No Stone Unturned by Jenelle Hovde (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

What's a book that you wish more people knew about?

Bridget Littleton is a vicar’s daughter and loves history and antiquities.  She is very excited to find a Roman mosaic in a neighborhood farm field.  Capitan Rafe Hawthorn has returned from fighting in the Napoleonic Wars, and he is the new viscount in the neighborhood.  He confronts Bridget as he believes she is excavating on his land.  Will Bridget be able to prove she is actually on the Peterson farm, and will she be able to convince Rafe that the work is worthwhile?  Will love bloom?  Who else is trying to steal the mosaics?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was a sweet Regency romance and a clean read.  It has a slow burn and enemies to lovers’ romance.

·       I loved Bridget. She is an educated woman who knows her own mind.  She has a passion for archeology and Roman artifacts.  She loves to read Gothic fiction and she is kind to others.

·       I also love Rafe.  Rafe had a broken childhood filled with abuse.  His mother was able to escape with him.  He also suffered a grave wound and loss of a friend in the war.  He has returned with his terrible memories to the estate, and he wants to repair the estate and help the tenants.

·       Bridget and Rafe had great banter and dialogue between them.

·       Roman archaeology is fascinating to me.  I loved reading about the dig, their finds, and early Christianity amongst the Romans.

·       I enjoyed the quotes at the start of each chapter.  Many are from Lord Byron, Seneca, and John Wesley amongst others.

·       The novel is told through a dual narrative between Bridget and Rafe. The story is told through the first-person point of view.

·       There were mysteries throughout the novel that kept me intrigued.

·       There is a great author’s note on the real Roman discoveries that occurred in England in the 18^th and 19^th century.

·       There are also great discussion questions at the end to challenge yourself with or use at a book club.

·       This was an excellent debut novel!  I can’t wait to see what Jenelle Hovde writes next!

Favorite Quote: “Leave no stone unturned.  How can we learn or grow if we do not understand the past?  How can we heal if we do not fully examine what happened to us?”

Overall, No Stone Unturned by Jenelle Hovde was a beautifully written Regency romance with great main characters and growth, interesting mysteries, and Roman archaeology. I greatly enjoyed this novel.

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

To Kiss a Knight by Grace Hitchcock (AustenProse PR Book Tour)

 

What are you planning to read this weekend?  It’s a holiday weekend in the United States (Memorial Day) and I am going camping with family and friends. I am loading up my bag with lots of different types of books to read from nonfiction to historical romance.

Vivienne Poppy is a young woman and orphan who writes novels using the nom de plume of Lady Larkby.  Her evil stepbrother is trying to force her to marry a man that she finds contemptable.  She runs away to live in the home that is her only inheritance and to support herself through her writing.  She is kidnapped by a handsome highwayman along the way only to find out once she reaches Bath that there is actually a Sir Larby who everyone assumes is her husband.  Sir Sebastian Larby’s dying grandmother has found out about Vivienne’s existence and is thrilled.  Will pretending to be married to Sebastian solve her problems while keeping his grandmother happy?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This novel starts off with great exciting with Vivienne being kidnapped by a dashing highwayman.  Things about him don’t add up and he rescues her in her time of need.  They also share a passionate kiss before he leaves her at her home in Bath. 

·       This novel engaged me from the first page until the last.  It was a quick read and a real page turner!  Adventure sure seemed to follow Vivienne and Sebastion.

·       I liked how Vivienne was an independent woman trying to support herself as an author.  I loved her independence!

·       This was a lovely historical romance.  I felt the romance throughout the novel and was routing for the two main characters to get together.

·       I like the trope of fake marriage and I really like stories with honorable men who work as highwaymen.  Sebastion is a Yeoman of the Guard for the Prince Regent and uses his disguise as a highwaymen to take care of delicate matters for the Prince Regent.

·       This is a regency historical romance and takes place in 1813 primarily in Bath.

·       Vivienne has a tendance to get herself into scrapes that made me laugh out loud a few times.  I liked the humor in this novel.

·       I liked the Author’s Note at the end about the real locations and history in the novel.

·       This is the second book in the “A Novel of Best Laid Plans” series.  I read it fine as a standalone novel, but I definitely need to go back and read the first book in the series.

Overall, if you are looking for a light, romantic Regency historical fiction novel full of adventure, look no further than To Kiss a Knight by Grace Hitchcock.  I need to read more novels by this author!

Book Source: Thank-you to  @gracehitchcockbooks @kregelbooks @austenprose for the review copy of this novel as part of the Austenprose PR Tour

GIVEAWAY- For a chance to win a copy of this novel, please enter the giveaway on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/laurasreviews_1/p/DJ4LTfHuQRX/

Persuasion by Jane Austen

 

Title:  Persuasion

Author:  Jane Austen

Narrated by:  Terah Tucker, Catherine Bilson, Graham Scott, Linda Barrans, Denis Daly

Publisher: Blackstone Publishing

Length: Approximately 8 hours and 23 minutes

Source: Checked out with Hoopla through the Kewaunee Public Library.  Thank-you!

What is your favorite book that has an amazing friendship portrayal?  I love Anne and Mrs. Smith’s friendship in Persuasion by Jane Austen.

Anne Elliot is the middle-overlooked daughter of a baronet that has fallen on financial hard times.  They rent out their estate and travel to Bath.  Captain Wentworth, a man that Anne had broken an engagement with eight years before, has returned. How has time changed them and their relationship?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I started Persuasion in April and finished it in May for the What the Dickens Book Club.  I also read it to celebrate Jane Austen’s 250^th birthday.  I am trying to reread all six of her novels this year.

·       I loved the full cast audiobook!  It was so fun to listen to and brings an extra depth to the story.

·       As I started this book again, I immediately thought, poor Anne.  Her family does not value her at all.

·       I love when she visits her sister Mary, and everyone finds her a comforting person to talk to and lays out their woes.  They all have conflicting stories about each other.  It was so funny!

·       I like when Captain Wentworth notices other men, like Mr. Eliot, admiring Anne.

·       I love that Anne maintains her friendship with Mrs.  Smith against her family’s wishes.  Mrs. Smith is in poor position with her husband dying, no wealth, and poor health.

·       Mr. Elliot seems like a nice man until Mrs. Smith shares his real personality.  He did not like Sir Walter nor Elizabeth as a youth and openly mocked them amongst his friends.  Now that he is an older wealthy widower (although not old!), he sees the importance of titles and connections.  He tries to win the affections of the Elliots.  He is afraid Sir Walter will marry Mrs. Clay and disinherit him.  Anne is very conflicted as Mr. Elliot is attractive, interesting, and pleasing, but it disguised a “user’s” personality.  It’s a surprise when he runs off with Mrs. Clay in the end.

·       I can excuse Mr. Elliot as Captain Wentworth explains that jealousy of him is what finally prompted his  wonderful letter as well as Anne’s thoughts on the constancy of women.

·       Where do you think Anne and Captain Wentworth ended up?  Sailing the high seas?  Kellynch?  Other?

Overall, Persuasion by Jane Austen is still one of my favorite Austen novels.  I get something new out of it every time I read it.  I really liked reading it as a full cast audiobook this time around.

Without Undue Pride by Heather Moll

 

What is the last book that you read in one sitting?  I started Without Undue Pride and read it in one sitting.  I haven’t done that for a while – but I could not put this book down!

Elizabeth Bennet has met the dashing Colonel Fitzwilliam while visiting her Uncle and Aunt Gardiner in London.  They have a whirlwind romance and are quickly married before Colonel Fitzwilliam must go overseas as part of the Napoleonic Wars.  The Fitzwilliam family is not happy about Colonel Fitzwilliam’s “unsuitable” marriage, but his cousin, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, is his only family member that does attend his wedding.  He promises to be friends with Elizabeth.  After Colonel Fitzwilliam is killed in battle, a pregnant Elizabeth is set adrift in the world with no one to help her.  Mr. Darcy steps up to help his best friend and cousin’s widow.  Will love bloom after such tragedy?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I LOVED this variation.  It was such an interesting twist.  I was intrigued throughout the novel with Elizabeth’s tragedy and wanted to know what exactly happened to her while she was overseas with Colonel Fitzwilliam.  It was a painful story that she was finally able to tell Darcy over time.

·       The characters all felt true to their original characterization in Austen’s novels.  The only question I had was, would Mr. Bennet really leave Elizabeth widowed, pregnant, and alone in Spain?  I know he didn’t like to exert himself too much, but he did go to London to look for Lydia.  I pondered this through the novel.

·       The growing love between Elizabeth and Darcy was so romantic.  I loved the slow build to a couple of steamy chapters at the end.  The friends to lovers and mutual respect between them was the type of relationship everyone should have.

·       After all that happened to Elizabeth in Spain, she has trust issues.  Every man in her life has let her down, and in Regency England, woman do not hold any power.  Elizabeth has a hard time being able to trust a man after this and clings to her independence.  I did want to shake some sense into her a couple of times, but I could understand her point of view.

·       I like how Darcy was portrayed as a kind and considerate man, but also that he knew he had faults and worked on them.  Colonel Fitzwilliam had made him promise to try to be a better person and to put himself out there socially.  Darcy considered that almost his dying wish.

·       I don’t want to spoil the plot, but there is some definite peril in this novel and Darcy must come to the rescue.

·       The cover of this novel is beautiful.  I showed it to my JASNA Northwoods book club on Sunday and they all liked the cover as well.

Overall, Without Undue Pride by Heather Moll was an intriguing and unique Pride and Prejudice variation.  I enjoyed the romance, plot, and characters.

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.

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!

Yuletide Bride by Kasey Stockton

 Title: Yuletide Bride

Author:  Kasey Stockton

Narrated by:  Vicki-Jo Eva

Publisher: Golden Owl Press

Length: Approximately 6 hours and 2 minutes

Source: Audiobook Purchased from Audible

What's your favorite reading spot?  I either read most often in bed with a physical book or Kindle or on the road with an audiobook.

Mercy Caldwell is the eldest daughter of the vicar, and unmarried with two married younger sisters.  With her youngest sister ready to announce her engagement, Mercy says yes to a surprise engagement with Colin Birchall.  She has had a crush on him for years, but he spends all his time trying to save his crumbing estate.  His dying great aunt sends him a message that if he marries a woman that meets the items on her list, he will receive 20,000 pounds.  This will save his estate.  Mercy meets the list requirements and Colin asks her to marry him.  Will the two find love?

My thoughts on this novel:

• Yuletide Bride is part of four book Regency Brides series.  I hope to read the rest of this delightful series on audiobook next Christmas.

• I love the marriage of convenience and friends to lover’s tropes. This novel had a great slow build romance between Mercy and Colin.

• I liked that Colin notices how other women talk down to Mercy and he doesn’t like it.  Mercy learns to stand up for herself and has Colin’s support.

• I loved when Colin’s great aunt, Lady Edith, comes to visit and bonds with Mercy while making shortbread.  Lady Edith is funny and tells it the way it is.

• I loved the characters of Colin and Mercy.  Colin likes to make lists and get things done.  Mercy also likes to get things done and to help others out. There was a lot of growth between the two characters as they learned about each other and how to get along.

• This novel is a clean read.

• There was a great epilogue and perfect ending to this book.

• Vicki-Jo Eva was a great audiobook narrator.

Overall, Yuletide Bride by Kasey Stockton was a charming Christmas Regency romance.

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.

Counting on Love by Carol Coventry (Review and GIVEAWAY)

 

Which fictional character would you love to have as a best friend?  I would love to be friends with Lady Georgiana Stewart in Counting on Love with Carol Coventry.

Lady Georgiana Stewart is a math prodigy, but she must hide her proficiency to fit into society and try to attract a suitor.  As the daughter of a Duke and a beauty, she received many marriage proposals in her first season. She refused them all as she wants to feel the spark and have the loving relationship that her parents have.  As she starts her second season, will she be able to find true love?

Reginald Taverston is the third son of an Earl. As the third son, he has been slated for the church, but he would rather translate a Greek manuscript and work on other intellectual pursuits.  He is not sure he is well suited for the church.  Should Reginald pursue the path his family wants for him, or should he strike out on his own path?

The Earl is on his deathbed so his eldest son, Jasper needs to find a wife.  He is sure that Lady Georgiana will make the perfect wife.   His wife invites Georgiana, her mother, and cousin to their country estate for a small house party so that the Earl can meet Georgiana and the romance between Jasper and Georgiana can proceed. Will all go as planned?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       The novel is a the first in a new series “The Taverstons of Iversley.”  I can’t wait to read more in this series.

·       I love, love, loved that the heroine enjoyed mathematics and was a genius in that regard.  It was sad she had to hide it, but I loved her finding a man that valued her mind.

·       The entire Taverston family was fun.  They each had their own unique personalities.  They love each other but aren’t above pranking each other.

·       The romance was slow build and mostly clean (until the last chapter).

·       Most of the novel was set at a house party in the country. 

·       I liked the look into how keeping mistresses impacts people and their families.

·       The love triangle between Georgiana, Reginald, and Jasper is well done.  It can be awkward when the love story is a woman and two brothers. Georgiana and Reginald fall in love without it being “icky” or making Jasper a villain.  Jasper is a good guy, but not for Georgiana. 

·       I didn’t think that sparks could fly with just two pinkies touching, but they do.

Overall, Counting on Love by Carol Coventry is a lovely Regency Romance with great characters and a fun STEM storyline.

GIVEAWAY

Check out the giveaway on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/laurasreviews_1/p/DDvzJzbuFrI/

The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen (AustenProse PR Book Tour)

 

Which book would you love to live in?  I always want to live in Regency England for a day.

Claire Summers is the disgraced eldest of five daughters.  She ran away to Gretna Green with a Lord hoping to be married, only to find herself abandoned and ruined.  She lives with her Great Aunt in Edinburgh afterwards as she is no longer welcome at home.  After her Great Aunt dies, she is left adrift.  She finds an advertisement for a “respectable female partner” for a boarding house in Sidmouth.  Her family has a home in Sidmouth and hoping to be able to connect with them again, she travels with her aunt’s maid Mary to Sidmouth with all the money she has.  Will she be able to make a go of it as a partner?  Will she be able to reconnect with her family?  Will she be able to find a second chance at love?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This is the third novel in the On Devonshire Shores series.  I loved knowing all the sisters and their backgrounds from the previous books, but I believe you could read this as a standalone.

·       The setting of the seaside town is wonderful and scenic.  It allows for a constant stream of interesting visitors as well as scenic vistas for the characters to travel through.

·       I was fascinated by Claire herself as a character.  She is what would have happened to Lydia Bennet in Pride & Prejudice if Mr. Darcy had not forced Mr. Wickham to marry her.  It’s sad to think that while there were no repercussions for the man in the situation, the woman was “ruined” forever and could be cast out by her family.  They would not want the reputation of being a loose woman to hinder the other four girls from being married.  I had wondered about the mysterious Claire in the first two books, and I was excited to finally get to read about her.

·       I enjoyed the romance in this novel.  It was a second chance at love for both characters after sadness in their lives.  It was the first time the two of them had fallen in love with each other.  I also always enjoy when a romance brings people together to form a new family.

·       I liked that Claire was able to come back to her family and work on getting forgiveness.  I liked that her sisters and mother all were able to forgive, it just took longer for her mother.

·       There was also an interesting look into prejudice during the Regency era.  Mr. Hammond who owns the boarding house, was once married to an Indian woman and has a child, Mira, who is part Indian.  Sonali was a friend of the late Mrs. Hammond and has stayed to care for Mira.  As the only Indian woman in a rural part of England, she is a unique person.

·       I was excited to see that this story will continue next year with Christmas at Seaview.  I enjoyed the sneak peak at the end of the novel.  I enjoy these characters, story, and setting and I love Regency Christmas romance.  I am so excited about this!

·       I also enjoyed the authors note and discussion questions at the end of the novel.

Overall, The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen was a wonderful regency romance novel with great characters, setting, and story.  It was like reading a Christmas gift for myself.  I highly recommend this novel.

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

BOOK DESCRIPTION

A surprise homecoming tests the bonds of sisterhood as a hidden past comes to light . . .

Disgraced eldest sister Claire Summers has been living in exile as companion to a stern great-aunt in Scotland. About to lose her place and longing to be reconciled with her estranged family, Claire sees an advertisement from someone looking for a "respectable female partner" in a Sidmouth boarding house. Is it a sign? She answers the ad, hoping she has not made another reckless mistake. When she meets the handsome, secretive proprietor, she wonders what he's hiding and if he's any more trustworthy than the nobleman who betrayed her years ago. Claire is drawn to him even though she fears he will reject her when he discovers her genteel façade hides a less-than-respectable past.

Meanwhile, the Summers family learns their great-aunt has died and Claire has disappeared without a word. The sisters rally together to find their lost sibling, but will their unexpected reunion heal old wounds and rekindle their bonds . . . or deepen the divide?

Return to the captivating Devonshire coast as the Summers sisters navigate romance, second chances, and the enduring strength of sisterhood in the face of adversity

AUTHOR BIO

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. Her books have sold more than 1.5 million copies, and she is a three-time recipient of the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing's Best Award and has been a finalist in the RITA and Carol Awards. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full-time. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information, visit JulieKlassen.com.

Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson

 

What is your book club reading lately?  I’m in several different book clubs and we read a lot of different genres.  Blackmore by Julianne Donaldson was one of my book club reads for September.

Kate Worthington has decided that she will never marry, and she really wants to journey to India with her aunt.  Her mother agrees to her trip to India if she can get and reject three marriage proposals.  Kate travels to a house party at Blackmore in hopes of fulfilling her part of the bargain.  Will she be able to and what secrets will she uncover?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was one of the September picks for the JASNA Northwoods Book Club.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t feeling well and missed this book club this month.

·       This novel is told from the first-person point of view.

·       It is told through the present and flashbacks to tell the story of why Kate no longer wants to marry.

·       This novel is set in 1820 and is a sweet Regency romance.

·       Kate has problems with her family.  Her mother is overbearing and throws herself at every man she sees.  It’s deeply implied that she cheats on Kate’s father all the time.  She wants Kate to get married, but also seems to want to be attractive to any potential suitors.  This was very awkward.

·       Her entire life, Kate has wanted to see the estate of Blackmoore.  It is her childhood best friend, Henry Delafield’s grandfather’s estate and will be Henry’s upon his death.

·       Henry’s mother has invited the lovely Miss St. Claire in hopes that Henry will propose to her during the house party.  Henry’s mother does not like Kate due to Kate’s family.

·       The mystery involved in this book really drew me into the story.  Why does Kate not want to marry anyone?  What exactly happened that cut off her family from Henry’s family? 

·       I liked the characters of Kate and Henry and getting to know them.  The other characters were one-dimensional and were not very likeable.

·       This book had a darker Gothic vibe which seemed more like Jane Eyre mixed with Pride and Prejudice.

·       This novel was a clean read.

Overall, Blackmoore was an entertaining Regency romance.

Book Source:  Checked out from the Kewaunee Public Library. Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.