The Lady Glass by Anneka R. Walker (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

What is your favorite fairy tale?  My favorite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast and my daughter’s favorite fairy tale is Cinderella.

The Lady Glass is the third novel of the “Enchanted Regency Romance Series.”  It combines two of my favorite things – Regency romance and fairy tales.  After reading The Lady Glass, I really want to go back and read the first two novels in the series.

Theresia Dvorak is an orphan, and her stepmother has taken all of her inheritance.  She has spent many years at Mrs. Stone’s Distinguished Ladies’ Seminary but has returned to her childhood home looking for a beautiful glass vase that her father, a master glass maker, had crafted and gifted to her for her dowery.  She discovers that her stepmother is giving it away to someone at a house party and she decides she will go to the party and retrieve her inheritance.  It is not quite so easy, and she finds herself caught up in an international intrigue.  Will she find her glass vase and will she also find love along the way?

My thoughts:

·       The first chapter hooked the reader into the story immediately when Theresia tries to help an elderly man who is beset by a thief, but they both are saved by a mysterious gentleman, Rolland.

·       I enjoyed Theresia’s Bohemian background and the discussion about glassmaking, although I wish there was even more detail on glassmaking and Bohemia.  I’m ready to research this more.

·       I enjoyed that this was a retelling of the Cinderella story in a very inventive way.  It was a fun and romantic story.  I liked seeing all the elements of the Cinderella fairy tale pop up in fun ways.  For example, a trunk of beautiful clothes appear for Theresia right before the ball.

·       I also like historical mystery and this story had an interesting mystery story as well.  I liked the intrigue and espionage and how it was related to the Vienna Congress.

·       Rolland and Theresia had a great romance, and I loved their verbal sparring.  I would call this story an enemies to lovers’ trope.

·       Theresia plays the violin, and I loved learning about lady violin players of that time.

·       This was a clean read.

·       The Lady Glass is part of a series but can be read as a standalone novel.

·       I loved the beautiful cover of this book and the beautiful illustration between each chapter.

Overall, The Lady Glass by Anneka R. Walker is a delightful regency romance that blends fairy tale with mystery into a new and unique tale.   I enjoyed this novel and I highly recommend it.

Book Source:  Review copy from Covenant Communications, Inc. as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Theresia Dvorak has nothing left of her parents—nothing save her dowry, a priceless crystal vase stolen and sold by her own stepmother. Theresia will do anything to secure what is rightfully hers—even assume a false identity and steal her future back. When she gains entrance to a house party and has a memorable run-in with the handsome naval captain Rolland Reese, her mission is compromised. She swore never to trust an Englishman again, but when he makes a daring proposal she cannot refuse, she must work side by side with him if either of them is to achieve their aim.

Rolland is stunned when his homecoming from the war takes a decidedly deadly turn. The quickest solution is to throw a house party and invite all the suspects. With the stakes incredibly high, Rolland must root out the killer before they turn their sights to the next potential victim: his own father. The mysterious Theresia is undoubtedly the most suspicious of his guests, but against all odds, he finds himself risking everything to protect her. As Rolland unravels a tangle of clues, he faces the greatest threats of all: a heart of fire and a future as fragile as glass.

AUTHOR BIO

Anneka R. Walker is a best-selling author of historical and contemporary romance. With humor and an abundance of heart, she crafts uplifting stories you won't soon forget. She is the winner of the Swoony Award, the LDSPMA Praiseworthy Award, and various chapter contests. Her books have received praise from Publishers Weekly, Historical Novel Society, Midwest Book Review, and Readers Favorite. She graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in English and history and hopes to never stop learning. She is a blessed wife, proud mother of five, lover of Jesus, connoisseur of chocolate, and believer in happy endings.