There have been so many good books this year! I have a list of books that I just HAVE to read this winter and thought I'd share with you, and don't forget to tell me what books are your must be reads so that I can check them out too!
1. A Place for Miss Snow, by Jennifer Moore
Buy it HERE!
Somehow this one slipped by when I made my late summer pre-orders! I always enjoy a great story from this fabulous author!
2. The Guise of a Gentleman, by Donna Hatch
Buy it HERE!
This is a second book in a series, I fell in love with the characters from this series when I read Autumn Masquerade, (seriously probably my FAVORITE novella collection I've ever read! (check it out here) and have read the first book and continued to want to follow this intriguing family on their way. And considering the last couple of times I've tried to order it, it was on back order, it must be good!)
3. Until the Dawn, by Elizabeth Camden
Buy it HERE!
This book has fallen in the cracks on my bookcase! I received it last year as a Christmas gift and I somehow haven't read it! This book has a prequel in novella form that is free! Get it here!
4. The Lost Heiress, by Roseanna M. White
Buy it HERE!
This is another one that fell into the cracks! I'm so excited to try out this new (to me) author!
That's my soon to be read list! But I have a MUCH better (only because I've already read and fallen in love with) the books on my list I'll post tomorrow! It is my BEST READS of the Year (for me list)
I can't wait for Christmas because all that is ever on my wish list is books! This list will grow quite a bit after the chaos of the holiday's is over.
As Always, Happy Reading and head over to my Facebook page and tell me your TBR lists! RIGHT HERE!
Monday, October 31, 2016
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Long Time No Write...
I am so sorry to all my lovely readers for such a long break, I hope you've been keeping up with me on Facebook! To explain my long absence I'll be short; I got pregnant, and unfortunately I miscarried, but was blessed by finding out the very next month I was expecting again! (which means I was pregnant for a REALLY long time... at least it felt really long!) We felt incredibly blessed and as it has been with my past pregnancies, it was difficult and I ended up on bedrest... again! But I am happy to announce that I am now mother to my 6th living child Lola Rose!
And now I'd like to celebrate my newest bundle of joy and the holiday season with book reviews and giveaways! So please head on over to my Facebook page and let me know what you've been reading and most especially what you'd like to see in the winter giveaway!!!
As always Happy Reading
PS Next Review coming Friday!
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Autumn Masquerade
I figured I'd write one review to remind you all I have not forgotten you, merely still on my Holiday break. Thanks for understanding. Here is a wonderful book I hope to share with all of you!
I am frequently weary of novella’s or novelettes because so often they leave you feeling unaccomplished, like there was more to be said but they just didn’t. That is most definitely NOT the case in this compilation "Autumn Masquerade” You start out strong with;
I am frequently weary of novella’s or novelettes because so often they leave you feeling unaccomplished, like there was more to be said but they just didn’t. That is most definitely NOT the case in this compilation "Autumn Masquerade” You start out strong with;
"A Merry Dance" by Josi Kilpack. Summed into one word delightful… or enchanting… either one work perfectly for me! You meet Lila (which I loved the names in this book most especially, which is always a plus, do to the fact when you love a book but hate the main characters name its annoying) Anyway, she is a charming young woman. I love her cute quarks that show her age and personality well. The beginning set up the book so well where I felt like I had known her for years and wasn’t constantly wondering if something she did was actually within her character. Uncle Peter is the perfect Uncle turned to Father, (for her, he does already have a child, so as to not be misleading) and his role in the whole book makes him an endearing character. Mortimer, a name I never thought I liked, but came to find lovely, I don’t really want to describe for fear of giving too much of the book away. As Lila learns more of herself, she lands in some humorous situations and your view of Mortimer leaves you feeling happily content. It’s one of those books you finish *sigh* and walk away happy. (Really the best kind) Without question 5 stars, READ THIS BOOK!
“Unmasking the Duke" By Donna Hatch. This was a first from this author from me but it was probably my favorite from the book! In fact when I learned that this novelette stemmed from characters in one of her books I immediately purchased it! Here we are treated with painfully shy, Hannah Palmer. Though she is pretty and has the upbringing of a gentlemans’ daughter she still feels out of place in large crowds and really anything social. Through some unusual circumstances (a masquerade ball) she is able to overcome it playing the part of “Aphrodite" who she is dressed as. At least for a time, enough to meet a charming musketeer whom she doesn’t know his identity, only as Bennet. When she learns of his identity her world well for lack of a better term “crashes.” Wonderfully written, the characters struggle with things that would have been issues for their time. The banter between the two is witty and fun. I throughly enjoyed each character in the book! I don’t want to write much about the plot because I would give it all away but this book is one to READ! A lovely clean romance.
“What’s in a Name?” by Nancy Campbell Allen. Also another first for me, I had not read this author before. I loved it. It was most definitely nothing I was expecting. We meet Persephone and Penelope, twins, who like many if not most twins are nothing alike. They have an awful aunt who is mean and honestly without feeling. We learn that Penelope is different from the mold of her time enjoying pastimes that hardly any other would know anything about, if they had heard of it at all! Persephone is self-centered but sometimes well meaning, and perfect in her aunts eyes. The Duke of Wilmington has been corresponding with Penelope unknowing it was her and not her sister, when they meet this becomes obvious and honestly, a bit of chaos ensues which is delightful. I loved the story! I loved that is wasn’t like every other romance you read! This is one you won’t be disappointed in!
All the stories within this collection are clean, (no sex scenes or foul language.)
Thursday, October 22, 2015
A Heart Revealed FINAL REVIEW!
So we all know that I was not incredibly happy with the lovely Amber, at the start of book two. I was getting really antsy for SOME redeeming quality! That being said I think she did it.
The quality of the writing is excellent, even though Amber's attitude was unbearable at times, she really did fit in to what would have been expected of the times, especially when you look at her family situation.
Watching her make the transformation from unbearable, pampered, calculating woman, into a lady of depth with perception is wonderful. As Amber comes to terms and has the maturity to see where her current path would take her is well done. It made me incredibly happy for Thomas, who in this situation did get all his heart desired.
I don't want to give away everything incase you haven't read yet, so to sum up should you buy this book YES! I will be continuing to watch Josi S Kilpack for future books. I have purchased and read Lord Fenton's Folly as well, and it is even better (in fact I do find it much superior to this book.)
I can't wait to try her mystery books!
On the note of Lord Fenton's Folly; it is a 5 star book. On top of that I am more convinced that I should try her mystery books! I have also read another one of her books A Merry Dance which is included in the Autumn Masquerade (Timeless Regency Collection), is AMAZING! I will review that one later but if you're already in the market, it is a must buy!
The quality of the writing is excellent, even though Amber's attitude was unbearable at times, she really did fit in to what would have been expected of the times, especially when you look at her family situation.
Watching her make the transformation from unbearable, pampered, calculating woman, into a lady of depth with perception is wonderful. As Amber comes to terms and has the maturity to see where her current path would take her is well done. It made me incredibly happy for Thomas, who in this situation did get all his heart desired.
I don't want to give away everything incase you haven't read yet, so to sum up should you buy this book YES! I will be continuing to watch Josi S Kilpack for future books. I have purchased and read Lord Fenton's Folly as well, and it is even better (in fact I do find it much superior to this book.)
I can't wait to try her mystery books!
On the note of Lord Fenton's Folly; it is a 5 star book. On top of that I am more convinced that I should try her mystery books! I have also read another one of her books A Merry Dance which is included in the Autumn Masquerade (Timeless Regency Collection), is AMAZING! I will review that one later but if you're already in the market, it is a must buy!
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
A Heart Revealed Book One
So how is everyone enjoying the book? I am about ready to strangle Amber Sterlington, and have completely lost my heart to Thomas...
I know it's common with the times to marry for advantage; money, connections etc. However seeing how selfish and mean Amber is about it, is quite difficult for me. I just can't imagine being so heartless in a matter so intimate. When we first learn of her slight hair loss and listening to her rudeness to her maid is beyond me. I truly can't imagine the heart it takes to talk so cruelly to another human being even if you have see it since birth. That being said I am sure it was not uncommon. At this point in the story she is reminding me of another character from Jennifer Moore, Regina Foster (you meet her in Becoming Lady Lockwood, and hear of her again in Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince) anyway, she was so unkind and fake that she had multiple seasons, and had yet to make a match. This is what I would expect from Amber, that men would see though her looks and realize no one would want to put up with that for a lifetime, no matter how pretty.
That is one of the reasons why I enjoyed so much the scene where she is playing cards and Thomas sees that she must be purposefully playing poorly. And he makes the observation "...she was making a different kind of fool of these men..." I thought, oh good, he can move on now that he sees how ridiculous she is. I was enjoying more and more Thomas' kindness and thoughtfulness. How he didn't want to be caught staring at Amber because he didn't want the other girl to feel small. He seems to go out of his way to make people comfortable and to be kind when Amber is the complete opposite.
When she attends the ball I felt she received her just desserts. I did feel a pang of pity and compassion but she was intolerable, and to her own sister!
Here is where I finally actually start to feel a bit of remorse for her, her parents seem to regard their children very much like one would any possession that had value but only while it can do exactly as you expect. Should your carriage breakdown, take it to be repaired and in the mean time use another. If it cannot be repaired it is no matter, we have another. You finally see where she gets her callousness from.
My overall opinion so far is that I am not really enjoying the book. I've read a hundred and thirty pages learning to hate the main character. While I'm all for your characters having flaws they need to overcome, and situations to grow from this is a bit much for me, I haven't had anything good to start liking the main character other than the fact that Thomas (a completely loved character) likes her for some bazaar reason. I would at this point much rather read this story from Darra's point of view. That being said the book is written well (flow and information relating to the time period etc.) So I am holding out hope that I will begin to like Amber, (right now I only hold hope for her for Thomas) She definitely has been thrust into a situation where improving herself will become necessary if she is to have any quality of life. Holding hope for the second half!
Tell me what you've thought through the first half!
And as always...
Happy Reading!
I know it's common with the times to marry for advantage; money, connections etc. However seeing how selfish and mean Amber is about it, is quite difficult for me. I just can't imagine being so heartless in a matter so intimate. When we first learn of her slight hair loss and listening to her rudeness to her maid is beyond me. I truly can't imagine the heart it takes to talk so cruelly to another human being even if you have see it since birth. That being said I am sure it was not uncommon. At this point in the story she is reminding me of another character from Jennifer Moore, Regina Foster (you meet her in Becoming Lady Lockwood, and hear of her again in Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince) anyway, she was so unkind and fake that she had multiple seasons, and had yet to make a match. This is what I would expect from Amber, that men would see though her looks and realize no one would want to put up with that for a lifetime, no matter how pretty.
That is one of the reasons why I enjoyed so much the scene where she is playing cards and Thomas sees that she must be purposefully playing poorly. And he makes the observation "...she was making a different kind of fool of these men..." I thought, oh good, he can move on now that he sees how ridiculous she is. I was enjoying more and more Thomas' kindness and thoughtfulness. How he didn't want to be caught staring at Amber because he didn't want the other girl to feel small. He seems to go out of his way to make people comfortable and to be kind when Amber is the complete opposite.
When she attends the ball I felt she received her just desserts. I did feel a pang of pity and compassion but she was intolerable, and to her own sister!
Here is where I finally actually start to feel a bit of remorse for her, her parents seem to regard their children very much like one would any possession that had value but only while it can do exactly as you expect. Should your carriage breakdown, take it to be repaired and in the mean time use another. If it cannot be repaired it is no matter, we have another. You finally see where she gets her callousness from.
My overall opinion so far is that I am not really enjoying the book. I've read a hundred and thirty pages learning to hate the main character. While I'm all for your characters having flaws they need to overcome, and situations to grow from this is a bit much for me, I haven't had anything good to start liking the main character other than the fact that Thomas (a completely loved character) likes her for some bazaar reason. I would at this point much rather read this story from Darra's point of view. That being said the book is written well (flow and information relating to the time period etc.) So I am holding out hope that I will begin to like Amber, (right now I only hold hope for her for Thomas) She definitely has been thrust into a situation where improving herself will become necessary if she is to have any quality of life. Holding hope for the second half!
Tell me what you've thought through the first half!
And as always...
Happy Reading!
Monday, October 5, 2015
A Heart Revealed By Josi S. Kilpack
This is an author I hadn't read till now, but she has written a lot! So here's an introduction about her; (taken directly from her website, a link is included. You should definitely check it out, she has some great FAQ's and a place where you can see all her events and other fun things!)
Josi S. Kilpack hated to read until her mother handed her a copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond when she was 13. From that day forward, she read everything she could get her hands on and credits her writing “education” to the many novels she has “studied” since then. She began writing her first novel in 1998 and never stopped. Sheep's Clothing won the Whitney award for Mystery/Suspense in 207 and Wedding Cake, book twelve in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery series won in 2014. Josi was also the Best of State winner in Fiction for 2012. Josi currently lives in Willard, Utah, with her husband, children and super-cute - but not very friendly - cat. Check out her website HERE!
I am going to be really honest, I hate her covers for her mystery books. They really bother me so being picky I chose not to read them. (The covers probably aren't that bad to most people, but they just look like cookbooks to me and the back never really grabbed my attention.) However, that being said after reading this book, I am quite curious about the mystery set now and will probably give them a try very soon! I have a sneaking suspicion that mystery/suspense are her forte and it's quite intriguing to me as I normally don't appreciate that genre as much as others. Let's be perfectly clear, I use to enjoy it now I am too scared to get out of my bed at night without enough lights on. I also invent all kinds of ridiculous scenarios I'm positive will happen if I don't check on my children multiple times at night. It's a bit ridiculous, but do to my diligence no intruder has ever had to be fought off with my pepper spray, my completely imagined ninja skills/fencing abilities have remained untested, and no frying pan or butch knives have ever been yielded to protect my innocent children.
Back to this months book... You will be introduced to Amber Marie Sterington, she is beautiful and all the "Rage" this season in London. She is looking for a wealthy, titled gentleman to marry, for her love (in my opinion) to her is something that doesn't really exist especially in her world. Her social standing becomes threatened and there is nothing she nor her family can do, so they send her to Yorkshire. There is where I feel her journey truly begins...
I can't wait to hear what you guys think! Next post we will be discussing book one (the book is split into two different sections book one and book two.) In other words try to read to page 130 this week!
As always Happy Reading!
PS I'm apparently looking at squirrels while I write this and in my defense I have twins who don't sleep through the night so the lack of sleep maybe the cause of this post.
Josi S. Kilpack hated to read until her mother handed her a copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond when she was 13. From that day forward, she read everything she could get her hands on and credits her writing “education” to the many novels she has “studied” since then. She began writing her first novel in 1998 and never stopped. Sheep's Clothing won the Whitney award for Mystery/Suspense in 207 and Wedding Cake, book twelve in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery series won in 2014. Josi was also the Best of State winner in Fiction for 2012. Josi currently lives in Willard, Utah, with her husband, children and super-cute - but not very friendly - cat. Check out her website HERE!
I am going to be really honest, I hate her covers for her mystery books. They really bother me so being picky I chose not to read them. (The covers probably aren't that bad to most people, but they just look like cookbooks to me and the back never really grabbed my attention.) However, that being said after reading this book, I am quite curious about the mystery set now and will probably give them a try very soon! I have a sneaking suspicion that mystery/suspense are her forte and it's quite intriguing to me as I normally don't appreciate that genre as much as others. Let's be perfectly clear, I use to enjoy it now I am too scared to get out of my bed at night without enough lights on. I also invent all kinds of ridiculous scenarios I'm positive will happen if I don't check on my children multiple times at night. It's a bit ridiculous, but do to my diligence no intruder has ever had to be fought off with my pepper spray, my completely imagined ninja skills/fencing abilities have remained untested, and no frying pan or butch knives have ever been yielded to protect my innocent children.
Back to this months book... You will be introduced to Amber Marie Sterington, she is beautiful and all the "Rage" this season in London. She is looking for a wealthy, titled gentleman to marry, for her love (in my opinion) to her is something that doesn't really exist especially in her world. Her social standing becomes threatened and there is nothing she nor her family can do, so they send her to Yorkshire. There is where I feel her journey truly begins...
I can't wait to hear what you guys think! Next post we will be discussing book one (the book is split into two different sections book one and book two.) In other words try to read to page 130 this week!
As always Happy Reading!
PS I'm apparently looking at squirrels while I write this and in my defense I have twins who don't sleep through the night so the lack of sleep maybe the cause of this post.
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Review for Irish Meadows and GIVEAWAY WINNER!
Irish Meadows was a great first novel from Susan Anne Mason. Taking place is 1911, Long Island, New York, we met an Irish family who lives on their horse farm. Two sisters struggle to make their way through life with a father who has is determined they live life his way, causing contention as it also calls in questionable actions. Will these two be able to stand up for themselves and what they want most out of life or will they be driven away from their family by their fathers high handed tactic?
This is only the first book in the series it will leave you feeling a bit unfinished. But the characters develop well throughout the book. I will be waiting on the next installment.
Thank you so much to all those who entered the GIVEAWAY! I'm happy to be sending a copy of Irish Meadows to CARISA BRUDERER! Please message me your address and you will be sent your book!
This is only the first book in the series it will leave you feeling a bit unfinished. But the characters develop well throughout the book. I will be waiting on the next installment.
Thank you so much to all those who entered the GIVEAWAY! I'm happy to be sending a copy of Irish Meadows to CARISA BRUDERER! Please message me your address and you will be sent your book!
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