The Earl’s Betrothal (2016)

About the Book

Book: The Earl’s Betrothal

Author: Karen Tuft

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: May 5, 2016

Out of the war and into another, Captain Lord Anthony Hargreaves finds the politics of romance to be as uninviting a battle as the one that nearly cost him his life in Badajoz, Spain.

Wounded both mentally and physically from the Peninsular War in 1812, Anthony returns home to find that his older brother has died, placing Anthony next in line to inherit the estate. But he’s not ready for such responsibilities. And when Anthony’s dying father pleads with him to marry and produce an heir to preserve the family title, it nearly sends Anthony over the edge; nevertheless, he dutifully faces a long line of hopeful young ladies who await him. No one grabs his attention, though, like Amelia Clarke, his mother’s stunning companion, who is off-limits for the earl. But when Anthony unwittingly puts Amelia in a compromising situation, he dedicates himself to protecting her reputation.

But the horrors Anthony faced while away from home have left him feeling broken and tormented. And Anthony finds himself drawn to Miss Clarke, the only one who can chase away his demons, but he must overcome the hostility of a society driven by class, a jealous duke bent on revenge, and himself—for could Amelia ever really love a haunted man?

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My Thoughts

The Earl’s Betrothal by Karen Tuft is a superb Regency novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. This is the type of story one reads because she wants to escape from reality, and in today’s world, boy, do I crave fictional worlds to escape into! I found so much to love about The Earl’s Betrothal. The characters are sweet and endearing. Amelia is all that is good and innocent, but she’s also strong, smart, and independent. I very much appreciate that she is not afraid to stand up for herself and for what is right. And, I really love how Amelia is able to see past people’s exteriors to their true hearts. Anthony is my favorite type of hero — the protector! Anthony is a true leader, but like many leaders, he often takes the burdens of others onto himself so others suffer less. His time in the military has scarred him emotionally and mentally, and he has a lot of demons to work through. While I hate human suffering in any form, I do have to say I found Anthony refreshing because he is such a noble and honorable character. My favorite aspect of his character is how he cares for Amelia even though her social standing is well below his. I love this because unlike most people in Anthony’s social circle, he is able to recognize Amelia’s true value. So, while there are plenty of sweet and steamy kisses that make the reader’s knees weak in this novel, what I found the most romantic is how genuine Anthony’s feelings for Amelia are.

There is so much more to love about this novel. The plot is excellent. I was engaged the entire read, and there are even a couple of moments where I gasped audibly because I just did not see certain things coming. The pacing is also excellent as this is one of those novels I read late into the night because I was unwilling to put it down. I also very much appreciate the timely and thoughtful themes weaved throughout the narrative. All in all, The Earl’s Betrothal is a story I highly recommend. If you are a fan of well-crafted Regency stories, then The Earl’s Betrothal is definitely the book for you.

I purchased an eBook copy from Amazon on December 10, 2019, to read and review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

On My Honour (2019)

About the Book

Book: On My Honour

Series: Brethren in Arms #1

Author: Elizabeth Johns

Genre: Clean Historical Romance

Release Date: February 4, 2019

When Lady Margaret Blake and her sister lose their parents in a boating accident they are left to the guardianship of their uncle. Disregarding their feelings for the price their beauty will fetch on the Marriage Mart, he arranges a match for both. Lady Margaret, however, has her own views on the matter and takes her Fate into her own hands.

Returning home after war to assume his responsibilities, Luke, Duke of Waverley, expects a nice, quiet life on his country estate. Within hours of stepping foot in England, though, he stumbles upon a young woman being attacked and no sooner does he rescue her than she runs away. His sense of curiosity is piqued and his sense of honour compels him to help her, leading him on a merry chase…

Meg escapes the marriage, only to find herself at the mercy of others. Fortunately, in the soldier she cannot avoid she also finds herself in very capable hands. Only her uncle has a deeper reason for his actions and will stop at nothing to see his plans fulfilled.

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My Thoughts

On My Honour is the first novel that I’ve read and enjoyed by Elizabeth Johns, and it will not be my last. I very much enjoyed the fast-paced plot, and I found the characters to be endearing and memorable. I also appreciated the many unique topics discussed in this novel. In fact, there are so many interesting talking points to be found in this novel that I think it would make a great book-club read.

Of the characters in the story, Meg is the one I both loved and struggled with. My favorite thing about Meg is that she realizes that life without Luke, the fantastic hero of On My Honour, would be unimaginable. Meg is a strong, capable, and independent woman. She doesn’t need anyone, especially Luke, but she realizes that she does want him in her life. With Luke, life is full of color, and he gives Meg a sense of comfort and companionship she cannot get without him. And, ultimately, Luke brings Meg real, true love, and in her fictional world with all its crazy plot twists, love — and Luke — is exactly what Meg needs.

While Meg does realize Luke’s importance in her life, she fights it, and that bugged me. The first time Meg rejects Luke’s proposal, I get it. There is a notion that he is only doing so because Meg needs help. And, honestly. marrying someone out of a sense of obligation is a bad idea. It can easily lead to resentment. So, when she rejects Luke the first time, I agree. But after time has passed and the relationship between Luke and Meg has blossomed into something real with several heart-stopping kisses I just struggled with Meg’s continual refusal. By the third, fourth, fifth time Meg tries to convince Luke not to marry her out of a sense of honor, I was ready to move on because all of her refusals just started to feel mean. How much disappointment can one hero take? At some point before the last chapter of a book, the heroine has to accept her and her hero’s feelings otherwise the novel can become tedious. This is my one complaint with Meg.

Overall, I do recommend On My Honour. The story is well written and fast-paced. I was thoroughly engaged the whole time even with my struggle with Meg’s character. If you are a fan of Regency-era novels, On My Honour is definitely one you should check out today!

I purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon on November 13, 2019, in order to read and review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Heart of a King (2019) + Giveaway

The Heart of a King (2019) by Jill Eileen Smith is a standalone Biblical fiction novel. This book comes in all forms including eBook and is 422 pages in length. With a full-time job and a busy seven-year-old at home, this book took me one week to read. I received a copy of this novel in paperback form from the publisher, Revel, to review. In no way has this influenced my opinion of the story. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I give The Heart of a King 5 STARS.

About the Book

Four women captured King Solomon’s heart in different ways, and he indulges his desires despite warnings. For all his wisdom, did Solomon or the women he loved ever find what they were searching for?

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My Thoughts

The Heart of a King by Jill Eileen Smith is an excellent allegorical tale; I realized a lot about who I am in God and was reminded time and time again that I have to keep my focus on God no matter what. I found the storyline to be as sprawling and expansive as King Solomon’s kingdom. I found the characters to be perfectly, uniquely crafted. The Heart of a King is an example of Biblical fiction at its finest.

Of the four wives illustrated in this novel, Siti is my favorite because of the invaluable lesson she taught me. Siti is Pharaoh’s daughter, whom Solomon takes for a bride so he can take control of Gezer. From the second she married Solomon, Siti knew she was part of a business deal and very little else. While she found herself attracted to Solomon, she knew her marriage was not a love match. She came to the marriage with terms of her own: she did not want to be part of a harem, she did not want to give up her gods, and she did not want to give up her Egyptian heritage. In no way was Siti OK with assimilation. Solomon allowed Siti to have her way but was naively hopeful that Siti would learn the ways of his people, learn about Adonai, and fall in love with both. In his attempt to get Siti to find God, Solomon had Siti sit with tutors daily so she could learn about Adonai and the Hebrew ways. The more Siti learns, the more she realizes that her husband is a hypocrite. He doesn’t follow the laws His God has decreed, yet he tells everyone that he is following them, he’s just obeying them in his wise way. This almost immediately turns Siti away from God and the Hebrew people. She is perfectly content to stay outside of Jerusalem in her own Egyptian world. Solomon was an awful model for his wife. But this got me thinking. Every day I am on this earth, I come into contact with many, many people. It is very well known that I am a Christian. I never hide that fact, but do my actions show those who are watching me that I truly am a Christ follower? Am I like Solomon; do I profess one thing, but do another? My heart broke for Siti, but really my heart broke for every person I’ve ever come into contact with who perhaps saw me as an example of why NOT to follow God.

The Heart of a King reinforced to me that all of our gifts and talents from God are God-sized, even the ones that may seem small and insignificant. And, all of our gifts and talents, small or big, can lead to our downfall IF we choose not to go to God daily. Of the many lessons in this novel, this one resonated with me the most. I think God gives us our talents and gifts as a way to enhance our relationship with Him. If we don’t go to God daily, Pride can wheedle its way into our hearts and kick God out. Solomon was really good at making the big, showy sacrifices to God, and he no doubt intellectually believed in Adonai, but I don’t think he made it a daily habit to go to God with a longing heart. Solomon let Pride take over, and it led to a serious downfall — so much so, he sacrificed his own children to foreign gods. The gifts God gave me may seem small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but they are special. They are a connection that I have to God, and I need to remember to go to Him daily so I can honor Him and that which He has blessed me. Going to God daily with a longing heart is what will keep us on the right track. It will keep our gifts and blessings from being a burden. By the end of this novel, my heart hurt badly for Solomon. Taking oneself away from God is the saddest, most damaging thing anyone can do, and it’s what the greatest, wisest king who ever lived did. I am grateful for The Heart of a King because I really needed this reminder. Go to God daily with a longing heart; it’s the only way to truly live a blessed life.

I wholeheartedly feel that The Heart of a King is a novel that must be experienced. It’s deep, raw, and honest. It holds a mirror up to its readers and gets us to look deep into our hearts. It’s exactly what Biblical fiction should be!

GIVEAWAY

I am giving away ONE (1) paperback copy of The Heart of a King by Jill Eileen Smith. The giveaway begins today, 5-6-19 at 1:00 pm (PST) and ends on Thursday, 5-9-19 at 12:00 pm (PST). To enter, click on the Rafflecopter link below. Good luck!

Congrats to Becca W.!

You have won this giveaway. Thank you for participating. I appreciate your support!

***Please Note: Open to Continental U.S. mailing addresses only.*** One winner will be notified via email at the end of the giveaway, and will be announced here on this page. For full giveaway disclosures and policies, click HERE.

Between Two Shores (2019) — Release Day!

About the Book

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The daughter of a Mohawk mother and French father in 1759 Montreal, Catherine Duval finds it is easier to remain neutral in a world that is tearing itself apart. Content to trade with both the French and the British, Catherine is pulled into the fray against her wishes when her British ex-fiance, Samuel Crane, is taken prisoner by her father. Samuel asks her to help him escape, claiming he has information that could help end the war.

Peace appeals to Catherine, but helping the man who broke her heart does not. She delays . . . until attempts on Samuel’s life convince her he’s in mortal danger. Against her better judgment she helps him flee by river, using knowledge of the landscape to creep ever closer to freedom. Their time together rekindles feelings she thought long buried, and danger seems to hound their every mile. She’s risked becoming a traitor by choosing a side, but will the decision cost her even more than she anticipated?

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About the Author

Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King; Wedded to War; and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award, the gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and the Golden Scroll Award from the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association. She graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a B.A. in English, concentration in writing. She loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, pie, the color red, and reading with a cup of tea. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob and two children in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

For more information, visit:

Website ♥ Facebook ♥ Twitter

My Thoughts

Time for another disclaimer — I do not have adequate words to describe just how amazing Between Two Worlds is. This book is nothing like what I thought it would be — it is BETTER! Between Two Worlds is a phenomenal Christian, feminist, historical novel that absolutely must be experienced. It does NOT follow the Historical Romance pattern. It beautifully and masterfully turns that pattern on its head.

What makes a hero a hero? To me, a fictional hero is a male character who represents some of the best aspects of manhood. He is completely realistic and deals with actual flaws, but he is a man who behaves the best a man can. For me, a hero is a man who is strong in his moral/ethical views, he loves God with his whole heart, he knows he has flaws and wants to work on them to better himself, he pays attention to details and then acts on those details, he protects others even at cost to himself, and he genuinely cares. Regardless of the man’s physical features, these characteristics make the hero the handsomest of men. In Between Two Shores, the hero seems to be Samuel Crane. He is handsome, he has a goal he needs to meet, and he does seem to care about others. And, at the beginning, it appears that Samuel is the heroine’s love interest. I will admit though that Samuel frustrated me hard! Meeting his goal, no matter the cost to anyone, is Samuel’s main prerogative. As I was reading, I kept waiting for Samuel to be that true hero, but I never felt he reaches this status. In fact, he is awfully selfish and self-focused. Then I was stumped. What is Green doing in this book, and what is she saying about heroes? And, who is the hero of this story?

Then, it dawned on me! Catherine is both hero and heroine in this fabulous story. Catherine is one of the most amazing characters I’ve ever read. She is beautiful, intelligent, resilient, and strong. Catherine is the kind of strong that is both physical and mental, but she is also incredibly vulnerable. There are several moments in this novel that broke me, and my mom-heart desperately wanted to hug Catherine hard and fix all the broken things for her. Have tissue when you read this book. But I digress … back to my hero topic. Catherine is literally everything I defined in the paragraph above. She has a strong code of ethics, she loves God and tries to follow His path for her even when she is not sure about herself or God, she pays attention to details and then acts accordingly, and she genuinely cares about the lives of others (sometimes to her detriment, but isn’t that what we women do?). I love that Catherine is the hero, but what is Green trying to teach us readers through this fact? Here’s the BEST part of this book! Many times in this story, it’s just Catherine and God. There is no one else to help her or save her. I believe this is the number one goal of this fabulous book: with God, we women are the heroes in our own stories. No woman needs a man, BUT we all need God. With God by our side we can truly accomplish ANYTHING, even being the women our men need! I cannot tell you how refreshing it was for me to read a book that gives women back their true power. And the best part, it’s not at the cost of men. Too many “feminists” today want to hurt men. This novel celebrates women. It does not tear men down.

I once heard an American Lit professor say, “America was founded on the backs of women, slaves, and indigenous peoples.” This statement has stuck with me ever since, and I believe it is true for pretty much every community and country on this earth, especially Montreal in 1759. The sheer amount of back-breaking work Green illustrates women doing in order to provide for their families and survive the harsh realities of life during this time is exceptionally eye opening. Everything was put on the shoulders of women, and this workload seems to triple with war occurring. I was exhausted going through a single day with Catherine, and then subsequently grateful that my day is nothing like hers. What I really love in Between Two Shores is the picture of female solidarity and strength. Knowing that there is another woman to count on for physical, emotional, and mental help means being able to get through really hard events. Watching Bright Star, Thankful, and Catherine support one another in various and unique ways is beautiful. It made me even more grateful for my personal female friends. Each one of my dear friends has a unique strength, intelligence, and beauty that I know I can draw from through good times, bad times, and in-between times. Between Two Shores made me realize how blessed I am in my female relationships.

I legitimately could go on and on for days talking about this novel. I haven’t even brought up Joseph Many Feathers — arguably the BEST male character in this beautiful novel. But, I am so giddy about this book I know I am bound to spoil something. So, I will just add that I highly (times infinity) recommend this FANTASTIC novel. I believe Between Two Shores is a #MustRead for 2019 and every other year after that. Purchase a copy of this stellar novel today. You will not be disappointed that you did.

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook and paperback form from the author via her publisher, Bethany House Publishers. The eBook was supplied via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Abigail (2019) — Release Day

Abigail (2019) by Jess Heileman is a well-done debut. This book comes in eBook form, and is roughly a couple hundred pages in length. With a full-time job and a busy six-year old, this book took me two days to read. I received a copy of this novel in eBook form from the author via Kathy at Clean Wholesome Romance/ I Am a Reader. In no way has this influenced my opinion of the story. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I give Abigail 4.5 STARS. This book is a Clean Historical Romance.

About the Book

For Abigail Blakeslee, becoming a debutante and entering Society is happening far too quickly. But now, foregoing her first Season has brought an unwanted invitation to join her aunt and cousins for a summer at Timpton House, the large estate of the Stanton family.

Reluctantly accepting, Abigail is thrust into the vexing world of social propriety and match making. More vexing still is her cousin’s suitor, the young Timpton heir—Edwin Stanton. Moody and distant at times, remarkably endearing at others, Edwin seems a puzzle she can never solve, but can never quite put away. But then, Abigail has her own secret to hide–her own mystery to conceal. Perhaps such puzzles are better left unsolved, or perhaps love can find a solution.

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My Thoughts

At first glance, Abigail appears to be just another upper class woman. She is the only daughter of a very wealthy British lord. She is beautiful, educated, and genuinely kind. She is also not afraid to get her hands a little dirty if it means she can help another person. Abigail truly appears like the perfect catch for any man looking for an impeccable upper-class wife. But is she? Abigail is surrounded by a bit of mystery, and it’s not clear to the reader if things with Abigail are as they seem. Is she really a rich man’s daughter? Is there something common in her background that actually makes her less than what the British Ton believe her to be? All of this mystery surrounding Abigail is the best aspect to this novel. Piecing together who Abigail really is, and seeing whether or not anyone else will discover her secret, kept me turning pages well past my bedtime.

I am not typically a fan of 1st person point of view. If you know me, I need to know both sides to a story. And, I’m not going to lie, but it did drive me a little crazy that I couldn’t see events through Edwin’s eyes. But, I do appreciate how the use of 1st person P.O.V. reminded me to be careful of my knee-jerk reactions. Many times throughout this novel, Abigail makes knee-jerk assertions based on how she perceives others to think or feel. It actually drove me a little nuts that she would do this. The more it bugged me, the more I questioned why. The answer is because at some level, I still do think from time to time like Abigail. Sometimes I make a judgement based on what I think someone’s comment or facial tick implies. I don’t know the truth in the moment, I just know what I think is the truth in the moment. The way 1st person point of view is used, and how Abigail reacts based on her assumptions, is a great illustration to me to be more careful in my judgments of others. We humans have a tendency to be a little too self-focused, and our assumptions can sometimes get the better of us if we are not careful.

Overall, I very much enjoyed my time with this story. I love the mystery aspect to the story line, and found it made the story super engaging. I also really love the characters. They are well written and very realistic. And the romance is lovely. It definitely left this reader smiling from ear to ear. If you are looking for a high-quality, well-written clean historical romance, Abigail is most definitely the book for you. I highly recommend this book.

In the Shadow of Croft Towers (2019) — A Celebrate Lit Tour: An Excerpt, My Thoughts, and a Giveaway

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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

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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.”

My Thoughts

In the Shadow of Croft Towers is an intense book from page 1 until the end. And, it’s so intricately layered. So much so that I would uncover what I thought was an answer or two only to realize that I still had no idea what was going on (in a good way). This story definitely kept me guessing right up until the very end, which made reading this book a serious page-turner. I kept turning even after I should have been in bed for the night because I just had to find out what happened next!

One of my favorite topics in this book is the notion of trusting your instincts. There is a moment when Sybil, the 22-year old narrator of this story, has an opportunity for one of her very first intimate moments with a handsome, genteel man. She has never kissed a man before, and like all girls is very excited by the prospect. By all rights, this character is the perfect first-kiss material. He is kind and generous to Sybil. He seems to really like her even though she is below his station. But something holds her back. Instead of her heart beating rapidly in anticipation, her heart is “beating a rhythm of retreat.” Not understanding why her body’s alarm system is firing like crazy, Sybil asks herself, “What [is] wrong with me?” As a woman who has been in those situations before — those moments when the center of your chest screams out, “Stop!” — I wanted to respond to Sybil, “Nothing! Nothing is wrong with you. Listen to that Voice!!!” I firmly believe that there is a voice inside all of us. If we are Jesus-believing people that Voice is the Holy Spirit. As a middle-aged woman, I know how to understand that very special Voice now, but as a 22-year old, like Sybil, I wasn’t so good at listening. If I could go back to my 22-year old self today I would tell her to ignore the world and stay strong to whatever the Holy Spirit was telling her. Life would have been a lot easier if I had listened to Him more often. As far as the novel goes, there are definite edge-of-your-seat moments where I was praying Sybil would stay strong and heed the Voice of the One within. You will just have to read the book to find out if she does!

I also really appreciate the discussion on love. Everyone knows that people need love, but this book takes it one step further. Without authentic, selfless love in a person’s life, he/she is liable to go mad. This is illustrated through a number of characters in this highly-engaging story. Now, this seems a bit over dramatic, but it’s kind of true. People without love become lonely and desperate. Lonely and desperate people can make some not-so-good choices. When people feel like they have nothing to lose they sometimes are capable of doing things, thinking things, and making choices that verge on the dark side. And, they are likely to sell their soul to the first person who gives them an ounce of attention. This idea really made me stop and think, and question my level of love. Do I give love enough, or do I tend to be self focused? I value that this novel held a mirror up to me and forced me to really consider how well I’m loving my loved ones.

In the Shadow of Croft Towers is a really engaging read. It’s a book I couldn’t put down! If you are looking for a book that has it all — secrets, ghosts, mystery, murder, spies, and romance — then this is definitely the book for you. I highly recommend it!

I received a review copy of this novel in paperback form from the author via Celebrate Lit. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.