A Charming "Beauty and the Beast" Inspired Romance! --"Miss Beresford and the Beast" by Mimi Matthews—Review

My Review:

"Miss Beresford and the Beast" by Mimi Matthews is a charming "Beauty and the Beast" inspired romance! Mimi Matthews is one of my favorite authors, and this book did not disappoint.  It had all my favorite elements, including Victorian Gothic and “Beauty and the Beast” vibes and a sweet animal companion! This book is connected to the author’s other series, “Somerset Stories,” but can easily be read as standalone. “Miss Beresford and the Beast” is a story about the third generation of the family in the “Somerset Stories.”  It was so neat to see familiar characters from the previous series. There were also some “Sleeping Beauty” and “Hades and Persephone” vibes. Charlotte Beresford, our heroine, is a lover of animals and fairytales and she is curious and compassionate. I love that she meets our hero, Magnus Sterling, when she is trying to help a wounded dog. Magnus is scarred and grumpy, but Charlotte can see past that to his compassionate heart. I love Charlotte’s motto about not paying attention to what people tell you, but to what they do. The reader and Charlotte start to fall for Magnus when he helps and befriends a wounded dog and sparks fly. Will they be able to overcome their circumstances and find love? I highly recommend this book and cannot wait for the next book in the series!

Content: I give this book a low PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content: Lord’s name is taken in vain; mention of alcohol and someone was drunk in the past; the words “a*se,” “bloody,” “hell” and “da*n” are used.

TW: past emotional abuse; person possibly went mad in the past.

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

 

 

A Fantastic New Favorite Historical with Steampunk Vibes! —"A Lady's Handbook to Gadgets and Guile" by Angela Bell—Review

 

My Review:

“A Lady's Handbook to Gadgets and Guile" by Angela Bell is a fantastic new favorite historical fiction book with whimsical steampunk vibes! This was just incredible! The author says this book is like “Little Women” meets “Inspector Gadget.”  This is the first in the “Daughters of Genius Society” series and has some connections to the author’s previous book, “A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure.” “The Daughters of Genius Society" is a women’s club of books, tea, and blue stockings on the outside—concealing an elite team of lady inspectors. Our heroine, Margaret Kingsley, is an ambulatory wheelchair user who is also a gadget inventor for the D.O.G.S. I have never seen the experience of chronic pain/illness described so true to life. Living with chronic illness and pain myself, I almost seemed at times to be reading my own experience on the page and have never felt so seen in a book. I highlighted so many parts and was encouraged in my own pain and faith journey. I also loved that the FMC is older than is typical in this genre. There is also mental health representation, awesome family relationships, and adorable animal companions. I love how the author shows the beauty of God, and His comfort and sustaining grace. The faith content is awesome. The main character prays, leans on the Lord and gives thanks in hardships. The story and action are amazing, with an invention gone out of control and a daring chase that ensues. Our hero deals with panic attacks and loves music. I love how he worshipped God with his music. The romance was ever so sweet! I cannot wait for the next book in the series! Do yourself a favor and read this inspiring, fun, and whimsical story! You will not be disappointed.

Content: I give this book a PG rating. See trigger warnings below for examples of the content.

TW: anxiety and panic attacks; past miscarriages.

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

 

Princess Victoria Solves Mysteries! --"The Heir" by Darcie Wilde—Review

 My Review:

"The Heir" by Darcie Wilde is an engaging and promising first installment in the “Young Queen Victoria Mystery” series. I love anything related to Queen Victoria, so I was really excited about the premise of this book, and it did not disappoint. It was the perfect blend of history and mystery. Some books in this genre can fall flat, where there is not much of a story besides the mystery or as much character development as I would like, but that’s not the case here. I really came to love (and hate) the characters in this story, especially young Victoria. It was so neat to see what Victoria’s life was like as a girl and to learn more about the “Kensington system” and how restricted Victoria was by her mother and Sir John Conroy. I love how Victoria does not let that stop her! The book has superb writing and impeccable historical research and detail. I was engaged throughout, and I was dying to know how the mystery would play out. I loved getting to know the characters surrounding Victora and seeing the story play out from a few different points of view. And the ending is leaving me dying for the next book! This is one of my favorite mysteries of the year and I highly recommend it!

Content: I give this book a high PG-13 rating due to the language. Examples of the content: mention of alcohol, mistresses, cheating, gambling and being pregnant out of wedlock; the words “sh*t,” “bloody hell,” three instances of “f*ck,” “da*n,” and “ar*e” are used; the Lord’s name is taken in vain; mention of ghosts.

TW: someone is said to be insane; physical and emotional abuse; speculation 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 Atmospheric, Historical Romance!"--"Whispers of Shadowbrook House" by Rebecca Anderson—Review

 

My Review:

"Whispers of Shadowbrook House" by Rebecca Anderson is an atmospheric, historical romance! The book gives some spooky and Gothic vibes, with a house that is a character all its own. Shadowbrook House possibly has ghosts and there is eerie violin music playing throughout its winding passageways. There is a mystery to the house and many unexplained things that are happening inside and to the people who live within. Ms. Anderson excels in her descriptive writing, and I could very much picture the house and feel myself inside the crumbling mansion. The setting is Victorian England and the heir, Oliver Waverly, plans to sell the house when he inherits. His mysterious and reclusive uncle refuses to sell, and I appreciated seeing the nuances to their relationship. Oliver returns to the house to convince his uncle to sell and meets the governess, Pearl. I loved Pearl’s character and how she is not intimidated by the spookiness of Shadowbrook and her love for her young charge, Maxwell. The romance was so sweet! Several of the characters must learn to open their hearts to love and decide which voices to listen to and which to ignore (literally and figuratively). I wanted to give a heads up to sensitive readers that that a medium comes to the house (and there are seances), but Pearl doesn’t seem to believe in spiritualism and it’s mostly seen as a hoax and a way to give comfort to the grieving.  Overall, this is a wonderful story, and I will not soon forget my sojourn to the mysterious Shadowbrook House!

Content: I give this a PG rating. Some examples of the content:  mention of ghosts; someone talks about having “the sight,” a character is a medium and there are seances (the main characters do not believe in it); a child is born out of wedlock; past death due to childbirth.

TW: hallucinations.

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 Murder Mystery! --"A Daughter's Guide to Mothers and Murder" by Dianne Freeman—Review

 

My Review:

"A Daughter's Guide to Mothers and Murder" by Dianne Freeman is such a fun murder mystery! It is book eight in the “Countess of Harleigh Mystery” series. This book is a cozy mystery set during the Victorian era and takes place in Paris. Ms. Freeman gives a good recap of what the reader needs to know from previous books. You need not have read the previous books, but there are some continuing storylines. This book transports readers to Paris where both the Olympics and the Exposition are occurring. It was interesting reading about and learning more about those events. As the spouses-turned-sleuths team up to solve yet another murder, the reader is taken along with them as they investigate on the Seine, at the theater, at the opera, at a picnic, and even while golfing! Frances, her husband, and even her mother team up to try and help another mother and daughter. I love that there are a lot of family relationships and dynamics, especially mother-daughter relationships. During the course of the book, Frances is also helping her sister as she’s navigating new motherhood, helping a friend investigate a man her daughter is interested in, and working other cases as well, all while trying to solve two murders. Ms. Freeman writes such great mysteries, and I was not able to figure it out until everything was revealed at the end. This is such a fun series and cozy mystery lovers will want to get their hands on this newest installment!

Content: I give this book a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content: mention of alcohol, gambling and smoking; lots of mentions of people having affairs and “kept” women although it is never condoned; a man was drunk; the word “da*n” is used; children are born out of wedlock; a man slapped a servant; talk of losing a baby.

TW: domestic physical abuse.

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

A Thrilling New Gothic Romance! --"Rules for Ruin" by Mimi Matthews—Review

 My Review:

"Rules for Ruin" by Mimi Matthews is the thrilling first installment in “The Crinoline Academy” series. Ms. Matthews pens a Victorian Gothic romance that will leave readers wanting more! It is touted as “Great Expectations” meets “Peaky Blinders” meets “Kaz Brekker.”  It has the darkness of Alex Archer from “Parish Orphans of Devon” and “Gentleman Jim.”  I loved the nods to “Great Expectations,” especially with the headmistress of the school being like Miss Havisham, as she wants to mold her pupils to be agents of change in society. Miss Corvus, the proprietress, takes orphans and raises them to combat patriarchy and forward the rights of women, giving a feminist slant to the story. I love that there’s a girl’s boarding school/orphanage where the girls learn normal subjects, but also things like picking locks, espionage, and how to defend themselves.

Ms. Matthews’ writing is delicious! The banter and chemistry between the characters sizzles off the page and that first kiss was perfection. The atmosphere drew me in and had me glued to the page. Euphemia Flite, our heroine who is also a bluestocking, is trying to earn her freedom by striking a deal with Miss Corvus. She needs to use her training to bring down a certain viscount. What she does not barter for is to meet Gabriel Royce and possibly lose her heart in the process. I love the cat and mouse trope that goes on between these two. There is a daring hot air balloon chase and several dashing rescues that the characters find themselves involved in. Amid the romance and danger, there are also themes of family loyalty and sisterhood. I am so excited to see what the next installment of this amazing series brings!

Content: I give this a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content: the words “da*n,” “bloody,” “devil,” “hell” and “a*se” are used; mention of prostitutes, a mistress, whores, gambling, alcohol, drugs and morphine; mention of bastards and illicit love affairs; the Lord’s name is taken in vain; violence and blood.

TW: orphans, abandonment, and past child abuse.

Spice level: closed door; brief vague reference in epilogue of what it is like when they are “intimate together,” brief fade to black scene.

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

 

A Lovely Conclusion to an Amazing Series! --"The Muse of Maiden Lane" by Mimi Matthews—Review

USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews returns this fall with THE MUSE OF MAIDEN LANE (Berkley Trade Paperback Original; November 19, 2024), the final installment of the beloved Belles of London series. Featuring a beautifully rendered friends-to-lovers romance, a fiercely feminist protagonist who refuses to settle for less than her worth—with a swoon-worthy hero more than willing to rise to the occasion—and poignant disability representation in the Victorian era, Matthews delivers the very best of historical romance with her signature blend of sophistication, wit, and achingly romantic tension.

With her unorthodox looks and her family’s dwindling funds, equestrienne Stella Hobhouse knows she is on a steady track to spinsterhood. Her outmodish gray hair makes her invisible to London society, and her pious brother’s domineering restrictions have her convinced she’ll spend the rest of her days trapped in Derbyshire without a chance at love or freedom. Until she meets aspiring artist Teddy Hayes.

 

Teddy knows true beauty when he sees it, and it only takes one look at Stella for him to be convinced she must be the star of his next portrait. After a bout of scarlet fever left him partially paralyzed, he knows the importance of seizing an opportunity before it’s gone, and he’ll do anything to persuade his muse to pose for him. The pair strike up a powerful friendship, and though Teddy seems to be the only person who truly sees Stella for who she is, she can’t risk her reputation to be known as an artists’ model.

 

That is, until Teddy offers Stella an offer she’s hard pressed to refuse. Knowing Stella craves nothing more than her freedom from until her brother’s thumb—and fighting for his own independence from his overly attentive family—Teddy offers Stella a marriage of convenience if she agrees to pose for him. Stella struggles to reconcile her growing feelings for Teddy with his pragmatic offer, but while Teddy has yearned to trace Stella’s luminous beauty on canvas since their first meeting, she’ll discover it’s her heart he truly aches to capture.

 

 My Review:

"The Muse of Maiden Lane" by Mimi Matthews is a lovely conclusion to the “Belles of London” series! This series follows four horse loving friends during the Victorian era. This final installment tells Stella and Teddy’s story. Stella Hobhouse has always stood out due to her silver hair. Even though Stella’s hair makes her stand out, it is not always in a good way. She is used to being overlooked by gentlemen because of that very thing, making her somewhat of an oddity. Teddy Hayes is an artist who uses a wheelchair, due to being partially paralyzed by scarlet fever. Teddy sees Stella and is taken aback by her beauty and feels that he must paint her portrait, even though sitting for a portrait is considered scandalous for a lady of that time. Ms. Matthews once again brings her readers well thought out and complex, loveable characters. I instantly fell in love with Stella and her love for her horse, Locket. Stella feels more confident and independent with Locket. Teddy’s character brings great disability representation, while also being a three-dimensional hero that readers will root for. It is refreshing to see a male protagonist who deals with chronic pain. I love how Mimi shows what the reality of life would have been like for someone in a wheelchair and partly paralyzed, especially in that era. There is also a lot of talk about art, artists, and techniques that I found fascinating. Readers of Ms. Matthews’s books will love seeing characters from the previous books in this series as well as from her “Parish Orphans of Devon” series. I especially loved the house party setting and getting so much time with characters from other books. Both Stella and Teddy have things that make them different and considered odd in their society and they want to find independence. Combine these characters with a marriage of convenience plot and you have a winner! I only wish there were more books in the series!

Content: I give this book a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content are: mention of prostitutes and brothels; the Lord’s name is taken in vain; the words “da*n, “bloody,” “hell,” and “devil” are  used; characters drink alcohol; reference to someone being born out of wedlock and a bastard; talk of someone having a mistress; someone struggles with depression; a man wants his future wife to pose in the nude for him to paint; talk of wedding night and consummation; fade to black scene with kissing and undressing to underwear.

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

About the Author

 Photo credit: Vickie Hahn 2021

Mimi Matthews is the USA Today bestselling author of several historical nonfiction works and award-winning Victorian romance novels. Her novels have received starred reviews in Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus, and her articles have been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, and in syndication at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes a retired Andalusian dressage horse, a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats. Learn more online at www.mimimatthews.com.

Purchase link: click here

A Unique and Lyrical Story! --"The Love Note" by Joanna Davidson Politano—Review

 

My review:

Have you ever felt a story is so beautiful that it touches your soul?  "The Love Note" by Joanna Davidson Politano is one of those stories.  I still cannot find adequate words to fully do this book justice.

I love how unique Ms. Politano’s books are.  This one is a standalone.  You can really tell the author wrote this story with God, letting the Spirit guide her.  There are so many nuggets of divine truth throughout.  This book is not your normal love story; although, there is a mysterious love note that is passed around to the people living in a house that the main character, Willa, is working at.  I loved seeing how the note affected, touched and changed each person who received it.  This is a house devoid of love, but slowly things change because of one note and one persistent nurse (Willa).  This book speaks not just about new love; but broken love, lost love and stale love.  I love this quote from a member of the household: “When you truly love someone, you find what’s good about them and say it.  It’s all a matter of where you focus.”

This is a story about the cracks in people’s lives and how the love note brings out different things in each person.  It’s also about how only God can truly fill those cracks.  I also recognized how this love letter can be symbolic of God’s love letter to us through His Word.  If we truly allow ourselves to believe what He says about us and imagine ourselves as He sees us, then our whole life and outlook can change.  

I highly recommend this book and author!  Prepare to be deeply moved and encouraged.

Content: I give this book a PG rating.  Some examples of the content are: an allusion to prostitution; alcohol is mentioned; talk of someone being illegitimate; mention of a baby born out of wedlock.

Rating:  I give this book 5 stars.  

I want to thank Joanna Davidson Politano 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 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.

To visit the author's website click here

To purchase the book click here

"A Trace of Deceit" by Karen Odden Blog Tour (Review) & GIVEAWAY!

 

A TRACE OF DECEIT BY KAREN ODDEN

Publication Date: December 17, 2019
William Morrow
Paperback & eBook; 416 pages

Genre: Historical Mystery/Victorian

 

 

From the author of A Dangerous Duet comes the next book in her Victorian mystery series, this time following a daring female painter and the Scotland Yard detective who is investigating her brother’s suspicious death.

A young painter digs beneath the veneer of Victorian London’s art world to learn the truth behind her brother’s murder…

Edwin is dead. That’s what Inspector Matthew Hallam of Scotland Yard tells Annabel Rowe when she discovers him searching her brother’s flat for clues. While the news is shocking, Annabel can’t say it’s wholly unexpected, given Edwin’s past as a dissolute risk-taker and art forger, although he swore he’d reformed. After years spent blaming his reckless behavior for their parents’ deaths, Annabel is now faced with the question of who murdered him—because Edwin’s death was both violent and deliberate. A valuable French painting he’d been restoring for an auction house is missing from his studio: find the painting, find the murderer. But the owner of the artwork claims it was destroyed in a warehouse fire years ago.

As a painter at the prestigious Slade School of Art and as Edwin’s closest relative, Annabel makes the case that she is crucial to Matthew’s investigation. But in their search for the painting, Matthew and Annabel trace a path of deceit and viciousness that reaches far beyond the elegant rooms of the auction house, into an underworld of politics, corruption, and secrets someone will kill to keep.

AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | BOOKS-A-MILLION | INDIEBOUND

My Review

“A Trace of Deceit” by Karen Odden is a work of art.  Like a striking painting, this story is beautiful, complex and full of details.  Some words I would use to describe this mystery are lush, descriptive and immersive.  Those who love professionally researched mysteries with a lot of complexities will savor this story.  There are a lot of period and art details.  Sometimes I felt like the story was a little slow with the pacing.  But it is a story to savor and linger in, much like one does at an art gallery.  The author obviously has done extensive research and knows what she is talking about.  Art lovers will especially love this book, although an amateur (like myself) can also enjoy it.  The mystery is done so well, it kept me guessing through the whole book.  I do not know how Ms. Odden was able to bring everything together at the end like she did, but it was very cleverly done.  I also love that the story has a slightly Gothic feel to it.

Our heroine, Annabel Rowe, is a female painter in Victorian England.  She goes to a progressive art school (one of the few that accept women).  Her brother (another artist) is mysteriously murdered. Annabel basically inserts herself into the investigation and gets to know the inspector, Matthew, and they develop a friendship and later a romance.  They work together to find answers. Annabel is strong, courageous, stubborn and fearless.  Sometimes, I got frustrated along with Matthew that Annabel put herself in some dangerous situations.  I love Matthew’s character and the relationship that develops between the two as they work together.  I also think the way Annabel’s past relationship with her brother and how she processes everything is very well done.  Ms. Odden gives the reader a poignant look at grief, loss and resilience.  

I recommend this book to lovers of mystery, art and historical fiction!

Content: I give this book a PG-13 rating.  Some examples of the content are: a character uses opium and gambles; the Lord’s name is taken in vain; a man drinks; the words “da**,” “bloody hell,” “devil,” “a**” and “bastard” are used; mention of suicide; mention of a man trying to have sex with the maids; metions that a male teacher had sex with some of his male students and made unwelcome advances; mentions that people curse, but the words aren’t actually written.

Rating: I give this book 4 stars.  

I want to thank Karen Odden, Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours and William Morrow 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.

Praise for A Trace of Deceit

“Odden’s third effort injects a refreshing level of complexity, both in character development and plotting, into what one typically expects to find in historical cozies. This will appeal to fans of Victorian mysteries, as well as those interested in art history.” -Booklist (starred review)

“Odden keenly evokes the physical as well as cultural milieu of Victorian England, and peoples her setting with fully realized and intriguing characters. This book will delight readers who like their mysteries cloaked in well-researched history.” -Publishers Weekly

“…this thrilling, action-packed story [is] an absolute delight to read.” -Historical Novel Society

“Odden’s literary brushstrokes vividly portray the misogyny and gender bias experienced by women in Victorian society, especially a woman battling to exercise her artistic talent. ” -Washington Independent Review of Books

“Fans of Anne Perry, Deanna Rayborn, and Tasha Alexander will root for Karen Odden’s newest heroine, Annabel Rowe—aspiring painter and now amateur sleuth—investigating the murder of her art forger brother. The novel’s a delightful mix of mystery, history, and romance, served with a delicious helping of lush period detail, while chemistry between Annabel and the investigating Scotland Yard detective add spice to the adventure.” -Susan Elia MacNeal, New York Times bestselling author of the Maggie Hope series

“A darkly thrilling story filled with suspense and secrets, a courageous heroine, an edgy climax, and an atmospheric setting that perfectly captures the underbelly of London’s art world in the Victorian era. A Trace of Deceit is an absolute winner!” -Stefanie Pintoff, Edgar Award winning author

About the Author

Karen Odden received her Ph.D. in English literature from New York University and taught at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has contributed essays and chapters to books and journals, including Studies in the Novel, the Journal of Victorian Culture, and Victorian Crime, Madness, and Sensation; she has written introductions for Barnes and Noble editions of books by Dickens and Trollope; and she edited for the academic journal Victorian Literature and Culture. She freely admits she might be more at home in nineteenth-century London than today, especially when she tries to do anything complicated on her iPhone. Her first novel, A Lady in the Smoke, was a USA Today bestseller and won the New Mexico-Arizona 2016 Book Award for e-Book Fiction. Her second novel, A Dangerous Duet, about a young pianist who stumbles on a notorious crime ring while playing in a Soho music hall in 1870s London, won the New Mexico-Arizona 2019 Book Award for Best Historical Fiction. A Trace of Deceit is her third novel. She resides in Arizona with her family and a ridiculously cute beagle named Rosy.

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Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, September 7
Review at Books and Backroads
Review at WTF Are You Reading?

Tuesday, September 8
Feature at I’m All About Books

Wednesday, September 9
Review at Hallie Reads

Thursday, September 10
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books

Friday, September 11
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit

Monday, September 14
Review at Pursuing Stacie

Tuesday, September 15
Review at Faery Tales Are Real

Wednesday, September 16
Review at Into the Hall of Books

Thursday, September 17
Review at Novels Alive

Friday, September 18
Review at A Darn Good Read

Saturday, September 19
Review at Nursebookie

Monday, September 21
Review at Books and Zebras

Tuesday, September 22
Review at Passages to the Past

Thursday, September 24
Guest Post at Novels Alive

Friday, September 25
Review at The Lit Bitch

Monday, September 28
Review at Amy’s Booket List
Review at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

Tuesday, September 29
Review at Impressions In Ink
Review at Writing the Renaissance

Wednesday, September 30
Review at Probably at the Library
Guest Post at Writing the Renaissance

Thursday, October 1
Excerpt at Books In Their Natural Habitat
Review at History from a Woman’s Perspective

Friday, October 2
Review at Jessica Belmont
Review at Jorie Loves A Story
Review at View from the Birdhouse

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away one paperback copy of A Trace of Deceit! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

The giveaway is open to US residents only and ends on October 2nd. You must be 18 or older to enter.

Direct Link: https://gleam.io/competitions/qxgBy-a-trace-of-deceit