1889 Rye, Sussex, England

Joy by name, joy by nature, Miss Joy Parker loves nothing more than performing acts of kindness and making other people's lives brighter. Even the loss of her family's fortune and being forced to accept a job as lady's companion to the formidable Lady Hyacinth Montague doesn't get her down. Hyacinth treats her as the lowliest of servants - until her great-nephew and heir Earl Peter Montague arrives.

Although Joy makes a disastrous first impression, Peter is soon captivated by her compassionate ways. Fireworks spark between them and Joy finds herself unexpectedly yet heartbreakingly in love, for in the world of high society, love and marriage are considered two very different things...and Hyacinth has far grander hopes for her great-nephew than the impoverished Joy. Jointwoods Manor is filled with the cream of the upper class, with Lady Regina of Hove the leading contender for the prize of becoming Peter's wife.

Joy is charged with organising a lavish Christmas ball, one she can hardly attend in her homespun gown. As the snow falls on this picturesque seaside town on Christmas Eve, Joy's kind heart becomes ensnared by a scandalous plot and she is left to wonder if the games of the idle rich render love an impossibility...or if the magic of Christmas will deliver the greatest gift of all.

'So breathtakingly beautiful . . . Mary-Anne O'Connor truly is the Queen of Australian Historical Romance.' GOODREADS

'Historical fiction of a quality that will take you on a beguiling roller-coaster ride.' BETTER READING