Tag: Esther Hatch

The Earl’s Hideaway, No Ladies Allowed – Review

timelessnovels

by Esther Hatch

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bowker (December 31, 2022)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 292 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1736747827
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1736747827

If there is one woman Samson Rutherford, Earl of Riverton, can’t abide, it is his meddling sister. He has spent his whole life being a pawn in her plans and tricks, but when one of her schemes leaves him embarrassed in front of an old friend, he has finally had enough. Since he cannot beat her at her games, or even say no to her, his only option to save his sanity and pride is to run away—and luckily, his solicitor knows just the place…


Catherine Wallace wasn’t born to be a governess, but with her family’s fall from grace, she has become one. A good one. However, when the chance arises to stay at her uncle’s home so she can care for his horticulture project while he is absent, she jumps at the chance. Leaving her position, she plans to gather her sisters together so they can be a family again—even if it is only for three months.


But the last thing Catherine expected to find upon her arrival was her childhood friend. Samson has sequestered himself at the cottage and claims to have been invited to watch over her uncle’s project as well. Catherine has nowhere else to go and needs the cottage for her and her sisters. Samson needs it to get away from his. But one thing is absolutely clear—they cannot stay there together.

However, Samson has always known that with no risk, comes no reward, so he proposes a plan. The answer to their living conditions is simple…they will both stay. They merely need to make certain no one ever finds out.

Sisters can be sweet or meddling, and Samson Rutherford is dealing with some of each. His meddling sister Dru has even pushed him into hiding for months at a time after some of her antics. What he doesn’t know is that his hiding place is going to be invaded by a childhood friend he has feelings for.

Samson has never been able to say no to women and always gives in to his sisters. I found him to be immature in the fact he couldn’t say no so he would just run away from his problems. I understand taking a moment to yourself, but months at a time when his family had no way to communicate with him or know if he was okay was just wrong.

Catherine Wallace grew up with luxuries but is forced to work as a governess when an investment her father made goes South. Her mother contributes to the problem by overspending their income and taking advantage of her three daughters. Catherine takes care of her family’s needs, but she also is not afraid to stand up for what she wants with her friends.

I feel for Catherine. She has a lot of responsibility on her shoulders paying for her sister’s schooling. Instead of learning anything, her mother is continuing to overspend and does not care how she treats her daughters.

In both books in the series there are strong side characters I love that I hope will have stories of their own. Oliver and Dru’s courtship would certainly be an adventure. Victoria was a favorite in the previous book, and I loved seeing more of her.

I used to put on plays all the time with my sister and cousins, and I loved reading about the ones they did in the story.

I always love the childhood friends into more stories. I enjoyed hearing about what things they did as children and how they have changed as adults.

This book has the fun and romance that Hatch is known for, and I look forward to reading the next in this series!

Blog Tour and Review: The Holly and the Ivy 

timelessnovels

by Sarah M. Eden, Esther Hatch, Dana LeCheminant, Anneka R. Walker

Publisher ‏: ‎Covenant Communications (October 3, 2022)
Language ‏: ‎English
Paperback ‏:‎ 400 pages
ISBN-10 ‏: ‎1524422223
ISBN-13 ‏: ‎978-1524422226

Purchase from Amazon

Spend the holidays with four of your favorite historical romance authors, whose stories of Yuletide romance will brighten the season with humor, hope, and the promise of true love.

“The Holly and the Ivy” by Sarah M. Eden
As nursemaid to the eight-year-old Duke of Kielder, Robbie will spend her holidays with her young charge as a guest of Lord and Lady Jonquil. While the couple makes the child’s holiday magical, the handsome gardener works his own magic on Nurse Robbie’s heart.


“Hiding Christmas” by Esther Hatch
Celebrating Christmas in Scotland will only invite persecution. But that never stopped Kirstine’s English grandmother. When they are almost caught, Kirstine is forced to beg for the help of the one man she cannot abide.


“A Twist of Christmas” by Dana LeCheminant
A Christmas house party offers two members of the ton an irresistible opportunity: a weekend of anonymity. But their charade comes with unexpected romantic consequences.


“A Season to Love” by Anneka R. Walker
Alice Hunt is searching for a Christmas miracle: a husband of her choosing. With the threat of an arranged marriage looming, she looks to an unlikely matchmaker for help.

“The Holly and the Ivy” by Sarah M. Eden

Adam is my favorite Sarah Eden character, and I loved that this story took place when he was 8 and just a “little Duke” at the time. If you haven’t read Adam’s other stories yet, I highly suggest you do.

Robbie and Howard had a sweet romance. I liked seeing Robbie’s point of view of having been with Adam for 8 years but she knew her time with the family was drawing to a close now that Adam was being sent away for his education.

Adam missed celebrating Christmas because his mother sent him away and he was alone at school during the holiday. The Jonquils, Robbie, and Howard help create Christmas for Adam to celebrate in April. While this takes place in the story, it is not the main focus. The story focuses more on Adam growing up and taking on the serious role of a Duke, and Robbie trying to find out where she fits in.

No spoilers, but there is an Easter egg at the end of chapter 15 for people who have read other connected books, and I was losing it!

“Hiding Christmas” by Esther Hatch

While not illegal any longer, Christmas is still frowned upon in Scotland. Every year Kirstine and her grandmother have to travel a few days by carriage in order to celebrate in England with family.

This year, Kirstine’s grandmother starts one of their Christmas traditions early, and in order to hide it from Kirstine’s cousin, the new kirk elder, estranged neighbor Mr Parker gets roped into the trip to England.

Mr Parker has never felt like he fit into English society. When his friend and fellow soldier talks about his home and family in Scotland, Mr Parker feels drawn there.

This story was so cute, sweet, and funny! I always think it’s harder to have fully developed characters in a novella that you can connect with and a non rushed storyline, but this story nails it.

“A Twist of Christmas” by Dana LeCheminant

Graham is a Viscount who is tired of people only seeing him for his title and overlooking his younger brother for his lack of one. They decide to switch places for a house party so Graham can have a break and blend into the background, and Henry can be seen for the wonderful man his brother knows he is.

Lady Elizabeth is a Duke’s daughter, and she and her companion Jemma decide to switch places as well for the house party.

I love how Graham got awkward around Beth because he liked her. It was adorable. They had some really cute scenes together.

I have never read this author before, and I really enjoyed this story. Her book The Thief and the Noble is on my TBR list and now I want to bump it higher up on the list.

“A Season to Love” by Anneka R. Walker

As the last of her sisters to remain unmarried, Alice prays that God will bring her a husband before she is forced to marry someone not of her choosing. The pastor Mr Perry overhears her plea, and they work together to find her a husband.

I loved that Mr Perry wasn’t your traditional serious clergyman. He wanted people to realize the man behind the clergyman, and he had a fun, playful side.

I liked the dynamic of this couple and how they played off of each other.

The children in this story are so cute. I liked the choir boys and little “Freckles”.

I always enjoy interconnected stories, especially novellas. You can read it as a standalone, but if you have read Julia and Ivy’s stories, you already feel connected to this family.

Enter Here!

Top 21 Books of 2021

timelessnovels

This year has been filled with so many amazing books! Every single book on this list earns a 5 star rating and comes highly recommended. Some of them are now even some of my favorite reads of all time. Thank you so much to all these authors, and all the other authors out there, for everything that goes into their books; the worlds they create for us to escape into, the characters we come to care for, the research needed for all the rich history. There is so much that I am deeply appreciative of. Thanks for an incredible year of books!

Read more →

Blog Tour and Review: A Proper Scoundrel

timelessnovels

by Esther Hatch

Publisher : Covenant Communications, Inc. (May 10, 2021)
Language : English
Paperback : 256 pages
ISBN-10 : 1524416983
ISBN-13 : 978-1524416980

Purchase from Amazon

His scandals were right on track until she derailed everything.

As the successful owner of multiple railroad lines, Diana Barton is all too accustomed to fending off suitors seeking to stake their claim on her wealth. In order to keep the wolves at bay, Diana has contrived the perfect plan: appeal to the most notorious rake in London, the Baron Lord Bryant, to ruin her reputation and scare off the worst of the time wasters. The ruse will be no hardship she’s secretly been fascinated by the man for years.

Lord Bryant is well aware of his questionable reputation. Indeed, he has cultivated the image carefully, and the last thing he wants is a wife. But when he’s approached by the younger sister of a business associate, he tells her in no uncertain terms that he cannot help. However, when he sees for himself what she is up against, Bryant grudgingly offers his assistance. Faced with his most complicated entanglement yet, Bryant is firm in his conditions and Diana knows that to get romantically involved with Bryant would spell certain heartbreak. But as the counterfeit couple grow ever closer, the line between truth and lies becomes blurred, threatening both Lord Bryant’s well-laid plans and the future of Diana’s railroad business.

In my review for A Proper Scandal, I wrote: “Speaking of side characters, I don’t usually like stories where the hero is a rake, but I would love a redeemed rake story for Lord Bryant. He seems like he has a great sense of humor and despite being a rake, I liked his character. He seems to have a good heart underneath it all.” In my review for A Proper Charade, I wrote: “Lord Bryant stood out to me in A Proper Scandal and I loved seeing even more of his real self in this book. I can’t wait to read his story.” To say I was excited about Lord Bryant’s story would be an understatement. I don’t want to give anything away, but I loved him!

Lord Bryant is all the things you think a rake would be. He’s exceedingly handsome and knows it, he’s charming, and he’s a little too free with his kisses. However, he also really cares about other people and tries to help them; all while he has a difficult past he is trying to overcome.

Diana Barton is an owner of two railroads which demand much of her time. She would be more successful if she could free up the time wasted with would be suitors who are really only interested in controlling her business. It was hard to imagine a person for Lord Bryant, but Diana is so perfect for him. I adored her strong, independent, yet fun character.

Esther Hatch continues to show why she is one of my favorite authors. She has characters I love, and they stick with you long after you finish reading. Her writing is superb and always has the perfect pacing. Her stories draw you in, and you never want to put her books down.

5 stars for Lord Bryant!

Enter Here!

Manor for Sale, Baron Included – Review

timelessnovels

by Esther Hatch

ASIN : B08QXVHDJQ
Publication date : February 25, 2021
File size : 645 KB
Print length : 247 pages

Purchase from Amazon

She has everything Lord Farnsworth wants, including his manor.

Lord Farnsworth would rather rot in debtor’s prison than sell the one place that feels like home to him—his mother’s manor. That is, until he meets the woman who wants to buy it. Sally Duncan is beautiful, intelligent, and as rich as a baron—a rich baron, not a cash-strapped one like Lord Farnsworth. She’s the solution to every one of his financial problems and is bewitching to boot. All he needs to do is sell her his beloved manor and then charm her to the altar, and the manor will be his again. Simple, right?

But nothing is simple when Sally starts tearing apart his ancestral home and renovating it in a way no one would consider tasteful. She is wreaking havoc on everything, but he cannot give up on owning his mother’s estate again, nor can he imagine anyone but Sally as his wife.

And so he sticks with his plan.

What a horrible mistake.

Low on funds, Lord Farnsworth (Jonathan) doesn’t want to sell the only place he has ever felt at home. After meeting Sally – the beautiful, hardworking, and unique woman who wants to purchase his manor – he acts on impulse and hatches a plan to get the girl and keep his beloved house.

Sally Duncan has been burned in the past by falling for a peer who only cared about having an heir. She often comes off as hard and judgmental. However, I don’t know how I would feel if I were trying to set up my house, and the previous owner wouldn’t go away.

Jonathan goes into his attempted courtship with guns blazing, and some rather comical scenes ensue. Underneath it all, Jonathan really does have a sweet personality that he has tried to hide since getting bullied as a child, and I kept wanting him to show it to Sally.

The funny gifts to each other are great, but I absolutely loved the sweet gift and note Jonathan gave Sally.

Victoria was an interesting character, and I feel for her struggles. I liked the teaser of what happened to her in the epilogue. I noticed this is a series, and I hope she is next.

Funny and sweet, this was another excellent book by Hatch. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Top 20 Books of 2020

timelessnovels

Losing yourself in a good book was even more important this year than in previous years. I am so thankful for these amazing writers that share their work with us. Here are the Top 20 Books in 2020.

Read more →

Blog Tour and Review: A Proper Charade

timelessnovels

ProperCharadeBlogTourBanner

propercharade

by Esther Hatch

Paperback
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc. (May 1, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1524412317
ISBN-13: 978-1524412319

Purchase from Amazon

Lady Patience Kendrick was born to a life of privilege, and with the London Season looming, she finds herself facing unprecedented pressure to adhere to the rules of society. Unfortunately, the free-spirited young woman is anything but proper. Patience’s elder brother, a former military man, bemoans his sister’s antics—but when he accuses her of incurable frivolity, it is simply more than she can bear. Determined to prove her brother wrong, Patience undertakes a drastic experiment: she will disguise herself as a maid and demonstrate her ability to work as hard as anyone.

Taken on as household staff by her brother’s former general, Patience soon learns that willingness and ability are two very different things. While her plan sounded promising in theory, the reality is that she is out of her depth—and the irresistibly charming son of the house isn’t helping matters. Patience soon finds herself embroiled in a charade far more complicated than she imagined. With both her pride and her heart at stake, she is determined to prove her brother wrong—even as her plans spiral delightfully out of control.

charadequotes

I can always count on Esther Hatch to write a story where I will become completely immersed in her world. Her story-lines draw me in and I love her writing style. I also feel connected to her characters and hate when the time comes to leave them behind.

Patience just wants to feel useful and needed. She never had an opportunity to prove herself like her brother did, so she goes about trying to in a really unusual way.

Anthony has always wanted to make his father proud. Since he promised his mother he wouldn’t join the army, he has to find another way. Anthony is always stiff and serious and all about duty, but he knows how to make some legendary lists. Patience grew up living a carefree life and wants to learn responsibility. Together they will learn what is most important.

Lord Bryant stood out to me in A Proper Scandal and I loved seeing even more of his real self in this book. I can’t wait to read his story.

I have read A Proper Charade twice so far and even the second time I had a hard time putting it down. When I looked at the clock after I finished reading, it was 8am and I had read through the night and turned off my alarm while reading.

There are always scenes that stay with me long after I finish reading. I don’t think I could ever look at a duck’s “smile” the same way again, and who knew that a simple desk and lighting a fireplace could be so interesting. There were so many great moments. You won’t regret reading this book and entering into Hatch’s world.

charadegiveaway

Enter Here!

A Note of Change – Review

timelessnovels

note

by Esther Hatch, Nichole Van, and Annette Lyon

File Size: 3098 KB
Print Length: 261 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Mirror Press (February 25, 2020)
Publication Date: February 25, 2020
Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B083SS2P5Y

Can a single note change a life, start a romance, or drive two people apart?

Waiting for the Post by Esther Hatch
Now that Harrison Chase has finally made his fortune as a working man, he will risk it all to save his factory workers from starvation. In the middle of his charge to reverse the Corn Laws, his housekeeper helpfully mails a letter she finds languishing amongst his things. A six-year-old love letter. With no other choice, he rushes back to his childhood home on Christine Stone’s estate. If he can’t get his hands on that letter before she does, Christine will discover what a pitiful and pretentious fool he had been. The one thing he hadn’t counted on was the mail being delayed. Now Harrison must decide which is worse—waiting with Christine as he not-so-slowly falls back in love with her, or leaving, knowing once she reads his letter he can never return.

A Ring of Gold by Nichole Van
Viola Brodure longs for something more from her life. So when that something more arrives in the form of a letter from the renowned Highland Poet, Ethan Penn-Leith, she seizes her chance. After all, Mr. Penn-Leith merits every swoon-worthy adjective Viola can muster. What woman wouldn’t want to be in her shoes? But after journeying to Scotland and meeting the poet himself, Viola faces a difficult question: What happens if you don’t want the thing you thought you did?

A Rose by Any Other Name by Annette Lyon
As an orphan whose only home has been the Foundling Hospital, Rose is tasked to work in the fine houses of Bloomsbury. She knows her duty—take care of the family upstairs and never forget her place. But her traitorous heart won’t follow the rules, and she falls in love with Oliver Withey, a man far above her station. Though she feels like she’s found a home in Oliver’s arms, his mother has other plans for her oldest son—and marrying a servant isn’t one of them. She’ll do anything to keep Rose and Oliver apart, including making a devil’s bargain that ensures they’ll never see each other again. When a mysterious old woman appears, she seems to have answers to Rose’s past. Could those long-held secrets hold the key to the future with Oliver that Rose longs for?

Waiting for the Post by Esther Hatch

notequote

Harrison Chase was the steward’s son who left to try to make something of himself. Christine Stone was the daughter of a wealthy landowner who lived a life of luxury. Six years later a stray letter brings them back together.

“Three days—that should be enough.”

He took three steps before asking. “Enough for what?”

“To make you smile at me again, before you have to go back to living your life for nails.”

Esther Hatch is a master at writing moments between characters. I always enjoy the funny moments but it is the sweet and tender moments that stand out even more. I feel like I hold my breath when I read through some of these beautifully written scenes.

“Behind his eyes was a dark storm of emotions that belied the carefree young man she had once known.”

A Ring of Gold by Nichole Van

I like that the hero is not the one you would expect from the beginning of the story, and I liked that the main characters were in their 30s.

I was afraid that Viola and Malcolm’s relationship would be superficial because of their intense first attraction to each other, but it was nice to see them really get to know each other and have a deeper connection.

Naming the dog Beowoof is hilarious! The scenes with Viola, Malcolm, and Beowoof were my favorites, and someone not liking dogs should be a huge red flag.

When I was reading the scene where Viola talks baby talk to Beowoof I wondered what person in their 30s actually did this. Later that day I noticed I was talking the same way to my poodle-mix. I’m in my 30s. Point taken.

 

A Rose by Any Other Name by Annette Lyon

I liked hearing about the foundling’s home and the contrast with Oliver’s “new money” family, but I wish I had felt more connection with the characters. Maybe if there had been some more scenes when Oliver and Rose were falling in love?

There were also parts of this story that seemed a little far fetched which made it hard to relate to.

 
Waiting for the Post was my favorite story in the book, and I also really enjoyed A Ring of Gold.