by admin | Jul 25, 2018 | Books, England, Historical, Regency, Romance
MY REVIEW:
In our current society, women seem to have the freedom to do or achieve anything they desire – sometimes to the extreme. For that reason, it is eye-opening to read historical novels set during an era where there were stringent expectations of women in general, especially those who moved with the higher circles of society. Miss Serena’s Secret is one of those novels and it is so well written that the reader could almost feel as though she had stepped back in time.
Both Serena Winthrop and Henry Carmichael are strong, realistic characters, both with underlying pain that they strive to keep hidden. Although Serena wants nothing to do with any man, especially such a proud flirt like Lord Carmichael, she reluctantly finds herself drawn to him. Henry has promised Serena’s guardian that he will avoid any romantic entanglement with Serena but soon regrets that promise.
The author’s vivid descriptions sparked my imagination. I could easily have been on the sidelines observing this story as it played out. I liked the way both Serena and Henry seemed to bring out the best in the other and inspired the desire to change for the better as they grew in their faith. It was also fun to catch up with characters from Miller’s previous novels. Carolyn Miller has quickly become a favorite author and I eagerly await the next installment in this wonderful series.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
How can a wounded young woman ever trust a too-flirtatious earl with her heart?
With devastating scars in her past, Serena Winthrop is sure no man can be trusted—especially not a man like the too-smooth Viscount Carmichael. His reputation as a flirt and a gambler is everything she despises. And the young artist makes sure that this disreputable heir to an earldom knows of her deep disapproval whenever they encounter one another.
Henry, Lord Carmichael, is perfectly aware of his charms. He’s gambled with plenty of ladies’ hearts as easily as he has with their husbands’ money. But lately he’s wondered if there’s more to life—and if his actions might prove unworthy of an admirable wife such as his friends have found.
When Serena’s guardian asks his best friend to protect his young ward, Henry promises to be on his best behavior and not woo her. But the more he learns of her, the more he realizes she might be his best reason for changing his character.
Then the lady’s art leads her to London infamy. Now Henry must choose between the life mapped out for him as the earl apparent and the love of his life. And Serena’s secret may mean the end of his titled family line.
This second novel in a new series by internationally popular author Carolyn Miller is full of the rich historical detail and evocative writing her readers enjoy, and familiar characters make appearances here. The witty banter will continue to draw in fans of Jane Austen, Sarah Ladd, and Julie Klassen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Carolyn Miller lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia. She is married, with four gorgeous children, who all love to read (and write!).
A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn’s novels have won a number of Romance Writers of American (RWA) and American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers. Her favourite authors are classics like Jane Austen (of course!), Georgette Heyer, and Agatha Christie, but she also enjoys contemporary authors like Susan May Warren and Becky Wade.
Her stories are fun and witty, yet also deal with real issues, such as dealing with forgiveness, the nature of really loving versus ‘true love’, and other challenges we all face at different times.
Her books include:
Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace
The Elusive Miss Ellison
The Captivating Lady Charlotte
The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey
Regency Brides: A Promise of Hope
Winning Miss Winthrop
Miss Serena’s Secret
The Making of Mrs. Hale
by admin | Mar 30, 2018 | Books, ebook, England, Historical, Regency, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Winning Miss Winthrop” was every bit as delightful and entertaining as the other Regency novels I have read by Carolyn Miller. I was especially charmed by the clever way more than one character managed to put an offensive character in their place without their being any the wiser. Oh, if only I had been blessed with such a gift!
As always, Miller’s skill with description and her imaginative plot held my interest until the very end. I was invested enough in the story to want to force Catherine and Jonathan to actually sit down and talk it out rather than constantly avoiding the other’s eyes. My goodness, they could have saved themselves months of misery! Of course the story wouldn’t have been quite so much fun in the meantime.
Quite a few quirky and interesting characters grace the pages of “Winning Miss Winthrop”. Some were very likeable and of course there were one or two of those readers love to hate. All in all, this book is one that will find a permanent spot on my shelf once I purchase a hard copy. Carolyn Miller is quickly earning herself a position on my favorite authors list.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Kregel Publications through NetGalley. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Years ago, the man who stole Catherine Winthrop’s heart rejected her—and she’s never recovered from the grief. Now tragedy has brought him back into her life. This time it isn’t her heart he’s taking, it’s her home and her family’s good name.
Jonathan Carlew’s serious demeanor and connection to trade, not to mention the rumors surrounding his birth, have kept him from being a favorite of the ladies, or their parents. Now, suddenly landed and titled, he finds himself with plenty of prospects. But his demanding society responsibilities keep pressing him into service to the one woman who captured his heart long ago—and then ran off with it.
These two broken hearts must decide whether their painful past and bitter present will be all they can share, or if forgiveness can provide a path to freedom for the future.
Set in the sumptuous salons of Bath, Regency England’s royal breeding ground for gossip, Winning Miss Winthrop is the first volume in the Regency Brides: A Promise of Hope series. Fans of the wholesome and richly drawn first series won’t want to miss this new set of characters—or appearances by their old favorites.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Carolyn Miller lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers.Find out more about Carolyn at https://www.carolynmiller.org.
by admin | Jan 30, 2018 | Books, England, Historical, Regency, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“The Ladies of Ivy Cottage”, Klassen’s second book in her Ivy Hill series continues where “The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill” ends. Readers will enjoy this heartwarming tale featuring Rachel Ashford who needs to find a way to support herself after her father’s death. Friends offer the perfect solution that when introduced is welcomed by most of the small town’s residents.
A wonderful story of friendship this tale contains enough drama, a touch of mystery, and several potential romances to satisfy most readers, particularly those who love Jane Austen style novels. It was fun to reconnect with favorite characters from the first book and to speculate about how more than one relationship might play out.
I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to finding out how all the loose ends are tied up in the final installment.
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:
Return to Ivy Hill as friendships deepen, romances blossom, and mysteries unfold . . .
A gentlewoman in reduced circumstances, Miss Rachel Ashford lives as a guest in Ivy Cottage. With her meager funds rapidly depleting, she is determined to earn her own livelihood . . . somehow. Her friend Jane Bell and the other village women encourage her to open a circulating library with the many books she’s inherited from her father. As villagers donate additional books and Rachel begins sorting through the volumes, she discovers mysteries hidden among them. A man who once broke her heart helps her search for clues, but both find more than they bargained for.
Rachel’s hostess, Mercy Grove, has given up thoughts of suitors and finds fulfillment in managing her girls school. So when several men take an interest in Ivy Cottage, she assumes pretty Miss Ashford is the cause. Exactly what–or whom–has captured each man’s attention? The truth may surprise them all.
Read an excerpt HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
by admin | Oct 30, 2017 | Books, England, Historical, Regency, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Although Clara DeLancey was portrayed as the woman who tried to break up a marriage in the previous novel of the series, I always thought that she was not as brazen as she seemed. Her mother had a major role in that debacle and her scheming led to Clara’s disgrace. I was delighted to find Clara the actual heroine of this installment and loved getting to know the real person hiding inside.
Another book perfect for those who love Regency romance, “The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey” may have been even better than the prior two books in this series. Perhaps the scandal surrounding her made the story more interesting as she had much more to overcome or other factors such as the perfect hero could have played into it. No matter the reason, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and could not have wished for more.
A bit of action and even some danger plus a romance rife with misunderstandings kept the story interesting. With realistic characters who are everything but perfect, the narrative highlights their personal growth in maturity and faith. I liked the way the story illustrates the power of forgiveness to change lives.
I am quite happy that I have had the opportunity to read all the books in this series and I look forward to the author’s next novel.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Kregel Publications. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Will a damaged reputation and desire for society’s approval thwart the legacy of grace?
Tainted by scandal and forced to leave London for the quieter Brighton countryside, the Honorable Miss Clara DeLancey is a shadow of her former society self. She’s lost the man she loved to another and, in a culture that has no patience for self-pity, is struggling with depression. A chance encounter brings her a healing friendship with the sisters of an injured naval captain. But Clara’s society mama is appalled at the new company she’s keeping.
Captain Benjamin Kemsley is not looking for a wife. But his gallant spirit won’t let him ignore the penniless viscount’s daughter–not when she so obviously needs assistance to keep moving forward from day to day. Can he protect his heart and still keep her safe?
When they’re pushed into the highest echelons of society at the Prince Regent’s Brighton Pavilion, this mismatched couple must decide if family honor is more important than their hopes. Can they right the wrongs of the past and find future happiness together–without finances, family support, or royal favor?
The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey is full of the captivating, flawed characters, fascinating historical details, and masterful writing that Carolyn Miller’s fans have come to know in The Elusive Miss Ellison and The Captivating Lady Charlotte. If you love Lori Wick, Georgette Heyer, and other clean, wholesome Regency romance, you’ll love this third book in the Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace series.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Carolyn Miller lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers.Find out more about Carolyn at https://www.carolynmiller.org.
by admin | Oct 2, 2017 | Books, England, Historical, Regency, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have enjoyed the previous novels in Hunter’s Hawthorne House series and have been looking forward to Griffith’s story. I cannot say that the entire story was everything I anticipated but as the hero Griffith did not fail. It was amusing to me that after seeing his brother and sisters (as well as good friends) happily married, Griffith decided it was time to choose a bride and went about it in his usual logical fashion. Determined to choose the most suitable bride, rather than the expected one, Griffith somehow believed that once chosen, he could make himself fall in love with her. That’s where everything went so wrong.
I’ll admit that Isabella was not my favorite heroine. I realize that she was so desperate to help her family out of their financial problems that she fell for her uncle’s manipulations and even blackmail. At times I just wanted to shake her and tell her to just confess the truth and break out of that man’s clutches instead of going along with his plans. I liked Frederica’s character very much and was so happy that things turned out well for her also. She was a fun character who was comfortable in her own skin while Isabella fretted way too much about her own beauty and the problems it caused. I did come to like Isabella more as she finally grew a backbone and stood up for herself.
For the most part, the plot moved along at a good pace. It had several quite humorous moments as well as the expected romance. A thread of faith ran throughout the story but was unobtrusive. I hate to see this series end but am certain that Ms. Hunter will provide her readers with a new series that is equally enjoyable.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author and her publisher. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Griffith, Duke of Riverton, likes order, logic, and control, and he naturally applies this rational approach to his search for a bride. He’s certain Miss Frederica St. Claire is the perfect wife for him, but while Frederica is strangely elusive, he can’t seem to stop running into her stunningly beautiful cousin, Miss Isabella Breckenridge.
Isabella should be enjoying her society debut, but with her family in difficult circumstances, her uncle will only help them if she’ll use her beauty to assist him in his political aims. Already uncomfortable with this agreement, the more she comes to know Griffith, the more she wishes to be free of her unfortunate obligation.
Will Griffith and Isabella be able to set aside their pride and face their fears in time to find their own happily-ever-after?
Read an excerpt from “An Inconvenient Beauty” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kristi is the RITA® award winning author of Regency romance novels from a Christian worldview. Her titles include A Noble Masquerade, An Elegant Façade, and An Uncommon Courtship. Beyond writing, she is also speaker, teaching classes in writing as well as Biblical and spiritual topics. She has spoken to writers’ groups, schools, and young women’s groups at churches.
When she is not writing or interacting with her readers, Kristi spends time with her family and her church. A graduate of Georgia Tech with a computer science degree, she can also be found fiddling with her computer in her free time. A born lover of stories she is also an avid reader. From very young she dreamed of sharing her own stories with others and praises God daily that she gets to live that dream today.
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by admin | Aug 7, 2017 | Books, England, Regency, Romance
MY REVIEW:
A Regency romance with a touch of suspense, “The Captivating Lady Charlotte” has everything I look for in a novel. This particular book contains an unexpected twist that made it even more enjoyable for me. Quite often the young lady has her future husband chosen by her parents despite her attraction to another man. Charlotte’s story does not play out quite as I supposed it would but that’s all I have to say about that. You must read this most excellent novel to find out for yourself.
I really did love this book. Although Charlotte was a bit immature and flighty at the beginning, she eventually began to grow in both maturity and spiritual understanding so I liked her character much better by the end. William was an excellent hero – quiet and somewhat brooding but with a heart for the Lord. It was also such fun to see how he handled others, especially Charlotte’s mother, so tactfully yet forcefully. It was also nice to see Nicholas and Lavinia taking a prominent role in the story.
Well written with a strong plot and realistic characters, this novel beautifully illustrates the real meaning of true love. A touching story that explores deep emotions, it is one that will take its place on my keeper shelf.
The second book in Carolyn Miller’s debut series, “The Captivating Lady Charlotte” reinforces my determination to read every book this author releases. I eagerly anticipate the release of her next novel, “The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey”.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Kregel Publications. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Her heart is her own–but her hand in marriage is another matter
Lady Charlotte Featherington is destined for great things on the marriage market. After all, as the beautiful daughter of a marquess, she should have her pick of the eligible nobility when she debuts. She, however, has love at the top of her list of marriageable attributes. And her romantic heart falls hard for one particularly dashing, attentive suitor. Sadly for Charlotte, her noble father intends her betrothed to be someone far more dull.
William Hartwell may be a duke, but he knows he was Charlotte’s father’s pick, not the young lady’s own choice. And the captivating Lady Charlotte does not strike him as a woman who will be wooed by his wealth or title. While she has captured his heart, he has no idea how to win hers in return–and the betrayal and scandal his first wife put him through makes it difficult for him to believe that love can ever be trusted. His only hope is that Charlotte’s sense of responsibility will win out over her romantic notions.
Can a widowed duke and a romantically inclined lady negotiate a future and discover love beyond duty? Will they be able to find healing and hope from the legacy of grace? Poignant and charming, this is another beautifully written, clean, and wholesome Regency romance from Carolyn Miller.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Carolyn Miller lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers.Find out more about Carolyn at https://www.carolynmiller.org.
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JULIE KLASSEN loves all things Jane–Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full-time. Three of her books, The Silent Governess, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for genre fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award, and has been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards and ACFW’s Carol Awards. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com.
