Thursday, December 12, 2024

Murder in Season

Book Description:

Join Countess turned advice columnist Amelia Amesbury as she tries to juggle a new Season and a new murder in this charmingly deadly historical mystery.

"A beautiful debutante, a wealthy widow, and a dead would-be baron. What could be more exciting?"

Countess by day, secret advice columnist by night, Amelia Amesbury has life happily balanced on a quill's edge . . . until her sister Margaret shows up in London under a blanket of scandal and Amelia is catapulted out of mourning and into the ton's unforgiving Season.

However Madge's Season debut is marred by a rather inconvenient death at the dining table as the infamous Mr Radcliffe takes ill and is later confirmed dead by poisoning. With Madge being the last person to have cross words with the soon-to-be baron, the ton's gossip mill - and the police - are looking to pin the murder on her.

Adding to the ton's troubles is a jewellery thief targeting the most lavish of Society's houses. Is the murderer and the thief one in the same? It falls to Amelia once again to uncover the secrets buried deep within the pages before her sister goes down for the crimes.

Perfect for fans of witty historical mystery and Regency romances with a similar feel to Verity Bright and T.E. Kinsey

My Review:

Lady Amelia is quite unique. She is a widowed noble, writes an advice column for the newspaper under a nom de plume, as well as an amateur detective. I enjoyed her sleuthing and reading her advice at the beginning of each chapter. I liked that she wasn’t afraid to call people out if they needed it when asking for advice.

Amelia is surprised when her mother and unconventional sister, Madge, come for an unexpected visit. Even more surprising is when Madge is left in Amelia’s care and is expected to attend the societal season. She is quite the hoot as she says whatever is on her mind and has a temper too. That temper of hers lands her in hot water and she becomes the number one suspect for the murder of a guest. It’s a very good thing that Amelia won’t stand by and see her sister take the blame for his demise. With many suspects and not a lot of answers, Amelia has to use all of her wits to discover the killer.

I enjoyed that there were two mysteries for Amelia to solve and I also liked the budding romance between her and a good friend, Simon. I am sure this will continue in books that will follow.This is the third book in the Lady of Letters series but can be read as a standalone because the author gives details from previous books. There is mild swearing and a reference to a gay character as a possible reason for the murder.

I received a complimentary copy of the book through AustenProse. All opinions expressed are my own with no obligation to write a review.

AUTHOR BIO

Mary Winters is the author of the Lady of Letters historical mystery series, two cozy mystery series, and several short stories. A longtime reader of historical fiction, Mary set her latest work in Victorian England after being inspired by a trip to London. Since then, she's been busily planning her next mystery - and another trip!

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

An Honorable Deception

Series: The Imposters #3
Genre: Historical Christian Fiction

In the trying art of balancing investigations and love, a detective must determine his priorities when faced with dangerous circumstances that could threaten everything he holds dear.

As the leader of the Imposters, an elite private investigative firm, Lord Yates Fairfax has made an art of concealing his identity. But when his newest client, the beautiful Lady Alethia Barremore, is shot while leaving their meeting, he throws caution to the wind and rushes to her aid. Though Lady Alethia thought she was only looking for her missing former nanny, she has clearly stumbled upon something much more dangerous.

Lady Lavinia Hemming suspects her longtime friends hold more secrets than they’re willing to admit, and when she stumbles upon the truth that they’re the esteemed Imposters, she recruits herself into the firm. While she is happy for the distraction of an investigation, Lavinia’s own family secrets continue to haunt her. And the one thing bringing laughter back into her life–her friendship with Yates–lands her squarely on the disagreeable side of her best friend: his sister.

Tormented by a past she doesn’t dare voice aloud, Lady Alethia does what she can to help her handsome host, her new friends, and the investigators. But as clues lead them deeper into the dark side of society, Alethia, Yates, and Lavinia learn anew that the gentry isn’t always noble . . . even as they fight to hold fast to their own honor.

My Review:

Who do you call upon when you are a lady in society and need someone to discreetly investigate a matter? The Imposters, of course! Lady Alethia Barremore’s former ayah is missing and she fears the worst has happened to her. Things turn deadly and it’s up to Yates and his team of investigators to discover what happened to her. Things are not always as they seem, and I was guessing throughout the story who was behind the threats.

I love the Imposters and their unique talents and even more so now with the addition of a group of pickpockets and thieves that help with gathering evidence. The role that they played was perfect!

Things to Love:

confessional meetings

cloak and dagger

family and friends

witty banter

circus monkey

Romani family

Barclay and Lucy

faith over fear

exposing darkness

auditorium incident

This is the third book in the Imposters series. It can be read as a standalone, but it helps to have had some of the background of the other characters. The complex plot, fast-paced action, and romantic relationships make this a book that is hard to put down.

*Brothels, abuse, and trafficking are central to the story, but not described in detail.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, NetGalley, and JustRead Tours. All opinions expressed are my own with no obligation to write a review.

Purchase Links

http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/an-honorable-deception/413350
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/209351074-an-honorable-deception

* If you'd like a chance to win all three books in the series and a $20 Amazon gift card, see my Instagram post. https://www.instagram.com/booklooks_lisa/

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

The Seaside Homecoming

BOOK DESCRIPTION

A surprise homecoming tests the bonds of sisterhood as a hidden past comes to light . . .

Disgraced eldest sister Claire Summers has been living in exile as companion to a stern great-aunt in Scotland. About to lose her place and longing to be reconciled with her estranged family, Claire sees an advertisement from someone looking for a "respectable female partner" in a Sidmouth boarding house. Is it a sign? She answers the ad, hoping she has not made another reckless mistake. When she meets the handsome, secretive proprietor, she wonders what he's hiding and if he's any more trustworthy than the nobleman who betrayed her years ago. Claire is drawn to him even though she fears he will reject her when he discovers her genteel façade hides a less-than-respectable past.

Meanwhile, the Summers family learns their great-aunt has died and Claire has disappeared without a word. The sisters rally together to find their lost sibling, but will their unexpected reunion heal old wounds and rekindle their bonds . . . or deepen the divide?

Return to the captivating Devonshire coast as the Summers sisters navigate romance, second chances, and the enduring strength of sisterhood in the face of adversity.

MY REVIEW

I was glad to return to Sidmouth and connect with the Summers family. Claire has been estranged from her family and when given the opportunity to return to where they are residing she decides to become a partner in a boarding house. I loved that her sisters support and love her in spite of the circumstances that caused her to live in Scotland for a time.

William Hammond, Claire’s business partner, lends an air of mystery to the story as he has clandestine meetings with men of different nationalities. I was glad that he chose not to listen to malicious gossip, but rather asked Claire for her side of the story. I enjoyed the romance that developed between the William and Claire. Mira, William’s daughter, was very cute and I was happy to have her as part of the story.

Things to enjoy:

second chances

seeing beloved characters again

breaking down societal barriers

seaside town

found family

clean romance

This is the third book in the On Devonshire Shores series. While it can be read as a standalone,I recommend you read the other two books first in order to have knowledge of the family dynamics. There is a fourth book to be published, and I can't wait to read it! This book reminded me of Elizabeth Gaskill’s Cranford series, and I recommend it if you like historical romance and village life.

I was given a complimentary copy from the publisher,NetGalley, and AustenProse with no obligation to write a review. All opinions are my own.

AUTHOR BIO

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. Her books have sold more than 1.5 million copies, and she is a three-time recipient of 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 RITA and Carol Awards. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full-time. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information, visit JulieKlassen.com.

Thursday, December 5, 2024

Never Forgotten

About the Book

Book: Never Forgotten

Author: Hannah Linder

Genre: Christian Fiction / Historical / Regency Romance

Release date: November, 2024

All He Wanted was Justice. All She Wanted was His Heart.

Georgina Whitmore, not accustomed to any man being unaffected by her charms, is plagued with the disappearance and rejection of Simon Fancourt. Twelve years later, Mr. Fancourt returns to British society with two children and a mad hunger for justice.

Racing against time, Simon works to uncover the men responsible for his wife’s horrific murder, protect his children, and fulfill his father’s unexpected will by marrying Georgina—the last thing in the world he wants to do.

Though her heart throbs to accept, she would rather lose him again than have his name without his love. She denies his proposal of matrimony, knowing it will cost them both. But as tragedies unravel and secret enemies narrow their sights on Simon, Georgina risks her life—and her reputation—to protect him and the children. Will the danger scorch them alive? Or will it, for the first time, open his heart to her?

My Review:

If you haven’t read a book by Hannah Linder yet, I suggest you start right away. Her books have intriguing plots, flawed characters, and a message of redemption. I loved this book as Georgiana and Simon trust that all things will work out even though it was a difficult path to get there.

Georgiana Whitmore struggles with a feeling of abandonment and never really being seen for who she is. She learns a beautiful and important truth that she is never alone and God sees her. I love that she is a determined young lady who never gives up on Simon.

Simon Fancourt felt he was backed into a corner when it came to his life. His father arranged his marriage, decided his profession, and wouldn’t listen to what he wanted to do with his life. When Simon runs to America he never plans on returning. But, when circumstances change, he must return to England. he now has two adorable children who stole a piece of my heart.

Things you will love:

Gothic atmosphere

unrequited love

mystery and suspense

twists and turns

railroad

suspicious characters

faith thread

grace and forgiveness

I was given a complimentary copy with no obligation to write a review. All opinions are my own.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Hannah Linder resides in the beautiful mountains of central West Virginia. Represented by Books & Such, she writes Regency romantic suspense novels filled with passion, secrets, and danger. She is a four-time Selah Award winner, a 2023 Carol Award semi-finalist, a 2023 Angel Book Award third place winner, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Also, Hannah is an international and multi-award-winning graphic designer who specializes in professional book cover design. She designs for both traditional publishing houses and individual authors, including New York Times, USA Today, and international bestsellers. She is also a self-portrait photographer of historical fashion. When Hannah is not writing, she enjoys playing her instruments—piano, guitar, ukulele, and banjolele—songwriting, painting still life, walking in the rain, square dancing, and sitting on the front porch of her 1800s farmhouse.

More from Hannah

We seldom know anyone. I mean, really know them. We brush hands with people, laugh with them, tell them our stories, listen to theirs, and think we know them.

But we don’t.

We have no idea what thrums in their heart, late at night, when they burrow their face into a wet pillow. We have no idea what they fear. We have no idea what beautiful thoughts dance in their mind, or what ugly mysteries harden like lava in the pit of their chest.

“We all have secrets,” Georgina Whitmore, our heroine in Never Forgotten, once said to Mr. Simon Fancourt. He didn’t understand. He didn’t even suspect.

Because he’d sat beside her a hundred times.

Played whist with her.

Rode alongside her in summer carriage rides.

Smiled at her—emptily—and cringed a little when she smiled back.

If you had asked him, at seventeen years old, if he knew Georgina Whitmore, he would have been earnest in his answer. “Yes.” Lovely. Soft. Teasing. Ridiculous. Shallow. All attributes he professed to know only by their brief, passionless courtship.

She was more than he had ever noticed.

Deeper than he had imagined.

Perhaps if he had looked longer, prodded harder, he might have seen a glimpse of what dwelled in the heart of the woman he was betrothed to marry. How long is too long? How many years may blindness, ignorance, and prejudice be forgiven? Even if Simon finally discovers the loveliness of her heart, will it be too late?

If you walk away from Never Forgotten with nothing else, I hope you feel challenged to look deeper. As you’re brushing hands, laughing, telling stories—I hope you stare into people’s eyes and search for a bit of their soul.

We’re all more than what we seem.

We all have secrets.

Like Simon, you may discover the people around you are more beloved, dear, and wonderful than you ever imagined.

Blog Stops

Alena Mentink, December 6

Book Looks by Lisa, December 6

Inspired by Fiction, December 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 8

Stories By Gina, December 9 (Author Interview)

Pens Pages and Pulses, December 9

Texas Book-aholic, December 10

Cover Lover Book Review, December 11

Jeanette’s Thoughts, December 11

Betti Mace, December 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 13

Mary Hake, December 13

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 14

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 15

Pause for Tales, December 16

Books You Can Feel Good About, December 16

For Him and My Family, December 17

An Author’s Take, December 18

Sylvan Musings, December 18

Holly’s Book Corner, December 19

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Hannah is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon e-Gift card and a print copy of the book!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54111

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

An Unexpected Journey: A Hobbit Regency Retelling

An Unexpected Journey JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for An Unexpected Journey by Ann Elizabeth Fryer, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

An Unexpected Journey

Title: An Unexpected Journey: A Regency Hobbit Retelling
Author: Ann Elizabeth Fryer
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: November 28, 2024
Genre: Regency Romance/Hobbit Retelling

A heritage neither of them desires, a wrong to right. A chance to end a family curse…

When strangers tumble through the doors of once resplendent Grandview Estate, Lady Laura Tamlow is pulled into a rather unexpected journey, away from the village she’s never left along with a gentleman unlike any she’s ever known.

Jonathan Canfield is out of options. And he’d do anything to restore his family fortunes in order to keep them from poverty, including roping Lady Tamlow into playing the part of thief. They must reclaim both his and her family jewels that were stolen the night of the fated Grand Masquerade of 1770, where both the Canfields and the Tamlows fell far from society’s good graces. If only his thief weren’t so lovely, he’d be able to focus on the mission without distraction.

But there’s a bigger problem at hand. The jewels reside at Lombard Park under the eye of Lord Herrington, a greedy dragon of a man who knows he’s about to die. Yet he has bigger claims than they ever imagined and attempts to steal something far more valuable than family jewels. With deception afoot, will Jonathan ever see Lady Tamlow again?

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

**The author is offering free swag to the first 20 people who purchase a paperback/hardcover book. Proof of purchase required.**

My Review:

Do you like classic stories with a twist? In this Hobbit retelling with a Regency twist, Lady Laura Tamlow finds herself caught up in a web of deceit as Jonathan Canfield and his family try to reclaim the treasure that has been stolen from them. He and his family will need Laura to help them if they plan on succeeding.

I liked the similarities of adventure, the dragon and his ill-gotten gains, and Laura as a type of Bilbo Baggins. There is also a Sméagol-like character that roams the dark passages of Lombard Park. I think you will enjoy this new story if you are a Hobbit fan.

Things to love:
danger and intrigue
family secrets
treasure
masked ball
faith thread

Favorite quote:
“Your life for mine, my life for yours.”

I was given a complimentary copy through Just Read Tours with no obligation to write a review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Ann Elizabeth Fryer

Ann Elizabeth Fryer loves nothing more than using story and romance to relay the depths and graciousness of a Father who holds us securely in the palms of His hands. Daydreaming her surroundings from a young age, she’s lived in historic homes most of her life and regularly participates in backyard archaeology. When she’s not writing historical projects, her contemporary novels show a flavor of her forever-passion for all things old. Ann, her husband, and three children make their home in small-town Illinois where they can hear church bells keep time and tradition.

Connect with Ann by visiting annfryerwrites.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a hardcover copy of An Unexpected Journey, a tote bag, swag, and a $10 Amazon gift card!

(1) additional winner will receive an ebook copy of An Unexpected Journey!

An Unexpected Journey JustRead Tours blog tour giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight December 2, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 9, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No shipping restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Monday, December 2, 2024

An Unexpected Catch

About the Book

Book: An Unexpected Catch

Author: Abbey Downey

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: November 19, 2024

Can she count on the pitcher to save her dream, or will his secret destroy their futures?

Bea Curran has forged a career as an umpire in Chicago’s semi-professional baseball league, and now she’s ready to move toward her dream of leading the women’s athletic department at Western College. With her reputation on the line, the last thing she needs is a romance with a player known for his womanizing ways. But when her women’s baseball team desperately needs help, she can’t ignore the one man who could save them.

Emmett Worland, a talented new pitcher in the Chicago City League, has been keeping a painful secret that could end his baseball career for good. While he tries to hide his worsening illness, Emmett agrees to help coach Bea’s struggling team in hopes that it will be a step toward redeeming a bad reputation he didn’t earn.

Bea and Emmett’s undeniable attraction deepens the more time they spend together, but with so much at stake, can they afford to let their hearts lead the way? Or will the shadows of the past and the uncertainties of the future destroy their chance at a happily ever after?

My Review:

Baseball is my favorite sport and I loved reading this historical romance of a female umpire and a semi-pro pitcher. Bea Curran was an amazing woman. She stood up to men who heckled her; debated the calls she made; didn’t respect her role in officiating, and she had to turn down men’s marriage proposals nearly every game. She was a determined young woman who wanted to see physical education become a degreed college program and was willing to do whatever it took to see it succeed. She really didn’t have any intention of pursuing a romantic relationship, but things changed when Emmett Worland came to help her with the ladies’ baseball team.

Emmett had a lot to prove to his grandmother and the world that he was not what he was seen to be by the media. I loved how he helped Bea with the team and came up with ways to fundraise as well as get the ladies to see they could win games.

I highly recommend this book for its plot, the history of the game, and the romance. It is the second book in the Adventurous Hearts series, but can be read as a standalone.

I was given a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit with no obligation to write a review. All opinions are my own.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Abbey Downey started writing inspirational romance stories during naptime when her kids were babies and found she couldn’t stop. She previously published two books with Love Inspired Historical under the pen name Mollie Campbell. She also works with Spark Flash Fiction producing a quarterly digital magazine that contains love stories under 1000 words.

A life-long Midwestern girl, Abbey lives in central Indiana with her husband, two kids, and one rather enthusiastic beagle. She loves watching her kids play sports and fixing up a 1900 farmhouse with her husband.

More from Abbey

From the first record of it in the late 1700s, the game of baseball grew in popularity—and eccentricity—for decades. There have been plenty of larger-than-life characters and wild tales in the sport, but in my research for An Unexpected Catch, I was most drawn to the stories of those baseball legends many people haven’t heard of.

One of those was the inspiration for the heroine of my story. Amanda Clement became the first female umpire in baseball when she began refereeing games in a semi-professional league—at only sixteen years old! Amanda was a wildly talented athlete in her own right and was known to stand up to the rough men who played baseball in the early twentieth century without hesitation.

Like Amanda, my heroine, Bea Curran, built her career as an umpire in a man’s sport through determination and skill. She knows how to stand up for herself on the field or in other sports, but as she leaves baseball to pursue a different dream, she has to learn how to navigate new pressures to conform to the expectations those in authority place on her.

One of the hardest parts of the research I did for this book was related to the players. Lots of old baseball tales are fun and harmless enough. But then there are too many stories like “Gentleman” George Decker, a Chicago first baseman who was hit in the head by a pitch in 1897. He was denied time off to recover and was hit again not long after. His mental state declined quickly, leading to delusions and threatening behavior. He was institutionalized several times before dying in an asylum in 1909.

Decker was far from the only player to suffer from intense mental and physical health issues after a head injury. Today, we would recognize these players’ symptoms as the result of concussions. But in the early 1900s and before, little was known about brain injuries from blows to the head. These men suffered in silence while being told they were crazy, and many were either arrested or placed in asylums, torn from their loved ones instead of treated.

In An Unexpected Catch, pitcher Emmett Worland feels like baseball is all he has. When he’s forced to face the likely loss of his career thanks to post-concussion syndrome (as we call it now), he has to figure out if anything else could possibly make his life worthwhile if he can’t play. Just like many of us, he wrestles with his purpose when the path he thought he would take is irrevocably disrupted.

Thankfully, there are plenty of wonderful moments in this story to remind the characters (and us) that God blesses us even in struggles. Along with all the fun vintage baseball and historical details, readers will follow Bea and Emmett as they grow in their faith, find their way through changing circumstances, and fall in love with the person they least expected.

Happy reading!

Abbey