Review: Christmas Forevermore by Sally Britton, Sarah M. Eden, Ashtyn Newbold, Karen Thornell

My rating: 5 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

This holiday season, fall in love with a brand-new collection of swoon-worthy novellas from four of your favorite historical romance authors. From meddling matchmakers to fortuitous fiascos, the holidays have never been more magical!
 

A Family Christmas by Sally Britton

After years abroad, Cyril Grant worries about relating to his highborn relatives at the family’s holiday celebration. But an unexpected connection with a member of the household staff opens his heart—in more ways than one.
 

Christmas Forevermore by Sarah M. Eden

In this reimagining of the beloved Charles Dickens tale A Christmas Carol, spinster Minna Schofield is inadvertently ensnared by a local matchmaker whose meddling launches Minna on a journey of self-reflection that could lead her to unexpected love.
 

Christmas at Cranfield by Ashtyn Newbold

Though childhood friends Hannah and Samuel secretly adore one another, fate conspires to keep them apart. But after years of shared holidays and missed opportunities, this Christmas brings the hope that their stars will align.
 

A Thrill of Hope by Karen Thornell

After a devastating loss, Christmas holds little appeal for Isabel Reid. But when a snowstorm traps her in the company of a surprising traveling companion, the perpetual winter of Isabel’s heart may just begin to thaw.

My Review

I always love a good Christmas novella! This collection is wonderful, and provided some lovely reading sessions during a busy season. The authors all did an amazing job with quick character development and engaging plots, drawing me into the story and leaving me with a satisfied feeling from connecting with the emotions. The sweet romance and warm Christmas vibes brought depth and joy to each character's journey. Highly recommend for winter reading and anytime you need a heartwarming escape!

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.

Review: An Unwelcome Suitor by Ashtyn Newbold

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Falling in love with her sister's suitor had never been part of her plan.

After losing her parents, Elizabeth Watts and her two sisters are taken under the care of their great-aunt, who has promised them her estate upon her death. From a young age, however, Elizabeth has learned not to expect to keep things that can be taken away. An unforeseen change in the will reveals that Elizabeth and her sisters may have the estate, but only if the eldest weds Dr. Luke Pembroke, their great-aunt’s beloved physician, who needs the estate just as desperately as they do.

Knowing her sister to be in love with another, Elizabeth is appalled when she begins courting Dr. Pembroke, intent to sacrifice her own happiness. Nothing if not determined, Elizabeth makes plans to sabotage the courtship. With her schemes underway, she quickly learns that her sister’s suitor is nothing if not clever—nothing except, perhaps, handsome, kind, and infuriatingly charming. When the feelings between them become impossible to ignore, Elizabeth discovers that love has a scheme all its own, and it might just be the most determined of all.


My Review

This was a fun Regency story with Elizabeth's scheming and the misadventures that result. She has a good sense of humor when things go wrong for the most part, although she is determined to see her older sister marry for love and just doesn't give up. She has some character growth as her eyes are opened to the real circumstances of people she has judged prematurely, and I liked her more as the book went on and she developed some depth and humility. Luke is patient with Elizabeth's antics but doesn't let her get away with them and finds them entertaining as well as frustrating. They start out as enemies, then turn to frenemies, and their relationship continues along the natural path to friends and more. I just had to keep reading to see how the complex situation of inheriting the estate would turn out!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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An Unwelcome Suitor is part of the ENTANGLED INHERITANCE series, a set of stand-alone regency romance novels. Look for the complete collection of stories by these incredible authors:

A Provision for Love by Heather Chapman
 

His Unexpected Heiress by Sally Britton 

 

The Rivals of Rosennor Hall by Rebecca Connolly

 

Review: Road to Rosewood by Ashtyn Newbold

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Lucy Abbot longs to return to the country estate where she spent the best days of her childhood with her cousins and their charming neighbor Nicholas. Her protective parents, however, have other plans for her. When she finally dares to escape, her carriage is besieged by highwaymen with a familiar man leading them. Could this mysterious outlaw be exactly the person Lucy has been searching for?

My Review

The book begins with scenes from Lucy's childhood and she is a happy eleven year old with a fun personality. As an adult, however, she is sullen and depressed, even though she has attempted to be content in a dreary climate on the north coast. Her desperation to return to her memories of the beautiful south and her cousin's estate of Rosewood drives her to defy her parents and embark on the journey on her own. Her new feelings of independence brought light back to her heart and personality, although I didn't understand some of the rather ridiculous choices she made. The plot takes twists and turns and I didn't know what to expect next as I read. Nicholas is a bit of an enigma and there are so many secrets that are alluded to, but everyone keeps Lucy in the dark. I was as frustrated as she until the layers of mystery began to be revealed. Lucy's personality is easily flustered, somewhat contradictory, and her thoughts seem to go a million miles a minute as she loses some of her naïveté and has her eyes opened to the reality of the what has changed in Rosewood and her family. Even though I didn't quite connect with the characters, the pace of the story is swift and kept me entertained.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Follow the Blog Tour . . .

April 25 - Blooming With Books | Katie’s Clean Book Collection

April 26 - Singing Librarian Books | Compass Book Ratings

April 27 - Literary Timeout

April 28 - Heidi Reads…

April 30 - Mel’s Shelves

May 1 - Getting Your Read On | LDS and Lovin’ It

May 2 - Bookworm Lisa | Robyn Echols Books

May 3 - My Book A Day

May 4 - Why Not? Because I Said So

May 6 - Min Reads and Reviews

Review: Lies and Letters by Ashtyn Newbold

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

After a season in London, Charlotte Lyons is still regrettably unattached. With her family’s finances in peril, she is sent away with her sister to a bleak coastal town where she is expected to pursue a wealthy earl. Beautiful and talented, how could she possibly fail? But when her heart is captured by someone entirely unexpected, Charlotte finds herself caught up in a web of lies and intrigue. Between hardship and sorrow, she finds more than she bargained for, forced to choose between the life she once wanted and a new love she never imagined.

My Review

This is a great story, but it was difficult to get into because Charlotte is such a stinking brat in the beginning! I much preferred her plainer and sweeter younger sister Clara, but I was stuck in Charlotte's first person perspective POV. The author does a good job of demonstrating why Charlotte makes the choices she does, having a piece of work for a mother whose approval she is trying to earn. Their banishment to the north country gives Charlotte the opportunity for growth and change, and once she began tapping into her own inner goodness it was easier to like her and hope for good things for her. I liked the teasing way James pushes her buttons and their banter as they attempt to barter for secrets. He is more than he seems, and sees Charlotte's potential for making better choices as he challenges her. There are subtle dynamics in play during Charlotte's slow transformation, including a passion for music for releasing pent-up emotions she doesn't understand, a neighbor who is an example of genuine kindness, sincerity, and motherly love, a new relationship with her sister, and experiences that make Charlotte humble and vulnerable. I loved the remote coastal setting and even though Charlotte is often blinded by her ambition to please someone impossible to please, it was interesting to watch her eyes being opened to a different way of thinking and living. The story reminded me of A Heart Revealed by Josi Kilpack, where the main character is extremely flawed and through unexpected struggles, sheds vanity, selfishness, and meanness to discover the deeper joy found in compassion, kindness and love.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

“Lies & Letters” blog tour schedule:

• July 18: Blooming with Books
• July 19: Compass Book Ratings || Robin Echols Books || Books & Benches
• July 20: Getting Your Read On || My Book A Day
• July 21: Bookworm Lisa || Wishful Endings
• July 22: LDS and Lovin’ it
• July 23: Jorie Loves A Story
• July 24: Bookworm 2 Bookworm
• July 25: Katies Clean Book Collection
• July 26: Mel’s Shelves || Singing Librarian Books
• July 27: Literary Timeout || Kindle and Me
• July 28: My Love For Reading Keeps Growing || Why Not? Because I Said So
• July 29: Heidi Reads
• July 30: Inklings and Notions
• July 31: Min Reads and Reviews

Review: Unexpected Love: A Marriage of Convenience Anthology by Heather Chapman, Paula Kremser, Mandi Ellsworth, Ashtyn Newbold

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Around the turn of the century, matches were made for all sorts of reasons--whether to keep a family together or simply to make ends meet. But love has a way of turning up in the most unexpected places! With four historical romance stories in one, this fun anthology will sweep you from the dance floors of aristocracy to the hearths of country living, leading to love through the most unusual circumstances.

Ashbrook Abbey by Heather Chapman
Though decidedly against marriage, when Ambrose Notley discovers it may win him his uncle's good opinion (and his inheritance), he marries the orphaned Kate Mowbray. But will Kate be able to break down the walls that Ambrose has built around himself?

First Comes Marriage by Paula Kremser
When Letty's sister and husband unexpectedly die, a greedy uncle threatens to steal custody of the children and their money. David, Letty's brother-in-law, marries Letty in the hopes of retaining custody of their niece and nephew. But will this love for show become something deeper?

The Price of Her Heart by Mandi Ellsworth
When Faith McKinney witnesses a crime she shouldn't have seen, she's forced into hiding to protect her own life.As part of this, her uncle arranges her marriage to small-town sheriff Geoffrey. But when the men searching for her find Geoffrey as well, will he be able to protect her?

Beauty and the Beholder by Ashtyn Newbold
When a marriage arranged by chance brings Fanny and Percy together, they quickly learn that clashing personalities and battles of wit are not a recipe for a happy match. How could a marriage between quick enemies ever result in something such as love? But fate has a way of bringing even the most unlikely hearts together...

My Review

What a sweet collection of novellas! I love the marriage of convenience theme since it shows how two people can grow together in an often difficult and unusual situation. I enjoyed each story equally- I wasn't able to pick a favorite, but that's a good thing ;) The individuals in the stories were well fleshed out and had depth and a unique voice. I liked seeing the variety of writing styles from the authors and the settings were interesting as well- two were set in England, one was a western, and one was in New York. The romances are clean and heartfelt, with emotion and hope in the midst of the characters' desperation. I love stories like these that offer a sweet journey to happily-ever-after.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

“Unexpected Love” blog tour schedule:

 
March 14: Literary Timeout
March 15: Live to Read
March 16: Seeker of Happiness || Books & Benches
March 17: Rockin’ Book Reviews
March 18: Inklings and Notions
March 19: Kindle and Me
March 20: Hardcover Feedback
March 21: Writing Worm
March 22: Geo Librarian || Heidi Reads...
March 23: Getting Your Read On || Bookworm Lisa || Mel’s Shelves || Singing Librarian Books
March 24: Bookworm2Bookworm || Making Life a Bliss Complete
March 25: Kaki Recommends
March 26: The Things I Love Most
March 27: My Book a Day
March 28: Katie’s Clean Book Collection
March 29: Blooming With Books || Inklings and Notions
March 30: Jorie Loves a Story || Wishful Endings
March 31: The Dragon’s Nook