Tag: historical

Blog Tour and Review: Love and Lavender 

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by Josi S. Kilpack

Publisher : Shadow Mountain (November 2, 2021)
Language : English
Paperback : 320 pages
ISBN-10 : 1629729299
ISBN-13 : 978-1629729299

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Hazel Stillman is a woman of rare independence and limited opportunities. Born with a clubbed foot, she was sent away as a child and, knowing her disability means a marriage is unlikely, she devoted herself to scholarship and education.

Now working as a teacher in an elite private girls’ school, she is content with the way her story has unfolded. When her uncle Elliott Mayfield presents her with the prospect of a substantial inheritance if she marries, Hazel is offended. What kind of decent man would marry for her money? Besides, she loves her freedom as a professional, respected woman. When she hears rumors of the school possibly being sold, however, she knows she must consider all her options.

Duncan Penhale has a brilliant mind and thrives on order and process. He does not expect to marry because he likes his solitary life, shared only with his beloved cat. When Elliott Mayfield, his guardian’s brother, presents him with an inheritance if he marries a woman of social standing, Duncan finds it intrusive. However, with the inheritance, he could purchase the building in which he works and run his own firm. It would take an impressive and intellectual woman to understand and love him, quirks and all.

Hazel and Duncan believe they have found a solution to both of their problems: marry one another, receive their inheritances, and then part ways to enjoy their individual paths. But when Uncle Mayfield stipulates that they must live together as husband and wife for one year before receiving their inheritances, Hazel and Duncan reluctantly agree. Over time, their marriage of convenience becomes much more appealing than they had anticipated. At the end of the full year, will they go their separate ways or could an unlikely marriage have found unsuspecting love?

Hazel is not like the rest of her family. She has a “deformed” foot and was sent away to school because of it. She never developed close relationships with other family members, and she has grown up very independent.

Duncan appears to be on the spectrum. He takes everything you say very literally and is incredibly intelligent in so many areas. He has an insatiable thirst for knowledge.

Hazel and Duncan both had very difficult upbringings for very different reasons. They were not considered “normal”, and that’s what I loved about them. I adored them together. They had a very sweet, innocent sort of romance that slowly developed.

I definitely enjoyed the story, but it felt a little slow. I felt like I kept waiting for something else to happen in the story, and it never did.

I love characters who are real and not “perfect”. I also loved that this book didn’t try to fix everything and make it unrealistic. Duncan and Hazel got to be exactly who they were meant to be.

A Sleigh Ride Kiss – Review

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by Jen Geigle Johnson

Publisher : Jen Geigle Johnson (October 26, 2021)
Language : English
Paperback : 196 pages
ISBN-10 : 1737592126
ISBN-13 : 978-1737592129

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A man she disdains and a man she loves. What happens when she finds out they’re the same person?

Odette Goodson lives with her grandmother in the beautiful Cheshire County. This Christmas she wishes for caroling, snow, sleigh rides, plum pudding, and a lit yule log, with friends and neighbors all around. Her matchmaking grandmother wishes for her to marry the Marquis of Wilmington. She’s heard only unflattering things about him. To her grandmother’s consternation, Mr. Wardly shows up on a country lane, a man who seems to be everything the Marquis is not.

Henry Wardlow, the Marquis of Wilmington, arrives from the East Indies in Cheshire County six months after his mother’s funeral. Mourning her loss, with a new shipping line at stake, and his own estate to salvage, responsibilities in Cheshire county frustrate him and slow his progress. But he cannot help but be jolly at Christmas time particularly after he runs into the lovely Miss Odette Goodson. Things grow complicated when she confuses him for a gentleman farmer and has shown nothing but disdain for the heretofore unknown Marquis.

Grandmother Amelie Laurent Goodson will work her matchmaking magic, but will it be enough to overcome the strong prejudice in Odette’s preconceived notions or the immediacy of Henry’s needs to be in London?

Odette lives with her beloved grandmother who wants her to have her first season in London soon. What Odette really longs for is more family and people she loves around her at Christmas time.

Henry Wardlow has recently arrived back from the East Indies. After learning that Odette already has a negative view of him, he hides the fact that he is a Marquis.

Did they fall in love fast? Yes. However, a lot of people in those days did. I liked how their relationship progressed even with the deception. The ending was also well done and not predictable.

This story had a sleigh ride, a beautiful snowing scene, skating and more. The snow always seemed enchanting and added to the atmosphere. This was a very sweet Regency Christmas story.

A View Most Glorious – Review

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by Regina Scott

Publisher : Revell (October 5, 2021)
Language : English
Paperback : 368 pages
ISBN-10 : 0800736419
ISBN-13 : 978-0800736415

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Reluctant socialite Coraline Baxter longs to live a life of significance and leave her mark on the world. When her local suffragette group asks her to climb Mount Rainier to raise awareness of their cause, she jumps at the chance, even though she has absolutely no climbing experience. If she can do it, any woman can do it. And after her mother issues an ultimatum–that Cora marry the man of her mother’s choosing if she is not successful–Cora must do it. But she can’t do it alone.

Noted mountain guide Nathan Hardee initially refuses to help Cora, but has a change of heart when he sees what is at stake. He knows enough about the man Cora’s mother has chosen to know that the headstrong young woman should have nothing to do with him, much less marry him.

Climbing Rainier will require all of Cora’s fortitude and will lead her and Nathan to rediscover their faith in God and humanity. These two loners make unlikely partners in righting a wrong and may just discover that only together is the view most glorious.

Nathan has left society after his father’s suicide to live a quiet life near Mount Rainier. Cora wants to reach the summit, and Nathan is hired to guide her there.

As a hiker, though on a much, much, smaller scale than those in this book, I really enjoyed a lot of the descriptions of what went into their epic hike up Mount Rainier.

I can see how a woman climbing to the top of Mount Rainier could get a lot of attention, but it seemed a little strange to me to do it because you think if a woman could climb a mountain, then she can vote. They are very different things, and I just didn’t see the connection.

Living a distance away from town, Nathan often doesn’t get to worship God in a building. However, he studies his Bible every morning, and he feels closer to God in His creation. This is one of the reasons I love being a nature photographer and finding new locations. Seeing the beauty in God’s work is inspiring and humbling.

The American Wonders Collection is a really beautiful collection of books that I have enjoyed reading.

Blog Tour and Review: Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough

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by Josi S. Kilpack, Anneka R. Walker, Sarah L. McConkie

Publisher : Covenant Communications, Inc. (September 20, 2021)
Language : English
ISBN-10 : 1524419737
ISBN-13 : 978-1524419738

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We wish you a merry Christmas and a happily ever after! This special holiday historical romance anthology featuring three heartwarming novellas proves that no matter the obstacles,’tis the season for love.

Meet Me under the Kissing Bough by Josi S. Kilpack

Deborah Winfrey hasn’t had the heart to host a holiday party since her husband’s death. But this Christmas, it’s time to move forward. The festivities bring renewed life to her home, and the attentions of two very different men promise a chance at new love.

Healing Hearts for the Holidays by Anneka R. Walker

Julia Hunt is strictly forbidden from associating with the family in the nearby manor̬ including the handsome younger son, Esmond, who quickly steals her heart. With Christmas around the corner, an old bundle of hidden love letters may be the key to her own happily ever after.

A Christmas Correspondence by Sarah L. McConkie

In this novella inspired by the timeless taleA Christmas Carol, John Charleston finds himself on an unexpected journey in the company of the insufferable Lady Carolyn Morleigh. But the magic of the season has a way of softening even the hardest of hearts.

Meet Me under the Kissing Bough brings together three sweet Historical Romance novellas that take place at Christmastime. Grab your coziest blanket and a cup of hot cocoa and prepare to get comfortable. 🙂

Meet Me under the Kissing Bough by Josi S. Kilpack

This story is about a widow who has found love again but struggles with the fear of putting her own happiness first. I really enjoyed that the main characters were older in this story and had life experiences. Usually in this time period the heroines are half the age.

I also always love a good Regency house party, and to add the Christmas theme made it even better. There were some interesting traditions mentioned for the first five days of Christmas.

I really felt for Phillip. While Deborah was finding out what she really wanted, she put him through a lot.

Healing Hearts for the Holidays by Anneka R. Walker

This story can be read on its own, but it has some characters from Walker’s story “Lord Blakely’s Gift” in the book A Hopeful Christmas. I love continuation stories. This story includes multiple generations of love, and has lost love, and forbidden love.

Esmond has always loved taking care of the land. With no inheritance coming, he is expected to practice law or enter the military; both things he does not have a passion for.

Julia always wants to play the peacemaker, and she puts herself at risk because of it. I wish there were more scenes with Julia and Esmond in them. I really liked them together.

Mr Hunt bothered me because he agreed to his daughter Ivy getting married, and then cut her off from the rest of her family.

A Christmas Correspondence by Sarah L. McConkie

I really did not have a lot of sympathy for Lady Caroline. Yes, her father treated her poorly as a child after her mother died, but she grew up to be not a very good person, and that is her own fault. Caroline is constantly trashing other people, and then she is shocked when they speak negatively about her.

Even the few times Lady Caroline has offered to help people, she has just thrown her money around, or she has never even followed through with what she promised.

John is such a kind hearted person, and is way too good for her.

John’s sisters were interesting characters, and I would love to see more from them.

Enter Here!

Blog Tour and Review: The Inns of Devonshire 

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by Sally Britton, Annette Lyon, Deborah M. Hathaway

Publisher : Mirror Press (October 5, 2021)
Language : English
Paperback : 300 pages
ISBN-10 : 1952611229
ISBN-13 : 978-1952611223

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THE SEVENTH STAR INN by Sally Britton
After years of looking after one another, Susan Baxter and her mother view their neighbors in Totnes as family. When a new landlord inherits the leases on their homes and businesses alike, Susan dreads knowing her world could change at the whim of a stranger. But when she meets Collin Stonecroft and his inquisitive daughter, her feelings shift quickly from cautionary to hopeful. Collin has lived in the confines of London boarding houses all his life, and he’s determined to give his daughter more. They check into the Seventh Star Inn with plans to return to London as soon as possible, but both find Miss Baxter and her local history lessons far too enchanting to leave behind. When Susan learns of Collin’s proposed changes to her beloved neighborhood, will she be able to help him see that some things are perfect the way they are?

THE TRUTH ABOUT MR. BLACKMORE by Annette Lyon
Leigh’s life at the Old Grey Inn is drudgery broken by flights of fancy thanks in part to novels by Simon Blackmore. When Mattias McGrady comes to the inn for a fortnight, Leigh captures his attention. A relationship develops, and she dreads the end of his stay, which will mean a return to an unhappy life. An urgent letter to Mattias leads to him inviting Leigh to an event that stands to change both of their lives forever. If all goes well, Leigh will have a life of her choosing after all. But half-truths and lies have a way of complicating matters. When their plans go awry, Leigh loses her reputation and Mattias almost surely loses his career. Can either of them find happiness?

THE COACHMAN’S CHOICE by Deborah M. Hathaway
Ever-reliable Mary Thorne has helped her widowed mother run The Golden Mermaid Inn for years. She spends her days greeting guests, ensuring the inn runs smoothly—and dodging flirtatious remarks from passing coachmen. But she’s far too busy to pay any attention to such men, even the enticingly attractive Mr. Northcott. Known far and wide for his horsemanship, punctuality, and dallying reputation, Robert Northcott relishes his life as a coachman, especially his freedom to flirt with numerous women from inn to inn, all without the messy details of commitment. There’s just one woman who’s immune to his charms: the lovely, single landlady of The Golden Mermaid. Robert is determined to win Mary over, just as heartily as she is determined to keep her distance from him. But his carefree life is threatened when his pursual of Mary becomes more than just a game…

This collection brings you three delightful stories from three different authors. I really enjoyed reading this book, and I loved that each story was different.

The Seventh Star Inn by Sally Britton

Collin lost his wife many years ago, and he is now raising their daughter Beth. He has spent years working as an accountant for White’s before inheriting property in a little town called Totnes.

Susan was raised as the vicar’s daughter, but after her father’s death, she and her mother worried they would be left for the poor house. However, the people of Totnes took care of them while making it feel loving and not like charity. Susan is now a 28 year old spinster when Collin enters town as her new landlord.

The two opposing views when people look at historic architecture is so prevalent in today’s society. Some people see it at face value as just being old. But some people see all the history behind it and what that means. They see the people that once were, the uniqueness and the character to the structures, and all the stories that took place during the years.

The Truth About Mr. Blackmore by Annette Lyon

Mattias is a writer who is hiding his true name since his publisher doesn’t think his Irish name will sell books. He travels for inspiration and finds himself staying at an Inn that Leigh works in.

Leigh works for her uncaring aunt and uncle who own the inn. She uses books to escape her reality.

I really liked Leigh and Mattias together. This was such a cute, whimsical fairy tale.

The Coachman’s Choice by Deborah M. Hathaway

Robert Northcott is a coachman with major commitment issues who wants to stay unattached and responsibility free.

Mary Thorne has been hurt by a coachman before, and she wants to avoid the flirtatious Robert at all cost.

This was a well developed story with excellent characters that I came to care for in a very short period of time. Due to the shortness of novellas, sometimes it can be hard to develop a connection between characters. I love how the author used the timeline of the coaching schedule to move the story along.

Charming Artemis – Review

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by Sarah M. Eden

Publisher : Covenant Communications, Inc. (October 4, 2021)
Language : English
ISBN-10 : 1524418064
ISBN-13 : 978-1524418069

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Charlie Jonquil is mild-mannered and kind―except when it comes to his one true adversary, Artemis Lancaster. Though Charlie has a brilliant mind for mathematics, Artemis poses a problem he can’t seem to comprehend: how can one be so lovely and so infuriating? A party in London brings him into the company of the maddening young lady, and it is clear that Charlie’s disdain is mutual. But when an unfortunate incident between the pair involving Charlie’s jacket and a glass of raspberry shrub leads to scandal, the sworn enemies are left with only two options: be ruined or be married.

So it is that Artemis finds herself in a most outrageous predicament: she must wed a gentleman she’s hated for years―and she pledges to avoid him at all costs. But it is only when they enter into this mockery of a marriage that Charlie and Artemis learn things are not as simple as they once appeared. As their tentative ceasefire leads to friendship, it seems their marriage born of desperation might lead them to a love that was destined to be.

I feel like this book had a huge amount of pressure to live up to. People have been waiting for Charlie and Artemis’ story for years.

I hate spoilers, so I would not dream of including them in this review and ruining the book for someone else.

Charlie is like the sweetest guy. He tends to be quiet and can get lost in a large family, but he is also funny. He also is known for always getting into trouble.

Artemis has grown up with a difficult childhood, and it has caused her to build an armor around herself. She is known for her theatrics and cold exterior, which is why Charlie dubs her Miss Shamcaster.

Starting in the first chapter alone, you feel so much for Artemis, even if this is the first Eden book you have ever read, and you don’t know any background.

This book brings together so many beloved characters from the Jonquil and Lancaster series. Sometimes when there are a lot of characters it can get confusing, but this was so well done. There is so much that this book brings together.

Adam and Philip are my favorite characters, and the way they play off of each other is golden. Philip is always fun, but I don’t know how much of his full personality I could take in person. And just when I think I couldn’t love Adam more, he reaches an entirely new level in this book.

Like Artemis, I tend to control my emotions and hide behind a wall around other people. But man alive, reading Sarah Eden books like this are SO emotional! Even Artemis wouldn’t be able to hide her emotions.

Charming Artemis really is a must read and a very satisfying conclusion.

Under the Texas Mistletoe – Review

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by Karen Witemeyer

Publisher : Bethany House Publishers (August 31, 2021)
Language : English
Paperback : 304 pages
ISBN-10 : 0764239317
ISBN-13 : 978-0764239311

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Purchase Special Edition from Christianbook

Three Charming and Festive Holiday Novellas Spiced with Humor, Frontier Action, and Sweet Romance

In this 3-in-1 novella collection, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer presents the new story “A Texas Christmas Carol,” in which a town’s wealthy, Scrooge-like bachelor finds his world invaded by a woman set on earning his donation for helping the local poor, and by the penetrating questions of three mysterious visitors.

It also includes, for the first time in print, “An Archer Family Christmas.” When the Archer clan gathers for the Christmas holiday, an unexpected request for help leaves Cassandra Archer directly in the path of a dangerous outlaw. Desperate to protect the woman he loves, Jim Archer races to the rescue, only to find that Cassie’s life is not the only one in peril. It will take a Christmas miracle–and the entire Archer clan–to keep a second Archer Christmas from ending in disaster.

In previously published “Gift of the Heart,” a widow and her young daughter move to Hope Springs for a fresh start. But with no money to secure a home, Ruth must convince a wealthy resort owner to accept her heirloom brooch as collateral. Will the pin that brought love to three generations soften the heart of a wounded recluse and give Ruth a second chance at love as the holidays draw near?

Sprinkled throughout the collection, you’ll find a hope-filled Christmas devotion, Witemeyer holiday recipes, and fun facts about nineteenth-century Christmas celebrations!

Under the Texas Mistletoe is a wonderful Christmas collection that contains 3 historical romance stories set in Texas. This book also includes a few recipes, a Christmas devotional, and some origins of Christmas traditions. This book will get you into the Christmas spirit no matter what time of year you read it.

A Texas Christmas Carol

This story gives a nod to the original Christmas Carol with little similarities I had fun picking up on, however, this is a unique story.

Felicity is always looking for the bright side of things, and this Christmas season she has decided that she wants the local miser to help her with the charity baskets.

Evan has had to work his way up from the bottom, and after being taken advantage of, he determines that it will never happen again. In the process, he has closed himself off from the world.

I don’t think that Evan was ever as miserly as people thought. He just needed someone to care about him. He never smiled just to be polite, he only smiled when he meant it. I can personally understand that.

I really liked this story.

An Archer Family Christmas

Before you pick up this book, make sure you have plenty of time because you will not want to put it down. Also, be prepared for “all the feels”. This book will make you very emotional.

Those who have read others in the series will enjoy the return of their beloved Archer family and new readers will fall in love with Jim and Cassie.

There is such love and loyalty in the Archer family.

Gift of the Heart

Karen Witemeyer creates characters who are not perfect. She has the ability to make her characters strong while also being incredibly vulnerable.

I loved the Biblical connection to the Ruth and Boaz story. Besides the names, there were so many little connections as well.

Beauregard “Bo” Azlin was one of those characters you feel an instant connection to. The back story of Bo’s childhood where his mother considered him damaged goods is heart breaking. Bo tried to be fair to everyone and not give special treatment but he also helped protect those in need. I liked the scene where Bo is holding the heirloom and vowing to keep it safe for Ruth. It was also sweet how he liked to keep the heirloom near his heart.

Witemeyer’s books always contain some funny moments. When Bo calls the stray cat a miscreant, little Naomi mistakenly believes that the cat’s name is Miss Creant. Bo and Naomi have a number of sweet and funny conversations.

While this felt like a very complete story, I want it to continue. I’m not ready to leave these characters.

My True Love Gave To Me

My True Love Gave To Me is a fun little bonus short story you get if you order the special edition of this book from Christianbook. It is about a young man who sets out to prove his love using the 12 days of Christmas; but in a rather unusual way.

Blog Tour and Review: The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart

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by Nancy Campbell Allen

Publisher : Shadow Mountain (September 7, 2021)
Language : English
Paperback : 336 pages
ISBN-10 : 1629729272
ISBN-13 : 978-1629729275

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A romance develops as a detective partners with a lonely-hearts columnist to solve a murder mystery.

London, 1885

Amelie Hampton is a hopeless romantic, which makes her the perfect columnist to answer lonely heart letters in The Marriage Gazette. When Amelie plays matchmaker with two anonymous lonely hearts, she also decides to secretly observe the couple’s blind date. To her surprise, the man who appears for the rendezvous is Harold Radcliffe―a grieving widower and a member of Amelie’s book club.

Police detective Michael Baker has been struggling ever since his best friend and brother-in-law died in the line of fire. Because he knows the dangers of his job, he has vowed never to marry and subject a wife and family to the uncertainty of his profession. But when he meets Miss Hampton, he is captured by her innocence, beauty, and her quick mind.

When a woman’s body is pulled from the river, Michael suspects the woman’s husband―Harold Radcliffe―of foul play. Amelie refuses to believe that Harold is capable of such violence but agrees to help, imagining it will be like one of her favorite mystery novels. Her social connections and clever observations prove an asset to the case, and Amelie is determined to prove Mr. Radcliffe’s innocence. But the more time Amelie and Michael spend together, the more they trust each other, and the more they realize they are a good team, maybe the perfect match.

They also realize that Mr. Radcliffe is hiding more than one secret, and when his attention turns toward Amelie, Michael knows he must put an end to this case before the woman he loves comes to harm.

Amelie Hampton wants to be an independent working girl, but she is still quite a bit naive. She oftentimes finds herself having to rely on others. I liked her character growth through the book and her desire to jump right in to help in different situations.

Detective Michael Baker has lost a lot of people in his life, and it has made him seem cold and really closed off. He spends a lot of time trying to focus on his work instead of his home life.

I found the book club discussion about the most romantic book interesting. Though personally, I have never understood putting Romeo and Juliet or Jane Eyre in that category. I have never found either one romantic.

While this definitely did include a sweet romance, a lot of the book focused on the mystery. It was a lot more about Michael’s work as a detective investigating a murder than Amelie’s job as a matchmaker.

It took me a little bit to get into the book, but I ended up really liking the characters and the mystery. Amelie and Michael really balanced each other out well. I also liked Amelie’s cousins.