"A Duel for Christmas" Blog Tour (Review) & GIVEAWAY!

 

 

About the Book

Book Title: A Duel For Christmas
Author: Rosanne E. Lortz
Genre: Regency Romance, Romantic Suspense
Release date: October 1, 2019
 

After seven long years in Devon, Lady Maud Worlington returns to London to reclaim life on her own terms, but a nefarious shadow and the prospect of financial ruin dog her steps. An impulsive and unforgettable kiss under the mistletoe creates a connection with Geoffrey, the handsome, young Duke of Tilbury. Yet as pleasant as it is to have a suitor, Maud is not sure how a boy of one-and-twenty can prove an equal partner in life and the equal of all the forces mounted against her.

The Duke of Tilbury considers himself as adept at managing matters as he is at swordplay, but his beautiful new acquaintance Lady Worlington has other ideas about how to manage her complicated life. Intrigued by their stolen kiss, Geoffrey pursues Lady Worlington’s affections, only to be foiled by the lady’s own doubts, by rivals for her hand, and by a sudden death that affects both their families. When Jacob Pevensey, the investigator from Bow Street enters the scene, the duke becomes a prime suspect in the murder case. Truths are unearthed that Geoffrey would rather keep hidden, and the twelve days of Christmas race toward a perilous end.

Click here to purchase your copy!

 

 My Review

“A Duel for Christmas” by Rosanne Lortz is a wonderful read, especially for the holidays!  Although this is the third book in the “Pevensey Mysteries” series, it’s the first book from the series that I have read.  It can definitely be read as a standalone. 

I enjoy how “A Duel for Christmas” opens with a ball and how the book is sectioned off into the twelve days of Christmas.  One can never go wrong with a ball in my opinion!  Scenes at the ball remind me a lot of “Pride and Prejudice,” with a particularly great dance scene including witty banter.  The many familiar themes—a couple going from hating each other to loving each other, an annoying cousin who proposes marriage, an absent father, etc.—all brought me smiles with the nods to “Pride and Prejudice.”  Ms. Lortz has a special way with words and includes lots of Regency details.  However, I did feel the story is a little slow at times and I wanted to see more of Maud, one of the protagonists, in the second half of the story, which focuses more on the murder and investigation.

“A Duel for Christmas” has a great cast of well-written characters.  I enjoy the chemistry between the two main characters, Maud and Geoffrey.  It does feel a little weird that they have only had a few encounters before they feel they are in love with one another.  I understand the hasty marriage proposal and Maud’s dire situation, but the instant love is a little unrealistic for me.  I liked meeting Pevensey, who the series is named after, and I suspect he makes an appearance in the other books as well.  It is fascinating to see how the investigation surrounding the murder plays out.  I am very thankful there are no gruesome details or overly scary scenes.

Overall, “A Duel for Christmas” is a book filled with romance, mystery and history!  It’s a “Pride and Prejudice” meets murder mystery type of read, sprinkled with Christmas cheer! 

Content: I would give this book a PG-13 rating (but on the lower end of PG-13 spectrum).  Some examples of the content are: reference to a woman’s bosom; men gamble; people drink alcohol; the word bastard is used in reference to a man born out of wedlock; people get drunk; the words hussy and trollop are used; a man swears but the word is not actually written; God’s name is taken in vain; a woman talks about giving a man certain liberties; someone is pregnant out of wedlock; mention of sex and a man’s “needs” needing to be met.

Rating:  I give this book 3.5 stars.

Genre:  Historical fiction; Mystery; Romance

I want to thank Rosanne E. Lortz, Celebrate Lit and Madison Street Publishing for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

About the Author

Rosanne E. Lortz is a writer, editor, teacher, history-lover, and mom to four boys. She loves to read, sing, draw, compose, write, and create. Education is one of her passions, particularly a classical, liberal arts education. She has taught English composition and grammar, Latin, history, music, and various other subjects for ten years at both the elementary and secondary level and is currently the Director of Academics and Admissions at Paideia Classical Christian School in Gladstone, Oregon.

Rosanne’s first book, I Serve: A Novel of the Black Prince, released in 2009. This book explores the tumultuous landscape surrounding the Hundred Years’ War and the Black Death and is a tale of arms, of death, of love, and of honor. In 2015, Rosanne began her Pevensey mysteries, novels of romantic suspense set during the British Regency (with inspiration from medieval characters and events). The first three titles are: To Wed an Heiress, The Duke’s Last Hunt, and A Duel for Christmas.

Guest Post from Roseanne

The year is 1120. The place is the English Channel. A ship puts off from the French port. The passengers have been drinking, far too heavily. A submerged rock shatters the hull of the ship. The vessel goes down into the watery depths, and with it the heir to the English throne.

This incident from Medieval history was the inspiration for my Regency novel, A Duel for Christmas. Set in the early 1800s, the novel has a dash of suspense, a few tablespoons of murder mystery, and a heaping cup of sweet romance all blended together to make the perfect holiday read.

Lady Maud Worlington has just returned to London, determined to reclaim life on her own terms, but when an impulsive and unforgettable kiss creates a connection with Geoffrey, the Duke of Tilbury, she must decide if he can prove an equal partner in life and the equal of all the forces mounted against her. A watery death, financial ruin, and a nefarious shadow from the past dog their steps as the Twelve Days of Christmas race toward a perilous end.

Blog Stops

 

A Baker’s Perspective, October 13

Just Commonly, October 13

Blogging With Carol, October 14

Remembrancy, October 14

Carpe Diem, October 15

Inklings and Notions, October 15

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 16

Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 16

Where Faith and Books Meet, October 17

Texas Book-aholic, October 17

All-of-a-kind Mom, October 18

Wishful Endings, October 18

Faery Tales Are Real, October 18

More Of Him, October 19

Just the Write Escape, October 19

Bibliophile Reviews, October 20

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, October 20

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, October 21

Lis Loves Reading, October 21

Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, October 22

Mary Hake, October 22

Two Points of Interest, October 22

Simple Harvest Reads, October 23 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)

Book by Book, October 23

proud to be an autism mom, October 23

Reader’s Cozy Corner, October 24

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 24

Janices book reviews, October 25

Bigreadersite, October 25

Godly Book Reviews, October 26

Living Life Free in Christ, October 26

Have A Wonderful Day, October 26

 

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Rosanne is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card!!

 

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d434/a-duel-for-christmas-celebration-tour-giveaway