Suffering the Scot by Nichole Van

Suffering the Scot by Nichole Van
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Historical Romance



Book Description:  Lady Jane Everard cannot abide the new Earl of Hadley. The unmannered Scot is a menace to genteel ladies everywhere, what with his booming laugh and swishing kilt and endless supply of ‘ochs’ and ‘ayes.’ Jane wishes Lord Hadley would behave as an earl should and adhere to English rules of polite conduct. 

Andrew Langston, the new Earl of Hadley, knows that the English aristocracy think poorly of his lowly Scottish upbringing. This is hardly new. History is littered with the English assuming the worst about Scotland. By living up to their lowest expectations, he is simply fulfilling his civic duty as a Scotsman. 

Jane sees Andrew as an unmannered eejit. Andrew considers Jane to be a haughty English lady. But, as the saying goes, . . . opposites attract. 

And what if beneath his boisterous behavior and her chilly reserve, Andrew and Jane are not nearly as different as they suppose? Can Scotland and England reach a harmonious union at last? 


My thoughts: When I want to read and not put down a book it is a five-star rating for me. Dirty dishes can wait!

Andrew has just come into his inheritance. Now he has to deal with an unfriendly extended family and put some English Lord's in their place. The way he and his friends go about it is entertaining. They choose to give a show of the misconceptions of Scottish behavior. There were many moments that had me laughing.

While some parts of the book are lighthearted there is a very serious side to the characters. Andrew and his Scottish friends are determined to discover who is behind the death of their friend and sabotaging what should have been a scientific discovery voyage for them. His inheritance in England is fortuitous for them. It gives them a "home base" to investigate. I was shocked at the discovery of the perpetrator. Nichole Van does a very fantastic job at laying the groundwork for the big reveal. The way she handles the incident is exemplary.

This book is not only a book about revenge, but it is also a love story. Jane has been told to live her life as a lady should. Her family suppresses who she is and force her to be who they want her to be. Andrew sees her potential and encourages her to be her true self. In the process, love blooms.

This is a book that is well written and a delight to read.

This book is available for Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon

A Lady's Maid by Jen Geigle Johnson ~ Blog Tour with a #giveaway!

A Lady's Maid by Jen Geigle Johnson
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Regency Historical Fiction

Book Description:  Molly O’Malley, lady’s maid to the progressive Lady Amanda Halloway, is determined to continue the life’s work of her lost love, killed in the Peterloo Massacre. But when her efforts and a trip to Lady Halloway’s charitable orphanage culminate in her own abduction, Molly’s eyes are opened to the horrifying crimes transpiring in the city’s slums. Despite the risks, she broadens her mission and is drawn ever closer to the peril all around them. 

Thomas Flaherty, a footman in the Halloway household, has been with Molly from the beginning, but he fears she will never trust him with her heart. Even though her cause and happiness are of foremost importance to him, his loyal patience is tested by the fears that keep her at a distance. But with their safety on the line, Thomas is resolved to sacrifice everything for the woman he loves. 

Risking their lives and their love, Molly and Thomas and a team of nobles on their side will stop at nothing to empower the powerless, no matter the personal cost.

My thoughts: I am in awe of the women who worked to give us the rights that we have today. This book centers on characters who fought for women's suffrage.

Molly is a lady's maid to a forward-thinking lady. She is given leave to work on a cause both she and her mistress believe in. Amanda Halloway is the MC in The Nobleman's Daughter. (Another book that I highly recommend.) The Lady and her maid make a formidable team.

The characters are wonderful. I enjoyed all of them and their role in the book, with the exception of a very bad man, but even he had an important place in the story. This book really brings out the fight for women to vote and the work that was done to accomplish this goal many years before it became a reality. Not only does this book deal with sufferage, but it also opened my eyes to the working conditions of children in factories and the plight of the poor in Regency England.

If you love historical fiction and to learn while you are reading a well thought out and researched book, you should definitely pick this one up. The characters and plot are engaging. It is entertaining while informative. There is suspense, political intrigue, danger, and romance all put together nicely in one package.

This book contains non-graphic violence, innuendo, mild descriptions of women forced to work in a brothel, child endangerment, and romance.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Deseret Book

Enter the Tour Giveaway!

(Winner notification and prize will be provided by Covenant Communications.)

  a Rafflecopter giveaway



About the Author: (Taken from Goodreads)   Jen Geigle Johnson once greeted an ancient turtle under the water by grabbing her fin. Other vital things to know: the sound a water-ski makes on glassy water and how to fall down steep moguls with grace. No mountain is too steep for her to climb, yet. During a study break date in college, she sat on top of a jeep's roll bars up in the mountains and fell in love. She discovered her passion for England while kayaking on the Thames near London as a young teenager. 

Now an award-winning author and mother of six, she loves to share bits of history that might otherwise be forgotten. Whether in Regency England, the French Revolution, or Colonial America, her romance novels are much like life is supposed to be: full of adventure. She is a member of the RWA, the SCBWI, and LDStorymakers. She is also the chair of the Lonestar.Ink writing conference. 

https://www.jengeiglejohnson.com

Storm Rising by Ronie Kendig

Storm Rising by Ronie Kendig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Christian Action/Suspense

Book Description:  Once lost to history, the Book of the Wars has resurfaced, and its pages hold ancient secrets and dangers. Former Navy SEAL Leif Metcalfe has been tasked with capturing the ancient text, but a Bulgarian operative snatches it, determined to secure her freedom. When a series of strange storms erupt, they must form an alliance to thwart impending disaster.


My thoughts:  This is the first book of Ronie Kendig's that I have read. I felt a little lost at first like I was missing parts of the story. In reading other reviews they state that this book has characters from other series. That may have helped during the first part of the story but it did not stop me from getting engaged and following along well later.

This book had many elements that I enjoy. I enjoy a good action/adventure. This book had that and more. I loved the biblical day references and the fictional "Book of Wars". There was romance, super-soldiers, assassins, and redemption. This will not be the last book of the author's that I read.

This book pulled me in and kept me reading. I wanted to see how it would play out. Would Leif be able to pull his team through a stormy sea, tread through a minefield, or save the day and the child?

I received a complimentary copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. This book does contain violence. It is set during a war, a war between good and evil.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

About the Author:  (Taken from Goodreads)  Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author who grew up an Army brat. She married her own hunky hero, who’s an Army veteran. After twenty-plus years of marriage, she and her husband have a full life with four children and a retired military working dog. Ronie’s degree in psychology has helped her pen novels of raw, broken characters. 

Since launching onto the publishing scene, Ronie’s Rapid-Fire Fiction has hit the CBA Bestseller List, won the prestigious Christy Award, the RT Reviewers' Choice Award, the HOLT Medallion, IRCA, FamilyFiction’s Readers’ Choice Awards, as well as being named an RT Book of the Year Nominee. 

Ronie loves people and helping other writers through speaking, workshops, and/or mentoring. Find Ronie at www.roniekendig.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction) , Twitter (@roniekendig), GoodReads, and Instagram.

Love and Other Mistakes by Jessica Kate #LOMPrismTour

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Love and Other Mistakes

By Jessica Kate

Christian Contemporary Romance

Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 352 Pages

July 30th 2019 by Thomas Nelson

Jessica Kate’s hilarious, romantic debut novel proves that some mistakes—including love—are begging to be made again and again.

Natalie Groves once had big dreams. But soon after her fiancé, Jeremy Walters, inexplicably broke off their engagement and left town, her father was diagnosed with cancer. Now tasked with keeping her family afloat, Natalie’s grand plans have evaporated . . . and God feels very far away.

Fast-forward seven years, and Jeremy is back in Charlottesville with an infant son and years of regrets. When his niece, Lili, lands on his doorstep in need of a place to stay, Jeremy needs help—and fast.

An internship opening finally presents Natalie a chance at her dream job, but she needs a second income to work around it—and the only offer available is Jeremy’s. They could be the solutions to one another’s problems, provided they don’t kill each other in the process. When they join forces, sparks fly. But they both know there’s a thin line between love and hate . . . and that love will turn out to be the best decision—or the biggest mistake—of all.



My thoughts:  I really enjoyed this story of love, forgiveness, loss, and compassion.  The characters are complicated and the author does a great job of describing them, how they are feeling, and moving them forward in a positive way. 

The main characters are Natalie and Jeremy.  They have history.  Their story is full of pain and good times.  They have a lot to overcome in order for forgiveness to happen.  While they are experiencing their own drama, there is a ton of it happening to the people they love.  I found this story to be believable because life is full of ups and downs.  I appreciated how they came back to their faith and trusted God to help see them through.

This is the first book that I have read from this author.  I will look for more books from her in the future.  This book contains infidelity, kissing, and Christian themes.

Rating:  I give this book 4 of 5 stars!

Q&A  with Jessica Kate!

What was an unexpected benefit from writing a book?


Creating fictional lives gives you an outlet to deal with real-life emotions in a safe space. Natalie felt like she was missing out on her purpose in life, and when I started writing the book, I did too. Lili (the hero’s niece, who gets her own subplot) is questioning everything as she watches adults in her life make choices that contradict the beliefs they taught her. To a far less dramatic extent in Lili’s life, I’ve felt some of those emotions. So it was great to bring about a hopeful resolution in fiction as God did the same in my real life.

Praise for the Book

“A stunning debut . . . This tale of love and redemption will stay with you long after you've closed the book. A must-read.” —Rachel Hauck, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Dress

“Witty. Charming. Heartfelt. I could go on and on about Jessica Kate’s debut novel. From its highly relatable characters to its pitch-perfect dialogue, Love and Other Mistakes is a delightful, romantic read filled with just the right amount of sass. I lost count of the number of times I laughed out loud as I watched Natalie and Jem navigate their relationships, careers, and faith. Definitely one of the most enjoyable books I've read lately, and I can't wait to see what’s next from Jessica Kate!” —Melissa Tagg, Carol Award–winning author of Now and Then and Always and the Walker Family series

“Love and Other Mistakes wraps a poignant and warm look at relationships within a smart, sly, and knowing comedic voice. Readers of Sally Thorne and Bethany Turner will be immediately at home with Natalie: an all-too-real heroine who balances whip-smart agency with an endearing vulnerability and whose intersection with long-lost Jeremy helps her forge a path to confidence and discover the woman she was always meant to be. Kate’s unputdownable debut recognizes that all human relationships—familial, friendship, romantic—are worth the keen eye and clever insight of her talented pen.” —Rachel McMillan, author of the Van Buren and DeLuca Mysteries

“If you’re looking for a story with sass on top of style, or a fresh voice pumped full of fun, you need to read Love and Other Mistakes. Then after you’ve enjoyed this—and I’m confident you will—make a date with whatever this exciting new author writes next!” —David Rawlings, author of The Baggage Handler

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│iBooks│Kobo│GooglePlay

About the Author

Australian author Jessica Kate is obsessed with sassy romances. 

She packs her novels with love, hate, and everything in between—and then nerds out over her favorite books, movies and TV in the StoryNerds podcast. When she’s not writing or discussing fiction, she’s hunting the world for the greatest pasta in existence.

Her debut novel Love and Other Mistakes releases July 2019, while A Girl’s Guide to the Outback hits shelves in January 2020.

Receive her sassy short The Kiss Dare FREE when you sign up for her newsletter at jessicakatewriting.com. StoryNerds podcast is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and at www.storynerds.podbean.com.

Website│Goodreads│BookBub│Facebook│Twitter│Instagram│Newsletter

Tour Schedule

Two Christian Romances worth reading!

The Governess of Penwythe Hall by Sarah E. Ladd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Regency Romance


Book Description:  Cornwall was in her blood, and Delia feared she’d never escape its hold.

Cornwall, England, 1811
Blamed for her husband’s death, Cordelia Greythorne fled Cornwall and accepted a governess position to begin a new life. Years later her employer’s unexpected death and his last request to watch over his five children force her to reevaluate. She can’t abandon the children now that they’ve lost both parents, but their new guardian lives at the timeworn Penwythe Hall . . . back on the Cornish coast she tries desperately to forget.

Jac Trethewey is determined to revive Penwythe Hall’s once-flourishing apple orchards, and he’ll stop at nothing to see his struggling estate profitable again. He hasn’t heard from his brother in years, so when his nieces, nephews, and their governess arrive unannounced at Penwythe Hall, he battles both grief of this brother’s death and bewilderment over this sudden responsibility. Jac’s priorities shift as the children take up residence in the ancient halls, but their secretive governess—and the mystery shrouding her past—proves to be a disruption to his carefully laid plans.

Rich with family secrets, lingering danger, and the captivating allure of new love, this first book in the Cornwall Novels series introduces us to the Twethewey family and their search for peace, justice, and love on the Cornish coast.


My thoughts: This is a beautiful story of a young woman who has lived through difficult circumstances. It reminds me that life is what you make of it, even when it doesn't go as planned.

Cordelia is a governess to some adorable children who have suffered through the loss of both of their parents. She is the rock that holds the children together and she excels in her role. She has experienced heartache of her own but continues to focus and serve the children rather than get lost in her own grief.

This book had me involved with the plot and characters right from the beginning. I loved the outpouring of acceptance and responsibility the adults showed to the children. They were the heroes with the love they gave the children when they needed it the most. Of course, this story is not all about the children. It is also a slow-moving love story. The timing of events and the progression of the story were perfect. It moved at a perfect pace for me.

Sarah E. Ladd captured the majesty of the sea and I could see myself on the shore with the children discovering the beauty and wonder of seeing it for the first time. She described the joys and frustration of farming and starting a new orchard.

From the beginning, I knew that there was a problem between Cordelia and her in-laws. They did not part on good terms. There was a mystery surrounding her husband's death. I really liked how the story was revealed a little at a time and came to a climax that was very interesting. I was invested from the beginning to the end.

This story contains Christian themes and non-graphic violence.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

 A Reluctant Bride by Jody Hedlund
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Netgalley
Genre:  Historical Fiction

Book Description:  After facing desperate heartache and loss, Mercy agrees to escape a bleak future in London and join a bride ship. Wealthy and titled, Joseph leaves home and takes to the sea as the ships surgeon to escape the pain of losing his family. He has no intention of settling down, but when Mercy becomes his assistant, they must fight against a forbidden love.


My thoughts: Wow! Just wow! This book is beautifully written and captured me from the beginning. It is a lovely love story about learning to trust and recognize love, overcoming social expectations, and the plight of the poor. This is a story that I don't think I will be able to emotionally let go of for a while.

As I read about the living conditions in London during the middle nineteenth century and the conditions on the boat for the poor, I started to think of my own ancestors who made the journey during that time period. I am sure that they traveled in steerage and lived in the less desirable areas. I am filled with greater gratitude for them and the sacrifices they made for themselves and ultimately for me. This book is filled with history and doesn't sugar coat life for the people during that time period.

Jody Hedlund chose fictitious characters and put them in situations that really happened. I couldn't help but love the characters, the setting, and the time period. This book entertained me while opening my eyes to history.

If you love romance and history, this is a book that I would highly recommend. It does contain kissing and Christian themes.

Online Purchase Links:  

Amazon  * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository 

Behind the Light of Golwduyn by Deborah M. Hathaway

Behind the Light of Golowduyn by Deborah M. Hathaway
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Free promo on Kindle
Genre: Historical Fiction

Book Description:  She’s the keeper of Golowduyn Lighthouse. He’s the captain who shipwrecked on her watch. A marriage of convenience can save her home—if secrets don’t destroy it first.

Abigail Moore will do anything to keep Golowduyn Lighthouse shining brightly, even if she must do so alone. When a shipwreck occurs near her home one stormy evening—bringing with it a dashing captain keen to offer his aid at every turn—her days of isolation vanish.

Captain Gavin Kendricks didn’t expect to end his naval career by crashing his ship against the rugged cliffs of Cornwall. When he’s pulled from the sea by the fearless and quick-tempered Miss Moore, a tentative friendship forms between them, and he begins to realize what has been missing from his life.

Before either of them can explore these newfound stirrings, death and deception hit Golowduyn, and Abigail is left with a choice. Either she loses everything she has ever loved, or she marries the captain and accepts his help. Unable to give up the lighthouse, she agrees to the union, and they work together to see that the light does not diminish. But when her childhood secrets are unearthed, and their property falls victim to troubling defacement, their marriage threatens to crumble. Gavin fights to gain her confidence, but only Abigail can forget the crippling memories of her past to trust Gavin with Golowduyn—and her heart. 


My thoughts: This story was enticing. The more I read, the more I wanted to read and find out if Abigail and Gavin would have a "happily-ever-after." The story is made up of some very good people, and some with flaws but are trying to do their best.

Abigail has been doing the work at her Uncle's lighthouse, he was injured and cannot go up and down the stairs to light the lanterns. She is strong and capable of doing work that men would think a woman could not physically perform. The lighthouse is her sanctuary. She was saved from a destitute life when her Uncle brought her there many years before.

She has a strong desire to help the sailors when they are shipwrecked on the shore. She takes it personally that the lighthouse somehow failed them. One particularly stormy night, she rescues Captain Gavin Kendricks and his sailor. From that moment, Gavin feels compelled to help her in any way he can, including offering to marry her when her Uncle passes leaving her penniless and deeply in debt.

This is a love story that begins as a friendship of sorts. Abigail resents Gavin and resists his efforts to help her, but eventually, they begin to realize that they need each other. I don't want to say much more about the plot, because I don't want to give away the angst and danger in the book.

Suffice it to say, I enjoyed this book and plan on reading more from Deborah M. Hataway.

This book contains mild kissing and non-graphic violence.

This book is available for Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon

About the Author: (Taken from Goodreads)  Deborah M. Hathaway graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor's degree in English and an emphasis in Creative Writing. As a young girl, she devoured Jane Austen's novels while watching and re-watching every adaptation of Pride & Prejudice she could entirely capture by all things Regency and romance.

Throughout her life, she wrote many short stories, poems, and essays, but it was not until after her marriage that she was finally able to complete her first romance novel, attributing the completion to her courtship with, and love of, her charming, English husband.

Deborah finds her inspiration for her novels in her everyday experiences with her husband and children and during her travels to the United Kingdom, where she draws on the beauty of the country in such places as Ireland, Yorkshire, and her beloved Cornwall.

She is thrilled to have three novels out and is nearing the completion of her fourth clean romance, which is based, of course, in Cornwall.

Visit her WEBPAGE!

The Redgrave Murders by A.L. Sowards ~ Blog tour with a #giveaway!

The Redgrave Murders by A.L. Sowards
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Received to review
Genre: Historical Fiction/Suspense


Book Description:  Loss is inevitable, as Evie Hampton knows all too well. But despite losing her mother to cancer and her older brother to a war, she knows she’s one of the lucky ones. After all, she still has her father, a distinguished professor of medieval history. And she has Gary Redhawk, the man she loves despite the emotional scars he carries from the Second World War—and despite her father’s opposition to their relationship.

When a freak accident sends Evie’s car careening off the road, she chalks it up to poor maintenance, or sheer bad luck making another appearance in her life. Little does she know a host of hardships is just beginning—the car was her father’s, and the brake lines were deliberately cut. Someone wants them dead—but why? All fingers point to Gary, a man with a troubled past and no solid alibi, but Evie is unwilling to believe he’s involved. Determined to uncover the truth, she begins to piece together a startling picture of deception and vice. But as she closes in on the truth, it is clear that someone is determined to silence her—and the next attempt on her life may be a deadly success.


My thoughts: A.L. Sowards has done it again. She has written a book that I could not put down. I have read seven books written by her and all have been a 4 or 5-star rating. She really is that good.

This story was a different genre, but it was set in the same general time period as some of her books. Usually, she writes war stories, this time she wrote a suspense novel. She used one of the supporting characters in a previous book and it set after he has come home from WWII. He is dealing with PTSD and trying to figure out who is setting him up for murdering his girl-friends father, and then a couple of more people. For a small town that sees little crime, there are several murders. Gary's girlfriend is Evie. The story is mainly told from her perspective. She is in love with a Native American and it was interesting to see the twist in culture and prejudice it causes.

I loved learning some of Evie's family history from the letters from her brother who was killed during the war. A.L Sowards was able to use her historical fiction genius as she told about the war on the Pacific Ocean.

If you haven't read one of her books, YOU SHOULD! I will continue to be a fan and try to pick up a copy of everything she writes. This story does contain non-graphic violence.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Deseret Book

Enter the Tour Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:  (Taken from Amazon)  A.L. Sowards grew up in Moses Lake, Washington, then came to Utah to attend BYU and ended up staying. Now she’s a busy mom with three children and a head full of story ideas. She enjoys reading, writing, learning about history, and eating chocolate, sometimes all at once. As an author, she is known for heart-pounding action, memorable characters, careful historical research, clean romance, and family-friendly language. Her novels include a Whitney Award winner and several Whitney finalists.

For more information, please visit her website, ALSowards.com

The author is having a fun game for the release of her book.  Look at the details below and join in.

The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White ~ I loved this book!

The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Book Description:  Three years into the Great War, England’s greatest asset is their intelligence network—field agents risking their lives to gather information, and codebreakers able to crack every German telegram. Margot De Wilde thrives in the environment of the secretive Room 40, where she spends her days deciphering intercepted messages. But when her world is turned upside down by an unexpected loss, for the first time in her life numbers aren’t enough.

Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by an enemy that just won’t give up. He’s smitten quickly by the too-intelligent Margot, but how to convince a girl who lives entirely in her mind that sometimes life’s answers lie in the heart?

Amidst biological warfare, encrypted letters, and a German spy who wants to destroy not just them, but others they love, Margot and Drake will have to work together to save them all from the very secrets that brought them together.


My thoughts: I loved this book! The characters are wonderful, it is well written, I learned about WWI, and it has suspense and romance. What isn't there to love?

Margot is a woman of numbers. I can't imagine what it would be like to have numbers constantly running through your mind. It makes her a perfect code breaker. Everyday she works on breaking the code on intercepted German intelligence. She is a loner and keeps up emotional walls. It is hard for someone to get inside and when they do, they become someone she treasures. An example is Dot. Dot has her own issues that make it hard to navigate in society. She is an anxious person who has a hard time going outside of her front door. The women understand each other and are amazing friends.

Dot has a handsome brother, Drake, who is a spy. He is working in Spain against the Germans. I loved his adventures. When he is injured and returns home to recover, he and Margot make a formidable team.

This book kept me fascinated from cover to cover. As I stated above, I loved everything about it. I look forward to reading more from this series. This book is Christian fiction, contains non-graphic violence, and sweet romance.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

About the Author: (Taken from Goodreads)  Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. She and her family make their home in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.