The Last Chance Christmas Ball

• Title:  The Last Chance Christmas Ball
• Authors:  Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverley, Joanna Bourne, Patricia Rice, Anne Gracie, Susan King, Cara Elliott, Nicola Cornick
• Genre:  Christmas Anthology
• Pages:  320
• Published:  September 2015 – Kensington
• Source:  Publisher/NetGalley

Description:  Christmas 1815. Upstairs and downstairs, Holbourne Hall is abuzz with preparations for a grand ball to celebrate the year’s most festive—and romantic—holiday. For at the top of each guest’s wish list is a last chance to find true love before the New Year…

A chance meeting beneath the mistletoe, a stolen glance across the dance floor—amid the sumptuous delicacies, glittering decorations, and swell of the orchestra, every duchess and debutante, lord and lackey has a hopeful heart. There’s the headstrong heiress who must win back her beloved by midnight—or be wed to another….the spinster whose fateful choice to relinquish love may hold one more surprise for her…a widow yearning to glimpse her long-lost love for even one sweet, fleeting interlude …a charming rake who finds far more than he bargained for. And many other dazzling, romantic tales in this star-studded collection that will fill your heart and spice up your holidays…

My take:  In my opinion this is the perfect kind of book to read during the busy holiday season – especially if you enjoy historical romances and anthologies. I enjoyed each story (although some more than others). The nice thing about an anthology is that it gives me a chance to sample authors I haven’t read before. That was the case for almost every author in this book.

I liked the premise of celebrating the 50th Christmas Ball hosted by the Dowager Countess of Holbourne Hall. She’s invited many of her godchildren who seem to be in need of a match (even though they don’t think so). I especially enjoyed the stories involving the Dowager’s grandchildren.

If you’re looking for a book to cozy up to the fire with this month I’d suggest you grab a copy of The Last Chance Christmas Ball. I’m glad I had a chance to read it.