Against the Wind - By Amanda Cabot - Review

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION 

Doctor-in-training Louisa Vaughn has no intention of remaining in Sweetwater Crossing. She's just there for a few days to help a friend. But she can't abandon the injured man she finds at the side of the road. Until his broken leg heals, she'll serve as the town's doctor and midwife. She may not be fully qualified yet, but surely she's better than nothing.

Josh Porter's plans to win his grandfather's challenge and fulfill his father's final wish to gain full control of the family business hit a roadblock when he breaks his leg. But his enforced stay in Sweetwater Crossing gives him new ideas about the expansion of the company into new territory--ideas Louisa could help turn into reality.

If only the town were more accepting of Louisa's talents! Someone is determined to convince her to abandon her dream of healing others. Can Josh help her uncover the person behind the threats before it's too late? And is there any future for them together when neither of them plans to stay?

MY REVIEW

I couldn't put down this absolutely wonderful book. There was nothing simple about this story set in the town of Sweetwater Crossing, Texas. There were mysteries to be solved, a strong lady doctor who had prejudices to overcome, and a bit of romance. There was the healing of hearts and families, and there was some emotion and sadness,

This book had a little bit of everything for everyone, especially for lovers of historical Christian Romance. 

The only thing that had me second guessing and wanting more information was the mystery of the previous doctor. There were a couple of things that I read into it that I would have liked answered, but maybe in the next book in the series. 

Overall the writing was good and now I am interested in the previous story for a bit more backstory and the next story to spend more time with these wonderful characters. 

The main couple was wonderful and the evolution of their relationship was organic and true to life. I was pleased with the story development and the natural roadblocks as real life happened around the story. There were moments of laughter and tears. This one tugged as a good story should.

I received an early copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Into the Fire - Irene Hannon - Book Review

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

As a former smokejumper, arson investigator Bri Tucker knows her way around fires. But after a mysterious blaze takes the life of a former colleague, Bri inherits a curious puzzle from him that raises questions about several fiery deaths. Someone, however, doesn't want her picking up where he left off in search of answers.

When she teams up with ATF Special Agent Marc Davis to solve the puzzle, the danger escalates. But will they manage to track down the person behind the mysterious deaths before their budding romance--and maybe even their lives--go up in flames?

The bestselling and award-winning queen of romantic suspense is back with a brand-new series that is sure to get your adrenaline pumping as you burn through the pages to discover the truth.

MY REVIEW

I was absolutely absorbed into this story. I usually like romantic suspense but this one was turned up a notch. It was so good. I loved the story with Bri and Marc. She's a county fire investigator and he works for the ATF. 

When they are put together on a case and things don't add up, not only are they looking for clues, but they are trying to piece together how they feel about each other in spite of past hurts. The tension ramps up as things are starting not to add up in Bri's life as well as the case. 

The mystery itself is great, not giving it all away until later. The way it is presented makes the story feel like it is real. The chemistry between the characters is great. We have dynamic family relationships, friendships, and even the romantic relationships. There is a theme of healing throughout as well. 

This was a well-written story that I couldn't put down from beginning to end. I received an early copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Jane and the Final Mystery - An Austenprose Book Tour

 

QUICK FACTS

Title: Jane and the Final Mystery

Series: Being a Jane Austen Mystery (Book 15)

Author: Stephanie Barron

Genre: Historical Mystery, Austenesque Fiction

Publisher: Soho Crime (October 24, 2023)

Length: (312) pages

Format: Hardcover, eBook, & audiobook 

ISBN: 978-1641295055

Tour Dates: October 16 – 31, 2023

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

The final volume of the critically acclaimed mystery series featuring Jane Austen as amateur sleuth

March 1817: As winter turns to spring, Jane Austen’s health is in slow decline, and threatens to cease progress on her latest manuscript. But when her nephew Edward brings chilling news of a death at his former school, Winchester College, not even her debilitating ailment can keep Jane from seeking out the truth. Arthur Prendergast, a senior pupil at the prestigious all-boys’ boarding school, has been found dead in a culvert near the schoolgrounds—and in the pocket of his drenched waistcoat is an incriminating note penned by the young William Heathcote, the son of Jane’s dear friend Elizabeth. Winchester College is a world unto itself, with its own language and rites of passage, cruel hazing and dangerous pranks. Can Jane clear William’s name before her illness gets the better of her?
 
Over the course of fourteen previous novels in the critically acclaimed Being a Jane Austen Mystery series, Stephanie Barron has won the hearts of thousands of fans—crime fiction aficionados and Janeites alike—with her tricky plotting and breathtaking evocation of Austen’s voice. Now, she brings Jane’s final season—and final murder investigation—to brilliant, poignant life in this unforgettable conclusion.

MY REVIEW

Jane and The Final mystery is the culmination of a series 30 years in the making that I have only been recently introduced to. The heroine is none other than Miss Austen herself and this one occurs very shortly before her death.

Her rapier wit is every present on the page as she tries to help discover the truth of a school boy's death. The son of her friend is implicated and it is up to her nephew and herself to discover the truth before it is too late. This story has an emotional depth, both in Jane's empathy to her friend and to the situation, but also in her own personal struggle with her health and with the family's finances.

As she is written, Jane is ever as witty and thoughtful as our favorite of her heroines. There is no romance, but there is a strong mystery, good friendships, and a thoughtful conclusion. This is a proper send off to this author who makes a good heroine herself. I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery and found myself turning page after page in order to figure it out.

I highly recommend this delightful mystery that has a proper twist as any good mystery should. I received an early copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest review.

PRAISE FOR JANE AND THE FINAL MYSTERY

• “Poignant . . . Elicits deep emotion out of Jane’s struggles against her own mortality. This is a fitting send-off for a beautifully realized series.”— Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
• “Barron developed Jane’s narrative voice by reading Austen’s collected and published letters, and it is neither spoiler nor surprise to say that series readers will be sorry to say goodbye to Jane Austen, amateur sleuth.”— Booklist
• "[Barron] has brilliantly combined authentic historical and biographical details with skillful plotting and a credible evocation of Austen’s wry, distinctive voice. She brings the English author’s final investigation to a poignant, unforgettable close. Fans of this historical series will not be disappointed.”— First Clue

 

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | PUBLISHER | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS

 

AUTHOR BIO

Stephanie Barron is a graduate of Princeton and Stanford, where she received her Masters in History as an Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fellow in the Humanities. Her novel, THAT CHURCHILL WOMAN (Ballantine, January 22, 2019) traces the turbulent career of Jennie Jerome, Winston Churchill's captivating American mother. Barron is perhaps best known for the critically acclaimed Jane Austen Mystery Series, in which the intrepid and witty author of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE details her secret detective career in Regency England. A former intelligence analyst for the CIA, Stephanie—who also writes under the name Francine Mathews—drew on her experience in the field of espionage for such novels as JACK 1939, which The New Yorker described as "the most deliciously high-concept thriller imaginable." She lives and works in Denver, CO.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BOOKBUB |

GOODREADS

The Secrets Beneath - An Austenprose Book Tour

 

QUICK FACTS

Title: The Secrets Beneath

Series: Treasures of the Earth (Book 1)

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse

Genre: Historical Fiction, Western Romance, Inspirational Fiction

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (September 26, 2023)

Length: (336) pages

Format: Trade Paperback, eBook, & Audiobook 

ISBN: 978-0764241680‎

Tour Dates: October 9 – October 23, 2023

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Some secrets can only stay buried for so long. . . .

Anna Lakeman has spent her life working alongside her paleontologist father, drawing intricate sketches at every dig. When they find dinosaur bones near their home in Wyoming Territory, they're given the opportunity of a lifetime and are swiftly caught up in the competitive era of the Bone Wars. But after her father becomes sick and Joshua Ziegler, an old beau, returns for the summer, Anna's world is upended, and the practical, orderly life she has made for herself shatters.

Medical student Joshua Ziegler left his hometown to forget Anna, the one woman he truly loved and deeply hurt. But when he returns, time hasn't erased the feelings they've always had for each other. After Joshua's nephew goes missing—just like his sister did years ago—and Anna's job is threatened, tensions mount and dangerous secrets are unearthed.

MY REVIEW

The Secrets Beneath is everything you may have come to expect from Kimberley Woodhouse and so much more.

Strong Heroine with big dreams - check!

Dashing Hero who is flawed but supportive = check!

Misunderstood antagonist with a mystery - check!

Happily Ever After - check!

Plenty of drama and mystery with a little bit of science thrown in - check!

 

I loved this story and these characters. This was truly well written and I may have found out a few things about gardening and fossils.

 

Anna Lakeman has assisted her father for years on his dig sites where he is a paleontologist. She and Josh Zeigler were engaged, until they fought over her participation. He has been at medical school for three years and they haven't written or spoken.. When circumstances bring them both home, their romance is rekindled, but not until they address what ripped them apart and distance had nothing to do with it.

 

These characters are flawed and learn true growth through their faith and they grow together as they share that, truly making this a Christian Romance. While there is a kiss or two shared, there is nothing untoward, but the burn is just right.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this stroy and look forward to more as this promises to be the first book in a collection.,

 

I received an early copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest review.,

 

PRAISE FOR THE SECRETS BENEATH

• “…a propulsive launch with plenty of fuel for future adventures.”— Publisher’s Weekly
• "This book is full of intrigue and adventure, twists and turns…I highly recommend you pick up a copy and enjoy the journey."— Tracie Peterson, author of Pictures of the Heart
• “Fans of Kimberley Woodhouse will rejoice in this launch to a unique and engaging new series."— Jocelyn Green, author of The Metropolitan Affair

 

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | PUBLISHER | BOOKSHOP | BOOKBUB |    GOODREADS

 

AUTHOR BIO

Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than 30 fiction and nonfiction books. Kim and her incredible husband of 30-plus years live in Colorado, where they play golf together, spend time with their kids and grandbaby, and research all the history around them.

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

 

The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch - Book Review

 

QUICK FACTS

Title: The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch

Author: Melinda Taub

Genre: Historical Fantasy, Austenesque Fiction

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (October 3, 2023)

Length: (400) pages

Format: Hardcover, eBook, & Audiobook 

ISBN: ‎978-1538739204

Tour Dates: September 25 – October 9, 2023

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

A "wildly inventive and utterly addictive" (Julia Quinn) witchy reimagining of Pride and Prejudice, told from the perspective of the troublesome and—according to her—much-maligned youngest Bennet sister, Lydia.

In this exuberant retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Lydia Bennet puts pen to paper to relate the real events and aftermath of the classic story. Some facts are well known: Mrs. Bennet suffers from her nerves, Mr. Bennet suffers from Mrs. Bennet, and all five daughters suffer from an estate that is entailed only to male heirs.

But Lydia also suffers from entirely different concerns: her best-loved sister Kitty is really a barn cat; Wickham is every bit as wicked as the world believes him to be, but what else would one expect from a demon? And if Mr. Darcy is uptight about etiquette, that’s nothing compared to his feelings about magic. Most of all, Lydia has yet to learn that for a witch, promises have power . . .

Full of enchantment, intrigue, and boundless magic, The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch, has all the irreverent wit, strength, and romance of Pride and Prejudice—while offering a highly unexpected redemption for the wildest Bennet sister.

 

BOOK REVIEW

WOW. This is probably the top 5-star book for me this year and I read a lot of books.

The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch was well written and captivating. This paints a picture that is unlike Jane Austen's Lydia Bennet, yet somehow it entwines the story perfectly.

This magical telling actually lets me relate to Lydia, who let's be honest, comes across as almost the villain. In P & P she is selfish, and unthinking. This story paints her as so much more and Kitty, too.

I found myself turning page after page, not knowing where it was going and where it turned out was outside of what I might have guessed. This tale was full of imagination and spirit. There may be even a bit of goodwill for Wickham too in the end.

This magical side of a favorite story was brought to life and I enjoyed every minute. I found myself waiting with bated breath for the next twist to drop. This was twisty and turny and perfectly crafted. Just in time for spooky season.

I received and early copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest review.

 

PRAISE FOR THE SCANDALOUS CONFESSIONS OF LYDIA BENNET, WITCH

• “Funny and fierce as Lydia Bennet herself, this book mixes witchcraft lore with Austen’s story to make its own unique magic. I’ll never look at Kitty the same way again…” ―Claudia Gray, author of The Murder of Mr. Wickham, a Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney Mystery
• “Taub’s wit and creativity shines through. . . A delight for both Austen lovers and fans of magical adventure stories.” ―Kirkus Reviews

·       “Wildly inventive and utterly addictive. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm now 100% Team Lydia.” ―Julia Quinn

 

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | PUBLISHER | BOOKSHOP | BOOKBUB |    GOODREADS

 

AUTHOR BIO

Melinda Taub is an Emmy and Writers’ Guild Award-winning writer. The former head writer and executive producer of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, she is also the author of Still Star-Crossed, a young adult novel which was adapted for television by Shondaland. (She also wrote that thing about the Baroness in The Sound of Music that your aunt likes.) She lives in Brooklyn.

INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | X (formerly known as Twitter) | GOODREADS

Garden of the Midnights - Review

 

QUICK FACTS

Title: Garden of the Midnights

Author: Hannah Linder

Genre: Historical Romance, Historical Suspense, Regency Romance, Inspirational Fiction

Publisher: Barbour Books (October 1, 2023)

Length: (320) pages

Format: Trade Paperback, eBook, & audiobook 

ISBN: 978-1636094380

Tour Dates: October 2 – 16, 2023

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

The accidents are not a matter of chance. They are deliberate. As English gentleman William Kensley becomes aware of the danger at Rosenleigh Manor, he pleads for the truth of his past from the only man he can trust—until that man is murdered. 
 
As the secrets unfold into scandal, William’s world is tipped into destitution, leaving him penniless and alone. His only comfort is in the constant friendship and love of Isabella Gresham. If he does not have their nonsense at the seashore, their laughter, their reckless adventures, has he anything at all?
 
He should have known that would be ripped from him too. When a hidden foe arises from their acquaintances and imperils Isabella’s life, William may be the only one willing to risk his life to rescue her. But even if he frees Isabella from her captors, will he still have to forsake her heart? 

Some sacrifice everything for love. Others sacrifice love for everything else. In this haunting tale of rigid social prejudices and heart-aching regrets, the greatest decision of their life will be determined in the garden of the midnights. 

 

BOOK REVIEW

This story is different than most Regencies that I have read. Yes, there are still dual perspectives, but there is a depth to the story that makes it feel more substantiative. It asks heavy questions about the nature of love. It also addresses issues of trust.

William and Isabella are the dueling perspectives. William is raised by an aunt that uses him for blackmail and is abusive. William learns secrets about himself that change everything, while Isabella is  in society and being pursued by someone that she feels is more dangerous than she knows, but her father is pushing for the match.

This story is a lot of things and evokes a lot of emotion. It is a read that I didn't want to put down and the story was exquisitely written. The chemistry between characters was strong and undeniable. The plot was fresh, yet felt organic. The conflicts were suspenseful and very real. It was an escape that I would love to read again. Hannah Linder has done a lovely job with this story. The relationships are complex and add to the story. And the twist that I did not fully see coming.

I received an early copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest review.

 

PRAISE FOR GARDEN OF THE MIDNIGHTS

• “Hannah Linder's engrossing new novel is taut with life-and-death danger, twisty turns, and sweet, forbidden romance. Garden of the Midnights is sure to keep you up late turning pages!”— Julie Klassen, bestselling author of The Sisters of Sea View
• “A uniquely atmospheric novel, Garden of the Midnights intrigues from page one and never lets up. Readers will be swept away in the mystery and romance, and find themselves cheering for William and Isabella as they fight for their happily ever after. Hannah Linder's newest is beautifully written and a wonderful fresh take on the genre. One not to be missed!”— Joanna Barker, author of A Heart Worth Stealing, A Game of Hearts, and Otherwise Engaged
• "Unexpected twists and turns abound in this sweeping Regency suspense! Hannah Linder's writing is reminiscent of Austen, with fresh storytelling that will keep you on the edge of your seat."— Kasey Stockton, author of I'm Not Charlotte Lucas and the Bradwell Brothers series

 

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | PUBLISHER | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS

 

AUTHOR BIO

Hannah Linder resides in the beautiful mountains of central West Virginia. Represented by Books & Such, she writes Regency romantic suspense novels filled with passion, secrets, and danger. She is a four-time Selah Award winner, a 2023 Carol Award semi-finalist, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).

Also, Hannah is an international and multi-award-winning graphic designer who specializes in professional book cover design. She designs for both traditional publishing houses and individual authors, including New York Times, USA Today, and international bestsellers. She is also a self-portrait photographer of historical fashion.

When Hannah is not writing, she enjoys playing her instruments―piano, guitar, ukulele, and banjolele―songwriting, painting still life, walking in the rain, and sitting on the front porch of her 1800s farmhouse. Her next novel, The Girl from the Hidden Forest, is releasing on May 1, 2024.

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