Christmas for Ransome Series

Napoleon's war still rages on the Continent, and Lieutenant Christmas Astley-Milne must return to sea. However, Chris is tormented that Emma Clavering, the woman he's always loved, might marry another while he's gone. There's nothing for it but for him to propose before he leaves. Emma accepts without hesitation. But as months turn into years, and nothing more is heard of Chris, must she also accept that he's dead, or is he being held captive? The only way she can keep hope alive is to help bring prisoners of war back to England as part of a smuggling operation she runs with her cousin. It's her dearest wish that Chris, wherever he is, is being treated well, and he, too, will eventually be returned safe and sound. Finally, after five long years, her steadfastness is rewarded when Chris comes home just in time for Christmas. But he is not the same man who left her to fight the French. War has changed him, and he is wounded inside and out. Will anything, save a Yuletide miracle, be enough to thaw his heart?

From the workhouse to the British army, then captivity courtesy of Napoleon's men, Lieutenant Daniel Barrett has never known the warmth or safety of a real home. But now, his training as a physician and loyalty to his captain, Sir Christmas Astley-Milne, have found him a temporary resting place. Having helped the wounded Chris escape to England, Daniel is sequestered at Milne Manor, caring for other soldiers who've returned across the Channel.   But it's not the place he can call home, where he can settle with the wife and children he longs for. For what can he offer a good woman such as Ivy Martin, the daughter of Milne Manor's stableman and his able medical assistant, for whom he's formed a secret affection, when he has no money and few prospects?  Once again, it's time to move on.   However, just before Christmas, Ivy's father is badly hurt, and Daniel finds himself comforting her—and kissing her under the mistletoe. This changes everything. Or does it, when he's preparing to leave Milne Manor for London come the New Year?

The NEW expanded novella of the short story, The Pirate's Yuletide Treasure!   A severe blizzard is on its way, but Captain Ansell Ransome is determined to get to Whitstable to meet his wife, Cassia, before they journey onto Canterbury to spend the Yuletide. However, as a renowned smuggler and barterer of British prisoners of war and contraband, he will have to be nimble and dodge the revenue riders and other smugglers, all of who long to capture him.   When Ansell doesn't arrive in Whitstable, Cassia decides to travel to Canterbury, with his faithful crewman, Dunn, for protection, and hope her beloved husband will turn up safe in time for Christmas Day. But she, too, would be a prize for the coastal riders and lawless, and danger lurks behind every snow-blanketed hedge and tree.   When he discovers Cassia gone, Ansell's heart sinks. The thought that the woman he loves so fiercely may be out on the road and in mortal peril tears at his heart. Although the weather is no longer fit for man nor beast, he will not let her perish, or miss sharing precious time together at Christmas—which will be the best treasure of all.