A Regency Christmas VI

The latest of Signet's annual Regency Christmas anthologies features contributions by five of Signet's more popular Regency writers. The stories vary widely in style and mood; while most are warm and cheerful, one is surprisingly dark, and two have several villainous characters. As is to be expected, they are all set during the holiday season; however, the focus on the seasonal festivities ranges from totally integrated, as in the case of Mary Balogh's "The Best Gift," to somewhat peripheral, as in Sheila Walsh's "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear." Included also are stories by Emma Lange, Sandra Heath, and Emily Hendrickson. It is worth noting that Christmas anthologies are exceedingly popular and, despite the range in both quality and seasonal relevance, this diverse collection offers something for everyone.