Highlighting the facts behind the fiction with Pamela Gibson and The Grand Mistletoe Assembly.
Women of the ton felt an obligation to support charities and most belonged to organizations for that purpose. Originally, charitable giving was sponsored by churches. By the Regency period there were many private foundations established to meet a variety of needs.
Balls, specifically to raise funds for a charity, were rare, but not unheard of. The problem was that if one sold tickets to a ball, anyone could purchase them. Mixing societal classes was not done during this time period so if a ball was held, the ticket price was quite high to insure only “the best people” attended. Numbers of tickets were also limited by the size of the ballroom, as most of these types of balls were held in private homes where only a specific number could be comfortably accommodated.
An 1821 publication about the history of Preston Borough reveals the ladies of the borough held about seven charity balls between 1814 and 1820. It gives the amount raised at each one. A novel by Maria Edgeworth in 1825 relates a discussion about a charity ball to be held to raise funds for a school for the poor.
In The Grand Mistletoe Assembly: a Regency Christmas Romance Anthology, a ball is held in an elite mansion on St. James Street in London to raise money for a foundling home. A silent auction also is held and among the items are works of art and gorgeous pieces of jewelry. The six authors weren’t sure if the event should be called a ball, not knowing if charity balls were a thing. When we learned that they were indeed, although not as popular as charity sermons or musicales, we decided assembly might be a better fit than ball, given the location of the story.
About the Book
Can the festive ball of the Season bring these couples together in time for the holidays? A collection of Regency romances with star-crossed lovers, fast-paced plots and timeless connections. Cuddling under mistletoe, fine lace, snowy linen: true love can be found in the flickering lights of a hundred gas lamps. Pearler House is bedecked for the holidays and everyone is attending the event of a lifetime.
- He gambles for a ticket to the ball, but might win the love of his life.
- High society’s rules make it impossible to meet. Is their love doomed to remain a scandalous secret?
- A young woman forging a career as a bare-knuckled boxer. A footman looking for something more … and an overturned platter at the event of the year.
- Will her secret stand in the way of their second chance at love?
- He’s her brother’s best friend, and he wants her for Christmas.
- What’s an earl to do when his sister’s best friend becomes the one temptation he can’t resist?
Experience the joy of the season with six all-new tales of passion. Some are sweet, some are spicy, all will capture your heart.
Preorder for 99 cents. Buy Link https://buy.bookfunnel.com/zk90pzt05b
About the Author
Author of twenty novels and eight history books, Pamela Gibson is a former City Manager who lives in the Nevada desert. Having spent the last three years messing about in boats, a hobby that included a five-thousand-mile trip in a 32-foot Nordic Tug with her patient spouse, she now spends most of her time indoors happily reading, writing, cooking and keeping up with the antics of Ralph the Rescue Cat also known as king of the castle.
The other authors of this Anthology are Sara Adrien, Jemma Frost, Nina Jarrett, Edie Cay and Tanya Wilde.