Review and e-book sale! Prelude for a Lord by Camille Elliot

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Download the e-book of Prelude for a Lord for only $1.99! 

(Be sure to check the price since e-book sales are for a limited time)

Synopsis

An awkward young woman. A haunted young man. A forbidden instrument. Can the love of music bring them together . . . or will it tear them apart?

Bath, England—1810

At twenty-eight, Alethea Sutherton is past her prime for courtship; but social mores have never been her forté. She might be a lady, but she is first and foremost a musician.

In Regency England, however, the violin is considered an inappropriate instrument for a lady. Ostracized by society for her passion, Alethea practices in secret and waits for her chance to flee to the Continent, where she can play without scandal.

But when a thief’s interest in her violin endangers her and her family, Alethea is determined to discover the enigmatic origins of her instrument . . . with the help of the dark, brooding Lord Dommick.

Scarred by war, Dommick finds solace only in playing his violin. He is persuaded to help Alethea, and discovers an entirely new yearning in his soul.

Alethea finds her reluctant heart drawn to Dommick in the sweetest of duets . . . just as the thief’s desperation builds to a tragic crescendo . . .

My Review

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the flawed yet endearing characters that worked their way into my heart! Alethea and Dommick are both prejudiced against the other due to an unfortunate meeting in their younger days, but as they work together to solve the mystery they are alternately attracted and frustrated by their strong personalities which eventually learn to play in harmony. The mystery wasn't an easy one to solve since there weren't many clues to work from and I felt Dommick's helplessness as he came up against one dead end after another. I admired Alethea's independence and resolution to not give up her passion for the violin even in the face of harsh social criticism. The friendships she forges with Dommick's close-knit group of musical peers is enjoyable and I hope the author will continue writing novels for those characters :) This is a book I'll definitely be re-reading in the future.

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

E-book sale: 99 cents for The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen

Only 99 cents for one of Julie Klassen's early novels, The Apothecary's Daughter!

(Be sure to check the price since e-book sales are only for a limited time)

Synopsis

LILLY HASWELL REMEMBERS EVERYTHING --- WHETHER SHE WANTS TO, OR NOT ...

As Lilly toils in her father's apothecary shop, preparing herbs and remedies by rote, she is haunted by memories of her mother's disappearance. Villagers whisper the tale, but her father refuses to discuss it. All the while, she dreams of the world beyond --- of travel and adventure and romance.

When a relative offers to host her in London, Lilly discovers the pleasures and pitfalls of fashionable society and suitors, as well as clues about her mother. But will Lilly find what she is searching for --- the truth of the past and a love for the future?

E-book sale: $1.99 for The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson

Download The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson for only $1.99!

(Be sure to check the price since e-book sales are for a limited time)

Synopsis

Margaretha has always been a romantic, and hopes her newest suitor, Lord Claybrook, is destined to be her one true love. But then an injured man is brought to Hagenheim Castle, claiming to be an English lord who was attacked by Claybrook and left for dead. And only Margaretha---one of the few who speaks his language---understands the wild story. Margaretha finds herself unable to pass Colin's message along to her father, the duke, and convinces herself 'Lord Colin' is just an addled stranger. Then Colin retrieves an heirloom she lost in a well, and asks her to spy on Claybrook as repayment. Margaretha knows she could never be a spy---not only is she unable to keep anything secret, she's sure Colin is completely wrong about her potential betrothed. Though when Margaretha overhears Claybrook one day, she discovers her romantic notions may have been clouding her judgment about not only Colin but Claybrook as well. It is up to her to save her father and Hagenheim itself from Claybrook's wicked plot.

Review: Daily Painting: Paint Small and Often To Become a More Creative, Productive, and Successful Artist by Carol Marine

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

A unique system for jump-starting artistic creativity, encouraging experimentation and growth, and increasing sales for artists of all levels, from novices to professionals.

Too many artists find themselves in a frustrating rut: unable to sell paintings hanging in galleries, bogged down by projects they can't finish "or "abandon, and using any excuse to avoid working in the studio. Author Carol Marine was herself suffering from painter's block--until she discovered "daily painting." The idea is simple: do art (usually small) often (how often is up to the individual) and, if you desire, post it and sell it online. Today Marine is among the best and most celebrated daily painters, and the curator of the popular online gallery dailypaintworks.com. In her debut, "Daily Painting," Marine reveals the tips and tricks that helped her and other daily painters pick up the paintbrush and start creating beautiful, bountiful, marketable work.

My Review

I have always loved painting, but I haven't found myself doing it consistently since college. It seems that I need a project or assignment to motivate me or else life gets in the way. This book is great for providing inspiration and instruction to create a daily (or more often than occasionally) habit of painting and improving skills. The images in the book are excellent, with several full-page pictures as well as smaller ones interspersed with the body text. I appreciated that she included work from other artists as well as her own work which gave a nice variety. The narrative is personable and informative. I definitely recommend this to anyone looking to paint on a regular basis and/or improve skills.

(Thank you to Blogging For Books and Watson-Guptill Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)