Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince

By Jennifer Moore

1812

Southern Belle Meg Burton is her parents last hope of avoiding financial ruin, and a distant cousin’s kind gesture seems an ideal solution: he will sponsor Meg for a London Season. The Pursuit of a wealthy husband was not exactly how the bookish young woman had envisioned her first trip abroad—after all, what does a girl from Charleston, South Carolina, know about being a lady? Amidst the stunning gowns and extravagant balls of the ton, Meg feels like an imposter. Thankfully, she has one friend who knows her true self—Carlo, a handsome stable hand. Despite their difference in station, love blossoms between the unlikely pair, and Meg is sure of one thing: she wants nothing to do with the insufferable European aristocracy.

Prince Rodrigo de Talavera has lost everything to Napoleon. Jaded by war, he has become bitter and miserable—until he meets Meg, an American woman whose eccentric schemes and passion for life remind him what it is to laugh and to love. If only she knew him for himself and not as Carlo the stable hand. With the shadow of deception looming over their happy acquaintance and the dangers of war drawing ever more near, can Meg and Rodrigo find the courage to put aside their pretenses and discover if they can be loved as they truly are?

Okay, this is my favorite so far from Jennifer Moore. I did like Becoming Lady Lockwood, but didn’t care so much for Lady Emma’s Campaign. This was right down my ally. Meg is a southern belle that has traveled across the sea for a London season, and she worries that she will never be up to snuff for the polite society in London. She feels homesick and out of place until she meets Carlo, the stable hand, and makes a friend. What she doesn’t realize is that Carlo lied about who he really was, and he is in fact, Prince Rodrigo from Spain. Afraid that he will lose the only friend and companion who doesn’t treat him like a trophy if he tells the truth, Rodrigo is frustrated when he starts to fall for the spirited Meg. And, like so many love stories before this one, we are left to wonder if the lies will prove too much for a love that could be once in a lifetime. While the premise is not new by a longshot, there’s a reason it’s used so often. It works. I loved reading this. Rodrigo is burdened by the war he and his sister left behind, Meg by her homesickness and feeling so out of place in a new country. I loved their story and it was a great way to indulge my need for a clean romance.

I give it a 4 out of 5

Unraveled

By Julie Daines

In the years since the fever that took both her family and her ability to walk, sixteen-year-old Bronwen has been relegated to the lonely status of cripple. But when a fortuitous encounter with a mysterious mountain witch reveals the magical possibility of regaining the use of her legs, Bronwen can’t help but envision the life she never had. Powerless to resist the promise of a second chance, Bronwen dons the enchanted but homely shoes the witch gives her and embarks on a journey that takes her from her small village in the countryside to the glittering court of the king—and from a lonely life of solitude to a life filled with attention from two very different young men. But when Bronwen’s desire to be accepted leads to compounding lies and a mountain of trouble, the power of true love is tested. Can Brownwen’s dream of being happy, whole, and loved ever be attained?

After looking at the cover for this book I was expecting some kind of twist on the Cinderella story, and that tinted my reading of the book, but in a good way. I felt like I was reading a fairy tale retelling but wasn’t quite sure which fairy tale. I liked this easy-to-read story and enjoyed the setting of Wales. Bronwen is a girl who gets the chance to see what her life could’ve been if circumstance and sickness hadn’t changed her fate. She is a cripple, and feels like she will never have the life she dreams of with a husband and family of her own one day. She knows that no man will want a crippled wife. So she sets about her daily chores trying to content herself with her home and the things she can still do. But when she is kind to a witch, she finds herself bequeathed a ratty pair of shoes that are much more than they seem. They give her healthy legs again, but at a cost. She sets out at the urging of her mother to present herself to the court. It is there that she learns how different life is for her now that others see her as ‘whole’. Throw in two different men who both care for her in different ways, and all the lies that she has told to keep her secret, Bronwen has found that life isn’t easy even when you’ve got two sturdy legs to stand on. This is a quick read that is more than just a romantic story, it’s a story about being honest and true to yourself and recognizing that strength is about more than being whole or broken.

I give it a 3.5 out of 5

Lord Fenton's Folly

By Josi S. Kilpack

Lord Fenton is a gambler and a dandy, and he will be stripped of his wealth and position unless he rises to his responsibility—one of which is to marry. Far from being a giddy groom, Fenton chooses the unobjectionable Alice Stanbridge simply because he had known her as a young girl and his mother feels Alice would make a good wife.

Alice, however, has harbored feelings for Fenton since their first meeting years ago, and his proposal is a dream come true. Not only would a match with the most-eligible bachelor in London secure her future, but it will also give her a place of distinction and admiration. Had anyone admired Alice for anything before now?

When Alice learns that she is not only an unwanted wife, but a demanded one, however, she closes her heart. Only when Lord Fenton faces the greatest trial of his life does he begin to find love beyond the folly. Could a great love come from a beginning such as this?

The historical regency “proper” romances are one of my guilty pleasures, and I can’t help but blow through them for a shot of warm fuzzy goodness. I was especially excited about this one because of Lord Fenton’s funny cameos in Kilpack’s other regency romance “A Heart Revealed” and was looking forward to seeing the comedic Fenton meet his match (pun intended). This was an unpleasing read for me. I’m going to give a few spoilers in the following so stop reading if you don’t want to know. Usually there is some kind of moral hang up that happens preventing the romance from progressing. This is the case for Fenton, who has an issue with intimacy because of the transgressions of his father. I had a really hard time reading this because of that. I disliked reading it, and it didn’t feel like a true ‘proper’ romance because of it. As I’ve always stated however, I am highly sensitive and don’t care for anything of a sexual nature in my books. A good kiss is okay, but other than that makes me uncomfortable.

I give it a 2.75 out of 5

The Inheritance

By Louisa May Alcott

The first novel written by a 17 year old Louisa May Alcott, isn’t the best novel she’s written, but it is quite possibly one of the sweetest. Edith Adelon is a lady’s maid to young Amy Hamilton, whose father saved Edith from an Italian orphanage as a child. Edith is thrown into high society with Amy quite suddenly when the Hamilton’s cousin Ida Glenshaw comes to stay and find herself a husband. The ensuing story is one of sweet first loves, betrayal, and family. It’s a lovely little novella that can be read in a day or so, and for those who enjoy movie adaptations, I highly recommend the adaptation starring Thomas Gibson (Criminal Minds). It’s one of my go-to movies when I need a sweet romance.

It gets a 3.5 out of 5 (But the movie gets a 4 out of 5!)

A Heart Revealed

By Josi Kilpack

Amber Marie Sterlington, the Rage of the Season in Regency-era London, has her pick of men, and she knows what she wants most in a husband: a title and a fortune. Why would she ever marry for something as fickle as love? And why would she ever look twice at Thomas Richards, a third son of a country lord?

But when Amber’s social standing is threatened, the character of her future husband becomes far more important than his position. After a public humiliation, she finds herself exiled to Yorkshire. Alone except for her maid, Amber is faced with a future she never expected in a circumstance far below what she has known all her life. Humbled and lonely, Amber begins to wonder if isolation is for the best. Who could ever love her now?

It’s very difficult to enjoy a book when you don’t like the main character. I had a hard time relating to or even feeling sympathy for Amber. She’s a brat. She’s totally vapid and doesn’t have one thought for someone else, she’s too fixated on her beauty and her ability to snag a rich husband. Even when things go horribly wrong for her and she has to start rethinking her life, I still held a grudge against this lady. I found myself latching on to the interesting facts I was learning about the disease that Amber has and the family history we learn as we read. I enjoyed reading this book, but I wasn’t sucked in or feeling any warm fuzzies at the romance. Thomas was way too good for her. I liked the maid better.

I give this a 3 out of 5

Lady Emma's Campaign

By Jennifer Moore

She would follow him through peace and war.

London, 1811

The London Season is ushered in with a thrilling flurry of invitations, gowns, and parties. But despite her status as belle of the ball, lovely socialite Emma Drake simply cannot fathom becoming entangled with any gentleman of her acquaintance. For in truth, since childhood her heart has belonged to Captain Sidney Fletcher, a man of the sea—and her brother’s best friends. Emma knows that Sidney’s directive to free the Spanish city of Cadiz from French occupation will be dangerous, but when word arrives of his capture, she is frantic. Determined to aid her brother in Sidney’s rescue, she hides aboard his ship and sets a course to Spain. But the realities of war are a far cry from the drawing rooms of London, and Emma finds the man she loves a mere shadow of his former self. When a series of events leaves them trapped together behind enemy lines, Emma and Sidney must embark on a journey fraught with danger—from a bloody hunt for Spanish treasure to the battlefields of war-torn Spain, new threats lurk around every turn. As their flight becomes increasingly perilous, Sidney and Emma must trust each other with their lives—but can they trust the other with their heart?

It’s hard to find a good clean romance that is written well with believable characters and an entertaining plot. I enjoyed Jennifer Moore’s first book Becoming Lady Lockwood enough that I picked this up at the library as soon as it came out. While it was fun to see old faces, I had a hard time liking Emma. She’s sheltered and she screams far too much. Perhaps it’s because when I’m truly terrified I can’t speak. I was reminded of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. I swear all that blonde woman did was scream in a high-pitched and very annoying way. I inadvertently pictured her as I read about Emma’s experiences in the midst of a war. Sure, she gets better, but there is that first picture to contend with. It made me not like her and I only minimally was able to overcome that. It’s always hard to root for a relationship when you don’t like one of the characters. Sidney was much more agreeable, though he became a fairly stereotypical protective male. Though I did appreciate the gesture that was made toward explaining PTSD. It was a fine read, just not one of my favorites. Will I read Ms. Moore’s next book? Probably. This was just a case of not liking the character versus the writing or overarching plot.

I give it a 3 out of 5

Longing for Home

By Sarah M. Eden

Though she was only a child during the darkest days of Ireland’s Great Famine, Katie Macauley feels responsible for the loss of her family’s land and the death of her sister. Now a woman grown, Katie has left Ireland for America and the promise of earning money enough to return home again and plead for her family’s forgiveness. She arrives in Hope Springs, Wyoming Territory, a town sharply divided between the Americans who have settled there, with their deep hatred of the Irish, and the Irish immigrants who have come searching for a place to call home. Her arrival tips the precarious balance, and the feud erupts anew. Even in the midst of hatred and violence, however, Katie finds reason to hope. Two men, as different as they are intriguing, vie for her heart, turning her thoughts for the first time toward a future away from Ireland. Katie must now make the hardest decision of her life: stay and give her heart a chance at love, or return home and give her soul the possibility of peace.

I listened to the audiobook instead of reading it, which was my first experience with an audiobook that I didn’t have to immediately put the book down. I’m not an auditory person, but I recently got a job where my commute to and from work is 40 minutes, so I thought, heck I could get a lot of books “read” by listening to them. So, this was my first attempt. The narrator did a fair job at the Irish accents, and the solo southern accent. I found myself liking the story and people because I didn’t know too much about Irish racism in America, though I knew it happened. I admit though that the audiobook took way too long to finish. I could’ve read the book in a day or two, but this dragged out over 3 weeks. I was only able to listen to it in the car (I can’t pay attention if I’m doing anything else). That was my main drawback. It started to feel like a soap opera because listening to it drew it out too much. I do have to warn as well that this book is the first in a two-part story. Things are left pretty much in the air. The following will be a spoiler so if you don’t want to know, do NOT read further: I did something I never do. I was so ticked off that Katie ended up with the wrong person (in my mind) and I actually went in search of spoilers because if she really truly ended up with this person I wasn’t going to read the next book. I couldn’t stand it. I was that passionate about it….and I’m going to read the next book. That is all.

I give it a 3.5 out of 5

Love's Enduring Promise

By Janette Oke

Clark and Marty, the pioneer couple initially thrown together after the deaths of their first mates, now preside over a growing number of youngsters in their prairie home. You will laugh and cry with them as they face the joys and trials of life on a homesteader’s farm. Will they find a suitable teacher for the long-awaited new school? Is the “very learned” Eastern preacher going to be able to communicate with the simpler people of the West? How can they comfort the neighbors whose long-awaited only child brings such sorrow to their home? How do Clark and Marty guide their lovely daughter, now grown to womanhood, in her choice of a partner?

I find myself really enjoying this series. They are comforting and simple. I like reading about the pioneer family, and look forward to the next book which continues the story with Missy. While the first book is more about Marty and Clark exclusively, this book goes a little more into the lives of the people in the small community. There is a cohesion about it that is endearing and you find yourself rolling your eyes at some neighbors, and thoroughly loving others. The best part about this book is the quiet faith that is written into their lives. I’ve read Christian fiction that was so overtly religious and in your face that it felt false. This has a simple day-to-day faith that really appeals to me personally as a Christian, but it also has plenty to offer non-Christians as well, which is why it works so well. It’s just about life in this pioneer town and how they deal with the good and the bad that they face each day. Great series about life, love, religion, family, and everything in-between.

I give it a 3.75 out of 5

And yes, it is also a movie.

The Healer's Apprentice

By Melanie Dickerson

A young healer’s apprentice named Rose believes she will never marry…until she meets Lord Hamlin, the future ruler of her village. Hamlin is everything she could ever want—kind, understanding, and a man of faith—but her low station and the fact that he’s already betrothed to a mysterious woman makes their romance impossible. As Lord Hamlin seeks to find the sorcerer who cursed his future bride, Rose’s life spins toward confusion. A creative retelling of the classic Sleeping Beauty tale.

This was my first read from Melanie Dickerson, whom I’ve been trying to read for about a year now. After reading this book I promptly read two more of her books. I’m a nerd about fairy-tale retellings. This was an interesting take, putting a Christian spin on the fairy tale as well as a medieval historical setting was intriguing. I was right there loving the story and the faith behind the characters up until the very end. Without spoiling anything, I just got uncomfortable. Demons came into play, and I’m really antsy about occult stuff. I like magic and fantasy as much as the next Harry Potter fanatic, but when someone starts in on possessions, pentagrams, and black magic, I back away as quickly as possible. This towed the line for me. In fact, it tainted an otherwise very likeable story.

Overall I give it a 3.5 out of 5 (would’ve been higher if not for the above mentioned stuff) 

Friends and Foes

By Sarah M. Eden

After five years of tracking and capturing spies on English soil, Philip Jonquil, Earl of Lampton, is in pursuit of his last quarry. But at a traveler’s inn, he encounters an unexpected and far more maddening foe: Sorrel Kendrick, a young lady who is strikingly pretty, shockingly outspoken, and entirely unimpressed with him. Indeed, Sorrel cannot believe the nerve of this gentleman, who rudely accuses her of theft and insults her feminine dignity. Double annoyed when they both end up at a party hosted by mutual friends, Philip and Sorrel privately declare war on one another. But Philip’s tactics, which range from flirting to indifference, soon backfire as he finds himself reluctantly enjoying Sorrel’s company; and, much to her dismay, Sorrel finds Philip’s odd manner to be increasingly endearing. In the midst of this waning war and growing attraction, Philip catches wind of the French spy he’s been tracking, and Sorrel inadvertently stumbles upon a crucial piece of the puzzle, making her indispensable to the mission. But can two proud hearts negotiate a ceasefire when cooperation matters most?

It has taken me so long to get to this book, though not by choice! After trying unsuccessfully to get this book at my local library, (I had to tell the librarian that this book was the first in the Jonquil novels so she would order it!) and then having gone to another library in the county only to finally get the book and discover it was too heavily inundated with cigarette smoke (which I am allergic to) to read, I was desperate for Philip’s story! I have read all the other Jonquil’s stories, and loved each one. After (finally!) getting a copy,  it did not disappoint. I loved Philip’s character, his dissatisfaction with playing a fool that he most certainly was not for the sake of his country and family, and his playful and witty banter with “General Sorrel” was always smile inducing. I always enjoy a clean romance, and feel that everyone needs a bit of lovey-fluff in their reading library. Sarah M. Eden is one of my go-to sources for an entertaining, polished, and properly romantic read. In fact, I’ve decided to get my favorites for my own ever-growing library. And in case you are interested, that includes Seeking Persephone, this novel, and As You Are.

I give this a solid 4 out of 5.

Seeking Persephone

By Sarah M. Eden

When Persephone Lancaster receives a marriage proposal from the ill-tempered Duke of Kielder, she refuses—and then reconsiders. The obscene sum of money he’s offering Persephone would save her family from ruin. With her characteristic optimism, she travels to the far reaches of Northumberland to wed a greatly feared stranger. Lodged deep in a thick forest infested with wild dogs, the Duke’s castle is as cold and forbidding as the Duke himself, a man with terrible scars on his body and his soul. But the Duke’s steely determination to protect his heart at all costs is challenged by his growing attachment to his lovely and gentle bride. With caring persistence, Persephone attempts to pierce the Duke’s armor and reach the man beneath. Yet he cannot tolerate such exposure, and his repeated rejections take their toll. But when grave danger arises, the Duke realizes he must face the risk of revealing his true feelings or lose the woman he cannot live without.

I was a little surprised at how much I enjoyed this book, though in retrospect, I probably shouldn’t have been. It’s a very beauty and the beast-like retelling, though it can also said to be a retelling of the mythology surrounding Persephone and Hades. I really enjoyed that not-so-subtle nudge. It actually endeared this story to me even more. Persephone was a good character, not given to being pitying, but also finding her situation difficult, she was realistic and also innocent and exactly what Adam needed. Adam himself was a great “Beast” character, being scarred and having a decidedly terrible reputation that scares the wits out of almost everyone he meets. I loved the interplay and slow blossoming love between the two of them. The awkwardness displayed by Adam as he wishes to open himself to Persephone, but not knowing quite how, is one of the best parts of the novel. I highly recommend this novel as a clean book as well as a good romance.

I give it a 4.25 out of 5

Courting Miss Lancaster

By Sarah M. Eden

Harry Windover adores blonde, green-eyed Athena Lancaster, but alas, a penniless man like himself has no hope of winning a young noblewoman’s hand. To add insult to injury, Athena’s brother-in-law and guardian, the Duke of Kielder, has asked Harry to assist Athena in finding the gentleman of her dreams. But the lovesick Harry is cunning as well: as the weeks pass, he introduces Athena to suitors who are horrifically boring, alarmingly attached to their mothers, downright rude, astoundingly self-absorbed, and utterly ridiculous. Athena can’t comprehend why she is having so little success meeting eligible and acceptable gentlemen. Indeed, her circle of admirers couldn’t be less admirable—nothing like the loyal, gentle friend she’s found in Harry. But how long can Harry’s scheme be hidden before it is discovered? And what will Athena do when she uncovers Harry’s deception?

I was excited to read this book because I so liked Harry in Seeking Persephone. He was the only soul that could be comfortable around Adam (The Duke of Kielder) and not be intimidated by his demeanor. His humor and knack for putting everyone at ease made me excited to read his love story, wanting very much to see him happy. I was a little disappointed at the plot, and at Athena, whose character felt a bit shallow. She was described as a beauty, kind, and all things congenial. It was a little boring to be honest. Harry was a little too thick-skulled in how he treated Athena, though it was well-thought-out as to why. It wasn’t my favorite of Sarah Eden’s books, and I adore some of her others.

I give it a 3 out of 5

The Merchant's Daughter

By Melanie Dickerson

An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice. Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf, a recluse who is rumored to be both terrifying and beastly. Her circumstances are made even worse by the proximity of Lord Ranulf’s bailiff—a revolting man who has made unwelcome advances on Annabel in the past. Believing that life in a nunnery is the best way to escape the escalation of the bailiff’s vile behavior and to preserve the faith that sustains her, Annabel is surprised to discover a sense of security and joy in her encounters with Lord Ranulf. As Annabel struggles to confront her feelings, she is involved in a situation that could place Ranulf in grave danger. Ranulf’s future, and possibly his heart, may rest in her hands, and Annabel must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart.

Hey look, I found another retelling of Beauty and the Beast! This is a Christian themed, and medieval set telling of the fairy tale. It is the second book written by Melanie Dickerson, The first of which is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. While I worried at first that Dickerson favored having her heroines’ virtue come into jeopardy, I was relieved to note that she always has them rescued and never has it go anywhere beyond being chased and sometimes hit. Being Christian myself, I enjoyed the religious aspect of this novel, especially how God answers Annabel’s petition to be able to read the Bible through placing her in a position to read it to Lord Ranulf. I particularly enjoyed the perspective of someone reading the Bible for the first time, it was sweet and endearing. Lord Ranulf’s back story was different than any other “Beast” character than I’d previously read and that made me like the story quite a lot more than I would have, but at the same time I didn’t like the story as much as The Healer’s Apprentice because of the horrible Bailiff that had ill intentions towards Annabel, which made me nervous the entire time I was reading. For a Beauty and the Beast retelling, it was alright, though not a favorite.

I give this a 3.5 out of 5- mostly for the religious aspect that I appreciated.