Monthly Archives: April 2016

Sigh Worthy Historical Fiction

17 Sunday Apr 2016

Posted by in Books I LOVE, Reviewed Books

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The Reluctant Duchess

I am just over the moon in love with this book! I have picked a few duds lately and The Reluctant Duchess is just what I needed to pull me out of my book slump. If you are a Downton Abbey fan and like me, your morning the end of your favorite show…this book is for you! This book is definitely in the Downton Abbey era, but it also has a bit of mystery to add to the ambiance. For me, author Roseanna M. White hit a home run with Book 2 in her Ladies of the Manor Series. 

I honesty had never heard of White when I selected this title to read. I have not read Book 1, The Lost Heiress. The books are connected in the story they tell, but I did not feel lost. I could see there were details of the first book that might have enhanced this novel, but I still LOVED this book!

The Reluctant Duchess is the story of the weary Lady Rowena Kinnaird. Rowena has been mistreated not only by her father, but also the man she thought was the love of her life. Her life long companion Lilias comes up with a plan to change Rowena’s future. With the help of Rowena’s father, Lord Lochaber, Lilias arranges for Rowena to meet the Duke of Nottingham. Rowena must get past her terrible memories to find love. Brice (the Duke) has the difficult task of solving a mystery and earning the trust of Rowena.

Honestly, so much happens in this book it is difficult to summarize without spoiling the story! My advice to you is to read it! You will not regret it! The Reluctant Duchess is the top of my favorites list of 2016 and I am excited to add White to my MUST READ authors list. I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I have not been compensated.

A Review: Brazen

10 Sunday Apr 2016

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Brazen

 

I am not sure where to begin with what my opinion is regarding this new book by Leeana Tankersley. I think if I had know a bit more about the book before, I might have skipped this title. There are just a few red flags that flew for me while reading Brazen. I could not be made to feel comfortable recommending it to a friend without know they had the ability to eat the meat and spit out the bones. Honestly, Tankersley offers some great advice and encouragement. However, for me, there are a few places in this books pages that I found unsettling.

The chapter I found most helpful was twenty-three, You are That Girl. I love the way Tankersley goes after the insecure place in every woman I know. It is in this chapter I found myself wanting to tweet quotes from the pages. Tankersley eloquently nails the apprehension I feel about choosing things I want to do, but feel like I don’t deserve to do. Everything from an outfit I feel like I can’t wear, or an invitation I think I can’t accept. I have a few friends I want to call and empower with the thought that they are “That Girl” too.

The places I found disagreement with Tankersley are random and scattered. It wasn’t one particular chapter, but here and there. I think her reference to Oprah doing “the Father’s business,” with her new show Belief is troubling. While this is small, and one example, it is evidence of a different set of beliefs from a typical Christian Living reader. Therein will lie problems with other reviewers who will not be kind in their reviews or star ratings. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I have not been compensated.

Book Review: Playing the Part

04 Monday Apr 2016

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I feel lucky to have read all three books in Jen Turano’s Class of Their Own series! The series follows a group of friends, Harriet, Millie, and Lucetta who are more like a close knit family. For their time, they are strong, self-reliant, and lovely in their uniqueness. Playing the Part follows Lucetta, a famous actress with an knack for details. She is on the run from a crazed admirer and finds herself in the thick of a mystery and…for the first time ever…the possibility of an unscripted romance.

Jen Turano is really in a category of her own because she writes romantic historical fiction with side splitting comedy. It is more like Jane Austen meets a modern day romantic comedy. These books are such a refreshing change from books I typically read. One of my favorite characters in Playing the Part is Bram. He is so different from the typical historical fiction love interest. Turano writes outside of the box for sure.

Of the three books, After a Fashion was definitely my favorite. However, I did greatly enjoy Playing the Part and whole heartedly recommend the entire series. You will not be disappointed. My list of authors who write a guaranteed good read is very short, and Jen Turano makes the cut! I was given a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley and the books publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I have not been compensated in any way.