Summary (in italics) and review: (These stories were really short - 4 stories within 135 pages, so my reviews will be short because there is not a lot to tell.)

Down through the years, enchantment touches a tall gray house in Grosvenor Square. The legend of Lady Winterson’s Christmas ball promises true love and happiness to one lucky couple. Who will feel the magic this winter?

The Seduction of a Duchess by Shana Galen

1803- Rowena Harcourt, the Duchess of Valère, never forgot the handsome footman who helped her escape the French Revolution. For fourteen years, Gabriel Lamarque has loved Rowena—now at Lady Winterson’s Christmas ball, has fate finally delivered a chance to win her hand?

I liked that the two MCs were older and shared a history that included the French Revolution. It is not a strict HEA, but the ending was a definite promising HFN. This story really helped to set up Lady Winterson's annual Christmas Ball (the thread that links the stories). 3.5 stars.

One Kiss for Christmas by Vanessa Kelly

1818- Nigel Dash is London’s most reliable gentleman, a reputation he never minded until he fell in love with beautiful Amelia Easton. Unfortunately, Amelia sees Nigel as a dependable friend, not a dashing suitor. At Lady Winterson’s famous Christmas ball, Nigel vows to change Amelia’s mind—by sweeping her off her feet.

I liked this book, but it took some getting used to the female MC until the author showed us her POV, then the story really clicked for me.  3.5 stars

His Christmas Cinderella by Anna Campbell

1825- At the season’s most glittering ball, a girl who has never dared to dream of forever after discovers a Christmas miracle.

I didn't like this story at all. The female MC was very inconsistent - she was more than willingly to accept being the Lord's mistress, but when he proposed, she made him go through hoops to show/prove his love. Also, I am not a fan of Cinderella-types unless it is in a fantasy genre; in romance, the rich MC usually comes across as a savior, making the relationship seem off-balance. 0 stars.

The Last First Kiss by Kate Noble

1830- Susannah Westforth has always loved Sebastian Beckett – but he’s only ever seen her as a friend. When Sebastian takes his Grand Tour, Susannah transforms herself into a woman he’ll notice. Now Sebastian is back, just in time for Lady Winterson's Christmas ball – but the last thing he expects to see is his little Susie, all grown up...

This was an unexpected, but happily taken, surprise. I have heard interviews with Ms. Noble and really enjoyed her talking about writing (both literature and for the screen). This story was a nice ending to the anthology; I enjoyed Philbert and Lady Winterson's relationship development more than the two MCs. 3.5 stars.

You’re invited to join the whirling dance at Lady Winterson’s sparkling Christmas ball, where miracles happen and true love shines forever. How can you resist?

Overall: 3 stars. Enjoyable while reading, but nothing that stays with you after you close the book.

Summary:

Lexi Anderson is an up-and-coming, Martha Stewart-type TV hostess whose two kids love the Jared Strong adventure novels, which happen to be written by their new neighbor, Kyle Miller.

For the first time in his writing career, Kyle has writer’s block--until he sees the snowman on his lawn and realizes it’s the perfect solution to his plot problem. He digs in and discovers two things: one, his villain’s weapon will fit inside a snowman's body, and two, this particular snowman was supposed to be the backdrop for Lexi’s next show. From this improbable beginning comes friendship, but can there be a happy ending for a woman who is afraid to get close again and a man who has shadows from his childhood? Families join together and hearts are healed as this couple goes walking in a winter wonderland.

Review:

This was a waste of time and 100 pages. It didn't work on any level.

The book cover said it was "a romantic comedy novella" - well, the comedy was groan-worthy PG stuff and the romance was freaking insta-love between an insecure, whiny writer and an up-and-coming domestic diva. Also, it was really heavy in subject matter treated in the most tone-deaf and unrealistic way (Kyle's entire family getting through the pain of his mother's death at Christmas 22 years ago - all because Lexi did a Christmas makeover of his house).

0 stars.

This author thinks she is being cute with all the family members having names that all start with K (Keefe, Kyle, Kenneth, and Kelly) but all I can think of is this family being the male version of the Kardashians....

Needless to say, I am skimming this story and hoping to get near the end by the time the kids get up and want breakfast.

Summary:

When a call for paws goes out, five friends bring their collies without question to a friend’s house. They learn the collies are needed to help seven children with the grief of losing a parent in Iraq or Afghanistan. Now, with seven friends, four collie yearlings and their mother, they set out to help the children.

Not far away, a mother hopefully leads her seven puppies to safety from a man intent on selling them for illicit purposes.

By a miracle of fate, the two mother collies find each other right before the man sells the puppies.

That Christmas morning will be one the children will remember all their lives as they are united with the puppies.

Review:

This book can be considered part of the Emily Dahill CID series, but you wouldn't have to read the series to read this book.

This was like reading a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie - you know going in it is going to be sappy and overly sweet, yet you end the book with a smile on your face.

There were a lot of characters to keep track of in the beginning, both canine wise and human wise. It was a bit confusing, especially in the first three chapters; it smoothed out over time.

Solid 3 stars.

Summary (in italics) and Review:

Entangled Publishing presents... A Very Scandalous Holiday Anthology. Four very spirited vignettes of holidays past. 

Erin's Gift by Nancy Fraser:

Chicago 1920, Widower, Seth Harrison, has no intention of falling in love again but will he be able to resist the sweetness of his son's nanny, Erin O'Mara - his sister's best friend? 

Oh, jazz age - more stories should be set in this time period. I liked this story a lot...up until that last chapter when it was wrapped up too easily and in a hurry. But a raid on a speakeasy and the resulting arrest is the cute meet that makes this historian happy. 3.5 stars.

An Eternity of You by Sophia Garrett

England 1833, The Duke of Sharrington left Rebecca with more than a broken heart six years ago - he left her with a son. He's rekindled their passion with his return, but it will take a Christmas miracle to earn her heart.

There were good parts to this book - class distinction was the main obstacle and Rebecca's work as a country doctor was a nice change. However, Andrew was too perfect - he said all the right things, got mad (and then even) with the villain (vanilla villain) and did countless random acts of kindness. He felt artificial to me. Rebecca was a good character, the kids were alright. This book was aptly titled....I felt it went on a little too long for a short story. 3.5 stars.

 Letters at Christmas by Amber Lin

England, late Regency, After three years at sea, Captain Hale Prescott has the means to marry the love of his life and his best friend's sister. Sidony Harbeck, however, might never speak to him again. Despite their whispered adolescent promises, he never wrote her a single letter... at least none he ever sent. 

This was a decent, if underwhelming story that started the book. I liked the story and characters, but it was predictable. I even liked  the sex scenes in her and his respective bedchambers - they were emotional and hot, but I found the oral sex scene in the sleigh on their ride in the country a little much for a Regency romance (I could see the oral sex in the jazz age story or the WWII story, not Regency England and not in public place). 3.0 stars

Eight Tiny Flames by Crista McHugh

1944 Ardennes, WWII, Lt. Ruth Mencher has always secretly admired Capt. Joseph Klein, but it takes the lighting of a Hanukkah candle to uncover the spark of mutual attraction. Each night awakens a new facet of their relationship, but as the Battle of the Bulge begins, the approaching Nazi forces threaten to tear them apart.  

This story is why I picked up the anthology in the first book. A Hanukkah romance story - and a damn fine one at that. Freaking loved this story, and I hate 99.9% of military romances. Ruth is a kick-ass heroine and Joe is no slouch either. The secondary characters are a little under-developed, as the story is so focused on the couple in their private moments celebrating their holiday. And the sex scene was really well done. Seriously, I hope this author/publisher sells the story a part from the anthology so that everyone has the opportunity to read it. Yeah, that is my squeeing over here, don't mind me. 5 stars. 

Overall: 3.75 stars (rounded up to 4 stars).

I would recommend on the strength of jazz age and WWII stories; the Regency stories aren't bad, but they don't wow either.