Review & Giveaway! Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince by Jennifer Moore

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

1812
Southern belle Meg Burton is her parents’ last hope of avoiding financial ruin, and a distant cousin’s kind gesture seems an ideal solution: he will sponsor Meg for a London Season. The pursuit of a wealthy husband was not exactly how the bookish young woman had envisioned her first trip abroad—after all, what does a girl from Charleston, South Carolina, know about being a lady? Amidst the stunning gowns and extravagant balls of the ton, Meg feels like an imposter. Thankfully, she has one friend who knows her true self—Carlo, a handsome stable hand. Despite their difference in station, love blossoms between the unlikely pair, and Meg is sure of one thing: she wants nothing to do with the insufferable European aristocracy.
Prince Rodrigo de Talavera has lost everything to Napoleon. Jaded by war, he has become bitter and miserable—until he meets Meg, an American woman whose eccentric schemes and passion for life remind him what it is to laugh and to love. If only she knew him for himself and not as Carlo the stable hand. With the shadow of deception looming over their happy acquaintance and the dangers of war drawing ever more near, can Meg and Rodrigo find the courage to put aside their pretenses and discover if they can be loved as they truly are?

My Review

This is a sweet young adult Regency romance, with a feisty heroine trying to make her way through a season in London- conflicted by her family's expectations of an advantageous marriage to save their failing business and her own dreams for her life. Her friendship with "Carlo" provides relief from the judgements and pretensions of some of the other guests in the duke's home. While I didn't think it was well-done of the prince to willfully deceive Meg, his intentions are understandable. The book reads like a storytelling, which makes it a little more difficult to experience the emotions of the characters. The intrigues of war add tension to the plot as the prince is caught between a desire to find the abducted members of his royal family and remaining safe for the future of Spain. Recommend for young adults and adults who enjoy clean historical romance.

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Blog Tour Schedule

*April 6th:
Literary Time Out
Getting Your Read On
I Am a Reader

*April 7th:
Heidi Reads...
Bloggin' 'Bout Books
I Am a Reader
 

*April 8th:
Rockin' Book Reviews 
Mel's Shelves 
Tressa's Wishful Endings

*April 9th:
Katie's Clean Book Collection
LDS and Lovin' It
Bonnie Gets a Say

*April 10th:
I Love to Read and Review Books
My Book a Day
Little Light Design Collective

*April 11th:
Bookworm Lisa
Min Reads and Reviews
LDS Women's Book Review
Joy in the Moments

Fun Quiz: Which Colorful Character in Mormon History Would You Be?

Synopsis

Most Mormons are mild-mannered, well-behaved, law-abiding citizens who tend to get along well with their neighbors. But every once in a while, there's a renegade. You know the one: a little bit wild-eyed, ready to rumble, out to go where no Mormon has gone before. Face it: we all know one.
Well, if you think you've seen a colorful character or two in your ward, you should check out the colorful characters in this book some Mormons, some non-Mormons who impacted Church history. These people are a whole new breed of colorful.

You'll meet the guy who is credited with starting the gold rush and putting San Francisco on the map California's first millionaire, who dies selling pencils on the street. You'll meet the Mormon FBI agent who was killed in a shoot-out with Baby Face Nelson, but not before taking out the Baby. You'll gain a whole new appreciation for the General Authority who peppered his sermons with profanity. And that's just scratching the surface.

Most of all, you'll find yourself shaking your head in wonder, having a knee-slapping good laugh, and maybe even shedding a tear or two here and there.

Review, Excerpt & Giveaway! A Hope Remembered by Stacy Henrie

Be sure to scroll down and enter the giveaway!

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

As the war ends, love begins . . .

Nora Lewis just wants an escape after losing her fiancé in the Great War. When she inherits property in England, she boldly packs up and leaves America for a fresh start. But if not for her dashing new neighbor, Colin Ashby, she'd be lost. Even as their friendship deepens, Nora knows a British aristocrat would never be free to love an American orphan, no matter how much the war has changed the world . . . After his brother's death in the war and his own experiences as a pilot at the front, Colin returns home broken, only to discover his family's estate is also in ruin. The pressure is now on him to save his home and the Ashbys' place in society with a well-bred match to a wealthy heiress. Too bad he finds more of a kindred spirit in Nora, the beautiful American next door. She, too, has faced the rigors of war and survived. Now the ex-soldier will have one more battle to fight-this time for love.

My Review

This is such a sweet romance- I loved how Nora and Colin's friendship developed in a genuine way. I admired her courage to leave everything behind and start fresh in an entirely different country. There are a couple of mysteries Nora encounters in her new neighborhood which provides some additional storylines to the main plot. I also enjoyed reading about Colin's experiences as a pilot in the first world war and later as he continues to fly his aeroplane over the English countryside. The bond he had with his brother was evident in how intensely he grieved his loss. Even though they had completely different life purposes and personalities, the brotherly love was touching, and made it even harder for Colin to try to fill his shoes. Nora helps him put things in perspective and come to terms with God and death, even as she grieves the loss of her fiancé. My favorite quote from the book deals with this theme:
"I don't believe it was God's will for any of those soldiers to die in the war... War is not something God condones, Colin, but men must be allowed to choose what they will make of their lives- good or evil. He cannot rob them of that... While I don't believe God wanted Tom or Christian to die, I do believe He has a greater perspective than I do. Just like a pilot in his plane, who sees a much different picture that what we can from the ground... When we go through heartache and loss, it's our right and challenge to discover what God wants us to do and become from those experiences... That is his will. To help us catch a glimpse of the wider, bigger perspective. To recognize and rejoice in those moments when He reaches down and compensates our losses."

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

Of Love and War series

 About the Author

Stacy Henrie has always had an avid appetite for history, fiction and chocolate. She earned her B.A. in public relations and worked in communications before turning her attentions to raising a family and writing inspirational historical romances. Wife of an entrepreneur husband and a stay-at-home mom to three, Stacy loves the chance to live out history through her fictional characters, while enjoying the modern conveniences of life in the 21st century. In addition to author, she is a reader, a road trip enthusiast and a novice interior decorator. Her first novel, Lady Outlaw, released from Harlequin Love Inspired Historical in 2012. 

Connect with Stacy

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Pinterest 

a Rafflecopter giveaway  
Excerpt from A Hope Remembered by Stacy Henrie

With a glare at both of them, Jack smashed his cap on his head and stalked from the room. He proceeded to slam the door behind him, but it hit the doorframe and bounced open instead.

Nora pushed out a sigh. “You didn’t have to be rude. Jack’s been very helpful to me this past week.” Maybe a bit too much. But she didn’t voice that thought. Colin needed no further ammunition against Jack.

“I’m sure he has,” Colin muttered, his expression as dark as his eyes.

Nora pinned him with a piercing look.

“You’re right.” He finished buttoning his cuffs and slipped on his vest. “That was ungentlemanly of me.”

She ignored his reference to her joke at their first meeting as she put away the corn starch and closed the cupboard. It was easier to keep her heart firmly locked if she held onto her disapproval of Colin’s behavior. Plus it would also stop her from wondering what he’d been about to say before Jack’s arrival.

“How may I redeem myself?” he asked as he pulled on his jacket. The amusement tugging at his mouth contradicted his contrite tone. 

Nora folded her arms, contemplating a suitable penance. “I think your punishment needs to be two-fold.”

“Very well.” He nodded. “What is your sentence?”

“First, you must join me for choir rehearsal at the church tomorrow morning.”

The mirth drained from his face. “Nora.” His voice held a note of warning. “That is entirely—”

“Second, you and Perseus can give me a tour around the lake. I’ve already been here a week and haven’t even seen all of it.”

Colin scowled. “A walk around the lake would be acceptable. But the choir rehearsal . . .”

“Please, Colin.” She hazarded a step toward him, hoping he’d relent. “I sang with them last Sunday and they need more male voices.”

She had another reason for wanting him there. Everyone had been kind at rehearsal and at church the following day, but Nora still felt uncomfortable with the continued references to her likeness to Eleanor. Apparently their similarities also included their singing voices. With Colin at the rehearsals, she wouldn’t feel as awkward. She was beginning to think he was the only person in Larksbeck who hadn’t known Eleanor.

Colin’s brow knit in obvious annoyance, while Nora held her breath. Would he accept her proposal? Finally resignation settled over his countenance. “I’ll go, but only once.” He held up a single finger. “Once,” he repeated. “I make no promises after that.”

Grateful, she breached the remaining space between them and put her hand on his sleeve. “I agree to those terms.” She couldn’t hide her smile as she added, “Be careful, though, we might make a regular choir member out of you yet.”

Instead of the light laugh she expected, Colin solemnly watched her. Though he didn’t touch her, she felt as powerless to release his sleeve as if he’d detained her hand. She couldn’t step away—his nearness drew her in like the promising warmth of a fire after being out in a storm.

“You know,” he murmured, his voice low, “you are rather charming when you jest like that.”

Nora’s pulse stuttered to a stop, then sped up again like a train gaining speed. She tried to remember why she’d been angry with him, tried to remember why she couldn’t allow anything more than friendship to blossom between them. But she couldn’t concentrate on any one thought, except for the growing desire to touch the hint of dark bristles covering his jaw.

Colin studied her lips as Jack had done last week, but this moment couldn’t be more different. A part of her, one growing more insistent by the second, actually wanted Colin to kiss her. How long had it been since she’d last felt the press of masculine lips against hers?

Not since before Tom left.

The memory crashed over her with all the effect of an ocean wave. She felt suddenly ill and cold. Releasing Colin’s sleeve, she stepped back, crossing her arms over her chest for warmth.

Forgive me, Tom.

She’d done nothing wrong, but even entertaining the idea of Colin kissing her felt like a betrayal. Her heart could never belong to anyone else. And yet, in this moment, the past felt more like a burden than a boon.

“I’ll . . . uh . . . just get my sweater, then we can go on that walk.” Nora went to pull the garment off its usual peg. Her hands shook slightly as she slipped the sweater on over her blouse. “Ready?”

A flicker of emotion gleamed in Colin’s dark eyes. Was it disappointment? Frustration? Would he forgive her abruptness or understand the source of her pain? As quickly as it had come, though, the sentiment faded and Colin shot her a carefree grin. “After you, fair lady.”

 

Review: The Olive Tree: An Artistic Adaptation by Christine Layton Graham, Joan Layton Merrell, Carol Layton Ogden

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

Savor a unique scriptural experience with this beautiful book that combines text adapted from Jacob 5 with stunning artwork and calligraphy. A gorgeous addition to any LDS home, it will enhance your understanding of the exquisite symbolism in this significant story.

My Review

This is a beautiful book of paintings and calligraphy depicting the allegory of the olive tree from The Book of Mormon. I appreciated the loveliness, however I was expecting more interpretation from the original content. The text is word for word from the scriptures, and somewhat difficult to read in calligraphy form, especially for children. The art depicts literally what is read in the verses rather than the meaning behind the allegory. It would make a nice gift for a teenager or adult studying the Book of Mormon.

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