Review: A Season of Love by Carla Kelly

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

At Christmastime, love is just a wish away! Join master romance writer Carla Kelly in this joyful celebration of the most wonderful time of the year. Set in regency England, these Christmas tales will take you from dangerous adventures on snowy roads to cozy little cottages, filled with holiday mischief. Five fun stories in one book!

My Review

The writing of Carla Kelly is so refreshing, I always look forward to reading a story by her. And this one has five stories! The characters are ones that are easy to like, and I quickly connected with them and their feelings through the various struggles or trials they are enduring. I appreciate that they are strong people with admirable traits, and most of the conflict comes from exterior sources. Overall the stories are sweet, but they still contain the author's trademark grittiness and realistic world view including the lower classes of British society. I also love the wry humor that subtly brings a lighter note to the narrative without diminishing the emotions and deeper themes. This is a holiday collection that is at the top of my recommendation list this year! Fans of Regency and historical romance won't want to miss it!!!

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

Review: Courting Carrie in Wonderland by Carla Kelly

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Struggling through college and balancing her summer job in Yellowstone Park with the Wylie Camping Company, Carrie McKay simply doesn't have time to consider romance. Spanish American War Veteran Sergeant Major Ramsay Stiles also isn't looking for love, busy with his own complicated affairs. But as the magic of Yellowstone starts making its way into their hearts, both begin to see love move up their priority list

My Review

My husband and I love to visit National Parks, so I was especially intrigued that this story was set in Yellowstone's early days as a National Park. The policies regarding animals, the road construction and bridge building, and the presence of the army made it a much different place than it is today. Still other aspects were recognizable- the loveliness of the wilderness, the geysers, the pervading sulfur smell, and the joy of camping. The story moved a bit slowly for me, but the blossoming relationship between Carrie and Ramsay moved things along and since I've always enjoyed the author's historical perspective and unique voice, I decided to sit back and just enjoy the trip ;) Carrie and Ramsay both have experienced trauma and the peace and light they bring each other make their relationship a special one. I liked the circumstances that allowed them to spend more time together, escorting a retired Broadway star who is superior and demanding, yet hides a sensitive past. The way Carrie and Ramsay deal with her show their deeper characteristics- dignity, compassion, and humor. The sweet banter and understanding between the two make their romance just lovely.

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

About the Author

Carla Kelly is a veteran of the New York and international publishing world. The author of more than thirty novels and novellas for Donald I. Fine Co., Signet, and Harlequin, Carla is the recipient of two Rita Awards (think Oscars for romance writing) from Romance Writers of America and two Spur Awards (think Oscars for western fiction) from Western Writers of America. She is also a recipient of a Whitney Award for “Borrowed Light,” “My Loving Vigil Keeping,” and “Softly Falling.”

Follow the blog tour!

March 14: Emmy Mom
March 16: LDS and Loving It
March 17: Kindle and Me || My Book a Day
March 18: Blooming With Books
March 20: Wishful Endings
March 21: Books and Benches
March 22: Robyn Echols
March 23: Heidi Reads
March 24: Mel’s Shelves
March 25: Deal Sharing Aunt
March 26: Jorie Loves a Story
March 27: Bookworm Lisa || Julie Coulter Bellon
March 28: Getting Your Read On
March 29: Singing Librarian Books || Rockin’ Book Reviews
March 30: Katie’s Clean Book Collection || Sweetly Made
March 31: Bookworm2Bookworm

Favorites of 2016: Historical

I've been inspired by several blogs I follow to make a "Best of 2016" post. But I quickly ran into a problem. Of the 197 books I read last year, 74 of them were ones I rated 5 stars! How do you narrow that down?! I bit the bullet and got it down to 37, but that still seemed like too many for one blog post. So I've divided my favorites up by genre and I'll be sharing them in four separate posts: historical, contemporary, novellas, and series. 

Here are the amazing historical novels I read in 2016 in no particular order. I highly recommend all of them and they are all ones I plan to re-read again in the future!

A Captain for Laura Rose by Stephanie Grace Whitson

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

Love Unexpected by Jody Hedlund

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

 Doing No Harm by Carla Kelly

Amazon - Goodreads

Dawn at Emberwilde by Sarah E. Ladd

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

The Express Rider's Lady by Stacy Henrie

 Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

 No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

 The Moses Chronicles: Deliverance by H. B. Moore

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

 Willowkeep by Julie Daines

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

 So Rare a Gift by Amber Lynn Perry

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

 A Place for Miss Snow by Jennifer Moore

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

The Governess by Kristen McKendry

Amazon - Goodreads - My Review

What were your favorite historical novels that you read in 2016?

Review: Timeless Regency Collection: A Country Christmas by Josi S. Kilpack, Carla Kelly, Jennifer Moore

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

SAINTS AND SINNERS by Josi S. Kilpack. When Neville Franklin’s best friend Burke wants to wager who can kiss Eloise first, Neville puts a stop to it. Eloise has been his friend since childhood, and, well, she’s off-limits. Especially to Burke. As Burke pursues Eloise and claims that she has a tendre for him, Neville becomes more and more protective of the girl he grew up with. On the night of the Christmas ball when Eloise appears in a dress that clearly shows that she is no longer a girl, but a beautiful woman, Neville realizes that his protective feelings toward Eloise have turned into something greater. But now, Neville’s best friend stands in his way.

THE CHRISTMAS ANGLE by Carla Kelly. Sailing Master Able Six is on half-pay with the British navy, biding his time during the uneasy Peace of Amiens and the resumption of war. Meanwhile, he’s invited to teach young pupils at the home of a vicar outside of Plymouth. There, he unexpectedly meets Meridee, the spinster sister-in-law of the vicar. From the moment Able sees Meridee, he’s entranced. When she asks him about his past and discovers his remarkable yet troublesome gift, he realizes he’s finally found someone who can care for all of him. Sadly, Able’s low station and half-pay gives him no way to provide for a wife. Meridee’s lack of dowry and dependence on relatives makes their union impossible at best. But isn’t Christmas a season of hope?

THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS by Jennifer Moore. Archie Clawson wants nothing more than to give Jane the perfect Christmas. Since her troubled childhood, she’s not experienced a Christmas with all the trimmings. To top off the perfection, he also plans to ask her to marry him on Christmas Eve. But as he and his friends, including Jane, travel to his country home, they are caught in a snowstorm and discover that notice of their arrival did not get through to the house staff. Worried over the disappointment he must be causing Jane and the complete shift in their planned Christmas, Archie fears that he’s misinterpreted her kindness towards him and lost her favor forever.

My Review

Three of my favorite authors really hit a home run with this collection of sweet Christmas romances! I read each one at the end of a long and tiring day, and was completely transported and uplifted. In the first story I loved Eloise and her conflict between attracting Neville without attracting others necessarily. He's a bit of an idiot, but a likeable one, especially when he admits the reason for his jealousy and fumbles his opportunities for "helping" Eloise :) The second story was classic Carla Kelly, I just love her writing style and tone- it's so unique in the Regency genre. I enjoyed the sweetness that quickly develops between Able and Meridee, and was fascinated by his background and journey. The last story was one I found interesting as well because of the aspect of mental illness and how it was handled during that period in history. Jane had some deeply troubling times in her past which are only vaguely referred to, and the author chose to focus more on her current situation of now having the support of caring family. The dynamic between her and Archie is tender and they both learn more about each other and making the best of things when the perfect holiday doesn't go quite as planned. I loved all these stories equally and I will definitely be re-reading this collection in the future. Highly recommend!

(I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review: For This We Are Soldiers: Tales of the Frontier Army by Carla Kelly

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

From master storyteller Carla Kelly comes this collection of frontier tales that take you behind typical army lines and into the hearts of ordinary men and women who perform extraordinary acts of bravery. From handsome hospital stewards and dashing soldiers to courageous children and wives who will pull at your heartstrings, there’s something for everyone’s fancy.

My Review

I'm a huge fan of Carla Kelly's writing style. She has a way of including the gritty and sometimes grim facts of life from the historical eras her stories are set in that only adds to the intensity and realism of the plot and romance while allowing the subtle humor of her characters to bring a lighter and hopeful tone. I love that her characters are regular, everyday working people. She is a great researcher and I can trust that her stories are historically accurate. This collection of stories is a nod to the women who sacrificed a great deal during their lives serving with the army in the wilderness of the western frontier. Some are short stories that provide a vignette, while others are longer novellas with a fuller story arc. My favorite was "Take a Memo" with the shy Corporal Ted Sheppard and his opportunity to get closer to sweet Millie while  following orders to get to the bottom of who is responsible for wandering cows and missing milk. This is a collection not to miss for fans of western historical fiction and sweet romance.

(Thank you to Cedar Fort Publishing for a copy of the book; this is my honest review)

About the Author

Carla Kelly is a veteran of the New York and international publishing world. The author of more than thirty novels and novellas for Donald I. Fine Co., Signet, and Harlequin, Carla is the recipient of two Rita Awards (think Oscars for romance writing) from Romance Writers of America and two Spur Awards (think Oscars for western fiction) from Western Writers of America. She is also a recipient of a Whitney Award for “Borrowed Light,” “My Loving Vigil Keeping,” and “Softly Falling.”

 Follow the blog tour:

October 11: Writing Worm
October 12: Heidi Reads...
October 13: Live to Read
October 14: Singing Librarian Books | Literary Time Out
October 15: I Am a Reader
October 16: I Love to Read and Review Books
October 17: Bookworm Nation
October 18: Emmy Mom
October 19: Robyn Echols Books
October 20: Getting Your Read On | Wishful Endings
October 21: LDS and Lovin’ It
October 22: Bookworm Lisa
October 23: Books and Benches
October 24: Blooming with Books | Julie Coulter Bellon
October 25: Bookworm2Bookworm
October 26: Katie’s Clean Book Collection
October 27: My Book a Day | Rockin’ Book Reviews
October 28: Fire and Ice

Review: A Timeless Romance Anthology: All Regency Collection by Anna Elliott, Sarah M. Eden, Carla Kelly, Josi S. Kilpack, Annette Lyon, Heather B. Moore

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

3 stars
In THE WEDDING GIFT: A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE STORY, an enchanting novella by Anna Elliott, the story opens two weeks before Elizabeth Bennet’s wedding to Mr. Darcy. He has given her the perfect wedding gift, and now she must come up with one for him. But what do you give a man who has everything? Elizabeth soon discovers that the gift of love is more important than any one thing.

5 stars
DREAM OF A GLORIOUS SEASON, a sweet novella by Sarah M. Eden, we meet Elizabeth Gillerford who envies her sister only one thing—that she’s been intended for Julian Broadwood since they were children. The trouble is that Elizabeth is hopelessly in love with Julian too. When Julian discovers that Elizabeth has been denied a Season because her older sister is yet unwed, he undertakes his own stealthy measures to introduce her to society, only to find himself falling in love with her himself.

5 stars
In THE MENDER, a captivating story by Carla Kelly, Thankful Winnings takes a sea voyage with her cousin on the Ann Alexander, in a last adventure before she settles down to marry one of her beaus. Unexpectedly they come upon the aftermath of a fierce ship battle, and Thankful is commissioned to help in the place of an injured surgeon on one of the Royal Navy ships. Adam Farnsworth, surgeon, has been at sea for years. Tired of war, but devoted to his post, it takes a resourceful lady such as Thankful to give him the hope of love and help heal his own wounds, the ones that show and the ones that don’t.

3 stars
In BEGIN AGAIN, a charming novella by Josi S. Kilpack, Regina Weathers gives up on marrying for love the day that Ross Martin walks out of her life. Now, fifteen years later, Ross shows up at a ball and thinks he can woo Regina. But she is set on her lonely path and stitched-up heart, no matter the excuse Ross gives for his years of silence and neglect. When Ross insists he wrote many letters during his military years, Regina discovers a secret long-since buried by her father, and the revelation might be enough to thaw the coldness of her heart.

4 stars
In Annette Lyon’s endearing story, THE AFFAIR AT WILDEMOORE, Mrs. Ellen Stanhope escorts her three daughters to a ball. As her oldest flirts with a beau, Ellen is reminded of her courtship and early years of marriage with Anthony, before tragedy struck with the death of their infant son. The marriage has faded and dulled. Not until she sees Anthony dancing with a woman he courted years before does Ellen realize how much she misses him, still loves him, and yearns for him to yet feel the same way for her.

5 stars
In the delightful novella, THE DUKE’S BROTHER, by Heather B. Moore, Mr. Gregory Clark is having an awful day, and it only gets worse when he’s run over by … a woman. Mabel Russell reluctantly visits her sister in London for the Season, even though she’d rather stay in the country cataloging insects and aphids. When she runs into Gregory Clark, quite literally, she’s afraid to show any interest, especially since he’s a member of the dreaded ton. But getting to know Gregory becomes an unexpected delight.

My Review

I just love reading novellas! They are the perfect quick fix for the end of a long day. I definitely enjoyed this collection; all are good stories and I loved several of them. It's always a pleasure to read from the Regency era, and even though that was a theme of all these stories, each one was different very different. I found The Mender by Carla Kelly to be especially unique with it's focus on the aftermath of a battle at sea and tending to the injured. My other favorites are The Duke's Brother by Heather B. Moore and Dream of a Glorious Season by Sarah Eden.

(Thank you to Ebooks For Review for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review: Summer Campaign by Carla Kelly

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Miss Onyx Hamilton is about to make what everyone agrees is a perfect marriage—until handsome Major Jack Beresford comes galloping into her life. But with his fortune and connections, Onyx knows he’d never ask for her hand, would he? New and longtime fans alike will relish this delightful romance from Carla Kelly. Charming, sweet, and full of fun, it’s simply impossible to stop reading.

My Review

The synopsis of this book makes it sound more light and fluffy than I found it to be. Onyx is an illegitimate child, being bullied by her foster mother into a loveless marriage with an obnoxious reverend- who could give Mr. Collins from Pride and Prejudice a run for his money. I rather pitied Onyx as she woodenly gives in and goes along with plans that others make for her life. My interest in the book was dwindling until Onyx experiences independence from her family as she travels to her future home and begins to realize the value of the person she really is. She meets Jack through a harrowing experience that tests her mettle and establishes her as the strong and spunky female lead I always enjoy reading about. Jack is a wounded soul, just trying to get home and recover from the nightmares of war, but Onyx brings joy and laughter into his heart again- I found his wicked sense of humor a fun element to their relationship. For a regency romance, this book is a little more gritty than the norm, which I appreciated as the author explores themes of death, sickness, grief, war, societal bounds, and family loyalty. Highly recommend to fans of Jane Austen, Julie Klassen and Julianne Donaldson.

(Thank you to Cedar Fort Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)