Her Affections and Wishes by Heather Moll

 

Are you a fast reader or a slow reader?  I’ve realized as I’ve gotten older that I am a pretty fast reader.

Elizabeth Bennet has turned down Mr. Darcy’s proposal.  Darcy has regrets and has started to correct his behavior towards others.  Lady Catherine decides that Elizabeth should join a friend of Lady Catherine’s, Lady Metcalfe, and her daughter Julia at a house party at Woodcote Park to watch the Epsom horse races and to try to win a husband.  When Elizabeth arrives, she is surprised to find Mr. Darcy amongst the guests.  Will this time spent together spark their affections?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This is a Pride and Prejudice variation.  The time frame is weeks after the Hunsford proposal.

·       It was a very romantic story between Elizabeth and Darcy.  It shows their feelings and passions started to build.  They had great chemistry!

·       As mysterious “accidents” start to happen around Elizabeth, who is trying to harm her and why?  I liked the mystery and bit of adventure in the last part of the book. 

·       I loved the house party and Regency games.  Some of the games seemed racy for the time and included kissing or touching people while blind folded.

·       The dialogue between Elizabeth and Darcy was top notch as well.  I liked Darcy’ second proposal.

·       Lady Metcalfe and Julia were both something else as Julia tries to snag Darcy as a husband.  It made me wonder, what would you do in Regency times if you were accidently caught up with vulgar people?

·       I loved the Epilogue set in the future.  It tied up the loose end and showed the couple happily married.

·       Moll writes Austen’s characters wonderfully and captures their original spirit.  I liked the addition of the new characters to the Austen world.

·       This is a forced proximity clean read.  There were kisses only, but affairs are discovered, and the characters talk in innuendo.

Overall, Her Affections and Wishes by Heather Moll was a delightful Regency romance and Pride and Prejudice variation.  I loved the romance, Regency games, and bit of adventure.

Book Source:  Review copy from Heather Moll as part of a book tour.  Thank-you!

The Heiress of Northanger Abbey by Nancy Bilyeau

What classic novel do you think needs a sequel?

Thank you to @tudorscribe, #admiralroadbooks, and @greatreadsbookpromo for the gift copy of The Heiress of Northanger Abbey.

Twenty-two years after the events in Northanger Abbey, Catherine Morland is a respectable pastor’s wife, married to Henry Tilney.  Catherine and Henry live a happy life with their two daughters in a small village near the family estate of Northanger Abbey.  Henry’s brother Frederick and his wife Aurelia are childless and Henry and Catherine’s oldest daughter Phoebe, is presumed to be their heiress.  When Phoebe runs across the Thorpe family in Bath, Catherine is afraid that history is repeating itself.  When Catherine chaperones Phoebe on a trip to Isabella Thorpe’s estate, is her imagination playing havoc with her again or are they in danger?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This is one of the October book club picks for the JASNA Northwoods Book Club.  I look forward to discussing it.

·       I loved that this was a sequel to a Jane Austen novel that does not often get sequels, Northanger Abbey.  I love the original book and it’s fun to see what happened to its characters after the end of the original novel.

·       Author Nancy Bilyeau did a great job of capturing the spirit and characters from the original novel.

·       I felt for Catherine and her trials trying to parent a strong-willed teenage daughter having one myself.

·       The story is told through the first-person point of view of Catherine.

·       I loved seeing that Catherine and Henry have a long and happy marriage.

·       I don’t want to spoil the story, but I also loved the Gothic elements.  It’s a perfect read for the fall.

·       I have enjoyed author Nancy Bilyeau’s novels in the past and have been greatly looking forward to this book. It did not disappoint.

·       Now I want to read The Vampyre by John Polidori as it is part of the plot. It’s an interesting look into how Gothic novels were changing during that time period.

·       Catherine and Phoebe like to discuss books together and I loved their discussion on Mary Shelley.

·       I would classify this book as a sequel, historical fiction, suspense, Gothic, and Regency.

Overall, The Heiress of Northanger Abbey by Nancy Bilyeau is an enjoyable Regency Gothic historical fiction novel that is a sequel to Northanger Abbey.  It’s got great historical elements a well as a good look into the Gothic fiction of that time. 

A Mismatch Made in London by Melanie Dickerson

 

What is the last book you read in a day?  I didn’t quite finish A Mismatch Made in London in one day while on vacation, but it was close!

Thank you to @melaniedickerson123, @bethanyhousefiction, and @greatreadsbookpromo for the gift copy of A Mismatch Made in London.

Amelia Moore has been invited by her aunt to the social season in London.  As the oldest of twelve, it would help her family if she made an advantageous marriage.  She immediately makes a new friend, Juliet, but Juliet’s older brother, Jeremy, questions her motives for the friendship.  He is the most eligible bachelor of the season.  Is Amelia befriending Juliet to get closer to Jeremy?  Amelia is offended and vows not to talk to him again.  Will Juliet and Amelia find their matches?  Will Jeremy and Amelia mend their differences?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was an enemies-to-lovers story.  It reminded me of Pride and Prejudice with an initial misunderstanding and dislike which eventually became friendship and love.  I enjoyed Jeremy and Amelia’s relationship. 

·       The novel had an interesting dual narrative structure.  Amelia narrated most of the book in first person and Jeremy narrated part of the book in 3^rd person.

·       I greatly enjoyed the friendship between Juliet and Amelia.  It felt like a real relationship.

·       This was a good story of forgiveness.

·       A subplot in the novel made me think about how easily it was to ruin a woman’s reputation and make it so she couldn’t marry, especially if a woman didn’t have male protection.

·       I just loved this story – it was a great escapism read.

·       I would classify this novel as slow burn, regency, historical romance/fiction, clean read, Christian, inspiration, and enemies to lovers.

·       I loved the snippet at the end of the book of “A Proposal Reconsidered” which looks like a great second chance romance and I can’t wait to read it!

Overall, A Mismatch Made in London by Melanie Dickerson is great escapism reading with a lovely Pride and Prejudice inspired regency romance story with great characters and world building.

Ladies in Waiting by Adriana Trigiani, Sarah MacLean, Eloisa James, Elinor Lipman, Audrey Bellezza, Karen Dukess, Emily Harding, Nikki Payne, Diana Quincy

Title:  Ladies in Waiting

Author:  Adriana Trigiani, Sarah MacLean, Eloisa James, Elinor Lipman, Audrey Bellezza, Karen Dukess, Emily Harding, Nikki Payne, Diana Quincy

Narrated by:  Shiromi Arserio, Billie Fulford-Brown, Fiona Hardingham, Angel Pean

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Length: Approximately 11 hour and 14 minutes

Source: Audiobook Review copy from Simon & Schuster.  Thank-you!

What secondary character in fiction would you like to see get a happy ending?

Ladies in Waiting is a short story anthology celebrating Jane Austen and her classic novels. Written by a variety of best-selling authors, it was put together to honor her for her 250th birthday.

My thoughts on this book:

• I read this in June for a selection for the JASNA Northwoods book club.  Sadly, I missed the club due to an illness.

• This was a great collection of stories featuring Austen’s secondary characters finally getting their chance in the sunlight.  

• This is a perfect read for those that loved the Other Miss Bennett and are looking for something new.

• Characters such as Margaret Dashwood from Sense & Sensibility, Lydia Bennet from Pride & Prejudice, Miss Bates from Emma, and Caroline Bingley from Pride and Prejudice get second changes.

• I loved the story of the widowed Lydia finding a chance for love and redemption with a local clergyman.

• I also enjoyed the story of Margaret Dashwood realizing her childhood friend Hugh may be more than a friend.

• Another favorite story was about Miss Hetty Bates and learning about her scandalous past and one true love.

• The worst part was that I wanted more stories, especially secondary characters Jane Austen’s other novels.

• I liked how it focused on lesser-known characters in the stories, but wish it would have included characters from all six Austen books rather than just Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility, and Emma.

• Why were there two stories on Miss Bates?  I enjoyed the second Miss Bates story much more than the first story.

• The stories were sometimes set in different time period and places.

• Each story started with a quotes from the original novel, a brief description of the character and a preview of the short story from the author.

• I thought the last half of the stories were the best of the bunch!

• This was great on audiobook.  I enjoyed the narrators and music between each stories.

Overall, Ladies in Waiting was an entertaining mix of stories on intriguing Jane Austen characters who deserve their own day in the spotlight.

Fast and Fastidious by R.M. Caldwell

 

Title:  Fast and Fastidious

Author:  R.M. Caldwell

Narrated by:  Fiona Hardingham

Publisher: Harper Perennial

Length: Approximately 9 hours and 22 minutes

Source: Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @harperperennial for the review copy of the physical book.  Audiobook purchased from audible.

Do you like to watch any type of racing?  My daughter is in track so I’m often at track meets these days.

Lucy Elliot strives to be a proper lady, but she secretly attends the Night Races.  The Night Races are carriage races on country lanes where unchaperoned men and women gather from all social classes.  When her new neighbor, Captain Dashwood starts racing, Lucy is afraid her secret will come out.  As carriage robberies start to take place in the neighborhood, will Lucy and Captain Dashwood be able to find the culprit?

My thoughts on this audiobook:

·       This a fun adventure story which was what I needed during a stressful week.

·       This novel is set during the Regency time period.

·       I loved how Lucy is a mechanical engineer at heart with her “fastidious” mind and she works on several item to make racing carriages go faster.  I love engineers in novels – especially lady engineers as I am an engineer myself.

·       Lucy seems like she is on the spectrum and it was interesting having her as a neurodivergent character.

·       The audiobook was entertaining.

·       I liked the unique concept of having racing in this novel.

·       The description on this book cover was Pride and Prejudice meets Fast and Furious which is accurate.

·       This is not really a romance even though it is labeled as one, it is more a mystery with espionage.

·       The loved the relationship between Lucy and her very different sister, Margaret.

·       This is a debut novel.

Overall, Fast and Fastidious by R.M. Caldwell was a light and fun regency historical mystery.

Nearly a Bride by Sabrina Jeffries

 

Title:  Nearly a Bride

Author:  Sabrina Jeffries

Narrated by:  Beverley A. Crick

Publisher: Recorded Books

Length: Approximately 9 hours and 40 minutes

Source: Audiobook copy from NetGalley and physical book copy from Kensington Books as part of the TLC Book Tour.  Thank-you!

What type of books do you need when you need a lighthearted read?  I like to read romance when I need a good lighthearted book.

The Earl of Hearthbrook, Heath, was trapped in France for ten years.  His first goal upon returning home is to claim guardianship of his brothers.  In order to look respectable, he enters into a faux engagement with Giselle Bernard.  A stranger is threatening Giselle and her mother by saying her immigration papers have been forged. Heath agrees to help her out with this problem, if she helps him with a fake engagement.  Will these two find that their feelings are more than fake?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       There was an intriguing note at the beginning of the novel of how in 1802, the Treaty of Amiens was signed which seemed to be the end of the Napoleonic Wars.  Many British citizens flocked to France to see Paris for the first time since 1792.  The peace did not last, and hostilities started again on May 18, 1803.  Napoleon captured all British male citizen will in France (and their families) and they were held prisoner until 1814. These prisoners were called detenus and the story focuses on them.

·       I loved the great banter between the two leads.

·       This novel is a historical regency romance with a fake engagement and opposites attract tropes.

·       This novel was the second in the Lords of Hazards series.  I read it as a standalone and it worked.  I did feel like there was background that would have enhanced the story that was set up in the first book.  I need to go back and read Hazardous to a Duke’s Heart.

·       I listened to this on audiobook. The narrator, Beverley A. Crick was fantastic.  I enjoyed the distinct voices she gave all the characters and the French accents.  It was a light entertaining book that was perfect for a stressful time of year.

·       I liked the heroine, Giselle, a lot.  She was a caring person who helped those around her including her mother and Heath’s brothers.

·       This was a steamy romance with great chemistry between the leads.

Overall, Nearly a Bride by Sabrina Jeffries is an entertaining historical regency romance that is a perfect way to escape from the stressors of the day.

 

A Most Natural Consequence by Heather Moll

 

If you could be character from a book for one day, who would you be and why?  Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice would be at the top of my list.

Elizabeth Bennet has traveled to Ramsgate with her mother and sisters, Kitty and Lydia, for Kitty’s health.  While in Ramsgate, they befriend a quiet girl, Georgiana Darcy, visiting the seaside with her governess. Georgiana’s brother, Fitzwilliam soon shows up to visit his sister and meets the Bennets for the first time.  When it appears that one of their sisters have run away with Mr. Wickham, Elizabeth and Darcy try to save them only to realize they now need to marry for propriety’s sake.  Will the two be able to fall in love after marriage?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This novel is a variation of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

·       It was a stressful week last week and ending my day with A Most Natural Consequence by Heather Moll each evening was both enjoyable and stress relieving.

·       Elizabeth and Darcy are vividly drawn and detailed. I enjoyed their interactions and chemistry.  All the characters felt very true to Austen’s original creations.

·       I loved the slow burn build up of the romance between Darcy and Elizabeth.  It was fun to see them become friends and to see that friendship turn to love.

·       There was open door romance at the end, and it felt earned after the build-up of the relationship.

·       The tropes in this novel were forced proximity, forced marriage, and slow burn.

·       The Bingleys visiting Netherfield is at the end of this novel.  I enjoyed this variation.

·       Darcy is straightforward on Wickham’s flaws.  Wickham is a terrible man.  It was hard to believe that anyone would want to marry him knowing the truth.

·       Elizabeth decides to act independently and take matters into her own hands on an issue that leads her into trouble that threatens her and Darcy’s relationship.  I was very annoyed at Elizabeth during this section of the book.

Favorite Quote:  “The qualities of her mind were equal to those of her heart and her person.  He respected her for her personal charms and for her cultivated understanding and refined taste and lively mind.  Bot those qualities and attractions had ascendancy over his heart and went far deeper than respect and admiration.” – How romantic!

Overall, A Most Natural Consequence by Heather Moll was a very engaging Pride and Prejudice variation and historical romance.  It’s a book to savor read to bring yourself to another world.

Book Source:  Review Copy from author Heather Moll.  Thank-you!

Snowbound Regency Christmas by Carla Kelly, Joanna Johnson, and Samantha Hastings

 

Have you ever been stranded by a snowstorm?  I was once stranded at Detroit Metro airport for three days during a blizzard.

Snowbound Regency Christmas is three novellas including:

“A Christmas Houseguest” by Carla Kelly

Sailing Master Andrew Hadfield is back in England after two years being held captive by the French.  He is searching for the widow of a comrade to tell her the details of her husband’s death.  When his mail coach is caught in a snowstorm, fellow passenger, Rosie, takes him back to her family farm to stay and recover.  Will love find a way for two people who have given up on love?

“Their Yuletide Reunion” by Joanna Johnson

In the past, Jane had to say no to a proposal from Lt. Duncan Fitzjames due to family obligations.  Her feeling for him have not changed.  Now that her Great Aunt Deborah has passed away, her future is uncertain.  With Duncan back in town, will there be a second chance for love?

“The Christmas Husband” Charade by Samantha Hastings

On a mail coach, Devin finds himself traveling with a woman he despises. Julia jilted his brother years before.  Julia has been punished and sent away as a governess.  When they are snowed in and trapped at an inn, they must pretend to be married in order to have a safe place to stay and to protect Julia’s reputation.  Will the forced proximity cause them to come to a better understanding and perhaps find love?

My thoughts on these novellas:

·       I loved all three of these stories.  They were cozy and great escapism reading.

·       All three stories were forced proximity romances.  I also enjoyed the second chance romance and shades of Persuasion by Jane Austen in “Their Yuletide Reunion.”

·       This was a clean read.

·       Each story was unique and kept me engaged throughout!

·       The first story also have a PTSD storyline.

·       I read this book quickly. 

Overall, Snowbound Regency Christmas has three great Regency romance novellas that were a perfect comfort read on a cold winter’s night.

Book Source:  Purchased from Amazon.com

 

A Sea View Christmas by Julie Klassen

 

If you could travel to a different time period to experience a holiday, which time period and holiday would you chose?  I would chose either a Regency or Victorian Christmas.  A Sea View Christmas by Julie Klassen is set during the Regency time period. 

Sarah Summers was attracted to widower Callum Henshall on his previous visit to the family’s guest house.  She discouraged his attentions because she felt it was her duty to help her family maintain their living through running the guest house.  Callum lives in Scotland, nowhere close to her family in Sidmouth.  Now it’s Christmas and Callum and his daughter are back for a visit.  Will the two finally be able to find the romance and happiness that alluded them in the past?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was a novella and a quick read set during the Regency era from October 1820 to January 1821.

·       I loved that Sarah made the first move by going with her sister Claire on her wedding trip to Edinburgh.  They tried to visit Callum only to discover that he was away.

·       The youngest sister, Georgiana gets a start of a romance of her own, which I enjoyed.  I really want this developed in a book of her own.

·       I loved that Georgiana requested a very festive Christmas and Sarah goes all in to make it so.  I enjoyed the descriptions of the decorations and the twelve days of Christmas festivities.  Great historical detail was included.

·       I also enjoyed the descriptions of the English country dances in the novella.  My husband and I just danced the dances mentioned at Jane Austen’s birthday party put on by JASNA Wisconsin in Milwaukee in December.

·       I have grown to love the Summers family and people of Sidmouth as I have read this series.  I love them all and they are like old friends.

·       I recommend reading the entire series “On Devonshire Shores.”

·       The afterward said this is the last “On Devonshire Shores” or Sea View novel.  NOOOO!!  I was hoping for Georgiana’s story next.  I love these characters.

·       “Reddup” was used in this novel.  We said this in my family growing up all of the time when it’s time to clean up after a meal.  My husband had never heard this term when we got married and had no idea what we were talking about.  I ended up looking it up and it’s an old English term. 

·       This novella is a clean read.

A Sea View Christmas by Julie Klassen is a quick, sweet romance with wonderful characters and great Christmas spirit.  I highly recommend this entire series!

Book Source:  Thank-you to @julie.k.klassen, @bethanyhousefiction @greatreadsbookpromo for the review Copy from NetGalley as part of the Happy Holidays Instagram Book Blast & Giveaway tour through #greatreadsbookpromo.

 

Under the Netherfield Mistletoe by Abigail Reynolds

 

Do you hang up a mistletoe in your home?  My kids make sure ours is up over our staircase every Christmas.

Elizabeth Bennet is searching for mistletoe at Netherfield when she meets Georgiana Darcy who has come with her brother to Netherfield to escape from the Christmas season and mend her broken heart.  As Elizabeth and Georgiana’s friendship grows, Darcy and Elizabeth find that their feelings and chemistry does as well.  Will these two end up together for Christmas?

My thoughts on this book:

·       I love Regency Christmas stories and must enjoy at least one every year!

·       This is a cute Pride and Prejudice variation.

·       It’s a short novella length which is perfect for the holidays.

·       I loved the Gardiners and their children in London.  It was a fun family and wonderful to see the Darcys get to know them.  I also enjoyed that Darcy had been childhood friends with Mrs. Gardiner’s brother.

·       Georgiana’s growth throughout the story was a joy to read about.  I was happy that she was able to finally stand up for herself.

·       I loved the sparks and chemistry between Darcy and Elizabeth – especially under the mistletoe!

·       This was a clean romance.

Overall, Under the Netherfield Mistletoe by Abigail Reynolds was a sweet Pride and Prejudice Christmas variation and romance.  It was a fun read for the holidays!

Book Source:  Purchased from Amazon.com.

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.