4 1/2 stars, Fairy Tale Re-tellings, Giveaway, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Low Violence, Regency Romance

Once Upon a Dream

“Tansy White doesn’t want to end up alone like her three aunts who raised her, but when she is betrayed by her would-be betrothed, she fears she might never change her fate. At her aunts’ suggestion, she seizes the chance to visit Rose Cottage, the country home of her late mother. For years, dreams of the cottage have haunted Tansy, and she is convinced it holds the answer to her hidden past. But after getting caught in a terrible storm, she meets a man who is just as determined as she is to learn all her secrets.

Marcus Taylor, brother to the Duke of Westmorland, is also troubled by vivid dreams. On a sleepless night, as a tempest rages outside his brother’s estate, he makes a discovery far more mysterious than any dream: a young woman, cold as ice, lies unconscious in the library, and he is sure she is the key to solving his problems. When she wakes, what begins as a shared quest for information turns into an unexpected friendship. As they piece together the fragments of their pasts, they discover a tangled web of lies, and their feelings for each other become just as entwined. But is their love as strong as their dreams . . . or their fate?

With a whimsical and mysterious feel, this story is so wildly unexpected you almost feel like you’re being led by a fairy tripping through a forest on a grand adventure.

There were twists I didn’t expect, and though it began slow with a web of mystery, it was done in a way to create that feeling of whimsy instead of confusion and an aching desire to get more and more into their world.

Each of the family members was written in a way to irreversibly endear them to you and each villain was not as they seemed.

This is a sleeping beauty story with all the rights nods to the story you love, while being wholly and uniquely it’s own.

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

Fairy Tale Re-tellings, Fantasy, Five Stars, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Low Violence

Inaction Has Consequences

Growing up the daughter of a thief and con man taught Miriam how to steal. But it also convinced her that’s not the lifestyle she wants. Having escaped that life with her brother, she now values her place on the right side of the law. However, when the new magistrate of Murrwood Village starts taxing the people and stealing their goods, Miriam finds herself an unwitting part of Rowan Lockley’s unconventional and illegal form of justice.

He has a tragic past and deadly aim with an arrow, but as Rowan and Miriam fight over the question of right and wrong, Miriam must also fight her growing feelings for him. How can she possibly fall for an outlaw when that’s the life from which she ran? She’ll have to decide whether obeying the law and doing what’s right are always the same thing. And if they’re not, will she have the courage to embrace the thieving skills she’s shunned for so long in order to help those who need it most?”

Annette K Larsen does such a good job of tying up loose ends. I’m never left with tons of questions, but she also does a wonderful job of keeping the right amount of things back until the right moment. We love her writing.

As far as a Robin Hood re-telling goes, this story was perfect. Like the other two it was just the right amount of nudges at the story you’re familiar with, while still being wholly and uniquely something new.

We loved how it was tied into the other stories, but could also be read as a stand alone. All the characters she already made us fall in love with are still involved, but you can jump in without needing very much backstory.

The romance was tender and sweet with a good amount of tension without being overly dramatic. This whole series is one I would recommend in a heartbeat to both the old and young alike.

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

Contemporary Romance, Five Stars, Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence

Best Friends or More?

“Kate Fletcher is my kryptonite.

She’s also my best friend. Former best friend?

I’m not sure what you call it when we grew up attached at the hip and then she left Silver Creek (and me) to travel the world.

The important thing is: Kate is back. (Temporarily.)

And I’m still in love with her. (Permanently.)

But something is different now. The attraction doesn’t seem one-sided. I don’t think I’m imagining the heat in Kate’s eyes or the chemistry crackling between us.

But will that be enough to keep Kate here, when, for as long as I can remember, all she’s wanted to do is leave?

I’m determined to give her a reason to stay. Family. Connection. Roots. And me. I’ll have to start with sparks and fire, but if I take this step, there’s no turning back to simple friendship. And if she doesn’t feel the same way, I might lose her again—this time for good.”

I loved Jenny’s inner dialogue, seriously clever writing. Her character’s felt like people you would want to sit down and have a conversation with.

This might have become my new favorite friends to lovers book. Outside of the sizzling romantic chemistry, the other nonromantic relationships in the book were developed just as well. I loved how Brody’s family was concerned and yet supportive. I loved how Jenny wrote Kate’s relationship with her parents and how it shaped her actions and her growth. That relationship felt so genuine with neither of the parents being all good or all bad.

Between the amazingly written characters, the deep growth and the laugh out loud moments this book is definitely one for the re-read shelf.

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

Five Stars, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Low Violence, Regency Romance

Love or War

Diana Donovan was raised aboard a naval ship on a steady diet of war strategy, so when her orphaned friend, Lucy, is denied a perfectly respectable love match by her controlling guardian, Diana sees an opportunity to put her battle knowledge to use in service of a deserving friend.

But Marmaduke Russell is not the middle-aged curmudgeon Diana is expecting. He is a maddeningly cool, unmarried gentleman who seems uniquely able to parry her tactics—and infuse her with even more determination to win. As battle ensues, though, it becomes clear that there may be more hearts in the balance than just Lucy’s.”

I’ll admit it was slightly maddening that this book was written in first person, just for the fact that so often I was dying to know Duke’s thoughts. And yet the not knowing was perfect for the book. It added a delicious bit of tension and deeper emotions on Diana’s part that made for a more fascinating book.

Martha gave Diana really great character introspection, showing her relatable flaws while still making her a moral character we want to be like. I love how well she fleshes out all her characters, even those whose inner thoughts we aren’t privy to. After only one novella and a novel I’m deeply invested in this family and can’t wait to read the other brother’s stories.

I’ve said this before, but I love the intelligence of Martha’s writing. The way she wove in The Art of War and used it to both define and change Diana was fascinating. Her metaphors are intriguing and deepen your love and understanding of her characters.

Possibly my favorite thing was the unpredictability of the plot. I love when an author takes the reader on an unexpected journey, a book is more exciting when I can’t guess every bend and dip in the road.

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

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

To all the Wallflowers

“To Kiss a Wallflower is the nineteenth book in the Timeless Regency Collection, a bestselling anthology series from Mirror Press. The book features three novellas from acclaimed historical romance authors whose stories reveal that eventually, all wallflowers will have their chance at love . . . This is where it begins.

The Wallflower’s Dance by Jen Geigle Johnson
Lottie Hughes likes people, as long as they aren’t too close. Does it bother her that no one asks her to dance? Yes, but she’s not sure how to drum up dance partners when she has almost no dowry, no title, and freezes up when anyone tries to talk to her. When she suddenly inherits a huge amount and is the new center of attention all over London, her secret dreams might come true but also her worst nightmares. Suddenly everyone wants to talk to her. Men ask her to dance. And she is inundated with interested suitors. She fights to stay close to the few friends she knows are true. One man saw her before her life changed forever. But does she want to accept his help when he, too, might be insincere?

–It felt a little rushed in parts, but was a sweet friends to lovers story with good emotional tug and fun descriptions.

Letters to a Wallflower by Heather B. Moore
Ellen might be beautiful and considered a diamond of the first water by Society, but she is so very tired of the pressure to marry a titled gentleman so that her beauty won’t go to waste. When her cousin Dinah dares Ellen to attend a ball with no frills and to stand with the wallflowers, Ellen takes on the dare. What’s in the wager for her? The prize cuttings of her aunt’s extraordinary roses. But what Ellen isn’t expecting is Lord Ravenshire to engage her in the most interesting conversation. When she confesses to him of her opposition in marrying for a title, he confesses his distaste of the London scene. They strike a bargain together, one which will either push them apart or lead to a future sweeter than either of them could have imagined.

–Darling story. Sweet romance with fun little historical details thrown in. Loved the whole thing!

To Marry a Wallflower by Anneka R. Walker
Charlotte Winters is destined to spinsterhood until she turns down an unwanted proposal and everything changes. With gossip rampant, her father attempts to salvage her reputation by betrothing her to another. Soon she is sent off to her aunt’s to meet Lord Templeton, her intended. Anxiety-ridden, Charlotte begs her aunt to let her observe Lord Templeton from afar before their introduction. She never planned to pretend to be her fictional cousin to learn more about him, or to fall in love with Lord Templeton’s friend in the process. Lord Templeton dreads returning to the empty halls of Newcliff Manor. When his father’s old friend, Mr. Winters reaches out for assistance, Lord Templeton finds himself returning home engaged to a woman he has never met. Desperate to learn more about Miss Winters, he befriends her cousin. He wouldn’t have spoken to her, or lied about his identity, if he’d known the quiet woman would sneak into his heart.

–A fabulous slow burn. Well established characters for a short story and such a fun premise.

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

Five Stars, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Low Violence, Regency Romance

Love to Hate You

“As the daughter of a duke, Lady Josephine has a long list of responsibilities, and an even longer list of things she must never do to dishonor the family name. Josephine knows exactly which side becoming an author falls upon, but she’s determined to try her hand at it anyway. For months she has worked on her novel in secret, writing chapter after chapter of intrigue and romance. Unfortunately for Josephine, her sworn enemy stumbles upon her secret.

Sir Andrew Wycomb’s close relationship to the Duke of Montfort’s family and heir gives him more than one advantage in life. His loyalty to the family is absolute, even if he finds at least one of its members an annoyance. He and Lady Josephine have never seen eye-to-eye. But when he discovers that she’s written a novel upon a subject she knows nothing about, he cannot help but sympathize with her dream. This creates an unlikely ceasefire between them.

But things at the castle are always changing, and when a determined suitor arrives to court Josephine, Andrew has to decide which secrets he’s going to keep. Especially when he discovers the one he’s kept even from himself – that perhaps he doesn’t find Josephine an annoyance at all. In fact, she is quite charming. The more time they spend together, the more he hopes she will realize they aren’t enemies, and they could be so much more…”

Sally’s stories always leave me with a smile. Her characters are not just well developed, but authentic and layered. People I would want to have a genuine friendship with, if they weren’t fictional.

Possibly my new favorite enemies to more story as the plot was free of drama and artifice while still being a page turner that I couldn’t put down. There enmity started from a natural, well written personality difference and grew to a place of understanding and compromise that worked incredibly well.

The witty banter was delightful and the romance was built naturally and beautifully. She had a few subtle innuendos that felt more like clever turns of phrase. Lines that made me laugh, never uncomfortable.

I really adored this story.

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

Fairy Tale Re-tellings, Five Stars, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Low Violence

The Belly of the Wolf

“After watching her two closest friends survive mistreatment and degradation, Emeline is determined never to become a victim herself, no matter how small and quiet she may be. She’s proven to others that she can take charge as a cook; now she’s proving to herself that she can handle any situation.

She’s trained hard with a sword to become a force to be reckoned with. Her determination to try her skills in a festival competition will require subterfuge, especially when Hunter, a young man from her past, ends up employed in the same household. When he takes an interest in her, she’s anxious to rekindle their friendship, but will his protective nature hold her back?

With Hunter leaving her breathless at every turn, Emeline longs to understand him and be understood in return. His past experiences have made him mistrusting and protective, but he’s not the only one who knows the world can be dangerous. Rather than hiding in fear, Emeline plans to be ready to fight any threats that may stalk her. But will her determination to prove herself capable lead her to ignore the warnings of those she loves and walk straight into danger?”

This book was such a clever retelling. The way Annette incorporated the various parts of the original tale was brilliant. I was entranced from beginning to end.

I loved Emeline’s character growth. I loved how naturally she built her independence. The background she gave her to overcome her shyness and then the catalyst she introduced to have her realize it’s okay to need people made for such a beautiful story.

The love story was sweet and innocent the way a first young love should be, and then grew to a well written deeper connection.

She incorporated so many of the people we loved in the previous story and series and I can’t wait to read about Miri. I’m loving Winberg and the people she’s creating as much as I loved Dalthia.

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

Five Stars, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Low Violence, Regency Romance

Beautifully Broken

Sometimes when I read an absolutely amazing book, I have a hard time loving what comes next just as much. Book Hangover, it’s a really thing. Quite a few weeks ago I had just finished an amazing book, but was so excited to read Anneka Walker‘s Bargaining for the Barrister, I couldn’t wait. So I picked it up next, desperately hoping my book hangover wouldn’t affect my enjoyment.

I was blown away. It was so well done I couldn’t put it down. I loved everything about it.

Louisa Cox is tired of fortune hunters pursuing her dowry. So when Lady Kellen offers to help her find an eligible suitor, Louisa eagerly accepts and makes a list of what she wants in a husband. The man selected is barrister Paul Sheldon. He may be a complete stranger, but he has one thing in his favor: he is unaware of her fortune. What Louisa did not anticipate was his curious behavior—or being so attracted to him.

When Paul catches wind of the matchmaking organization his mother and her friends are establishing, he pities the fellow who will be caught in their scheme—until he realizes he is to be their first victim. Horrified, Paul determines to thwart his mother’s plans by whatever means necessary. After meeting his intended, however, his increasing desire to be near her threatens to disrupt his convictions. Louisa is everything he could want in a wife, and when an unexpected adventure sets in motion the very plan he had determined to halt, he almost wishes his mother’s plot could succeed. But Paul harbors a secret and a past that make it impossible for him to give Louisa the life she deserves.

I did feel like it was a little bit of a slow start, but that meet cute was so fun it pulled me right in. I loved that she had the woman doing the chasing. It felt fresh and unique without feeling pushy.

I really adored the characters. Neither of them had particularly big flaws, but they were just quirky enough to lead to some great story telling. I was impressed with the attentive way she built her characters. They were consistent, yet complex. Louisa’s open manner and the personality she created for Paul melded the two of them so well. They were both broken and blessed in different ways and she made them whole together. It was a stunning and genuine love story.

I am completely and one hundred percent on board with this series and can’t wait to see who we get to read about next!

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

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

Regency Tag

Jentry Flint had really great character development. I was fascinated by every one of her characters, primary or secondary. Whether you are loving them, hating them, curious about them or driven crazy by them, you can’t wait to read more.

Though she did deal with some heavier topics, the uniqueness of her plot and the clever way she tied in a game of tag kept things fun and the pace moving.

Jentry’s intellect was seen not just in her one-of-kind story, but in her use of Shakespeare and her clever play on words.

I must admit, I could tell it was a debut novel, there were one or two plot things that weren’t entirely clear and a time or two where the scenes didn’t seem entirely natural. But I was wholly intrigued enough to not care and am anxiously waiting her next story.

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

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

At eleven years of age, Rosalind Ainsworth was convinced that Sebastian Lumley, the future Duke of Kelbrook, was the most odious young man she’d ever met. And ten years later, after having had no contact with the nobleman in the intervening time, her opinion of him has not changed. Unfortunately, neither has the marriage contract their fathers signed soon after her birth.

As Rosalind’s twenty-first birthday and the appointed wedding day approaches, Sebastian makes a rare appearance in London. His first meeting with Rosalind since childhood goes less than perfectly, but Sebastian has a compelling reason for honoring their marriage contract—a reason outlined in a document kept behind his workshop’s locked door.

After a quick wedding, the new couple relocates to Finley Park, where their acquaintanceship slowly blossoms into affection. But when Sebastian’s secretive work threatens their fledgling relationship and Rosalind’s life is placed in jeopardy, Sebastian finds himself forced to choose between the man he has pledged to help and the woman he has come to love.

Arranged marriages were not uncommon during the Georgian Era, in fact they were the norm. Not all arranged marriages were unhappy, and many were very successful. But there aren’t many stories about those. I loved the mature and natural way Sian Ann Bessey presented it. It felt real for the time period, and was also infused with goodness and hope. Her plot felt both genuine and historically accurate.

I’ve mentioned before how much I love her ability to write tension. Both in the suspense and in the romance. This book had both of those. The romance was built slowly, but beautifully. And the mystery gives us little mentions that leave delicious breadcrumbs without ruining the suspense.

Her characters have quirks that are endearing and back stories that create depth. I immediately connected with both main characters and loved every moment of their adventure together.

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