Review, Sale & Giveaway: Kit and Elizabeth by Karen Tuft

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Lady Elizabeth Spaulding’s world has fallen apart. Despite living her entire life to please her demanding parents, the Duke and Duchess of Marwood, she has little to show for it. After Elizabeth’s second failed betrothal, her father’s debts and appalling acts of retaliation force him to flee the country, consigning Elizabeth and her bitter mother to a life of poverty and exile. But Elizabeth’s fortunes change one day when an elderly acquaintance makes her an offer she can’t refuse.

Lady Walmsley, widowed and childless, is in need of a lady’s companion—and who better than the lovely Lady Elizabeth? Determined to rescue Elizabeth from her dreary life in the country, Lady Walmsley secures the help of Kit, the dashing Earl of Cantwell, in her quest. But the young woman they find is a ghost of the charming girl they once knew. Taken in by Lady Walmsley, and with Kit’s enthusiastic encouragement, Elizabeth finds herself pushed further and further from her empty solitude as she discovers the joy of truly living. Now, for the first time in her life, she must decide for herself who she is and if she deserves to be loved.

My Review

I loved the full arc of character growth in this book! We see Elizabeth in many forms- subservient yet courageous, reclusive and depressed, fragile but sassy. It was important that the author show us her behavior and struggles living under the thumb of her parents, because I loved it so much more to see her come out of her shell and with Kit's encouragement, discover and explore her true self. The list she makes of what she likes is a great touch that brought her humanity to life and shows how gratitude brings happiness and peace. Her relationship with Kit starts as an acquaintance with mutual friends, moves to a rescuer/rescuee dynamic, evolves to friendship, then naturally to romance. Kit is wonderful with Elizabeth, and while he has his own small flaws, plays a pivotal role in her newfound empowerment. Lady Walmsley, Elizabeth's benefactor, is a favorite character and I hope to be a fun and meddling person like her when I'm older! This book is a lovely and sweet romance with deeper themes that is perfect for Regency fans!

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

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Don't miss the author's previous book that shares characters from Kit and Elizabeth, The Earl's Betrothal, which is on sale for $2.99 for the e-book!

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Book Tour & Review: The Piper's Pursuit by Melanie Dickerson #PipPurPrism

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

The Piper's Pursuit
(Hagenheim #10)
By Melanie Dickerson
YA Fairy Tale Retelling, Christian, Historical
Hardcover, Audiobook & ebook, 320 Pages
December 3rd 2019 by Thomas Nelson

A fairy-tale journey of intrigue and romance that reimagines the classic Pied Piper story.

A plague of rats. A giant beast outside the village walls. A host of missing children. And one young woman determined to save her people.

In 1424 Hamlin, Katerina faces threats from all sides. An outbreak of rats has overtaken the village, a mysterious beast is on a killing rampage of the village’s children, and Katerina’s evil stepfather is a dark presence inside the walls of her own home. Katerina is determined to hunt and kill the Beast of Hamlin herself before more lives are lost.

When Steffan, the handsome but brash duke’s son, comes to town seeking glory and reward, Katerina decides he might be the ally she’s been looking for—even though the only gentle thing about him seems to be the sweet music he plays on his pipe. But there’s more to Steffan than she suspects, and she finds herself drawn to him despite her misgivings.

Together Katerina and Steffan must stop the enemy from stealing the children of Hamlin. But their interference might create an even worse fate for the entire village.

Praise for The Piper’s Pursuit

“The Piper’s Pursuit is a lovely tale of adventure, romance, and redemption. Kat and Steffan’s righteous quest will have you rooting them on until the very satisfying end!” —LORIE LANGDON, author of Olivia Twist and the DOON series

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My Review

I really enjoyed seeing Steffan's path to redemption and getting to know Katerina- these characters really came to life as they worked together to solve the mystery of the beast and the disappearing townspeople and children. Katerina is complex, with major trust issues and a defensive exterior, while inside she is full of compassion for those being abused and willing to fight for them. We see Steffan's rebellious nature in The Warrior Maiden, but in this book we begin to understand where his head was and why he made the choices he did. I liked him much better as he seeks to become a better man and realizes the folly of his past. There is plenty of suspense and action, and the romantic tension slowly grows as Steffan proves himself worthy of Katerina's trust. I wish I could have envisioned the setting better, and would have loved more description of the town especially. Overall, an exciting and satisfying escape into this creative retelling of The Pied Piper.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Other Books in the Series

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About the Author

Melanie Dickerson is the New York Times bestselling author who combines her love for history, adventure, and romance. Her books have won a Christy Award, two Maggie Awards, The National Reader’s Choice Award, the Christian Retailing’s Best Award, the Book Buyer’s Best Award, the Golden Quill, and the Carol Award. She earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from The University of Alabama and has taught children and adults in the U.S., Germany, and Ukraine. Now she spends her time writing stories of love and adventure near Huntsville, Alabama.

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Tour Schedule

Review: A Holiday Affair by Michele Paige Holmes

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Welcome to Holiday, Alabama—population 765. In Holiday everyone knows their neighbors—and their business—a Mr. Roger’s look alike leads the local congregation Sunday mornings, and Annabelle, Breanna, and Carson have been best friends for over two decades.

On the eve of Anna and Carson’s wedding, Bree shares a secret and she and Carson embark on a journey that will break hearts and rock the town, where the biggest news is usually the size of the trout pulled from the harbor.

But the force of the river running through Holiday is nothing compared to that of its citizens, whether they’re holding a grudge, or standing behind someone. With both hearts and lives on the line, Breanna and Carson’s love story becomes a true Holiday affair.

My Review

What difficult and heartbreaking circumstances! The author didn't hold any punches in this drama-filled angsty romance that unites two people meant for each other through making the hard choices that put them on a path to redemption. I don't want to spoil any of the plot twists since the synopsis doesn't give much away, but this was an unexpected ride with strong themes of repentance, forgiveness, and the love of a community. The characters are vivid and emotional, and I really felt for them as they push through their trials and not only make the best of things, but seek to thrive and sincerely love. I'm curious to see what path the next book takes in resolving the broken relationship of these childhood friends.

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

Review: A Pursuit of Home by Kristi Ann Hunter

Book Three in the Haven Manor series

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

In early 1800s England, Jess Beauchene has spent most of her life in hiding and always on the move in an effort to leave her past far behind her. But when she learns the family she thought had died just might be alive and in danger, she knows her secrets can only stay buried for so long.

Derek Thornbury loves the past, which has led him to become an expert in history and artifacts. He knows Jess has never liked him, but when she requests his help deciphering the clues laid out in an old family diary, he can't resist the urge to solve the puzzle.

As Jess and Derek race to find the hidden artifact before her family's enemies, they learn as much about each other as they do about the past. But can their search to uncover the truth and set history right lead to a future together?

My Review

I have greatly enjoyed this series, but for some reason this last book fell a little flat for me. Jess is such an intriguing character with her mysterious past, and I was excited to learn about her origins and everything she has gone through to bring her to where and who she is. I liked the contrast in personalities between her and Derek, and the way they come to appreciate each other's unique talents and abilities. The vagueness of the mystery they are solving made it hard for me to reason out their choices and visualize their methods. I understood the purpose and end goal, but there was much that was unclear and I felt rather lost along their journey.

(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 Haven Manor series . . .

Review: Embracing Her Ever After by Brenna Jacobs

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

What is Tessa supposed to do when an old flame and a surprise new baby turn up on the same day?

Brilliant engineer Tessa Fuller has the opportunity of a lifetime at work, and all she needs to change the world is a little help from her old college friend, Ethan Bedford.

Ethan can give her five weeks before he’s off to chase his own dreams, and when they meet again for the first time in six years, Tessa realizes the gawky guy she graduated with has grown into a super hot tech genius.

Just as she’s on the verge of a fun, short-term fling to discover once and for all what-might-have-been, her wayward sister drops a baby on her doorstep and disappears, leaving Tessa to take care of the kid.

One huge problem: Tessa doesn’t know a thing about babies. And she doesn’t have time to learn while the clock is running out on her dream project at work.
 
But Tessa’s team is determined to show her that she’s not alone, and while they might be clueless about babies, they know a thing or two about engineering. As their baby “hacks” and inventions get progressively wilder, Tessa is less and less sure she really can have it all. And the first thing she has to give up is Ethan.

Except Ethan isn’t a quitter. And he’s not about to give up on Tessa, not when the flame that flickered between them in college gets fanned back to life.

Can a team of hilarious engineers, one sweet baby, and a handsome blast from her past open Tessa’s heart to new love and second chances?

My Review

I loved this story! It has so much more depth than the cover indicates. Although it also has fun and humor as well ;) Tessa and Ethan are so good together! They are both highly intelligent, driven, and confident engineers. It was eye-opening to see a bit of how a branch of that industry operates, the mix of creativity, innovation, pragmatism, and solution-finding. The new spark of attraction in an old friendship brings the anticipation of potential romance, but the short-term nature of Ethan's assignment puts a damper on things. Throw in an unexpected baby, and you would think that would put an end to things, but it only provided an impetus to bring them closer together- for Ethan to encourage and support Tessa, and for her to see a deeper side of him. Their relationship develops naturally with a few bumps along the way, but the tension and anticipation made the chemistry that much stronger. I absolutely loved how each member of Tessa's team had such unique personalities and their own way of showing they care through finding solutions in their own special ways. Ethan's mom was a fun addition to the story and I loved their close relationship. This story was a pleasure to read and it's one I already want to read again!

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

Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: Rules are Made to be Broken by Mylissa Demeyere

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

I’ve loved Will Henderson from the first day I laid eyes on him. But I made a solemn promise that same day. I would never, ever date Will Henderson.
 
For almost a decade, Charlotte Dubois has loved Will Henderson from afar, squelching her heart's silent yearnings. But no way could she date her best friend Kelsey’s brother. Their whole friendship is based on one rule: No friend of Kelsey can ever date Will. Instead, Charlotte has watched him date and break more hearts than should be legal.
 
Will Henderson never got over that stolen kiss he shared with Charlotte years ago—though he's tried valiantly to rid his system of his sister's best friend.
 
When circumstances bring the two into each other’s arms again, Will wants to convince Charlotte to break the rules and take a chance on him. But to do so, they will have to hide their relationship from the ones they love most. Can true love triumph, or will they both end up losing?

My Review

I had mixed feelings about this one! The story was compelling- I love a good long-time unknown love trope, but there were some aspects that bothered me and prevented me from connecting to the characters. First, the good stuff. Charlotte and Will are both likeable yet flawed, making them realistic rather than perfect. They have great chemistry, and I enjoyed their banter for the most part. I loved the secondary characters of Charlotte's grandmother Mamie and Will's parent Kate and Robert. I thought they brought a much-needed maturity to the scenes. Now for the things that took me out of the story- there was so much ogling! I don't mind when they appreciate each other's physical beauty, but it was overdone and I missed seeing how they were friends besides their secret attraction. I think their relationship would have felt stronger if that foundation had been more established. I was irritated with Kelsey's selfishness- or perceived selfishness- that made her friendship with Charlotte more important than Will and Charlotte's potential happiness. Really, they didn't give her a chance by keeping it secret. But I think I would have liked her more if her closeness with Charlotte had been shown on a deeper level. It seemed more convenient and shallow, but I sensed it could have been written as more. Overall, this is a story about vulnerable people with fears, secrets, miscommunication, and trust issues. I was interested enough to keep reading to the end to see how the happily-ever-after would come about.

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

Extras

Spotify Playlist for Rules are Made to be Broken

Book Trailer on YouTube

Excerpt

CHARLOTTE

“I let you out of my sight for one minute, and already you almost ruin a perfectly great tray of stuffed mushrooms, Charles?”

I didn’t need to turn around to know who had spoken. If the voice didn’t give him away, there was only one person in the world that would ignore using my given name and call me Charles, just to get a rise out of me. Will had an uncanny talent of sneaking up on me when I least expected it, delivering a line that sounded like melted chocolate with that husky voice of his. Most women swooned in his presence, especially when he worked his magic. I was not one of them. Well, at least not that I let him see. I’d known him too long and had trained myself to not give in to his charm. I’d been weak once before. Never again.

“You know me. I’m useless without you.” I laid on the sarcasm, and to add an extra push, I added, “William.”

It was our thing. Will riled me up by calling me Charles, I retaliated by calling him William. It was a childish habit we’d yet to outgrow.

Will’s face broke out into a wide grin, and I felt a flutter in my belly. No surprise there. He had that effect on me. He’d caught my attention that first day in high school, before I even met Kelsey. Who wouldn’t notice those ice-blue eyes and short, blond curls? It didn’t hurt that he had a broad chest with toned abs. I knew; I’d seen them up close many, many times. Be still my heart!

A female server passed with another tray, momentarily breaking up the intense stare-down between us. I took the opportunity to catch my breath and remind myself that Will was off limits. I would remain strong.

Will’s eyes followed the female staff member’s retreating form. She turned back and caught his eyes on her. I couldn’t blame her for turning back to take another look. The man was a nearly perfect specimen—absolute eye candy. He gave her his classic look, the one that made women want to have his babies, and her cheeks darkened. Instead of watching their exchange, I focused on Will. I’d seen him work his charm for almost a decade. I knew he was a player. So why did I let him get to me like this?

    Without another word, I turned from the familiar scene. I was done having my heart crushed, as much as I hated to admit he still possessed the power to crush it.

About the Author

Mylissa Demeyere was born in Belgium, and resides in the beautiful city of Ghent. She lives in a somewhat organized home with her four beautiful children and the love of her life. If she isn’t working, she’s writing, exercising, reading, or enjoying time with her kids, who are growing up way too fast.

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Enter to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ends 12/21/2019

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway is organized by Mylissa Demeyere. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.