The Work of Art by Mimi Matthews {Review}

The Work of Art by Mimi Matthews

392 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 23, 2019

 

An Uncommon Beauty...
Hidden away in rural Devonshire, Phyllida Satterthwaite has always been considered more odd than beautiful. But in London, her oddity has made her a sensation. Far worse, it's caught the eye of the sinister Duke of Moreland — a notorious art collector obsessed with acquiring one-of-a-kind treasures. To escape the duke's clutches, she's going to need a little help.

An Unlikely Hero...
Captain Arthur Heywood's days of heroism are long past. Grievously injured in the Peninsular War, he can no longer walk unaided, let alone shoot a pistol. What use can he possibly be to a damsel in distress? He has nothing left to offer except his good name.

Can a marriage of convenience save Philly from the vengeful duke? Or will life with Arthur put her — and her heart — in more danger than ever?

AMAZON  ***  GOODREADS

My Review: 5 Stars 

There's nothing I love more than a marriage of convenience trope and that's just the situation that Philly and Arthur find themselves in. Philly is an unconventional woman and doesn't realize her worth, nor her beauty, and when combined with her precocious personality and her adorable menagerie of dogs, she's definitely on my list of favorites. I loved the way Arthur and Philly interacted and the way he was such a protector from her uncle and a villainous duke. 

The story line and descriptions were vivid, allowing me to play this book out like a beloved movie in my mind. There were moments of danger and mystery swirling around and they only added to the story, making it more engaging--I didn't want to put it down!

As always, the romantic chemistry was my favorite and Matthews delivered just the right touch. It was gentle and sweet, yet so endearing. This is a must-read for Regency lovers.

Content: mild romance; mild moments of danger

The Slow March of Light by Heather B. Moore {Review}

The Slow March of Light by Heather B. Moore

368 pages, Hardcover

Publication September 7, 2021

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

Sometimes all you have is hope.

In the summer of 1961, a wall of barbed wire goes up quickly in the dead of night, officially dividing Berlin. Aware of the many whose families have been divided, Luisa joins a secret spy network, risking her life to help East Germans escape across the Berlin Wall and into the West.

Bob Inama, a soldier in the US Army, is stationed in West Germany. He’s glad to be fluent in German, especially after meeting Luisa Voigt at a church social. As they spend time together, they form a close connection. But when Bob receives classified orders to leave for undercover work immediately, he doesn’t get the chance to say goodbye.

With a fake identity, Bob’s special assignment is to be a spy embedded in East Germany, identifying possible targets for the US military. But Soviet and East German spies, the secret police, and Stasi informants are everywhere, and the danger of being caught and sent to a brutal East German prison lurks on every corner.

Best-selling author Heather B. Moore masterfully alternates the stories of Bob and Luisa, capturing the human drama unique to Cold War Germany was well as the courage and the resilience of the human spirit.

  

My Review: 5 Stars

I've been reading books by this author for a very long time and I never cease to be amazed at how versatile she is. Moore did a phenomenal job in capturing the historical moments along with the personal stories of an incredible man, merging reality and fiction into a completely captivating story. I thought Moore was brilliant before, and this story completely cements that idea.

The times surrounding WWII have a soft spot in my heart, but I haven't read many stories that bring to life the events leading up to the Cold War. I was horrified and fascinated, yet I also felt the hope and determination of the characters. 

What really hit home to me is that we all have stories and experiences to share. We can all learn from each other, especially in the face of very hard and trying times. Bob's character is a refreshing light in a sometimes dark world and there is much to be learned from him. This book is just beautiful and touching and I'm so glad that it was put together and written before Bob's passing, just a month before its release. Consider me truly touched.

Content: mild+ war-type violence (arrests, prison, beatings, etc)