Review: Return to Satterthwaite Court by Mimi Matthews

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

A reckless Victorian heiress sets her sights on a dashing ex-naval lieutenant, determined to win his heart as the two of them embark on a quest to solve a decades-old mystery in USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews’s sequel to her critically acclaimed novels The Work of Art and Gentleman Jim.

Lieutenant Charles Heywood has had his fill of adventure. Battle-weary and disillusioned, he returns to England, resolved to settle down to a quiet, uneventful life on an estate of his own. But arranging to purchase the property he desires is more difficult than Charles ever imagined. The place is mired in secrets, some of which may prove deadly. If he’s going to unravel them, he’ll need the assistance of someone as daring as he is.

At only twenty, Lady Katherine Beresford has already earned a scandalous reputation. As skilled with pistols as she is on horseback, she’s never met an obstacle she can’t surmount—or a man she can’t win. That is, until she encounters the infuriatingly somber Lieutenant Heywood. But Kate refuses to be deterred by the raven-haired soldier’s strong, silent facade. After all, faint heart never won handsome gentleman.

From the wilds of rural Somersetshire to the glittering ballrooms of early-Victorian London, Charles and Kate embark on a cross-country quest to solve a decades’ old mystery. Will the greatest danger be to their hearts—or to their lives?

My Review

I adored the cover of this book since I saw it revealed, and I guess I made some assumptions about the female lead being demure and gentle, but that is not at all what Kate embodies! Her aggressive pursuit of Charles is tempered by glimpses of vulnerability that help the reader connect with both her and Charles as their relationship shifts from random strangers meeting over a dirty street dog to acquaintances to more. I admired that Kate had the confidence to go after what she wanted instead of waiting or giving up, even if it bordered the edge of society's norms. She sure got Charles's attention with her antics, and while he kept his emotions close to the chest with a stern expression, she slowly worked her way into softening his heart. Lovely, fun story!

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.

Don't miss the other books in the Somerset Stories series . . .

Review: Joy on the Mountain Peak by Misty M. Beller

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Will this epic journey be their second chance or the final heartbreak?

Heidi Wallace came west with secrets. When she accompanied her cartologist cousin to map terrain in the Montana Territory, she never imagined he would die from a snakebite. As she and her maid bury the body in this wild country, the last person she expects to come to their aid is the man she's no longer sure she wants to find. But now that Ben Lane is standing before her... her heart demands answers. 

 

Ben never thought he'd see Heidi again... let alone find her burying a body beneath a pile of rocks in the fierce Rocky Mountain plains. A man she claims was her husband. The last time Ben saw her, tears cascaded down her pretty cheeks as he walked away forever. He'd planned to marry her. Planned to spend his life making her happy. But to protect her life, he had to leave her behind. Now she's alone again...and once more in danger. 

 

Heidi must finish her contract to map the Marias River. When Ben insists she'll need more than a maid to keep herself alive, he determines to travel with them into the treacherous northern country. As Ben and Heidi uncover each other's secrets, the threat of the mountain wilderness may not be half as dangerous as the love that once flamed between them. 

 

From a USA Today bestselling author comes another epic journey through breathless landscapes and adventure so intense, lives will never be the same.

My Review

I've come to love these intrepid travelers in the rough wilderness where danger lurks around every boulder, yet their faith and camaraderie get them through even the most trying of circumstances. The original band has grown quite a bit as they have married and extended their families and friendships. This was a fun one to read since I not only share my name with the main character, I also love to draw! I don't know that I'd be as dedicated as she is to her job of detailing every view along the river as she maps it as well. The group that joins her is patient and supportive, and it was sweet that she and Ben had the opportunity to get close again, after his lack of communication with her in the past. Dangerous falls, dangerous wildlife, and dangerous tribes ramp up the intensity in between slower scenes of introspection and connection.

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.

Don't miss the other books in the Call of the Rockies series . . .

 

Review: The Price of Valor by Susan May Warren

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Former Navy SEAL Hamilton Jones thought that the love of his life was dead. But when a girl claiming to be his daughter shows up with a dire message from his wife, Ham knows he will stop at nothing to find her and bring her home.

Kidnapped by rebels while serving as an interpreter in Ukraine, Signe Kincaid has spent the past decade secreting out valuable information about Russian assets in the US to her CIA handler. Fearing for her daughter after being discovered as an operative, Signe sends her to Ham for safekeeping. She's ready to give her life for her country, and she can hardly expect Ham to rescue her after breaking his heart over and over.

When Ham discovers the reason Signe has kept her distance, he must choose between love for his wife and love for the nation he has vowed to protect. Will he save the many? Or the few?

USA Today bestselling author Susan May Warren takes you on a global search and rescue mission where the stakes are higher than ever in this final installment of her popular series.

My Review

Another non-stop action/adventure/suspense filled ride with the heroes of the global rescue team! I'd definitely recommend reading these in order since the subplot of the each previous book leads into the main plot of the following. There's an overarching political intrigue that ties them together, and I appreciate that the books don't end on cliffhangers even if all the threads aren't wrapped up. Ham is united with his daughter at the end of the previous book, and I loved seeing his relationship with her and how easily he falls into the role of father. Signe is more difficult to understand, and her layers are revealed slowly throughout the book. The thought processes of the characters are a bit choppy, as that seems to be the author's writing style, but it was more prevalent in this book. The rocky relationship of team members Orion and Jenny is explored along with Ham and Signe, and just as tumultuous is  unexpected natural disasters which provide contrast with the spy drama. It was satisfying to have the mysteries answered and  also fun to see the cameos of SAR and special op friends and colleagues from the author's other series.

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.

Don't miss the previous books in the Global Search and Rescue series . . .

Review: To Know Miss May by Deborah M. Hathaway

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

He's supposed to convince her to marry someone else. What happens if he falls for her instead?

Living on the small tidal island of St. Michael’s Mount, Miss Livvy May has the freedom to do as she wishes and go where she pleases, thriving in harmony with the Cornish seas. As much as she loves living on the Mount, however, there is one thing she wishes she could the fact that everyone wishes to know everything . In an effort to help, Livvy’s father encourages her to find a spouse off of the Mount, but the very thought of leaving her home is unbearable—even if that home includes people who constantly misjudge and misunderstand her. But such a matter is hardly important when she has her books to keep her company. After all, reading is far easier than acknowledging the secrets she is desperate to keep to herself. Secrets about her past, about her family, about her heart—and whom she holds inside of it.

Known as the Mount’s Charmer, August Moon has it all—a promising occupation as the castle’s undergardener, a family who loves him, friends who support him, and a community that adores him. The only thing that could make his life better? Finding a wife whose cheerful temperament and sense of adventure match his own. Such a thing is easier said than done, however, when his time is unexpectedly usurped by his supervisor, Mr. May, and a shocking August must help the unsociable Livvy May to find her place in Society or risk losing his place of work at the castle. Spending any amount of time with the woman will most assuredly be a waste of August’s time, but how can he willingly give up his position at the castle when he’s spent his whole life working to get there?

With no choice but to accept Mr. May’s demands, August is determined to make quick work of the situation. But assisting the woman proves more than difficult as she refuses to comply with Society’s standards, putting his job—and his future—at risk. Livvy can’t begin to understand why the man is suddenly paying attention to her, but she is determined to keep her secrets to herself, especially the ones that involve August. And yet, when a fraction of the true Livvy shines forth, both of them must decide if their futures are better left spent apart or if falling in love is worth the risk of everything changing—and not entirely for the better.

My Review

Such a unique setting! I loved the moody vibe of the island and Livvy's appreciation of all its seasons. There's an element of unrequited love here, until circumstances change and August takes notice of Livvy. There's something irresistible about August, and it's so sweet that he finds Livvy irresistible! Social and family dynamics make their budding friendship and romance complicated, but the author weaves in beautiful moments for them to share their hearts with each other. For fans of Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson, this book has a similar quality of delicious anticipation and romantic tension, even though the stories are very different... but then again, there are subtle parallels when I look close enough. Highly recommend!

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.

Don't miss the other books in the Castles and Courtship series . . .

Review: Forever Phoebe by Chalon Linton

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

At the dignified age of eighteen, Phoebe Jamison knows she should behave in a manner befitting her station, as her three loving elder brothers often tease. Unfortunately, the lively young woman has a personality every bit as fiery as her red hair, a fact brought to her attention in the criticism from the gentleman she has long pined for. But not every man is of the opinion that a woman should be decorous above all else. The newest resident of Somerset, Mr. Franklin Everly, is considered a most eligible bachelor, and he is immediately drawn to Phoebe’s spirited nature as he becomes acquainted with the delightful Jamison siblings of Primly Park.

Franklin embarks on a friendship with Phoebe that quickly deepens into a warm and thrilling connection. But even as he fights for Phoebe’s attentions, a very real danger is revealed: girls in neighboring villages have gone missing, and the kidnapper is moving ever closer to Primly Park. Despite the guard of her fiercely protective brothers and Franklin, Phoebe must rely on her own strength when she finds herself in the sights of the Bride Snatcher.

My Review

Phoebe, her brothers, and Mr. Everly are all easy to like in this sweet Regency romance. They share a fun camaraderie whether riding, shooting, dancing, or just visiting. The love triangle didn't make much sense to me since Mr. Mason was not likeable, and didn't treat Phoebe well, but she persisted in holding onto her longtime crush. It seemed a bit out of character for her to accept that kind of treatment. Her swift friendship with Franklin and their budding romance was a pleasure to read, and the kidnapping of local young women provided a bit of suspense. Overall the elements of the story were a bit disjointed, but I enjoyed the characters and their interactions as Franklin established himself at his estate and in the neighborhood.

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.

Don't miss the previous connected book . . .

Review: The Power of Flowers: Turning Pieces of Mother Nature into Transformative Works of Art by Vicki Rawlins

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

From field to forest and stream to sky, capture the harmony and beauty of the natural world with just some paper, flowers, leaves, and twigs.

Creating stunning yet fleeting works of art, artist Vicki Rawlins of Sister Golden defies the notion that art should be permanent. Using only the natural world and its gifts as her medium, Vicki forages for her materials and arranges them into stunning works of art.

Equipped with just scissors and tweezers, and using gravity as her glue, Vicki creates magical scenes and detailed portraits out of twigs, leaves, and flowers. After documenting her finished piece with a photo, she gifts her materials back to Mother Nature, or repurposes them in her next creation. The process is therapeutic, and the possibilities are endless!

A charming exploration of imagination and possibility, The Power of Flowers offers a window into the creative process behind these natural artworks and abundant inspiration with a striking kaleidoscope of art pieces, including:
- Famous faces, like Frida Kahlo, John Lennon, Einstein, Diana Ross, and more
- Whimsical scenes featuring blooming gardens, moonlit forests, seaside cottages, and woodland animals.
- Seasonal pieces inspired by the magic of the holidays
- Contemplative art reflecting love, inner strength, and positive energy.
 

With her uniquely imaginative artistic vision, Vicki takes you deeper into her world by sharing her process, her sustainable approach to art, and anecdotes about what inspired her to create. Let yourself get lost in The Power of Flowers.

My Review

I've admired this artist's work as I've come across photographs of various pieces online, and I was excited to be able to look at a whole book of her creations. The scenes are sweet and nostalgic, and the portraits creative and fun. The author shares some of her history with a health crisis and the way working with nature helped restore her. It's somewhat disappointing that live plant creations are difficult to preserve or share other than from a photo. I was surprised to learn that she doesn't use any adhesive but just freely lays down the pieces of plant matter in her composition (careful to have no fans or open windows). There's not much in the way of tutorials or instruction, but the artist shares a paragraph or two of her thoughts about each artwork or series of art pieces. The variety of matter is inspiring and I loved the contrasts of colors and textures. A wonderful source of inspiration for foraging and creating!

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.