Review---A VERY RUBY CHRISTMAS by Lavinia Kent * * * * *

Title: A VERY RUBY CHRISTMAS

Series: Bound and Determined #4.5

Author: Lavinia Kent

Genre: Holiday Romance/Regency Historical

Rating: * * * * *

Publishers: Loveswept (Nov 15, 2016)

eBook: 198 pages

ISBN: 9780399593871

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

A winter storm stirs passions long denied in this sensual Yuletide romance, a short novel featuring the characters who once led Library Journal to declare, “Ruby and Derek's chemistry is just as explosive during their unbridled trysts as with their slow, ardent lovemaking.”
 Madame Rouge—Ruby to her intimates—always makes the secret desires of her clients a priority. Now the time has come to fulfill her own fantasy, one so private it brings a rare blush to her cheeks. When Captain Derek Price returns from his service to the sea, Ruby will sell London's elite house of pleasure, leaving behind her very home to marry the sailor who has mastered every surging crest of her body.
 Pity, then, the ill-timed arrival of Ruby's estranged half-sister, Jasmine, desperate for a warm bed and a sympathetic ear. Ruby is loath to marry the poor girl off to a stranger or, even worse, entrust her to the ignoble lord who has bid on the brothel. She has no other choice than to shelter Jasmine herself. As much as Ruby's heart races at the thought of a future with Derek, she now faces the possibility that, once again, her happy ending has been delayed—unless a Christmas miracle makes all their dreams come true.
 
A Very Ruby Christmas is intended for mature audiences. This ebook includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

GOODREADS

I have not read the earlier books in this series but despite being lost once in awhile, I still thoroughly enjoyed this holiday read. I will, however, add these earlier books to my wishlist as Kent managed to pack a whale of a story in less than 200 pages. Wow, it seemed much longer (in a good way) while I was reading it. Can't wait to pile up with a full length novel of hers.
I love when characters can rise above their past and go on to celebrate their own HEA. Ruby's occupation is not one that is often addressed in a Regency and I really enjoyed seeing this loving character reach out to her half-sister and possibly endangering her future in order to help someone else.

Praise for Lavinia Kent's Bound and Determined series

“[A] tale of sexual exploration and liberation . . . the hottest historical romance story I've ever read.”—Heroes and Heartbreakers, on Mastering the Marquess

“Sexy, steamy . . . an entertaining read.”—Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews, on Mastering the Marquess

“A refined, sophisticated and tasteful historical romance . . . The mood is very seductive but still playful, and the sex scenes are scorching hot. . . . Revealing Ruby is superbly written, moves along quickly; it's a very enjoyable read.”—Fresh Fiction, on Revealing Ruby

“Ruby and Derek's chemistry is just as explosive during their unbridled trysts as with their slow, ardent lovemaking.”—Library Journal, on Ravishing Ruby

Bound and Determined Series

1. Mastering the Marquess (2014)

1.5. Revealing Ruby (2015)

2. Bound by Bliss (2015)

3. Angel in Scarlet (2016)

Ravishing Ruby (2016)

A Very Ruby Christmas (2016)

Lavinia Kent never knew that most people don’t make up stories in their heads to pass the time. She still has a hard time understanding how those who don’t survive the doctor’s waiting room or a grocery store line without another world to escape into.She lives under the gracious rule of Erzsebet, the cat, along with her husband, three children, one cockatiel, two rats, and Erzsebet’s younger, subordinate tomcat, otherwise known as The Golden Snitch.