Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witemeyer (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

Do you enjoy reading fairy tales?  I have enjoyed them since I was a child. I love reading different takes on fairy tale stories.  Cloaked in Beauty is a new take on Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty that weaves together the essence of both stories into a new unique story.

Scarlett woke up to her home being burned down.  Her mother has a plan for just such a case and sends Scarlett off with her Grandmother to remain hidden until her twenty-first birthday.  Her father has passed away, and her Uncle will inherit her fortune if she dies before the age of 21.  Now known as Lettie, she has grown up in the woods in Texas with her grandmother and pet wolf.  As she nears twenty-one, her mother has sent a Pinkerton agent, Philip, to escort her back to Houston.  Will Scarlett/Letty make it back alive and allude her Uncle’s nefarious schemes?  Will she find love?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I loved the start of this novel.  It really pulled me into the story and made me excited to read it.  This novel had a very engaging plot that kept me reading until the last page as Philip and Letty try to make their way back to Houston.  The ending was perfect.

·       The novel is set in Texas in the late 1800s.

·       I always enjoy animals in a novel and loved Rusty the trusty wolf.

·       The characters were all interesting and well written.  I especially loved Letty and Philip.  Letty is a strong character.  Although she lived a sheltered life, she is self-assured and is always trying to do what is right.  Philip has a fun sense of humor and is a good-hearted person.

·       The romance was sweet.  This is a clean read.

·       Letty and Philip’s Christian faith was important to them both and it woven in throughout the novel.  I also liked that Letty wanted to use her fortune to do good in the world.

·       As a mother, I especially was touched by the reunion of Letty and her mother.

·       Karen Witemeyer has written other fairy tale inspired historical romance novels including Fairest of the Heart and If the Boot Fits.  I need to read these novels.

Favorite Quote: “Worrying about tomorrow only served to steal the joy from today.  And this day was far too fine to squander.”

Overall, Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witemeyer is a riveting fairy tale inspired historical romance novel with great action and characters.  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

Trust no one in the shadows of the piney woods . . .

Letty Hood has spent the last fifteen years of her life hidden away with her grandmother in the backwoods of east Texas to escape the deadly schemes of an uncle who wants her dead. Now, with her twenty-first birthday on the horizon, she is forced to accept the escort of a stranger and return to Houston in secret so she can claim a birthright that will make her one of the wealthiest women in Texas. If she lives long enough to inherit.

Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael has one duty: get the Radcliffe heiress home alive. Expecting a spoiled girl, Philip is surprised to encounter a woman of rare strength with a kind soul and keen wit. As they journey together, Letty's resilience wins his admiration, breaking through his hardened cynicism. Yet the threat to her survival grows more menacing with every mile, and Philip fears that keeping Letty out of harm's way may be just as impossible as keeping her out of his heart.

AUTHOR BIO

Voted #1 Reader's Favorite Christian Historical Author of 2023 by Family Fiction magazine, bestselling and Carol and Christy Award-winning author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. She and her husband make their home in Abilene, Texas. Learn more about Karen and her books at KarenWitemeyer.com.

Under the Mistletoe by Mary Balogh

 

Do you like to read short or long books during the holiday season?  I definitely prefer short during the busy holiday season!

Under the Mistletoe by Mary Balogh is a collection of five different Regency Novellas as follows:

·       A Family Christmas – This story had it all, an arranged and estranged marriage, snobby mother-in-law, and Christmas traditions.  I loved this story of the couple finding true love with each other.

·       The Star of Bethlehem – This story also featured an unhappy couple at Christmas and a missing engagement ring.  A chimney sweep helps to bring the couple together. 

·       The Best Gift – This story had Jane Eyre vibes.  What if when Jane Eyre was a teacher that was invited to the home of a pupil and able to experience Christmas for the first time?

·       Playing House – A trio of siblings is about to be separated after the holidays due to the death of their parents and a lack of funds.  At their last Christmas together, an old sweetheart comes back to town and may change their lot in life.

·       No Room at the Inn – Numerous travelers are stranded together at an inn and unable to make their Christmas destinations.  The birth of a child has them all realize the true joys of Christmas.

My overall thoughts:

·       I loved all five of the Regency novellas.

·       This collection was recommended to me by my friend Barb who enjoys Regency Christmas romance novels as much as I do.  It was a great recommendation!

·       I loved the romance in each story and how they found out the true meaning of Christmas.

Overall, Under the Mistletoe by Mary Balogh is an enjoyable Christmas Regency Romance collection.

A Dog’s Perfect Christmas by W. Bruce Cameron

 

Do you like to read novels that feature animals?  I have always enjoyed books that feature animals, especially dogs and cats.

The Goss family is in a rut as they approach Christmas.  Grandpa Sandor is 67 and depressed.  He lives with his son after spending all he had on experimental procedures for his wife’s cancer only to have her die.  He hasn’t moved on much to his dog’s Winstead’s dismay.  He also doesn’t contribute to any household tasks much to his granddaughter Ello’s dismay.  Ello is in eighth grade and is having a hard time navigating the social scene and friendships.  Sandor’s son, Hunter, is stressed out trying to get a major project completed at work.  If he doesn’t complete it per his new boss’s requirements, he will lose his job at Christmas.  Hunter’s wife, Julianna, must keep the entire household under control including Grandpa and her two young twin sons.   She longs to work again as a lawyer and is unhappy in her marriage.  Will the Goss family be able to make some changes and have a Merry Christmas?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       The characters in this novel were well developed and relatable. 

·       Unlike other books I’ve read by W. Bruce Cameron, the book is not narrated by Winstead the dog.  The story was good, but I missed seeing it all through the point of view of the dog.

·       I really liked that we got to see the family life and troubles through the point of view of three generations of the family.  I also like they were all willing to see things from another point of view and be willing to make changes.  What are the most important things in life?

·       I liked the focus on family and on friendship.  Ello is realizing who exactly are her real friends in 8^th grade and the importance of her mother in their family.

·       Sandor realizes that he is not dead yet and that he can have perhaps a second chance at love.  He also realizes that he can help his family out and serve a purpose.

·       There is a new puppy in the story as well, which I enjoyed.

Overall, A Dog’s Perfect Christmas by W. Bruce Cameron is a heartwarming Christmas tale about the importance of friends and family.

Book Source:  Christmas gift from last year.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.