Showing posts with label Arlem Hawks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arlem Hawks. Show all posts

Thursday, April 13, 2023

Review: A Lady's Wager by Arlem Hawks, Josi S. Kilpack, Sarah M. Eden



My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing



Synopsis

Can a lady wager on love?

The Diamond of Bristol by Arlem Hawks
Lieutenant Derrick Owens has always been on his own and wants to keep it that way, but when he saves a shipmate’s sister from a horrible dance partner, Corah Bradford’s sweet temperament and friendly nature make her hard to resist. Unable to find a suitable husband in Bristol who she can also love, Corah is entangled in a wager to secure Derrick’s company for an evening. Despite their reluctance to let go of their convictions, their easy friendship turns to something more. But with war on the horizon and Corah bound for the marriage mart in London, they both must discover what’s truly important—love or their previous expectations.

Women of a Certain Age by Josi S. Kilpack
Over the years, Colletta Markshire has been the driving force in helping young women make their match during the Season in London. Rachel is her lucky thirteen and Etta has every expectation that she will be a triumph ... except that things are not going to plan. Rachel has not taken to London and is determined to grow an acquaintance with a young man not at all the thing. The young man's father, Wynn Firth, is nearly as distracting as Etta's worries, and in every way she felt sure she would never feel distracted again. When Rachel disappears, Etta has little doubt what’s happened and she and Wynn set out together to find the young couple before word gets out. Hours in a carriage with a handsome man can be even more distracting, however, and Etta finds herself entertaining ideas she never thought to have. Etta gave up on love years ago ... and yet, as Women of a Certain age can attest, it is never too late to change one’s mind and change one’s future.

A Most Unsuitable Suitor by Sarah M. Eden
Drowning in debt, Julian, Lord Wesley spends an evening of shared misery with his closest friend at their club and makes a startling discovery: someone has placed a wager that Lady Charlotte Duchamps will
not marry before her 21st birthday, with Julian himself receiving £1000 if she does not. Lady Charlotte suddenly finds herself the subject of a great deal of attention from Lord Wesley, a vague acquaintance with a questionable reputation. With Julian and Charlotte both attempting to solve mysteries and wreak chaos, betting on the possibility of love might just prove the most risky wager of all.

My Review

A captivating addition to the Timeless Romance series! This collection is set in the Georgian era, and each story included some historical details that showed the differences of this time period. They also have a wager built into the plot somehow, but the authors and characters made the stories unique. I was able to connect emotionally to the characters as they navigate society, expectations, and love. I appreciate that the length of each story is longer than a novella, so we get to delve in a bit deeper, but I can also get to the happy ending more quickly than a full length novel, which is a perfect way to relax at the end of a long day! These collections are some of my favorites to re-read for that exact reason.

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.


Saturday, December 11, 2021

Georgana's Secret by Arlem Hawks #CleanRomanceforXmas21 #Giveaway

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Georgana's Secret
By Arlem Hawks
Historical Romance
Paperback, E-book & Audiobook, 335 Pages
January 12, 2021 by Shadow Mountain

A Regency romance on the high seas. Two hearts yearning to find a safe harbor, and possibly, a lasting love. 
 
As a young girl, Georgana Woodall dreamed of beautiful dresses, fancy balls, and falling in love. However, when her mother dies, she cannot face a future under the guardianship of her abusive grandmother and instead chooses to join her father on his ship disguised as his cabin boy, "George." 
 
Lieutenant Dominic Peyton has no time in his life for love, not with his dedication to His Majesty's Royal Navy claiming his full attention. While trying to adjust to a new crew, he strives to be an exemplary officer and leader. When he sees the captain's cabin boy being harassed by the crew, he immediately puts a stop to it and takes the "boy" under his wing. 
 
After discovering a number of clues, Dominic deduces that George is really a woman. Knowing that revealing the cabin boy's secret would put her in serious danger from the rowdy crew, Dominic keeps silent and hides his growing affection for her. Georgana is quickly losing her heart to Dominic's compassion and care but is convinced nothing can come of her affection. She cannot continue to live her life on the sea, and having already missed too many seasons in London, her chances of being welcomed back into polite society and finding a suitable husband are quickly slipping away.

(Affiliate links included.)
 
Excerpt

Georgana stumbled to the mainmast and collapsed against it. He stopped beside her,
hands on his knees and gasping for breath.
 
A laugh—a warm flash that split the night—spilled out as she slid down the mast to sit on
the deck. No one glanced their way, and the feminine tone was lost in the shouts of the next
round of dancers. Little droplets glinted from corners of her eyes.
 
He sank quietly to the floor beside her, not wanting to disrupt the scene. She drew in
gulps of fresh sea air as her peal of laughter wafted away like autumn leaves on the wind. It was
no wonder she never laughed on board. She’d mastered the facade of a shy cabin boy, but he
didn’t think she could ever mask her laugh.
 
She wiped the moisture from her eyes and watched the bright moon above them. He
ignored the moon and the way it tripped across the waves. Tonight he forgot the ocean. He
watched her.
 
His heart pounded between his ribs, and he nearly let it push him forward to kiss that
contented smile. How would it feel to have Georgana Woodall’s soft lips caressing his own? To
be wanted by someone like her would be a wondrous thing.
 
Dominic straightened, giving his head a sharp shake. What was he thinking? As though
he could ever conceal a kiss with three hundred other men milling about or while this close to her
father. Besides, he couldn’t see her welcoming a kiss that could compromise her disguise.
 
“What is it? Are you sure you’re well, Lieutenant?” She leaned toward him, face
upturned.
 
He needed to get out before his reckless nature took over and he did something they’d all
regret. “Yes, quite well.”

Excerpted from Georgana's Secret by Arlem Hawks, Copyright © 2021 by Arlem Hawks. Published by Shadow Mountain.

Historical Details: Sea Shanties


About the Author


Arlem Hawks began making up stories before she could write. Living all over the Western United States and traveling around the world gave her a love of cultures and people, and the stories they have to tell. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in communications and emphasis in print journalism, and now lives in Arizona with her husband and three children.


Tour Schedule
(Posts go live on the day they're scheduled.)

December 7th: Launch
December 8th: Nancy Campbell Allen - The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart
December 9th: Rachael Anderson - Five Kisses
December 10th: Sarah M. Eden - The Merchant and the Rogue
December 11th: Arlem Hawks - Georgana's Secret
December 12th: Jess Heileman - The Nabob's Daughter 
December 13th: Krista Jensen - Miracle Creek Christmas
December 14th: Jen Geigle Johnson - A Christmas Kiss
December 15th: Josi S. Kilpack - Love and Lavender
December 16th: Carla Laureano - Discovered by Love series
December 17th: Sarah L. McConkie - Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough
December 18th: Carol Ross - His Hometown Yuletide Vow
December 19th: Nichole Van - Brotherhood of the Black Tartan series
December 20th: Anneka R. Walker - Brides and Brothers
December 21st: Camron Wright - Christmas by Accident
December 22nd: Julie Wright - A Captain for Caroline Gray
December 23rd: Grand Finale
 
Tour Giveaway


One winner will receive a $75 (USD) Amazon E-Gift Card

Open internationally
Ends December 29, 2021


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Monday, January 18, 2021

Review: Georgana's Secret by Arlem Hawks





My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttp://www.bookdepository.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

A Regency romance on the high seas.

1811, HMS Deborah

Georgana Woodall dreams of freedom—freedom from her past and freedom from her secret. She has been living on her father’s ship for years, disguised as a cabin boy named “George.” But hiding her true self is becoming more difficult, and she yearns to break free of her life on the sea.

Lieutenant Dominic Peyton has no time in his life for love, not with his dedication to His Majesty’s Royal Navy claiming his full attention. Determined to prove himself to his new captain, he strives to be an exemplary officer and leader. When he sees the captain’s cabin boy being harassed by the crew, he immediately puts a stop to it and takes the boy under his wing.

Georgana quickly loses her heart to Dominic’s compassion and care, but needing to maintain her disguise as a cabin boy, she is convinced nothing can come of her affection.

Georgana’s Secret is about two hearts yearning to find a safe harbor, and possibly, a lasting love.


My Review

This book kept me enthralled from start to late-night finish. Georgana is used to rough men and even rougher women, so Dominic was like a ray of sunlight in her life. I loved his enthusiasm for the sea and his work, and his kind encouragement to George. Life on a wartime frigate was well-described without being overwhelmed by details. The author skillfully brought the setting to life and I felt like I was on the ship with the crew. It was easy to connect with the emotions of Georgana and Dominic, and the friendship they form is natural for a boy and his mentor, easily developing into more as they learn more of each other's secrets and deepest feelings. The relationships they have with their family and other members of the crew rounded out the story well and brought additional layers and growth. While the pace is steady in the first part of the book, by the end I found myself quickly turning pages as the intensity of the action and plot increased. Highly recommend to fans of Carla Kelly, historical fiction, and Regency romance. Definitely one of my favorites of 2021!

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.

 

About the Author
 

Arlem Hawks began making up stories before she could write. Living all over the Western United States and traveling around the world gave her a love of cultures and people and the stories they have to tell. With her travels came an interest in history, especially the history of her English heritage. When she isn't writing, Arlem is baking her characters' favorite foods, sewing Regency dresses, learning how to play the tin whistle, and water coloring. She lives in Arizona with her husband and two children. Having previously published four historical romance novellas, Georgana’s Secret is her debut novel.

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Advanced Praise:

“Fans of sweet love stories as well as readers who fondly remember those marvelous old traditional Signet Regencies will quickly succumb to the siren song of Hawk’s expertly crafted novel, which delivers the perfect blend of Jane Austen-smart romance and Patrick O’Brian flavored seafaring adventure. Teen romance readers will cheer on the plucky heroine as she finds the courage to forge her own path in life and love.”

-Booklist, starred review

“Hawks crafts a spellbinding tale featuring rich characters and raw emotions set against the atmospheric backdrop of sea life in all its danger and beauty. Georgana is a tough protagonist holding her own in a world dominated by men, while Peyton’s charm and sensitivity marks him as a true gentleman. A hidden identity, flirtation, and treachery make for a rousing tale to captivate lovers of historical romances.”

-Publishers Weekly

 

 


Join the virtual blog tour of GEORGANA’S SECRET (Proper Romance Regency), Arlem Hawks’ highly acclaimed debut historical romance novel January 11 – February 14, 2021. Over forty-five popular blogs specializing in historical romance, inspirational fiction, and Austenesque fiction will join in the celebration of its release with excerpts, spotlights, and reviews of this new Regency-era novel set aboard a Royal Naval ship.

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE:

Jan 11            My Jane Austen Book Club                             

Jan 11            Austenprose — A Jane Austen Blog               

Jan 12            Wishful Endings                                                  

Jan 12            Lu Reviews Books                                            

Jan 13            Lady with a Quill                                                     

Jan 13            Timeless Novels                                                  

Jan 14            Reading is My Superpower                              

Jan 14            The Bibliophile Files                                            

Jan 15            Randi Loves 2 Read                                            

Jan 16            The Christian Fiction Girl                                  

Jan 17            Nurse Bookie                                                       

Jan 18            The Silver Petticoat Review                               

Jan 18            Heidi Reads...                                                          

Jan 19            Bookfoolery                                                           

Jan 20            Captivated Reading                                               

Jan 21            Greenish Bookshelf                                        

Jan 21            Bookworm Lisa                                                   

Jan 22            Among the Reads                                             

Jan 23            Gwedalyn's Books                                              

Jan 24            My Bookish Bliss                                                 

Jan 25            Wishful Endings                                                  

Jan 25            Christian Chick's Thoughts                              

Jan 26            Relz Reviewz                                                      

Jan 27            The Lit B****                                                        

Jan 28            Reading with Emily                                            

Jan 29            Books, Teacups & Reviews                             

Jan 30            A Darn Good Read                                                 

Jan 31            From Pemberley to Milton                                  

Jan 31            Impressions in Ink                                                 

Feb 01            Austenesque Reviews                                        

Feb 02            Laura's Reviews                                                   

Feb 03            Literary Time Out                                                  

Feb 04            Chicks, Rogues & Scandals                             

Feb 05            The Bluestocking                                              

Feb 05            Library of Clean Reads                                   

Feb 06            The Caffeinated Bibliophile                                 

Feb 07            So Little Time…                                                    

Feb 08            The Readathon                                                    

Feb 09            The Book Diva Reads                                        

Feb 09            Books and Socks Rock                                  

Feb 10            Our Book Confessions                                    

Feb 10            Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen      

Feb 11            Rosanne E. Lortz                                              

Feb 11            Jorie Loves a Story                                          

Feb 12            Fire & Ice                                                          

Feb 13            Cup of Tea with that Book, Please                

Feb 14            Book Confessions of an Ex-ballerina