there. Kind of charming and naughty and good all at the same time so's you don't know whether to spank her or kiss her.'

A good book but not ultra Christmassy.