Tag Archives: Historical romance

Review: The Lost Heiress

29 Sep

The Lost Heiress (1)

The Lost Heiress by Roseanna M. White

Purchase a copy:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook | DeeperShopping

Brook Eden has never known where she truly belongs. When her friend Justin uncovers the fact that she is possibly a missing heiress from Yorkshire, Brook leaves the sun of the Mediterranean to travel to the moors of the North Sea to the estate of her supposed family.

The mystery of her mother’s death haunts her, and though her father is quick to accept her, the rest of the family and the servants of Whitby Park are not. Only when Brook’s life is threatened do they draw close–but will their loyalty come too late to save Brook from the same threat that led to tragedy for her mother?

As heir to a dukedom, Justin is no stranger to balancing responsibilities. When the matters of his estate force him far from Brook, the distance between them reveals that their friendship has grown into something much more. But how can their very different loyalties and responsibilities ever come together?

And then for a second time, the heiress of Whitby Park is stolen away because of the very rare treasure in her possession–and those who can save her still aren’t sure who to trust.

 

My thoughts:

The Lost Heiress is a gripping story that reads like a literary classic!  

Roseanna M. White’s vivid imagery and exquisite detail swept me away to the Edwardian era, and I quickly became immersed in the history, mystery, and romance of this story.  Although the cast is extensive, each character, from hero to villain, is well-defined, and there are several I look forward to revisiting as the series progresses.  

Brook Eden is an enchanting heroine who longs to discover who she is and where she belongs.  Her journey, rife with drama and danger, held me captive with each turn of the page.  I loved Brook and Justin’s story and am eager to continue the Ladies of the Manor series!  

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

 

Roseanna M. WhiteRoseanna 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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$0.99 Sale- This Quiet Sky

8 Sep

This Quiet Sky- $0.99

Kindle | Nook

This Quiet Sky by Joanne Bischof is only $0.99 for a limited time! Don’t miss this achingly beautiful story of timeless love and finding hope in the midst of sorrow!

 

This Quiet Sky

There is nothing extraordinary about Tucker O’Shay’s dreams. 

Go to college. Become president. Fall in love.
And pretend like he has enough time to get it all done.

Sixteen-year-old Sarah Miller doesn’t expect anything out of the ordinary when she begins her first day at the one-room-school house in her new hometown of Rocky Knob. But when she meets seventeen-year-old Tucker O’Shay—the boy with the fatal illness who volunteers to tutor her in algebra—she finds herself swept up in a friendship that changes the way she sees the world and a love that changes her life.

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Free E-book- Sins of the Mothers

24 Aug

Sins of the Mothers

Sins of the Mothers by Caryl McAdoo

Now through Thursday, August 27, Sins of the Mothers is FREE in Kindle format. 

Propelled by blind love, Mary Rachel Buckmeyer defies her father to elope with Caleb Wheeler. The newlyweds run off to California then partner with his cousin in his dry goods business.

Unbeknownst to the young bride, her new husband sends his kissing cousin ahead. He wants his love and his new wife’s money, too. Betrayal and murder drive Mary, soon a young mother, to the depths of despair. But she hates the man who loves her enough to cover her sins and deliver her out of the horrible pit she’s dug for herself in. Or does she?

Mary Rachel travels from frontier Texas to the raw bone boomtown of 1850’s San Francisco gold rush days, then all the way to genteel New York to find redemption for the sins of her mothers.

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Review: Irish Meadows | Kindle Fire Giveaway and Author Chat

20 Aug

Irish Meadows

Irish Meadows by Susan Anne Mason

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1Mi7dDS

Brianna and Colleen O’Leary know their Irish immigrant father expects them to marry well. Recently he’s put even more pressure on them, insinuating that the very future of their Long Island horse farm, Irish Meadows, rests in their ability to land prosperous husbands. Both girls, however, have different visions for their futures.

Brianna, a quiet girl with a quick mind, dreams of attending college. Vivacious Colleen, meanwhile, is happy to marry—as long as her father’s choice meets her exacting standards of the ideal groom. When former stable hand Gilbert Whelan returns from business school and distant relative Rylan Montgomery visits Long Island during his seminary training, the two men quickly complicate everyone’s plans.

As the farm slips ever closer to ruin, James O’Leary grows more desperate. It will take every ounce of courage for both sisters to avoid being pawns in their father’s machinations and instead follow their hearts. 
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My thoughts:

Irish Meadows is a lovely story! The O’Leary family is governed by patriarch James O’Leary who expects his daughters to marry well and help secure the family’s future. When complications arise, will sisters Brianna and Colleen have the courage to pursue their dreams?

I loved the complexity of this family! There are so many personalities at work and the author does a great job of bringing the characters and their stories to life. I was pleasantly surprised to find not one, but two romantic threads woven through this story, and I delighted in them both.

Beautifully written with imagery and emotion, Susan Anne Mason swept me into her story world. Irish Meadows is a wonderful debut novel, and I can’t wait to read more from this talented author!

I received a complimentary copy of Irish Meadows through Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an unbiased review. I appreciate the opportunity to read this story and share my thoughts.

Landing page:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/smason

 

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Join Susan in celebrating the release of Irish Meadows by entering to win her Kindle Fire giveaway and RSVPing to her September 1st author chat party!

One grand prize winner will receive:

  • A Kindle Fire HD 6
  • One copy of Irish Meadows

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 9/1. The winner will be announced at the Irish Meadows Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Susan and other readers, as well as for a chance to win some great 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 1st!

 

Susan Anne Mason

Susan Anne Mason’s debut historical novel, Irish Meadows, won the Fiction from the Heartland contest from the Mid-American Romance Authors Chapter of RWA. A member of ACFW, as well, she lives outside of Toronto, Ontario, with her husband and two children.

Find Susan online: website, Facebook, Twitter

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Review: A Heart’s Home | Conversations with Colleen Giveaway

18 Aug

A Heart's Home

A Heart’s Home by Colleen Coble

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1Iyr7Im

Emmie’s hope for a life with Isaac is overshadowed by a tragic loss at Fort Phil Kearny.

Isaac Liddle is keen to marry Emmie, and she knows she shouldn’t hide her pregnancy from him any longer. But before she can tell him her secret, a widower friend asks the impossible of Emmie: Will she honor her promise to his dead wife by marrying him to care for the orphaned baby?

With the Sioux Wars threatening outside the fort, Emmie’s solemn vow threatens her happiness from within. Will she honor a promise sure to break her heart—and Isaac’s? Or is there another way to find a home for her heart?

 

My thoughts:

A Heart’s Home is an emotional conclusion of the Journey of the Heart serialization.   Secrets and surprises in the last installment set the stage for this dramatic ending and Emmie and Isaac’s story tugged at my heartstrings!  

As I read this serialization, my love for the characters grew through each of the stories.  My breath caught each time danger threatened; my heart ached when tragedy befell and rejoiced when happiness was found. Colleen Coble is a wonderful storyteller and I enjoyed this beautiful journey of the heart!

The Journey of the Heart serialization begins with A Heart’s Disguise and includes six installments. This is certainly a series that needs to be read in order!  These stories are Colleen’s early works, originally published in two books, Where Leads the Heart and Plains of Promise.

A complimentary copy of A Heart’s Home was provided to me through Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an unbiased review. I appreciate the opportunity to read this book and share my thoughts.

Landing page:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/ccoble

 

Colleen is celebrating the final book release of her A Journey of the Heart series by giving away the entire series and the chance to host Colleen virtually at your book club, local library, or women’s group to talk about the series.

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One grand prize winner will receive:

  • Books 1–6 of A Journey of the Heart series
  • A chat with Colleen via Skype or Google Hangout
  • A custom book-club kit PDF, featuring Colleen’s favorite recipes and group discussion questions

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 31st. Winner will be announced September 1st on Colleen’s website.

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Colleen Coble

 

Colleen Coble has sold over 2 million novels worldwide. Seagrass Pier, the third installment in her acclaimed Hope Beach series, marks a new highpoint for emotion and complexity in Coble’s addictive brand of romantic suspense.

Find Colleen online: website, Facebook, Twitter

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Review: Through Waters Deep | Anchors Aweigh Giveaway

12 Aug

Through Waters Deep

Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin

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

It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war.

Outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. Back on shore, Boston Navy Yard secretary Mary Stirling does her work quietly and efficiently, happy to be out of the limelight. Yet, despite her reserved nature, she never could back down from a challenge. When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges—and dangers—await them.

 

My thoughts:

“We have to hoist our sails. We have to let the Lord fill them. Then we have to resist the current if necessary to stay the course. Then we can fly with the wind.”

Through Waters Deep is an engaging tale of action and adventure, mystery, and romance! Set during the months prior to the US entering World War II, the story begins slowly and gains momentum as mysterious events occur and tensions rise.

Mary Stirling is a delightful character, efficiently handling her secretarial duties and eager to play amateur sleuth. Jim Avery is a charming naval officer, dedicated to always doing his best, but happy to go where the wind takes him. I appreciated the authenticity of these characters and their vulnerabilities and really enjoyed their personal growth and rekindled relationship.

Sundin’s extensive research and attention to detail is evident as she describes life in and around Boston and the Navy Yard. The time and setting are masterfully conveyed, and I loved the descriptions and dialogue. I also enjoyed the historical details that were included; they allowed me to gain a greater knowledge and understanding of what was happening during this tumultuous time in history.

Weaving spiritual lessons through this historical romance, Sarah Sundin has penned a novel that will encourage, educate, and entertain!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an unbiased review. I appreciate the opportunity to read this story and share my thoughts.

 Landing page:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/ssundin

 

Join Sarah in celebrating the release of Through Waters Deep by entering to win an Anchors Aweigh prize pack!

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One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A copy of Through Waters Deep
  • A nautical tote bag
  • A set of compass rose notecards
  • A “Hope Anchors the Soul” journal
  • A Boston Tea Party earl grey tea set
  • A Through Waters Deep apron
  • A set of nautical tea towels
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Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 24th. The winner will be announced August 25th on Sarah’s blog.
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Sarah Sundin
Sarah Sundin is the author of With Every Letter, On Distant Shores, In Perfect Time, and the Wings of Glory series. In 2014, On Distant Shores was a finalist for the Golden Scroll Awards from both AWSA and the Christian Authors Network. In 2011, Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist’s mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.
Find Sarah online: website, Facebook, Twitter

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Review: The Potter’s Lady

10 Aug

The Potter's Lady

The Potter’s Lady by Judith Miller

Purchase a copy:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook | DeeperShopping

When Rose McKay convinces her brother, Ewan, to invest in a pottery business, she’s determined to assist him in making the venture a success. Having just graduated from the Philadelphia School of Design for Women, she believes she can design pieces that will sell well. In her efforts to help the pottery flourish, Rose reconnects with Joshua Harkness, who oversees his own family’s pottery works in a nearby town.

Rylan Campbell has never liked change, but the new owners of the pottery seem to be the decent sort. He just wishes Rose wouldn’t insist on cleaning and moving everything. But when McKay Pottery starts losing business to the Harkness company, Rylan realizes Joshua might be taking advantage of Rose.

Then Franklin Hotels announces a design contest. Winning the Franklin contract would be exactly the boost McKay Pottery needs, so Rose and Rylan work closely together to create something magnificent. With Joshua’s company as their main competition, can Rylan convince Rose her trust in Joshua may be misplaced?

 

My thoughts: 

With great attention to historical details, Judith Miller ushers readers back to 1872. I really enjoyed the vivid imagery of the pottery works and design process. I also enjoyed the wonderful characterization. There were heroes and heroines to delight in and villains to detest. While some aspects of the plot were easily anticipated, the charm of the main characters allowed me to remain engaged in the story. A historical tale with a subtle romance, The Potter’s Lady is a recommended read for historical fiction fans.

I enjoyed The Potter’s Lady without having read Book 1, The Brickmaker’s Bride. It was apparent that family and business history was shared in the first book. Although plenty of details were included in this narrative, I believe reading The Brickmaker’s Bride first would have enhanced the reading of The Potter’s Lady.

I received a complimentary copy of The Potter’s Lady from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review. I appreciate the opportunity to read this story and share my thoughts.

 

Judith Miller

Although born and reared in a small suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Judy moved to Kansas at the age of seventeen and has considered the sunflower state ‘home’ ever since. She currently lives in Topeka. She enjoys reading, traveling, researching history, and Bible study.

Writing Christian fiction is Judy’s second career. For many years she worked as a legal assistant in law firms and later worked in government law offices. She has retired from legal work in order to write fulltime —a vocation she considers both a ministry and a blessing.

Judy has authored or co-authored more than twenty-five books since she began writing in 1996. She is an award-winning author whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her novels, several of which have placed in the CBA and ECPA top ten lists. It is her deep desire to point readers to the love and grace of Jesus.

To learn more about Judy and her books, please visit her website.    

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Review: Frontier Engagement

4 Aug

Frontier Engagement

Frontier Engagement by Regina Scott

Purchase a copy:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook | DeeperShopping

James Wallin’s family is depending on him to find a schoolteacher for their frontier town. Alexandrina Fosgrave seems to be exactly what he needs to help fulfill his father’s dream of building a new community. If only James could convince her to accept the position.

Alexandrina has traveled west to seek a fresh start, not to find a groom. But after she’s stranded in the wilderness with James, he offers her his hand in marriage to protect her reputation. Both are afraid to fall in love, but maybe an engagement of convenience could make them reconsider…

My thoughts:

Frontier Engagement is a charming story! Regina Scott’s wonderful imagery and historical details paint a vivid picture and drew me into the story. While I especially enjoyed James Wallin and Alexandrina Fosgrave, I also enjoyed the extended Wallin family. I loved their genuine, heartfelt banter and camaraderie! In addition to the wonderful characters, I also loved the spiritual messages that were seamlessly woven through the story. A frontier adventure that leads to romance, James and Rina’s story is a delightful tale!

Although Frontier Engagement is the third book in the Frontier Bachelors series, it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story. I have not read the first two books in this series, but I plan to remedy that soon. I am eager to revisit the Wallin family and Wallin Landing!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. I appreciate the opportunity to read this story and share my thoughts.

 

Regina Scott

Regina Scott started writing novels in the third grade. Thankfully for literature as we know it, she didn’t actually sell her first novel until she’d learned a bit more about writing. After numerous short stories and articles in magazines and trade journals, and a good kick in the backside from her husband, she got serious about writing. Since then, she’s had published more than two dozen clean historical romances for adults and young adults. Her traditional romances have earned praised from reviewers and readers alike. Booklist calls her work “quietly compelling” and “impeccably written.” Huntress Reviews says, “Regina Scott delivers,” and “I will always buy a book with Regina Scott’s name on it.”

She makes her home in the Puget Sound area of Washington State with her beloved husband and a hyperactive Irish terrier named Fergus. Find her online at her website, the blog she shares with author Marissa Doyle, on Facebook, and on Goodreads.

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Review: Not By Sight

3 Aug

Not By Sight by Kate Breslin

Not By Sight by Kate Breslin

Purchase a copy:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook | DeeperShopping

With Britain caught up in WWI, Jack Benningham, heir to the Earl of Stonebrooke, has declared himself a conscientious objector. Instead, he secretly works for the Crown by tracking down German spies on British soil, his wild reputation and society status serving as a foolproof cover.

Blinded by patriotism and concern for her brother on the front lines, wealthy suffragette Grace Mabry will do whatever it takes to assist her country’s cause. When she sneaks into a posh London masquerade ball to hand out white feathers of cowardice, she never imagines the chain of events she’ll set off when she hands a feather to Jack.

And neither of them could anticipate the extent of the danger and betrayal that follows them–or the faith they’ll need to maintain hope.

 

My thoughts:

Not By Sight is a compelling story that sweeps the reader into a world of intrigue, drama, and romance! I loved the complexity of the characters and their stories; Jack Benningham is an enigmatic hero and Grace Mabry is a charming heroine. Their story, reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, completely captivated me!

The time period and setting of this story set it apart from most. My knowledge of World War I is very limited, and I was fascinated by the history and events of this time. Filled with secrets, suspense, and surprises, Not By Sight is gripping tale. Kate Breslin writes with a richness and depth that is hard to match, and I believe fans of historical romance and literary fiction will love this beautiful story! I certainly did!

I received a complimentary copy of Not By Sight in exchange for an unbiased review. I appreciate the opportunity to read this story and share my thoughts.

 

Kate Breslin

A Florida girl and former bookseller, Kate Breslin migrated to the Pacific Northwest where she lives with her husband and a spoiled cat named Coco. Kate has written travel articles, published award-winning poetry, and was a finalist in RWA’s Golden Heart Contest. For Such A Time is her debut novel; now that she’s writing inspirational romance, Kate enjoys creating stories showing how God’s love brings two hearts together. When she’s not plotting the next novel, Kate can be found with her nose in a book, or enjoying a long walk in one of Washington’s beautiful forests. She also likes to do a bit of traveling to new places–great for finding the next story idea! She’d love to hear from you, so please stop by and say hello at www.katebreslin.com.

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Review: A Bride At Last | $100 Memory-Making Giveaway

30 Jul

A Bride at Last

A Bride at Last by Melissa Jagears

Purchase a copy:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook | DeeperShopping

Silas Jonesey’s life in Salt Flatts, Kansas, has not followed the course he imagined. After his mail-order bride, Lucinda, abandoned him, it was an uphill battle to recover from a pattern of poor choices and sour moods. Now his prayers for reconciliation have finally come true; his estranged wife has contacted him after ten years of silence to tell him of her whereabouts.

Kate Dawson was supposed to be a mail-order bride, but after realizing she had been deceived about her intended groom she never went through with the marriage. Settling into life as a schoolteacher, she’s spent her spare time the past few years helping her student, Anthony, and his sick mother. When Lucinda passes away, Kate is ready to fulfill the woman’s wish that she take care of nine-year-old Anthony–until a man shows up in town asking about Lucinda and claiming he was married to the woman ten years ago.

Silas and Kate disagree over who should raise young Anthony, who has opinions of his own about his future. After being forced to come together for the good of Anthony, Silas and Kate begin to see another side to each other and the possibility of a united future despite all that stands between them. When Kate’s past comes to light, Silas’s feelings about women who abandon their grooms immediately throw the walls right back up between them. Can Silas, Kate, and Anthony’s wounded souls bind them together as a family, or will past hurts and new resentments leave them lonely forever?

 

My thoughts:

A Bride at Last is a compelling historical romance! Silas, Kate, and Anthony each endure an emotional journey filled with twists, turns, and surprises. I enjoyed each of these unique characters and the tenuous threads that bound them together. I love the Unexpected Brides series and, as it concludes, I was pleased to revisit characters from earlier stories. Rich in drama and emotion, Melissa Jagears has penned another tale that will draw the reader into her story world!

A Bride at Last is the third full-length novel in the Unexpected Brides series. Each of the books in this series can be read independently. However, I have enjoyed each of the engaging tales and recommend them for fans of historical romance and mail-order bride stories.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. I appreciate the opportunity to read this story and share my honest opinion.

 

Celebrate the release of A Bride at Last by entering to win a $100 Memory-Making giveaway and RSVPing to Melissa’s August 4th author chat party!

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One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A $100 gift card to Netflix (for a family movie night), Shutterfly (to create a family memory book), or TablePlayGames (for a family game night)
  • One copy of A Bride at Last

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 8/4. The winner will be announced at Melissa’s 8/4 A Bride at Last Facebook author chat party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Melissa and fiction fans, as well as for a chance to win some great 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 4th!

 

Melissa Jagears

Much to her introverted self’s delight, Melissa Jagears hardly needs to leave her home to be an elementary homeschool teacher, day-care provider, church financial secretary, and historical romance novelist. She doesn’t have to leave her house to be a housekeeper either, but she’s doubtful she meets the minimum qualifications to claim to be one in her official bio. Her passion is to help Christian believers mature in their faith and judge rightly.

Find her online at www.melissajagears.com, Facebook, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

 

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