Customer Reviews
An Appealing Concept! - By: MaryGrace Meloche, 16 Nov 2008 
IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT is an anthology setin Regency-era England supporting a common theme . . . "ten years ago, when life was simple & love was new, they said good-bye . . . now they were reunited . . ."
Book 1 -
Stephanie Laurens: "The Fall of Rogue Gerrard." Rating: 4 stars * Grade: B-
Rake, gamester, & womanizer Robert "Rogue" Gerrard, fifth Viscount Gerrard, was the only man to ever steal Lydia Makepeace's heart. In their foolish youth, "Ro" was both her protector & white knight. Then one memorable day,in an out-of-the-way orchard, they shared a kiss. For Gerrard the kiss proved to be too powerful. It terrified him; leaving seemed the only way out. However, as the years past, it matter not how hard "Ro" played, Lydia Makepeace continued to haunt him. The lady had taken both his heart & soul! Then suddenly she was back! Needing him, wanting him, possessing him!
Reviewer's Comments:
Despite the fact that everything appeared to be there, a wispy coolness surrounded THE FALL OF ROGUE GERRARD. I didn't trustin Ro & Lydia's romance. I wanted more from these characters. Nevertheless,in the end, The Fall of Rogue Gerrard wasn't an unpleasant book.
Reading Status: Not too bad.
Book 2 -
Mary Balogh: "Spellbound." Rating: 5 stars * Grade: B+
Just before Mrs. Witherspoon sacked her, Nora Ryder resigned her position. It felt good, but her joy was short-lived, now what would she do? Suddenly she felt alone & hopeless; she would have to return to her brother's home! Then Richard Kemp, Lord Bourne, appeared! But alas, the baron was ten years too late! Straightaway, Richard saw that Nora had matured into a beautiful woman, & straightaway he remembered the intense hurt & pain she had once inflicted, & straightaway he thanked heaven Nora Ryder was no longer his concern. He thanked heaven she was simply a girl from his past . . . a girl he had once married.
Reviewer's Comments:
SPELLBOUND is a traditional Mary Balogh story, full of poignant moments & Regency custom. Overall, Balogh creates an atmosphere that allows her characters to move past old wounds & onto their happily-ever-after. If there is a flaw, I felt I had read the story before, which is understandable considering Mary Balogh's vast backlist. However, with Mary Balogh's poignant pen runningin high gear, it was extremely entertaining.
Reading Status: Touching page turner.
Book 3 -
Jacquie D'Alessandro: "Only You." Rating: 3 stars * Grade: C-
As children, they shared an unlikely friendship, but Ethan & Cassandra were once best friends. Two friends who laughed together, & shared hopes, disappointments, & their deepest thoughts. A unique childhood friendship forged out of common loneliness & shared interests. In his youth, Ethan Baxter was completely besotted with "his" Cassie, yet he had nothing to offer her . . . except . . . his love, his heart, his soul. It was all so unfair, for she would never, never be his, those were the harsh facts of life! A common stable boy & a viscount's daughter plainly did not mix. During the next ten years, Cassandra Heywood's married life was filled with severe loneliness & bitter emptiness. Now as a young widow, she realized Ethan Baxter could give her everything she needed . . . passion, laughter, & care.
Reviewer's Comments:
ONLY YOU was tender & warm. And yes, romance was certainly portrayed, but something seemed out of whack! Was it the historical detail deficiency? Or did Cassie's unhappy marriage seem a little too tailor-made? I don't know! Nevertheless, something was off & that reduced Jacquie D'Alessandro's ONLY YOU.
Reading Status: It was OK.
Book 4 -
Candice Hern: "From This Moment On." Rating: 3 stars * Grade: C+
Back when life was simple & brand new, Sam & Winnie had been friends & lovers. Yet, life had taken them down different paths. She was no longer the blacksmith's daughter & he was no longer a scrawny lad. She had done quite well for herself. She became the notorious Wilhelmina allowing men to possess her. He determinedly moved on with his honor, scruples, & pride intact. Along his way, Sam found a rich wife & a new life. Years later, could Captain Sam Pellow & Wilhelmina, the Duchess of Hertford, possibly spend one magical night together; a single night filled with seduction & possession?
Reviewer's Comments:
Well certainly, there is nothing wrong with Candice Hern's FROM THIS MOMENT ON; it just never really rose above acceptablein this reader's mind. Winnie's constant unworthy self-regard & Sam's constant assurance plays throughout much of the story & frankly, it grew bothersome. Still, I read to the end just to find out how the happily-ever-after would play out! For Candice Hern fans: Wilhelmina's character is from the author's Merry Widow Trilogy series.
Reading Status: It was OK.
Overall View:
While not entirely strong, I did read IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT quickly & found it an enjoyable way to spend a few hours, but only one story really earned my strong recommendation. For this reader, Mary Balogh's SPELLBOUND was the highlight of the collection.
MaryGrace Meloche.
Good in parts. - By: CJ, 03 Nov 2008 
Each storyin this anthology is based on the same basic plot premise which was given to four different authors to see what they could make of it. Essentially the action takes placein a country inn, the two main protagonists have not seen each other for 10 years & have 24 hours to achieve a happy ever after ending.
I bought this for the Mary Balogh story because I don't generally like Laurens & have never read books by the other two. I left Balogh's till last & must admit I rather sped through the other three. I didn't find them particularly memorable. Laurens & d'Alessandro's stories were average at best with plenty of gratuitous sexin inappropriate places (rather a trademark of Laurens by now). Candace Hern's story was much better written & with a much more original plotline & kept my interest to the end. My purchase was worth it for Balogh's contribution though which was a very moving & believable tale of two lovers separated by force & misunderstanding when young & reunited by chance 10 years later. In spite of the shortened format its a complete story, with believable characters & very emotionally satisfying. I wish they'd put a collection of Balogh's short stories togetherin one book one day - she's written some great onesin anthologies over time.
PS. Although this has a Christmassy cover its not really a Christmas anthology. Each story is setin a different season.
