Not Exactly Mr. Darcy by Carolyn Miller (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

Have you visited any literary locations?  I have visited many of the Little House on the Prairie locations, but still have a few on my bucket list.  One of my favorite literary locations is Gene Stratton Porter’s Cabin at Wildflower Woods in Rome City, Indiana.  Gene Stratton Porter wrote Girl of the Limberlost and Freckles.  It’s a beautiful and peaceful place.

Olivia “Liv” Bennett is a history teacher in Australia. When her teaching contract is not renewed and is given to another employee, her family decides she is the best person to travel to England and help out her Grandma who is having health problems.  Immediately after she arrives, she has an awkward run in with a gardener at a local estate.  While Liam and Olivia do not have a good first meeting, they get to know each other better when Olivia starts to work at Hartbury Hall to help open it back up to the public.  Will these two learn to look beyond first impressions?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       It was a clean read and a Christian read.

·       It was a cute story with a sweet romance.

·       I loved how it was a modern-day Pride and Prejudice story.

·       The characters were great.  I loved Olivia, Liam, and everyone in the village.

·       Hartbury Hall was the setting of a fictional 2015 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, which made it a tourist attraction.  I wanted to see this fake adaptation!

·       This is the first in a new series – The Silver Teapot series.  I am looking forward to the next book in this series and learning more about Olivia’s sisters.

·       I enjoyed the author’s note and am fascinated that Lyme Park (Pemberley in the 1995 adaptation) had no references to the film and that the author’s husband was a gardener there when he was young.  I don’t know why Lyme Park wouldn’t take advantage of being such a famous place in a movie and how fun that the author’s husband was a gardener there.

·       This was an interesting look at how hard it is to maintain and keep up a British great house or large estate.  It impacts the village when it is no longer an employer or tourist attraction.  I liked seeing the renovations of the estate through the story.

·       There were various themes in the story such as second chances, forgiveness, and moving on from the past.

·       The romance tropes were opposites attract, fake identity, and forced proximity.  I enjoy these tropes.

·       This was a cozy read that was perfect for this busy time of year.

Overall, Not Exactly Mr. Darcy by Carolyn Miller is a delightful and fun romance that is a modern-day Pride and Prejudice story. It was a very enjoyable and cozy read.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @carolynmillerauthor @barbourbooks @austenprose for a review copy of this novel as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. 

At Morning’s Light by Lauraine Snelling (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

Are you a morning person or a night person?  I am more of a night person.  Although now that I’m older, I’m definitely not staying up as long.

Einar and Maya Bredesen plan to immigrate to the United States from Norway.  Einar goes on one last fishing trip before they leave and is lost at sea.  Maya travels on to America with her brother to stay with her cousin Amalia in Green Creek, Iowa in 1890.  Amalia runs a boardinghouse and has recently married.  Will Maya be able to find a new life and potentially love in America?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       Maya had a hard time adapting to America. She doesn’t speak much English and feels like a fish out of water. It was a good reminder of what most Americans (besides indigenous) ancestor’s felt when they first arrived.

·       This is the second book in the Home to Green Creek series.  I read this as a standalone, but I wish I would have read the first book, so I had more of Maya’s background and story.  It took me a bit to get used to characters.

·       This novel had great characters.  I really liked Amalia who is always trying to help everyone and Maya who goes through so much.

·       This was a clean read and a Christian read. There are references to their Lutheran faith throughout.

·       This was a second chance romance novel.

·       The new love interest for Maya, Eber, starts as a friend and enters about halfway through the story. Therefore, this is also a friends to lovers’ story.

·       There are good book club discussion questions included at the end of the book.

Overall, At Morning’s Light by Lauraine Snelling was a beautiful story of second chances and friendship.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @laurainesnellingauthor @bethanyhousefiction @austenprose for a review copy of this novel as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. 

Murder at Donwell Abbey by Vanessa Kelly (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

What is a book that you couldn’t put down?  I couldn’t put down Murder at Donwell Abbey by Vanessa Kelly!

Emma Knightley is surprised to discover that her reclusive father is engaged . . . to the always talkative Miss Bates!  While hosting an engagement party for the couple, a person is discovered dead.  Did they fall out of an upper story window or were they pushed?   Emma is on the case to solve this crime.

My thoughts on the novel:

·       This is the second novel in the Emma Knightley mystery series.  You can read this novel as a standalone, but I think it adds to the story to read both books.

·       This was a delightful mystery that was very readable.  I read it quickly and didn’t want it down.

·       I loved that the characters from Jane Austen’s Emma have their stories continued in this novel.

·       The characters are true to Austen’s creations.

·       Emma is a good sleuth with her eye for detail and for knowing everyone’s business.  She doesn’t leave things alone until she gets an answer.

·       I liked that Miss Bates becomes Emma’s mystery solving assistant.  This character was fleshed out more in this novel while remaining true to the original.

·       Emma and Mr. Knightley (George) make such a cute couple.  I enjoyed their interactions.

·       There were plenty of red herrings in this mystery to keep one guessing.  It had a great climax and conclusion.

·       It was a witty and fun book.  I enjoyed the reference for “excellent boiled potatoes’ that I felt was an Easter egg for Austen fans (in particular fans of the 2005 Pride and Prejudice adaptation).

·       This is a historical cozy mystery set during the Regency period.

·       It is a clean read.

·       This story is set during the Christmas season.

Overall, Murder at Donwell Abbey by Vanessa Kelly was a very entertaining cozy historical mystery novel and a great continuation of Emma by Jane Austen.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @vanessakellyauthor @kensingtonbooks @austenprose for a review copy of this novel as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. 

The Red Cottage by Hannah Linder (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

What color is your house or place of residence?  What color would you like it to be?  My house is a very light beige, almost white with white trim and dark green on different siding on the top of the house.  I would like a blue house, but I live in a house on the historic registry, so a color change is not in the future.

Meg Foxcroft lives with her Uncle in the apothecary and loves Tom McGwen.  They dream of living in their own cottage painted red.  After Meg is brutally attacked, she loses all her memories and wakes up in the arms of young Lord Cunningham.  Will she regain her memories? Why was she attacked?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This novel had two tropes I enjoy, the amnesia and second chance romance tropes.

·       It was a clever mystery that was full of suspense.  I really wanted to know how this book would end!

·       I loved how Meg and Tom had to rediscover each other and their romance.  They had great chemistry. 

·       I liked that Tom remain devoted to Meg throughout the novel.

·       The story had a lot of twists and turns and started off with a bang.

·       It is set in 1818 Cornwell and has Gothic Regency vibes.

·       This was a clean read with a kisses only romance, but there was also sexual assault, prostitution, and violence as part of the storyline.

·       The story had a good ending that tied up all the storylines.

Overall, The Red Cottage by Hannah Linder was an engaging Regency romance and mystery with Gothic vibes.  I loved and really enjoyed this story!

Book Source:  Thank-you to @hannahlinderbooks @barbourbooks @austenprose for a review copy of this novel as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. 

Danger at Darkmoor Park by Syrie James (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

Do you make book predictions? How often do they come true?

Selena Taylor is happy to help host a Christmas house party at Darkmoor Park.  When a guest mysteriously dies during a snowstorm, everyone is trapped inside.  Dr. Adrian Scott arrives during the blizzard and helps investigate what appears to be a murder.  Will they be able to solve the crime, and will they be able to resolve the feelings between them?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       Gothic Christmas historical romance is a subgenre that I absolutely love. 

·       This is the third book in the Audacious Sisterhood of Smoke and Fire Series.  I loved all three books in this series.

·       I enjoyed that this novel took place during the Christmas season.  A Christmas house party is a perfect setting for a mystery.

·       This was a cozy mystery that kept me guessing until the end.

·       I liked the tension and romance between Selena and Dr. Scott, although I kept wondering if Dr. Scott could be the killer at times.  They had great chemistry between them.

·       I enjoyed the references to Jane Austen.

·       Serena is a great heroine.  She is a strong intelligent woman that runs a school with her sister.  She is also the heiress to Mrs. Hillman.  I loved the relationship between Serena and Mrs. Hillman.

·       I would love this series to continue with all the sisters and their husbands.

Overall, Danger at Darkmoor Park was an engaging Gothic Christmas historical romance and mystery.  I loved this story as a standalone and loved the series of three books overall. I highly recommend the entire series.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @syriejames @dragonbladepublishing @austenprose for a review copy of this novel as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. 

Murder in Matrimony by Mary Winters (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

Are you addicted to a particular genre, or you do read all sort of genres?

Countess Amelia Amesbury keeps herself busy writing an anonymous column.  A blackmailer has threated to reveal her identity.  Her sister, Marge, has announced her engagement and asks to hold her wedding breakfast at Amelia’s home.  As Amelia helps to plan the wedding, she is stunned when her friend and vicar, Mr. Cross, is found murdered.  Who murdered Mr. Cross and why?  Will Amelia uncover the blackmailer?  Will Amelia’s relationship with Simon move to the next level?  With all of this going on, can she plan and host a high society wedding that involves her large family?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This novel was the 4^th in the Lady of Letters mystery series.  I have just read the third novel in the series, and I need to go back and read the first two.  This novel starts right where the 3^rd novel ended.  It is probably best to read this after book #3 as a major plot point is from the previous novel. 

·       I enjoyed this cozy historical mystery.  It was a perfect book to read during a stressful month.

·       Lady Amelia is a delightful character.  I loved that she is a strong woman who wants to keep her own independence.

·       There was a great romance and chemistry between Simon and Amelia.

·       This was a clean romance.

·       There was a lot going on with family drama.  I loved Lady Tabitha versus Amelia’s family.  I also loved that Lady Tabitha took on planning the wedding breakfast.

·       The mystery was intriguing and engaging.

·       I enjoyed the Lady Agony letters at the start of each chapter.

·       I loved the great ending.

·       Will there be another book in this series?  I hope so.

·       The acknowledgements section described the sad real historical event that was the inspiration for the mystery.

Overall, Murder in Matrimony by Mary Winters was a witty and engaging historical mystery with great characters.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @marywintersauthor @severnhouseimprint @austenprosefor a review copy of this novel as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. 

The Heart of Bennet Hollow by Joanne Bischof DeWitt (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

What is your favorite thing about fall?  I love when the temperatures get crisp and the leaves turn beautiful colors.  We may be at peak colors where I live, my town and the countryside look beautiful.

In New River Virginia in 1904, Lizbeth Bennet lives on her family’s farm on the outskirts of an Appalachian coal mining town.  Together with her parents and four sisters, they work to make the ends meet.  As the mine in New River goes up for sale, coal barons arrive in town to size up the mine and make offers. The deluxe private train car, the Pemberly, arrives with its mysterious owner William Drake who is evaluating the mine for purchase.  Callum Brydolf, Drake’s best friend and lawyer, quickly finds himself smitten with Lizbeth’s oldest sister, Jayne.  Will true love find its way between the wide gap in classes between them?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       The cover is absolutely beautiful.  I love the fall colors.

·       I thought this was a unique and inventive retelling of the Pride and Prejudice story.  I really loved the Appalachian setting and the fact that Pemberly was now a deluxe train car.

·       I enjoy reading stories about mining, so I loved the coal mining details in this book, although I kept thinking about the poor mules who lived underground in mines. 

·       The romance was delightful between Lizbeth and Drake and Jayne and Brydolf.  The story remained true to the original but gave new aspects to the characters in their new time and setting. I enjoyed it.

·       I loved the Mr. Bennet was a geologist who worked for the mine, while also farming on the side.

·       Having the ball become a barn dance was a lot of fun.

·       The story was told through a dual point of view from Lizbeth and William’s perspective.  I enjoyed the story being told in this fashion.

·       This is a clean read and a sweet romance.

·       There is a great afterward that describes how the author was inspired to write this novel through her love of the original Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

·       The novel also included fun book club questions.

Overall, The Heart of Bennet Hollow is a charming historical romance that retells the story of Pride and Prejudice in a new and delightful way.  It’s been a hectic month for me at work and in life, and this cozy read was a nice way to end my day and relax.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @joannebischofdewitt @tyndalehouse @austenprose for a review copy of this novel as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. 

The Elopement by Gill Hornby (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

What is your favorite fall flavor?  I love pumpkin everything, especially baked goods.

Miss Fanny Knight of Godmersham Park was Jane Austen’s beloved niece.  As the eldest in a large clan of eleven children, she found herself running the household after her mother’s death when she was fifteen.  Now at age twenty-seven, she has received an offer from a widowed neighbor, Sir Edward Knatchbull.  She wants time to think upon it, but soon finds herself quickly wed to a domineering man.  She wants to love her stepdaughter, Mary Dorothea, but can’t warm to the girl.  Mary Dorothea grows up into a lovely young woman. Will she follow her family wishes when it comes to love, or will she take destiny into her own hands?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This novel was a slow burn read that I slowly immersed myself into.  I enjoyed reading it and felt I couldn’t put I down as I got closer to the end.

·       The book was told in four sections.  Section 1 was Fanny’s proposal and marriage, Section 2 was Mary Dorothea growing up, Section 3 was Mary Dorothea’s proposal and elopement, and Section 4 was her marriage and life.

·       I felt for Fanny at first, but I was disturbed that if Sir Edward or Fanny did like a match for any reason, they could break up a happy couple.  It did not seem fair. 

·       I loved that Cassandra Austen was in the novel at times, especially in the last section.

·       I felt immersed in the world of Austen’s family as it continued on after her death.  Fanny was her beloved niece, but seemed to veer off the path that she was on during Jane Austen’s life.

·       Childbirth was so dangerous for women back then.  These were real women and so many lost their lives.

·       I liked that Mary Dorothea went for her happiness.

·       There is a great author’s note at the end of the novel that gives information on the real history.

·       I also enjoyed Miss Austen and Godmersham Park by this author.  I can’t see what she writes next!

Overall, The Elopement by Gill Hornby is an excellent novel with riveting characters that makes one feel that they have stepped into the world of Jane Austen’s family.  I highly recommend it for all Jane Austen or historical fiction lovers out there.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @gill.hornby @pegasus_books @austenprose for a review copy of this novel as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. 

A Carol for Mrs. Dickens by Rebecca Connolly (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

What is your favorite Christmas novel or short story?  A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is one of my favorites and I read it most years for Christmas.

Set in the Christmas of 1851, Catherine Dickens is struggling as she hosts Christmas parties, raises eight children, mourns the loss of a child, and is expecting another child.  She feels she has lost the spirit of Christmas.  She talks with a cook who reminds her that Christmas can be a time of miracles and magic.  Afterwards, she finds herself living through Christmases of the past to once again rediscover the true meaning of Christmas.  Will she rediscover her faith and love for Christmas?

My thoughts on this book:

·       This was a short, quick read.

·       It included beautiful Victorian illustrations.  I loved them and it really added to the ambiance of the book.

·       I loved the descriptions of food and entertaining during Victorian times.

·       The character of Charles Dickens was fantastically drawn.

·       I really liked the faith message with the true meaning of Christmas – Christ’s birth.  It was a good reminder for us all in the hustle and bustle of Christmas to remember the true meaning of the season.

·       This is a perfect story for anyone that loves a good historical Christmas novel or has enjoyed watching The Man who Invented Christmas, A Christmas Carol, or Victoria.

Overall, A Carol for Mrs. Dickens by Rebecca Connolly is a delightful holiday read that reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @author.rebecca.connolly @shadowmountainpub @austenprose for a review copy of this novel as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. 

The Heir by Darcie Wilde (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

What is a recent book you read and gave 5 stars?

Victoria has grown up at Kensington Palace under control of her mother and her advisor, Sir John Conroy.  She feels like a bird in a cage.  One afternoon, she is able to slip away for a horse ride.  While galloping across the palace green, she comes across the body of a dead man.  Who is this man and where did he come from?  Victoria sets her mind to solve this mystery.

My thoughts on this novel:

·       The Heir is a cozy historical mystery.  The mystery moves slowly at first but gains traction throughout the novel.  It’s set in the very real historical world of the future Queen Victoria and delves into the dynamics of her life.

·       This is the first in a new “A Young Queen Victoria” mystery series.  I am looking forward to the next novel in the series, especially with the hints that her mother is trying to find a match for her.

·       Victoria had a hard time with her mother and John Conroy controlling her every move.  I can’t imagine having to live like she did. 

·       I loved the character of Victoria.  She is spunky and wants to have her own autotomy.

·       Jane Conroy is Sir John’s daughter.  He brings her to the palace to be friends with Victoria.  He mistreats Jane.  Jane feels awkward and like she never quite knows how to behave.

·       Kensington Palace seems moldy and stifling.  It seems strange to grown up in a palace, but to have no control over your life.

·       Governess Lehzen is on Victoria’s side and assists her.  She was an interesting character.

·       The mystery involves the many royal bastards in the family.  It always intrigues me that there were so few legitimate heirs in this family.

·       I listened to part of the book on audio.  The narrator was excellent.  It was a very enjoyable audiobook.

Overall, The Heir by Darcie Wilde is an intriguing new historical mystery set in young Queen Victoria’s world.  I enjoyed the characters, and I learned a lot.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @darciewildeauthor @kensingtonbooks @austenprose for a review copy of this novel as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. 

Six Weeks by the Sea by Paula Byrne (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

Do you like to vacation by the sea?  Do you have any favorite seaside vacation spots?  I don’t really vacation by the ocean, but by the Great Lakes. I live in a Lake Michigan community in Wisconsin with a seasonal view of Lake Michigan.  I love to walk by the water.  Growing up in Michigan, I loved South Haven and Holland, also on Lake Michigan. 

In Six Weeks by the Sea by Paula Byrne, Jane Austen has just had to leave her beloved family home in Steventon after her brother takes over as the rector.  Before her family settles in Bath, they spend six weeks by the sea in Sidmouth, Devon, England.  There with her mother, father, and sister Cassandra, they are reunited with her beloved brother Frank who has a brief break from his naval adventures in the Royal Navy.  He has also brought along his friend, Captain Parker.  While sparks begin to fly between Captain Parker and Jane, Jane also feels herself very annoyed by a new young lawyer in town, Samuel Rose.  As she gets to know Mr. Rose and Captain Parker better, will she find true love?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was a short, but beautifully written novel.  It had almost a dream like quality to it as I read it.

·       I was intrigued to discover that Paula Byrne had written the nonfiction book, Belle:  The Slave Daughter and the Lord Chief Justice.  I had watched the movie Belle in the past and just recently rewatched it.  Six Weeks by the Sea had elements in it that reminded me of Belle.

·       Reverand Swete’s son has returned home with his child, a daughter who doesn’t speak and who is half black.  Jane is intrigued by the girl and uses her skills as an aunt to get to know her better and draw her out.  She also notices the kind behavior Mr. Rose has towards the young girl.  This also had shades to me of Miss Georgiana Lambe, Austen’s biracial character in her unfinished novel, Sanditon.

·       Jane has prejudice against Mr. Rose at first because he is a lawyer, and she hates lawyers.  She learns over the course of the novel just what types of cases that Mr. Rose works on, and it aligns with her own opinions on the fight against slavery.  I loved how Jane’s feelings on Mr. Rose changed through the course of the novel.

·       I loved the inclusion of William Cowper’s poetry.  I didn’t know that he had written anti-slavery poetry.

·       This time period has always been a mystery in Jane Austen’s life.  Did she have a mysterious love who died?  I loved how this story filled in the gaps.  I would love to imagine that even though she never married, she had a great love of her own.

·       I always enjoy a good love triangle.  I also love thinking about Austen finding love with someone who could match her wit. 

·       This novel had small moments with the family getting together for meals, going for walks, balls, etc.  The pacing and these small moments reminded me of a Jane Austen novel.

·       I enjoyed quotes showing up from Austen’s letters and novels within this book.  Even the fictional conversations carried the same sparkle and wit one sees in an Austen novel.

·       There is a great author’s afterword at the end of the book that delves into what was real and what was fictional.  Captain Parker was a fictional character, while Samuel Rose was a real person.

Overall, Six Weeks by the Sea by Paula Byrne was a fascinating novel and look into a period of transition and change for Jane Austen that may have also included love.  I enjoyed the look into social issues at the time that Austen cared about and wrote subtle about in her novels.

Book Source: Thank-you to @paulajaynebyrne @pegasus_books @austenprose for a review copy of this novel as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour.