Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts

Friday, November 6, 2020

Review: Loving a Lady by Nichole Van


My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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Synopsis

Ewan Campbell fought to free himself from his past. Quite literally. A former prizefighter, he now earns his living as an artist. But Ewan still fights more figurative opponents—dark memories that threaten to overwhelm him. Worse, when he is hired to assist a famous painter, Ewan finds himself falling for the man’s highborn niece, Lady Kildrum. Such feelings are pointless. Countesses do not fall in love with impoverished Highlanders, no matter what fairy tales say.

Violet Kerr, Lady Kildrum, struggles to make decisions. She is a countess in her own right, for heaven’s sake. Decision-making skills should flow through her blood. After all, her life’s path is clear—marry a nobleman, provide for her sisters, and see to the welfare of her tenants.

Though Violet has made one decision—

She must curb her attraction to Ewan Campbell, her uncle’s new art assistant. The lowly Highlander, no matter how alluring, is not a proper suitor for a countess. She definitely should not fantasize about the man.

Or, if she does, she should not allow such fantasies to lead to very real kissing. Because kissing could bring on the most difficult decision of all—

What happens if Violet chooses to fall in love with the one man she can never have?


My Review

I love how this series has a continuity plot that connects the books beyond the relationship of the group of men. It creates a mystery and sense of suspense while the main characters are also dealing with their immediate circumstances and obstacles. Ewan is full of contrasts which intrigue Violet, and I loved his depth of character that emerges through his art. Violet is in a unique position of power, however unprepared she feels for it. The way they develop a friendship and support each other through their personal struggles is lovely. Their attraction and chemistry is palpable, and brings a powerful tension to the story. This is a great addition to the series and I just can't wait for the next one!!!

 

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.




Don't miss the previous books in the Brotherhood of the Black Tartan series . . .







Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Review: Forget Me Not by Sarah M. Eden


My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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Synopsis

Nottinghamshire, 1785

Julia Cummings has long been acquainted with loss-her mother, her brother, her sister, her friend, all gone too soon. But the loss that pushed her grief to the limit as a young girl was that of her best friend, Lucas Jonquil, who abandoned her without looking back. Now, eight years later, Lucas has returned to Lampton Park, and Julia has steeled herself- she will never forgive the man who broke her heart.

After losing too many of his friends and family to early deaths, Lucas vowed to live life to the fullest. And after traversing the world, he has returned from his adventures to find his family and home as he left them- except for Julia. The little girl he left behind has blossomed into a captivating lady, a lady who makes it clear she despises him. With little hope of reconciliation, the former friends are blindsided when their parents make a shocking announcement. Lucas and Julia have been betrothed without their knowledge and are to marry immediately. Now Lucas must rely on the help of his closest friends to win the heart of a lady who loathes him-a lady he’s coming to love more deeply every day.


My Review

Julia is such an important character as the mother known as Mater in the Jonquil brothers series, and I was thrilled to learn she was getting her own book! It was a little heartbreaking to read of her struggles and vulnerability with Lucas from the beginning, since they have been known to have such a deep love for one another. Lucas is an important brother figure to Julia, but his neglect of her as they grow older has a profound influence on her. She is slow to trust and resents Lucas for his abandonment and silence over the years when she has needed his friendship the most. I did find him rather self-centered, but it is an understandable flaw with all that he has going on in his life. It didn't make him less likeable to me, just made me feel more compassion for Julia and the feeling of being unimportant and overlooked. He has a lot to make up for as they are thrown into the difficult circumstance of an arranged marriage, one which proves to be the best thing that ever happened to him- once his eyes are opened to the possibilities of a life with Julia. A lovely, angsty, Georgian-set romance that begins a new series for the author. I can't wait to see what the next book will be about!!!

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.




Don't miss the books in the Jonquil Brothers series . . .


 











Book Tour & Review: The Gentleman and the Thief by Sarah M. Eden






My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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Synopsis

A gentleman scribes penny dreadful novels by night and falls in love with a woman who is a music teacher by day—and a thief at night.

LONDON 1865

From the moment Hollis Darby meets Ana Newport, he’s smitten. Even though he’s from a wealthy, established family and she isn’t, he wishes he could have a life with her by his side. But Hollis has a secret: the deep coffers that have kept his family afloat for generations are bare, so he supports himself by writing penny dreadfuls under a pseudonym. If not for the income from his novels, he would be broke.

Ana Newport also has a secret. Though she once had a place in society thanks to her father’s successful business, bankruptcy and scandal reduced his fortune to nothing more than a crumbling town house. So Ana teaches music during the day, and at night she assumes the identity of the “Phantom Fox.” She breaks into the homes of the wealthy to reclaim trinkets and treasures she feels were unjustly stolen from her family when they were struggling.

When Hollis’s brother needs to hire a music tutor for his daughter, Hollis recommends Ana, giving him a chance to spend time with her. Ana needs the income and is eager for the opportunity to get to know the enigmatic gentleman. What neither of them expects is how difficult it will be to keep their respective secrets from each other.

When a spree of robberies rocks the city, Ana and Hollis join forces to solve the crimes, discovering that working together deepens the affection between them. After all, who better to save the day than a gentleman and a thief?


My Review

What a fun way to weave together the romance, adventure, and mystery! It was lovely for Hollis and Ana to develop a relationship and have that foundation as they become more involved in the investigation together, and the complications that arise with their own secrets. I enjoyed their banter and flirting, and the gentlemanly manners of Hollis. The author brought the Victorian era to life, and there is no mistaking it for another! The little details and historical tidbits are fascinating and really establish the setting. I love the idea of a secret society whose mission is to help the helpless and rescue those in need. It makes them seem like superheroes in a way, but all too human. While the entertaining excerpts from the penny dreadful stories are interspersed throughout the book, I found myself anxious to return to the main plot and read quickly to see what would happen next. An exciting addition to the series and a wonderful cast of characters!

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.



Advance Praise for The Gentleman and the Thief

·         "The real joy in Eden's follow-up to The Lady and the Highwayman (2019) is the furthering of the overarching crime story and the work of the Dread Penny Society as Hollis and Ana pursue a chaste romance. Eden excels at exploring the realities of Victorian life and class differences. Once again, chapters of penny dreadfuls written by the characters are interspersed throughout, with Hollis' story about a school for ghosts offering particular delight. Fans of Eden's smart series will be thrilled and impatient for the next installment."— Booklist, starred review

·         “Every time I thought my racing heart just couldn’t take the suspense anymore, I'd turn the page and smile.”— Bookconfessions

·         “Eden writes it well, so thoroughly researched that you’re transported and in Victoria England. Great suspense and romance.”— Leslie, Books and Socks Rock

·         “Undeniably clever, suspenseful, well-researched, and deftly written…”— Katie Jackson, RegencyProofreading.com

·         "Charming, suggestive, and featuring rich historical details, The Gentleman and the Thief has the elements of a gritty, juicy penny dreadful."— Foreword Reviews




Don't miss the other books in The Dread Penny Society series . . .

Book One

Book Three

Coming August 2021




About the Author

Sarah M. Eden is a USA Today best-selling author of witty and charming historical romances, including 2019’s Foreword Reviews INDIE Awards Gold Winner for Romance, The Lady and the Highwayman, and 2020 Holt Medallion finalist, Healing Hearts. She is a two-time “Best of State” Gold Medal winner for fiction and a three-time Whitney Award winner. Combining her obsession with history and her affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting deep characters and heartfelt romances set against rich historical backdrops. She holds a bachelor’s degree in research and happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library. 

 

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Follow the Book Tour!

Join the virtual online blog tour of THE GENTLEMAN AND THE THIEF, Sarah M. Eden’s highly acclaimed second novel in The Dread Penny Society Series, November 2 through November 29, 2020. Forty popular blogs specializing in historical mystery/suspense, historical romance, and inspirational fiction will join in the celebration of its release with exclusive excerpts, spotlights, or reviews of this new Victorian-era novel set in London, England.

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE:

Nov 02           Austenprose—A Jane Austen Blog (Review)

Nov 02           The Lit B**** (Excerpt)

Nov 03           Getting Your Read On (Review)

Nov 03           Literary Time Out (Review)

Nov 03           Storybook Reviews (Review)

Nov 04           Heidi Reads... (Review)

Nov 04           Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen (Spotlight)

Nov 05           Library of Clean Reads (Review)

Nov 06           Relz Reviewz (Review)

Nov 07           Probably at the Library (Spotlight)

Nov 08           The Christian Fiction Girl (Review)

Nov 09           So Little Time… (Spotlight)

Nov 09           Captivated Reading (Review)

Nov 10           Among the Reads (Review)

Nov 10           Bookworm Lisa (Review)

Nov 11           For Where Your Treasure Is (Spotlight)

Nov 11           Christian Chick's Thoughts        (Review)

Nov 12           Books, Teacups & Reviews (Spotlight)

Nov 12           Fiction Aficionado (Review)

Nov 13           Randi Loves 2 Read (Spotlight)

Nov 14           The Book Diva's Reads (Spotlight)

Nov 15           My Jane Austen Book Club (Excerpt)

Nov 16           Gwendalyn's Books (Review)

Nov 17           Book Bustle (Review)

Nov 18           Jorie Loves a Story (Review)

Nov 18           An Historian About Town (Review)

Nov 19           Lu's Reviews (Review)

Nov 20           Reading with Emily (Review)

Nov 20           Books and Socks Rock (Review)

Nov 21           Bringing Up Books (Review)

Nov 21           Bookish Rantings (Review)

Nov 22           The Bibliophile Files (Review)

Nov 23           Impressions in Ink (Review)

Nov 23           A Bookish Way of Life (Review)

Nov 24           Bookfoolery (Review)

Nov 24           Wishful Endings (Excerpt)

Nov 25           Chicks, Rogues and Scandals (Review)

Nov 25           Joy of Reading (Review)

Nov 26           From Pemberley to Milton (Excerpt)

Nov 27           Fire and Ice (Review)

Nov 27           Austenesque Reviews (Review)

Nov 28           Impressions in Ink (Review)

Nov 28           Book Confessions of an Ex-Ballerina (Review)

Nov 29           Laura's Reviews (Review)