About the Book
Genre: Historical, Regency, Romance, Suspense
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Publication date: March 13, 2018
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Publication date: March 13, 2018
Prompted by her mysterious origins, young English heiress Letty Leighton seeks to establish a Utopian community called New Hope. To do this, however, Letty must marry African explorer Patrick Marlowe, an unconventional man who proves as hard to control as the residents of New Hope. Together they must confront an unknown enemy seeking to destroy both of their dreams. This inspirational romance novel belongs on the bookshelf next to books by Anita Stansfield, and Julianne Donaldson.
About the Author
Author of clean, inspirational fiction
The daughter of a foreign-service officer, Catherine McGreevy attended international schools in France, Spain, and Morocco. During her time abroad she learned to appreciate other cultures as well as the ideals that make America special. A true book-worm, she dreamed seeing her own novels on a shelf next to those of her favorite writers, including Mary Stewart and Elizabeth Peters.
After majoring in Communications (Journalism) with a minor in English at Brigham Young University, she later earned her Secondary Education Teaching Credential at Cal State Fullerton, and taught high-school and middle-school English before moving to Northern California.
A history buff, Catherine lives in Northern California’s gold country, where she has been known to don a bonnet and petticoats to re-enact the past with the Sierra Nevada Mormon Pioneers, appearing in parades and at Sutter’s Fort and the Gold Discovery site in Coloma.
Her first historical novel, Chance’s Bluff, was released by Cedar Fort Publishing in January, 2018. A Place Called New Hope follows in March.
My Review
I think the characters are well written, especially Letty’s character. Letty, our heroine, is unconventional and a little eccentric. Instead of thinking of going to balls, marriage and raising children, Letty thinks about how to help the poor and is very smart and well informed. I like that Letty truly wants to help others, even if I didn’t always agree with her ways of doing that. I admire how Letty shows mercy toward others even when they are unkind to her.
Patrick, the main male protagonist, is also a little eccentric, passionate, independent and unconventional. Patrick accepts Letty for who she is and doesn’t try to change her. He doesn’t completely believe in Letty’s experiment, but still encourages her to make a difference in the world like he is trying to do. Both Patrick and Letty have big dreams that others doubt they will be able to accomplish.
The story line of a woman setting up a utopian society in Victorian England is unique. I was definitely hoping for more romance and more of Letty and Patrick’s relationship. Sometimes the pacing was a little slow for me. I did enjoy how the story deals with the issues of class—if the poor are lazy, if poverty is a sin and how to best help the poor.
Overall, this is an interesting book, but it just wasn’t quite for me. It has some great characters and themes, like the fact that all are equal in God’s eyes and that a man shouldn’t always be judged by his circumstances in life.
Content: This is a clean read with some minor content. Some examples are the content are: the word “hell” is used; talk of a man gambling; characters drink alcohol; a man tries to attack a woman but she gets away; descriptions of the harsh conditions of places like the slums during this time; a boy will be beaten if his father finds out what he did; there is the smell of alcohol on a man’s breath; the word “bleeding” is used as a kind of curse word; a man swears but the word is not written; a reference to “fallen women;” rumors that a woman is a witch and consorts with the devil; mention of whether a marriage is consummated; a man smokes a pipe; a man uses snuff; references to witchcraft and devils; a man is accused of attacking a woman.
Genre: Historical Fiction
I want to thank Singing Librarian Books Tours, Catherine McGreevy and Cedar Fort 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.
“A Place Called New Hope” by Catherine McGreevy is not your typical Victorian romance. In fact, the story and characters are quite different from what one would expect. Ms. McGreevy weaves some interesting characters into this unconventional story!
I think the characters are well written, especially Letty’s character. Letty, our heroine, is unconventional and a little eccentric. Instead of thinking of going to balls, marriage and raising children, Letty thinks about how to help the poor and is very smart and well informed. I like that Letty truly wants to help others, even if I didn’t always agree with her ways of doing that. I admire how Letty shows mercy toward others even when they are unkind to her.
Patrick, the main male protagonist, is also a little eccentric, passionate, independent and unconventional. Patrick accepts Letty for who she is and doesn’t try to change her. He doesn’t completely believe in Letty’s experiment, but still encourages her to make a difference in the world like he is trying to do. Both Patrick and Letty have big dreams that others doubt they will be able to accomplish.
The story line of a woman setting up a utopian society in Victorian England is unique. I was definitely hoping for more romance and more of Letty and Patrick’s relationship. Sometimes the pacing was a little slow for me. I did enjoy how the story deals with the issues of class—if the poor are lazy, if poverty is a sin and how to best help the poor.
Overall, this is an interesting book, but it just wasn’t quite for me. It has some great characters and themes, like the fact that all are equal in God’s eyes and that a man shouldn’t always be judged by his circumstances in life.
Content: This is a clean read with some minor content. Some examples are the content are: the word “hell” is used; talk of a man gambling; characters drink alcohol; a man tries to attack a woman but she gets away; descriptions of the harsh conditions of places like the slums during this time; a boy will be beaten if his father finds out what he did; there is the smell of alcohol on a man’s breath; the word “bleeding” is used as a kind of curse word; a man swears but the word is not written; a reference to “fallen women;” rumors that a woman is a witch and consorts with the devil; mention of whether a marriage is consummated; a man smokes a pipe; a man uses snuff; references to witchcraft and devils; a man is accused of attacking a woman.
Rating: I give this book 3 stars.
Genre: Historical Fiction
I want to thank Singing Librarian Books Tours, Catherine McGreevy and Cedar Fort 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.
Giveaway
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Tour Schedule
April 5-Among the Reads
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April 7-Soulfully Romantic
April 10-Remembrancy
April 12-Paulette’s Papers
April 13-Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic
April 17-Singing Librarian Books
April 18-Mel’s Shelves
April 20-Faery Tales Are Real
April 23-Heidi Reads…
April 25-Locks, Hooks and Books
April 26-Wishful Endings
April 27-Ponderings of a Poet & Procrastinator
April 30-Henry Happens
April 6-Bookworm Nation
April 7-Soulfully Romantic
April 10-Remembrancy
April 12-Paulette’s Papers
April 13-Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic
April 17-Singing Librarian Books
April 18-Mel’s Shelves
April 20-Faery Tales Are Real
April 23-Heidi Reads…
April 25-Locks, Hooks and Books
April 26-Wishful Endings
April 27-Ponderings of a Poet & Procrastinator
April 30-Henry Happens
