Waiting for Christmas by Lynn Austin

 

What's a book that you've recommended to everyone?

In 1901 New York City, Howard and Adelaide are excited to spend their first Christmas together as husband and wife.  Adelaide is trying to learn how to be a middle-class wife after being raised in great wealth.  Adelaide discovers a young boy, Jack, who says he’s not really an orphan, but that his mother died and, his father is away at sea, and his sister is missing.  He is sure his father will return for Christmas.  Howard and Adelaide help Jack out.  Will his father return for Christmas?

My thoughts on this novella:

·       I love an Edwardian Christmas. 

·       The sections were split to correlate with the advent calendar.  I liked this unique storytelling and the deep faith elements.

·       I have not read the first book in this series, but it was fine reading this as a standalone.  I do want to go back and read the first novel.

·       I enjoyed reading about Adelaide’s work for the suffrage movement.

·       The cover of this novella was striking. 

·       This was a sweet and clean read.

·       I loved how the story included the true meaning of Christmas.  I especially loved when Adelaide brought home the family nativity and explains it to the kids.

·       Adelaide must ponder what to do with her inherited fortune and how best to help others and the suffrage movement.

·       The ending was heartwarming.

Overall, Waiting for Christmas by Lynn Austin is a wonderful historical fiction Christmas novel that encompasses the true meaning of Christmas.  I loved it.

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

Murder on Mistletoe Lane by Clara McKenna

 

Who is your bookish OTP (one true pairing)?  I love Stella and Lyndy in the Stella and Lyndy Mystery series.

Recently married American, Stella, and Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst are celebrating their first Christmas together in Edwardian England.  Stella is excited to bring some of her American traditions to the celebrations but is feeling some push back from the staff and from her mother-in-law.  Her mother-in-law is happy to spend Stella’s dowery on fixing up the estate and having more staff but is less enthused by her American traditions.  When first the housekeeper, Mrs. Nelson, and then their neighbor, die within quick succession under mysterious circumstances, will Lyndy and Stella be able to solve the crimes?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This is the fifth novel in the Stella and Lyndy Mystery series.  I have read and enjoyed book 4, but I need to read the rest of this series. Book six is next on my list!

·       This mystery had many twists and turns and it kept me on my toes.

·       This novel had wonderful characters.  There was a lot going on in the story with the characters, families, servants, friends staying at the manor, and neighbors.  I really enjoyed getting to know all these characters.  I especially loved Lyndy and Stella together.  They have great love, mutual respect, and are a great crime fighting duo.

·       I loved the Edwardian Christmas setting.  I was annoyed that the mother-in-law was spending Stella’s money, but not open to her suggestions. 

·       There are many other side mysteries in this story.  Why did the cook disappear?  Why does Stella’s things keep disappearing?  How could a car disappear?

·       I liked how the servants were included in the story.  It gave it a Downton Abbey feel.

Overall, the Stella and Lyndy Edwardian cozy historical mystery series is a must read.  This addition, Murder on Mistletoe Lane, is especially fun with the Christmas setting.

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

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna M. White (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

What is your favorite Christmas treat?  I have always heard of sugar plums, but this novel made me want to try one for myself.

Lady Mariah Lyons loves Christmas at her home of Plumford Manor.  She wonders though how life will play out in the future as the estate is entailed to a distant relation of her stepfather, Cyril Lightbourne.  Cyril was once her childhood friend, but as they got older, they grew apart. This Christmas, both Cyril and her brother’s friend Lord Soren Gyldenkrone will be visiting.  Both men have just had an unsuccessful time wooing another lady, and now they are both competing for Mariah’s affection.  Will Mariah find her happily ever after? 

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I love historical Christmas romance and enjoyed this sweet romantic tale.

·       Mariah was a great character who was sweet, bubbly, and very expressive.  She wears her heart on her sleeve, which is not what is always proper in a lady.

·       I always enjoy love triangles in romance, although I was a little thrown in this one as they had just been competing for the affections of another woman.  I felt like Mariah was the second choice and not getting the love she deserved at first, but luckily, I feel that she did get the happy ending that she deserved.

·       I thought the novella took a great look at redemption. Both the male leads realize that they have errored in their ways and they both ask for forgiveness and make amends.

·       I enjoyed that the book was set in winter and that winter and Christmas traditions were explored.

·       I appreciated that the novel had a great relationship between Mariah and her stepfather.  I haven’t seen that too much in novels.  The stepparent is too often cast as the evil villain.

·       This novella is a clean read.

·       I love reading novellas during the holiday season.  Life is busy at the holidays and it’s a perfect length to enjoy during a busy time.

·       I enjoyed the author’s note that contained interesting details about sugar plums.  There is also a recipe for a Plum Kringle.  Kringles are a specialty here in Wisconsin, but I have never had a plum Kringle.  The recipe looked tasty.

·       There is a great sneak peak of Roseanna M. White’s next novel, An Honorable Deception, which is the final novel in The Imposters series.  I enjoyed the first two novels in this series.

Overall, Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna M. White is a sweet historical romance that has all many Christmas traditions to get you in the holiday spirit.

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

The Nutcracker and Edwardian-Era England combine to weave a magical tale of love and friendship at Christmastime.

As the beloved stepdaughter of the Earl of Castleton, Lady Mariah Lyons cherishes her home at Plumford Manor, but her idyllic world will be threatened when the estate passes to Cyril Lightbourne, a childhood friend she hasn't seen or heard from in years. Once, Mariah dreamed their friendship would kindle into something more, but that was before she heard Cyril was courting the cruelhearted Lady Pearl. Now Mariah is willing to welcome him as a friend and pray he will be the heir her stepfather needs, but she'll keep her heart locked safely away from anyone with such poor taste.

Cyril Lightbourne has long avoided returning to Plumford Manor, yet he reluctantly arrives in time for Christmas. When his friendship with Lady Mariah reignites, he finds himself caught between his affection for her and her family's misunderstanding of his attachment to Lady Pearl. Then, more trouble arrives in the form of a Danish lord on a mission to win Mariah's hand by Christmas. Will the magic of the holiday season help lead to the discovery of true love, or will duty to country leave all longing for what could have been?

ADVANCE PRAISE

"So many delightful layers to this tale, along with intriguing characters and beautiful descriptions...It really puts you in the mood for Christmas."— Melody Carlson, author of The Christmas Tree Farm and A Royal Christmas

"Sugar plums, gingerbread, and all the Christmasy feels go into this charming holiday romance."— Michelle Griep, Christy Award-winning author of Once Upon a Dickens Christmas

AUTHOR BIO

Roseanna M. White (RoseannaMWhite.com) is a bestselling, Christy Award-winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she's homeschooling, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.

The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano (Austenprose PR Book Tours)

 

Do you like silent movies?  I didn’t really like them when I was a kid, but now as an adult I find them fascinating and inventive.

The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano is the story of silent film actress Lily Temple.  It’s 1903 and famous sapphire, the Briarwood Teardrop has been missing for years, but Lily Temple is wearing this famous sapphire.  Peter Driscoll is an underground investigator and asks for her help on the case of the missing sapphire.  What is the truth and what is fiction when it comes to Lily Temple?

My thoughts on this book:

·       I loved the time period and setting.  I could definitely see this book as a future movie. 

·       I enjoyed the quotes that started each chapter and varied from such works as Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast, Grimm fairy tales, etc.

·       A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is a favorite of mine, and I like how Lily uses it to tell her own story.  I just overall loved how storytelling was featured in this novel to advance the plot.

·       This was a story of loss, love, and redemption.  Lily has lost her trust in God and through the course of the book, she finds her faith again.

·       I greatly enjoyed the mystery in this novel, and it kept me guessing.  I love well written historical mysteries.

·       I enjoyed the author’s note on historical research.  St. Anne’s Well Gardens is a real place and George Smith was a real editor. 

·       The sneak peak of the The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano looks fascinating.

·       This book is a clean read.

Favorite Quote:  “I, however, never let facts get in the way of a good story.  Like water, innocuous and common, a good tale rushes forward, carving its own path through rock and hill and sod, sculpting the earth into a bold new landscape before anyone knows what is happening.”

Overall, The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple is a beautifully told story of redemption. It’s a unique and wonderful story that uses the power of storytelling to push the plot forward.  It is also an intriguing historical mystery.

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.

A Noble Scheme by Roseanna M. White (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

Title:  A Noble Scheme (The Imposters #2)

Author:  Roseanna M. White

Narrated by:  Susan Lyons

Publisher:  Recorded Books

Length: Approximately 10 hours and 30 minutes

Source: Purchased from Amazon.com.  Thank-you Bethany House and Austenprose for the review copy of the physical book.

What colors catch your attention when you see a book cover?  I thought the turquoise colors of the dress on this cover was very eye catching and it made me want to read this novel.

The Imposters are investigators that help London’s high society with difficult problems.  Gemma Parker, is a columnist who uses her cover as writing for high society events to look for information behind the scenes.  Graham Wharton has always loved Gemma, but after she left him, he has not been able to move on.  Graham and Gemma are working together on the latest case to find a missing boy, and Graham hopes to win Gemma back.  Will they find the missing boy and will Graham win Gemma back?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I greatly enjoyed the first book in this series, A Beautiful Disguise, I loved this follow-up even more.  It was nice to see characters that I enjoyed from the first book return.  That being said, I think you could read this book as a standalone.

·       A Noble Scheme is a historical mystery set during the Edwardian time period in England.

·       This book really took a turn for me in the middle and I don’t want to ruin it for anyone else by giving away too much information.  I will say that the story turned out to be a story about grief, forgiveness, and being able to find your way back to God after a traumatic event.  I was shocked by the story halfway through and I couldn’t put the book down after that point.

·      This book is a clean read with a wonderful second chance romance story.

·       This novel explores the Christian themes of forgiveness as well as finding your way back to your faith.  I thought it covered these themes in a very thoughtful way.

·       I loved that the entire mystery also included the themes of grief and forgiveness as well.  I did not guess where this mystery was going and it had a satisfying ending.

·       As I have been doing a lot lately, I started this one in print and moved to audiobook with a lot of driving I’ve been doing lately.  It’s a great book in either format.

·       Narrator Susan Lyons is a great voice actor and had unique voices for the characters in this novel.  It was a pleasure to listen to.

·       The author’s note at the end of the novel gave a great account of how author Roseanna M. White came up with the idea for this series and for this book in particular.  It was very interesting and showed how she put together this heartfelt novel.

·       Discussion questions were also included, and I think this would be a very interesting book to discuss at a book club.

Overall, A Noble Scheme was a great historical mystery with a deep, thoughtful look into grief and forgiveness.  I was riveted and I highly recommend this novel.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

In the opulent and perilous world of high society's most elite—and most dangerous—families, two investigators must set aside their broken hearts to uncover the truth.

Gemma Parks is known to the London elite as G. M. Parker, a columnist renowned for her commentary on the cream of society. Behind the scenes, she uses her talents to aid the Imposters in their investigations by gathering intel at events and providing alibis for the firm's members through her columns. Yet her clandestine work would be more exhilarating if it weren't for the constant presence of the gentleman who broke her heart.

Graham Wharton has never had eyes for anyone but Gemma, and she left his heart in tatters when she walked away from him. When the Imposters take on a new job to recover a kidnapped boy mistaken for his aristocratic cousin, Graham is determined to use the time with Gemma to not only restore the missing boy, but to also win back the only woman he's ever loved. As they trace the clues laid out before them, Graham and Gemma must devise a noble scheme to save the boy's life and heal their hearts.


AUTHOR BIO

Roseanna M. White (roseannamwhite.com) is a bestselling, Christy Award-winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she's homeschooling, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books. . .to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.