Romance | Daysong Reflections

Flights of Fancy by Jen Turano – Celebrate Lit Tour

by admin | Jan 12, 2019 | Books, Historical, Humor, Romance

MY REVIEW:

Oh my! Jen Turano has done it again. Somehow she always manages to combine a truly memorable romance with one hilarious, witty scene after another, as well as inject just the right amount of mystery. I love her characters with the delightfully quaint names given the heroine and other females. Heroes are always swoon-worthy and readers will usually find at least one thoroughly detestable person in the mix. The addition of charming children and rambunctious pets sends the story over the top.

I loved everything about Flights of Fancy. It was such fun observing pampered heiress Isadora pretend to be a housekeeper. As readers can imagine, her chores were filled with mostly humorous mishaps that were often witnessed by the handsome hero Ian. Witnessing Isadora’s transformation from a spoiled, self-absorbed lady to one who cared about others and learned to depend on the Lord was very gratifying.

Flights of Fancy is a fun, romantic tale devoid of objectionable scenes or language. I would not hesitate to allow a teen daughter to read it.

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:

Title: Flights of Fancy

Author: Jen Turano

Genre: Christian Historical Romance, Gilded Age

Release date: January 1, 2019

Publisher: Bethany House

Miss Isadora Delafield may be an heiress, but her life is far from carefree. When her mother begins pressuring her to marry an elderly and uncouth duke, she escapes from the high society world she’s always known and finds herself to be an unlikely candidate for a housekeeper position in rural Pennsylvania.

Mr. Ian MacKenzie is known for his savvy business sense and has built his reputation and fortune completely on his own merits. But when his adopted parents are in need of a new housekeeper and Isadora is thrown into his path, he’s unexpectedly charmed by her unconventional manner.

Neither Isadora nor Ian expected to find the other so intriguing, but when mysterious incidents on the farm and the truth of Isadora’s secret threaten those they love, they’ll have to set aside everything they thought they wanted for a chance at happy-ever-after.
Click here to order your copy!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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.

GUEST POST FROM JEN:

Q & A With Jen Turano

“Flights of Fancy” is the first book in the American Heiress Series. What inspired you to write this series?

The inspiration for this entire series started off with a What If? All of my proposals for new series start off that way, and this time it was – What if Consuelo Vanderbilt had balked when her mother insisted she marry the Duke of Marlborough – and then that led to – What if she’d run away until her mother came to her senses? Just like that, an entire series was born – a bit of a different take on American heiresses because in all three books, my heiresses might decide to go a tad…rogue. We start off with Miss Isadora Delafield – who does run off to avoid marriage to a duke, then we get to meet Miss Poppy Garrison, who is an unexpected heiress but who can’t quite seem to get a handle on the expected social decorum of the day, and then the final book revolves around Miss Beatrix Waterbury – who gets banished to Chicago after she annoys her mother one too many times, and once there, well, gets up to a bit of mischief.

How do you come up with the names of your characters?

I find most of my names as I research the New York Four-Hundred, although I normally take a first name here, a last name there so I’m not stepping on any toes by writing about an actual historical figure – except for some of the main figures in New York society back then, such as Mr. Ward McAllister – who was the social arbiter of the day, or Mrs. William Astor, who was the queen of that society. What I don’t do is simply make up names, no matter how outrageous they may appear. And, no matter how I may love a certain name, if the character decides it doesn’t suit them, that’s it, it’s out and I’m back to the drawing board.

How do you picture your character? Do you use Pinterest, magazines, movies?

Odd as this may seem, I don’t use pictures for my characters. They start off in my mind as a blurry figure, and then, they develop from there – I like to keep my descriptions of them somewhat vague on the pages so that the reader can imagine them exactly the way they’d like them to be.

What are some of your favorite resources for historical research?

I’ve been building up a research library over the past few years and now have over 200 books dedicated to the Gilded Age. My favorites are – “A Season of Splendor” by Greg King, “Society as I Have Found It” by Ward McAllister, “The Gilded Age in New York – 1870-1910” by Esther Crain, and “ ‘King Lehr’ and the Gilded Age” by Elizabeth Drexel Lehr.

The setting for “Flights of Fancy” is a bit of a departure for you since it’s set in and outside of Pittsburgh. Any reason for that?

My mom was born in Pittsburgh, and unfortunately, her father, a prominent attorney back in the day, died when she was only four. I thought it would be cool to set a story in Pittsburgh, which would then allow me to really dive into some research. And get this – while I was doing that research, I found this obscure journal called “Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. In that journal was a bit about my great-grandfather, Fred, his wife, Susie, my grandfather, and his brother and sister, but I’d never heard about this brother, who apparently died quite young. One of the most fabulous research tidbits I’ve uncovered to date.

What are you working on now?

I’ve just recently turned in the content edits for the second book in this series, “Diamond in the Rough,” and I’ve also turned in a novella about the Harvey Girls that will be coming out in a novella collection in Fall, 2019. With those out of the way, I’m now starting the third and final book in the American Heiress series, Miss Beatrix Waterbury’s story, but I’m having a bit of a struggle with the hero at the moment – he was supposed to be Edward, but he doesn’t want to be an Edward – I think he wants to be Norman – but, time will tell on that one – don’t hold me to the name – it’ll depend on if he changes his mind or not – pesky characters.

You seem to enjoy adding animals in many of your stories. Will we find any animals in “Flights of Fancy?”

Since Miss Isadora Delafield ends up on a farm, I do believe you will find a few animals, such as an adorable cow by the name of Buttercup, a few goats that seem to have a great liking for laundry, and…there might be some chickens.

Thanks for stopping by today, everyone! Always enjoy visiting with all of you – in fact, that’s the best part of my job!

All the best,

~ Jen ~

BLOG STOPS:

The Avid Reader, January 10

Among the Reads, January 10

Through the Fire, January 10

To Everything A Season, January 10

Reflections From My Bookshelves, January 11

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 11

Blogging With Carol, January 11

Southern Gal loves to Read, January 11

Back Porch Reads, January 12

KarenSueHadley, January 12

Godly Book Reviews, January 12

Daysong Refections, January 12

Livin Lit, January 13

Stories By Gina, January 15

God’s Little Bookworm, January 16

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, January 16

Splashes of Joy, January 16

Janices book reviews, January 16

Happily Managing A Household of Boys, January 17

Bibliophile Reviews, January 17

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 18

Baker Kella, January 18

Simple Harvest Reads, January 18 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 19

Captive Dreams Window, January 19

Robin is Bookish, January 19

Carpe Diem, January 19

Have A Wonderful Day, January 20

Life with the Tribe, January 20

Inklings and Notions, January 20

Rachel’s Back Talk, January 21

Inspiration Clothesline, January 21

Mary Hake, January 17

Maureen’s Musings, January 17

The Christian Fiction Girl, January 13

The Becca Files, January 13

Texas Book-aholic, January 13

Rebekah’s Quill, January 14

Blossoms and Blessings, January 14

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, January 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 14

All-of-a-kind Mom, January 15

Just the Write Escape, January 15

amandainpa, January 21

A Baker’s Perspective, January 21

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 22

Pause for Tales, January 22

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, January 22

Raining Butterfly Kisses, January 23

Live Love Read, January 23

A Rup Life, January 23

Bigreadersite, January 23

GIVEAWAY:

To celebrate her tour, Jen is giving away a grand prize of a trunk filled with all of Jen’s full-length novels released to date!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/d8d1/flights-of-fancy-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Lieutenant’s Bargain by Regina Jennings

by admin | Jan 11, 2019 | Books, Historical, Native American, Romance, Western, Western Fort

MY REVIEW:

I thoroughly enjoyed The Lieutenant’s Bargain, the charming second installment in Regina Jennings’ Fort Reno Series. The story started quickly with the stage that is supposed to deliver Hattie Walker safely to Denver robbed and leaving everyone but Hattie dead. Rescued by Indians, then rescued again by someone from her past, Hattie is not at all happy with how her life is going. Determined to find her way to Denver before it is too late to enter a painting in an exhibition, she chafes at being confined to Fort Reno but agrees to a bargain with Lieutenant Hennessey. She can’t wait to leave but will he manage to change her mind?

With a balanced blend of light-hearted moments, historical facts, a bit of action, danger, and mystery, plus the expected romance, The Lieutenant’s Bargain was everything I hoped it would be. It was fun to witness the spiritual and personal growth of both Hattie and Jack. The author’s vivid imagery almost made me feel as if I were there experiencing everything along with Hattie. I loved touching base again with Daniel and Louisia from the first book of the series, Holding the Fort and learning how their life together was going. Reading this book was such fun but it also gave me food for thought about how we view others.

The Lieutenant’s Bargain is a must read if you enjoy your history mixed with a touch of faith, romance, and humor. I can’t wait for the next book in the series and am hoping it features Louisa’s brother

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author and Bethany House. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

She Was Supposed to Be Gaining Independence.
What She Found Was Even Better . . .

Hattie Walker dreams of becoming a painter, but her parents want her to settle down. As a compromise, they give her two months to go to Denver and place her works in an exhibition. Her journey is derailed when a gunman attacks her stagecoach, leaving her to be rescued by a group of Arapaho . . . but she’s too terrified to recognize them as friendly.

Confirmed bachelor Lieutenant Jack Hennessey has long worked with the tribe and is tasked with trying to convince them that the mission school at Fort Reno can help their children. When a message arrives about a recovered survivor, Jack heads out to retrieve her–and plead his case with the chief once more.

He’s stunned to run into Hattie Walker, the girl who shattered his heart years ago, but quickly realizes he has a chance to impress her. When his plan gets tangled through translation, Jack and Hattie end up in a mess that puts her dreams in peril and threatens to destroy his life’s work.

Read an excerpt here.

Purchase a copy here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a minor in history. She’s the winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award, a two-time Golden Quill finalist and a finalist for the Oklahoma Book of the Year Award. Regina has worked at the Mustang News and at First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She lives outside of Oklahoma City with her husband and four children and can be found online at www.reginajennings.com.

Flights of Fancy by Jen Turano

by admin | Jan 10, 2019 | Books, Historical, Humor, Romance

MY REVIEW:

Flights of Fancy is a fun, romantic tale devoid of objectionable scenes or language. I would not hesitate to allow a teen daughter to read it.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author through Bethany House Publishing. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Miss Isadora Delafield may be an heiress, but her life is far from carefree. When her mother begins pressuring her to marry an elderly and uncouth duke, she escapes from the high-society world she’s always known and finds herself an unlikely candidate for a housekeeper position in rural Pennsylvania.

Mr. Ian MacKenzie is known for his savvy business sense and has built his reputation and fortune completely through traditional hard work. But when his adopted parents are in need of a new housekeeper and Isadora is thrown into his path, he’s unexpectedly charmed by her unconventional manner.

Neither Isadora nor Ian expected to find the other so intriguing, but when a chain of mysterious incidents on the farm point to a larger threat, they’ll have to set aside everything they thought they wanted for a chance at happy-ever-after.

Read an excerpt here.

Purchase a copy here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jen Turano, the USA Today bestselling author of eleven books and two novellas, is a graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in clothing and textiles. She is a member of ACFW and lives in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. Visit her website at www.jenturano.com.

Bound Heart By Laura Frantz

by admin | Jan 3, 2019 | Books, Colonial America, Historical, Romance, Scotland

MY REVIEW:

What an amazing book! I found myself so engrossed in the story that I pretty much neglected everything else. A Bound Heart is the kind of historical tale that avid readers would love to see acted out on screen – as long as it remained true to the written story. Honestly, this book would make an epic movie filled with lush scenery and a star-crossed narrative that extends from the rugged shores of Scotland across the Atlantic to the New World.

I loved this story of two childhood friends who grew up together on a Scottish island, separated as adults by their stations in life. Despite her soft heart for Magnus, Lark knew her place and endeavored to serve both him and his wife well. Magnus too was circumspect in his dealings with Lark. At the death of Magnus’ wife, Lark found herself accused of her murder and Magnus’ attempt to defend her sent them both to prison and then to Virginia as indentured servants, a situation that could have ended in death for either or both of them.

It was inspiring to read how time and time again, what may have seemed to be coincidence could only have been Divine intervention that showed each of them favor. To say more would reveal more than I would like. Just be assured that if you love Christian historical fiction, you DO NOT want to miss A Bound Heart.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Though Magnus MacLeish and Lark MacDougall grew up on the same castle grounds, Magnus is now laird of the great house and the Isle of Kerrera. Lark is just the keeper of his bees–and the woman who could provide an elixir to help his ailing wife conceive and bear him an heir. But when his wife dies suddenly, Magnus and Lark find themselves caught up in a whirlwind of accusations, expelled from their beloved island, and sold as indentured servants across the Atlantic. Can they make a new beginning in this New World? Or will their hopes be dashed against the rocky coastline of the Virginia colony?

Laura Frantz’s prose sparkles with authenticity as she digs into her own family history to share this breathless tale of love, exile, and courage in colonial America.

“An epic journey of faith and love wrought through hardship.”—Julie Klassen, bestselling author

“From start to finish, A Bound Heart is an absorbing, tenderhearted story about the grace of second chances.”–Lori Benton, author of Many Sparrows and the Christy Award-winning Burning Sky

“A Bound Heart keeps you riveted until you’ve turned the last page. Highly recommended!”–Michelle Griep, award-winning author of The Captured Bride

“A soaring tale. With her trademark attention to detail and lush imagery, Laura Frantz takes readers on an unforgettable journey certain to stir the soul.”–Jocelyn Green, Christy Award-winning author of Between Two Shores

Purchase a copy HERE.

Read an excerpt HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Laura Frantz is a Christy Award finalist and the ECPA bestselling author of several books, including The Frontiersman’s Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Colonel’s Lady, and The Lacemaker. She lives and writes in a log cabin in the heart of Kentucky. Learn more at www.laurafrantz.net.

In the Shadow of Croft Towers by Abigail Wilson

by admin | Dec 28, 2018 | Books, England, Historical, Mystery, Regency, Romance

MY REVIEW:

Abigail Wilson is another debut author I plan to keep my eyes on. Her first novel In the Shadow of Croft Towers is an excellent and promising start to a possible long career as author.

Vivid imagery, intriguing characters, and ample mystery and plot twists kept me turning the pages until the end. The brooding atmosphere is the perfect setting for this novel filled with secrets, spies, smugglers, and murder where no one is quite whom they seem. A touch of romance is welcome but even that is wrought with mystery. Surprising revelations and a dramatic climax brought the book to a satisfying conclusion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel with its Gothic tone and look forward to more offerings from this talented new author.

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:

Book: In the Shadow of Croft Towers

Author: Abigail Wilson

Genre: Historical fiction, romantic suspense

Release Date: January 15, 2019

From debut author Abigail Wilson comes a mysterious Regency tale of secrets and spies, love and treachery.

Orphaned Sybil Delafield jumps at the opportunity for a position at the mysterious Croft Towers. She believes she was hired to act as companion to a dying woman, but a highway robbery and a hostile welcome from the Chalcroft family cause her to wonder if she was actually hired to help someone spy for France.

An unsolved murder adds intrigue to this already secretive family, and Sybil recognizes Mrs. Chalcroft’s handsome grandson as one of the infamous highwaymen who robbed her. Sybil must determine if this man’s charming smile and earnest eyes speak the truth or if he is simply using her like others in the house. Everyone seems to have something to hide, and Sybil must decide who to trust while also coming to terms with the truth about her own past.

Click here to purchase your copy!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Abigail Wilson combines her passion for Regency England with intrigue and adventure to pen historical mysteries with a heart. A Registered Nurse, chai tea addict, and mother of two crazy kids, Abigail fills her spare time hiking the National Parks, attending her daughter’s gymnastic meets, and curling up with a great book. In 2017, Abigail won WisRWA’s Fab Five contest and ACFW’s First Impressions contest as well as placing as a finalist in the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. She is a cum laude graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and currently lives in Dripping Springs, Texas, with her husband and children.

Connect with Abigail at www.acwilsonbooks.com

EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK:

1813

THE ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE

I often wonder what my life would have been like if I had never learned the truth. I wouldn’t have set off as I did for Croft Towers. I never would have met him.

It’s strange what I remember about the day I left London. The mail coach was late; the weather wretched. The clock had struck midnight long before two strangers and I ducked beneath the postmaster’s outstretched umbrella to board the Royal Mail and rumble across the North Downs.

That difficult journey east marked the beginning of an unseasonably cold autumn. Frigid rain pelted the coach windows. The undercarriage squealed beneath the seats as a metallic scent wound its way between the drafty boards. I gripped the windowsill, wondering if the coachman intended to hit every bump in the road.

“Far to go, miss?”

The woman’s voice startled me. Dressed head to toe in red

satin, she’d endured the last few darkened hours with a handful of smelling salts and a tongue hot for complaints, but she hadn’t spoken to me until now. Not until the first hint of rain-soaked daylight peeked over the horizon.

I lowered my gaze and fiddled with my bonnet ribbons. “Yes, ma’am . . . well, not too much farther, I hope.”

Just the Write Escape, December 20Faery Tales Are Real, December 20

The Avid Reader, December 20

Reflections From My Bookshelves, December 21

seasons of opportunities, December 21

Mary Hake, December 22

Carpe Diem, December 22

Inklings and notions, December 23

Blogging With Carol, December 23

A Baker’s Perspective, December 23

Stories By Gina, December 24

Remembrancy, December 24

Madeline Clark, December 25

The Christian Fiction Girl, December 25

For the Love of Literature, December 26

Blossoms and Blessings, December 26

Janices book reviews, December 26

Back Porch Reads, December 27

Book by Book, December 27Daysong Reflections, December 28

All-of-a-kind Mom, December 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 28

Godly Book Reviews, December 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 29

Bigreadersite, December 29

Inspiration Clothesline, December 30

A Rup Life, December 30

Bibliophile Reviews, December 30

A Reader’s Brain, December 31

Texas Book-aholic, December 31

Just Your Average reviews, January 1

Bookworld Reviews, January 1

Pause for Tales, January 1

Reading Is My SuperPower, January 2

Simple Harvest Reads, January 2

GIVEAWAY:

To celebrate her tour, Abigail is giving away a grand prize of one finished copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/d777/in-the-shadow-of-croft-towers-celebration-tour-giveaway

Catching Christmas by Terri Blackstock

by admin | Dec 14, 2018 | Books, Christmas, Contemporary Fiction, Romance

MY REVIEW:

As a long-time reader of Terri Blackstock novels, I was expecting a holiday themed romantic suspense. Surprise! No murder mystery or other suspense filled mysteries to solve. What I did discover is that the author also has a wonderful talent for writing a story that is both humorous and poignant with a message of faith and hope that is perfect for the Christmas season.

I loved the characters! Finn went above and beyond the requirements of his job as taxi driver to help Miss Callie despite major inconvenience and expense to himself. Somewhat grumpy, Finn nevertheless had a soft and caring heart that endeared him to me quickly. It was easy to sympathize with Sydney who was caught between a rock and a hard place – spending time taking care of her grandmother or bowing to pressures of her job in order to keep it. And that Miss Callie was a pure joy at times. She managed to keep me laughing even when I suspected that the outlook was grim.

Catching Christmas was a short but mostly sweet novel that I pretty much read in one sitting. It is perfect for a relaxing holiday evening after the gifts are wrapped and the cookies are baked or even for a few stolen moments when a break from the activities of the season is needed. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would not mind seeing more books of this type from Ms. Blackstock.

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:

Book: Catching Christmas

Author: Terri Blackstock

Genre: Christian Fiction, Romance, Christmas

Release Date: October 9, 2018

This Year, Christmas Comes Just in Time

As a first-year law associate, Sydney Batson knows she will be updating her resume by New Year’s if she loses her current court case. So when her grandmother gets inexplicably ill while she’s in court, Sydney arranges for a cab to get her to the clinic.

The last thing cab driver Finn Parrish wants is to be saddled with a wheelchair-bound old lady with dementia. But because Miss Callie reminds him of his own mother, whom he failed miserably in her last days, he can’t say no when she keeps calling him for rides. Once a successful gourmet chef, Finn’s biggest concern now is making his rent, but half the time Callie doesn’t remember to pay him. And as she starts to feel better, she leads him on wild goose chases to find a Christmas date for her granddaughter.

When Finn meets Sydney, he’s quite sure that she’s never needed help finding a date. Does Miss Callie have an ulterior motive, or is this just a mission driven by delusions? He’s willing to do whatever he can to help fulfill Callie’s Christmas wish. He just never expected to be a vital part of it.
Click here to purchase your copy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Terri Blackstock has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of Intervention, Vicious Cycle, and Downfall, as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, and the Restoration Series. Catching Christmas is her first Christmas romance.