Description

A beautiful collection of seasonal stories inspired by the classic Christmas carol, from the Sunday Times No. 1 Bestselling Author

‘Sparkling wit, romance and joy. . . it’s the perfect gift to wake up to in your stocking on Christmas morning!’ Jennifer Saint

The air glitters with hope as the snowy village of Merrywake celebrates the Christmas season after the tumult of the Napoleonic Wars.

As the Viscount’s famous Twelfth Night Ball draws closer, many of the villagers have a story to tell – we meet a lovelorn vicar and kindly maid reunited after a misunderstanding, three sisters vying for the hand of a dastardly duke, two servants hiding a dangerous secret and a solider making his way home, unsure of the welcome he might receive. As their tales braid together, we see life and love in the village from belowstairs to high society.

Reimagining each of the traditional carol’s gifts, The Twelve Days of Christmas is a collection of festive tales filled with seasonal cheer and heart-warming characters. Will the challenges and mysteries that the Viscount’s guests encounter be resolved by the night of the ball?

‘A festive delight, as warming as mulled wine by a crackling fire’ Elodie Harper

‘Witty, delightful and hugely satisfying’ Kate Griffin

‘Simply sublime festive fiction’ AJ West

‘Uplifting, poignant and astutely observed, this felt like being whirled away into a Regency ball’ Naomi Kelsey

‘Clever, funny and heartfelt. . . it’s the perfect comfort read. Fans of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer will love it’ Theresa Howes

‘Jane Austen meets Downton Abbey. . . romance, humour, poignancy, and a historical escape’ Rachel Louise Driscoll

Readers love Susan:
‘So addictive… the perfect mix of historical fiction, mystery, fantasy and romance’
‘Wonderfully atmospheric’
‘A beautifully written piece of historical fiction’
‘Crackles with danger and mystery… a joy to read’
‘An utterly magical book full of secrets, love and hope’
‘Beautifully written, gripping and evocative’

Publisher Review

A festive delight, as warming as mulled wine by a crackling fire. These twelve tales weave together beautifully in a joyous, sparkling celebration of love, wit and the true meaning of Christmas — Elodie Harper So beautifully and delicately done, woven like the most detailed tapestry. Witty, delightful and hugely satisfying…the perfect gift — Kate Griffin This is a charming collection of stories, each of them delightful on their own but together creating a rich, festive tapestry. There is sparkling wit, romance and joy interspersed with poignant glimpses of darkness and sorrow which Susan Stokes-Chapman weaves beautifully throughout. It’s the perfect gift to wake up to in your stocking on Christmas morning! — Jennifer Saint An uplifting collection…absolutely the book I’m gifting everyone this year – it’s the perfect stocking filler — Venetia Constantine ‘A glorious treat…uplifting, poignant and astutely observed, this felt like being whirled away into a Regency ball.’ — Naomi Kelsey Reminiscent of enjoying the Christmas special of a period drama over the festive season. Jane Austen meets Downton Abbey in this heartwarming collection… romance, humour, poignancy, and a historical escape, all wrapped up together like a Christmas box. — Rachel Louise Driscoll Simply sublime festive fiction. Five gold stars! Susan Stokes-Chapman’s clever, amusing and beautifully written collection is the perfect gift for lovers of fine literature. — AJ West Clever, funny and heartfelt… I found myself laughing and crying along with the characters. It’s the perfect comfort read. Fans of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer will love it. — Theresa Howes Beautifully written.. Perfect for cold winter nights by fire and candlelight.. — Natalie Marlow Susan is a masterful storyteller and I felt as if I was being whirled through the lives of her characters, with their sorrows and triumphs. Susan is as close to Austen as we have, and I was both entertained and immersed in the fullness of the world she has created. — Cathryn Kemp, author of A Poisoner’s Tale