Book Review and Blog Tour ~To Win her Hand by Jen Geigle Johnson

 

An expert at winning a woman's hand. A woman who cannot be won.

Lord Featherstone has the world on his shoulders. Or at least his world. With two brothers and

a failing estate he must make funds somehow. But what happens when he falls for a woman?

Will his tactics work when the situation is so close and personal?

Everyone thinks Lady Loveluck is a wealthy widow. What they don't know is that she is on the

brink of hiring herself out as a Governess in order to pay for her next meal. The only thing

keeping her from employment is a growing reputation as a matchmaker. As long as she never

falls for another man, as long as she doesn't allow herself to be fooled into marrying, she will

be just fine.

But she never counted on being caught up in the beguiling tactics of London's renowned and

not so secret matchmaker for men.

My thoughts: Have you read a book by Jen Geigle Johnson? If not, why?

To Win Her Hand has the elements that I love in a Regency romance.  I love banter.    It is definitely one of my favorites.  This book definitely has that.  I love likable and relatable characters.  I love a good story with excellent pacing.  All of the above are found in the pages of this novel.

A male and a female matchmaker make a friendly wager. They both have a client, the one who makes the first match wins. The stakes are high, the loser has to move from London and establish themselves in Bath.  

The matchmakers have finally met their match.  I loved this story. 

Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

~Lisa~

PURCHASE LINKS

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About the Author: Jen Geigle Johnson is an award-winning author, including the GOLD in Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards and LDSPMA Praiseworthy's top award for Romance, 

Jen has more stories circulating in her brain than can possibly be told. She discovered her passion for England while kayaking on the Thames near London as a young teenager. History is her main jam. Her literary heroes include the greats: Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. But she has modern sensibilities as well. 

Six children and an inspiring husband keep her going and make certain she doesn't stay glued to a keyboard or lost in obscure fascinating details of old castles. 

Now, 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.

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PRAISE FOR TO WIN HER HAND

• "I loved the character growth, watching them learn more about the other’s heart and hardships, and the realization that perhaps they had more choices than they first thought. Such a sweet regency. I’m so grateful I had the chance to read this one."— Makayla Branson, Reading Past Bedtime

• “The house party, the quiet moments, the collection of other characters, and much more all combined together made this is delightful read.”— Julie Carpenter, Goodreads

• “Two matchmakers with a wager. What fun for all! [A] heart touching story.”— Shauna Jones, Goodreads

COVER REVEAL ~ A Winter by the Sea by Julie Klassen

 

When the Duke and Duchess of Kent rent neighboring Woolbrook Cottage for the winter, the Summers sisters are called upon to host three of the royal couple's male staff in their seaside house. But they soon realize they've invited mysterious secrets and the sweet possibility of romance into their home.

Meanwhile, Emily Summers approaches a local publisher in hopes of fulfilling her dream of becoming an author. When he turns her down, his dashing competitor promises to consider her novel if she will first write a new Sidmouth guidebook for him. Emily accepts and begins researching with the help of the Duke of Kent's handsome private secretary. But a surprise visitor from her past shows up at Sea View, leaving Emily torn between the desires she used to hold dear and her budding dreams for the future.

Return to the Devonshire coast with the Summers sisters, where loyalties are tested, secrets come to light, and new love emerges.

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS

About the Author:  Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. Her books have sold more than a million copies and she is a three-time recipient of the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also been honored with the Minnesota Book Award, Midwest Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota.

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AUTHOR MESSAGE

Dear Readers,

I am excited to give you an insider’s look at my December 2023 novel, A Winter by the Sea. This is the second book in the On Devonshire Shores series. Book One, The Sisters of Sea View, has been enthusiastically received and reviewed. I am grateful for each of you who helped spread the word about it!

During my research, I learned that the Duke and Duchess of Kent and their baby daughter stayed in Woolbrook Cottage (very near fictional Sea View) during the winter of 1819-1820. I instantly knew I wanted to include them in the novel to give readers a glimpse of the early life of Queen Victoria and her parents. The royal party arrived with too many attendants to accommodate at Woolbrook, so some were lodged elsewhere. I thought it would be fun to have a few staff members stay at Sea View, including a pastry chef who invades their kitchen, a man in desperate straits, and the duke’s handsome private secretary.

It was also interesting to write a seaside novel set during wintertime (it was unusually cold and snowy that year). Because I live in frigid Minnesota, cold weather details and sensations were easy to imagine. 😊

When I began writing this series, I had not yet traveled to Sidmouth, where the series is set. I am happy to say I was able to visit in August 2022 and was thrilled to experience this delightful town in person. The highlight of that trip was meeting the staff and volunteers of the Sidmouth Museum who have been extremely helpful in answering research questions and checking setting details for me.

A Winter by the Sea focuses on beautiful Emily Summers, who finds herself caught up in two rivalries. First, while striving to further her writing aspirations, Emily is torn between her loyalty to a well-established publisher & bookseller and his flamboyant competitor. Second, despite her best intentions, she is attracted to one of their new guests, but an old love comes to town, determined to renew their courtship.

I hope you are eager to return with me to the English seaside for Book Two of the On Devonshire Shores series. Thank you for all you do to support my books, and readers everywhere! 

Gratefully, Julie

COVER REVEAL ~ Royal Rebel by Heather Frost.

A PRINCE fighting to save a princess
A SERJAH torn between duty and desire
A PRINCESS willing to sacrifice everything
A DECOY with nothing to lose
A WORLD about to be torn apart

After his father’s latest punishment, Grayson isn’t at his full strength. Trapped in Ryden and surrounded by enemies, he knows escaping with Mia will be more complicated than anticipated. Tyrell is determined to claim Mia for himself, and Henri’s plans for the rest of Eyrinthia are more horrific than Grayson ever imagined. Despite the increased danger, he and Mia must return to Mortise and warn Desfan of what’s coming—even though it may already be too late.

In Mortise, the palace is still reeling from the brutal attack that left many dead and even more wounded. Regardless of the chaos, Desfan is determined to continue with his coronation. As serjan, he hopes to bring stability to his country and solidify the peace with Devendra. But things in Eyrinthia are always complicated. When Prince Liam reveals they may be facing dangers from old enemies, Desfan will have to decide what kind of ruler he will be.

Devastating news from home has left Clare broken. Despite her heartache, she must once again be Serene’s decoy when a terrifying report sends the princess on an unexpected mission to Zennor. Left at the palace, Clare helps Desfan build trust with the elite in Mortise while guarding a treasonous secret. Because as her grief transforms into a burning desire for vengeance, she is finally ready to embrace a new role—rebel.

Eyrinthia is consumed by uncertainty. Duty. Desire. Sacrifice. Every rebellion has its cost.

I have been looking forward to reading this book for a loooong time.  Heather Frost is one of my go-to authors.  If she writes it, I want to read it. Royal Rebel releases on April 21st.  You can pre-order a copy and get a gift from the author!  Here are the details:

Pre-order ROYAL REBEL (Fate of Eyrinthia #4) in any format, then fill out the form below to receive an exclusive short story: The PRINCESS AND THE NEW BODYGUARD.

About the short story: 

Serene knows things have been strained between her parents since the civil war ended. She hopes a trip to Lambern Lake will bring her family back together. What she doesn’t expect is to grow closer to her new bodyguard, Cardon. Serene is about to learn that one day can irrevocably change the course of a life.

Pre-order Gift Form:
https://forms.gle/M3CPw3Y6RaLLChdw6

 

Cover reveal ~ "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord: A Mystery" by Celeste Connally with a giveaway!

Bridgerton meets Agatha Christie in Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord, a dazzling first entry in a terrific new Regency-era cozy series with a feminist spin.

When Lady Petra Forsyth’s fiancé and soulmate dies just weeks ahead of their wedding,

she makes the shocking proclamation―in front of London’s loosest lips―that she will never

remarry. A woman of independent means, Petra sees no reason to cede her wealth and

freedom to any man now that the love of her life has passed, nor does she intend to become

confined to her country home. Instead, she uses her title to gain access to elite spaces and

enjoy the best of society without expectations.

But when ballroom gossip suggests that a longtime friend has died of “melancholia” while

in the care of a questionable physician, Petra vows to use her status to dig deeper―

uncovering a private asylum where men pay to have their wives and daughters locked away,

or worse. Just as Lady Petra has reason to believe her friend is not dead, but a prisoner, her

own headstrong actions and thirst for independence are used to put her own freedom in

jeopardy.

PURCHASE LINKS

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About the Author: Celeste Connally is an Agatha Award nominee, and a former freelance writer and editor. A lifelong devotee of historical novels and adaptations fueled by her passion for history—plus weekly doses of PBS Masterpiece—Celeste loves reading and writing about women from the past who didn’t always do as they were told.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS 

GIVEAWAY CHANCE

Author Celeste Connally and her publisher Minotaur Books are generously offering a fabulous

giveaway for your readers that you can add to your post and on social media.

Giveaway Details:

Two (2) winners (selected at random by Rafflecopter) will receive one (1) advanced reader’s

paperback copy of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord.  One (1) winner (selected at random by Rafflecopter) will receive one (1) advanced reader’s

paperback copy of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord and a gift prize package containing the following: 

1. A Jane Austen 'Obstinate, Headstrong Girl' mug from the Jane Austen Centre giftshop. 

2. A bookmark, and a bookplate signed by the author.

3. A medley of Harney & Sons teas in various flavors individually wrapped teabags. 

4. A handmade ceramic tea tidy in the shape of a teapot for teabags.

5. A box of English tea biscuits. 

Giveaway period: Open from 12:01 am Pacific time 02/22/23 until 11:59pm Pacific time on 03/19/23.

Terms & Conditions:

The giveaway is hosted by Celeste Connally and Minotaur Books. No purchase is necessary.

Entrants must be 18 years or older. Open to US residents only. All information will remain

confidential and will not be sold or otherwise used, except to notify the winner and to facilitate

postage of the books and prizes to the winners. Void where prohibited. One giveaway item per

eligible entrant. 

Announcement of Winner: 

Visit author Celeste Connally’s website on March 20, 2023, to see if you won one of the three prizes.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Miss Newbury's Lisa by Megan Walker #bookreview #regencyromance

 

Miss Newbury's List by Megan Walker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Source:  Received to Review

Genre:  Regency Romance

Book Description:  Before Rosalind weds, she wants to experience ten things. Meeting Charlie wasn’t on her list.

England, 1820

Rosalind Newbury is counting down the days until her wedding to the Duke of Marlow, a man she has only met twice, and she knows exactly how she wants to spend her time. As a child, Ros created a list of ten things to do before her wedding day. So far, she has done none of them.

She is determined to tackle each item, though she’ll have to accomplish them all in secret. After all, a soon-to-be-duchess is not usually allowed to bury treasure in the pasture, eat sweets all day, or learn how to swim. She enlists the help of her best friend, Liza, who brings along her cousin, Charlie, a prodigal son-turned-boxer who has come to the countryside to mend his reputation and learn how to be his father’s heir.

Together, the three of them work to complete the list, and as each item is crossed off, an unlikely friendship blossoms between Ros and Charlie. The more time they spend together, the more Ros falls in love with this imperfect man and his good heart.

With the wedding looming, Ros must decide to either admit her romantic feelings for Charlie and risk her family’s future, or keep her promise to marry the duke and start a new life as a noblewoman.

My thoughts: Miss Newbury is getting married to a Duke that she hardly knows. Her family has longed for a title to come into the family. It will help with her younger brother's prospects and give them a bit of respectability. She is being traded for a parcel of land that the Duke wants back as part of his estate.

Rosalind is perfectly happy with this arrangement until her best friend returns to the country after a season in London. She remembers that she has a list of things she wants to accomplish before her wedding and seeks the help of her friend and her friend's cousin to complete the tasks.

Some of the goals need the help of another. She quickly finds that learning to swim is not something she should do on her own. Fortunately, Charlie is able to swim and rescues her from drowning. They become friends as he helps her with the list. It doesn't take long for her to figure out that a loveless arranged marriage is not something she wants.

This story was a joy to read. I loved, loved, loved Charlie and Rosalind. I also adored Rosalind's younger brother who will do all in his power to protect her reputation. Including beating up a pugilist who never loses.

For a while, it appeared that there would not be a HEA in her future. She has to find a way for love to conquer all without ruining her family.

Source: I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley.  All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Deseret Book * Seagull Book

About the Author:  Megan Walker was raised on a berry farm in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where her imagination took her to times past and worlds away. While earning her degree in Early Childhood Education, she married her one true love and started a family. But her imaginings of Regency England wouldn't leave her alone, so she picked up a pen. And the rest is history. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband and three children.

Meriden Park by Julie Daines - A Delightful Robin Hood Retelling

 

Meriden Park by Julie Daines
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Source:  Received to Review

Genre: Historical Fiction/Retelling

Book Description: Following her childhood rescue from the gutters of Calcutta, Mary Grace has lived an astonishing rags-to-riches tale. The Wellings raised the half-Indian orphan with all the love and care the childless couple possessed, allowing her to grow into a beautiful and refined woman. But upon Mr. Welling's death, it is time for Mrs. Welling to take Mary home to England- home to Meriden Park.

Despite her genial nature, Mary is received with suspicion by the villagers. For his part, however, Mr. Robert Markham is intrigued by the curious new beauty in town. Determined to make her acquaintance, he offers Mary a bargain she can't
refuse: a hot cross bun for a kiss. That seemingly innocent exchange is the first of many encounters between Robert and Mary, whose friendship blossoms into love during long walks in the privacy of Sherwood Forest. But the shadows of the forest hide a sinister secret, one Mary fears Robert might be a part of. As the mystery of the recent string of murders creeps closer and closer, Robert and Mary are drawn into a dangerous game, and unless she can unearth the truth, the couple risks losing one another forever.

My thoughts:  I have always been fascinated with the legend of Robin Hood. How could I help not loving a hero that robs the rich to give to those truly in need?

Meriden Park is a welcome addition to the spirit of the legend. Robert Markham is a fantastic male MC. He loves Robin and all he stood for. He introduces the newest resident, Mary Grace, to the legend. It is helpful that she lives next to Sherwood Forrest. It adds to the mystery of the story. Someone is killing people in the forest. Mary Grace had the misfortune to run across a victim and put her life in danger.

I loved the interplay between Mary and Robert. During that time period, they would be an unlikely pair. She is from India and he is an Englishman. Robert was a hero to me when he saw Mary for the smart and beautiful woman she was. Their first meeting will always be a favorite of mine. He offered hot-cross buns for a kiss. I really don't think that either of them thought they were in earnest when she accepted. I believe that I was grinning from ear to ear. This event set the tone for their future interactions and the playfulness of their mutual attraction.

Julie Daines did a wonderful job of keeping an element of mystery running throughout the novel. While setting the stage for one of the villains. she was able to add twists that left me surprised at others.

I really enjoyed the book.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Deseret Book * Seagull Book

About the Author: Julie Daines is an award-winning and best-selling author. She was born in Concord, Massachusetts, and was raised in Utah. She spent eighteen months living in London, where she studied and fell in love with English literature, sticky toffee pudding, and the mysterious guy who ran the kebab store around the corner.

She loves reading, writing, and watching movies—anything that transports her to another world. She picks Captain Wentworth over Mr. Darcy, firmly believes in second breakfast, and never leaves home without her vervain.

Visit her WEBPAGE.