Review: Timeless Victorian Collection: The Orient Express by Elizabeth Johns, Annette Lyon, Nancy Campbell Allen

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

From the publisher of the USA TODAY bestselling Timeless Romance Anthology series, comes our new Victorian Romance collection: THE ORIENT EXPRESS.

TO BREAK A BETROTHAL by Elizabeth Johns
Recently orphaned heiress Kate Worthington must travel to England from her home in India to break an outdated betrothal contract. Surely the lure of money will tempt Lord Darlington to release her! A gentleman befriends her whilst she is aboard the luxurious Orient Express, and the attraction she feels firms her resolve to break the betrothal. What she does not count on is Lord Darlington’s hidden depths. She has so much to lose, least of which is her heart.

DETECTIVE GRACE MEETS HER MATCH by Annette Lyon
Even private investigator Grace Thomas needs a vacation, yet she can’t exactly turn off her detective skills at a whim. Boarding the Orient Express might be a vacation for some, but Grace finds that her senses are on high alert. She prides herself in being one step ahead of any flirtatious gentlemen, and fellow passenger Marshall Bailey is no exception. When Grace discovers that Marshall is traveling under another name, she learns that her first impressions aren’t always correct, and that she’s mistakenly allowed him to play havoc on her heart. Marshall will just have to convince Grace to give him a second chance.

MARRIED ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS by Nancy Campbell Allen
Detective Vincent Brady must recover a priceless statue before it falls into the wrong hands. The only problem is that the American woman who’s carrying it for her brother has no idea the value. Vincent catches up with Emily Grant, but convincing her that he’s not out to harm her or her brother is harder than Vincent expected. Finally, Emily agrees to travel with Vincent on the Orient Express, and they plot how to rescue her brother while keeping themselves out of harm’s way. Vincent soon discovers that out of all the hardships he’s overcome in his lifetime to rise to his current detective status, convincing Emily to take a chance on him even harder.

My Review

Before I read this collection I hadn't heard about the Orient Express, so I found the history fascinating and loved learning more about this era. Each story shared various details about the train and its stops, and they also had a common element of one of the main characters being a detective. The first story has a fun twist with hidden identities and an exciting plot that played out beyond the journey on the train. The second story also had a twist with the female being the detective, although her jaded attitude about men was a bit off-putting. There is much more internal dialogue than shared dialogue and I missed the bonding between Grace and Marshall that could have occurred when they were angsting instead. The last story was my favorite, and one I plan to read again in the future. There is a great connection between Emily and Vincent, and I loved seeing them grow closer together as they worked together to save her brother and solve his case. The romance is awesome and I loved the way the story wrapped up. Another great collection from Timeless Romance!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Books in the Timeless Victorian Collections:
SUMMER HOLIDAY
A GRAND TOUR
THE ORIENT EXPRESS

Books in the Timeless Regency Collections:
AUTUMN MASQUERADE
A MIDWINTER BALL
SPRING IN HYDE PARK
SUMMER HOUSE PARTY
A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
A SEASON IN LONDON
FALLING FOR A DUKE
A NIGHT IN GROSVENOR SQUARE
ROAD TO GRETNA GREEN

Review: Sweeter Than Any Dream by Annette Lyon

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

From USA Today best-selling author Annette Lyon comes a Regency romance fans love! 

Olivia Wallington is firmly established as a spinster, but that doesn’t stop her from dreaming about the perfect man. Ever since her father’s death, Olivia has been forced into seclusion by her mother. When her brother and his wife come for a visit, they discover the extent to which she lives under their mother’s thumb. With their help, Olivia sneaks out to attend a local ball, where she meets Edward Blakemoore. For a few divine moments, all of her dreams seem possible. But even someone like Mr. Blakemoore would be hard pressed to get past Mrs. Wallington’s fortress of protection—or past Olivia’s pride.

(Originally published in Timeless Regency Collection: A Midwinter Ball)

My Review

This is a sweet novella with a heroine that reminds me a bit of Valancy in L.M. Montgomery's The Blue Castle. After a lifetime of being cowed by her mother and aunt, she finally gives her vivid dreams life by allowing herself a rebellion that wakes her up to the importance of living life for herself. I enjoyed her spark and was happy to see her reach a point where she was able to envision a new future for herself.

Edward didn't think he'd ever want to marry, but the happiness of his newlywed friends plants a seed so that when he has a chance encounter with Olivia, he is smitten by this enigma who is kind, clever, and has a sense of humor. I loved how their curiosity about each other led them to discover that the reality of their connection is even sweeter than what they had dreamed.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review: The Nobleman's Governess Bride by Deborah Hale

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Loyal Rebecca Beaton and gentle Grace Ellerby became lifelong friends while enduring the hardships of childhood at a harsh charity school. Now employed as governesses, they care for other people’s children, never expecting to know the blessings of loving marriages and families of their own. But when Rebecca and Grace encounter two special gentlemen who have suffered their own misfortunes, these humble governesses may become Cinderella brides!

In “The Viscount Meets His Match” Sebastian Viscount Benedict knows from bitter experience that marrying a woman of lower rank and fortune brings nothing but heartache. He is determined to prevent his beloved brother from making the same mistake by wedding the local squire’s daughter. Rebecca Beaton disagrees. She is certain her former pupil, Hermione, truly loves the viscount’s brother and will make him a devoted wife. She tries to persuade formidable Lord Benedict to give the young couple his blessing.

In spite of their many differences, Sebastian finds himself drawn to forthright, loyal Rebecca. Yet he fears his admiration for the lady could erode his good judgment and resolve. Rebecca fights her growing attraction to Sebastian, which threatens to divide her loyalties…and perhaps break her heart. If only she can help him believe in true love, there may be hope for more than one happy ending!

In "The Baron’s Governess Bride" Rupert Lord Steadwell is determined to hire the dowdiest, most unmarriageable woman he can find to care for his motherless daughters. The girls were heartbroken when their last governess eloped and Rupert does not want to risk a repetition. In her drab clothes, frumpy cap and spectacles, Grace Ellerby look like the ideal person for the job.

Rupert has no idea that clever, caring Miss Ellerby is a beauty in disguise. Alarmed by unwanted advances from men in her previous positions, Grace is desperate to hide her dangerously attractive appearance and her growing feelings for her new employer. But when Lord Steadwell appears in danger of making a loveless marriage and saddling his daughters with a dreaded stepmother, Grace must risk everything to prevent it. Will a midnight kiss at a masked ball lead to scandal and ruin or will two wary hearts find their happily ever after at last? 

Previously published as "Much Ado About Nuptials" and The Baron’s Governess Bride. 

My Review

I enjoyed these two stories! I love the Regency setting, and the characters and plots kept me interested and looking forward to how the happy ending would play out. The first story was shorter, but the personalities of Sebastian and Rebecca were both strong and vibrant. Even though she disagreed with his motives, Rebecca looked below the surface and began to understand Sebastian in a way nobody else did. Her compassion for him while also holding firm to her own opinions repeatedly took him off guard and an unlikely friendship developed, which of course blossoms into love. It was fun to read their sparring and banter, and see them bring out unseen sides in each other.

The second story was about two thirds of the book, and delved a bit deeper into the relationships between Grace and the new family she is serving. I loved the distinct personalities of the three girls she is teaching and caring for, and the perspective of their father Rupert was interesting. Grace has a lot of pressure on her to be the right governess for the children and the father, and I loved that he supported her authority and listened to her concerns. The journey of winning over the hearts of the daughters and the father naturally takes place over a longer period of time, and I felt like it made the story more realistic. Plenty of emotion and angst in this one ;)

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review: Worth the Risk by Heather B. Moore

Book One in the Pine Valley series

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

When Alicia moves back to Pine Valley to help her mom through a serious addiction, the last person she wants to see is her teenage crush, Jeff Finch, who destroyed their friendship in one single disastrous night. But Alicia is determined to not let anything about Jeff affect her, especially since she hasn’t seen him in ten years. All she knows is that he’s living a successful and charmed life, and she is more than happy to keep anything between them in the past. But when he shows up with a date at the restaurant where she works, Alicia realizes she’s still not over her feelings, and Jeff is definitely looking at her in a way he never has before.

My Review

I'm so excited for a new contemporary series from this author! I love books set in small towns and tight-knit communities. Alycia thinks the whole neighborhood is against her mother and is struggling to help keep the hoarding under control- but a feeling of helplessness really comes across in her emotions. An unexpected reunion with Jeff shifts not only her own social life, but her mother's as well. I loved the deeper themes of the cleansing power of forgiveness and the importance of friendship. It took me a bit to warm up to Jeff but as it became clear that the changes he's making are heartfelt, I appreciated the strength and support he gave Alycia. A sweet romance and I'm looking forward to more!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Check out the next books in the Pine Valley series . . .

Book Two

Where I Belong (April 2018)



Book Three

 Say You Love Me (June 2018)

Review & Giveaway: A Tangled Inheritance by Chalon Linton

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Nora Ellsworth, darling of London society, has her choice of eligible suitors, but since childhood, she has been expected to marry Jonathan Browning, a gentleman whose wealth and stability will someday secure the futures of Nora and her mother and sister. The family estate will pass to an odious male cousin upon the death of Nora’s father, and when he suddenly takes ill, her need to marry well becomes vitally important.

As Nora struggles with the idea of marrying without love, she finds herself increasingly drawn to Devlin Fausett, a man with dark eyes and intriguing conversation. But Devlin’s reputation as an indebted gambler is difficult to ignore. Despite the rumors from the ton and the marriage decision before her, Nora is determined to befriend the dashing Mr. Fausett, and his charms soon make it all but impossible to remember her duty. Until she learns the truth of her fortune. There is a way to keep her family’s estate, but the price is high: Nora must wed, as soon as possible. Torn between two very different men, she must make the ultimate decision. Will she be guided by her head or her heart?

Synopsis

A lovely Regency romance with nods to Austen! The most obvious similarity is the "odious male cousin" expecting to inherit the entailed estate a la Mr. Collins from Pride and Prejudice and Mr. William Elliot from Persuasion. More subtle is the similarity of the author's writing style to Jane Austen's in that the narrative is rich with details of daily life and the manners of society. It's not a book that can be read quickly but needs to be savored. I enjoyed Nora and her friendly relationship with Devlin which balanced on the edge of something more throughout the book, complicated by Devlin's gambling addiction and Nora's mother encouraging a courtship with Mr. Browning. Nora exhibits a good deal of compassion for her friend even after learning of his scandal, and also for her sister when she develops a mysterious illness. I appreciate when the heroine of the story is unselfish and caring, I find it inspiring for me in my own life. Devlin's perspective was fascinating since he doesn't fit the usual gambling rake persona. He's troubled by his relationship with his father and there are deeper issues that he's battling at the table. It created a level of anticipation as I read, wondering if Nora could motivate him to change what he needs to in order to find peace in his life. This is the second book by the author and ties into her first, but can be read as a stand alone.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions expressed in this review are my own)

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Review: A Night in Grosvenor Square (Timeless Regency Collection) by Sarah M. Eden, Annette Lyon, Heather B. Moore

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

A MATCH FOR PRINCESS POMPOUS by Sarah M. Eden
Matchmaker Adelaide Northrop may be embarking on her greatest challenge yet. Miss Odette Armistead has been dubbed “Princess Pompous” by Society’s elite, and Odette’s parents are desperate to see her married off to a respectable gentleman. When Adelaide first meets Odette, she is expecting a young lady who fits the pompous description. Instead, Adelaide discovers that Odette is far from conceited, but has chosen to wear a mask in a desperate attempt to hide her love for a gentleman who has been chosen for someone else. It seems that Adelaide has far more than matchmaking to accomplish.

CONFECTIONS AND PRETENSE by Annette Lyon
Anne Preston dreams of opening her own dessert shop some day and saves every spare penny she earns working at Gunter’s Tea Shop. She makes ice cream molds to perfection, bakes and decorates cakes, and hopes to one day be an independent shop owner. When an American man orders an ice, Anne is immediately taken with Davis Whitledge, but he is far above her station in life, so she tries to forget about his cordiality. Soon, she finds herself in a dangerous situation when confronted by two troublemakers, and Davis happens to be nearby. He sends the scoundrels on their way, but this only makes Anne more of a target. He doesn’t understand London ways, and his generosity has the potential to steal Anne’s dreams, or to make them soar.

LITTLE LONDON by Heather B. Moore
Ellen Humphreys has never had a Season, has never danced the waltz, and will likely never do so while confined to watching over her ill mother at their country estate. Therefore, Ellen creates her own Little London, and imagines all the gentleman she’d dance with and all of the friendships she’d have with other young ladies, if only she were allowed to have a Season. When Quinn Edwards, the Marquess of Kenworth, comes upon her quite by happenstance while Ellen is imagining herself in a London ballroom, she is mortified about her playacting. But a chain of events is set off from this one meeting that has Ellen questioning if her reputation would ever survive a Season or another encounter with the marquess.

My Review

The Timeless Romance collections are my favorite way to escape! I just read the stories one right after the other. It's like having a box of See's Candy chocolates all to yourself... I enjoyed each of the stories- the characters that come to life so quickly, the amazing Regency setting, the satisfying plots that can be devoured quickly. Once again, each story is unique even though they share the theme of Grosvenor Square, and it was fun to see how they each tied it in. I loved the knowing matchmaker in Sarah Eden's story and hope to see her in some future novellas! In Annette Lyon's story we learn more about the famous Gunter's Tea shop and the history was fascinating. I liked that there was an American that flouted the strictures of the ton when he befriended Anne. The last story by Heather B. Moore was my favorite since I felt like it had the most romance ;) Ellen's imagination was endearing and the way she and Quinn met was so lovely. It was fun seeing how they reconnected amid her embarrassment and his attraction and the way Quinn's brother helped their relationship progress.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Books in the Timeless Regency Collections:
AUTUMN MASQUERADE
A MIDWINTER BALL
SPRING IN HYDE PARK
SUMMER HOUSE PARTY
A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
A SEASON IN LONDON
FALLING FOR A DUKE
A NIGHT IN GROSVENOR SQUARE
ROAD TO GRETNA GREEN

Books in the Timeless Victorian Collections:
SUMMER HOLIDAY
A GRAND TOUR
THE ORIENT EXPRESS

Review: Hearts Entwined: A Historical Romance Novella Collection by Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, Melissa Jagears

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

The path to love is filled with twists and turns in these stories of entangled romance with a touch of humor from four top historical romance novelists! Includes Karen Witemeyer's The Love Knot, Mary Connealy's The Tangled Ties That Bind, Regina Jennings's Bound and Determined, and Melissa Jagears's Tied and True.

My Review

I always look forward to the next novella collection from these four authors! Hearts Entwined is especially fun because the main characters in each story are connected in some way to a full-length novel. I love seeing secondary characters get a happy ending, like in Karen Witemeyer's story, the last of her Ladies of Harper's Station series. Claire is reconnected with a sweetheart from her past that she doesn't quite know how to handle and another surprise bundle of joy.

In Mary Connealy's story, it is two of the children from her Kincaid and Stone families that are reunited as adults and quickly fall back in love. Connor follows Maggie to the city as she follows her dreams of becoming a doctor. I loved seeing them work together in the doctor's office and the crazy action they encountered there. I am definitely grateful for the advances that have been made in medicine!

Regina Jennings's story was full of humor and action as camels are transported from Kansas to Texas in the midst of brutal heat and an even more brutal outlaw gang. The sweet romance that developed between cavalry soldier Bradley and officer's daughter Ambrosia was full of sparks and it was fun to read their interactions.

The story by Melissa Jagears had an entitled socialite in love with a mere secretary and going to work in a factory to prove that she could live the life he could provide. I admired her determination in new and difficult circumstances, and the compassion she had for those in poverty she connected with. He fought so much against the relationship that she came across as desperate and I missed the romance until the end.

Overall I enjoyed each of the stories with the fascinating history and sweet romance, although it wasn't as toe-curling as some of the previous collections.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review: Perfectly Summer by Robin Daniels

Book Three in the Perfect series

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Summer vacation is Levi London’s favorite time of the year. Each summer, he and his brothers are shipped off to Florida to stay with their grandparents. For ten weeks everything is perfect. He has freedom, fun, and Summer West—the cute and spunky girl across the street—for whom he’s planned to confess his giant crush.

Right before the London boys are scheduled to leave, a scandalous family situation causes their mom to accompany them on vacation. Not only does Levi’s fun quotient promise to take a nose dive, but all the drama has him feeling less than his normal happy self.

Summer decides that Levi needs a distraction, in the form of a prank war. But he gets more than he bargains for when his older brother Lucas is both better at pranking and determined to date Summer too. Levi is a peacekeeper, but he isn’t sure he can mediate his family’s struggles or strike the right balance between mischief and romance. Especially when Lucas keeps reminding him that all is fair in love and war.

My Review

Such a fun book! Levi is such a good guy, but it still felt like a realistic perspective from a teenage boy. He's sensitive and thoughtful, not just with Summer but with his parents and even his brothers. I don't know how he was so patient with Summer, except for the fact that he understood her. Summer is great and I loved how playful she is. The pranks were hilarious and lightened up the story which otherwise deals with the heavier theme of infidelity. I'm always a sucker for a love story of unrequited love turned to romance, and this young adult book was sassy and fun with depth. Even though it's in a series, each book stands alone and can be read out of order.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Don't miss the previous books in the Perfect series . . .

Book One

Read my 4 star review here

Book Two

Read my 4 star review here

Review: Troubled Waters by Susan May Warren

Book Four in the Montana Rescue series

 

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Billionaire Ian Shaw can have everything he wants--except a happy ending. Or at least that's what it feels like with his fortune recently liquidated, his niece, Esme, still missing, and the woman he loves refusing to speak to him. In fact, he doubts she would date him even if they were stranded on a deserted island.

Despite her love for Ian, Sierra Rose knows he has no room in his life for her as long as the mystery of his missing niece goes unsolved. The only problem is, Sierra has solved it, but a promise to Esme to keep her whereabouts secret has made it impossible to be around Ian.

When the PEAK chopper is damaged and Sierra lacks the funds to repair it, Ian offers a fundraising junket for large donors on his yacht in the Caribbean. But the three-day excursion turns into a nightmare when a rogue wave cripples the yacht and sends the passengers overboard. Shaken up and soaked to the bone, Ian finally has a chance to test his theory when he and Sierra do indeed find themselves washed up on a strange, empty shore.

It will take guts and gumption for the PEAK team to rescue the duo. But it will take a miracle to rescue Ian and Sierra's relationship.

My Review

So. Much. Angst. I loved that Sierra and Ian finally got their happy ending! It was in the prequel novella that their relationship was introduced and they have had ups and downs in the three books since. They have definitely been put through the wringer, and Troubled Waters is no exception. Their feelings are strong yet they haven't communicated with each other in a year or so, and building trust again is awkward and painful. I liked their experiences on the island since their guard and walls were finally down and they relied on each other for strength and support, including faith.

The other relationship this book focused on was Jess and Pete's, another one that has spanned across the last couple books... and still doesn't get completely resolved, although they made some headway in communication. I think this book was bogged down a bit by the relationship drama because these two couples have so much time lapsing between their hot and cold phases. The first three books have a relationship introduced and resolved with a HEA (happily-ever-after) within their pages, so in comparison this one felt different. Also with the main emergency and rescue happening in tropical waters instead of the mountains gave it a different vibe. That's not necessarily a bad thing, since switching up the setting brings variety, but I do prefer the mountains and seeing the PEAK team in their element. Overall, a crazy adventure and plenty of romance! I love this series and can't wait for more!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Don't miss the other books in the Montana Rescue series. . .

Book One

Read my 5 star review here

Synopsis

Search and rescue pilot Kacey Fairing is home on leave in Mercy Falls, Montana, twelve years after she joined the military to escape the mistakes of her past. With a job waiting for her as the new lead pilot of Peak Rescue in Glacier National Park, Kacey hopes to reconnect with the now-teenage daughter she sees only between deployments. What she doesn't realize is that someone else is also back in town.
 

Ben King has been building his country music career since the day Kacey shut him out of her life. Now all of that's on hold when his injured father calls him home to help run Peak Rescue until he's fully recovered. It doesn't take long, though, to discover his father's ulterior motives as Kacey Fairing walks into the house and back into his heart.
 

With Mercy Falls in a state of emergency due to flash floods, Kacey and Ben are forced to work together to save lives. But when floodwaters turn personal, can they put aside the past to save their future?

Book Two

Read my 5 star review here

Synopsis

When Deputy Sam Brooks commits to something, nothing can sway him--not just on the job as liaison between the Mercy Falls sheriff's department and PEAK Rescue, but in his private life. He's the one who stuck around to take care of his mother after his father's accidental death. And he's the one--perhaps the only one--who believes Sierra Rose is the perfect girl for him. Safe, practical, and organized, she's nothing like her hippie, impulsive, bleeding heart sister, Willow.

Willow, however, has been in love with Sam Brooks for as long as she can remember. But she wants her sister to have a happy ending. Besides, Willow has other things to focus on--namely, nabbing the job as youth pastor for her small-town church. Best thing for her to do is to purge Sam from her heart.

Neither can predict the events that will bring them together in a fight for their lives in the forbidding wilderness of Glacier National Park. Stranded, injured, and with the winter weather closing in, Sam and Willow will have to work together to save a crew of terrified teenagers. As they fight to survive, they might just discover a new hope for love.

Book Three

Read my 5 star review here

Synopsis

Champion backcountry snowboarder Gage Watson has left the limelight behind after the death of one of his fans. After being sued for negligence and stripped of his sponsorships, he's remade his life as a ski patrol in Montana's rugged mountains, as well as serving on the PEAK Rescue team. But he can't seem to find his footing--or forget the woman he loved, who betrayed him.

Senator and former attorney Ella Blair spends much of her time in the limelight as the second-youngest senator in the country. But she has a secret--one that cost Gage his career. More than anything, she wants to atone for her betrayal of him in the courtroom and find a way to help him put his career back on track.

When Ella's brother goes missing on one of Glacier National Park's most dangerous peaks, Gage and his team are called in for the rescue. But Gage isn't so sure he wants to help the woman who destroyed his life. More, when she insists on joining the search, he'll have to keep her safe while finding her reckless brother, a recipe for disaster when a snowstorm hits the mountain.

But old sparks relight as they search for the missing snowboarder--and suddenly, they are faced with emotions neither can deny. But when Ella's secret is revealed, can they learn to trust each other--even when disaster happens again?

Book Five

Coming May 2018!

Synopsis

A tornado has destroyed a small Minnesota community and among the missing are not only a group of students but PEAK Rescue team leader Chet King. Ty Remington will stop at nothing to rescue his mentor, not even when the girl he loved--and lost--walks back into his life. But Brette needs his help more than he knows, despite her stubborn determination to push him away. And when he gets a second chance, loving her just might cost him more than he can imagine.

A blogger for Vortex Storm Chasers, Brette Arnold didn't expect her adventures to land her in the same place as Ty, the guy who she walked--no, ran--from over a year ago. She had her reasons--good ones. The kind that tell her that falling for him again would only lead to heartache. But Ty isn't the kind of man to give up--not on the missing students, or on her.

Life and love hang in the balance in Susan May Warren's breathless story of holding on to hope during a deadly summer of storms.