A Royal Christmas by Melody Carlson - Review

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Adelaide Smith is too busy for fairy tales. She's been working hard to put herself through law school and now that the end is in sight, she's determined to stay focused on her goals. Then she receives a letter notifying her that she has been found through a DNA registry to be a direct descendant of King Maximillian V, the ruler of a small Eastern European principality called Montovia. She's understandably skeptical. This is the stuff of cheesy made-for-TV movies, not real life.

Although the pieces of this surprising family puzzle seem too good to be true, curiosity gets the best of her. At the king's invitation, Adelaide embarks on a Christmas break trip that is chock-full of surprises, including a charming village, an opulent palace, family mysteries, royal jealousies, a handsome young member of Parliament--and the chance at a real fairy tale romance with a happily-ever-after ending.

Spend this Christmas with bestselling author Melody Carlson as she whisks you away to a royal holiday you'll never forget!

MY REVIEW

This was a fun and light read that addressed a couple of things that might be more difficult, that may be a contradiction but it really is. It is a girl without family that learns the truth about her mother's secret. Adelaide does a DNA test on an ancestry site and finds the father she never knew, a king. She is swept into a whirlwind trip to meet him because he is dying. She is faced with the need to get to know her father and trying to find her missing uncle. She finds herself not knowing who to trust, but knows something is amiss. 

Adelaide is a fun character that has fire, wisdom, and is an absolute delight as she navigates her new country and possible royal duties. She is kind and attentive as she learns about the country and it's people. She also works to solve the mysteries and ensure the country's future This novella is delightful and shows some fun European Christmas Traditions. It was an easy read and something that is toned well for Christmas, while still having enough conflict to be interesting, I received an early copy from the publisher on NetGalley and this is my honest review.

An Unsuitable Heiress - By Jane Dunn

 

BOOK INFORMATION

• An Unsuitable Heiress, by Jane Dunn
• Boldwood Books (May 22, 2023)
• Trade paperback, eBook, & audiobook (350) pages
• ISBN: 978-1804835364
• Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance

AMAZON | PUBLISHER | ADD TO GOODREADS

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Following the death of her mother, Corinna Ormesby has lived a quiet life in the countryside with her cantankerous Cousin Agnes. Her father’s identity has been a tantalising mystery, but now at nineteen Corinna knows that finding him may be her only way to avoid marriage to the odious Mr Beech. Deciding to head to London, Corinna dons a male disguise. Travelling alone as a young woman risks scandal and danger, but when, masquerading as a youth, she is befriended by three dashing blades, handsome and capable Alick Wolfe, dandy Ferdinand Shilton and the incorrigible Lord Purfoy, Corinna now has access to the male-only world of Regency England.

And when she meets Alick’s turbulent brother Darius, a betrayal of trust leads to deadly combat which only one of the brothers may survive. From gambling in gentleman’s clubs to meeting the courtesans of Covent Garden, Corinna’s country naivety soon falls away.

But when she finds her father at last, learns the truth about her parentage and discovers her fortunes transformed, she must quickly decide how to reveal her true identity, while hoping that one young man in particular can see her for the beauty and Lady she really is.

Sunday Times-bestselling author Jane Dunn brings the Regency period irresistibly to life in a page-turning novel packed with romance, scandal, friendship and colour.  Perfect for fans of Jane Austen. Janice Hadlow, Gill Hornby, and anyone with a Bridgerton-shaped hole in their lives.

---

MY THOUGHTS

This was a delightfully refreshing read set in the time of the Regency. What we have is a young lady in a Cinderella type situation with her aunt who is forced to leave or be married off to an inappropriate suitor. She and her best friend hatch a plot that has her leaving in the middle of the night dressed as a young man. 

She is dutiful to this costume and runs into a group of four friends at a coaching inn. They adopt her into their group as the young man of her disguise. This leads to hijinks and eventually finding her grandfather and learning the truth. I enjoyed this group of friends. 

The language in this book reflected accents (to an American) more so than many Regencies I have read. The proprieties were not as strict as well (this poor girl would have been ruined many times). It was pragmatic, practical, and had great emotion. The characters were nuanced and rather than dwelling on problems, they solved them. They saved each other. 

Each relationship she had with the young gentlemen was different and individual based on the personalities. When trouble arose, she was not a shrinking violet and was able to keep her head. These things all combined to make this a wonderful story. It was a different twist on something that has become somewhat formulaic. I look forward to more from this author as this is the first that I have read from them. I received an early copy through the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Letters from my Sister by Valerie Fraser Luesse

 

ABOUT

Two Sisters. One Single Event. A Family Changed Forever.

At the turn of the twentieth century, sisters Emmy and Callie Bullock are living a privileged life as the only daughters of a wealthy Alabama cotton farmer when their well-ordered household gets turned upside down by the arrival of Lily McGee. Arrestingly beautiful, Lily quickly--and innocently--draws the wrong kind of attention. Meanwhile, Callie meets a man who offers her the freedom to abandon social constraints and discover her truest self.

After Lily has a baby, Callie witnesses something she was never meant to see--or did she? Her memory is a haze, just an image in her mind of Emmy standing on a darkened riverbank and cradling Lily's missing baby girl. Only when the sisters are separated does the truth slowly come to light through their letters--including a revelation that will shape the rest of Callie's life.

Bestselling author Valerie Fraser Luesse weaves a complex and suspenseful tale dripping with intrigue, romance, and Southern charm.

MY  REVIEW

Letters from my Sister comes from the perspective of two sisters living on a Cotton Farm in Alabama following the civil war. It follows their lives and those of their paid servants who are loyal to the family and happen to be black. Being in the south, superstition and prejudice are still high. 

Callie and Emmy are twins. Emmy is engaged and Callie is not sure she ever will be but then she meets someone that gives her a whole new view of things. The beginning of the story sets up their relationship, the events of their time, and their tragic heartbreaks. When trauma happens along the way and Callie is left without memory of the events of 1 particular night, she is sent away. Emmy is touched by Tuberculosis and the two are separated. They write to each other as Callie is desperately trying to regain her memories. 

This story is well written, emotional, and at times heart rending. Callie and Emmy, while twins are two very different personalities and love each other. Their relationship is evident. There are aspects of this story that move along quickly, while others take time to develop. The story was rich and full of life and was able to carry through the book with all the required emotion. 

I received a copy of this book through the publisher and NetGalley and this is my honest  review,