There's 'The Nutcracker and the Mouse King' which inspired the famous ballet. It has a bit of a romantic undertone. The young girl Clara has a special connection with the Nutcracker, and their adventure through the Land of Sweets during Christmas time is full of magic and a touch of budding romance.
Another one could be 'A Cowboy for Christmas' in some anthologies. It's set in the historical American West. A female rancher meets a cowboy during the Christmas season. Their initial differences lead to some interesting encounters, and gradually love blossoms as they share the Christmas spirit together.
Sure. 'The Highwayman' by Alfred Noyes is a great one. It's set in the past and has a tragic love story between the highwayman and Bess. Another is 'The Lady of Shalott' by Alfred Tennyson, which tells a story of a lady trapped in a tower and her love from afar.
One great Christmas romance short story is 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens. Although it's more about the transformation of Scrooge, there are elements of love and kindness that can be seen as romantic in a way. The new Scrooge is more open - hearted and there are hints of a new start in relationships.
Rather than focusing on erotic historical romance short stories which may not be suitable for general discussion, we can look at general historical romance. Jane Austen's short works, though not strictly short stories in the modern sense, have elements of historical romance with her exploration of love and society in the past.
One great historical Christmas romance novel is 'A Christmas Bride' by Mary Balogh. It has a wonderful period setting and a heart - warming love story.
Well, there are several. For example, 'Snowy Christmas Romance'. In this story, a couple gets snowed in at a small cabin during Christmas and their relationship deepens. Then there's 'Christmas by the Fire', which is about two neighbors who start to have feelings for each other while sharing Christmas stories by the fireplace. Also, 'Holiday Heartstrings' is a story of two people from different backgrounds who meet during a Christmas parade and find love.
There's also 'The Roman Affair'. This short story is set in ancient Rome. It features a senator's wife who becomes involved with a gladiator. The story delves into the power dynamics and forbidden love of that time period, with some erotic elements that add to the overall allure.
One of the good short historical romance novels is 'The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever' by Julia Quinn. It tells the story of a girl who has been in love with a man for years and how their relationship develops. Additionally, 'Lord of Scoundrels' by Loretta Chase is a classic. The hero is a complex character, and the love story that unfolds between him and the heroine against the historical background is really captivating.
One great historical romance Christmas novel is 'A Christmas Bride' by Mary Balogh. It has a charming story set in the historical context with a touch of Christmas magic. The characters are well - developed and the romance is sweet.
I also like 'A Highland Christmas'. It takes place in the Scottish Highlands during Christmas. The rugged landscape, the Highland traditions, and the passionate romance between the hero and the heroine create a very immersive and heart - warming story.
One common theme is redemption. In many of these stories, a character who has been cold - hearted or lost, like in 'A Christmas Carol', finds love and redemption during the Christmas season. Christmas acts as a catalyst for change and the opening up to love.