Tag Archives: Historical Fiction

#BookReview: The Inheritance | 5 Book Giveaway

5 May

The Inheritance by Michael Phillips

The Inheritance by Michael Phillips

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1QpMpIN

The death of the clan patriarch has thrown the tiny Shetland Islands community of Whale’s Reef into turmoil.

Everyone assumed MacGregor Tulloch’s heir to be his grand-nephew David, a local favorite, but when it is discovered that MacGregor left no will, David’s grasping cousin Hardy submits his own claim to the inheritance, an estate that controls most of the island’s land. And while Hardy doesn’t enjoy much popular support, he has the backing of a shadowy group of North Sea oil investors. The courts have frozen the estate’s assets while the competing claims are investigated, leaving many of the residents in financial limbo. The future of the island-and its traditional way of life-hangs in the balance.

Loni Ford is enjoying her rising career in a large investment firm in Washington, DC. Yet in spite of her outward success, she is privately plagued by questions of identity. Orphaned as a young child, she was raised by her paternal grandparents, and while she loves them dearly, she feels completely detached from her roots. That is until a mysterious letter arrives from a Scottish solicitor. . . .

 

My thoughts:

The Inheritance is the beginning of a family saga set among the Shetland Islands. Michael Phillips brings together past and present as an inheritance and a way of life fall into jeopardy.

While I enjoyed the setting, the narrative was heavy and seemed to make very little progression. The story volleys back and forth between two seemingly unrelated story lines that do not converge until the book’s conclusion. A myriad of characters and details effectively set the stage for what I anticipate will become a more engaging story line as the series continues. Although my interest in the story waned, The Inheritance does leaves me contemplating the future of Whale’s Reef and its residents.

 

Enter to win a copy of The Inheritance—five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced May 12 on the Litfuse blog!

The Inheritance giveaway

 

Michael Phillips

Michael Phillips is a bestselling author with more than 70 of his own titles. In addition, he has served as editor/redactor of nearly 30 more books. He is known as the man responsible for the reawakened interest in George MacDonald of the last 30 years. In addition to the MacDonald titles adapted/edited for today’s reader, his publishing efforts in bringing back full-length quality facsimile editions also spawned renewed interest in MacDonald’s original work. Michael and his wife, Judy, spend time each year in Scotland but make their home near Sacramento, California.

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The Inheritance by Michael Phillips

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.  Click here to read what other bloggers are saying about The Inheritance.

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#BookReview: The Magnolia Duchess by Beth White

26 Apr

The Magnolia Duchess

The Magnolia Duchess by Beth White

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1T7mdEA

As the War of 1812 rages across the newly formed United States, another war rages in Fiona Lanier’s heart–one that threatens to tear her family apart.

Fiona can scarcely take in the news of her brother’s capture and imprisonment by the British Navy. It is almost as unbelievable as the half-drowned British sailor who is washed ashore on the beach of Navy Cove.

Charlie Kincaid claims to have no memory of his life before being discovered by Fiona, but in a world that seems saturated with treachery, she cannot be sure he is telling the truth.

As Charlie’s memory returns in agonizing jags and crashes, he and Fiona discover that falling in love may be as inevitable as the tide. But when political allegiances collide, they’ll each have to decide where their true loyalty lies.

 

My thoughts:

The Magnolia Duchess is an intriguing story! Although I haven’t read the first two books in the Gulf Coast Chronicles, I had no trouble enjoying Book 3.

Fiona and Charlie share a compelling journey as war rages all around, and they struggle to discover the truth of their loyalties and their love. I really enjoyed the history of this story and the intricate details White uses to bring it to life. From action and adventure to drama and danger, The Magnolia Duchess is a well-told historical romance. I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading the first two books in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the author:

Beth White’s day job is teaching music at an inner-city high school in historic Mobile, Alabama. A native Mississippian, she writes historical romance with a Southern drawl and is the author of The Pelican Bride and The Creole Princess. Her novels have won the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award, the RT Book Club Reviewers’ Choice Award, and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award. Learn more at http://www.bethwhite.net.

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#BookReview: The Reluctant Duchess | Rowena’s Comforts #Giveaway

25 Apr

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The Reluctant Duchess by Roseanna M. White

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/23TcQU0

Lady Rowena Kinnaird may be the heiress to a Highland earldom, but she has never felt good enough—not for her father, not for the man she thought she’d marry, not for God. But after a shocking attack, she’s willing to be forever an outcast if it means escaping Loch Morar and the men who have jeopardized her life.

Brice Myerston, the Duke of Nottingham, has suddenly found himself in possession of a rare treasure his enemies are prepared to kill for. While Brice has never been one to shy away from manor-born ladies, the last thing he needs is the distraction of his neighbor, Lady Rowena, who finds herself in a desperate situation. But when the moody Earl of Lochabar tries to trap Brice into marrying Rowena, Brice finds he’s not as opposed to the idea as he expected to be.

Rowena wanted to escape the Highlands, but she’s reluctant to resort to marrying a notorious flirt just to gain his English home. And when she learns that Brice is mixed up in some kind of questionable business with a stolen treasure, she ’fears she’s about to end up directly in the path of everything she was trying to avoid.

 

My thoughts:

“Love is not just a thing, after all, it is an action too.”

The Reluctant Duchess is an exceptional story! As I opened the beautiful cover, I was quickly swept away and immersed in the drama that unfolded. Evoking imagery and emotion from the first word until the last, Roseanna White captivated me with Rowena and Brice’s journey. I loved the intrigue and romance of The Reluctant Duchess and highly recommend this novel to historical fiction fans!

The Reluctant Duchess is the second book in the Ladies of the Manor series. While there are continuing themes from the first book, the story itself is independent of The Lost Heiress. I loved both of these novels and eagerly await the release of Book 3, A Lady Unrivaled.

 

To celebrate the release of The Reluctant Duchess, Roseanna is sharing a few of Rowena’s favorite things!  Click here to enter the giveaway!

The Reluctant Duchess giveaway

 

Roseanna M. White

Roseanna M. White pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna has a slew of historical novels available, ranging from biblical fiction to American-set romances to her new British series. She lives with her family in West Virginia.

Learn more at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

 

 

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I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

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#BookReview: Faith by Lyn Cote

20 Apr

Faith

Faith by Lyn Cote

Purchase links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook | DeeperShopping

The Civil War battlefield is the last place Quakeress Faith Cathwell thought she’d find herself. But with a gift for nursing, Faith seizes this opportunity to join the fight for abolition—and to search for Shiloh, a freeborn childhood friend who was kidnapped and sold south by unscrupulous slave catchers.

Knowing it’s much too dangerous for her to search enemy territory alone, Faith enlists the help of Colonel Devlin Knight, who is indebted to her for saving his cousin’s life. A career soldier, Dev is committed to the preservation of the Union but conflicted about freeing his own slave and confidant, who plans to enlist as soon as Dev gives him manumission papers.

Blazing a trail east with the rest of Grant’s army, Dev and Faith fight their personal battles—and a growing attraction to each other. When beliefs clash and passions flare, they quickly find that the only thing more dangerous than the war surrounding them is the battle within their hearts.

 

My thoughts:

Faith is a captivating story! The third novel in the Quaker Brides series, Lyn Cote concludes the trilogy with a story rich in history and brimming with drama, danger, and romance!

Civil War battlefields come to life as Quakeress Faith Cathwell nurses the wounded while searching for her childhood friend. When she meets Colonel Devlin Knight, a new battle is waged as Faith struggles with the feelings that begin to develop. Cote weaves fact and fiction into a most compelling narrative, one filled with depth and emotion. I loved Faith and Dev’s journey and the culmination of this wonderful series.

While Faith is a stand-alone story, it does revisit beloved characters from previous books, Honor and Blessing. All three novels, as well as the series prequel, Where Honor Began, are recommended reads for fans of historical fiction.

 

Lyn Cote

In 1997, Lyn Cote’s first book, Never Alone, was chosen for the “new” Love Inspired romance line. Since then, Lyn has had over thirty-five novels published. In 2006 Lyn’s book, Chloe, was a finalist for the RITA, and her book Her Patchwork Family was a finalist for the Carol Award in 2010 and Her Healing Ways won in 2011. These are two of the highest awards in the romance genre.

Lyn’s brand “Strong Women, Brave Stories,” always includes three elements: a strong heroine who is a passionate participant in her times, authentic historical detail and a multicultural cast of characters. Lyn also features stories of strong women both from real life and true to life fiction on her blog http://BooksbyLynCote.com

 

Faith

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

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#BookReview: The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder | Murder Mystery Prize Pack #Giveaway

14 Apr

The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder

The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder by Rachel McMillan

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1RRdypX

In 1910 Toronto, while other bachelor girls perfect their domestic skills and find husbands, two friends perfect their sleuthing skills and find a murderer.

Inspired by their fascination with all things Sherlock Holmes, best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem launch a consulting detective business. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city’s underbelly, where the high hopes of those dreaming to make a new life in Canada are met with prejudice and squalor.

While searching for answers, donning disguises, and sneaking around where no proper ladies would ever go, they pair with Jasper Forth, a police constable, and Ray DeLuca, a reporter in whom Jem takes a more than professional interest. Merinda could well be Toronto’s premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever—if they can stay alive long enough to do so.

 

My thoughts:

“A murder scene is no place for a proper lady.”

With a nod to Sherlock and Watson, McMillan’s bachelor girls Merinda and Jem reject the social expectations of the time and set their caps on professional careers. In an effort to launch their detective business, the intrepid sleuths scour the city in search of a murderer. Along the way, they find themselves in one adventure after another and encounter drama, danger, and romance.

The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder is cleverly crafted and told from multiple points of view that change at will. For me, this was a bit jarring at times and took some getting used to, as did the occasional use of footnotes. I appreciated the wit and humor, but was hoping for more depth to the story and its characters. Ray DeLuca was the character I enjoyed most, and I delighted in his and Jem’s story. While it was not quite what I was expecting, The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder is an imaginative and entertaining tale.

 

Meet best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem, who launch their own Sherlock Holmes-esque consulting detective business in 1910 Toronto in Rachel McMillan’s The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city’s underbelly. Merinda could well be Toronto’s premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever–if they can stay alive long enough to do so.

Rachel is celebrating the release of The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder with a Murder Mystery Prize Pack giveaway (details below) and an author chat party on April 28!

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One grand prize winner will receive:

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 4/28. The winner will be announced at The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Rachel and other readers, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

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RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 28th!

 

Rachel McMillan

Rachel McMillan is a keen history enthusiast and a lifelong bibliophile. When not writing or reading, she can most often be found drinking tea and watching British miniseries. Rachel lives in bustling Toronto, where she works in educational publishing and pursues her passion for art, literature, music, and theater.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

 

 

The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.  All thoughts expressed are my own.  Click here to read what other bloggers are saying about The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder.  

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#BookReview: The Midwife’s Dilemma by Delia Parr

12 Apr

The Midwife's Dilemma

The Midwife’s Dilemma by Delia Parr

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1VP5E5o

Midwife Martha Cade has decided. When he returns in February, she is going to marry Mayor Thomas Dillon. That is the only decision in life in which she feels confident these days. Everything else around her feels like it’s changing too fast, from her daughter’s obvious affection for the town’s young doctor to Martha realizing she’s ready to pass on her role as midwife to someone younger. Even her beloved town of Trinity is changing.

The 1830s Pennsylvania town, having mushroomed in size and population, is becoming an important agricultural and economic center for the region, and soon a canal will connect it even more to the outside world.

It is a season that will set the course for the rest of her life. Martha will need every ounce of confidence, courage, and faith she possesses to overcome the obstacles that will make her life far more challenging and difficult than she can dare to imagine.

 

My thoughts:

The Midwife’s Dilemma is a wonderful story! The third novel in the At Home in Trinity series, Delia Parr concludes the trilogy with a heartfelt and dramatic tale.

I love Martha Cade and her dedication to her family and friends and to her calling as a midwife. As this series concludes, Martha is faced with a myriad of personal and professional changes as she enters a new season in her life. Brimming with emotion and encouragement, I delighted in the culmination of Martha’s journey.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and will miss visiting the beloved town of Trinity and its residents. The Midwife’s Dilemma and its series predecessors are recommended reads for those who enjoy inspirational historical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

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#BookReview: Playing the Part | 5 Book #Giveaway

29 Mar

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Playing the Part by Jen Turano

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1RQM4QD

Lucetta Plum is an actress on the rise in New York City, but is forced to abandon her starring role when a fan’s interest turns threatening. Lucetta’s widowed friend, Abigail Hart, is delighted at the opportunity to meddle in Lucetta’s life and promptly whisks her away to her grandson’s estate to hide out.

Bram Haverstein may appear to simply be a somewhat eccentric gentleman of means, but a mysterious career and a secret fascination with a certain actress mean there’s much more to him than society knows.

Lucetta, who has no interest in Abigail’s matchmaking machinations, has the best intentions of remaining cordial but coolly distant to Bram. But when she can’t ignore the strange and mysterious things going on in his house, it’ll take more than good intentions to keep her from trying to discover who Bram is behind the part he plays.

 

My thoughts:

A castle, moat, and cannon! Oh my! Playing the Part is witty and wonderful and so much fun! Jen Turano’s imaginative stories are pure delight and never fail to elicit smiles and laughter. From the gothic goings-on to the animal antics, I reveled in the humor and hijinks of this entertaining tale. Lucetta Plum and Bram Haverstein share a unique story; theirs is a charming romance mixed with a large dollop of mystery. Readers who have enjoyed this series from the beginning are sure to be pleased with its final act. I most certainly hold Playing the Part in high esteem and can’t wait for Turano’s next madcap adventure!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

 

Enter to win a copy of Playing the Part—five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter the giveaway.  The winners will be announced April 7 on the Litfuse blog!

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Jen TuranoAbout the author:

Jen Turano, author of the Ladies of Distinction series and the A Class of Their Own series, is a graduate of the University of Akron. She is a member of ACFW and lives in a suburb of Denver, Colorado.

 Connect with Jen:
Website | Facebook

 

 

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I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own. Click here to read what other bloggers are saying about Playing the Part.

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#BookReview: A Treasure Concealed by Tracie Peterson

22 Mar

A Treasure Concealed

A Treasure Concealed by Tracie Peterson

Emily Carver wants a home where she can put down roots instead of following her gold-hungry father from one mining camp to another. She also longs for tenderness and love, both of which are missing in her life. Yet when she realizes she’s losing her heart to the intriguing new man in camp, she fiercely fights her feelings, afraid that love will only result in disappointment and heartache.

Caeden Thibault, a young geologist, comes to Montana to catalog minerals indigenous to the state. He’s a serious and guarded young man trying to escape the pain of his past. He has avoided all romantic entanglements, fearing he might become like his abusive father. But something about Emily Carver has caught his attention, something he never expected. . . .

Will these two broken souls allow God to bring healing and hope to their hurting hearts?

 

My thoughts:

I always revel in the history and romance of Tracie Peterson’s stories and A Treasure Concealed was no exception! This heartwarming tale transported me to Montana’s mining country and the rugged wilderness found there in the 1890s.

Emily Carver is a young woman who longs for a different life, but love and dedication keep her close to her family. Caeden Thibault is a geologist who comes to work in Montana and discovers something far greater than he ever expected. I really enjoyed getting to know these two wounded characters; theirs is an inspiring story of love and loss, hope and healing.

I enjoyed this first book in the Sapphire Brides series and look forward to reading the stories that follow!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.  All thoughts expressed are my own.  

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Friday Freebies

11 Mar

Freebie Graphic- BuzzingAboutBooks.com

 

A Hope Undaunted

A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman

Kindle

The 1920s are drawing to a close, and feisty Katie O’Connor is the epitome of the new woman–smart and sassy with goals for her future that include the perfect husband and a challenging career in law. Her boyfriend Jack fits all of her criteria for a husband–good-looking, well-connected, wealthy, and eating out of her hand. But when she is forced to spend the summer of 1929 with Luke McGee, the bane of her childhood existence, Katie comes face-to-face with a choice. Will she follow her well-laid plans to marry Jack? Or will she fall for the man she swore to despise forever?

 

Sense and Sensibility

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Kindle

A beloved classic, Austen’s first published novel explores the question of what drives your life: your heart or your head? The Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, are as different as sisters can be. Serious Elinor lives by reason and thoughtfulness while her younger sister, Marianne, only follows her passions. But in questions of love, they learn neither the heart nor head alone will lead them to happiness. Filled with romance, Austen’s brilliant wit, and rich characterization, this is a celebration of sisterly love and the need for family–no matter how different they might be from us.

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#BookReview: A Home of Her Own by Keli Gwyn

10 Mar

A Home of Her Own

A Home of Her Own by Keli Gwyn

Purchase links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook | DeeperShopping

Becky Martin knows that she can’t stay at James O’Brien’s apple farm forever, but she wishes she could. After her brother framed her for arson, she flees Chicago, traveling cross-country to California and finding work caring for James’s ailing mother. Beneath the apple blossoms, it’s almost as if she has a real family…but her secret won’t stay buried forever.

James, scarred from an explosion, didn’t expect to connect to the pretty young traveler. Could she really love someone damaged like him? He knows she’s hiding something. If only she’d trust him. Can she let go of her past and believe in the possibility of a future amid the apple trees?

 

My thoughts:

There are so many things to love about this book! Keli Gwyn weaves together historical details, picturesque descriptions, and heartfelt emotion to create a beautiful and romantic tale. I loved James and Becky and reveled in the tenderness of their story. I highly recommend A Home of Her Own and can’t wait to read more from this wonderful author!

While browsing Pinterest, I pinned a few images that brought to mind A Home of Her Own.

 

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Award-winning author Keli Gwyn writes stories that transport readers to the 1800s, where she brings historic towns to life, peoples them with colorful characters and adds a hint of humor. A California native, she lives in the Gold Rush-era town of Placerville at the foot of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains.

When Keli’s fingers aren’t hovering over the keyboard of her newfangled laptop, she enjoys strolling past stately Victorian houses in her historic town, burying her nose in reference books as she unearths interesting facts to include in her stories, and interacting with other romance readers. Her favorite places to visit are her fictional worlds, other Gold Rush-era towns and historical museums. She loves hearing from readers and invites you to visit her Victorian-style cyber home at http://www.keligwyn.com, where you’ll find her contact information.

 

A Home of Her Own

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

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