Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Rakes and Roses (Mayfield Family Book 3) by Josi S. Kilpack {Review}



Rakes and Roses (Mayfield Family Book 3) by Josi S. Kilpack
Paperback, 320 pages
Publication: May 5th 2020 by Shadow Mountain 
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.
A Mayfield Family Romance

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 ally.

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.



My Review: 5 Stars
I can always count on Josi Kilpack to deliver a sweet Regency story that steps outside of the typical formula. In this offering, she tackles a rakish gambling drunk who finds himself well below rock bottom. Fortunately for him, he had a very brief encounter with Lady Sabrina in the past and she can't forget the kindness shown her and is ready to return the favor.
I found a deep level of pride for Sabrina and her stalwart character and integrity, which caused me to feel a realistic camaraderie with her. Harry is the type of guy who is easy to hate, but knowing the background to his demise made me feel sympathetic towards him and it was more than easy to root for the best outcome possible for these characters.
I loved the way this author crafts this story, bringing this family to life in a way that makes me feel like an honorary family member. I love the gentleness and sweetness, along with the authentic historical feel. This isn't your typical Regency and I appreciated the breath of fresh air so much!

Content: very mild romance; mild moments of drinking, gambling, violence




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. 


BLOG TOUR BLURB:

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. 


RAKES AND ROSES BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE:

May 04    My Jane Austen Book Club (Guest Blog)
May 04    Historical Fiction with Spirit (Review) 
May 04    Austenprose—A Jane Austen Blog (Review)
May 04    All About Romance (Guest Blog)
May 05    Timeless Novels (Review) 
May 05    Literary Time Out (Review)
May 06    For Where Your Treasure Is (Review)
May 06    Courtney Reads Romance (Review)
May 07    Fire and Ice (Excerpt)
May 07    Gwendalyn's Books (Review)
May 08    History Lizzie (Review) 
May 08    Wishful Endings (Review) 
May 09    Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen (Spotlight)
May 09    Relz Reviewz (Character spotlight)
May 10    Delighted Reader (Excerpt)
May 11    Frolic Media (Guest Blog)
May 11    A Bookish Way of Life (Review)
May 11    Bringing Up Books (Review)
May 12    Lu Reviews Books (Review)
May 13    English Historical Fiction Authors (Guest Blog)
May 13    Adventure. Romance. Suspense (Review) 
May 14    Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals (Interview)
May 14    So Little Time…So Much to Read (Spotlight)
May 15    Storybook Reviews (Excerpt)
May 16    The Book Diva’s Reads (Review)
May 16    The Fiction Aficionado (Review)
May 17    Inkwell Inspirations (Spotlight)
May 17    Half Agony, Half Hope (Review) 
May 18    Romance Junkies (Guest Blog)
May 18    Christian Chick's Thoughts (Review) 
May 18    The Lit Bitch (Review) 
May 19    The Caffeinated Bibliophile (Interview) 
May 19    Heidi Reads (Review) 
May 19    Bookworm Lisa (Excerpt)
May 19    Laura's Reviews (Review)
May 19    Katie's Clean Book Collection (Review) 
May 20    The Silver Petticoat Review (Excerpt)
May 20    Joy of Reading (Review) 
May 20    Austenesque Reviews (Review) 
May 21    The Calico Critic (Spotlight)
May 21    Getting Your Read On (Review)  
May 21    From Pemberley to Milton (Excerpt) 
May 22    Wishful Endings (Interview)

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