My Dear Friend by Heather Moll (Book Tour and Giveaway)

 

Have you ever been on a blind date or used an app to find a match?  My Dear Friend explores matchmaking, Regency style.

Elizabeth Bennet is in London visiting her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, while consoling her sister Jane after her heartbreak.  The town is a twitter with news of a new matchmaking service.  People are put into anonymous tiers based on their social status, wealth, looks, etc.  You then can pick an anonymous person from your tier and write them letters.  You only meet if both people agree.  Elizabeth Bennet decides to subscribe to raise her sister’s spirit.  Unbeknownst to her, Mr. Darcy has also subscribed to try to stop his feelings for her.  As the two correspond, they get to know each other better.  Will their mutual admiration continue once they know the identity of their mysterious friend?

My thoughts on this novel:             

·       This is a sweet novel that I read quickly.  

·       I enjoyed the fun and witty letters that Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth wrote back and forth to each other.  I thought it was a unique way for the two to develop their relationships.

·       The side characters, Jane, Mr. Bingley, Miss Bingley, and the Gardiners were also wonderfully drawn.

·       This story reminded me of a movie I’ve always enjoyed, The Little Shop Around the Corner starring James Stewart and Margaret Sullivan.  Or of the newer version, You’ve Got Mail with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks.

·       I also enjoyed that Elizabeth discussed the plight of women during that time and how the matchmaking service might give them agency to help find a good partner to support them.

·       This novel is a clean read.

·       Author’s note was very interesting and described real matchmaking services that did exist during the Regency time.

·       I also enjoyed the “Coming Soon” section about the new book Without Undue Pride that is coming in April 2025.  It sound like a fascinating variation.

Favorite Quote, “For herself, she saw the value in both.  She wanted to engage with the world and could mix with strangers, but she needed moments alone for introspection and to regain her spirits to be sociable once again.  For all her friendliness there were few people she truly loved, and F appeared to the be the same.”

Overall, My Dear Friend by Heather Moll is a captivating Pride and Prejudice Variation with a unique spin that puts one in mind of You’ve Got Mail or The Little Shop Around the Corner.

Book Source:  Review copy from author Heather Moll as part of the Book Tour. Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

About the Author

Heather Moll writes romantic variations of Jane Austen's classic novels. She is an avid reader of mysteries and biographies with a masters in information science. She found Jane Austen later than she should have and made up for lost time by devouring her letters and unpublished works, joining JASNA, and spending too much time researching the Regency era. She is the author of Rising Courage, An Affectionate Heart, Nine Ladies, and My Dear Friend. She lives with her husband and son, and struggles to balance all the important things, like whether to clean the house or sit down and write.

About the Book

My Dear Friend

THEY NEVER GET ALONG WHENEVER THEY UNFORTUNATELY CROSS PATHS. BUT WHEN A MATCHMAKING SERVICE ANONYMOUSLY LINKS THEM UP, WILL THEY PEN A ROMANCE?

Elizabeth Bennet is an excellent judge of character. Eager to prove to her brokenhearted sister that worthy men do exist, the spirited and witty young woman subscribes to the new matchmaking service taking London by storm. And she’s pleasantly surprised when the female-empowering agency anonymously connects her with a fascinating correspondent. 

Fitzwilliam Darcy is determined to move on from unwanted feelings for the alluring but inappropriate Bennet girl. He hopes his captivating prose partner from the matchmaking service might be the distraction he needs. But when he inadvertently reveals his inner thoughts, he can’t keep the letter-exchanging relationship from becoming something more.

As Elizabeth starts to fall for the mysterious man, her dislike for Mr. Darcy only grows whenever they meet in person. While the man in question still admires Elizabeth, he realizes in alarm that he may have also given his heart to his anonymous correspondent…

Have their letters opened an unexpected path to happily ever after?

RAFFLECOPTER SWAG GIVEAWAY

Swag Grand Prize Giveaway

1 entrant will win:

• Signed paperback copy of My Dear Friend
• Art of the Love Letter mini kit
• Black feather quill pen

The giveaway is open from 09/06/2024 12:00am EST through 09/20/2024 12:00am EST. Giveaway is open worldwide.

One winner will be chosen at random and notified via email on September 21, 2024. Winner will have 24 hours to reply and claim their prize or another winner will be drawn.

Entrants must leave a comment on the blog or subscribe to Heather Moll's newsletter to enter. Entrants can leave a comment at every blog.

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Social Links 

website: heathermollauthor.com 

FB: @HeatherMollAuthor 

Instagram: @HeatherMollAuthor 

Book Bub: bookbub.com/authors/heather-moll 

Goodreads: goodreads.com/heathermoll 

Twitter: @HMollAuthor

The Cloverton Charade by Sarah E. Ladd (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

Title: The Cloverton Charade

Author:  Sarah E. Ladd

Narrated by:  Jude Mason

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Length: Approximately 9

Source: Thank you @sarahladdauthor @thomasnelson @austenprose for the physical review copy and @netgalley for the audiobook review copy.

Do you collect antiques?  I love antiques.

Olivia Brannon works at her late father’s shop and evaluates rare antiquities.  Her uncle currently runs the shop, but she dreams of someday being able to travel the world in search of antiquities herself.  One day, she is invited by Mrs. Milton, a wealthy widow and former client of her father’s, to attend a house party at Cloverton Hall.  Mrs. Milton’s nephew, Mr. Wainbridge, has inherited Cloverton Hall and all the antiquities that her husband has collected, but Mrs. Milton hopes to be able to sell her own antiquities.  Mr. Wainbridge, meanwhile, has invited his own antique dealer, Lucas Avery, to the house party to evaluate Mr. Milton’s antiquities.  He wants to sell them to try to make the estate solvent.  When Lucas and Olivia discover that some of the antiquities are fake, they are thrust into a mystery.  Will they be able to discover who is replacing the antiquities with fakes and will they also find romance along the way?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I really enjoyed the audiobook.  The narrator, Jude Mason, was excellent.  Mason was pleasant to listen to and had good voices for everyone.

·       I really enjoyed this unique Regency story.  I don’t think I have read a Regency novel before that involved the collecting of antiquities.  It was so interesting.  I know that collecting antiques was very popular during this time period, so it was great to learn more about it and have it as a plot device in this novel.

·       The mystery was intriguing as well with a great conclusion.

·       I love the romance between Olivia and Lucas.  It was a Romeo and Juliet type story with them being from rival antique companies.

·       I love Regency house parties and it was fun to read about this one.  I enjoyed that both Olivia and Lucas could move around in the world of high society, but being in business, they were not truly part of it.

·       The plight of Mrs. Milton and of Olivia herself, made me ponder again the limited choices that women had during the Regency time period.  Mrs. Milton could not inherit her husband’s estate where she had spent her lifetime, while Olivia could not inherit her father’s business, even though she was more qualified in antiquities than her uncle.

·       I read this one quickly as I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next.

·       This was a clean read.

Favorite Quote: “For what it’s worth, you say you don’t belong here.  But I believe you are the rival of any woman in the room.  And I daresay you are infinitely more interesting.  There is something about a woman who can think for herself that is quite intriguing.”

Overall, The Cloverton Charade was an engaging Regency romance novel with a wonderful romance and great mystery involving antiquities.  I highly recommend this novel.

 BOOK DESCRIPTION

A long-held family feud reignites when two rival antiquities brokers arrive at the same house party in Regency England.

Olivia Brannon knows her goals are unconventional. As a young woman in Regency England, her best bet—according to society—is to marry well and secure a steady future for herself. But Olivia has never been interested in convention. She’d prefer to follow in her deceased father’s footsteps and journey to foreign lands in search of rare and valuable antiquities.

Eager to make a name for herself in the antiquities world, Olivia jumps at an invitation to join a wealthy widow at the famed Cloverton Hall to evaluate her private antiquities collection. Secrecy of the task is vital, and in order to conceal her efforts Olivia must pretend to be a house party guest to avoid suspicion and to explain her presence.

Lucas Avery, whose father was a rival of Olivia’s father, has also arrived at the Cloverton Hall house party, hired by the new master of Cloverton Hall—the widow’s nephew—to appraise the renowned Cloverton Hall collection. When Lucas discovers Olivia masquerading as a party guest while covertly conducting her own assessment, he’s keen to renew the family rivalry. But as their paths frequently cross, he’s unprepared for the effect the refreshingly honest—and beautiful—Olivia has on him.

Yet all is not as it seems. Both Olivia and Lucas are shocked by the astonishing discovery of counterfeit pieces, and when the unexpected occurs, everyone is a suspect . . . and Olivia and Lucas both must choose whom they will trust. Only the hidden treasure will allow Louisa and her sister to gain their freedom.

Sweet Regency romance set in the same time period as Bridgerton

Part of the Houses of Yorkshire series but can be read as a stand-alone novel

Book length: 83,000 words

Includes discussion questions for book club.

AUTHOR BIO

Sarah E. Ladd is an award-winning, bestselling author who has always loved the Regency period—the clothes, the music, the literature, and the art. A college trip to England and Scotland confirmed her interest in the time period, and she began seriously writing in 2010. Since then, she has released several novels set during the Regency era. Sarah is a graduate of Ball State University and holds degrees in public relations and marketing. She lives in Indiana with her family. Visit Sarah online at SarahLadd.com

The Briar Club by Kate Quinn

 

Do you have a group of friends that regularly get together for a book club, meal, or something else?  Do you belong to a group, church, Rotary, Lion’s, etc.?  The act of routinely getting together with friends or acquaintances is important.

In 1950s Washington DC, a murder occurred at the Briarwood boarding house on Thanksgiving.  In a series of flashbacks telling the story of each occupant, the reader learns the unique story of each woman while also coming close to solving the murder mystery.

My thoughts on this book:

·       I read this book while on vacation at the beginning of August and it was my favorite read of the month. 

·       This is different than other Kate Quinn Books I’ve read, and I enjoyed her different, unique storytelling in this book.

·       Each chapter is the story of each woman in the house.  It gives her background and how she ended up in the house.

·       The house also narrates chapters in the future to give brief glimpse into the murder.

·       Grace gives weekly potluck dinner parties in her tiny attic apartment where they take turns cooking.  They get to know each other better and become a family of sorts.

·       I also thought the recipes that were throughout the story associated with the weekly potlucks were fun.  Each character had their own recipe and song that went with the recipe.

·       Mrs. Nilsson owns the boarding house.  She is a nasty woman with lots of rules and little sympathy.  Her two children, Peter and Lina, receive little affection as well.  The ladies of the house help them out.

·       I couldn’t put this book down.  I loved learning about each character, and I wanted to know who was murdered and why.  Each character is well developed and interesting.

·       Great topics of the 1950s were included such as communism, McCarthyism, the Korean War, working women, birth control, women’s sports, etc.

·       I loved each character and learning their secrets.

·       I loved the Easter Eggs for those that have read The Rose Code and The Huntress.

·       There are historical tidbits throughout the book and real historical characters.  There was a great author’s note about real history at the end.

Favorite Quote: “I sometimes think this country is an eternal battle between our best and our worst angels.  Hopefully we’re listening to the good angel more often than the bad one.”

Overall, The Briar Club by Kate Quinn is a must-read historical fiction novel that is set in the 1950s and has great characters and a mystery that you won’t soon forget.

Book Source:  Review copy from William Morrow Books. Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Naturalist’s Daughter by Tea Cooper (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

Title: The Naturalist’s Daughter

Author:  Tea Cooper

Narrated by:  Corinne Davies

Publisher: Harper Muse

Length: Approximately 13 hours and 37 minutes

Source: Thank you @tea_cooper @harpermusebooks @austenprose for the physical review copy and @netgalley for the audiobook review copy.

What is your favorite animal to watch in the wild?  While I was in college, I loved watching beavers swim in an area that was along the bike bath I used. 

In 1808 Agnes Bank, Australia, Rose Winton works with her father, Charles on his research on the platypus.  This research is groundbreaking.  After he is involved in an accident, Rose sets off to present his findings to the Royal Society in England.  Why did her mission ultimately fail?  Wha family secrets will she discover?

In 1908 Sydney, Tamsin Alleyn, is sent to retrieve an old sketchbook that was donated to the library by a recently deceased elderly lady.  Tamsin discovers that the sketchbook is very valuable and provides clues to a mystery from the past.  What has she discovered?

·       This review was supposed to be posted last week but was delayed by numerous technical problems.

·       This was a dual narrative novel.  I liked both timelines.  At first, I was engaged by the 1808 timelines the most, but then I was caught up in the 1908 story.  They both tied up nicely at the end.

·       I loved the STEM tie in with the research on the platypus and trying to get the Royal Society to believe that such a creature existed.  It was fascinating.

·       This historical fiction story had a few gasp out loud moments from me, and it had some suspense and Gothic elements in the last half of the novel.  It made it a very enjoyable read for me, that completely captured my imagination.

·       I loved the sweet romance that occurred in both timeless.

·       The characters were believable and relatable.  I enjoyed their journey and really wanted to know more about them.

·       I love that “Jamaica Inn” was mentioned as well as that it served pasties.  This seemed like a good Easter egg for author Daphne Du Maurier’s classic novel, Jamaica Inn.  Jamaica Inn is a real inn that can be found in Cornwall, England.

·       I always find the history of the convict ships to Australia to be fascinating.

·       This was an intriguing audiobook.  I didn’t want to stop listening!

·       I was disappointed to find out in the author’s note that Charles and Rose Winton were fictional characters.  They were so believably real throughout the novel.  There was real history mixed into the story.

The Naturalist’s Daughter by Tea Cooper was a fascinating and unique historical tale with great characters, STEM elements, and suspense.  This is another highly recommended book from me!

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Two fearless women—living a century apart—find themselves entangled in the mystery surrounding the biggest scientific controversy of the nineteenth century: the classification of the platypus.

1808 Agnes Banks, NSW

Rose Winton wants nothing more than to work with her father, eminent naturalist Charles Winton, on his groundbreaking study of the platypus. Not only does she love him with all her heart but the discoveries they have made could turn the scientific world on its head. When Charles is unable to make the long sea journey to present his findings to the prestigious Royal Society in England, Rose must venture forth in his stead. What she discovers will forever alter the course of scientific history.

1908 Sydney, NSW

Tamsin Alleyn has been given a mission: travel to the Hunter Valley and retrieve an old sketchbook of debatable value, gifted to the Public Library by a recluse. But when she gets there, she finds there is more to the book than meets the eye, and more than one interested party. Shaw Everdene, a young antiquarian bookseller and lawyer, seems to have his own agenda when it comes to the book. Determined to uncover the book's true origin, Tamsin agrees to join forces with him.

The deeper they delve, the more intricate the mystery of the book's authorship becomes. As the lives of two women a century apart converge, discoveries emerge from the past with far-reaching consequences in this riveting tale of courage and discovery.

AUTHOR BIO

Tea Cooper is an established Australian author of historical fiction. In a past life, she was a teacher, a journalist, and a farmer. These days she haunts museums and indulges her passion for storytelling. She is the internationally bestselling author of several novels, including The Naturalist’s Daughter; the USA TODAY bestselling The Woman in the Green Dress; The Girl in the Painting, The Cartographer's Secret, winner of the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award; and The Fossil Hunter.

The Paris Gown by Christine Wells (Bibliolifestyle Book Tour)

 

Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @williammorrowbooks for the review copy of The Paris Gown by Christine Wells.  This review should have been up last week but was delayed due to numerous technical issues.

Three friends in 1950’s Paris experience life and love, as well as a beautiful Dior gown.  They had previously gone to school together in Paris, went their separate ways, and have now reunited in 1957. 

Claire is trying to make it as a chef in the male dominated world of Parisian cuisine.  She works at her family’s brasserie, Let Chet, but dreams of working for a fancier sit-down restaurant.  When her father sells the family business to her old nemesis, what will she do?  Will she be able to move on to a new restaurant where she can shine?

Margot is hiding out in Paris disguised and working at Dior.  She had an abusive marriage and has fled from Australia to Paris, where she had her happiest memories. Will her husband find her?  Will she realize her dream of becoming an editor?

Gina’s father has lost her family’s fortune, and she has broken her engagement to the love of her life to protect his political career.  She has escaped to Paris to realize her dream of writing the great American novel.  Will she reunite with her love?  Will she finish and publish her novel?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I loved the relationship between the three women and how they are all able to support each other.

·       The Dior dress was fabulous.  It was give to Claire by a friend who had to leave Paris suddenly.  Claire shares it with her friends for their special occasions.  The descriptions of Margot working for Dior gave me “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris” vibes.  I loved it!

·       The beautiful cover of this book shows a real Dior gown.

·       The descriptions of the food were exquisite as well.  It gave me a glimpse of what eating in Paris would be like.

·       The only thing I didn’t like about this book was that I felt like the storyline with Margot’s husband was left unresolved.

·       The book was an interesting look into compromises.  What would you give up for who you love?  Should you give up your dreams?

·       The storyline was very engaging and pleasant.  I enjoyed this book.

Overall, The Paris Gown was a great story of friendship, dreams, fashion, and food all set in 1950’s Paris.  It was a very enjoyable read.

PUB DATE: August 20, 2024.  

No Match for Love by Karen Thornell (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

What is or will be your first read of September?  I read No Match for Love by Karen Thornell in this past weekend.  It was a perfect book to escape on a camping trip.

Lydia Faraday has lived a lonely life on her guardian’s estate.  She has suddenly been called into London by her guardian to have a season amongst the ton.  She is not sure why he has a sudden interest in marrying her off, but she is going to experience London to its fullest.  Lucas Berkely escapes the pain of his past by starting a secret club and becoming a prize boxer.  He wants to keep this secret from society, but through a chance meeting, he is afraid that Lydia has uncovered his secret.  When his brother Charlie decides to court Lydia to appease his mother, Lucas finds himself drawn to Lydia.  Why has Lydia’s guardian suddenly decided she is to be married?  What is the secret of her past?  Will Lucas’s secret come out and will he be able to come to terms with the tragedy in his past? 

My thoughts on this novel:

·       Lydia and Lucas were wonderful characters.  I loved the growth that both characters had during this novel.  I also enjoyed the chemistry between these characters.  Both were believable characters.  Lucas is socially awkward and haunted by the death of his twin sister.  Lydia grew up without a family and was raised by servants at her guardian’s estate.  She has become a healer, and she loves to help out those less fortunate than herself.  She shares this with Lucas.

·       The chapters alternate between Lucas and Lydia’s points of view.

·       The side characters are fun as well.  I loved Lucas’s entire family, especially Charlie and their mother.

·       I enjoy that this is set during the Regency time period.  I love Regency romance.

·       The storyline was enchanting.  I really wanted to know both Lydia and Lucas’s back stories and what would happen to them.  The mystery and suspense in this novel was very fun. I also loved how they both helped others throughout the book and this willingness to be a helper is what attracted them to each other.

·       No Match for Love is a clean read.

Overall, No Match for Love was a very engaging read with great characters, story, and romance.  I couldn’t stop reading this book once I picked it up.  I highly recommend it.

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

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Lucas Berkeley has a secret—one he cannot risk anyone discovering. After all, a future marquess belongs in drawing rooms, not underground boxing circles. Yet with a painful past and a need to control every aspect of his life, it is his only outlet. And when his brother begins to court the one woman who could ruin everything, Lucas needs the secret diversion more than ever.

Lydia Faraday is exhausted from living a life in which she has no say. When her taciturn guardian drags her to London intent on marrying her off, she determines to thwart his plans. If she is to have freedom in any aspect of her existence, it ought to be with whom she marries. And when a solicitor turns up with new information, she thinks that just might be possible. Or it may complicate her future further.

When Lucas and Lydia become entangled in a dangerous scheme, they cannot help but become closer, even as the obstacles between them grow. The last thing either is looking for is love. But their hearts have different plans.

AUTHOR BIO

Karen Thornell grew up reading when she should have been sleeping, but it wasn't until 2019 that she started writing. Tired of ending books and saying 'goodbye' to beloved characters, she wondered what it would be like to have her own characters that lived in her head always. It was probably a mark of sleep deprivation that she wanted people living in her head, but the idea was planted regardless.

Karen lives in Utah with her husband and kids. When not writing contemporary or regency romance, she spends her free time doing endless loads of laundry, playing board games, and, yes, talking to those characters in her head.