Book Review: No Match for Love by Karen Thornell

 

No Match for Love by Karen Thornell

About the Book:

Lucas Berkeley has a secret—one he cannot risk anyone discovering. After all, a future marquess belongs in drawing rooms, not underground boxing circles. Yet with a painful past and a need to control every aspect of his life, it is his only outlet. And when his brother begins to court the one woman who could ruin everything, Lucas needs the secret diversion more than ever.

Lydia Faraday is exhausted from living a life in which she has no say. When her taciturn guardian drags her to London intent on marrying her off, she determines to thwart his plans. If she is to have freedom in any aspect of her existence, it ought to be with whom she marries. And when a solicitor turns up with new information, she thinks that just might be possible. Or it may complicate her future further.

 When Lucas and Lydia become entangled in a dangerous scheme, they cannot help but become closer, even as the obstacles between them grow. The last thing either is looking for is love. But their hearts have different plans.

✨Book Tour Review - No Match for Love✨

Lydia is the type of character who is very easy to love. Although life has handed her many challenges, including a difficult guardian who is determined to marry her off, she’s full of sunshine and happiness. An interesting street encounter with a pugilist breaking up a fight leaves her bewildered when she later recognizes him in polite company. 

The twinges of secrets and mystery, as well as the entertaining interactions between Lucas, his brother Charlie, and Lydia left me eagerly devouring every page of this delightful and fun Regency romance. All the longing glances and resistance to romance only served to deliver clever banter and swoony interactions. Lucas is definitely on my favorites list of complex and intriguing main characters.

This is such a fun story with multi-dimensional characters and smart twists. 

Content: mild romance; very mild fighting

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*

Book Tour Review: The Lady Glass by Anneka R. Walker

 

The Lady Glass by Anneka R. Walker

Nothing shapes glass like fire.

Theresia Dvorak has nothing left of her parents—nothing save her dowry, a priceless crystal vase stolen and sold by her own stepmother. Theresia will do anything to secure what is rightfully hers—even assume a false identity and steal her future back. When she gains entrance to a house party and has a memorable run-in with the handsome naval captain Rolland Reese, her mission is compromised. She swore never to trust an Englishman again, but when he makes a daring proposal she cannot refuse, she must work side by side with him if either of them is to achieve their aim.

Rolland is stunned when his homecoming from the war takes a decidedly deadly turn. The quickest solution is to throw a house party and invite all the suspects. With the stakes incredibly high, Rolland must root out the killer before they turn their sights to the next potential victim: his own father. The mysterious Theresia is undoubtedly the most suspicious of his guests, but against all odds, he finds himself risking everything to protect her. As Rolland unravels a tangle of clues, he faces the greatest threats of all: a heart of fire and a future as fragile as glass.

My Review: 5 Stars

"Why are you keeping a woman under your bed, Rolland?"

I adore a fairytale retelling that is full of unique aspects and twists, and when a mystery is added to this Regency Cinderella? I'm all in. From the very first meet cute to the very last page, I was invested in the characters, the romance, and the secrets.

 Theresa, a violinist, has a very difficult step-family and is determined to find a stolen crystal vase that her father left her. There is a killer on the loose and Rolland and his friends decide to host a house party to contain the suspects and try to stop another death from occurring. This duo works and reasons together so well. Theresa agrees to pose under a false name to help them as a spy and I loved the vibe that results from this whodunit tale. I felt like I was watching a historical Clue game in real-time and it was so much fun to see everything unfold. And I loved the glimpses of Godfather.

This author does a great job of weaving together complexities that are both entertaining and engaging. I also found myself laughing at Theresa's spunk and swooning over the dangerous interactions. Such a fun story that left me with a satisfied smile on my face.

Content: death/mild violence; mild romance

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*

Book Review: The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Gray (Book Tour)

 

THE PERILS OF LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH

The third book in the Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mystery series, which finds the amateur sleuths facing their most daunting challenge preventing the murder of the imperious Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

Someone is trying to kill Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Esteemed aunt of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, generous patroness of Mr. William Collins, a woman of rank who rules over the estate of Rosings Park with an unimpeachable sense of propriety—who would dare ? Lady Catherine summons her grand-nephew, Mr. Jonathan Darcy, and his investigative companion, Miss Juliet Tilney, to find out.

After a year apart, Jonathan and Juliet are thrilled to be reunited, even if the circumstances—finding whoever has thus far sabotaged Lady Catherine's carriage, shot at her, and nearly pushed her down the stairs—are less than ideal. Also less than their respective fathers, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Mr. Henry Tilney, have accompanied the young detectives to Rosings, and the two men do not interact with the same felicity enjoyed by their children.

With attempts against Lady Catherine escalating, and no one among the list of prime suspects seemingly capable of committing all of the attacks, the pressure on Jonathan and Juliet mounts—even as more gentle feelings between the two of them begin to bloom. The race is now on to provoke two one from the attempted murderer before it is too late—and one, perhaps, of love.

My Review:

A cozy mystery set in an Austeneque world? Sign me up!

This is Book 3 in the Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney series and I always think it’s fun to be immersed in the Jane Austen world once again. Jonathan and Juliet are on the hunt for the attempted murderer of Lady Catherine de Bourgh and the result is very reminiscent of an Agatha Christie tale, as the story isn’t peppered with clues, but rather the perpetrator is rooted out by character interviews and suspicions.

Jonathan is quiet and a bit socially awkward, but is a great contrast to the vibrant Juliet. I really enjoyed this combination and found Claudia Gray’s writing style amusing. I love how tender-hearted Jonathan is portrayed, avoiding the gentleman hunts and such, but here he is–trying to capture a murderer. On the other hand, Juliet gets so used to possibly being in close proximity to the culprit, that she finds herself at ease and immune to the wisps of danger.

This cozy historical mystery was a joy to read and as I don’t want to give any spoilers, just know it’s an entertaining story.

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

Blog Tour Review: The Girl From the Hidden Forest by Hannah Linder

The Girl From the Hidden Forest by Hannah Linder

Blurb:

The nightmares may free her…but destroy the man she loves.
 
Enjoy another Gothic Style Regency from Hannah Linder.
 
Eliza Ellis has stayed hidden in Balfour Forest for as long as she can remember. Perhaps her only friends are the trees, or her little dog, or her story-telling father called Captain. But at least she is safe from the cruel world outside, a world Captain has warned her against and protected her from.
 
That is, until a handsome stranger named Felton Northwood invades her quiet forest and steals her away. Why does he tell such lies? Why does he insist that her name is Miss Eliza Gillingham, daughter of a viscount, who disappeared fourteen years ago after the murder of her own mother? A murder Eliza is said to have witnessed.
 
When Felton returns Eliza to Monbury Manor and reunites her with a man who is told to be her father, all she remembers are the strange nightmares that have plagued her since childhood. Why have they suddenly grown worse? Are the answers hidden inside her own mind?
 
As danger mounts and lethal attempts are made on her life, Eliza and Felton must work together to uncover the identity of a killer who has stayed silent for fourteen years. When she finally uncovers the horrendous memories trapped in her mind, will divulging the truth cost her the man she loves—and both of their lives?

 My Review: 4 Stars

This is my first book by hannahlinder and I was captivated by the intense gothic regency vibe.

Eliza has happily lived in the forest for as long as she can remember and it’s all she knows, until handsome Felton finds her and “rescues” her from it. A world of danger, intrigue, “who dun it” mysteries and attempts on Eliza’s life result from this deliverance, and a beautiful, dramatic, and heart-aching story unfolds.

I was amazed at the vivid descriptions and while this story felt a little darker, I was completely fascinated and intrigued from start to finish with all the twists and turns. I appreciated the Christian elements and felt they really solidified the nature of these dimensional characters. 

There is a lot of drama and trauma, and these times are confusing to Eliza, but Linder does a wonderful job of expressing the villainous aspects, as well as the heroic ones, in ways that felt real and raw.

Content: kidnapping, opium use, mistreating family, Christian elements (prayers/thoughts), mild romance, murder/death/suicide/abuse

 

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*

AUTHOR BIO

Hannah Linder resides in the beautiful mountains of central West Virginia. Represented by Books & Such, she writes Regency romantic suspense novels filled with passion, secrets, and danger. She is a four-time Selah Award winner, a 2023 Carol Award semi-finalist, a 2023 Angel Book Award third place winner, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). When Hannah is not writing, she enjoys playing her instruments--piano, guitar, ukulele, and banjolele--songwriting, painting still life, walking in the rain, square dancing, and sitting on the front porch of her 1800s farmhouse. To follow her journey, visit hannahlinderbooks.com.

Book Tour Review: Hidden Yellow Stars by Rebecca Connolly

Hidden Yellow Stars by Rebecca Connolly

About the Book:

Based on the true story of two World War II heroines who risked everything to save Jewish children from the Gestapo by hiding them throughout Belgium.

Belgium, 1942

Young schoolteacher Andrée Geulen secretly defies the Nazis in Belgium, who are forcing Jews to wear a yellow Star of David. Andrée is not Jewish, but she feels a maternal connection to her students, who are living in constant fear, and decides to take action. No child should have to suffer under such persecution. But what can one woman do against an entire army?

Ida Sterno is a Jewish woman who works with the Committee for the Defense of Jews in Belgium, a clandestine resistance group tasked with hiding children from the Gestapo. She wants to recruit Andrée because her Aryan appearance can provide crucial security measures for their efforts. Andrée agrees to join and begins work immediately by adopting a code name: Claude Fournier.

Together, Andrée and Ida, and their undercover operatives, work around the clock to move Jewish children from their families and smuggle them to safety through the secret channels established by the resistance. As each child is hidden, Andrée commits to memory their true name and history. Someday, she vows, she will help reunite as many of these families as she can.

But with the Gestapo closing in and the traitorous Fat Jacques who has turned from ally to enemy and is threatening to identify and expose any Jew he meets, Andrée and Ida must work even harder against increasingly impossible odds to save as many children as possible and keep them safely hidden—even if it might cost them their own lives.

My Review:

 

Just when I think I know all the different aspects of a slice of history, I discover something I knew nothing about. The way this author told the story made me feel like I was there observing and there are some hard parts to process. Hidden Yellow Stars is a touching, inspirational, and sometimes heavy story, but one that needs to be told, and it is very beautifully told.

The story follows a couple of women and they come to life on the pages. I can’t even imagine the bravery and determination it took to save the children. I can’t imagine the horrors and abuse suffered to protect them at all costs. My heart pounded in anxiety and fear for them. I was touched and pondered about this difficult part of the past a lot.

Many thanks to Rebecca Connolly, Shadow Mountain Publishing, and Austen Prose for the review copy and for bringing this book to light.

⚠️war-time violence/fear (not too graphic); feelings of peril

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were voluntarily given.*

 

AUTHOR BIO

Rebecca Connolly is the author of more than two dozen novels. She calls herself a Midwest girl, having lived in Ohio and Indiana. She's always been a bookworm, and her grandma would send her books almost every month so she would never run out. Book Fairs were her carnival, and libraries are her happy place. She received a master's degree from West Virginia University.

While doing research for this book, she discovered information about her own family history, including the fates of several unknown family members who perished in the concentration camps of World War II.

Book Tour Review: Finding Jane Fairfax by Robbin J. Peterson

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Jane Fairfax knows she is truly fortunate. Most orphans face lives of hardship, whereas she was adopted by doting surrogate parents who elevated her place in Society and love her as their own. Yet even they cannot shield her from the grim realities of life without a suitable marriage. In moments of despair, Jane comforts herself with a well-worn memory: that of a young man whose kind words when they were children once soothed her heartbreak. But now that boy has grown into a dashing gentleman―and their lives could not be more distant.

Frank Churchill is a prisoner of his station. His inheritance is held in the balance by his demanding aunt, and the weight of her expectations is suffocating him. But when a chance encounter brings the lovely Miss Fairfax back into his life, he discovers what it is to truly live. As the pair secretly become acquainted amid the confines of Society’s strict rules, their friendship blossoms into love. But in a world ruled by unyielding traditions, endeavoring to build a life together would mean inviting a scandal that would shake the very foundation of the ton.

MY REVIEW

Austen's books are so wonderful and I loved the liberty this author took in creating a prequel to Emma.

Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill are such vivid characters and it was a treat to learn more about them. My heart went out to each of them because of the hardships of their backstories and I craved the moments they had any slight interaction. I also feel a little bad when I'm harsh on a character. It was enjoyable to see what shaped and developed this characters.

I was completely captivated with the story and couldn't get enough. It felt so believable--about what really could have happened--and I loved feeling immersed in a fresh Austenesque book. From childhood memories to secret friends to grown up expectations, Finding Jane Fairfax is a winner.

Content: orphaned; controlling aunt; mild, slow-burn romance

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

AUTHOR BIO

Robbin J. Peterson is the author of Going Home, Conviction, and 13 Days of Girls Camp. She earned her degree in English literature from Utah State University and her associate of arts degree from Snow College. She has six kids, plays the viola, and works as an elementary school librarian.

A Wyoming Summer by Carla Kelly, Christine Sterling, and Heather B. Moore {Book Review}

A Wyoming Summer by Carla Kelly, Christine Sterling, and Heather B. Moore  

Can true love survive the changing seasons?

ELLEN FOUND by Carla Kelly
Set in location of Old Faithful Inn, 1903-4. Working in a discouraging cafe, Ellen escapes an awful situation in rough and tumble Butte, Montana, and goes to work as second in command to a wary cook in the shell that will become Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone Park. She meets Charles Penrose, head carpenter on the massive project of Old Faithful Inn, which is being finished in a harsh Wyoming winter. Will it really open June 1, 1904? Can Ellen start to trust the other workers? What will she learn about the other employees? And Charles. He's a widower with a young daughter there, too. Like Ellen, he wants more.

THE WIDOW OF DAYBREAK by Christine Sterling
Doris Whistler is learning how to survive in a town taken over by outlaws. When the leader of an infamous gang murders her husband, her choices are to tuck tail and run, or stand her ground and make Daybreak as promising as its name. It proves to be a difficult task with the good citizens in fear of the corrupt mayor and godlessness that abounds. What she doesn't expect is the support of a traveling lawman who believes in her and the tiny town she loves so much.

MAY I KISS THE BRIDE? by Heather B. Moore
Viola Delany is not happy about being sent to the middle-of-nowhere, small town Wyoming. Yes, it will be good to let the gossips find something else to talk about other than her failed engagement. And yes, it will be nice to spend the summer with her Aunt Beth. But as Viola sits on the train heading for Wyoming, wondering how she'll ever occupy her time in such a small town, none other than a real life cowboy sits across the way. She can't help but take peeks at him, noting that the condition of his unpolished black boots and scuffed rawhide jacket seem to be authentic . . . All right, so he might be tall, dark-haired, and handsome if a woman doesn't mind green eyes and a dangerous-looking scar, but this man certainly has nothing to do with her. Besides she'll never see him again. What are the chances he's traveling to the same middle-of-nowhere small town?

My Review: 5 Stars

Fun fact: I lived on a ranch in Wyoming for a few months when I was really little. I don't remember it at all, but I've always felt a sweet connection to summers in this vast, rugged state, and it was a joy to read these stories.

I believe they all take place in the very early 1900s and the times then were much simpler, yet MUCH more dangerous in a variety of ways. In ELLEN FOUND, the danger is with wildlife, while the other two have gangs of villainous devils.

ELLEN FOUND was such a lyrically charming story of a girl finding a place to start over and a place where she fits in. It was so satisfying to read of her ideas and ways to make life more efficient and easier for those she worked with. I loved the little journal snippets at the beginning of each chapter and was thrilled with the friendship Ellen formed with a young friend, which eventually lead to love.

THE WIDOW OF DAYBREAK started out with heartbreak. In the slightly fast-paced way of the Wild West, Doris was forced to move on and find help to bring much needed peace and safety to her residence. I loved the connections that were woven together in complicated knots, which brought a lot of enjoyment and discovery to this story.

MAY I KISS THE BRIDE? was the perfect conclusion to this set. Viola is a no-nonsense and brave women being sent to help her aunt and a chance meeting with Rey on the train sparked an immediate interest--in both her and in the reader. I loved the small town, the bakery, and the sweet romance.

This is a set not to be missed and is the perfect summer read.

Content: mild moments of danger/peril/shootings; mild romance

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*