Review: Saving Shadow by Laura Beers (and Goodreads Giveaway!)

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

Born with a perfect memory, Lady Elizabeth Beckett has become one of the world's most notorious spies, despite being the daughter of a duke. She is shielded only by her code name: Shadow. When young ladies of High Society begin disappearing from London, Eliza has no doubt who is orchestrating these crimes; a heinous man she has been investigating for years. Vowing to save them before they are sold to the highest bidder, she must risk everything to stop him.

Lord Sinclair was perfectly content being the second son of a marquess, but when his brother is murdered, he is thrust into a position he has not been prepared for and does not desire. As an agent for the Crown, he is expected to retire now that he is the heir, but he's been granted special permission for one more mission... to obtain justice for his murdered brother.

Used to keeping secrets, Lady Eliza and Lord Sinclair must learn to open up to each other when they are assigned as partners to bring down the same ruthless man and his brutal empire of abduction and slavery. As Eliza's tainted past becomes too much for her to bear alone, can she learn to trust her new partner with her secrets, her life, and possibly her heart?

My Review

This book is definitely not your usual Regency romance! The heroine is one of the elite justice seekers, and because of this the dynamics of her relationship with partner spy Benedict have a different give and take. I enjoyed their passionate romance as they worked together to complete his final mission. The voice and tone of the book was more contemporary than I'm used to in a historical novel, and the purpose of their mission- to stop human trafficking among the lower classes- was surprising since I assumed the purpose of spies were to ensure national security from foreign threats. Much of the story is told in the narration rather than shown, and I felt like a lot of things were being explained to me which prevented me from feeling immersed in the action and characters. Overall this is an entertaining read if the reader is able to suspend belief a bit ;)

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

Enter the Goodreads Giveaway for a copy of the book!

Link-up: Free / Bargain Books

Sharing the Love of Books
Enjoy our selection of New Releases / Free & Bargain Books this week

Authors please feel free to add your own books
Readers please free to add your own finds
(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...
Monday
 Leels Loves Books
Tuesday
Celticlady's Reviews | First Time Mommy Adventures 
Wednesday
Beck Valley Books | Between the Coverz | Bookalicious Traveladdict
Thursday
Miki's Hope | Heidi Reads...
Friday
Ebook Addicts | I Love Romance | Colorimetry | Futures
Saturday
3 Partners in Shopping | I Create Purty Thangs | Wishful Endings 

Sunday

Ali - The Dragon Slayer | Deal Sharing Aunt | Living Life With Joy

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author

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For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, in case any underage child is viewing it!)

Here is this weeks awesome selection!

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Come back and check out the new selection every week!

Review: 12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

When Clara Chapman receives an intriguing invitation to spend Christmas at an English manor home, she is hesitant yet compelled to attend—for if she remains the duration of the twelve-day celebration, she is promised a sum of one thousand pounds. That’s enough money to bring her brother back from America and reinstate their stolen family fortune. But is she walking into danger? It appears so, especially when she comes face to face with one of the other guests—her former fiancé, Benjamin Lane.

Imprisoned unjustly, Ben wants revenge on whoever stole his honor. When he’s given the chance to gain his freedom, he jumps at it—and is faced with the anger of the woman he stood up at the altar.

Brought together under mysterious circumstances for the Twelve Days of Christmas, Clara and Ben discover that what they've been striving for isn't what ultimately matters. What matters most is what Christmas is all about . . . love.

My Review

I didn't quite know what to expect when I started this book, which is always fun because I start out with an open mind and enjoy the surprises on my reading journey. Clara and Ben and the other characters that are invited to Bleakly Manor don't know what to expect either which enhanced the mysteriousness of the event and the secret benefactor. While Clara and Ben's reunion is a bit rocky, I loved seeing them reconcile and reignite their love, while the rest of the plot turns into a cozy mystery with increasing danger and mishaps that threaten the occupants. A fun holiday story with elements of suspense and romance!

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

Review: Love Me at Sunset by Lucinda Whitney

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

An ex-con reforming his life. A pregnant widow hiding her past. Will the price of her secrets cost her his love?

Catarina Romano has lost everything: her husband, her house, her lifestyle. She flees to her cousin’s empty manor in the heart of Portugal, trying to find peace and to hide from the scandal spun by the media, only to discover she is pregnant.

Afonso Cortez is done with all the lies. Fresh out of prison for trusting the wrong person, he’s ready to leave the past behind and look ahead to new opportunities. The remote Sunset Manor, in need of a groundskeeper, is the perfect solution, promising to provide Afonso with the solitude he craves while he restores the grounds to their former glory.

Catarina avoids Afonso at first, not wanting to further complicate her life. But Afonso is intriguing, and she feels drawn to him. If only she didn’t feel guilty for all the secrets she’s keeping from him.

When suspicious accidents start occurring at the property, Afonso believes his past is catching up with him. Will he be able to protect Catarina or will he lose the woman who might restore his belief in love?

My Review

I loved the setting of this book in Portugal! The author has a real talent for giving the reader a sense of the country and culture in a subtle way that doesn't overpower the story. This is a story of new beginnings for Afonso and Catarina, and their relationship slowly grows throughout the book. I loved the little kindnesses Afonso shows to Catarina and her astonishment at his gentleness and caring. Even though she grew up in a loving family, her difficult marriage made her skeptical of gentlemanly behavior. It was interesting to see the layers of their past lives revealed little by little, and grow hopeful that these two healing people could find a future together. Wonderful romance and special moments between Alfonso and Catarina are really what made this book for me!

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


The Destined for Love Mansions series:

Kiss Me in the Rain by Lindzee Armstrong
Roping His Heart by Jaclyn Hardy
The Princess and The Pizza Man by Cassie Mae
Mending Fences by Lorin Grace
Love Me at Sunset by Lucinda WhitneySaving Sycamore Bay by Cami Checketts

Also part of the Romano Family series:

Book 1: Hold Me At Twilight
Book 2: Meet Me At Sunrise
Book 3: Love Me At Sunset
Book 4: Keep Me At Christmas (coming soon)