Monday, December 14, 2015

Review: Autumn Masquerade (Timeless Regency Collection) by Josi S. Kilpack, Donna Hatch, Nancy Campbell Allen


Heidi Reads... Autumn Masquerade (Timeless Regency Collection) by Josi S. Kilpack, Donna Hatch, Nancy Campbell Allen

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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Synopsis

A MERRY DANCE by Josi S. Kilpack 
When Lila overhears her uncle talking about a man coming to look for property in the county, she doesn’t think twice, until her uncle says he hopes Lila will find enough interest to marry the man. How can she marry someone named Mortimer Luthford, not to mention that his advanced age of thirty-three, and especially since she’s already in love with her absent cousin Neville? But when Mortimer arrives, Lila has to try every trick known to women to act not interested in the rather fascinating man, which proves a very difficult façade to maintain.

UNMASKING THE DUKE by Donna Hatch

The last thing Hannah Palmer wants to do is flirt with men in a crowded ballroom, but when her sister throws a Masquerade Ball, Hannah can’t say no to the invitation and takes comfort behind a mask. She dances with a charming masked man, matching him wit for wit. When the glorious evening culminates in a kiss, and the two remove their masks, Hannah is horrified to discover the man she’s been flirting with all night is her most despised neighbor, the Duke of Suttenberg. No matter how charming the duke was at the ball, and how wonderful the kiss, he is the last man she’d ever accept.

WHAT’S IN A NAME by Nancy Campbell Allen

Penelope Timely has a terrible secret. She’s been writing letters to the Duke of Wilmington, pretending to be her ever-proper twin sister, Persephone. Now, the duke has written that he’ll be coming for the Autumn Masquerade Ball and Festival. Penelope will have to continue the charade while the duke is in town in order to protect her sister. The Duke of Wilmington isn’t fooled for a moment, but instead of confessing that he knows about the deception, he finds himself utterly charmed by Penelope and jumps into the game of deception to see how far the twin sisters will take it.

My Review

Such fun, enjoyable Regency stories! I love that since there are only three in the collection they can be longer than normal. The plots of each are varied and intriguing, but all involve a masquerade ball, which is a fascinating setting. Some characters find their inhibitions lowered, allowing themselves to act according to their true personality and not the front society expects. Of course, there are always consequences... ;) Some couples are looking forward to the ball with anticipation of a turning point in their relationship, only to have their plans upset. I think the common thread is that first impressions are not always correct and through the obstacles in their path, each character comes to know the object of their affection more deeply. Highly recommend!

(Thank you to Ebooks For Review for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review: One Enchanted Christmas by Melissa Tagg


Heidi Reads... One Enchanted Christmas by Melissa Tagg

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

*Currently on sale for 99 cents at Amazon!*

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Synopsis

Last December, mystery author Maren Grant had the most perfect night of her life. On a glimmering winter evening, she got to watch the photo shoot for her very first book and ended up on a magical date with the cover model himself—Colin Renwycke.

Fast forward one year. This December, with a looming deadline, restless spirit and her creative spark long since gone, Maren is desperate to get unstuck. And she can’t get Colin out of her head…or his year-old open invitation to spend a couple weeks writing at his family’s farm.

Drew Renwycke never planned to come home and take over the Renwycke family farm. But he’s spent too many years watching his siblings unravel, including his brother, Colin, after one terrible family mistake. If moving to Maple Valley, Iowa, renovating an old farmhouse and switching careers is what it takes to put the Renwycke family back together, he’ll do it.

But his simple plan upends when a scrappy author lands on his doorstep. And she just might be the key to coaxing his brother home. But what if he wants her all to himself? Drew will have to choose between his Christmas wish and the enchantment of a holiday romance that just might be the happy ending they all long for.


My Review

What a fun novella for the holidays! I loved the cute, quippy narration interjected by the author (reminded me of Lorelai Gilmore); it was a creative way to move forward in scenes. I think I would only enjoy it in a novella though, and she did taper it off partway through which was good to not break up the pacing of the story during the best parts. The dynamics of Drew's family were interesting as they shifted and were impacted by transition. I enjoyed the contrast between brooding Drew and lighthearted Maren- they balanced each other out and brought out the best in each other. Highly recommend!

(I purchased a copy of this book; this is my honest review)

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Review: Whispers in the Reading Room by Shelley Gray


Heidi Reads... Whispers in the Reading Room by Shelley Gray

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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Synopsis

Lydia’s job at the library is her world—until a mysterious patron catches her eye... and perhaps her heart.

Just months after the closure of the Chicago World’s Fair, librarian Lydia Bancroft finds herself fascinated by a mysterious dark-haired and dark-eyed patron. He has never given her his name; he actually never speaks to a single person. All she knows about him is that he loves books as much as she does.

Only when he rescues her in the lobby of the Hartman Hotel does she discover that his name is Sebastian Marks. She also discovers that he lives at the top of the prestigious hotel and that most everyone in Chicago is intrigued by him.

Lydia and Sebastian form a fragile friendship, but when she discovers that Mr. Marks isn’t merely a very wealthy gentleman, but also the proprietor of an infamous saloon and gambling club, she is shocked.

Lydia insists on visiting the club one fateful night and suddenly is a suspect to a murder. She must determine who she can trust, who is innocent, and if Sebastian Marks—the man so many people fear—is actually everything her heart believes him to be.


My Review

Loved it! This book is so well-written with it's subtle peeling back of the layers of the plot. There is a sense of mystery from the beginning that kept me fully engaged. The setting is wonderful- I absolutely love libraries! The depiction of Chicago at the turn of the century is also subtle, the author avoids making it a cliche or caricature of the city. Lydia feels that she is plain and on the fringes of society, but accepts who she is as a person and embraces her interests. One of the things that is so appealing about Sebastian as a hero is that he saw beauty in her where others did not. I was enthralled with the contrasts of Lydia and Sebastian's worlds and how they overlap. Themes of self-worth and self-sacrifice are ones found in several characters as they learn to reevaluate their standing in society and see themselves through God's eyes. Highly recommend!

(Thank you to Litfuse Publicity and Zondervan Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)
 
About the Author

Shelley Gray is the author of The Heart of a Hero series. Her Amish novel (written as Shelley Shepard Gray), "The Protector," recently made the New York Times best seller list. A native of Texas, she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Colorado and taught school for ten years. She and her husband have two children and live in Southern Ohio.

Friday, December 4, 2015

Review: A Healing Spirit by Melissa A. Hanson


Heidi Reads... A Healing Spirit by Melissa A. Hanson

My rating: 2 stars / It was okay

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Synopsis

A freak ski accident brings nineteen-year old Mia Kinney within minutes of death. Hurt and scared, Mia is calmed by the southern drawl and clear green eyes of her rescuer.

Twenty-one year old Dylan Blackburn is one of the first Ski Patrol members on the scene. As his patient is airlifted to the local trauma center, he can’t shake her from his thoughts.

As Mia fights for her life, Dylan, is haunted by the blond hair beauty, and knows he needs to make sure she’s going to be okay.

With a troubled past Dylan has vowed never to completely open himself up to another girl, but Mia continues to knock down every wall he’s constructed. When his past arrives at his front door and threatens once again someone that he loves, will Dylan be able to save Mia yet again? Or will he be too late this time?

A story of love, friendship, and the determination to turn a horrible experience into something worthwhile.


My Review

The first third of the book is Mia's ski accident told from multiple perspectives- it was jumping around in brief vignettes so much that the flow was choppy and hard to hold interest; I ended up scanning much of it. The early character development was lacking, but the action moved things forward. The dialogue and narrative is not as stilted as the previous book in the series but could still use more depth. I don't think this is an author whose style is my cup of tea.

(Thank you to Ebooks For Review for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)