Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Unavailable
    The Last Chance Christmas Ball
    Unavailable
    The Last Chance Christmas Ball
    Unavailable
    The Last Chance Christmas Ball
    Audiobook13 hours

    The Last Chance Christmas Ball

    Written by Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverly, Joanna Bourne and

    Narrated by Elaine Claxton

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    Read the ebook instead

    About this audiobook

    Guests are arriving to celebrate Christmas at Lady Holly's ball, and at the top of each guest's wish list is a last chance to find true love before the New Year. 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, and a spinster whose fateful choice to relinquish love may hold one more surprise for her. Even the charming rake finds far more than he bargained for among the pretty guests. These and many other dazzling, romantic tales fill this star-studded collection that will fill your heart and spice up your holidays!
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDreamscape Media Audio
    Release dateSep 27, 2016
    ISBN9781520045139
    Author

    Mary Jo Putney

    Mary Jo Putney was born in upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. After earning degrees in English Literature and Industrial Design at Syracuse University, she became a ten-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA, has published over forty books, and was the recipient of the 2013 RWA Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award. She lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

    More audiobooks from Mary Jo Putney

    Related to The Last Chance Christmas Ball

    Related audiobooks

    General Fiction For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Prince William’s Statement

      May 24, 2021

      Prince William’s Statement
      1 min read

    • Article

      Into The Breeches

      Jul 8, 2022

      Into The Breeches
      7 min read

    • Article

      In The Running For Romance

      Mar 4, 2021

      The RNA has announced the category shortlists for the 2021 Romantic Novel of the Year Awards. • The Katie Fforde Debut Romantic Novel Award: Cow Girl, Kirsty Eyre; The Bookshop of Second Chances, Jackie Fraser; The Silent Treatment, Abbie Greaves; Th

      1 min read

    • Article

      A Look Under The Bonnet: Why Our Fascination With The Regency Era Endures

      Jul 2, 2022

      The Regency, that narrow slice of history between 1811 and 1820, occupies a vastly disproportionate place in the British, and increasingly the global, imaginarium. Those nine years – when the future George IV reigned as prince regent owing to his fat

      7 min read

    • Article

      A tender THREAD

      Dec 22, 2021

      A tender THREAD
      9 min read

    • Article

      Up To Date

      Jan 10, 2021

      Up To Date
      7 min read

    • Article

      ‘I’m Getting A Chef To Cook The CHRISTMAS DINNER!’

      Nov 3, 2020

      We are thrilled to welcome our new Queen of Celebs – La Voix! La Voix is friends with everyone from the Royal Family to Su Pollard and, in her new fortnightly column, she’s going to grill some of our most-loved celebs so we can find out more about th

      3 min read

    • Article

      SANTA’S Coming!

      Nov 2, 2023

      SANTA’S Coming!
      3 min read

    • Article

      Hot right Now!

      Dec 1, 2022

      £13.99, WATERSTONES If a heart-warming festive tale is something you want to delve into this season, then this novel is for you. When Liv Latimer says goodbye to her friends and colleagues for the festive holidays, she is looking forward to a Christm

      2 min read

    • Article

      Hot right Now!

      Dec 1, 2022

      £13.99, WATERSTONES If a heart-warming festive tale is something you want to delve into this season, then this novel is for you. When Liv Latimer says goodbye to her friends and colleagues for the festive holidays, she is looking forward to a Christm

      2 min read

    • Article

      Pick Of The Week

      Dec 21, 2021

      Pick Of The Week
      2 min read

    • Article

      Kia Ora!

      Nov 27, 2022

      It’s a wonderful wedding wonderland in the mag this week, with four cute couples sharing their special ceremonies with Woman’s Day. There’s rugby hero Slade McFarland’s marvellously multicultural marriage – which even a tornado couldn’t ruin! – on pa

      1 min read

    • Article

      Let Romance Blossom

      Feb 8, 2021

      Let Romance Blossom
      1 min read

    • Article

      Snapped!

      Apr 13, 2023

      This is my little Ronnie after a party, he loves his new look – he’s my little monster. Alexandra Low, Halesowen I knew my wife was a wee bit crazy, but I didn’t know she was a cycle path! Mike Lunn, Beith My daughter and my grandson enjoying themsel

      1 min read

    • Article

      Creating Haunting Memories

      Aug 5, 2021

      Creating Haunting Memories
      2 min read

    • Article

      Christmas Magic

      Nov 6, 2023

      Christmas Magic
      3 min read

    • Article

      In The Deep Midwinter

      Aug 19, 2020

      In The Deep Midwinter
      3 min read

    • Article

      What’s TRENDING?

      Dec 1, 2022

      Wander through the magical Bolesworth Castle grounds this Christmas, watching out for treats along the way. Illuminated by more than 40,000 lights, it’s a spectacle not to be missed. In the enchanted woods, Santa’s reindeer roam freely, ready for the

      2 min read

    • Article

      The season’s BEST BOOKS

      Jun 1, 2022

      The season’s BEST BOOKS
      6 min read

    • Article

      Season Of Scandal

      Dec 21, 2020

      Season Of Scandal
      1 min read

    • Article

      Books

      Nov 25, 2022

      Prepare the hot chocolate for these seasonal tomes By Clare Lydon A sapphic journey from Glasgow to Devon. Independently published, from £6.99 By Rachel Lacey An enemies-to-lovers slow-burn. Montlake, from £1.99 By Adriana Herrera Foodies, this

      2 min read

    • Article

      From The Editor

      Dec 1, 2021

      From The Editor
      2 min read

    • Article

      Chat Come On In!

      Dec 1, 2022

      Christmas is all about family, and this year it feels a little more special than ever. For many, this may be the first Christmas that we’ve spent with our loved ones since the pandemic. As we open gifts and celebrate the festivities, we’ll remember a

      1 min read

    Reviews for The Last Chance Christmas Ball

    4/5

    43 ratings5 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 3/5
      Liked the Putney and Beverley stories best. I didn't really care for the Joanna Bourne story. Very long and more than slightly ridiculous. The Susan King story was OK. The Patricia Rice story was silly and sentimental but I liked it. The Cara Elliott story was nice. The Cornick story was kind of an old trope and nothing fresh about it. The Ann Gracie story was very nice.
    • 5/5
      Christmas hopes and romances revealed.An enjoyable mix of stories wound around a common thread. Some more than others. Overall they threaded together admirably, giving cohesion and expressing the hope of the Christmas season.Jo Beverley sets the scene. It's post the French wars in regency England. Napoleon has been routed at Waterloo. For those returning, that coming home is a harrowing undertaking. Fate has cast more than a few nettles across the path of true love but it's Christmas time and perhaps more than Yuletide longings and good cheer are at work. The Dowager Countess of Holbourne has decided to give her Last Chance Ball (for spinsters to seize the moment) at Holbourne House. The stories are centred around those would be guests. My True Love Hath My Heart by Joanna Bourne.A longtime love is rekindled, with a chance to strike at injustice, a future to determine and jewelry theft thrown in for good measure.A Scottish Carol by Susan King.A doctor fresh from the horrors of Waterloo is reacquainted with his mentor's daughter. Christmas Larks by Patricia Rice.Returning home from war, damaged and disoriented Ivor Whitney-Harris hears mice in the walls and rekindles his childhood acquaintance with Sara Jane Langsdale.In the Bleak Midwinter by Mary Jo Putney.A wounded soldier's final return to those who love him is ensnarled by his wounded anguish.Old Flames dance by Cara Elliott.A long lost love returns from a far flung place. Too late or can all be set right?A Season for Marriage by Nicola Cornick.What can you do when your husband spurns you? Why flee to the arms of your loving family and hope!Miss Finch and the Angel by Jo BeverleyA lowly companion captures the gaze of a well intentioned rake.Mistletoe Kisses by Annie GraceFrench verbs and mistletoe kisses. Life for Allie Fenton was set upon a oath that seemed unlikely to waiver.A NetGalley ARC
    • 4/5
      A sweet Christmas anthology. (And there actually wasn't a terrible one in the bunch, which is quite a feat!) I rate them thusly-

      Prologue by Jo Beverley - This basically just lists the main players, with some tiny snippets as introduction. 3 stars.

      My True Love Hath My Heart by Joanna Bourne - This was a fun little spy story. What was really great about it though, was that the couple's history together felt so genuine. I'm a little amazed at how well it worked actually. Often when past events are referenced they don't carry much weight, because the reader wasn't "there" for any of it. But somehow Bourne was able to create a feeling of their history together just from little reminices between them and in their thoughts. So this story really felt like it was building on a previous solid foundation of their history and feelings. And in at least one of the references I thought 'I would definitely like to read that story!' lol. I hadn't gotten around to reading anything by Bourne before this, but I'm looking forward to doing so now. 5 stars.

      A Scottish Carol by Susan King - The first scene started off with a bit of a preposterous premise, which really wasn't even entirely necessary to be included, but it was at least acknowledged as very unlikely, and the rest of the story was grounded and made sense. A new to me author, and I would read more. This was quite sweet and enjoyable, so I'm still giving it 5 stars.

      Christmas Larks by Patricia Rice - This felt like it might have been a bit hindered by the short length. I felt like I didn't quite have enough of the story for everything to work together as it should. If more of the details and side stories could have been filled out it might have been a 4, but overall it was 3 stars.

      In the Bleak Midwinter by Mary Jo Putney - It felt like there wasn't a whole lot to this one really, but it still had some sweet moments and the characters were likable, so 4 stars.

      Old Flames Dance by Cara Elliott - I liked both of the characters fine in this, but I just wasn't particularly grabbed by it. 3 stars.

      A Season for Marriage by Nicola Cornick - The hurdle to their relationship felt a little flimsy, and the characters were just 'fine', so 3 stars.

      Miss Finch and the Angel by Jo Beverley - This was sweet and felt like it would end in sort of a flirtatious marriage of convenience with plenty of potential for more in the future, which I would have been plenty happy with, but at the last moment it seemed like they were suddenly already deeply in love, and I just didn't feel that the story had supported that level of feeling at that point. It had been a nice building to their relationship and then felt like a sudden leap at the end. 3 stars.

      Mistletoe Kisses by Anne Gracie - This one was very sweet and a lovely note for the book to end on. It caught me up in the story and was quite enjoyable, and I felt pleased at the end of it. 5 stars.
    • 5/5
      The Last Chance Christmas Ball by 8 AuthorsEight Authors managed to write seamlessly creating this wonderful Christmas anthology! One ball but eight different couples who have been invited will find their happily ever after whether or not they manage to attend. My True Love Hath My Heart by Joanna Bourne: Nick and Claire find themselves in Holbourne Abbey after some time apart but that time apart has not seen them lose their edge and ability to work together for a common purpose. A Scottish Carol by Susan King: Henry and Clarinda were once more than acquaintances – a snowstorm allows them to rekindle their friendship and possibly more. Christmas Larks by Patricia Rice: Patricia Rice I one of my favorite authors and this short story was everything that I hoped it would be. Ivo has returned to his childhood home with a bad case of PTSD and a concussion. His old friend Sarah Jane finds him in need and provides nursing care for him. Talking mice – maybe – more than one person hears them through the walls. This story had me smiling and happy and might have been my favorite.In the Bleak Winter by Mary Jo Putney: Kim and Roxie were once betrothed but Kim feels his wounds have made him unable to marry after all. Will Roxie be able to counter his objections and find a way back into his arms?Old Flames Dance by Cara Elliott: Lily and Edward were separated ten years before but never have forgotten one another. They will meet again at the ball. How will the years have changed them? Might they have a future together?A Season of Marriage by Nicola Cornick: Caroline and Piers have been married less than a year and are facing marital difficulties. Will they be able to deal with their issues and do so in a positive manner?Miss Finch and the Angel by Jo Beverly: Miss Finch was introduced in the Prologue and I knew her story would eventually be told. The telling of Clio and Gabrielle’s story is somewhat deeper than the rest but oh so much fun! Mistletoe Kisses by Anne Gracie: Last but not least is the story of a carriage crash and the stranding of Lucilla and John at Alice’s home. The fun they have, the time they share and the ultimate ending of their story were a great way to tie all of these stories up in a pretty bow.Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the copy of this book to read and review.
    • 5/5
      I have a huge soft spot in my heart for the tortured and scarred hero. So, this story naturally stood out for me. Kim and Roxie grew up around each other, but didn't always see eye to eye as children. But, of course they fell in love and planned to marry, until Kim has to leave to fight the war. All their plans are squashed when Kim returns home scarred physically and shuts himself away in his Medieval castle refusing to see anyone, especially Roxie. When his family begins to lose all hope for Kim, it is suggested his brother Edward step up and ask for Roxie's hand, an idea that starts to appeal to them both. But, before Roxie settles for companionship, she wants to attempt to approach Kim one more time….This is a wonderful story, proving love can conquer anything, restore faith, ignite hope, and heal all manner of wounds. 4.5 starsThe second story I chose to highlight is “ A Season for Marriage” by Nicola Cornick.Caroline's marriage to Piers is in trouble. Piers avoids her completely, even in the bed-chamber, which prompts Caroline to take desperate measures by running away. Piers will have to finally explain why he is pushing his wife away. This is a heartbreaking story about an emotionally scarred hero who needs the help of his loving wife to help him overcome his fears and inhibitions. Caroline finally gets rid of her pent up guilt and Piers finally stops holding back and becomes the husband Caroline has been waiting for. This is a sensual little holiday tale that sends this couple off on their long overdue happily ever after. 4 stars This is one of the best Christmas anthologies I've read in a very long time. 4.5 stars