Review: The Fall of Lord Drayson by Rachael Anderson

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Who is he really? A high and mighty lord or a lowly servant?

When Colin Cavendish, the new earl of Drayson, informs Lucy Beresford that she and her mother need to vacate the house they've called home for the past two years, Lucy is fit to be tied. They have no money, no relations they can turn to for help, and nowhere to go. How dare the earl break the promise his father had made to the Beresfords without so much as a twinge of conscience?

Fate plays her hand when Lucy discovers the earl unconscious and injured in the middle of the road. When he awakens with no recollection of who he is, Lucy seizes the opportunity to teach the earl a much-needed lesson in humility and tells him that he is nothing more than a mere servant. Her servant, in fact.

And thus begins the charming tale of a pompous lord and an impetuous young woman, caught together in a web so tangled that it begs the question: Will they ever get out?

My Review

Utterly charming. Totally hilarious. I loved how self-aware Lucy is. She is very observant of how her conflict over her deception grows as she comes to know "Collins"... and she is the one who learns a lesson as well as he. She is a bit of an odd duck, not conforming to society's standards and perfectly willing to live her life as a spinster because of it. The root of her rebelliousness however is her thoughtful and accepting nature, which makes her easier to sympathize with. Colin does make a rather bad impression on her, but he surprises her with his work ethic and hidden compassion. Their developing friendship and attraction is sweet and the sassy banter between them feels natural to their characters. Lucy's maid, mother, and various neighbors make up a well-rounded cast that enhances the story. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book! Highly recommend to fans of Regency and sweet romance.

(Thank you to Ebooks for Review for a copy of the book; this is my honest review)

Review & Giveaway: Life Creative: Inspiration for Today's Renaissance Mom by Wendy Speake, Kelli Stuart

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

A celebration of motherhood, creativity, and the faith that binds them 

In our Pinterest age of handcrafted children's parties, artistic Instagram photos, tutorials for renovating old furniture into new treasures, and blogs filled with poetry, prose, and other creative expression, it is clear that a brand-new generation of creative women is rising up. It is a renaissance born not in Italian cathedrals or Harlem jazz clubs but in kitchens and nurseries and living rooms around the world. But when Christian women become mothers, they often feel expected to lay down their creative pursuits in order to properly parent.

Wendy Speake and Kelli Stuart know that struggle. While they acknowledge that some seasons of mothering require setting artistic pursuits aside, they also argue that these seasons don't have to last until empty nest time. Instead, mothers with creative gifts are called to actively use them in order to bless their families, their communities, and everyone they encounter.

Inspiring and encouraging, Life Creative celebrates the ways mothers can live their art in the midst of their mothering. They tell the stories of women such as author and speaker Angie Smith, recording artist Ellie Holcomb, and jewelry designer Lisa Leonard who do just that. By following God's leading to embrace His gifts, renaissance moms can model the joy of obedience for their families.

My Review

I loved the encouragement in this inspiring book! I've been feeling like I've neglected many of my creative talents, and regretting it. The authors helped put things in perspective- the never ending balance of motherhood, work, and homemaking. They helped me see that my creative gifts are God-given and can be incorporated into my life as it is now, even if it's in small ways or through ministering to my children. They focus on the importance of using our creativity to inspire our faith, but I never felt a guilt-trip, rather immense understanding for the difficulties mothers face, especially those with young children. The topic is approached from various angles, and I especially appreciated the thought that women help lift each other since I feel a great connection to the friends in my life who are in similar circumstances. I am excited to embrace my new identity of Renaissance mom and sanctify some of my time to tap into the part of my soul that yearns to create. I highly recommend this book for all moms, especially those who are feeling the urge to become more creative!

(Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book; this is my honest review)

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Is there room for creativity and children in a mother's life? Learn how to balance home, art, and family in Wendy Speake and Kelli Stuart's new book, Life Creative. In this Pinterest age of handcrafted children’s parties, Instagram photos of beautifully decorated homes, and blogs filled with poetry and prose, it is clear that we are in the midst of a brand new artistic renaissance. Life Creative paints the stories of moms, just like you, who are fitting their inspired lives into the everyday, ordinary places of motherhood.

Join Wendy, Kelli, and other moms in celebrating the beauty of being a creative mom by entering to win the Called to Be Creative Giveaway (details below) and by attending their author chat party on October 27!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• One copy of Life Creative
• The Gracelaced Personalizable Mom's Wreath
• A handmade leather journal
• A Starbucks gift card

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 10/27. The winner will be announced at the Life Creative Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Wendy, Kelli, and other creative moms, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via social media and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 27th!

Review, Giveaway & Extras: A Chaotic Courtship by Bethany Swafford

We are so excited to have Bethany Swafford back for a tour for her amazing book. We had such a great response to her blitz and every so many reviews coming this week from people excited to read her wonderful book. Come join us on the journey!

For as long as she can remember, Bethany Swafford has loved reading books. That love of words extended to writing as she grew older and when it became more difficult to find a ‘clean’ book, she determined to write her own. Among her favorite authors is Jane Austen, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Georgette Heyer.

When she doesn’t have pen to paper (or fingertips to laptop keyboard), she can generally be found with a book in hand. In her spare time, Bethany reviews books for a book site called More Than A Review.

Connect with the Author here: 

~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Instagram ~

Twenty year old Diana Forester, a country bred young woman fears that her inexperience and uncertainties has driven Mr. John Richfield away. On arriving back home from London, she learns that he is already there, ready to continue their acquaintance. If Diana thought that it was difficult in London, courting takes on a whole new aspect when Diana's younger siblings become involved. She finds herself dealing with her own feelings, her sister, her younger brother, jealous members of a house party, a jilted suitor, and a highwayman as she falls in love with the charming Mr. Richfield.

Find the book on:
~ Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon UK ~ 
~ Amazon CA ~ Amazon AU ~

My Review
3 stars / I liked it

There is much fun in this Regency romp, but most of it is between Diana and her siblings! She bickers and squabbles quite a bit with her sister Sarah, but I was impressed that the author was still able to convey that the sisters did love each other in spite of the fact that they drove each other crazy- most of the time on purpose. There is a strong sense of family loyalty as the siblings protect each other from back-biting debutantes and a mysterious highwayman. Diana's mother is wise and a calming influence on the family, and her father is a noble and caring patriarch. Diana and Mr. Richfield are taking the time to get to know each other before jumping into marriage, but I didn't feel like there was much focus on that, especially since Diana remarked that she didn't even know the name of the estate he owned after they got engaged. He is charming and sweet, and appreciates Diana's differences from the other ladies of society. The plot kind of meanders along and the discovery of the highwayman's identity brings it to a conclusion.

(Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book; this is my honest review)

Character Casting

A Chaotic Courtship

Author’s Dream Cast

Diana Forester: Felicity Jones

John Richfield: Tom Hiddleston

Sarah Forester:  Jenna Coleman

Will Forester: Thomas Brodie-Sangster

Phillip Knighton: Xavier Samuel

Miss Reynolds: Hayley Atwell

Lady Anna Carlyle:  Anne Hathaway

John Ward: James Norton

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 

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Stuck in a Good Book Giveaway Hop!

Don't you just love being stuck in a good book? One that I read recently is A Heart Most Certain by Melissa Jagears! It has a great sense of the historical time period and strong characters. Enter in the Giveaway Tools widget below for a chance to win a copy of the book...

Synopsis

Lydia King knows what it's like to be in need, so when she joins the Teaville Moral Society, she genuinely hopes to help the town's poor. But with her father's debts increasing by the day and her mother growing sicker by the week, she wonders how long it will be until she ends up in the poor house herself. Her best chance at a financially secure future is to impress the politician courting her, and it certainly doesn't hurt that the moral society's president is her suitor's mother. Her first task as a moral society member—to obtain a donation from Nicholas Lowe, the wealthiest man in town—should be easy . . . except he flat-out refuses.
Despite appearances, Nicholas wants to help others but prefers to do it his own way, keeping his charity private. When Lydia proves persistent, they agree to a bargain, though Nicholas has a few surprises up his sleeve. Neither foresee the harrowing complications that will arise from working together. When town secrets are brought to light, this unlikely pair must decide where their beliefs—and hearts—truly align.

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