My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing
Synopsis
The New Countess, by Josi S. Kilpack
Diane knows why the earl asked her to marry him; he needed a mother for his daughter, an heir for his title, and a hostess to assist with his position in Parliament. With two sons of her own, and no security to speak of, she never thought twice about accepting his proposal. Summering at his holiday cottage at the sea was meant to be reward for a busy first year as the new countess, and a time for her to rest before their baby is born. She is expecting lazy days on the beach with the children, simple meals, and keeping her own schedule. When the earl surprises her with a visit, she does her best not to resent the intrusion. When she learns that he came for the sole purpose of being with her and getting to know her better, she realizes that perhaps this marriage can be more than she expected. Is she ready for him to know her and love her and explore this new possibility together? She wants to be, but it is not an easy thing to let go of expectations and open up to an entirely new way of life.
Mishaps and Memories, by Martha Keyes
Judith Jardine’s one chance at a brilliant match is doomed from the start when she is ignored and then mocked by the ton’s most sought-after gentleman. Under a gloomy cloud of failure, Judith is exiled to a seaside cottage to spend the summer helping her sister—and living a life far below the one she experienced for her week in Brighton. When she discovers the man responsible for her misfortune unconscious on the beach, she heeds her better impulses and has him brought to the cottage to be seen to. But James Carlisle has no recollection of who he is, what happened to him, or how he has wronged her, and Judith sees the opportunity to teach him a valuable lesson—unless the deception and her feelings get the best of her first.
Moonlight Summer, by Heather B. Moore
Oscar Rosewell’s life is not lacking in many things even though he lives on the fringes of society due to his father’s ruined reputation. He’s sworn off having any personal relationships with ton members—his only interest lies in keeping his business thriving. He’s content with his day-to-day anonymity, and business keeps his heart from getting exposed. It’s safer that way. Until Oscar meets Miss Dorothea Atkinson. A woman capturing his interest is a rare thing, but Miss Atkinson is nearly engaged to a man of her parents’ choosing. Would it be wrong to wish for something to go terribly wrong between the couple? Soon, Oscar learns that wishing can become a reality, but often, the price is an even heavier thing to pay.
My Review
This collection of stories is absolutely delightful! It was a breath of fresh air after attempting to read a different Regency with an overabundance of aggravating drama. These stories seem light, but they have such well-developed characters, especially for shorter stories, that draw me into their world immediately and I feel connected to their struggles and happiness. The seaside setting is lovely, and one I've always enjoyed. There is something grounding about the ocean and the breaking of waves on the shore, and I felt that influence as I read the first story. Diane revels in the precious time she spends there with her children, a respite from the busy responsibilities as a new countess. I could understand her feelings of frustration to have that time disrupted, and it was interesting to see the social norms and habits that might have driven them apart. I loved seeing them each sacrifice and compromise as they worked to grow closer to each other.
The second story is a fun one, with some amnesia and revenge that humbles more than who it was intended for. I was glued to the pages to see how it would all turn out in the end, which was happily satisfying. The third story was one with more emotion for me, and I thought the paths that each character took were beautiful. Oscar's withdrawal from high society gave him time to develop a strong business, but his interactions with Dottie make him realize his loneliness. Dottie seems to be misplaced in her newly formed family, and pressure from her mother and stepfather make her feel unwanted. Their unexpected meetings form a natural friendship with simmering chemistry, and even though the past tries to separate them in the beginning, the secrets that are eventually revealed make it possible for healing to take place. This is a collection that I will be reading again! Highly recommend!
Disclosure
statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from
a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley,
OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from
Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not
required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
About the AuthorsJosi S. Kilpack is the bestselling author of several Proper Romance, Timeless Romance series, and a Cozy Culinary Mystery series. Her books, A Heart Revealed and Lord Fenton's Folly; were Publishers Weekly Best Romance Books of the Year. She and her husband, Lee, are the parents of four children
Martha Keyes is a Whitney Award winning author born, raised, and educated in Utah—a home she loves dearly but also dearly loves to escape whenever she can by traveling the world. She received a BA in French Studies and a Master of Public Health, both from Brigham Young University.
Word crafting has always fascinated her, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that she considered writing her own stories. When she isn’t writing, she is honing her photography skills, looking for travel deals, and spending time with her family. She lives with her husband and twin boys in Vineyard, Utah.
Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestseller and award-winning author of more than seventy publications. She's lived on both the east and west coasts of the United States, including Hawaii, and attended school abroad including the Cairo American College in Egypt, and the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel. She loves to learn about anything in history and, as an author, is passionate about historical research.
Giveaway Mirror Press is pleased to offer one digital copy of any of the 16 previous books in the
Timeless Regency Romance Collection to one unique winner at each stop on the tour.
To qualify, please leave a comment with this blog post before 11:59pm, September 26, 2021. Visit each stop on the tour and leave a comment to increase your chance to win a book.
This contest is open internationally. The winner will be drawn randomly from the comments and announced on each blog on September 27, 2021. The winner must claim their prize before October 04, 2021. Good luck to all!
