3 1/2 Stars, Giveaway, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Low Violence, Regency Romance

Summerhaven Blog Tour

Hannah Kent and Oliver Jennings pledged their hearts to each other as children. Now, years later, Hannah is thrilled to receive an invitation to spend the summer at Oliver’s family’s country estate. The path to wedded bliss is clear—so long as Oliver’s highbrow older brother, Damon, has ceased his juvenile antics, Hannah’s future looks bright indeed.

But from the moment Hannah arrives at Summerhaven, nothing is as she expected. Oliver seems disinterested in renewing their acquaintance, and Damon is not the brutish boy she remembers but a man intent on avoiding marriage. Although she has loathed Damon her whole life, when he contrives a ruse designed to win them both what they desire, Hannah warily agrees. All she has to do to reclaim Oliver’s attention is pretend to be madly in love with Damon. But when Damon is surprisingly convincing in his role as a suitor, it proves difficult to discern the line between pretense and true love.

I really enjoyed reading Summerhaven, and I was truly impressed with Tiffany’s writing. I felt like Tiffany did an amazing job with both Damon and Oliver. Their character progression, or digression as the case may be, was really well done.

The first person narrative was necessary for that to have been as successful as it was. We got to see both brothers only through Hannah’s eyes. The reader’s understanding grew as Hannah’s memories shifted and grew, and those revelations were brilliantly done.

With that, I felt like Hannah should have shifted and grew from her experiences along with us. However I found her to be frequently making decisions that didn’t make sense. It almost felt like her character integrity was sacrificed for the sake of the plot.

The story was really cute and I was wholly invested in the brothers. I can’t wait to see where the author goes with Oliver in her next book. I just couldn’t get one hundred percent behind Hannah’s character development.

*** 1/2 Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence, Low Religion 

If you want to find out what other’s thought of Summerhaven you can follow the blog tour and don’t forget to enter the Giveaway!

1. Blog Tour Schedule:

Mon. Feb. 21 Heidi Bleggi (Holly’s Book Corner), Rorie and Andrea (Literary Timeout), Leslie Grawrock (Books and Socks Rocks)

Tues. Feb. 22 Crystal Job (Books are Sanity), Mattie Eddy (Honeycomb Stories), Heidi Grange (LDS and Loving It),

Wed. Feb. 23 Sandra Meaders (Life Is What It’s Called), Cathy Jeppsen (My Book a Day),

Thurs. Feb. 24 That’s Us! (Book Confessions), Colleen Lynch (Timeless Novels), Lisa Faber (Bookworm Lisa), Heidi Robbins (Heidi reads)

Fri. Feb. 25 Tia (Books and Everyday Life), Sheila Staley (Why Not Because I Said So)

Sat. Feb. 26 Emily Flynn, Meagan (Blooming with Books), Patti Stephenson (She Lives to Read)

Five Stars, Giveaway, Historical Fiction, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Moderate Violence

Hope Amidst the Conflict

One of the first school required books that I fell in love with, and then went and purchased for myself, was The Tale of Two Cities. I found the French Revolution fascinating and the plight of both sides equally heart rending. Arlem Hawks’ newest release Beyond the Lavender Fields gave me those same kind of feels.

1792, France Rumors of revolution in Paris swirl in Marseille, a bustling port city in southern France. Gilles Etienne, a clerk at the local soap factory, thrives on the news. Committed to the cause of equality, liberty, and brotherhood, he and his friends plan to march to Paris to dethrone the monarchy. His plans are halted when he meets Marie-Caroline Daubin, the beautiful daughter of the owner of the factory.
A bourgeoise and royalist, Marie-Caroline has been called home to Marseille to escape the unrest in Paris. She rebuffs Gilles’s efforts to charm her and boldly expresses her view that violently imposed freedom is not really freedom for all. As Marie-Caroline takes risks to follow her beliefs, Gilles catches her in a dangerous secret that could cost her and her family their lives. As Gilles and Marie-Caroline spend more time together, she questions her initial assumptions about Gilles and realizes that perhaps they have more in common than she thought.
As the spirit of revolution descends on Marseille, people are killed and buildings are ransacked and burned to the ground. Gilles must choose between supporting the political change he believes in and protecting those he loves. And Marie-Caroline must battle between standing up for what she feels is right and risking her family’s safety. With their lives and their nation in turmoil, both Gilles and Marie-Caroline wonder if a revolutionnaire and a royaliste can really be together or if they must live in a world that forces people to choose sides.

This story was done so incredibly well. So many stories of the French Revolution start right in the middle of the Reign of Terror without giving you the backstory you need. I loved how early, historically, Arlem’s story starts. The ground work she lays gives a well-researched representation of both sides of the conflict. She was able to create in Gilles and Caroline, a great juxtaposition of their opposing ideals, while also giving them both understanding and humanity. Painting such a fabulous picture of the good and bad on both sides.

I loved that Marie-Caroline’s thoughts and feelings were conveyed through letters. It was an interesting writing choice that ended up carrying more weight than I initially expected. Her letters were filled with emotion, moving the plot along without added unnecessary scenes or repetition. The book was made charged with clever metaphors, beautifully worded descriptions and intelligent commentary on the historical climate of the time.

The sense of hope Arlem wove through the story was in stark contrast to the terror that she so expertly conveyed without being graphic. It made for a well written tug of war with your heart.

The one and only problem, was knowing where Gilles ended up years later. Prequels kill me! Please tell me we find out what happens to Gilles right before and right after Georgana’s Secret, I’m dying here! Then again, that is the mark of an exceptional writer. Characters who become part of your heart and soul. Times and places that you are invested in even long after you close their pages. And this book gives you all of that.

***** Low Language, Low Romance, Moderate Violence (It is the French Revolution after all, Arlem included the historically accurate violence without it every feeling overly graphic), Low Religion (Caroline’s religious background plays a key role in the plot, but the book isn’t overtly religious in anyway)

GIVEAWAY!! –

We are giving away an ARC of Beyond the Lavender Fields, to enter comment below, then head over to our social media accounts for more ways to enter!

Christian Fiction, Five Stars, Giveaway, Historical Fiction, Low Language, Low Romance, Moderate Religion, Moderate Violence

The Power of Love

After years as a soldier and mercenary, Rasheed has retired from battle to run the bathhouse in Thebes with his friends Gillen and Eudocia. The simple life suits them, so when Venetian strangers come to town looking to hire the renowned crew, their answer is no. But when one of his friends is abducted, Rasheed is left with no choice but to take up his weapons and join forces with the Venetians, including the beautiful and clever Cecilia, whose betrothed has also been seized by the unknown foe. 

As the reluctant allies face ambushes and the looming threat of capture, Rasheed and Cecilia forge a surprising connection. But as the party races to rescue their friends, Rasheed discovers that nothing is as it seems. As his trust in Cecilia begins to waver, he realizes that in the end, they will both be forced to make a choice between love and duty.

This book was just as addicting as the first. I could get lost in the names of the cities and the history, but it didn’t ever pull me out of the story. The way the A.L. Sowards wrote, it just made me hungry for more history and more story.

The book had a wonderful balance between adventure, growth, love and honor. I felt like the pull of duty and honor was done really well. We understood Cecilia’s duty, but the extent of it was given to us in small doses. Thus increasing the odds against them and the tension in the story in a delightful way.

There are quite a few suspenseful moments where you suspect you know what’s going to happen, and you’re pretty sure everyone’s going to get their happily ever after. But, the emotions the author writes with is enough to pull at your heart and leave just enough doubt to make you turn every page with anxiousness.

There is an underlying theme of spirituality that was so impressively done. With Rasheed being a Christian convert and Aban being a Muslim, their differences in belief was both relevant historically and compelling in conversations. The author wrote both with raw emotion and respect. I never felt like she was pushing one religion over the other, but expressing what each of them found good or hard respectively.

I am now one hundred percent invested in this family and this time, and am really hoping we get Lucia and Sebastie’s story!

***** Low Language, Low Romance, Moderate Violence (this book is written during times of war and piracy, this is reflected in the book. I however, was never uncomfortable with the descriptions in the book.) Moderate Religion

 

Blog Tour Participants

Four Stars, Giveaway, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Low Violence, Regency Romance

Accidentally In Love

Rebecca Jennings’s first London Season has been absolutely ruined, and one person alone is responsible: Mr. Ben Fortescue. If her new neighbor hadn’t startled her, she would never have broken her ankle, leaving her bored and frustrated at home in the country while her sister enters the London Season alone. Although, it was rather gallant of him to carry her home . . .

For his part, Ben feels terrible about the role he played in Miss Rebecca Jennings’s accident. In the days that follow their first disastrous meeting, he finds himself inexorably drawn to the surprising young woman—first out of guilt and then out of a stirring affection. But Ben hides a secret: he has not been completely forthright about his identity or about the dark secrets of his past that would make it impossible for romance to blossom with Miss Jennings. Despite his love for her, he knows he must let her go.

With her ankle finally healed but her heart now broken, Rebecca is left with little choice but to throw herself into the Season. With eligible men circling this late addition to the Marriage Mart, it seems that Rebecca will have no shortage of suitors. If only her heart were free to give.

We are and always will be fans of Karen Tuft. We loved reading this book. Though this book could easily be read as a stand alone, it is part of the Jennings family series. We loved the interconnecting timeline and the familiar characters. We feel like the novel would be enjoyed most in you’ve read The Duke Meets His Match first.

Karen has such fun banter and clever one liners. She has a way of using them in just the right places that they add to the flow of work.

The book moved at a well written pace and we were impressed with Karen’s ability to create drama without all the deception and secrets. She wrote genuine, vulnerable characters that grew from their experiences and their interactions with each other. Especially the relationship she developed between Rebecca and Ben. The healing they both went through and the plot devices she used to help them recognize true love work incredibly well.

The ending felt a little rushed, but we both thought the whole thing was very sweet. -NC & MV

**** Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence, Low Religion

Fairy Tale Re-tellings, Four Stars, Giveaway, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Moderate Violence, Regency Romance

Trust and Pixie Dust

In 1817, Wendy Darling returns from London to her family in Devon, where she meets Captain James Hooke, a dashing naval officer who both infuriates and intrigues her. But Wendy is hiding a dark secret—and running from a past that makes it impossible for her to trust the incorrigible captain. And James has secrets of his own, secrets he’s afraid will interfere with his desire to win Wendy’s heart.
When the Darling family takes in a young orphan boy named Peter, the two newcomers in Wendy’s life help her learn to open her heart and begin to trust again. But when a gang of pirates sails into port in search of Peter, will trust be enough to save Wendy and those she loves from danger?
Varnell takes J. M. Barrie’s classic Peter Pan characters and introduces them to risks and romance that go far beyond the average fairy tale. As Wendy and Hooke fight for new beginnings, they learn that happy endings aren’t always guaranteed.

This story is not quite regency, not quite fairy tale. It’s a fanciful merger of them both that some how works.

Rebecca’s descriptions are at the heart of the fairy tale undertone. They have a mythical quality that leave you hanging in a world between reality and fantasy. Some how despite the plot holes and the jumbled character background, this story is wholly delightful.

Though the characters’ background is slowly built and a bit all over at times. The development of Wendy and James’ character is done remarkably well. There is emotion built into every moment these two characters are on the page. Mrs. Darling and Michael’s characters seem a little one dimensional, but their whispyish presence just added to the allusive nature of the story.

Rebecca wrote into being a regency world, that though frightening, was wholly historically possible. As well as emotionally possible. Having watched people close to me grieve and the consequences of their grief linger for years, I had no problem believing the actions of the characters. Their grief was written well and dripped through the pages. There were some plot parts of the story that seemed unfinished or unclear, but they didn’t ever completely pull me out of the story.

Maybe because the emotions and the descriptions gave this novel just the right feeling. I loved how well she weaved in little moments of the original story, and found myself frequently smiling at her creativity. It was so beautifully Peter Pan and so beautifully Regency, I really enjoyed reading every moment of it.

**** Low Language, Low Romance, Moderate Violence, Low Religion

Four Stars, Giveaway, Holiday Stories, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Low Violence, Regency Romance

The Kissing Bough

Did you know, that until I was in about middle school, I thought mistletoe was holly. True story. I love the kissing bough tradition, especially when it’s used in regency romances. Maybe because it adds just a little sass to an otherwise proper time period. That’s probably what I’d say about this series as a whole, just the right amount of sass and a whole lot of holiday spirit.

Purchase Here
  • Meet Me under the Kissing Bough by Josi S. Kilpack Deborah Winfrey hasn’t had the heart to host a holiday party since her husband’s death. But this Christmas, it’s time to move forward. The festivities bring renewed life to her home, and the attentions of two very different men promise a chance at new love.

I loved the uniqueness of this story. Sometimes we have stories about young widows, but it’s not often that we get stories about middle aged widows in the regency era. I thought it was remarkably done. Josi created with all the maturity and concern her life experience has given her. She treated both Deborah and Philips’ past relationships with respect, while still giving them the chance to love again in a beautiful way.

  • Healing Hearts for the Holidays by Anneka R. Walker Julia Hunt is strictly forbidden from associating with the family in the nearby manor—including the handsome younger son, Esmond, who quickly steals her heart. With Christmas around the corner, an old bundle of hidden love letters may be the key to her own happily ever after. 

I loved that this story was in the same world as her novella from last Christmas season. It was definitely a stand alone. But like all good stories from the same world, I believe you’ll be missing out on a little depth if you haven’t read her first. I loved that both stories contained a little bit of mystery and a lot of healing Christmas magic.

  • A  Christmas Correspondence by Sarah L. McConkie In this novella inspired by the timeless tale A Christmas Carol, John Charleston finds himself on an unexpected journey in the company of the insufferable Lady Carolyn Morleigh. But the magic of the season has a way of softening even the hardest of hearts.

I don’t know that I have ever read A Christmas Carol retelling like this. I was so impressed. She wove a story so like the original that you smile at the subtle nods, yet so original that the characters and story line are refreshing. She wrote Lady Carolyn’s transformation both as a youth and through her experiences with John so believably and genuine. I was rooting for them both the whole way through the story and loving every minute of their journey together.

I really enjoyed all the stories in the series and would definitely recommend it!

**** Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence, Low Religion

Four Stars, Giveaway, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Low Violence, Regency Romance

Characters You Love to Love

Karen Thornell

Katherine Cartwright knows through bitter experience that true love is fiction and trust should not be bestowed easily. Now, after two unsuccessful London Seasons, her atrocious father has decided to marry her off to the highest bidder to pay for his gambling debts, ridding himself of the daughter he never wanted. A profitable deal is struck, and Kate is packed off to the home of her betrothed, an earl she has never met. Or so she believes.

When James Fenwick, the new Earl of Bowcott, learns that the girl he’s loved since childhood is being sold off like chattel, he’s determined to step in and save her. He makes an offer her father cannot refuse and insists on a proper engagement. But when Kate meets James again, her old friend cannot bring himself to admit it is him whom she is to marry. Soon, an intricate charade and a past that cannot be escaped jeopardize James’s chance at rekindling their friendship, to say nothing of winning Kate’s heart. Can love truly conquer all, or was this a match doomed from the start?

I have to confess something, I think I smiled through this whole book. The interesting thing is, nothing about the plot was very unique. Stay with me here. The distant father, the unrequited friend love, the unexpected inheritance, even the mistaken identity are all very common plot elements in a regency romance. Putting them all in the same novel, seems like a bit much. However, the way Karen developed those ideas was enchanting. “

She created characters that you love to love. She even built side characters in a remarkable and careful way. Giving us insight into their more intimate ways, deepening our love of the story. Also suggesting that hopefully this isn’t a standalone.

James’ deception was done in a guileless way with such emotion and introspection that you love him anyway. And I loved how the author gave Kate a willingness to concede somethings. It created a genuineness to both the plot and their budding romance.

If that wasn’t enough, the mysterious notes added a suspense level to the book. Karen left wonderful crumbs and enough red herrings to give the book just that added something. Making it that much harder to put the book down.

**** Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence, Low Religion

Four Stars, Giveaway, Historical Fiction, Low Language, Low Romance, Moderate Religion, Moderate Violence, Time Travel

’bout Time

Times Dagger by Margot Hovley

After a rough stint at work in the ER, Dillon Kelly is more than a little ready for a vacation when he packs his bags and sets off on a camping trip in the wilds of Ireland. But when a mysterious dagger covered in druidic markings appears in his backpack, Dillon finds himself hurtled into the fourteenth century.

Ailish has always dreamed of being a bard, but there’s just one problem: women aren’t allowed. Determined to follow her heart, Ailish has fooled everyone into thinking she’s a boy—everyone, that is, except for Dillon. He’s agreed to keep her secret in exchange for her help in finding his way home to his own time. Despite the impossible barriers between them, feelings beyond friendship soon blossom. But more than just their budding romance is in danger. Ailish isn’t the only one who recognizes the dagger’s druidic significance, and there are those who would stop at nothing to harness its time-bending powers.

Margot wrote the time travel really well. The different dialects (ancient and modern) were distinct and the reactions believable.

Her timing in her writing was written just as well. Her wit was spot on and helped the blend of suspense and humor. I also loved that she started the attraction early, but had the romance slowly build. It gave a good balance between the building suspense of the plot and the sweetness of the romance.

I loved how Margot wrote all her characters with the potential for both good and bad. It gave the characters depth and kept you guessing at intentions. Her foreshadowing dropped you just enough clues to keep you guessing, but not enough to give away true intentions.

The druidic parts of the story made this a unique historical fiction. It was almost like word-building with so many aspects of this history unfamiliar. Margot did a good job of pulling the reader in to this foreign time through Dillon’s eyes.

The end of the novel left me just a little curious. I would have expected their experiences together to have made them stronger and more confident in themselves and each other. However, the last few paragraphs left me wondering if Ailish would survive in modern times and if Dillion really trusted her with his heart. The ending felt more of like a question mark than a statement.

Hopefully that means we’ll get to see more from these characters as I really did enjoy Margot’s writing and the overall story as a whole.

**** Low Language, Low Romance, Moderate Violence

Five Stars, Giveaway, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Low Violence, Victorian

Reinventing Yourself

Ladies of London’s High Society are known for their social graces and poise. Vivian Kirby boasts neither of these enviable qualities, though she does offer impressive conversation on chemical compositions. Unfortunately, it appears that not many men want a brilliant wife. So it is that Vivian finds kinship with a group of young women who embrace each other’s differences: The Blue Orchid Society.

After an extended stay in China, Lord Benedict has returned transformed to his family’s estate, where an encounter with Vivian, whose scientific knowledge he once undermined, leaves him determined to make amends. He arranges to help forward her research—anonymously, of course. Through letters, Vivian establishes a warm friendship with her secret benefactor, even as she’s unexpectedly drawn into a murder investigation that forces her to work alongside Benedict to unearth the truth. Soon, Vivian fears she may be falling in love with two men, never suspecting that they are one and the same.

purchase here: https://amzn.to/3vrrOjy

If you recall from our review of Solving Sophronia I was instantly intrigued by all the women in the Blue Orchid Society and have been anxiously awaiting the next book.

Let me tell you something amazing. Jennifer Moore gives us an introduction to Vivian and then we see the same library scene from Solving Sophronia through Vivian’s eyes. Now here’s the interesting part, it didn’t matter that I’d read that scene before. I felt the same excitement, the same kinship I did the first time around, reading it through Vivian’s eyes. That my friends is the mark of an excellent writer.

I adored this book. On page two I was pulled in with the clever way Jennifer described the room, both from Vivian’s perspective and her aunts. We instantly got a feel for both the environment and their characters. And it didn’t stop on page 2. Jennifer designed and molded her scene and her characters every step of the way.

Vivian was written with such a unique voice, and Jennifer excelled at making that shine. Using analogies and words so fitting to her character. She was a determined female character with both strengths and weaknesses. The emotion woven through the book gave you glimpses of both sides of her.

The most beautiful part was that next to Vivian was Benedict, whose emotions were equally real and poignant. He was as equally strong and vulnerable as Vivian, but in different ways. Jennifer’s writing had them compliment each other and be strong where the other was weak. Two very different characters who created an absolutely beautiful romance.

Her well written secondary characters gave the novel depth. Chester was an instant favorite and gave the story a good balance of humor. Mr. Li’s character and how society treated him created a intelligent foil both for who Benedict wanted to be and what he was expected to be. Then there’s Ruben. Jennifer is walking an impeccable line with him. Making us both hate him and feel sorry for him. She’s creating the perfect storm and I can’t wait to see it play out on her pages.

I’m a huge fan of the you’ve got mail trope, for lack of a better term. So the part of me that loves seeing that back and forth wishes those torn emotions, between two men who are the same man, were addressed a little bit more. However there was so much else going on in the novel, so many other marvelous societal and relational emotions and expectations, that it was more of an afterthought than a real story concern. The story was exceptionally well done and I want to know where I can sign up to be part of The Blue Orchid Society, or am at least on board for every book following.

***** Low Language, Low Violence, Low Romance, Low Religion

Five Stars, Giveaway, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Low Violence, Victorian

Redeeming your Villain

His scandals were right on track until she derailed everything.

As the successful owner of multiple railroad lines, Diana Barton is all too accustomed to fending off suitors seeking to stake their claim on her wealth. In order to keep the wolves at bay, Diana has contrived the perfect plan: appeal to the most notorious rake in London, the Baron Lord Bryant, to ruin her reputation and scare off the worst of the time wasters.

Lord Bryant is well aware of his questionable reputation. Indeed, he has cultivated the image carefully, and the last thing he wants is a wife. When he’s approached by the younger sister of a business associate, he tells her in no uncertain terms that he cannot help. However, when he sees for himself what she is up against, Bryant grudgingly offers his assistance.

Purchase Here: https://amzn.to/3uM3bi7

I don’t even know where to start. Let’s start with: Esther Hatch’s writing makes me smile. She has a way of taking a cliché and poking fun at it that is both excellent writing and absolutely delightful. I was literally beaming most of the way through the book. Her dialogue, her situational irony, her beautiful character development.

Ok, yeah, let’s go there next. The only way you haven’t heard of Lord Bryant is if you live under a rock. I feel like his face and his lines has been spread around the book community for awhile now, for good reason. Esther Hatch knows how to redeem her villain, in the best possible way. The rogue that isn’t what he seems is a common enough trope, one we all love, and Esther did it more than just justice. It was beautiful and heartbreaking all at the same time. The reason he is plastered everywhere, is wholly due to how well Esther wrote the huge dichotomy between his charisma and his vulnerability.

But let’s talk for a minute about Diana. Because if you have a character like Lord Bryant that the collective book community is swooning about, he can’t have just any leading lady by his side. Esther cultivated Diana’s character as much as she did Lord Bryant’s. Smart and impulsive, but rather adorable. I was so impressed with the way Esther wrote both characters to compliment each other’s strengths and weaknesses making for a rather stunning romance.

Speaking of romance, having their first kiss happen on page 33 was both a delicious pull and a genius bit of writing. Many have dubbed Esther the queen of chemistry and this book just may have solidified that spot for her. And yet one of their most important kisses near the end of the book wasn’t all passion and madness. It was soft and slow, and altogether perfect and real for these two characters.

So that just covers our main characters. That doesn’t even scratch the surface of how impressed I was with her story line for Lady Emily, did anyone see that ending coming? I secretly adored it. And how she handled Rachel. The slow way we learned information about their relationship was incredibly well pace with the highs and lows and growing understanding. Also, please tell me this isn’t the last we see of Mrs. Cuthbert.

Her pacing as a whole was so spot on, it was almost impossible to put the book down. She had small tender moments and big story changing moments with every single moment progressing the story and growing the characters. This book is in one word: phenomenal.

***** Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence, Low Religion