Another Winner by Joanna Barker!--"A Love Most Daring" by Joanna Barker--Review

 Review:

"A Love Most Daring" by Joanna Barker is another winner! Ms. Barker continues to show me why she is one of my favorite authors. Her witty writing and humor shine throughout this sweet story. It is the third book in the “Bow Street” series but can be read as a standalone. It features a gruff Scot as the MMC which I love. Who doesn’t love a grumpy Scottish teddy bear?! You do get to see characters from previous books, which I absolutely loved! The mystery kept me turning the pages and the sweet romance won me over. I loved our main characters Beatrice and Alexander; they were so perfect for one another and their slow burn romance was swoony! The forced proximity during a murder investigation was done so well. This may be my favorite of Joanna’s books. I highly recommend this sweet Regency romance!

Content: I give this book a low PG rating. Some examples of the content: characters drink alcohol; characters want to get their fortunes told; a character stumbles upon a couple in a romantic embrace, possibly having s*x; rumors of drunkenness and illegitimate children: mention of an asylum.

TW: bullying.

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 Beautiful Time-Travel Romance! --"Echoes of the Sea" by Sarah Eden—Review

 

My Review:

"Echoes of the Sea" by Sarah Eden is the second book in the “Storm Tide” series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. Ms. Eden pens a beautiful time-travel romance! "Echoes of the Sea" is easy to read and I was immediately drawn into this gentle story. I adored the subtle humor that is sprinkled throughout. Kip, who is a modern-day actor from London, gets swept away to another time, when he meets Amelia. Amelia is from 1803, and I love that she has a disability, but does not let that stop her. The main characters, Kip and Amelia, are so endearing and their love story is so precious. Kip understands and really sees Amelia. I loved seeing them work together to save Amelia’s inheritance. Along the way, they make friends with the people of Guilford Island where the story is set, and I love that the characters become like family to them. Kip must reckon with whether he wants to try to stay in 1803 and he is also trying to not change the future with any of his actions. While Amelia did not like Guilford Island and the sea, I absolutely adored the setting of the book! Ms. Eden writes an austere, stormy, and picturesque setting of a coastal island that is vulnerable to being cut off from the mainland by rough seas for weeks at a time. There are lighthouses, storm swept seas and wind tossed waves that made my sea loving heart happy! I recommend this sweet story to readers of clean historical romance and time-travel!

Content: I give this book a low PG rating. Some examples of the content are: mention of hauntings and spirits; orphan; PTSD; survivor’s guilt; grief and loss.

TW: orphan; PTSD; survivor’s guilt; grief and loss. 

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 Sweet Marriage of Convenience Story--"The Rules of Matrimony" by Anneka Walker—Review

 

My Review:

"The Rules of Matrimony" by Anneka Walker is the fourth book in the addicting “Matchmaking Mamas” series. It can easily be read as a standalone, but there are recurring characters that readers of the series will enjoy seeing in each book. The whole series is simply fabulous and "The Rules of Matrimony" is the perfect ending to the series. It was everything I wanted and more! I was so looking forward to Ian’s story and this did not disappoint. From the hilarious and adorable meet-cute in a graveyard to the perfect ending, Ian and Amie’s story will melt your heart like it did mine. I have loved Ian and his gruff exterior (with the biggest heart) and was so excited for him to get his happily ever after. Amie is perfect for Ian. I love that Ian is determined to use his life to help others and change laws. Ian and Amie enter a marriage of convenience and create “rules” that they then proceed to break, also breaking down the walls each has put around their hearts. Will they find love in their marriage? Their romance made me smile with the nickname “Lord Grumpy” that Amie gives Ian. I appreciated seeing Amie make Ian smile. Tiny the dog was adorable and the way Ian would comfort Amie when she was scared was precious.  The chemistry and the longing between the two were so well done and sparks flew off the pages! The characters learn that even though they cannot choose their scars, they will never stop trying to rise above their circumstances. There are beautiful themes of family and forgiveness. At times laugh-out-loud funny and at other times poignant and tender, "The Rules of Matrimony" by Anneka Walker has quickly become a top read of the year!

Content: I give this a PG rating. Some examples of the content:  someone was unfaithful in the past and has mistresses; mention of madness and someone being drunk; mention of brothels: mention of laudanum.

TW: brief mention of madness; mention of a man trying to take advantage of a woman in the past; anxiety.

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

A New Favorite Time Travel Story! --"A Time Traveler's Masquerade" by Sian Ann Bessey—Review

 

My Review:

"A Time Traveler's Masquerade" by Sian Ann Bessey is a new favorite time travel story. It is the first in a new series called “A McQuivey’s Costume Shop Romance” and is part of the award-winning “Proper Romance” collection. It is set in the Jacobean era (early 1600s) in England. I learned so much about Guy Fawkes and the Gun Powder Plot of 1605 while reading this engaging story. I love this period of history and Ms. Bessey really brought it alive with her attention to historical detail and extensive research. She makes history accessible and explains things well in case one is not familiar with this era. It is a time of religious upheaval and division between Protestants and Catholics. I appreciate that this is a clean read, which is not common for stories set in this time period. There is no explicit content, and it is suitable for general audiences, especially young readers. 

The story mixes a little fantasy with history, sweet romance, adventure, amazing characters, and a swoony romance. There’s time-travel, rescue romance, plenty of fish-out-of-water moments, and a race against time. Our heroine, Isla Crawford, loves reading and the past. She is from the present day but travels back to the Jacobean era through a costume shop. I appreciate how Isla struggles to fit in during the past and even things like certain words, how she speaks and writes make her stand out. The obstacles she faces are very realistic. Simon Hartworth, the hero, is one many readers will fall for! I love the banter between Simon and Isla and their horse riding. There’s danger and suspense and I was on the edge of my seat wondering how it would all play out and if Isla has a part to play. Will Isla and Simon also catch feelings in the meantime as they try to help stop the treasonous plot? Another thing that really made this story unique is getting a point of view from Guy Fawkes. This is my first book by this author, but it certainly will not be my last. I cannot wait for book two in the series!

Content: I give this a G rating. Some examples of the content are: someone is an orphan; someone curses, but the words are not written; men drink alcohol; a brief mention of past assault.

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

A Charming Romance with a Perfect Gentleman! --"The Gentleman's Confession" by Anneka Walker--Review

 My Review:

"The Gentleman's Confession" by Anneka Walker is such a charming romance! I had a smile on my face as I read this wonderful story. Readers will fall in love with this friends-to-lovers romance and even more so with our hero, Miles Jackson.  Jemma Fielding feels she needs to marry to honor her late grandmother’s dying wish and goes to the Matchmaking Mamas Society. Jemma is matched with someone but feels she does not know anything about love. Jemma decides to go to her old friend Miles for advice. Miles is one of the best male protagonists I have read in a long time. He is such a sweet cinnamon roll. The way he loves Jemma, even when his feelings are not returned, is so romantic. He is willing to teach Jemma about love so she can fall in love with and marry someone else, even though he secretly loves her. He is nicknamed “Mr. Romantic” for a reason! There is even a lake scene with a wet shirt! It is very reminiscent of the infamous lake scene from the Colin Firth “Pride and Prejudice” movie! Be prepared with your smelling salts!

Jemma, our headstrong, lovable heroine is a bluestocking and loves fashion. She also loves to support causes. Miles and Jemma have a group of friends called “The Rebels,” many of whom readers will recognize from previous books. You need not have read the previous books to enjoy this one, but I look forward to reading all the rest of the books in the series! The friendship between the Rebels is so fun and heartwarming. It is admirable how they come together for worthy causes and to fight injustice. There are also lots of historical tidbits in the story including cricket, fashion, and the Chios massacre of 1822. The author writes in a witty way and there are several humorous scenes that I enjoyed.

The author calls this book “romantic, witty and uplifting!”  It surely is all those things, and it is also a clean read. I highly recommend this book!

Content: I give this book a G rating. Examples of the content: the word “devil” is used; there is a rumor that someone was drunk; it says that someone almost uttered a swear word; there’s mention of a woman showing too much of her chest.

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