A Delight for the Senses--"Meet Me In Monaco" by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb--Review

My Review

Lay back, kick your feet up and imagine the sun of the French Riviera on your face.  Perfumes delight your senses and the warm sea breeze plays with your hair.  This book will transport you to a time of Royal Weddings and exotic locales.  Before the wedding of Meghan and Harry was the wedding of the famous movie star Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier of Monaco.

"Meet Me in Monaco" by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb is a story based on real events.  Its main characters are Sophie Duval, a perfumer, and James Henderson, a press photographer.  Through the eyes of these two we witness the royal wedding and the events leading up to it.  I loved seeing Grace Kelly and learning more about her through Sophie and James’s eyes.  There was truly wedding fever. 

The stories of Sophie and James (fictional characters) are very beautiful as well.  I especially love Sophie, learning about perfumes and how she creates them.  It is fascinating how perfumers try to learn a person’s personality, favorite memories, etc., and match that to a scent or combination of scents.  I appreciate Sophie’s love of beauty and her perfume work that she is very passionate about.  However, I don’t like how Sophie cheats on her fiancé and I feel like the main character was condoning affairs at one point.  Later Sophie does face the consequences for keeping secrets from James and realizes she was wrong in doing so, which I appreciate.  James and Sophie learn that you must grasp life while you can.  And the end, well, you have to see for yourself if they will get their own happy ending.

Lovers of history, Grace Kelly and Royal Weddings will love this book!

Content: reference to an alcoholic; alcohol is consumed; the word “hell” is used; a man smokes; the word “bloody” is used; the Lord’s name is taken in vain; the word “da**” is used; the word “a**” is used; there are a few fade-to-black sex scenes; there are some sexual innuendos.

Rating: I give this book 4 stars.

I want to thank Hazel Gaynor, Heather Webb, Harper Collins, William Morrow and LibraryThing Early Reviewers 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 Authors

HEATHER WEBB is the author of historical novels Becoming Josephine and Rodin’s Lover, and the anthology Fall of Poppies, which have been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Cosmopolitan, Elle, France Magazine, and more, as well as received national starred reviews.  RODIN’S LOVER was a Goodreads Top Pick in 2015. Up and coming, Last Christmas in Paris, an epistolary love story set during WWI will release October 3, 2017, and The Phantom’s Apprentice, a re-imagining of the Gothic classic Phantom of the Opera from Christine Daae’s point of view releases February 6, 2018. To date, her novels have sold in ten countries. Heather is also a professional freelance editor, foodie, and travel fiend.

HAZEL GAYNOR is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of A Memory of Violets and The Girl Who Came Home, for which she received the 2015 RNA Historical Novel of the Year award. Her third novel The Girl from the Savoy was an Irish Times and Globe & Mail Canada bestseller, and was shortlisted for the BGE Irish Book Awards Popular Fiction Book of the Year. The Cottingley Secret and Last Christmas in Paris will be published in 2017.

Hazel was selected by US Library Journal as one of ‘Ten Big Breakout Authors’ for 2015 and her work has been translated into several languages. Originally from Yorkshire, England, Hazel now lives in Ireland.

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Utterly Delightful!--"Finding Lady Enderly" by Joanna Davidson Politano--Review

Ms. Politano once again exceeded my expectations in "Finding Lady Enderly!”  This book is a work of art.  At face value it’s a beautiful Christian historical romance.  But interwoven throughout is a beautiful allegory.

"Finding Lady Enderly" by Joanna Davidson Politano is like a unique fairy tale, with a “Cinderella” and “My Fair Lady” feel to it.  There are also a lot of allusions to classic literature and a permeating Gothic tone to the story.  The setting is in a mysterious Abbey that contains an old library.  Like I mentioned above, Ms. Politano weaves in an allegory about one’s relationship with God; specifically about knowing who we are in Him, letting Him tell us who we are and what our real name is.

I also really enjoyed the spunky heroine Raina and the faithful hero, Sully.  Raina loves adventures.  Throughout the story, she learns more about who she is and whose she is.  One of my favorite parts of the book is how Raina and Sully could only really communicate with one another through secret messages in books.  It is so romantic and I love how Ms. Politano picked some beautiful quotes from classic literature for the star crossed lovers to express themselves to one another.

"Finding Lady Enderly" is a gripping story that you won’t want to miss! 

Content: This is a clean read.  Some examples of the content are: it’s implied that a woman is afraid a man will take advantage of her (but he doesn’t); characters drink alcohol.

Rating:  I give this book 5 stars!

I want to thank Joanna Davidson Politano, Revell and LibraryThing Early Reviewers 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:

I’m a work-from-home mom of two fun and adventurous littles and we’ll soon be homeschooling. I married my hero Vince, who is my love and my polar opposite. I write, he tears it up with the red pen. I break cars and other mechanical things, he puts them back together. He’s nailed the “speak the truth” thing, and I bring the “in love” part. But the real spark to our marriage is that he does not like chocolate and I…  like it a normal amount. We love and live from our little house in the woods near Lake Michigan.

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An Enchanting Story about the Woman before Anne--"Marilla of Green Gables" by Sarah McCoy--Review

My Review:

L.M. Montgomery is one of my favorite authors and “Anne of Green Gables” one of my all-time favorite books!  So I had high hopes for “Marilla of Green Gables” after seeing so many people gush about it.  Those hopes were met and exceeded!!!  Wow!

“Marilla of Green Gables” by Sarah McCoy is a love letter to all “Anne” fans who want more of Avonlea.  Ms. McCoy’s writing is seamless and I truly felt like I was reading another book in the series by Montgomery herself.  Ms. McCoy stays true to all things Avonlea, Green Gables and Marilla’s character.  It was so good to be back in Avonlea, seeing familiar people and also some foreshadowing to the Anne books.  It’s so clever how Ms. McCoy weaves in little aspects from the Anne books.  So many scenes echo those of the original books; it’s interesting to see how they play out with Marilla.  The book even has great faith aspects!

Fans of L.M. Montgomery and “Anne of Green Gables” will not want to miss this book!  It is one of my top reads of 2018 and will be on my keeper shelf. 

Content:  This is a clean read.  I give it a PG for some very minor content.  Some examples of the content are:  talk of wine and spirits and people being drunk; there’s a hanging; the word “Negro” is used in context; a woman is a companion to a man she’s not married to.

Rating:  I give this book 5 stars!

Genre: Historical Fiction; Christian fiction; Romance; Retelling

I want to thank Sarah McCoy, LibraryThing Early Reviewers, William Morrow Books and Harper Collins Publishers 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. 





Author Bio:

Sarah McCoy is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of Marilla of Green Gables (William Morrow/Harper Collins, October 23, 2018); The Mapmaker’s Children; The Baker’s Daughter, a 2012 Goodreads Choice Award Best Historical Fiction nominee; The Time It Snowed in Puerto Rico; the novella “The Branch of Hazel” in Grand Central; and Le souffle des feuilles et des promesses, a French exclusive title.

Sarah’s work has been featured in Real Simple, The Millions, Your Health Monthly, Huffington Post and other publications. She has taught English writing at Old Dominion University and at the University of Texas at El Paso.

The daughter of an Army officer, her family was stationed in Germany during her childhood. She grew up in Virginia and now lives with her husband, an orthopedic sports surgeon, and their dog, Gilbert, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

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Mystery, Danger and Intrigue, O My!--A Rumored Fortune by Joanna Davidson Politano--Review

A Rumored Fortune is a masterpiece!  Joanna Davidson Politano’s debut novel, Lady Jayne Disappears, was on the list of my top ten fiction reads of 2017.  So I was a little worried that her next novel would not live up to her stunning debut.  As you can see, I loved A Rumored Fortune just as much!

Ms. Politano is a master storyteller and a wordsmith!  It’s hard to describe why her writing is so unique.  Some words I would use are lyrical, whimsical and creative.  It is such a pleasure to read the way she phrases sentences and paragraphs. She does a wonderful job describing people and places.
 
I love the story and the mystery in A Rumored Fortune.  It has a Gothic feel to it, reminiscent of Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights.  The whole novel is very atmospheric.  Ms. Politano also weaves allusions to Christianity throughout her fictional story of Tressa and the hidden fortune.

Tressa is a main character I fell in love with.  I love how she is delicate, yet spunky.  She can take care of herself, yet also asks for help when she needs it.  She prays and I like how she talks with God.  Our hero (who shall remain a mystery because we don’t know who to trust in the beginning) is very swoon-worthy.  He also talks to God and follows his convictions to help others. 

You will not be disappointed with this book!  Ripe (in more ways than one, as it involves a vineyard) with mystery, intrigue, danger, and secrets, you will be frantically flipping through the pages to find answers.  Who can Tressa trust and where is this fortune everyone is looking for? 

Content:  This book is a clean read.

Rating: I give this book 5 stars!

Genre: Christian fiction; Mystery; Historical fiction; Romance; Victorian

I want to thank Joanna Davidson Politano, LibraryThing Early Reviewers and Revell 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: 

I’m a work-from-home mom of one super cute baby girl (pictures to prove it) and I write novels. I married my hero Vince, who is my love and my polar opposite. I write, he tears it up with the red pen. I break cars and other mechanical things, he puts them back together. He’s nailed the “speak the truth” thing, and I bring the “in love” part. But the real spark to our marriage is that he does not like chocolate and I…  like it a normal amount. We love and live from our little house in the woods near Lake Michigan, which is undergoing a constant renovation.

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A Stunning Historical Saga--"The Lacemaker" by Laura Frantz Review

 

 



Wow, what a beautiful story!  I just recently read my first Laura Frantz books and loved them (the first two books in the Ballantyne Legacy).  So I had a feeling I would love this one as well, and I did—so very much!

Ms. Frantz has such a way of writing and describing detail that transports the reader to colonial Williamsburg.  Her setting is so well written that it takes on a life of its own and almost becomes as important a part of the story as the characters.  I don't typically prefer the setting of colonial Williamsburg, but I love it when Ms. Frantz writes about it!  I could feel the tension of a Williamsburg that is on the dawn of Revolution.  She has a way of writing about history so that you learn a lot and still enjoy an amazing story! 

"The Lacemaker" also has characters that the reader will fall in love with.  The two main characters are on opposite sides of the political spectrum when the story begins.  It is fascinating reading from the two different political viewpoints.  I never thought I'd feel sympathy for a Tory, yet I came to see that there are bad guys both among the Patriots and the Loyalists/Tories.  Elizabeth (also called Liberty), is our heroine, who has a strong faith.  Her example of continuing to pray and seek God, even when her world falls apart, is an inspiration to me.  She is even able to find something to be thankful for and thanks God, when everyone has deserted her and she has lost her home.  I also like the cameo appearances and references to men like Patrick Henry and George Washington. 

Ms. Frantz writes an incredible story, one I wish I had had when I was first learning American history.  She makes history come alive.  I came to love the setting and the characters!  This is a must read for lovers of historical fiction, American history and romance!

Content: I would give this book a PG rating for some minor content.  Some examples of the content are: reference to a woman’s daring décolletage, talk of drinking and gambling, a man is drunk, there are almost naked slaves and a brief description of the brutal way they are treated when being auctioned, a reference to the pleasures of marriage as opposed to being celibate and men smoke tobacco.

Rating:  I give this book 5 stars!

Genre: Christian Fiction; Historical; Romance.

I want to thank Laura Frantz, LibraryThing Early Reviewers and Revell 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:

I was born and raised in Kentucky, living first in Ashland, Mammoth Cave, Bowling Green, and then Lexington. But my heart has always been in Berea, Madison County, the place my family has resided since the 18th-century. I came to know Christ there at the age of 12, was baptized, and spent my childhood roaming through the woods and swimming in the rivers of my books.

My earliest memories are of the public library, standing in front of shelves filled with those little biographies of famous historical figures like Daniel Boone and George Washington and Sacajawea. I began scribbling stories at age 7 and thankfully never stopped. My passion then and now is history and all the wonders of past centuries.

I attended college at Denison University in Ohio and also in England, living in a manor/castle and studying the American Revolution from the British perspective. Shakespeare and 18th-century literature form the backbone of my English degree. Strangely enough, I only took one creative writing class.

It was never a desire of mine to be published. I simply love to write for the sheer joy of writing – and that was enough. But as Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

I hope my books bless you.

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An Amazing Debut Novel--"Lady Jayne Disappears" by Joanna Davidson Politano Review

 

 

My Review:

"Lady Jayne Disappears" by Joanna Davidson Politano is such an incredible book for so many reasons!!  I did not know anything about the author or the book going into it--except that I loved the cover and the back cover description.  This book is so well written and has such a great story with characters that you will fall in love with!

The opening of the story draws you in right away.  Ms. Politano uses vivid descriptions of Victorian England that make you feel like you are transported back in time.  There is an air of mystery and a gothic feel throughout, with hints of Dickens.   I find the premise and plot of this story fascinating and refreshing.  It is very original and well done. 

I love the characters in this story so much; each is interesting in his own right.  I’d love to gush more about the book’s plot, but it's hard to not say anything that would give the story away, so if the back cover description grabs you, you’ll love this book!  My inner bookworm was in heaven, reading about how Aurelie (our heroine), loves stories.  I love the way she thinks and interacts with others.  Aurelie also has a strong faith, prays and talks about God.  She repeats verses when she is going through hard times.  She is a character that I will not soon forget!

I highly recommend this book!  It has beautiful messages of identity, belonging and faith.  The mystery, twists and turns kept me reading until the last page.  I can't wait for the next book this author writes! 

Content: This is a clean read.

Rating:  I give this book 5 stars

Genre: Christian historical fiction; Victorian; Mystery; Romance

I want to thank Joanna Davidson Politano, Revell, and LibraryThing Early Reviewers 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.

Goodreads Description:

When Aurelie Harcourt's father dies in debtor's prison, he leaves her just two things: his wealthy family, whom she has never met, and his famous pen name, Nathaniel Droll. Her new family greets her with apathy and even resentment. Only the quiet houseguest, Silas Rotherham, welcomes her company.

When Aurelie decides to complete her father's unfinished serial novel, writing the family into the story as unflattering characters, she must keep her identity as Nathaniel Droll hidden while searching for the truth about her mother's disappearance--and perhaps even her father's death.

Author Joanna Davidson Politano's stunning debut set in Victorian England will delight readers with its highly original plot, lush setting, vibrant characters, and reluctant romance.

 

About the Author:  I’m a work-from-home mom of one super cute baby girl (pictures to prove it) and I write novels. I married my hero Vince, who is my love and my polar opposite. I write, he tears it up with the red pen. I break cars and other mechanical things, he puts them back together. He’s nailed the “speak the truth” thing, and I bring the “in love” part. But the real spark to our marriage is that he does not like chocolate and I…  like it a normal amount. We love and live from our little house in the woods near Lake Michigan, which is undergoing a constant renovation.


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