When Stars Light the Sky by Elizabeth Camden (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

Are you a morning or night person?  I am definitely not a morning person, although I don’t stay up as late as used to when I was younger.

Inga Klein immigrated to the United States from Germany as a child.  James and Mary Gerard help the Klein family after they were scammed out of their money right off the boat.  After Inga has grown up, James Gerard offers her a job as a secretary to him as he serves as America’s newest Ambassador to Germany.  Inga immediately clashes with Benedict Kincaid, the diplomatic chief of staff.  He is a rule follower and doesn’t think having a German born secretary is good for America.  As America hurtles towards WWI, will Inga and Benedict be able to do what is best for the country and their own hearts?

My thoughts on the novel:

·       Elizabeth Camden has become one of my favorite authors.  The novel she published las year, While the City Sleeps, was one of my top ten books of the year.  This novel, When Stars Light up the Sky is destined to be one of my favorite books of this year.

·       This is the second book in the Women of Midtown series, but it is a complete standalone novel.  Characters from the first novel make a brief appearance.  Inga lives in the Martha Washington building at the start and end of the novel.  This historic building that housed professional women in the early twentieth century was interesting.

·       I found the timeline to be fascinating.  I didn’t know anything about real life diplomat James Gerard or the diplomacy with Germany leading up to WWI.  I was intrigued by the story and also enjoyed the author’s note at the end of the novel.

·       Inga and Benedict’s relationship was intriguing.  It reminded me of Elizabeth and Darcy in Pride and Prejudice with Inga’s cheerfulness and wit, and Benedict’s grumpy wet blanket personality.  It also was perfect for the times they lived in with extra considerations due to the fact that Inga was a German born woman who had grown up in America but had not applied for citizenship.

·       One of my favorite scenes was when Claude Debussy played Clair de lune at an embassy party and was interrupted by the rain.  It would have been thrilling to be at such a party.

·       Another favorite moment was when Inga talked with another resident of the Martha Washington that was nurse in the Civil War.  Talking about both of their experiences was cathodic for them both, and fascinating to me.

·       This novel had opposite attract, grumpy vs sunshine, enemies to lovers, and marriage of convenience tropes.

·       It was a clean read.

Overall, When Stars Light the Sky by Elizabeth Camden was a richly layered historical fiction novel set at the brink of WWI with an unforgettable romance between two very opposite personalities.  I couldn’t put this book down and I highly recommend it!

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

BOOK DESCRIPTION

In a world on the brink of war, two hearts must navigate shadows of uncertainty.

Inga Klein's carefree life in New York takes a dramatic turn when she sails for Berlin, Germany, to serve as the secretary for America's ambassador. Amid the glamour of life at the embassy, she continually finds herself at odds with the straitlaced and imposing Benedict Kincaid, the diplomatic chief of staff who harbors deep misgivings toward the German-born Inga.

As Europe hurtles toward World War I, Benedict's determination to keep America out of the conflict adds to the already tense atmosphere. Despite their relentless sparring, Inga and Benedict succeed in keeping the embassy afloat through one crisis after another. But when they run out of diplomatic options, a marriage of convenience may be Inga's only hope of escape from the impending war.

AUTHOR BIO

Elizabeth Camden is best known for her historical novels set in Gilded Age America, featuring clever heroines and richly layered story lines. Before she was a writer, she was an academic librarian at some of the largest and smallest libraries in America, but her favorite is the continually growing library in her own home. Her novels have won Christy, Carol, and RITA Awards and have appeared on the ECPA Bestsellers list. She lives in Citrus County, Florida, with her husband, who graciously tolerates her intimidating stockpile of books. Learn more at ElizabethCamden.com.

The Nonesuch by Georgette Heyer

 

Title: The Nonesuch

Author:  Georgette Heyer

Narrated by:  James Lailey

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Length: Approximately 10 hours and 53 minutes

Source: Audiobook Purchased from Audible

If you could live in any book world, which would it be?  The Regency world of Georgette Heyer would be one book world where I would want to live.

Sir Waldo Hawkridge has inherited an estate from his cousin.  He is known at the “Nonesuch” in London for being a man of impeccable taste.  He is also a man of charity and wants to make the estate into a home for orphans.  He and his relations descend on the estate to check it out.  While there he meets the impetuous Tiffany Wield and her governess, Ancilla Trent.  While Tiffany seems to have the eye of every man in the neighborhood, Sir Waldo can’t help but notice that her governess is a woman of rare quality.  Will love finds its way?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was a January pick for the JASNA Northwoods Book club.  I was unfortunately unable to make the meeting last weekend as I really wanted to discuss the books!

·       I loved Ancilla Trent as a heroine and that she was an “older” heroine at the grand old age of 28.  She knows her own mind but didn’t want to look like she was setting her cap at anyone.  I always like a good story that features a governess, and this really captured my imagination.

·       Tiffany is probably one of the brattiest characters in literature.  I don’t know that I would have the patience to be her guardian or her governess.

·       Sir Waldo was a fun character and I liked that he wasn’t chasing after teenage girls. 

·       The misunderstanding over Waldo and his home for “his children” was quite hilarious.

·       This was a very entertaining story to listen to on audiobook and James Lailey was a good narrator.

·       Georgette Heyer is a master of the Regency Romance novel.  She did considerable research to make sure she used the correct terminology of the time and she writes very entertaining stories with well-developed characters.

·       I would love to see this story made into a movie.

Overall, The Nonesuch is another wonderful entertaining Regency Romance by the master, Georgette Heyer.  I highly recommend it!

The Christmas Inn by Pamela Kelley

 

Title: The Christmas Inn

Author:  Pamela Kelley

Narrated by:  Stephanie Németh-Parker

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Length: Approximately 8 hours and 41 minutes

Source: Audiobook Review Copy from NetGalley.

What type of books are your cozy reads?  Christmas books are some of my coziest reads.

Riley Sanders loses her job right before Christmas when her job is made redundant by AI.  Her mother has recently broken her leg and needs help at the Inn she owns, so Riley returns to the Inn to help.  She meets and gets to know a variety of guests that are all going through issues of their own.  Will there be a merry Christmas for everyone?  Her ex-boyfriend Aiden and his son are also staying at the Inn.  Seeing Aiden makes her think about her relationship with her current boyfriend Jack.  He is a workaholic and does not have much time for her or their relationship.  Will Aiden and Riley find romance?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was a very enjoyable Christmas audiobook and enjoyable read.  Stephanie Németh-Parker was a great narrator.  There are multiple point of views and narrators in the story.  It did take me a bit at times to remember where I was in the story and with who when I would start it up again.

·       Riley and Aiden were the main characters, but the other characters were also well developed and had interesting storylines.

·       I liked that there were people all different age groups involved in the story.

·       I also liked the sub story of how Riley helped her mother with marketing to try to save the Inn.

·       Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes and I loved it in this novel.

·       This is a clean and cozy read.

Overall, The Christmas Inn by Pamela Kelley is a sweet contemporary romance that is perfect for lover of Christmas Hallmark movies.

With This Ring by Amy Clipston (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

Title: With This Ring

Author:  Amy Clipston

Narrated by:  Brittany Goodwin

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Length: Approximately 8 hours and 45 minutes

Source: Audiobook Review Copy from NetGalley, physical book copy from Thomas Nelson as a part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank you!

Do you like to wear rings?  Do you have a favorite ring or one that is the most meaningful?

Dakota and Huson broke off their engagement seven years before when Hudson left their small town for New York City with dreams of making it big in business.  Dakota stayed behind and pursued her dream of starting a bridal boutique.  Hudson has returned to town after selling his company as his sister is engaged and planning her wedding.  Will Dakota and Hudson reconnect?  Will they be able to work through their problems from the past?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       As February nears, I was in a mood to read a romance novel.  This had one of my favorite tropes – second chance romance.

·       This novel was a lot of fun.  My favorite part was that there was roller-skating rink that one of Dakota’s friends had bought, restored, and runs.  Dakota teaches skating lessons there on the weekend.  There are fun activities, and it is the core of the social scene in town.

·       The fictional setting was Flowering Grove, North Carolina.  I loved the name of this town!

·       There is just something I love about bridal boutiques.  I enjoy reading about them and Dakota’s struggles as she tries to keep her business afloat.  She needs to learn how to ask for help, but Hudson needs to learn to stop controlling everyone.

·       Hudson drove me insane when he would just throw money at everything and boss everyone around.  He was so rude to his sister and her fiancé.

·       Hudson’s pursuit of money alienated both his family and Dakota.  He reminded me of Ebenezer Scrooge at times.  I like that by the end of the novel, the reader understands why he behaved the way he did.

·       I liked that Hudson and Dakota both had redemptive arcs, and both had to learn how to be their best selves and the best to those they love in their lives.

·       This is a clean romance.

·       I listened to the audiobook.  The narrator was great, and it was a fun book.  There were some odd pauses in the audiobook, but that may be because it was a review copy.

Overall, With this Ring by Amy Clipston is a sweet, clean second chance romance with a redemptive arc.  If this novel doesn’t make you want to roller-skate, I don’t know what will.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Dakota Jamison spends her days making brides’ dreams come true. But when will the time finally come for her own storybook ending?

Dakota thought she had left her dreams of happily-ever-after behind, along with the pain of a broken engagement to her high school sweetheart, Hudson. Now, as the proud owner of Fairytale Bridal Shop in the picturesque town of Flowering Grove, she's built a life and a business on helping brides find their perfect dress for their own fairytale weddings. But running a small business is not for the faint of heart, and when her ex-fiancé unexpectedly returns to town with a mission—to put a stop to his sister's wedding—Dakota’s problems go from bad to worse.

Hudson Garrity should be living his dream. After selling his software company, he’s single, handsome, and rich, but an unexpected call from his baby sister has him flying down to his hometown, determined to protect Layla from yet another big mistake. Though he’s single-minded in his effort to derail the nuptials, he instead finds himself thrown into family chaos and roped into helping his sister with her plans . . . bringing him once more into contact with Dakota Jamison, the one who got away.

For Hudson, coming home means revisiting his painful childhood, repairing a strained relationship with his sister, and coming face-to-face with the woman he never stopped loving. For Dakota, it means confronting the tender memories she buried deep within her heart. As Layla’s wedding date draws close, the two reunited lovers begin to question if what went wrong between them really happened the way they remembered it at all. Will they continue believing the lies they’ve told themselves, or will they remain forever entangled in the threads of what could have been?

With This Ring by bestselling novelist Amy Clipston is a touching tale of rekindled romance, rediscovery, and the transformative power of forgiveness.

AUTHOR BIO

Amy Clipston is an award-winning bestselling author and has been writing for as long as she can remember. She's sold more than one million books, and her fiction writing "career" began in elementary school when she and a close friend wrote and shared silly stories. She has a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan University and is a member of the Authors Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Romance Writers of America. Amy works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC, and lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, mother, and four spoiled rotten cats. Visit her online at AmyClipston.com.

Heart of the Glen by Jennifer Deibel (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

Do you have a favorite book, movie, or TV Show that is set in Ireland?  I’ve read so many good ones.  One that has stuck with me is The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue.

Saoirse Fagan arrives at Drumboe Castle to start a new job as a housemaid and finds it abandoned.  A tragedy has taken her family and home, and she is not sure what to do or where to go.  She wanders on the road until a young woman, Aileen, finds her and invites her to stay in her barn.  Will Saoirse find out what path life wants her to take?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I loved the Irish setting for this novel.

·       I loved the romance between Saoirse and Aileen’s brother, Owen.

·       This novel had a slow build and forced proximity romance tropes.  These are both tropes I enjoy.

·       I thought the details on weaving were fascinating.

·       I also loved Stout – Owen’s dog in the novel.  He’s a very faithful dog and also loved Saoirse.  They know she’s a good person as the dog loves her.

·       There is a landslide in the novel, and it made for a harrowing read.

·       Saoirse carries a lot of guilt about the death of her family. She struggles and work through it by talking to her new friend Bridie as well as listening to Father Cunningham’s sermons.

·       I was disturbed on how Owen was attacked repeatedly, and his sheep almost taken.  Desperate times lead to desperate men.

·       This novel is a sweet and clean romance.

·       There is a great author’s note at the end of the novel about the inspirations for the story.

·       There is also a preview of last year’s book by the author, The Irish Matchmaker.  I want to read this book.

Overall, Heart of the Glen by Jennifer Deibel was a sweet historical romance with a great Irish setting and theme of forgiveness.

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

BOOK DESCRIPTION

When Saoirse Fagan arrives to start her new job as housemaid at Drumboe Castle, she is dismayed to learn that the lord of the house passed away a week prior. Already running away from the tragedy that claimed the lives of her family members, Saoirse wanders the road with nowhere to go until Aileen McCready offers her a lift and possibly a place to stay for the night.

Sheep farmer and weaver Owen McCready is known for his intricate and impeccably woven tweed. But when he's injured in an attack by bandits, his entire livelihood is endangered. A new—and distracting—mouth to feed adds fuel to the fire, and Owen struggles to keep his family afloat. Though Saoirse is eager to help, even offering to learn the weaving craft, Owen is hesitant to accept aid from this strange young woman, no matter how inexplicably magnetic he finds her.

But Saoirse is not one to give up easily. It may take extra effort on her part, but she's determined to convince the McCreadys that they need her--perhaps as much as she needs them.

AUTHOR BIO

Jennifer Deibel is the author of A Dance in Donegal (winner of the Kipp Award for Historical Romance), The Lady of Galway Manor, The Maid of Ballymacool, and The Irish Matchmaker. With firsthand immersive experience abroad, Jennifer writes stories that help redefine home through the lens of culture, history, and family. After nearly a decade of living in Ireland and Austria, she now lives in Arizona with her husband and their three children. You can find her online at JenniferDeibel.com.

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

 

Title: This Tender Land

Author:  William Kent Krueger

Narrated by:  Scott Brick

Publisher: Recorded Books

Length: Approximately 14 hours and 9 minutes

Source: Audiobook Purchased from Audible

Do you like to read books that include a journey?  I have always loved a good road trip or maritime voyage novel.

In the summer of 1932 at the Lincoln Indian Training School in Minnesota, Odie and his brother Albert, are the only two white kids as the orphanage was full.  The children are beaten and mistreated at this school.  After Odie kills a man in self-defense, he, Albert, a mute Sioux boy names Mose, and an orphan named Emmy set out on a journey down the fictional Gilead River to try to find Odie and Albert’s aunt in St. Louis.  They have many adventures and meet a lot of interesting people.  Will they find out where they belong?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was the January selection for the Page-turners Book Club at the Kewaunee Public Library, and we had a great discussion about it.

·       This novel had it all, great writing, dialogue, and well-developed characters.

·       I kept thinking the story was like Huckleberry Finn, but I realized that it was like the Odyssey well into the novel.

·       There were many perils of the 1930s featured in the novel including shanty towns, revival meetings, illegal alcohol running, extreme poverty, riding the rails, etc.

·       They discover that the leaders of the school had been keeping letters and money that had been sent for the kids.  It made me sad thinking about all the Native American parents and children that were separated, sometimes forever through these types of schools.

·       An overriding them of the novel was, what is home?

·       Mose doesn’t speak and the Native American Children didn’t tell the story.  I thought about it, and I think that Krueger left them silent rather than telling a story that was not his to tell.

·       The Foreword states that the author hopes readers are familiar with his novel, Ordinary Grace.  I have not read it, but I have read books in the Cork O’Conner series.

·       More than one time, Odie read a situation completely wrong, and it had large implications.  Another theme was to make sure you know what is going on before you make a judgement.  It’s part of growing up.

·       The author’s note at the end was interesting. The Sinclair Lewis novel, Elmer Gantry, helped to inspire the author’s writing about tent revivals.  He also lists a lot of other inspirations including Charles Dickens.

My favorite quote, “Things were different then.  Not simpler or better, just different.”

Overall, This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger is a story that I will not forget soon.  It was a masterfully written novel of an epic journey during the Great Depression.  It’s a great book for a book club discussion.

A Most Agreeable Murder by Julia Seales

 

Title: A Most Agreeable Murder

Author:  Julia Seales

Narrated by:  Fiona Hampton

Publisher: Random House Audio

Length: Approximately 9 hours and 7 minutes

Source: Audiobook Purchased from Audible

Which fictional character would you love to have as a best friend?

Beatrice Steele has a secret.  She is obsessed with true crime stories.  She not only loves to read them, but also to send letters detailing her thoughts on the crimes to a famous detective.  This is not a ladylike occupation and if known, could ruin her chance of marriage.  Eligible bachelor, Edmund Croaksworth is in town and attending the autumnal ball.  Beatrice and her sisters are attending the ball with marriage in mind to save their estate from entail along the male line which would leave it to their disgusting cousin, Martin Grub.  When a man is murdered, will Beatrice be able to solve the crime?

My thoughts on the novel:

·       This was the January pick for the JASNA Northwoods Book Club.  I sadly had to miss the meeting yesterday as my daughter’s basketball tournament conflicted.

·       This was the first book in a Beatrice Steele mystery.  I was very excited to find out that this is going to be a series.

·       This novel had shades of Pride and Prejudice with a matchmaking mama with daughters.  The youngest sister, Mary, is a lot like Mary from Pride and Prejudice.  She is also shown to have a lot more to her than everyone gives her credit for.

·       I laughed out loud several times while reading this book.  It had a very fun, quirky, witty humor.  One-character talks with silly metaphors.  The characters have fun descriptions.  The names are hilarious like Stabmore Park where the murder takes place, and Martin Grub for the disgusting cousin.

·       I also thought it was funny that a murder has taken place, and the servants are completely unaware.

·       It seemed like the mystery was solved, but so much more happened after that – it was a really exciting conclusion!

·       The sexual tension between Drake and Beatrice could be cut with a knife.  They had great banter between them, but no real romance in the book.  I look forward to seeing where this leads in the future.

·       I liked that Vivek Drake had an Indian mother and there was diversity in the novel.

·       It was a locked room mystery as they were all stuck at the party due to the weather.  The action all took place during one meeting.

·       It was also a cozy mystery.

·       The audiobook narrator was enjoyable.  There were excerpts between the chapters that were interesting, but they also at times, interrupted the flow of the story.

·       I would love to see this as a movie.

·       If you enjoyed The Benevolent Society of Ill Mannered Ladies or The Murder of Mr. Wickham, you would enjoy this novel.

Overall, A Most Agreeable Murder by Julia Seales is a witty, fun cozy mystery.  I recommend it!

The Night on the Darling River by Darry Fraser (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

Have you ever visited Australia?  I have never been there, but it is on my bucket list of places to visit.

Tess Hawthorne has finally decided to leave her abusive husband.  Unfortunately, she has boarded the wrong boat as it was moored in the wrong place, the Rodney, and her husband is on this boat.  As tensions arise between union laborers and scabs shearers of sheep, the boat is attacked and set ablaze.  Tess is attacked and her life is change forever.  Will she be able to survive?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       The storyline was very intriguing, and I had a hard time putting it down.  Fraser did a great job of crafting the story with believable well-rounded characters and having their stories come together to make a great overall novel.  It was well written, descriptive, moving, and heartfelt.

·       I liked how the story revolved around four childhood friends, Tess and three men – her husband Alby Slattery, Brian Kempster her neighbor who always pined away for her, and Harry Goodwin the man Tess always had a crush.

·       I enjoyed learning about the shearers strike and the flooding that occurred in the 1890s Australia along the Darling and Murphy Rivers.  From the burning Rodney boat, to the labor camps, Fraser took the reader inside the labor revolts.

·       The novel took an honest look at spousal abuse during the nineteenth century and how it was hard for women at the time to escape from their abusive husbands.

·       There was a very interesting historical note at the end from the author.  A lot of the happenings in the novel are true history from 1890s Australia.

·       I recommend this for those that enjoyed The Thornbirds and The Man from Snow River.

Overall, The Night on the Darling River by Darry Fraser is historical fiction at its best with a well written, fascinating storyline and great characters set in 1890s Australia.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Amid the rising flood waters and shearers' strike violence, can one brave woman reclaim her future? From an Australian bestselling author comes a riveting historical adventure about one woman's journey from a life of isolation to one of love and acceptance.

1894, Echuca, Victoria

Tess Hawthorn is a woman on the run from her abusive husband. All she has to do is get on the riverboat Victor and she will be free.

But with tensions at an all-time high between unionist shearers and Scabs, Tess isn't the only person trying to board a boat under the cover of night. When a brawl erupts between the union and non-union men, Tess is mistaken for a fellow Scab and in the chaos pulled aboard the PS Rodney - the same boat heading up the Darling River that her husband was bound for.

The last person Bram Kempster expects to see on board is Tess Hawthorn, the girl he's loved from afar since they were young. But he can't afford to get distracted, not when he's on an urgent trip to Renmark. Tess didn't want him back then and, if her haughty behaviour is anything to go by, she certainly doesn't want him now.

But childhood hurts are the least of their problems. The continent is a tinderbox of violence and bloodshed waiting to ignite, and at home the Murray River is rising fast. Can they overcome their past in time to work together and survive?

PRAISE FOR DARRY FRASER:

'Fraser has established herself as one of Australia's most loved historical fiction authors.' - The Herald Sun

'In The Milliner of Bendigo, Fraser delivers another enthralling adventure, sweeping us along on the remarkable journey of a woman determined to forge her own path.' - Better Reading

'Darry Fraser is at the top of her game with her latest Australian historical ... The Milliner of Bendigo is another wonderful tale to immerse yourself in.' - Great Reads & Tea Leaves

AUTHOR BIO

Darry Fraser lives on the beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia, very close to the mighty River Murray.

Currently she writes empowering, feminist adventure fiction set in Australian history including Daughter of the Murray, Where the Murray River Runs, The Milliner of Bendigo, and her latest release, The Night on the Darling River. She has been published annually with HarperCollins Australia since 2016. Visit her at www.darryfraser.com.