Tag Archives: Historical romance

Review: Like a Flower in Bloom

17 Jan

Like a Flower in Bloom

Like a Flower in Bloom by Siri Mitchell

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook.com | DeeperShopping

 

He Stole the Work She Loved.
Will She Let Him Steal Her Heart as Well?

It’s all her uncle’s fault. For years Charlotte Withersby has been free to pursue her love of plants and flowers by assisting her botanist father. But now that she’s reached the old age of twenty-two, an intrusive uncle has convinced her father that Charlotte’s future–the only proper future for a woman–is to be a wife and mother, not a scholar.

Her father is so dependent on her assistance that Charlotte believes he’ll soon change his mind…and then Edward Trimble shows up. A long-time botany correspondent in the South Pacific, Trimble arrives ready to step in as assistant so that Charlotte can step out into proper society–a world that baffles her with its unwritten rules, inexplicable expectations, and confounding fashion.

Things aren’t perfectly smooth between Trimble and her father, so Charlotte hatches a last gasp plan. She’ll pretend such an interest in marriage that the thought of losing her will make her father welcome her back. Only things go quickly awry, and she realizes that the one man who recognizes her intelligence is also the person she’s most angry with: Edward Trimble, her supposed rival. Suddenly juggling more suitors than she knows what to do with, Charlotte is caught in a trap of her own making. Will she have no choice but to leave her beloved flowers behind?

Thoughts:

“Victorian-Era England comes alive in this witty romance!”   

Charlotte Withersby, with her unconventional ways and social naiveté, is a most entertaining character! I enjoyed the snappy dialogue and the sparks that flew between Charlotte and Edward Trimble. Although it is full of scientific information, the author moves this delightful story along with humor and wit.

Engaging and well-researched, Like a Flower in Bloom had me smiling the whole way through! I look forward to reading more from this talented author!
 

Siri MitchellSiri Mitchell graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived all over the world, including Paris and Tokyo. Siri enjoys observing and learning from different cultures. She is fluent in French and loves sushi.  

But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they’re listening to a speaker and taking notes, chances are, they’ve just had a great idea for a plot or a dialogue. If they nod in response to a really profound statement, they’re probably thinking, “Yes. Right. That’s exactly what my character needs to hear.” When they edit their manuscripts, they laugh at the funny parts. And cry at the sad parts. Sometimes they even talk to their characters.

Siri wrote 4 books and accumulated 153 rejections before signing with a publisher. In the process, she saw the bottoms of more pints of Ben & Jerry’s than she cares to admit. At various times she has vowed never to write another word again. Ever. She has gone on writing strikes and even stooped to threatening her manuscripts with the shredder.

To learn more about Siri Mitchell and her books, please visit http://sirimitchell.com/.

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Bethany House Blogger Reviewer program. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own and no monetary compensation was received.

Friday Freebie

16 Jan

Love's Reckoning

Love’s Reckoning by Laura Frantz

FREE today:
Amazon | Christianbook.com

On a bitter December day in 1785, Silas Ballantyne arrives at the door of master blacksmith Liege Lee in York, Pennsylvania. Just months from becoming a master blacksmith himself, Silas is determined to finish his apprenticeship and move west. But Liege soon discovers that Silas is a prodigious worker and craftsman and endeavors to keep him in York. Silas becomes interested in both of Liege’s daughters, the gentle and faith-filled Eden and the clever and high-spirited Elspeth. When he chooses one, will the other’s jealousy destroy their love?

In this sweeping family saga set in western Pennsylvania, one man’s choices in love and work, in friends and enemies, set the stage for generations to come. Love’s Reckoning is the first entry in The Ballantyne Legacy, a rich, multi-layered historical quartet from talented writer Laura Frantz, beginning in the late 1700s and following the Ballantyne family through the end of the Civil War.

Review: Love Unexpected

15 Jan

Love Unexpected

Love Unexpected by Jody Hedlund

1859
Presque Isle, Michigan

What Is the Secret That Could Shipwreck Both of Their Lives?

All Emma Chambers ever wanted was a home, but when her steamboat sinks just outside Presque Isle, she’s left destitute and with no place to stay.

An unlikely solution arises when the lighthouse keeper arrives in town. He’s just lost his wife and is having a difficult time caring for his child. So a traveling preacher gets the idea that the keeper and Emma might be the answer to each other’s dilemma. After a hasty marriage, she finds herself heading to the lighthouse with this handsome but quiet stranger. Nothing in her aimless life, though, has prepared her for parenting a rambunctious toddler, as well as managing a household.

Emma soon suspects Patrick may be hiding something from her, and then she hears a disturbing rumor about the circumstances surrounding his late wife’s death. It seems as if her wish for a home and family of her own could end up leading her once more into turbulent waters.

Thoughts:

Jody Hedlund’s name on a book cover makes it a must read for me! That fact, coupled with a lighthouse keeper storyline, made me giddy with excitement over the release of Book 1 in the Beacons of Hope series, Love Unexpected.

As I began reading Love Unexpected, I was immediately captivated! Jody Hedlund swept me away to Presque Isle, Michigan, and I reveled in the real-life history that was detailed in this compelling story. I loved the characters, broken in their own ways, but made complete in their love for God and each other. Love Unexpected is a dramatic tale of history and romance and one I highly recommend! I can’t wait to read Book 2, Hearts Made Whole!

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | DeeperShopping

 

jody hedlundJody Hedlund is an award-winning and bestselling author of inspirational historical romances for both youth and adults.

As a busy mama-writer, she has the wonderful privilege of teaching her crew of 5 children at home. In between grading math papers and giving spelling tests, she occasionally does a load of laundry and washes dishes. When she’s not busy being a mama, you can find her in front of her laptop working on another of her page-turning stories.

She loves reading almost as much as she loves writing, especially when it also involves chocolate and coffee.

To learn more about Jody Hedlund and her books, please visit
http://jodyhedlund.com/.

 

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts expressed are my own and no monetary compensation was received.

Free eBook- Hope Reborn

12 Jan

Hope Reborn

Hope Reborn by Caryl McAdoo

FREE from 01/11 – 01/15 at Amazon

New York dime novelist May Meriwether decides a heroic Texas Ranger will make a great love interest for her new heroine. Bored to tears and loving adventure, she sets out to the Lone Star State with her constant companion and confidant Chester in tow.

Dreams for a husband and children are relegated to the recesses of her heart, the self-confessed old maid deems it too late. But the near-perfect widower resurrects a smidgen of hope. Only his impenetrable, superstitious religious beliefs stand in the path to her falling head over heels, those and his love for his dead wife. Would there ever be room for her in his heart? And would he give up his fanaticism for God?

An unexpected romance surprises both. Hope is reborn in God’s unfailing love and grace. Can a life built on lies find the Way to confession, forgiveness, and true joy? In a day when the church offers the only stability on the 1850 Texas prairie, these unlikely players find one another and fall in love. But will it be enough?

Friday Freebie

9 Jan

Into the Whirlwind

Into The Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden

FREE today:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook.com

As owner of the 57th Illinois Watch Company, Mollie Knox’s future looks bright until the night the legendary Great Chicago Fire destroys her beloved city. With her world crumbling around her, Mollie will do whatever it takes to rebuild in the aftermath of the devastating fire.

Zack Kazmarek, an influential attorney for one of Chicago’s finest department stores, is a force to be reckoned with among the city’s most powerful citizens. Bold and shrewd, he’s accustomed to getting exactly what he wants–until he meets Mollie Knox, the beguiling businesswoman just beyond his reach.

In the tumult as the people of Chicago race to rebuild a bigger and better city, Mollie comes face-to-face with the full force of Zack’s character and influence. Zack believes this may finally be his chance to win her, but can Mollie ever accept this man and his whirlwind effect on her life, especially with her treasured company on the line?

Join the fun TONIGHT!

8 Jan

Celebrate Lynne Gentry’s Return to Exile!
TONIGHT at 7:00 – 8:00 pm CST

Click here to join the Facebook party!

Roman Holiday

Sale + FREE Book: Love Blossoms in Oregon series

5 Jan

Several of Miralee Ferrell’s historical romances are on sale!  If you haven’t read the Love Blossoms in Oregon series, now is the perfect time to get started!!

Click the cover images to be taken to the Kindle store.

 

Blowing on Dandelions

Blowing on Dandelions is $0.99!

 

Forget Me Not

Forget Me Not is FREE!

 

Dreaming on Daisies banner

Dreaming on Daisies is $3.03!

$1.99 Sale: Healer of Carthage

2 Jan

Healer of Carthage sale

A twenty-first-century doctor.
A third-century plague.
A love out of time.

I recently read Healer of Carthage and loved this epic adventure!  Review coming soon!

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Review: Holly Daze ( Christmas Traditions #7)

2 Jan

Holly Daze

Holly Daze by Gina Welborn

After a year of geological surveying northeastern Iowa, English paleontologist James Holly yearns to join a fossil dig in Colorado. Although amused by the town’s folklore and Christmas festivities, he doesn’t believe in superstitions or curses. Celebrating the holiday only reminds him of the family he lost. What goodwill he has for the townsfolk dissipates after someone steals one of his fossils. For once in his life he needs is a bit of luck on his side, and he’ll take it, even if it’s in the form of a charming lady.

Everyone knows fortune favors Lena Reinhardt. That’s why on St. Barbara’s Day since she turned eighteen, she’s the lucky one who places the cherry twig in the holy water. The town believes her good fortune causes the year’s windfall of crops and livestock, and it will continue as long as she stays unmarried. This year, though, Lena believes God sent James to change her luck. Now if she can only convince him…

Thoughts:

Holly Daze is a wonderful story! I love Gina Welborn’s writing and was delighted by her charming, holiday novella! James Holly and Lena Reinhardt are endearing characters and I enjoyed reading their story. Although it is a Christmas Traditions novella, this engaging story can be enjoyed any time of the year! I loved Holly Daze and highly recommend this novella!

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Gina WelbornGina Welborn wrote public service announcements for a news radio station until she fell in love with writing romances. She’s the author of three Barbour novellas, including the 2014 Selah finalist “Mercy Mild” in ECPA-bestselling Mistletoe Memories, with more novellas to be released over the next two years. 2014 ushers in the release of her novels: The Heiress’s Courtship, The Marshal’s Pursuit, and Masterpiece Marriage. A moderately obsessive fan of Community, Once Upon a Time, and Chopped, Gina lives in Oklahoma with her pastor husband, their five Okie-Hokie children, a box-lab, two rabbits, four guinea pigs, and a fancy Russian dwarf hamster named Tom Bob Deucalion.

To learn more about Gina and her books, please visit http://www.ginawelborn.com/.

Reviews: The Brides Series by Lena Goldfinch + GIVEAWAY

31 Dec

The Unexpected Bride

The Unexpected Bride by Lena Goldfinch
Book One in The Brides Series

What’s a man to do when his father orders him a bride?

Rebecca Sullivan has been “Becky” all her life, a real hoyden. Her childhood sweetheart taught her to ride bareback and shoot a rifle, but then he chose a “perfect lady” for a wife–a real Southern belle, who’s now expecting a baby. Heartbroken, Becky signs up to be a mail-order bride to a Seattle man, sight unseen. She resolves to squelch her hoydenish ways and become a “perfect lady” for her future husband.

If logging-operation owner Isaac Jessup had wanted a bride, he’d have chosen a sturdy frontier woman, not some fragile lady from back East. Ready to explain the mistake, honorable Isaac takes one look into Rebecca’s vulnerable eyes…and knows he’ll marry her, even though this delicate waif is obviously unsuited for wild Seattle.

Could an unexpected marriage be a match made in heaven?

Thoughts:

The Unexpected Bride is a wonderful, historical romance!  Lena Goldfinch’s talents abound and I was so excited to read this sweet story.  Engaging, humorous, and romantic, The Unexpected Bride is pure delight!  I enjoyed the vivid imagery and attention to historical details, as well as the endearing characters and enchanting storyline.  I loved this tender tale and can’t wait to continue the series! 

The Unexpected Bride purchase links:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

Sleigh-Bells-Mistletoe2

Sleigh Bells & Mistletoe: A Short Story
Sequel to The Unexpected Bride

What’s a wife to do when her Christmas plans fall apart?

Join Becky and Isaac from The Unexpected Bride in a romantic short story complete with sleigh bells, mistletoe, and sweet holiday surprises.
 
It’s Christmas Eve, and smoke isn’t just rising from the chimney—it’s pouring from the stove due to yet another batch of burnt biscuits. Becky wants everything to be perfect for her family, but a ruined meal spells disaster for all her high hopes. Will the night end in despair…or with a happy Christmas dream?

Thoughts:

Sleigh Bells & Mistletoe is a delightful sequel to The Unexpected Bride!  I loved revisiting Becky and Isaac in this short story, as well as several other beloved characters from Book 1 of The Brides series.  I also enjoyed learning more about Jem and the excerpt from his story, The Bartered Bride, left me anxiously awaiting its release.  I can’t wait to continue this wonderful series! 

Now available in Kindle format for only $0.99!

 

GIVEAWAY!
Only 1 day left, so enter now!!

Deck the halls and bring on the books! One winner will receive mistletoe earrings from the LuvlyMint Etsy shop, as well as a signed paperback copy of The Unexpected Bride, Book 1 in “The Brides” series. This prize is only available to residents of the U.S. and Canada. Three runners-up (can be international) will receive one e-copy each of Sleigh Bells and Mistletoe.

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