Monday, January 18, 2021

Review: Georgana's Secret by Arlem Hawks





My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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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