Library of Clean Reads: Christian Historical Fiction

Showing posts with label Christian Historical Fiction. Show all posts

Monday, June 20, 2022

Midnight's Budding Morrow by Carolyn Miller (Review and Giveaway!)

A well-written Christian novel focusing on the themes of belonging, loss, forgiveness, and redemption.

Book Details:

Title: Midnight's Budding Morrow by Carolyn Miller
Category: Adult Fiction, 312 pages
Genre: Historical Christian Fiction
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release date: May 31, 2022
Content rating: PG - 13 (for serious subject matter, attempted suicide)

Book Description:

Can real love grow between a wallflower and an unrepentant rogue?

Sarah Drayton is eager to spend time with her best friend at her crumbling Northumberland castle estate. Matrimony is the last thing on her mind and the last thing she expects to be faced with on a holiday. Yet she finds herself being inveigled into a marriage of convenience with her friend's rakish brother.

When James Langley returns to his family's estate, he can't be bothered to pay attention to his responsibilities as the heir. War is raging and he wants only distraction, not serious tethers. But his roguish ways have backed him into a corner, and he has little choice but to obey his father's stunning decree: marry before returning to war, or else. Suddenly he finds himself wedded to a clever and capable woman he does not love.

Sarah craves love and a place to belong, neither of which James offered before returning to the battlefront. Now everyone around her thinks she married above her station, and they have no intention of rewarding her for such impertinence. It isn't until her husband returns from war seemingly changed that she begins to hope they may find real happiness. But can she trust that this rake has truly reformed?

When tragedy strikes, this pair must learn to trust God and his plans. Will they be destroyed . . . or will they discover that even in the darkest depths of night, the morning still holds hope?

Click here to read an excerpt.

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

Midnight's Budding Morrow is part of the Regency Wallflower series. It is well-written and focuses on the themes of belonging, loss, forgiveness, and redemption. I enjoyed it, for the most part, however, this story may be difficult to read for readers dealing with depression and grief.

Sarah Drayton is invited to stay with her former schoolgirl friend Beatrice, who lives in the impressive dark run-down Langly castle by the sea. One thing leads to another, and Sarah gets duped into marrying Beatrice's brother James Langley, an irresponsible, hard-drinking, rake who runs back to the army the day after his wedding. He returns ten months later, seemingly a changed man because he has learned the ways of God from a captain friend in the army.

Sarah was an interesting character. She was an orphan who was kind and humble and longed for a place to belong. She was clever, but at the same time naive. She was bold, yet lacked confidence in herself. She was hard-working, yet paralyzed by those who thought less of her. She loved deeply and suffered deeply too. I truly felt her pain. James on the other hand was unlikable and his sudden change a little unrealistic. He had a lot of changes to make in his life and these changes were not easy, and they would take time. I struggled with his character, and I thought Sarah's recovery and trust came too quickly when her despair had been directly linked to his actions.

Although it had a Gothic setting, I did not feel this atmosphere in the novel as fully as I had expected. It had the potential for it, however, with unsavory secondary characters, a crumbling castle, the mysterious death of its former mistress, etc. What's more, those unsavory characters were an unresolved plot point in the novel, without any consequences for their bad behavior.

Apart from these issues, I was invested in this novel because the author succeeded in hooking my emotions, particularly through Sarah. I was also very curious to see how it would all turn out, with one bad event after another happening at the castle.

For fans of historical Christian fiction who like emotional stories with broken characters who heal together.

Disclosure: Thanks to the publisher for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Buy The Book:

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About the Author:

Carolyn Miller is an inspirational romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children.

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English literature and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. She enjoys music, films, gardens, art, travel, and food.

Miller’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers.

Learn more about Carolyn at www.carolynmillerauthor.com, or find her on Facebook (Carolyn Miller Author), Instagram (@CarolynMillerAuthor), and Twitter (@CarolynMAuthor).

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Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Her Country Gentleman (Audiobook Review)

A historical romance collection featuring three novellas that are fun, quick to read (or listen to) and clean. The audiobook version is very entertaining and I highly recommend it!

Audiobook Details:

Title: Her Country Gentleman
Series: Timeless Georgian Collection (Book 1)
Authors: Sian Ann Bessey, Sarah M. Eden, & Rebecca Connolly
Genre: Historical Romance, Georgian Romance, Inspirational Fiction
Publisher: Mirror Press (Feb 15, 2022)

Narrated by Kim Bretton

Length: 7 hours 31 minutes

Book Description:

Her Country Gentleman is the first book in the Timeless Georgian Collection, a new anthology series from Mirror Press. The book features three novellas from bestselling historical romance authors whose stories reveal that not all love is found in London...

Spring at Tribbley Hall by Sian Ann Bessey

When Charlotte's grandmother invites her to accompany her to Norfolk, Charlotte jumps at the chance to visit the sea and escape the fuss surrounding her sister's wedding preparations in London. Lord William Cheston, on the other hand, is most unhappy when his mother informs him that her old friend and a granddaughter are coming to stay. Not only is it lambing season, but he's also dealing with the mysterious loss of several sheep. The last thing he needs is a child underfoot. When Charlotte and William first meet, he does not realize that the lovely young lady is the granddaughter in question, and she assumes that the man dressed in work clothes in the barn is a servant. Soon afterward, however, Charlotte stumbles upon a clue to William's sheep's disappearance, and when her life is placed in jeopardy, William is forced to choose between saving his unwanted houseguest and catching the thief.

Love of My Heart by Sarah M. Eden

Cordelia Wakefield has never lived anywhere but London and is not overly happy when her family is forced to retrench to a small estate near Teviotbrae, Scotland. An ill-fated game of battledore and shuttlecock brings her face-to-racquet with Sebastian, who runs the home farm at nearby Teviot Castle. What begins as a clash of personalities, expectations, and preferences, soon leads to a friendship neither had expected. As the magic of Teviotbrae weaves its spell, the possibility of something more than friendship begins to blossom. But what future is there for a lowly farmer and a London lady?

Miss Smith Goes to Wiltshire by Rebecca Connolly

Martha Smith wants to marry for love, and will not be persuaded otherwise. She is highly sought after in Society for her beauty and status but refuses to consider any suitor whose only claim is that his prospects meet with her mother's approval. Her widowed mother has had enough of Martha's romantic sensibilities and is sending her to stay with unfortunate cousins in Wiltshire to show her that marrying for love is a risk that is too great. Benjamin Steele, Lord Hillier, is working on his new and dilapidated estate when he first catches sight of the striking Martha Smith. Becoming Lord Hillier has only brought him a house that needs significant repairs, tenant farms that had been abandoned, and only the money he'd already possessed. He wants meaning in his life, and he's more than willing to work for it. Though worlds apart in all else, on this point they can agree: a life of meaning would change everything.

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

The three novellas in Her Country Gentleman were a delight to listen to. I enjoyed all three stories. Although short, each had well-developed characters, a good plot, and an enjoyable storyline that featured heroines who each became enamored with a country gentleman.

Spring at Tribbley Hall by Sian Ann Bessey features Charlotte, a spunky heroine who escapes with her grandmother to the country and has a heart-pounding adventure when a sheep thief goes a little too far. Love of My Heart by Sarah M. Eden features Cordelia, forced to relocate with her family to the country where she discovers lovely vistas that inspire her artistic soul and draw her to a kind gentleman farmer. And finally, Miss Smith Goes to Wiltshire by Rebecca Connolly features a young woman who wishes to marry for love, and so is temporarily banished by her mother to the country to visit her aunt. Martha is charmed by the country life and a certain gentleman, and the reader is regaled with humorous scenes between the two.

The narrator Kim Bretton does an excellent job with all the character accents and she brings each story to life, with its lovely heroines and comedic scenes. Very entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this first collection book and I eagerly look forward to the next one.

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

Audible.com ~ Audible.ca

AUTHOR BIOS

Sian Ann Bessey

Born in Cambridge, England, but grew up on the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales, Sian left her homeland to attend university in the U.S. and earned a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in English.

She began her writing career as a student, publishing several magazine articles while still in college. Since then, she has published historical romance and romantic suspense novels, along with a variety of children's books. She is a USA Today bestselling author, a Foreward Reviews Book of the Year finalist, and a Whitney Award finalist.

She loves to travel and experience other cultures, but when she's home, her favorite activities are spending time with her family, cooking, and reading.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

Sarah M. Eden

Sarah M. Eden is a USA Today bestselling author of multiple historical romances, including AML's "2013 Novel of the Year" and Foreword Review’s 2013 “IndieFab Book of the Year” gold medal winner for Best Romance, Longing for Home, and the Whitney Award's "2014 Novel of the Year," Longing for Home: Hope Springs.

Combining her obsession with history and affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting witty characters and heartfelt romances set against rich historical backdrops. She holds a bachelor’s degree in research and happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library. Sarah lives with her husband, kids, and mischievous dog in the shadow of a snow-capped mountain she has never attempted to ski.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

Rebecca Connolly

Rebecca Connolly is the author of more than two dozen novels. She calls herself a Midwest girl, having lived in Ohio and Indiana. She's always been a bookworm, and her grandma would send her books almost every month so she would never run out. Book Fairs were her carnival, and libraries are her happy place.

She has been creating stories since childhood, and there are home videos to prove it! She received a master's degree from West Virginia University, spends every spare moment away from her day job absorbed in her writing, and is a hot cocoa addict.

Friday, March 25, 2022

Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill (Review and Giveaway!)

Crystal Caudill's debut novel is filled with non-stop action, intrigue, romance, and mystery.

Book Details:

Title: Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill
Category: Adult Fiction, 336 pages
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release date: March 15, 2022
Content rating: PG-13 (violence related to a gang of thieves and counterfeiters)

Book Description:

Can this undercover agent save the woman he loves--or is her heart as counterfeit as the money he's been sent to track down?

After all that Grandfather has sacrificed to raise her, Theresa Plane owes it to him to save the family name--and that means clearing their debt with creditors before she marries Edward Greystone. But when one of the creditors' threats leads her to stumble across a midnight meeting, she discovers that the money he owes isn't all Grandfather was hiding. And the secrets he kept have now trapped Theresa in a life-threatening fight for her home--and the truth.

After months of undercover work, Secret Service operative Broderick Cosgrove is finally about to uncover the identity of the leader of a notorious counterfeiting ring. That moment of triumph turns to horror, however, when he finds undeniable proof that his former fiancé is connected. Can he really believe the woman he loved is a willing participant? Protecting Theresa and proving her innocence may destroy his career--but that's better than failing her twice in one lifetime.

They must form a partnership, tentative though it is. But there's no question they're both still keeping secrets--and that lack of trust, along with the dangerous criminals out for their blood, threatens their hearts, their faith, and their very survival.

To read an excerpt of Counterfeit Love click here.

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

Crystal Caudill's debut novel is filled with non-stop action, intrigue, romance, and mystery. I enjoyed it for the most part but I did have some issues with it. Theresa Plane is an orphan who lives with her curmudgeon grandfather. She is engaged to Edward Greystone but it becomes clear she does not love him when Broderick Cosgrove comes back to town and gets her heart pounding again after six years of not seeing each other. There is backstory here, but it's not clear what exactly happened between the two of them because the author only reveals bits and pieces of it throughout the story, and this made the beginning somewhat hard to follow.

Broderick Cosgrove is an operative in the Secret Service and he is working undercover to try to uncover the leader of a counterfeiting ring. Unfortunately, Theresa's grandfather is involved and this puts Theresa in danger and she becomes a suspect for the Secret Service. There are twists and turns, a slew of characters, and enough action to almost label this a thriller, rather than a Christian historical romance. Not a bad thing. However, the amount of action came at the cost of underdeveloped characters, such as that of Edward and Nathaniel. The pacing was great though, and it kept me turning the pages.

Theresa is strong-willed and fiercely independent but she threw herself into dangerous situations that made her seem foolish and naive. I had a hard time liking her when she was engaged to one man but pining over another. I also have a hard time with books whose characters do illegal things and questionable activities in the name of service to their country and expect God to listen to their prayers even while they disregard His moral standards.

Apart from this, fans of historical fiction will enjoy the added historical notes from the author at the end of the book that gives more details on the history of the Secret Service, counterfeit bills, route ciphers, and the devastating flood of 1884.

Disclosure: Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Buy the Book:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Christianbook

Add to Goodreads

About the Author:

Crystal Caudill is the author of "dangerously good historical romance," with her work garnering awards from Romance Writers of America and ACFW.

She is a stay-at-home mom and caregiver, and when she isn’t writing, Caudill can be found playing board games with her family, drinking hot tea, or reading other great books at her home outside Cincinnati, Ohio.

Learn more at crystalcaudill.com. You can also find her on Facebook and Instagram.

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Thursday, November 25, 2021

Love and Lavender by Josi S. Kilpack (Review)

If there is one thing that I can expect when I pick up a book written by Josi S. Kilpack is that I will be reading an intelligent story with unforgettable unique characters.

Book Details:

Title: Love and Lavender: A Mayfield Family Romance (Book 4)
Series: Proper Romance
Author: Josi S. Kilpack
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Inspirational Fiction
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing (November 2, 2021)
Length: (320) pages
Format: Trade paperback, eBook, & audiobook

Book Description:

Hazel Stillman is a woman of rare independence and limited opportunities. Born with a clubbed foot, Hazel knows marriage is unlikely, so she devotes herself to teaching at a private girls’ school.

When her uncle offers Hazel a substantial inheritance is he marries, she is offended. What kind of decent man would marry for her money? But when she learns the school might be sold, she knows she must consider all her options.

Duncan Penhale thrives on order and process. He has no interest in marriage, so when Elliott Mayfield, his guardian’s brother, offers him an inheritance if he weds, Duncan finds it intrusive. However, an inheritance means he could purchase a building and run his own firm.

Hazel and Duncan believe they have found a solution to both of their problems: marry one another, claim their inheritances, and then part ways to enjoy their individual paths. But then Uncle Mayfield stipulates that they must first live together as a couple for one year.

Over time, their marriage of convenience becomes much more appealing than they had anticipated. At the end of the full year, will they go their separate ways or could an unlikely marriage have found unsuspecting love?

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

If there is one thing that I can expect when I pick up a book written by Josi S. Kilpack is that I will be reading an intelligent story with unforgettable unique characters, characters that have real-life issues or challenges so different from the unrealistic perfect heroes of most romance novels. I was not disappointed by her latest novel which tackles a woman with a club foot and a man on the autism spectrum. So interesting!

Both Hazel and Duncan stand out as characters and would have been considered weird in their day, but I loved how realistic the author made them. She brought out the best in them and did not sugarcoat their issues. Instead, we see the possibility of love growing between two people shunned by a society that did not fully understand their limitations and who did not always embrace their strengths. Hazel is a strong feminist character, whose kindness and forgiveness take her far in life. So many great lessons without the preachiness.

The story flowed well and kept my interest throughout. I was rooting for this couple. I loved the setting that added to the intrigue of living at a time when certain conditions were not well understood. The author did excellent research because her portrayal of what life must have been like for both these individuals was well done.

I have not read any of Kilpack's previous novels in this series but now I plan to. Each is a stand-alone novel and includes a flower in the title and as a token woven through each story.

If you are looking for good clean romance novels with unique storylines, Kilpack is an author to discover. I have a few of her novels on my bookshelf that I'm wondering why I haven't read them yet. Time to rectify that!

PURCHASE LINKS

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

AUTHOR BIO

Josi S. Kilpack has written more than thirty novels, a cookbook, and several novellas. She is a four-time Whitney award winner, including Best Novel 2015 for "Lord Fenton's Folly, and has been a Utah Best of State winner for Fiction. Josi loves to bake, sleep, eat, read, travel, and watch TV--none of which she gets to do as much as she would like. She writes contemporary fiction under the pen name Jessica Pack.

Josi has four children and lives in Northern Utah.

Connect with Josi: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER |
INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

Monday, March 1, 2021

A Dance in Donegal by Jennifer Deibel (Book Review)

A Dance in Donegal is a historical fiction novel set in a small town in Ireland and filled with its culture and traditions.

Book Details:

Book Title: A Dance in Donegal by Jennifer Deibel
Category: Adult Fiction, pages
Genre: Christian Romance
Publisher: Revell Publications
Release dates: February 2, 2021
Content Rating: PG-13 (an attack with intent to rape scene)

Book Description:

All her life, Boston-born Moira Doherty has relished her mother's descriptions of the Emerald Isle. When her mother dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1920, Moira is compelled to fulfill her dying wish--that she become the teacher in Ballymann, the beloved village in Donegal, Ireland, she's heard so much about.

After an arduous voyage, Moira begins a challenging new job in an unfamiliar and ancient country. Though a few locals offer a warm welcome, others are distanced by superstition and suspicion. Rumors about Moira's mother are unspoken in her presence but threaten to derail everything she's journeyed to Ballymann to do. Moira must rely on the kindness of a handful of friends--and the strength of Sean, an unsettlingly handsome thatcher who keeps popping up unannounced--as she seeks to navigate a life she'd never dreamed of . . . but perhaps was meant to live.

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

A Dance in Donegal is a historical fiction novel set in a small town in Ireland and filled with its culture and traditions. It's well-written and lovers of "the auld Irish ways and language" will delight with the details of town life in 1920s Donegal.

When Moira decides to travel from Boston to Ireland after accepting the post as the new schoolteacher, she encounters a frosty welcome from most villagers which immediately has the reader wondering what happened with her mother in this village. Moira makes friends with some God-fearing neighbors and eventually comes to discover the mystery surrounding her mother and what it means to be a true Christian.

For the most part, I enjoyed this story which has a good pace and a great setting. Moira has a good heart and she is compassionate and empathetic, however, I did find her quite clueless for a schoolteacher. She looked confused when people whispered about her behind her back and did not take the initiative to ask her friends what people were speculating about until more than halfway into the story. It wasn't clear to me why her mother never disclosed to her what happened to her, and why in heaven's name she would want her daughter to go to a village she herself fled from. I felt that there were missing details to the story. I had so many questions that were never answered by the end of the book.

There was an incident with a dirt-poor student that had me wondering about his parents, and how could Moira and even her God-fearing friends wait to see what she decided to do when he was deathly ill before helping him. That whole episode had me somewhat shocked. As a parent, it really upset me. And there was another grave incident with a gentleman that I felt was unnecessary and did not add much to the story except to make me see how gullible Moira was.

This book is heavy on scripture, which felt preachy at times coming from a character who did not attend church and practiced Irish traditions clearly based on superstition and pagan origins. Apart from these foibles, I enjoyed being transported to an Irish village to follow the journey of a young woman searching for answers.

Buy the Book:

Amazon.ca ~ Barnes & Noble

Add to Goodreads

View the trailer:

About the Author:

Jennifer Deibel is a middle school teacher whose work has appeared on (in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic magazine, and other publications. With firsthand immersive experience abroad, Jennifer writes stories that help redefine home through the lens of culture, history, and family. After nearly a decade of living in Ireland and Austria, she now lives in Arizona with her husband and their three children.

You can find her online at www.jenniferdeibel.com, Facebook (@JenniferDeibelAuthor), and Instagram (@jenniferdeibel_author).

Thursday, February 25, 2021

The Paris Dressmaker by Kristy Cambron (Book Review and Giveaway!)

Once again, Cambron transports us to an unforgettable time in WWII history, this time through the fashion and art world.

Book Details:

Book Title: The Paris Dressmaker by Kristy Cambron
Category: Adult Fiction, 400 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction/Dual timeline/WWII Fiction
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release dates: February 16, 2021
Content Rating: PG (Mature theme of WWII)

Book Description:

Based on true accounts of how Parisiennes resisted the Nazi occupation in World War II—from fashion houses to the city streets—comes a story of two courageous women who risked everything to fight an evil they couldn’t abide.

Paris, 1939. Maison Chanel has closed, thrusting haute couture dressmaker Lila de Laurent out of the world of high fashion as Nazi soldiers invade the streets and the City of Lights slips into darkness. Lila’s life is now a series of rations, brutal restrictions, and carefully controlled propaganda while Paris is cut off from the rest of the world. Yet in hidden corners of the city, the faithful pledge to resist. Lila is drawn to La Resistance and is soon using her skills as a dressmaker to infiltrate the Nazi elite. She takes their measurements and designs masterpieces, all while collecting secrets in the glamorous Hôtel Ritz—the heart of the Nazis’ Parisian headquarters. But when dashing René Touliard suddenly reenters her world, Lila finds her heart tangled between the determination to help save his Jewish family and bolstering the fight for liberation.

Paris, 1943. Sandrine Paquet’s job is to catalog the priceless works of art bound for the Führer’s Berlin, masterpieces stolen from prominent Jewish families. But behind closed doors, she secretly forages for information from the underground resistance. Beneath her compliant façade lies a woman bent on uncovering the fate of her missing husband . . . but at what cost? As Hitler’s regime crumbles, Sandrine is drawn in deeper when she uncrates an exquisite blush Chanel gown concealing a cryptic message that may reveal the fate of a dressmaker who vanished from within the fashion elite.

Told across the span of the Nazi occupation, The Paris Dressmaker highlights the brave women who used everything in their power to resist darkness and restore light to their world.

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

I have read three previous books by Kristy Cambron so I was excited about her latest release The Paris Dressmaker. Once again, Cambron transports us to an unforgettable time in WWII history, this time through the fashion and art world.

The story is about two brave women who use their work positions to get information for the resistance. Lila de Laurent is an haute couture dressmaker and Sandrine Pacquet works with an art historian cataloging art confiscated by the Germans. The story follows the lives of these two women during the four-year occupation in Paris. I enjoyed both of these women's stories that gave us a glimpse of what it must have been like living in Paris during those difficult war years and how some women chose to collaborate with the Germans while others courageously smuggled information to the underground resistance.

I usually love dual timeline stories, however, in this case, I did find it slowed the pace of the story. The reason is that there was a dual timeline for both women, so it became confusing sometimes to remember where the story left off for that particular character. The novel has a strong beginning with Lila de Laurent running for her life in the Meudon Forest as she is hunted by the Nazis. Then it switches to Sandrine's story. Then it switches back to Lila's story but to a previous timeline. The chapters had cliffhanger endings but it was a while before we would get back to it and this was at times frustrating. I think, in this case, this story would have been better told with one timeline and the use of well-placed flashbacks.

Also, I was waiting for the connection between the two women but it was minor and did not converge as I had hoped. That beautiful Chanel gown that is on the front cover concealing a cryptic message ended up being an anticlimactic plot for me.

However, I appreciated the research the author did and how she based some parts of her story on true accounts. I found Sandrine's story more heartbreaking and relatable to me since she was married and a mother. She was forced into certain situations and had to make the most of it, and she did so stoically. I found she had inner strength and poise.

The Paris Dressmaker was a good read but I did like her Hidden Masterpiece books better.

Buy the Book:

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About the Author:

Kristy Cambron is an award-winning author of historical fiction, including her bestselling debut The Butterfly and the Violin, and an author of nonfiction, including the Verse Mapping Series Bibles and Bible studies. Kristy’s work has been named to Publishers Weekly Religion & Spirituality TOP 10, Library Journal Reviews’ Best Books, RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards, received 2015 & 2017 INSPY Award nominations, and has been featured at CBN, Lifeway Women, Jesus Calling, Country Woman Magazine, MICI Magazine, Faithwire, Declare, (in)Courage, and Bible Gateway. She holds a degree in Art History/Research Writing and lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons, where she can probably be bribed with a peppermint mocha latte and a good read.

Connect with the author:

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Thursday, August 6, 2020

The Gentleman Spy by Erica Vetsch (Review and Giveaway!)

The Gentleman Spy is the second book in the Serendipity & Secrets series and once again, I found myself loving this engaging historical fiction novel that captivated me from beginning to end.

BOOK DETAILS:

Title: The Gentleman Spy by Erica Vetsch
Category: Adult Fiction, 304 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction / Christian Fiction / Romance
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release dates: July 28, 2020
Tour dates: July 28 to August 18, 2020
Content Rating: PG + M (themes of family abuse, prostitution and some violence)

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

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?

MY REVIEW:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

In that first installment, we meet Marcus Haverly who is the second son of the Haverly family and a secret spy for the Crown. He was a great secondary character and I'm happy he got his own story. Marcus' life is about to drastically change when his father and older brother unexpectedly pass away and Marcus suddenly inherits a title and becomes a duke. How will he continue working undercover as an agent when all eyes are on him since he is now one of the most sought-after bachelors?

His mother gets to work looking for a suitable bride among the pretty young debutantes but Marcus impulsively chooses Lady Charlotte, a bluestocking who dresses plainly and loves books. He figures he can leave her to her duties as a duchess while he continues his work, however, the educated Charlotte has other ideas and follows her heart to help women who are forced into prostitution when they become widows of war veterans.

As both Marcus and Charlotte navigate the waters of their marriage of convenience, they of course fall in love. The author builds this romance beautifully with these two characters that are both strong yet cautious as they discover each other's true passions in life. With lots of action, witty dialogue and some humor, this Regency Christian romance satisfies the reader on all counts.

The third and last installment of the series titled The Indebted Earl, the story of Marcus Haverly’s younger sister, Sophie,will be released in March 2021, and I eagerly look forward to that story.

Disclosure: Thanks to Audra Jennings and the publisher for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

BUY THE BOOK:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Christianbook.com

Add to Goodreads

Praise for the Serendipity & Secrets Series

“Erica Vetsch brings such a fresh, true voice to Regency romance. She catches all that’s best about the genre while weaving together a fast-paced, intriguing story full of characters I cared about so much. I can’t wait for book two!”
~ Mary Connealy, author of the best-selling High Sierra Sweethearts and Wild at Heart series

“Love Regency? How about a swoon-worthy hero and a plot that twists and turns yet ties up in a neat bow at the end? Then get thee to a bookstore! The Lost Lieutenant is all that and more, from the battlefield of Salamanca to the gowns and suits at Almack’s. This is my favorite Erica Vetsch title to date and earns a place on my keeper shelf.”
~ Michelle Griep, Christy Award–winning author of the Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series

“A riveting Regency read, with captivating characters, that will tug at your heartstrings.”
~ Carolyn Miller, best-selling author of the Regency Brides series

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling and ACFW Carol Award–winning author. She is a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota with her husband, who she claims is both her total opposite and soul mate.

Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks.

A self-described history geek, she has been planning her first research trip to England.

Learn more about Erica Vetsch and her books at www.ericavetsch.com. She can also be found on Facebook (@EricaVetschAuthor), Twitter (@EricaVetsch), Instagram (@EricaVetsch) and Pinterest (Erica Vetsch).

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends August 18, 2020

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Lost Lieutenant by Erica Vetsch (Review and Giveaway!)

The Lost Lieutenant is the first book in the Serendipity & Secrets series and it's an engaging historical fiction novel that captivated me from beginning to end.

BOOK DETAILS:

Title: The Lost Lieutenant by Erica Vetsch
Category: Adult Fiction, 304 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction / Christian Fiction / Romance
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release dates: April 21, 2020
Tour dates: April 21 to May 12, 2020
Content Rating: PG + M (themes of family abuse, PTSD and some violence)

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

He's doing what he can to save the Prince Regent's life . . . but can he save his new marriage as well?

Evan Eldridge never meant to be a war hero--he just wanted to fight Napoleon for the future of his country. And he certainly didn't think that saving the life of a peer would mean being made the Earl of Whitelock. But when the life you save is dear to the Prince Regent, things can change in a hurry.

Now Evan has a new title, a manor house in shambles, and a stranger for a bride, all thrust upon him by a grateful ruler. What he doesn't have are all his memories. Traumatized as a result of his wounds and bravery on the battlefield, Evan knows there's something he can't quite remember. It's important, dangerous--and if he doesn't recall it in time, will jeopardize not only his marriage but someone's very life.

Readers who enjoy Julie Klassen, Carolyn Miller, and Kristi Ann Hunter will love diving into this brand-new Regency series filled with suspense, aristocratic struggles, and a firm foundation of faith.

Read an excerpt from Kregel by clicking here!

MY REVIEW:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

The Lost Lieutenant is the first book in the Serendipity & Secrets series and it's an engaging historical fiction novel that captivated me from beginning to end.

Evan Eldridge, a recovering soldier has his life turned topsy-turvy when he is suddenly given a title, extensive lands with property, and unexpected of all, a young bride with a fortune. The world of aristocracy is thrust upon him as he tries to adjust to this new life while dealing with PTSD and fleeting memories on the battlefield that hint at something dangerous and urgent.

Evan tries to keep his memory loss and panic attacks a secret from his new wife, but well-bred Diana Seaton has a secret of her own. Both must learn to trust one another as they navigate their new life together. I loved this couple with their insecurities and their trust issues. Both are strong characters that grow by the end of the book.

I found this novel to be well-written, with excellent secondary characters. The setting of a wounded soldier, a common man, who is now given the very different life of a gentleman was interesting and original in that it exposed the dark side of the Regency world and its aristocracy. I admired Evan for staying true to his beliefs and moral integrity, and I was quite touched by his advocacy for wounded animals and war veterans. It wasn't lost on me that the restoration of the manor house was symbolic of the restoration of both Evan and Diana from their past hurts to a new life of hope and love.

The bad characters are very one-sided though and seemed to always be sneering, making them almost caricatures of typical villains. Their demise was a little too obvious, too. The romance builds nicely, is very chaste, and was a bit anticlimactic. Apart from this, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel especially the author's portrayal of the spoiled Prince Regent which added a touch of humor to the story.

This first installment in the Serendipity & Secrets series has the perfect combination of two wounded people, a rich historical setting, and a plot that races to a very satisfying ending.

The second book in the series titled The Gentlemen Spy will be released at the end of July so I'm excited about that. I'm now a new fan of Erica Vetsch and look forward to reading all the books in this series!

Disclosure: Thanks to Audra Jennings for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

BUY THE BOOK:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Christianbook.com

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PRAISE FOR THE LOST LIEUTENANT:

“An enchanting tale, The Lost Lieutenant was quick to capture my heart and engage my hopes. A wounded hero meeting a heroine on the run is always a perfect recipe for romance; throw in a spy for good measure, and you’ve got a winner from Erica Vetsch! This is a Regency novel that will have fans begging for more.”
~ Jaime Jo Wright, Christy Award winner of The House on Foster Hill

“Original, engaging, and oh so romantic, The Lost Lieutenant is a delightful tale sure to satisfy Regency fans and inspirational readers alike. Evan, a battle-scarred war hero, earns his place alongside the leading men of Austen and Heyer, and Diana is a heroine you’ll relate to and root for as she falls in love with her unintended earl. Rich historical details, authentic faith elements, and a dash of intrigue combine in this winning first installment of the Serendipity & Secrets series, certain to gain a permanent place on your shelf . . . and in your heart.”
~ Amanda Barratt, author of My Dearest Dietrich

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: