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Pleasantly Pursued – Review

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by Kasey Stockton

ASIN : B0B488YSWD
Publisher : Golden Owl Press (September 7, 2022)
Publication date : September 7, 2022
Language : English
Print length : 338 pages

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Thea Northcott cannot abide Benedict Bradwell, and the feeling is mutual. Or, is it?

Thea
I would do nearly anything to avoid the lecherous advances of an eager earl, including running away from my finishing school and finding employment under a false name. The work turned out to be harder than I expected, however, and the prospect of returning to a life of comfort and a significant reduction of welts on my hands and shadows beneath my eyes just might be a temptation I’m too weary to refuse. The problem: the invitation comes from Benedict, the ultimate tormentor of my youth and brief object of my infatuation—the latter of which he can never find out.

Benedict
When I found Thea working in the belly of a grand house and did my best to convince her to return home with me where my mother awaited her, I did not expect her to agree. Our years of quarreling had solidified the woman as my enemy, and traveling alone together was a prospect that both terrified and intrigued me. Thea had only been my friend for a brief time years ago, and I do not know why she turned us against one another. But now that we’re forced together again, I cannot help but renew my determination to find out. Because a woman who would hate me with such fire was bound to love with the same fervor.

Thea Northcott has been raised by parents who had no respect for marriage vows, and she finds herself in the unfortunate position of having fallen in love with a flirt she can’t trust with her heart.

I love the banter between Thea and Ben, but I love even more how they are just drawn to each other.

Kasey Stockton is fast becoming one of my go to authors. I have been loving this series, and I can’t wait to read Henry’s book.

Blog Tour and Review: A Tenuous Betrothal

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by Jen Geigle Johnson

Publisher : Covenant Communications (August 8, 2022)
Language : English
ISBN-10 : 1524422576
ISBN-13 : 978-1524422578

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Orphaned and penniless, Rhianna has no hope of a happy ending-until she learns of a generations-old connection to the royal family of Oldenburg. But marrying a prince would come with its own set of problems.

Rhianna Davies is well-acquainted with heartache after the painful loss of her parents. At the arrival of her ghastly uncle, she is brought even lower: Rhi has been banished from her family’s estate home and must rely on the kindness of her tightly knit Welsh miners for help. Without the protective love of her parents, Rhi has no illusions that hers will be a happy ending-until an addendum to her father’s will arrives in the hands of a prince.

Marc Wilhelm, Prince of Oldenburg, is in Wales with one purpose: to claim his betrothed. A long-ago promise between their fathers forges an indelible link between Rhi and Marc, but there remains just one problem: neither wants to marry a stranger. With no remaining ties to Wales, Rhi agrees to accompany Marc to Oldenburg, where he will forfeit their betrothal so she may have her pick of husbands. But their journey takes them down unexpected paths, from the depths of a Welsh mine to the marriage mart of London to a warm reception in Oldenburg. Rhi and Marc discover that their connection and their challenges run deeper than either anticipated, but whether from their own hesitations or from danger that threatens without, the couple might be thwarted before they can even begin the happily ever after they so richly deserve.

Left an orphan and with an uncle who treats her poorly, Rhianna Davies is looking for a place to call home. I liked Rhi. She isn’t weak, and she cares about the workers at her family’s mine and wants to keep them safe. She doesn’t want to rush into an arranged marriage with someone she doesn’t love.

Marc Wilhelm has become betrothed to Rhianna through an agreement with their fathers. While he feels a certain sense of duty, he believed himself unable to wed. Marc bothered me at times. He knew his feelings for Rhi but feared for her safety so he didn’t want to pursue a relationship. That was understandable. However, he still played with her feelings and continued to flirt with her. I know he was battling with himself, but he made things a lot harder on her.

I like interconnected stories, and this group of brothers is fun. These books can all be read on their own, but I find them more enjoyable when you read them in order. I liked seeing more of Henri and Kristoff in this book as well as the other brothers. Kristoff’s book should be funny, but I think Henri’s is the one I most look forward to.

I always like reading the author’s notes, and I liked the inclusion of the author’s family connection to Wales and mining in the story.

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Blog Tour and Review: The Dreaming Beauty

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by Anneka R. Walker

Publisher : Covenant Communications (July 11, 2022)
Language : English
Paperback : 256 pages
ISBN-10 : 1524422061
ISBN-13 : 978-1524422066

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An Enchanted Regency Romance


Once upon a dream, two cursed people fell in love…


Tansy White doesn’t want to end up alone like her three aunts who raised her, but when she is betrayed by her would-be betrothed, she fears she might never change her fate. At her aunts’ suggestion, she seizes the chance to visit Rose Cottage, the country home of her late mother. For years, dreams of the cottage have haunted Tansy, and she is convinced it holds the answer to her hidden past. But after getting caught in a terrible storm, she meets a man who is just as determined as she is to learn all her secrets.


Marcus Taylor, brother to the Duke of Westmorland, is also troubled by vivid dreams. On a sleepless night, as a tempest rages outside his brother’s estate, he makes a discovery far more mysterious than any dream: a young woman, cold as ice, lies unconscious in the library, and he is sure she is the key to solving his problems. When she makes, what begins as a shared quest for information turns into an unexpected friendship. As they piece together the fragments of their past, they discover a tangled web of lies, and their feelings for each other become just as entwined. But is their love as strong as their dreams. . . or their fate?

Growing up, my favorite fairy tale was Sleeping Beauty. The Dreaming Beauty was such a great twist on this classic! I loved all the little nods to the original, but I liked the storyline and characters in this book even better. Anneka Walker is such a beautiful storyteller. This book has romance, mystery, and so many secrets.

Marcus Taylor has always had to live his life in his step brother’s shadow. His entire focus has been to help Simon with the Dukedom. Simon comes off as somewhat lazy and irresponsible, but his family are also enablers because they do everything for him and he never has a need to do it himself.

Tansy White has always been conflicted by her dreams. Her aunts have kept her parentage from her, and she feels like a large part of herself is missing.

Tansy and Marcus are both kind hearted people who struggle with finding the balance of family and putting their personal needs first. I loved them together. They had some beautiful scenes under the stars.

I loved that there were some appearances with characters from The Masked Baron. That is such a great book! I hope we have more books in this series. I would love for Simon to get his own story. The covers in this series are stunning!

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Blog Tour and Review: Where Dreams Meet

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by Jennifer Moore, Renae Weight Mackley, Carolyn Twede Frank, Carla Kelly

Publisher : Covenant Communications (June 30, 2022)
Language : English
ISBN-10 : 1524421529
ISBN-13 : 978-1524421526

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To Love a Spy
by Jennifer Moore

New York, 1781
Despite her family’s betrayal of the Crown, Susannah Partridge remains loyal to the king. But when she becomes embroiled in the treasonous activities of her charming neighbor, Eli Matthews, Susannah must determine where her allegiance truly lies.


Southern Belle, Yankee Heart
by Renae Weight Mackley


Richmond, 1861
The Union is splintering, and Northern dressmaker Rebecca Steed finds herself stuck in the South with little money and even less hope. But being stranded in Virginia comes with an unexpected silver lining in the form of Nathan Hill, a man whose opposition to slavery and determination to do what is right quickly win her affection. But how can she give her heart to a soldier who may never come back from the war?


Where Dreams Meet
by Carolyn Twede Frank

New York, 1892
When Jane O’Shea arrives at Ellis Island from Ireland, she has nothing but a desire to make her way in the world. With help from Peter Dockery, a gentle stranger, Jane embarks on her new life. As the couple faces seemingly insurmountable odds, they discover that adversity is better faced alongside the one you love.


The Sun, Moon, Stars, and You
by Carla Kelly

Washington, DC, 1905
Nothing could have prepared Lieutenant Hank Thornton for his new post in Washington, DC. As a military aide to President Teddy Roosevelt in the White House, Hank is to be nothing more than a dashing dance partner at various political events. It isn’t until he meets Minnie Gallagher, an intrepid copy corrector at a local paper, that he begins to see the possibilities of this odd assignment.

Where Dreams Meet is a collection of four stories throughout America’s history.

“To Love a Spy” by Jennifer Moore

I recently read When the Day Comes which takes place during the early days of the American Revolution, so I loved reading this time period further on in the war even more right now. It actually isn’t a period I have read a lot of books from, and between these two books, I have really been enjoying this time period.

When I had first begun reading this story, I mentioned to a family member that the story is about a Loyalist and a Patriot. We discussed what it must have been like for people during that time to choose sides. Susannah ends up struggling with that very problem. I really liked reading about her thought process behind it.

I had also heard about similar tavern situations in Massachusetts and how the British used them. I liked that this story was told from one of the points of views of the family. I had recently visited one of these taverns, and after reading this story, I visited two more of them.

“Southern Belle, Yankee Heart” by Renae Weight Mackley

Northerner Rebecca Steed is in Virginia on business buying fabric when they declare the vote to secede. This forces Rebecca to either stay in Virginia, or lose all the money she spent on her fabric. She is pretty quick to pass judgement on all Southerners. While there are some outspoken ones with very bad points of view, she attributes that to all of them. The longer she stays in Virginia, the more she learns her judgements could have been too rash.

Nathan Hill is a businessman who travels back and forth between the hotel Rebecca stays at. Rebecca declares him a fence sitter, but she is immediately attracted to him. Since he is a Southerner, she doesn’t want to develop any feelings for him.

Nathan and Rebecca have a conversation about just being an American. During this time period was the brother against brother war. Yes, there were real issues that needed to be resolved, but they decided to fight instead of resolve them properly. This is still the same case today. Instead of all being Americans (over even better – just humans), people like to divide people along political lines, or race, or income, or any number of things. People still haven’t learned.

“Where Dreams Meet” by Carolyn Twede Frank

Jane O’Shea arrives in Ellis Island from Ireland and she doesn’t have enough money to cover the train fare to her family in Missouri. Peter Dockery notices her plight and helps her out. Not only do they share a destination, but they also have something else in common.

I really enjoyed reading this story. There was a little less history than than previous two stories, and I would have liked a little more Irish background, but I loved the storyline and the characters. I read this story very quickly because I found it so interesting. I liked the message that adversity can make us stronger.

“The Sun, Moon, Stars, and You” by Carla Kelly

Minnie Gallagher is a copy editor who dreams of being a journalist. She also believes that women should have the right to vote. Minnie is very sweet and polite to people, but she is also a very strong, intelligent woman.

After insulting the President’s infamous daughter Alice, Hank Thornton is assigned the menial duty of escorting her on horse back rides and cataloging wedding gifts. Unlike his fellow lieutenants, Hank doesn’t have lofty goals. His dreams may be simpler, but that doesn’t mean he has no ambitions.

Hank and Minnie had a more quiet and sweet courtship as they got to know each other more. I also liked the supporting characters in this story. I loved all the historical elements throughout this story. It was interesting to read the author’s note at the end and find out what had really happened. This was a cute story with a lot of deeper meaning.

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Blog Tour and Review: To Kiss a Wallflower

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by Jen Geigle Johnson, Heather B. Moore, Anneka R. Walker

Publisher : Mirror Press (June 21, 2022)
Language : English
ISBN-10 : 1952611261
ISBN-13 : 978-1952611261

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Eventually, all wallflowers will have their chance at love . . . This is where it begins.

The Wallflower’s Dance by Jen Geigle Johnson
Lottie Hughes likes people, as long as they aren’t too close. Does it bother her that no one asks her to dance? Yes, but she’s not sure how to drum up dance partners when she has almost no dowry, no title, and freezes up when anyone tries to talk to her. When she suddenly inherits a huge amount and is the new center of attention all over London, her secret dreams might come true but also her worst nightmares. Suddenly everyone wants to talk to her. Men ask her to dance. And she is inundated with interested suitors. She fights to stay close to the few friends she knows are true. One man saw her before her life changed forever. But does she want to accept his help when he, too, might be insincere?

Letters to a Wallflower by Heather B. Moore
Ellen might be beautiful and considered a diamond of the first water by Society, but she is so very tired of the pressure to marry a titled gentleman so that her beauty won’t go to waste. When her cousin Dinah dares Ellen to attend a ball with no frills and to stand with the wallflowers, Ellen takes on the dare. What’s in the wager for her? The prize cuttings of her aunt’s extraordinary roses. But what Ellen isn’t expecting is Lord Ravenshire to engage her in the most interesting conversation. When she confesses to him of her opposition in marrying for a title, he confesses his distaste of the London scene. They strike a bargain together, one which will either push them apart or lead to a future sweeter than either of them could have imagined.

To Marry a Wallflower by Anneka R. Walker
Charlotte Winters is destined to spinsterhood until she turns down an unwanted proposal and everything changes. With gossip rampant, her father attempts to salvage her reputation by betrothing her to another. Soon she is sent off to her aunt’s to meet Lord Templeton, her intended. Anxiety-ridden, Charlotte begs her aunt to let her observe Lord Templeton from afar before their introduction. She never planned to pretend to be her fictional cousin to learn more about him, or to fall in love with Lord Templeton’s friend in the process. Lord Templeton dreads returning to the empty halls of Newcliff Manor. When his father’s old friend, Mr. Winters reaches out for assistance, Lord Templeton finds himself returning home engaged to a woman he has never met. Desperate to learn more about Miss Winters, he befriends her cousin. He wouldn’t have spoken to her, or lied about his identity, if he’d known the quiet woman would sneak into his heart.

To Kiss a Wallflower brings together 3 great authors with stories about Wallflowers. They are often overlooked and in the background, but these stories give Wallflowers their happily ever afters.

The Wallflower’s Dance by Jen Geigle Johnson

Lottie Hughes has always been awkward in social situations. She feels most comfortable with her best friend Denny, a book, and a corner to hide in. When she is suddenly an heiress, her popularity rises overnight. She doesn’t know who she can trust. Even Denny.

Childhood friendship to realizing there is more as adults is always one of my favorite tropes, and this was a sweet story. I liked all the little memories they shared from childhood.

Letters to a Wallflower by Heather B. Moore

Ellen and Aaron both have mothers who wish for them to find spouses. Ellen makes a bet with her cousin that if she dresses like a wallflower, she won’t get many dances. Aaron makes a deal with his mother to dance with the wallflowers, then call upon one, and go for a carriage ride. This is how Ellen and Aaron meet. After the success of their first meeting, they decide in order to avoid all the trappings of the season, they will fake a courtship.

I adored this story. It was cute, and I liked the characters a lot. I like when relationships progress through letters, and I love the conversations they had. My favorite was the one in the London garden, and the lamb scene was sweet.

To Marry a Wallflower by Anneka R. Walker

After a spurned suitor starts rumors about Charlotte Winters, her father arranges a marriage for her with his friend’s son Luke.

Charlotte has a shy personality and hides behind fans, but she is a very kind and talented person. Luke has lost all his family and his friends are married leaving him to feel alone. When Luke and Charlotte meet, they are both hiding their identities, and they agree at exchange letters to learn more about their future spouse.

I loved watching Luke and Charlotte’s relationship develop. They were so cute together. While this arranged marriage was pushed for in the first place, it ended up being just what they both needed.

This story had what I believe to be what I think of the most with a wallflower. They may be quiet in social situations, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have important things to say. They just feel more comfortable in smaller groups and with people they know.

My favorite scenes were the painted fan scene and the talking with the horse scenes. I loved this sweet story, and I also loved the dedication.

When the Day Comes – Review

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by Gabrielle Meyer

Publisher : Bethany House Publishers (May 3, 2022)
Language : English
Paperback : 384 pages
ISBN-10 : 0764239740
ISBN-13 : 978-0764239748

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How will she choose, knowing all she must sacrifice?

Libby has been given a powerful gift: to live one life in 1774 Colonial Williamsburg and the other in 1914 Gilded Age New York City. When she falls asleep in one life, she wakes up in the other. While she’s the same person at her core in both times, she’s leading two vastly different lives.

In Colonial Williamsburg, Libby is a public printer for the House of Burgesses and the Royal Governor, trying to provide for her family and support the Patriot cause. The man she loves, Henry Montgomery, has his own secrets. As the revolution draws near, both their lives–and any hope of love–are put in jeopardy.

Libby’s life in 1914 New York is filled with wealth, drawing room conversations, and bachelors. But the only work she cares about–women’s suffrage–is discouraged, and her mother is intent on marrying her off to an English marquess. The growing talk of war in Europe only complicates matters.

But Libby knows she’s not destined to live two lives forever. On her twenty-first birthday, she must choose one path and forfeit the other–but how can she choose when she has so much to lose in each life?

I had heard that if you like Downton Abbey and time split books, this is the book for you. I have never watched Downton Abbey, and I usually don’t like time split books, but I really enjoyed When the Day Comes! I adored the characters, and I loved that I didn’t know what was going to happen next in the story.

It was such a unique book. I loved all the history from both time periods in it, but especially the early days of the American Revolution. This encouraged me to take the book on a tour of Lexington, Lincoln, and Concord, MA. I love when after reading Historical Fiction/Romance I want to learn even more.

The photos are from:

North Bridge where the “shot heard round the world” was fired

The site where Paul Revere was captured

Hartwell Tavern

Battle Road

Blog Tour and Review: Midnight’s Budding Morrow

timelessnovels

by Carolyn Miller

Publisher : Kregel Publications (May 31, 2022)
Language : English
Paperback : 312 pages
ISBN-10 : 0825446546
ISBN-13 : 978-0825446542

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Can real love grow between a wallflower and an unrepentant rogue?

Sarah Drayton is eager to spend time with her best friend at her crumbling Northumberland castle estate. Matrimony is the last thing on her mind and the last thing she expects to be faced with on a holiday. Yet she finds herself being inveigled into a marriage of convenience with her friend’s rakish brother.

When James Langley returns to his family’s estate, he can’t be bothered to pay attention to his responsibilities as the heir. War is raging and he wants only distraction, not serious tethers. But his roguish ways have backed him into a corner, and he has little choice but to obey his father’s stunning decree: marry before returning to war, or else. Suddenly he finds himself wedded to a clever and capable woman he does not love.

Sarah craves love and a place to belong, neither of which James offered before returning to the battlefront. Now everyone around her thinks she married above her station, and they have no intention of rewarding her for such impertinence. It isn’t until her husband returns from war seemingly changed that she begins to hope they may find real happiness. But can she trust that this rake has truly reformed?

When tragedy strikes, this pair must learn to trust God and his plans. Will they be destroyed . . . or will they discover that even in the darkest depths of night, the morning still holds hope?

Midnight’s Budding Morrow is a story of redemption, forgiveness, and finding love. I always like when characters are imperfect because it is more realistic, and I enjoy seeing their growth throughout the story.

After his father blames him for his mother’s death, James Langley struggles with drinking and gambling. To pay off a debt, he is forced into a marriage of convenience with his sister’s friend Sarah Drayton.

While we see James being disrespectful to Sarah, we never see him at his lowest point, so it seemed a little easier to be forgiving. Most of the time he came across as a really good guy who was trying to do better. I had more issues with his father. His father was unforgiving of an accident and held onto that grudge for years. Then the way he manipulates people is abominable.

I can’t go into detail because I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I will just say that this was an incredibly hard book to read right now. I am going through a similar situation to Sarah, and to read it happening and then her emotions has been difficult. Sarah’s emotions were written as very raw and on point to the tragedy she was going through. I felt an instant connection to her. Though she handles them a lot more extremely than I do. I really felt for her.

I always like reading a story about forgiveness. No matter who a person is, we all need some type of forgiveness in our lives, and we need to forgive others.

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In Honor’s Defense – Review

timelessnovels

by Karen Witemeyer

Publisher : Bethany House Publishers (June 7, 2022)
Language : English
Paperback : 384 pages
ISBN-10 : 0764232096
ISBN-13 : 978-0764232091

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He’s Faced Countless Perils on the Battlefield, but Nothing so Dangerous as Falling in Love.

Luke Davenport has been fighting all his life–for respect, for country, and for those unable to fight for themselves. But now that his Horsemen brothers are domesticated, he’s left alone to battle the wildness within. When an opportunity arises to take a job on his own, tracking down a group of rustlers, he jumps at the chance.

Damaris Baxter has mastered the art of invisibility. Plain and quiet, she hides in books and needlework, content to be overlooked. Until her brother dies suddenly, leaving her custody of her nephew. She moves to Texas to care for Nathaniel, determined to create the family for herself that she never thought she’d have and to give him the family he desperately needs.

When Nate finds himself knee-deep in trouble, Luke’s attempt to protect him leaves Damaris feeling indebted to the Horseman. But suspicions grow regarding the mysterious death of Damaris’s brother. And the more questions they ask, the more danger appears, threatening the family Luke may be unable to live without.

Luke Davenport comes across as an adventurous rough and tumble warrior but at heart he is a protector looking for a place to call home. Who knew he would find it with a bookworm and a rebellious young boy?

I have been waiting for Preach’s story. He has lived such a hard life, and rebelled against it, but he shows just what can happen with repentance and God’s love.

There was a lot of action in this book, and it was nice to see the Hanger’s Horsemen again. I love the bond that the Horsemen have. If one of them has a need, the others will always be there for them.