Gaming Hell Christmas

 …Mystery abounds at the new Hell in town in “Gaming Hell Christmas”, written by Kathy L. Wheeler and Amanda McCabe, published by Chisel Imprint.

         It is 1796 London, where women exist under the thumbs of men—be it their fathers, husbands, or any male who feels he knows what’s best. Whether from the working class, the desperately poor or royalty, women have few things to call their own—including the right to direct their own lives—and fight a daily battle to maintain the few things they achieve on their own.

After receiving a select invitation The Greensley Girls, life-long friends and confidantes from school, gather at la Sous Rose, the newest gaming hall for an evening of fun and perhaps a bit of mystery, only to discover the answer to their dreams.

 In A Gift for the Duke’s Illegitimate Daughter, Kathy L. Wheeler introduces Alexandra Blessing who only wants to live in her own home, away from the endless demands and expectations of her spoiled half-siblings. Enter Theodore Millburn whose goal in life is to destroy Alex’s father, the Duke of Winsome. Expectations are low when Alex and Theo first meet; together they start out on an adventure where each’s life-long dreams are achieved with the end rewards particularly satisfying. A special aspect of this delightful story is author Wheeler’s special talent for inventing and developing multi-layered, inspired characters.

 In The Merry Widow’s Christmas Adventure, Amanda McCabe introduces Anabel Christie, dowager Lady Ranstruther, just out of a year’s period of mourning. Free at last of a much older, not so cherished husband, Belle wants only to live her life they way she wants, free of the machinations of her stepson who covets not only her person but the limited funds and property she can legally claim as her own. Enter William, Lord Deansley. The two came together in a brief, intriguing interlude years before—and neither has been able to forget the embers that were stirred. Author McCabe gifts the reader with a special ability for describing period costumes, speech patterns and settings to a degree the reader is drawn in immediately.

On a scale of 1-5, Gaming Hell Christmas deserves a 7.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews