A Wonderful Gilded Age Retelling! --"To Love a Lady" by Gabrielle Meyer—Review

 

My Review:

"To Love a Lady" by Gabrielle Meyer is a wonderful Gilded Age retelling of “My Fair Lady.”  It is the first book in the “Dollar Princess” series. I am such a fan of this author and was so excited to hear about this new series based on different musicals and based in the Gilded Age. I loved all the nods to “My Fair Lady”—from different scenes, to the outfits the characters in the story wear—yet “To Love a Lady” also has its own unique twist. Clara, our heroine, thought God made a mistake when she was born and that no one wanted her. Alexander Paxton-Hill is the perfect hero and perfect for Clara (but not everyone thinks so). As Clara is taken out of the slums and whisked into high society and trained to be a lady, she may just fall in love with the wrong person. Clara learns that God does not make mistakes and God created her with intention and purpose. I loved the great faith content, especially about prayer and a relationship with God. It was so neat to briefly see some familiar characters from “Through Each Tomorrow” (from Gabrielle’s “Timeless” series). I cannot wait to read more of this series! Fans of historical fiction, stories with faith and heart, and fans of “The Gilded Age” television series will adore this book!

Content: I give this book a PG rating. Some examples of the content: mention of smoking; prostitutes, gambling, and brothels; child born out of wedlock; mention of alcohol and cigars; vague reference to the intimate details of a marriage; rumors of a haunted castle; someone was born out of wedlock; mention of an affair.

TW: adoption and orphan; mention of madness.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

An Epic Sequel! --The Restitching of Camille DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin—Review

 My Review:  The Restitching of Camille DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin is the epic conclusion to The Rivenlea Sphere duology! While I loved the first book in the series, this one blew me away! These are the kind of books you need to read to fully understand the awesome and intricate plot and world. The Restitching of Camille DuLaine is a book for book lovers with so many references and visits to beloved stories (The Little Mermaid, The Secret Garden, Harry Potter, The Wizard of Oz, and Anne of Green Gables to name a few). I love how from the first page the reader is thrown back into the story with lots of action and a fast-paced plot that is hard to put down. While the first book was mostly told from one point of view, I loved getting many more perspectives in this story. I love all the characters who become like family. I especially love Emlyn, her sarcasm with her ADHD representation, and Frank the wyvern. In an interview, Ms. Franklin described the story as being about sisterhood, magical libraries, the power of fiction, and the search for belonging, and I could not agree more. The book has short chapters and engaging storylines with a cute romance. There was a huge jaw-dropping moment halfway through that I did not see coming! Our characters learn that when we grow, it can be hard to let go of our old identities. We need to remember what is true about us now. I do not want to say too much more to spoil anything. This was such a wonderful fantasy book and series, and it is bittersweet thinking there will not be any new books in this world. So, if you can’t already tell, I highly recommend it!

Content: I give this book a low PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content: violence and blood/gore; mention of alcohol; implied discussion of consummating a marriage.

TW: anxiety; past death from childbirth; infant death and infant abduction.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

 

Cozy Mystery, Austen Style! --"Murder at Donwell Abbey" by Vanessa Kelly—Review

My Review:

"Murder at Donwell Abbey" by Vanessa Kelly is book two in the “Emma Knightley Mysteries” series but can also be read as a standalone. I loved the first book, and this one was so fun as well! I love seeing Emma from Jane Austen’s “Emma” solve mysteries in this witty book that is a tribute to Jane Austen herself. The way Ms. Kelly writes and the grasp she has on the characters in the world of “Emma” makes one feel that they are reading a continuation of Austen’s work where the heroine is solving mysteries. And who better to solve mysteries than the sometimes-nosey Emma Knightley?!  I love the witty dialogue and humor (there’s a great reference to excellent boiled potatoes!). Although it is a murder mystery, it is also mostly fun and cozy. The writing, historical detail, and mystery are all well done. I especially loved seeing Emma partner with her soon to be stepmother, Miss Bates, to solve the mystery. I could not fully figure out the mystery before the end, which is always the sign of a good mystery. I hope there are many books in this universe! Well done Ms. Kelly!

Content: I give this book a higher PG rating. Some examples of the content:  someone is possibly drunk; the words “bloody,” “bastard,” and “da*n” are used; mention of ghosts; characters drink alcohol; mention of a bloody article of clothing that is found; vague se*ual innuendo; the Lord’s name is taken in vain.

TW: speculation of su*cide; racism; possible insanity.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

 

Such A Sweet Story! --"Love in a Mist" by Sarah M. Eden—Review

 My Review:

"Love in a Mist" by Sarah M. Eden is book six in “The Gents” series but can also be read as a standalone. It is such a sweet story! It was so good to be back with all the familiar characters from this beloved series. Ms. Eden has a subtle humor in her writing that I love returning to. "Love in a Mist" takes place partly in France in 1789, amongst danger, uprisings, and riots in Paris, as the French Revolution is starting. Our main characters, Céleste and Aldric, must face danger in the uncertain times with the volatile political climate and danger from a mysterious source that they must escape. Will the danger and uncertainty bring them together and spark the flames of love? There is even a bit of a mystery and lots of adventure. The main characters learn to give themselves permission to not know what they are doing. There are complicated family dynamics and themes of family and found family. The plot was a little slow for me at times, but overall, it was a sweet and satisfying story! I recommend this story to fans of historical romance and lovers of this series!

Content: I give this book a higher PG rating due to the trigger warnings (see below). Some examples of the content: medical neglect.

TW: past physical abuse; control and manipulation; attempted abductions.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

A Fun Fantasy Retelling! --"Bellarose and the Beast" by Carla Reighard—Review

 My Review:

“Bellarose and the Beast" by Carla Reighard is a fun fantasy retelling of “Beauty and the Beast!”  It is a magical twist on a familiar tale with an enchanted library. Ms. Reighard writes a great backstory of how Gerard (the Gaston character from “Beauty and the Beast”) becomes the way he did. It is done well, and the reader comes to care for him. I love that there are several different points of view in the story. Gerard learns about not letting his inner demons win. The writing and pace of the story are well done, and I found myself wanting to keep reading to find out what happened next in the story. Characters learn to not allow circumstances to make them boorish and self-absorbed. There are also great messages of family and sacrifice that I appreciated. It was fun to see some of the other familiar characters and the roles they play in the story. You will want to read this series in order because it ends on a cliffhanger. I cannot wait to read the next book and find out what happens! I highly recommend this book to fans of closed-door, low spice fantasy retellings!

Content: I give this book a low PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content:  a character curses, but the words are not actually written; loss, war, and blood; a woman is smacked on her behind by a man; characters drink alcohol; food is drugged; someone is naked when they shapeshift.

TW: hallucinations; mention of a gambling addict; depression; mention of insanity; orphan; adoption; loss and grief.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

A Fun Reimagining of "Robin Hood" with Time-Travel! --"The Maid of Sherwood Forest" by Sian Bessey--Review

 My Review:

"The Maid of Sherwood Forest" by Sian Bessey is the second book in “A McQuivey's Costume Shop Romance” series. I really loved the first book in the series and thoroughly enjoyed this one as well! This time-travel romance series is so fun, and I especially love that this new book focuses on the Robin Hood legend, which is one of my favorite subjects to read about. As a huge Robin Hood fan, I appreciated the nods to the popular film versions of Robin Hood in today’s pop culture. It was great to see the familiar characters of Robin’s Merry Men in this story. It is clever how the author puts her own unique spin on the story and makes the “Maid Marian” character, Mariah Clinton, be a strong female heroine. It was so neat to see Mariah be so good at archery and even at one point help save Robin Hood and go toe-to-toe with him in an archery contest! It was also cool that Mariah could take her skills in archery and cooking from the present and use them in the past (it was interesting to see how she adapted to the medieval period). The historical details were well researched, and I felt like I was in the time period. The romance is what really shines in this book. The chemistry between Maraih and Robin is sizzling. I especially loved the ending and a certain surprise that Robin Hood aficionados will cheer for and recognize. This was such a fun story that fans of historical romance and Robin Hood will love!

Content: I give this book a PG rating. Some examples of the content: a character curses, but the words are not actually written.

TW: a person thinks they are hallucinating; physical abuse; PTSD.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

 

A Sweet and Festive Holiday Retelling! --"A Carol for Mrs. Dickens" by Rebecca Connolly—Review

My Review:
 

"A Carol for Mrs. Dickens" by Rebecca Connolly is a sweet and festive holiday retelling of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. I loved this beautiful, short, and poignant story of what Christmas may have been like for Charles Dickens’ wife after the success of his book “A Christmas Carol.”  It conveys how Catherine might have felt extra pressure to enjoy Christmas and make it special. It was neat to see things from her point of view, and she was very relatable. The book has themes of family, faith, love, and service. I enjoyed following Catherine on three journeys through her memories (which mirror those taken by Scrooge and the three ghosts in “A Christmas Carol”). The message of Christmas and its true meaning was so beautifully shared. Catherine also learns to take the good with the bad, to not take things for granted, and to share the beautiful light of Christmas with the world. I loved the message of finding joy where it already exists and to keep Christ at the center. The book itself is beautiful, with illustrations throughout, and includes “A Christmastide Calendar” and “Victorian Christmas Traditions and History” in the back. This sweet and easy read will be sure to bring joy to your heart!

Content: I give this book a PG rating. Some examples of the content: loss of a child; mention of ghosts from “A Christmas Carol.”

TW: loss of a child.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.