Review: Not Exactly Mr Darcy by:C Miller

 

About the Book:

 Pride, Pemberley, and Second Chances

When history-loving Olivia Bennett’s teaching contract isn’t renewed, she is considered her family’s logical choice to care for her ailing grandmother in a tiny English village. While there, she soon finds additional work at nearby Hartbury Hall—one of England’s great houses once used as Pemberley in a filmed production of Pride and Prejudice. The head gardener there, however, proves to be anything but the gentlemanly hero of that famous book. Little does she know that behind Liam Browne’s brusque exterior is both a family tragedy and a legacy that demands truth and honor, creating a crisis that only Liv’s vivacious determination can resolve. Along the way, she may just learn that appearances count for naught. . .and that love can be found in unexpected ways.

 

My Review: 

 There are just so many aspects to this story that's just darling. I like the book cover that's what initially drew me to the book, in the first place. The setting is based in England and the way that its described sounds so heavenly. I just love English gardens and the like. Just beautiful! 

 Olivia is a precious character that has such a sweet spirit about her. She soon realize that this garden has many things that surround it that is different than just an ordinary garden restoration. Seasons change and bring new people into our lives that can and will most literally upset and upend our thoughts and change the direction of our lives. Olivia's learned that when she met Liam Browne.

 Are you a fan of Jane Austen? Well if not you will be. This story is so reminiscent of her writings and it shows through every fiber of this endearing story. 

**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own. 

Review: The Red Cottage by:H Linder

 

About the Book:

  She forgot she loved him.
He would die to make her remember.

Meg Foxcroft has never minded the tattling village gossip or her uncle’s ill-tempered rebukes. After all, she has Tom McGwen—and one day, they will build their own cottage, paint it red, and live a wonderful life.

But then the unthinkable happens. Meg is attacked, her uncle’s apothecary shop goes up in flames, and when she wakes up in the arms of an eloquent lord, she remembers nothing. Not even her own name.

In a frantic race against time, Tom plunges into dangerous water, bent on sheltering Meg from harm and discovering who wants her dead. Even if she despises him. Even if it’s now the handsome lord she casts her smile upon.

As danger swells and truth comes crashing around them, Meg must confront the past and decide who she trusts—and loves—before the enemy makes the final strike.

My Review: 

 Great read that will remind you of those faraway movies or stories you have read or seen that are almost fantasy like but real period type history. 

 Meg has big hopes and dreams for herself and her Tom. But will it all be for naught if her uncle has no shop and everything she knows goes up in smoke with it?  After the shop burns down a Lord comes to her rescue. But somehow her Tom does too. It is just as confusing to the reader as it is to the protagonist. Having amnesia sure did mess everything up for Meg and Tom.

 Will they ever figure this all out and find their way back to each other?!

**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own. 

w: The Daughter of Shiloh Bk 3 (Enduring Hope) by:T Haynes

 

About the Book:

 Collect a series of six historical romances. When life seems weighed down by challenges, there are always pillars of enduring hope and love to be discovered.
 
Lealie Bevard, a determined Tuskegee Institute student, attends the Shiloh Baptist Church convention in Birmingham on September 19, 1902, to request a scholarship for continued education at Harvard. But a beautiful gathering turns tragic when a stampede breaks out and Lealie is injured. While convalescing at the home of fellow Tuskegee student Milton Rafferty, Lealie’s concerns for her future are set aside to help Milton uncover a mystery revolving around missing church funds and a possible murder. Perhaps a pause in Lealie’s well-laid plans can be used for good and lead to love.

My Review: 

 First of all, if there is a historical fiction book or story sign me up!. Love history and this one ranks up there with the top choices. I am not sure I was ever aware of the stampede that took place and I don't feel much has been said or written about it. I have lived in Alabama my whole life and the only story about any churches here is the story about the bombing in 1963 so this story was very interesting to me.  

 Lealie is a very determined young lady that has set her sights high but they aren't unreachable in her eyes. Maybe in the community and those around her but not in her own. She attends a gathering where Booker T Washington will be a speaker to reach out to the community for help, in getting a scholarship to Harvard in order to continue her education. 

 While there Lealie is caught in the middle of a disaster that no one saw coming. A stampede ensues and several people are hurt and some killed. All from a misunderstanding on words. While very sad Lealie and new friend Milton discover there is a huge mystery to uncover that will require the two of them to put their heads together to find resolution.

A really good read for a crisp afternoon!

**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own. 

 

  

Review: Mistletoe and Mayhem by: J Thompson

 

About the Book:

 A Wildfire Races toward the Hadley Ranch

Breathe in the nostalgia of everything old red truck in book three of a new cozy mystery series.

It’s less than a week until Christmas in Mabank, Texas, and just a few days away from RaeLyn and Mason’s wedding on Hadley ranch. Unfortunately, a wildfire with mysterious origin is rapidly traveling across several counties and headed right for the Hadley acreage. Fire fighters rush to put it out before the family homestead goes up in flames, taking the business and the old red truck with it. Their perfect wedding may be ruined, and RaeLyn and Mason are determined to find the source of the fire.

My Review: 

 I imagine that the Midwest always has wildfires or their potential on their mind. It seems in recent years that it happens a lot more than it use to. RaeLyn and Mason have that same concern probably more often than their friends and family. But these days its extra concerning because of their home and livelihood and that their wedding is only days from taking place. While I like the main characters I am always up for a good Christmas fiction story. My absolute favorite!

 This story takes place during that time. so while wedding planning is all the buzz this addition to the series the pending wildfire and the cause are causing all kinds of emotions in the main two characters and they get down to the bottom of it pronto--wedding or not. 

 **Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own. 

Review: The Undercover Heiress of Brockton by:K Goshorn

 

About the Book:

 Collect a new series of six historical romances. When life seems weighed down by challenges, there are always pillars of enduring hope and love to be discovered.

Henrietta “Etta” Maxwell, heiress to the Maxwell fortune, is a hard-hitting investigative reporter for The Enterprise Daily. The catch? Etta must pen her columns under the nom de plume, Henry Mason—a fact that routinely puts a knot in her knickerbockers.

Leo Eriksson is a second-generation firefighter with a passion for rendering aid to those in need. When Leo discovers that Henry Mason is really Henrietta Maxwell, the fire department’s wealthy benefactress, he agrees to keep her identity secret. 

After a sudden blast rocks the Grover Shoe Factory, Leo and Etta team up to determine if the explosion is related to a series of suspicious fires in the area. But sparks fly when Leo accuses Etta of negating the human side of the disaster in her determination to get a good story.

When an unnamed source reveals Etta’s secret identity to a rival reporter, she falsely accuses Leo of being the informant. As the truth comes to light, Etta must persuade Leo to give her a second chance or lose the only man she’s ever loved.

My Review: 

 So set in a time when ladies kinda got the hard line, as far as trying to make a name for themselves or to really do anything in the world. Etta had to use a pen name and that name being a man's name. The name was Henry Mason.  Etta Maxwell and Henry Mason being one and the same star reporter for the local paper. Etta is a wealthy lady but she also likes a good mystery. And so it goes she is off on another adventure about town, the Grover Shoe Factory had an explosion and series of suspicious fires. 

 Of course Etta will make her way there to investigate but there is always an annoyance of some kind and this time its of one Leo Eriksson a firefighter and legend around town. He is always helpful and neighborly. He cares deeply for these people and the town as a whole. He happens to run into Etta and things arent exactly picturesque. 

 Thats when things start to go downhill and these two start butting heads. Etta is all about getting the story and Leo is worried about the people. But soon sparks start to fly between the two and it aint to start another, if you know what I mean. 

 These book is perfect for a good crisp fall day. It has a mystery which I love and it has some romance. Great Read!

**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own. 

 

Review: The Highland Heist by: P Basham

 

About the Book:

 Grace Storms a Scottish Castle to Save her Sister
 
Lord Astley surprises his wife with a trip to America to see her family before they end their honeymoon adventures. But just as they arrive, they find Grace’s sister, Lillias, is the prime suspect in her husband’s murder. To add to the confusion a solicitor arrives to tell the sister’s they are needed in Scotland immediately to claim their mother’s inheritance.
 
The clock is ticking to clear Lillias of suspicion, but someone is determined to keep the sisters from reaching the Scottish Highlands. When Lillias disappears, Freddie and Grace race to Scotland, sure the answers will be found in a long-forgotten castle.
 
With a ghost from Frederick’s past leaving threatening clues along the way, the mysterious Mr. Kane waiting in the wings to grab the inheritance for himself, and an apparition haunting the infamous castle, Lord and Lady Astley must capture the castle, save Lillias, and not die in the process.

My Review: 

 I love the adventures of Lady Astley and Lord Astley. They are always running into something that they have to figure a way out of and I'm here for it. I feel like I know them. This time it was grace's sister that was in trouble and no sooner do they find this out she disappears. The story kept me wondering if they knew where she was and they werent hiding her themselves. Very action filled to say the least.

 Then like life does it continues and you are forced to move with it. The sisters were informed of the wish for them to go to Scotland to learn of their mother's inheritance. So because Lillias is missing Freddie and Grace have to race to Scotland. But dont worry more trouble awaits them.

Such a great story that is suspense filled and I couldnt wait for the next thing to happen. 

 

**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own. 

Review: The Angel of Second Street by:B Blakey

 

About the Book:

 How Can Compassion be Considered Wrong?
 
When life is weighed down by challenges, pillars of enduring hope and love are always waiting to be discovered.
 
Ida Dempsey has grown up in a privileged life of luxury thanks to her aunt and uncle. Although Second Street—where women of ill repute ply their wares—is off limits to respectable citizens, her heart of compassion compels her to frequent the area, hoping to make a difference in their lives. Ida has also befriended Qui Shau, a Chinese woman who keeps house for her family, but friendships between the whites and Chinese are taboo in Eureka. Ida tries to keep secret her forbidden compassion, but someone is watching and will use it against her.
 
When Blaine Prescott meets Ida at a church picnic, his parents warn him away from any relationship with the young lady who has been seen on Second Street in the company of a Chinese woman. But how could such a kindhearted, lovely young woman be anything but good? But when riots break out in Chinatown and Ida disappears, Blaine will do anything to find out where and why she has gone.

My Review: 

 I really liked Ida's story and how it went in deep to the struggles of that time. Im sure there were many people  in that era with the same convictions and heart as Ida. Many suffered with it in silence and many did as Ida did. Went there and tried to help others as the Bible instructs us to do. I dont think the author writing on such a taboo topic of the time was wrong or forced. I actually believe quite the opposite.

 I love the story and I love Blaine's part in this whole ordeal and Im glad he was waiting in the wings to in turn help Ida. I like the story and the two rich in detail characters served it well. Too bad we can hear a little more from the two of them.

Great summer beach read!

**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.