Bestselling author
Josi S. Kilpack tours the blogosphere May 4 through May 22, 2020 to share her third
novel in the Mayfield Family series, Rakes and Roses. Forty popular
book bloggers specializing in historical romance, inspirational fiction, and
Austenesque fiction will feature guest blogs, interviews, exclusive excerpts,
and book reviews of this acclaimed Regency romance.
Can a
notorious rake reform and become a better person? Lady Sabrina was married to an evil man who
beat her. One evening a mysterious young man helped her when she was in fear of
her husband. Little did she know she
would repay his kindness years later. After a miscarriage and her husband’s
early death, she is able to become an independent business woman with her inheritance
and live life on her own terms. She is
happy with her life and getting to help out those around her, but she wishes
that she could have found love and a family of her own.
Harry
Stillman is a gambler, drinker, and womanizer who can’t keep himself from the pull
of the gambler’s den. His rich uncle has
cast him off, and he has hit rock bottom with no money, great debt, and only the
selling of his estate left. He learns of
the mysterious Lord Damion who will loan him the money to pay off his debts if
he will work towards being a better man.
It’s one last chance that he’s happy to take, but he is beat up by thugs
after meeting with Lord Damion. Lady
Sabrina finds him after the attack, and realizes it’s the man who helped her in
the past. She takes him home to nurse him
back to health. Will Harry be able to
change? Will Lady Sabrina be able to keep
her independence and her secrets?
I
loved this novel. I have talked about previously
on this blog that Regency historical romance books are my comfort reads, especially
during these trying times. Rakes and
Roses is also a clean Regency romance, which I enjoy. I really love the focus on romance without
throwing in a lot of gratuitous steamy sex scenes. Rakes and Roses had great main characters in
Lady Sabrina and Harry Stillman. I loved
how Lady Sabrina was able to take her life in her own hands and have success as
a woman during a time when that was not typical. I also loved that she felt a great desire to
help other people. I loved the chemistry
between her and Harry. They were
intellectually matched. Harry had a
journey to go on as he hit rock bottom and I loved how he realized how much he
had hurt those he loved. The story was very
interesting and unique to any other Regency romance I have read.
I
also loved discovering that it is part of a Trilogy. I need to find the other books in this trilogy! They are all linked by the fact that Harry’s
uncle will only give him money if he settles down and finds a wife. This is a pact he has made with all of his nephews.
Favorite
Quotes:
“The
only people who cannot change are those who are unwilling to face the pain
behind the poor choices they have made.”
“Would
it be possible for someone to truly see her, know her, and understand her?”
“I
am wearing a nightshirt and knitting.
Dignity is no longer an option.”
“It
was perhaps the first time he understood that sacrifice was giving up something
good and immediate for something better and long-term.”
Overall,
Rakes and Roses is a heartwarming story of redemption with great characters and
chemistry. I loved it!
What do you read for comfort reads?
Book
Source: Review copy from Shadow Mountain
Publishing for being a part of the Blog Tour put together by Austenprose.
Thank-you!
QUICK FACTS:
- Title: Rakes and Roses: A Mayfield Family Romance
(Book 3)
- Proper Romance series
- Author: Josi S. Kilpack
- Tour Dates: May 4 – May 22, 2020
- Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Inspirational
Fiction
- Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing (May 5, 2020)
- Length (320) pages
- Trade paperback ISBN: 978-1629727356
- eBook ASIN: B085FSQNGV
- Audiobook ASIN: B0844W7ZQM
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
A
standalone novel in the Mayfield Family series with an unusual premise and an
uplifting ending.
Lady Sabrina endured an abusive marriage, a
miscarriage, and early widowhood to emerge as a smart, successful, confident
woman who found a way to make her mark in a man's world. She has friends and
purpose, but cannot hide from the emptiness she feels when the parties are over
and the friends have gone home to families she will never have.
Harry Stillman may be charming and handsome, but he's a gambler and a rake who
has made a mockery of his privileges. He turns to the mysterious Lord Damion
for financial relief from his debts, but still ends up beaten nearly senseless
by thugs and left in an alley.
When Lady Sabrina comes upon Harry after the attack, she remembers the kindness
Harry once showed to her six years ago and brings him to her estate to heal.
Though their relationship begins on rocky footing, it soon mellows into
friendship, then trust. But Lady Sabrina needs to keep Harry at a distance,
even if he is becoming the kind of man worthy of her heart. After all, she is
keeping a secret that, if exposed, could destroy everything she's so carefully
built.
PURCHASE LINKS:
ADVANCE PRAISE:
"Uplifting...Kilpack
flips the typical Regency romance script, with the heroine rescuing the hero.
Kilpack's strong, upright heroine who finds a way to claim her power in Regency
society sets this love story apart. This magnetic tale will appeal to fans of
emotional romance."—Publisher’s Weekly
“Kilpack takes traditional regency roles and
challenges them. She shows how one person can make an impact in the world. I
found the story and premise unique.”—Heather Gardner, Fire and Ice
“This is
a story of redemption above all else…the ending was perfect.”— Lucinda
Whitney, author of Rescuing the Prince
AUTHOR
BIO:
Josi S.
Kilpack is the bestselling author of several Proper Romance and Proper
Romance Historical series and a Cozy Culinary Mystery series. Her books, A
Heart Revealed and Lord Fenton's Folly; were Publishers
Weekly Best Romance Books of the Year. She and her husband, Lee, are
the parents of four children.
RAKES AND ROSES BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE:
