I have been a fan of books by Erica Vetsch since I read my first one. It is a given that I want them all permanently on my bookshelf. I am particularly enjoying her Serendipity & Secrets series and The Gentleman Spy met my every expectation and beyond.
The characters have a mind of their own and definitely do not adhere to the usual stereotypes. A hero who is too involved with his career and has his life carefully regimented to keep every aspect of it separate, suddenly finds himself in need of a wife. Naturally he believes he can conveniently place her in her own special spot and go on with his life. Yeah, right! Even his friends found that laughable. Our heroine has been under the thumb of a very controlling father her entire life, a father who would like to marry her off as soon as possible because she tends to think for herself and has difficulty keeping her mouth shut. How embarrassing is that when you would like to protect your impeccable image for society?
As you might have guessed, these two find themselves with wedding plans but nothing goes quite as expected. That is really where the fun begins. It would be easy to share more details but why ruin your enjoyment? You need to read The Gentleman Spy for yourself. Witty and romantic, this book offers an enjoyable journey back to Regency England. I would also recommend picking up a copy of The Lost Lieutenant as well.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author’s influencer team. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
He only wanted a duchess for a day–but she’s determined to make it a marriage for life. When his father and older brother suddenly pass away, the new Duke of Haverly is saddled with a title he never expected to bear. To thwart the plans of his scheming family, the duke impulsively marries a wallflower. After all, she’s meek and mild; it should be easy to sequester her in the country and get on with his life–as a secret agent for the Crown.
But his bride has other ideas. She’s determined to take her place not only as his duchess but as his wife. As a duchess, she can use her position to help the lowest of society–the women forced into prostitution because they have no skills or hope. Her endeavors are not met favorably in society, nor by her husband who wishes she’d remain in the background as he ordered.
Can the duke succeed in relegating her to the sidelines of his life? When his secrets are threatened with exposure, will his new wife be an asset or a liability?
Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling author and ACFW Carol Award winner, and has been a Romantic Times top pick for her previous books. She loves Jesus, history, romance, and watching sports. This transplanted Kansan now makes her home in Rochester, Minnesota. Learn more about Erica at www.ericavetsch.com.
Although I was a bit slow getting into this story, it developed into quite the interesting read. It is a tale of ambition to the exclusion of everything else – that is until circumstances intervened to reveal that there might just be more to life than ambition and monetary gain. The plot of Line by Line also contains jealousy, deception, revenge, unobtrusive faith, and of course romance.
Both Alice and Douglas are bright and ambitious characters who excel at their jobs and dream of independence and of proving themselves to their peers and families. I loved seeing all their plans becoming upended and how they both learned that some things are more important than their dreams for the future.
I enjoyed learning more about the history of telegraphy and its importance to business before telephones became common. It was fun to watch the relationship develop between Alice and Douglas. A touch of mystery kept things interesting and some bits of humor kept it entertaining. I particularly liked seeing a certain character get what he had coming. Line by Line is definitely a book readers will want to add to their list.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required.All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Can her dreams of independence withstand a dash of love?
Since she was young, Alice McNeil has seen a career as a telegrapher as the best use for her keen and curious mind. Years later, she doesn’t regret her freedom in foregoing marriage, especially when she acquires a coveted position at an important trading firm. But when the company’s ambitious junior director returns to London, things begin to change in ways Alice could never have imagined.
For Douglas Shaw, years of hard work and ingenuity enabled him to escape a life of grinding poverty. He’s now determined to marry into high society–a step that will ensure he never returns to the conditions of his past.
He immediately earns Alice’s respect by judging her based on her skills and not her gender, and a fast camaraderie forms. However, when Alice accidentally angers a jealous coworker and his revenge threatens both their reputations, Alice and Douglas are forced to confront what is truly important in their lives. Will their growing bond give them the courage to see the future in a different light?
Jennifer Delamere’s (www.jenniferdelamere.com) debut Victorian romance, An Heiress at Heart, was a 2013 RITA Award finalist in the inspirational category. Her follow-up novel, A Lady Most Lovely, received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and the Maggie Award for Excellence from Georgia Romance Writers. Jennifer earned a BA in English from McGill University in Montreal, where she became fluent in French and developed an abiding passion for winter sports. She’s been an editor of nonfiction and educational materials for nearly two decades, and lives in North Carolina with her husband.
When I began the first book of The Leeward Islands series, Lorri Dudley was an unknown author to me. I immediately became a fan and with each subsequent addition to the series have become even more enthralled with her books. She has definitely earned a permanent place on my must read authors list.
The Sugar Baron’s Ring could possibly be my favorite of the series simply because of the witty dialogue between hero Bradlee and his friend Colin. I loved their sense of humor and the way that Hannah found it difficult to suppress her giggles around them. All three characters were wonderful! Hannah was brave, helpful, caring, and forgiving despite her unfortunate circumstances. Bradlee was an honorable man who also learned to overcome his own weaknesses and become the man God created him to be.
I loved how the entire plot played out and the parallels of a father’s love for his children to the love of God for His own. The Sugar Baron’s Ring is a wonderful story that I highly recommend. I look forward to more books by Lorri Dudley and hope for more about the Leeward Islands.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Wild Heart Books and Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
A ring is her only tie to a distant homeland, until a marooned Englishman anchors her heart.
Hannah Rose Barrington is the island misfit. Orphaned at a young age, Hannah struggles to provide for her future, while her guardian, a weak-hearted island drunk, bleeds Hannah of her father’s inheritance. Caught between the classes of elite planters and white beggars, Hannah yearns to find a place to belong.
University life has never been Bradlee Granville’s forte. His only hope to graduate is to impress his professors by documenting his travels. After claiming unforeseeable circumstances, he delays his final exams and sets out early on his Grand Tour. However, when his ship wrecks off the coast of the Leeward Islands, Bradlee is left without means to return to England, a mounting deadline, and ruined journals.
When Hannah rescues passengers from a ship breaking apart in the bay, she’s unexpectedly drawn to the witty charm of one of the men. Helping him settle into island life will be a pleasure. However, as creditors, like sharks, begin to circle and her guardian’s desperation becomes life threatening, Hannah finds herself in need of rescue. Will Bradlee look past her pitiful situation to see who she truly is—the sugar baron’s daughter?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lorri Dudley has been a finalist in numerous writing contests and has a master’s degree in Psychology. She lives in Ashland, Massachusetts with her husband and three teenage sons, where writing romance allows her an escape from her testosterone filled household. Find her online at www.lorridudley.com.
MORE FROM LORRI:
The Sugar Baron’s Ring is the third book in the Leeward Island series. My heroine is caught between social classes as the daughter of a sugar baron and an impoverished white beggar since her guardian sold her inheritance to pay his debts. To generate the feeling of being a misfit, I delved back to those awkward years of middle and high school, where we often struggle to discover where we belong. Before my senior year, my family and I moved to New England for a job change. I’d had a great group of friends at my old school, but at my new school, I was a stranger—an outsider—trying to find acceptance, much like Hannah.
Bradlee, the hero, on the other hand, was fashioned in a completely different manner. At my house, the slang terms “bruh” and “noob” are tossed around by my three boys, along with constant fraternal teasing. A lot of their sarcastic wit and camaraderie are portrayed through Bradlee and his grand tour companion, Colin. Their light-hearted banter depicts the tight bonds of a deep relationship where faults may be mocked, but offenses are overlooked, and if ever in trouble, they have each other’s backs. Hannah is drawn to Bradlee, craving a similar connection but loses her heart to him in the process.
The first opening scene came about because my family loves Discovery Channel’s Shark Week. After binge-watching practically every episode, I knew my hero and heroine would meet under the duress of a shiny, steel-gray fin plowing through the water. (Queue the Jaws theme song.) However, our resourceful heroine contains the strength to rescue the hero as opposed to the other way around.
All these things, being a misfit, teasing, and shark attacks, playout in a grander scheme to show how God never leaves us nor forsakes us. He’s laying out the pieces of our happily-ever-after while developing our character and purpose. The Sugar Baron’s Ring demonstrates how God’s light shines bright even in the darkness.
I don’t remember ever having read a novel by Cindy K. Sproles but after reading What Momma Left Behind I will be sure to read more. Worie Dressar’s story begins shortly after tragedy has struck her young life. From that point on Worie faces one difficult situation after another but is supported by several characters who play a major role in her life and spiritual development.
This novel was both touching and encouraging as Worie learned how to trust others and grew to trust the Lord also. I loved seeing how she matured as she followed her compassionate heart for all the orphaned children her mother had been caring for. A touch of mystery and a bit of action added depth to this engaging tale that offered more than one surprise along the way. The narrative is jam-packed with so many quotable passages that it would be difficult to choose a favorite.
Readers who love a story that pulls at their heart strings will love this latest novel by Cindy K. Sproles.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In the face of overwhelming obstacles, she’ll need courage, grit, and a tender heart
Worie Dressar is seventeen years old when influenza and typhoid ravage her Appalachian Mountain community in 1877, leaving behind a growing number of orphaned children with no way to care for themselves. Worie’s mother has been secretly feeding several of these little ones on Sourwood Mountain. But when tragedy strikes, Worie is left to figure out why and how she was caring for them.
Plagued with two good-for-nothing brothers–one greedy and the other a drunkard–Worie must fight to save her home and the children now in her begrudging care. Along the way, she discovers the beauty of unconditional love and the power of forgiveness as she cares for all of Momma’s children.
Cindy K. Sproles is the cofounder of Christian Devotions Ministries. An author, storyteller, and popular speaker, Cindy teaches at writers conferences across the country and directs the Asheville Christian Writers Conference in North Carolina. Editor of ChristianDevotions.us and managing editor for Straight Street Books and SonRise Devotionals, Cindy has a BA in business and journalism and lives in the mountains of East Tennessee with her family.
I love Elizabeth Camden’s novels with their unique and often personal glimpse of history. The Spice King, first book in her Hope of Glory series left me hungry for the next book and A Gilded Lady certainly did not disappoint. It is such a treat for each of the Delacroix siblings to be featured in a book of their own.
Sister Caroline is the featured sibling in A Gilded Lady. I will admit that I did not like her very much at first but like Nathaniel Trask, I was soon able to see past her outer façade to the loyal and caring person she often kept hidden from the public. Nathaniel was also a bit of a cold fish at first with his stiff, serious demeanor and his dedication to duty. What fun it was to observe the changes in each of them over the course of their relationship. Of course it was inevitable that the two would be thrown together and for some inexplicable reason find the love of their life in each other.
Along with a developing romance, readers are served a wonderful behind the scenes peek into life in the White House during the McKinley Presidency, especially how hard the staff works in order to keep things running smoothly and the difficulties involved in protecting the President and his family. The contrast between security during the McKinley era and the present day was amazing. Of course any book by Camden would not be complete without a bit of danger and/or intrigue to round it out. A Gilded Lady definitely met the criteria with several surprises along the way.
I am an admitted lover of book covers, especially those that are creative and well done. I was particularly impressed by the way the cover designer created the covers to fit together so well. You can get an idea by looking at the covers side by side at http://elizabethcamden.com/books-by-elizabeth-camden/. Then be sure to pick up copies of both books if you can. You will not be disappointed.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author through Bethany House. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Caroline Delacroix is at the pinnacle of Washington high society in her role as secretary to the First Lady of the United States. But beneath the facade of her beauty, glamorous wardrobe, and dazzling personality, she’s hiding a terrible secret. If she cannot untangle a web of foreign espionage, her brother will face execution for treason.
Nathaniel Trask is the newly appointed head of the president’s Secret Service team. He is immediately attracted to Caroline’s quick wit and undeniable charm, but his job leaves no room for distractions. Anarchist plots have led to mounting threats against the president, forcing him to put duty before his growing love for Caroline.
Amid the glamorous pageantry of Gilded Age Washington, DC, Caroline and Nathaniel face danger and heartbreak that shakes them to their core and tests all they know about love and sacrifice.
Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Ginger Murray Photography
Elizabeth Camden (www.elizabethcamden.com) is best known for her historical novels set in Gilded Age America, featuring clever heroines and richly layered storylines. Before she was a writer, she was an academic librarian at some of the largest and smallest libraries in America, but her favorite is the continually growing library in her own home. Her novels have won the RITA and Christy Award and have appeared on the CBA bestsellers list. She lives in Orlando, Florida, with her husband, who graciously tolerates her intimidating stockpile of books.
Jen Turano has remained as one of my must read authors since her very first book. I am pretty certain that I have read them all and always recommend them to those who enjoy a bit of humor and suspense with their historical romance.
Once again this author has shared another of her signature tales with readers and once again I reached the final page with great satisfaction. As always, the plot is well paced with lovable, eccentric characters that will steal readers’ hearts. Plenty of witty dialogue that sometimes borders on bickering and some well placed slapstick humor added to my enjoyment. I loved being able to escape our pandemic quarantine for a few hours and spend time with Beatrix, Norman, Theo, Aunt Gladys, and the other fine characters who populate this tale. There are even several cats as well as Mort the mule who steal a few scenes.
Obviously Storing Up Trouble is another boy gets girl story but what fun is to had along the way. It was fun getting to know Beatrix with her kind and giving heart even though she did have a tendency towards mishaps. I also loved Norman who was so very eccentric and self-centered but became aware of his shortcomings through his friendship with Beatrix. And speaking of friendships, I loved Theo and how she blossomed throughout the book, mostly due to the influence of Beatrix and Aunt Gladys.
I could elaborate more but this is one book readers will want to read for themselves. It would be so difficult to avoid spoilers if I continue. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy ASAP.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author and Bethany House Publishers. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Miss Beatrix Waterbury’s Chicago-bound train ride is interrupted by a heist, Mr. Norman Nesbit, a man of science who believes his research was the target of the heist, comes to her aid. Despite the fact that they immediately butt heads, they join forces to make a quick escape.
Upon her arrival in Chicago, Beatrix is surprised to discover her supposedly querulous Aunt Gladys shares her own suffragette passions. Encouraged by Gladys to leave her sheltered world, Beatrix begins working as a salesclerk at the Marshall Field and Company department store. When she again encounters Norman on a shopping expedition, he is quickly swept up in the havoc she always seems to attract.
But when another attempt is made to part Norman from his research papers, and it becomes clear Beatrix’s safety is also at risk, they soon discover the curious way feelings can grow between two very different people in the midst of chaos.
Named One of the Funniest Voices in Inspirational Romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today Best-Selling Author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publisher Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. When she’s not writing, she spends her time outside of Denver, CO. She can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor/ or visit her on the web at www.jenturano.com. She is represented by the Natasha Kern Literary Agency.
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Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling author and ACFW Carol Award winner, and has been a Romantic Times top pick for her previous books. She loves Jesus, history, romance, and watching sports. This transplanted Kansan now makes her home in Rochester, Minnesota. Learn more about Erica at www.ericavetsch.com.
Jennifer Delamere’s (
Lorri Dudley has been a finalist in numerous writing contests and has a master’s degree in Psychology. She lives in Ashland, Massachusetts with her husband and three teenage sons, where writing romance allows her an escape from her testosterone filled household. Find her online at 
Cindy K. Sproles is the cofounder of Christian Devotions Ministries. An author, storyteller, and popular speaker, Cindy teaches at writers conferences across the country and directs the Asheville Christian Writers Conference in North Carolina. Editor of ChristianDevotions.us and managing editor for Straight Street Books and SonRise Devotionals, Cindy has a BA in business and journalism and lives in the mountains of East Tennessee with her family.
