Confession: I love it when people recommend new authors to me! Two and a half years ago (my how time flies!) I was introduced to a new author via a blog promotion we were apart of.
The book was called The Nobleman’s Daughter, it was the debut book of Jen Geigle Johnson . You can see our review during that promotion here. We enjoyed it so much we were excited to learned that Jen had a new book coming out: Scarlet.
We were even more excited to learn that it was a twist on The Scarlet Pimpernel, our favorite. So when we learned Jen herself would be at a local bookstore promoting her new book I jumped at the chance to go get one! And we loved it!
I’ve meet Jen twice in person now and interacted with her occasionally online and am continually impressed with her goodness and her genuine interest in her readers. Suffice it to say we are as big of fans of Jen as we are of her writing…so without further ado, the Post of all Jen 😉
Jen’s latest release is quickly coming in a very close second to Scarlet, almost a tie for first. It’s really close.
A Foreign Crown in a word is beautiful. As a fan of the Regency era I was aware in a general sense of why ‘Prinny’ was appointed Regent due to his father King George III’s mental state. However, this fictional point of view, of a very real situation was fascinating.
Jen’s work is always well researched and seeped in history. I always find myself mid chapter getting lost down a rabbit hole of historical facts on google. Her writing is so genuine and real that I find myself wanting to know more, but always being pulled back to the story. The fictional is so well wrapped around the historical that I just need to know what happens next to the characters she has me so entranced with.
Aribella and Layton are just such characters, well developed and aptly suited. Though very much pulled by an initial attraction Jen builds on that to create a heart rending romance built on so much more.
I really loved that there wasn’t a ‘villain’ in the story. All the characters were written with such empathy that even their negative actions had reason and understanding written behind them. The circumstances were complicated and everyone in the story was written in a way to make them both human and relatable. Even Prinny who I’d always held as a bit of a ridiculous fop had (a few) moments of empathy and strength.
The timeline at the very end was a little unclear to me, but I loved this story for it’s history, it’s romance and it beautiful descriptions. And, don’t worry Jen has already said there will be a second…I’m secretly hoping we get one for every prince of Oldenburg!
***** Low Romance, Low Language, Low Violence, Low Religion
Her Lady’s Whims and Fancies: Lords for the Sisters of Sussex Book 3
This book was so fun! Though the nature of the story is not as deeply rooted in history I was nonetheless impressed with Jen’s research about the fashion and intricacies of the time.
Kate and Logan were by far my favorite pair from this series. I felt Jen did a fantastic job of developing their back ground and insecurities. The plot not only developed their relationship, but also their identity in such a way that you love who they become and their struggle for that right.
Every new book in this series entrenches you more into these sisters’ lives and their mysterious legacy. I can’t wait for the next one!
****Low Romance, Low Language, Low Violence, Low Religion
In the Widow’s of Somerset Jen is only a third of the amazing trio of authors that make up this collection. Some of our other favorites: Rebecca Connolly and Heather B. Moore are the others.
In reading these stories, it’s obvious that these three authors have worked together for quite some time. (Have you read their sports romances? So fun!) Their continuity of the setting and the connecting characters brings an overall permanence to the collection.
I know this post is suppose to be all about Jen, but Rebecca’s story may have been my favorite; (don’t tell the others 😉 .) I’m just a such a sucker for her witty banter.
I loved the strength in Jen’s character Lillian and the forgiveness of Heather’s second chance romance. All three stories were well written and a delight to read. I’m continually impressed with the caliber of stories in the Timeless Romance Collections.
****Low Romance, Low Language, Low Violence, Low Religion