"THE LADY OF GALWAY MANOR" BY JENNIFER DEIBEL

 

"The Lady of Galway Manor" by Jennifer Deibel

Book Blurb:

In 1920, Annabeth De Lacy's father is appointed landlord of Galway Parish in Ireland. Bored without all the trappings of the British Court, Annabeth convinces her father to arrange an apprenticeship for her with the Jennings family--descendants of the creator of the famed Claddagh Ring.

Stephen Jennings longs to do anything other than run his family's jewelry shop. Having had his heart broken, he no longer believes in love and is weary of peddling the "lies" the Claddagh Ring promises.

Meanwhile, as the war for Irish independence gains strength, many locals resent the De Lacys and decide to take things into their own hands to display their displeasure. As events take a dangerous turn for Annabeth and her family, she and Stephen begin to see that perhaps the "other side" isn't quite as barbaric and uncultured as they'd been led to believe--and that the bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty are only made stronger when put through the refiner's fire.

Travel to the Emerald Isle for another poignant and romantic story from the enchanted pen of Jennifer Deibel.

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My Thoughts:

Although this isn't a genre I typically gravitate toward (historical romance fiction), I really enjoyed this book! Without spoiling anything, this is a beautifully told story of conflict, heartache, love, and redemption. I loved the Ireland setting, Anna's views of the world around her, and the growing relationships between Anna, Seamus, and Stephen. The characters are well developed and easy to become invested in. Seamus is definitely my favorite character—I’d love to have him as a father-in-law! I'm now interested in reading more books by this author.

Note: I received a free copy of this book from its publisher, for which I am extremely grateful, and these are my honest thoughts.

My ⭐ Rating: 4 stars

Credits: The book blurb and cover photo seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com.

"THE INDEBTED EARL" BY ERICA VETSCH

"The Indebted Earl" by Erica Vetsch

Book Blurb:

Can Captain Wyvern keep his new marriage of convenience all business--or will it turn into something more?

Captain Charles Wyvern owes a great debt to the man who saved his life--especially since Major Richardson lost his own life in the process. The best way to honor that hero's dying wish is for Wyvern to escort the man's grieving fiancé and mother safely to a new cottage home by the sea. But along the way, he learns of another obligation that has fallen on his shoulders: his uncle has died and the captain is now the Earl of Rothwell.

When he and the ladies arrive at his new manor house in Devon, they discover an estate in need of a leader and a gaggle of girls, all wards of the former earl. War the new earl knows; young ladies and properties he does not. Still wishing to provide for the bereaved Lady Sophia Haverly, Charles proposes a marriage of convenience.

Sophie is surprised to find she isn't opposed to the idea. It will help her care for her betrothed's elderly mother, and she's already fallen in love with the wayward girls on the Rothwell estate. This alliance is a chance to repay the captain who has done so much for her care, as well as divert her attention from her grief. When Wyvern returns to his sea commission, she'll stay behind to oversee his property and wards.

It sounds so simple. Until the stalwart captain is arrested on suspicion of smuggling, and Sophie realizes how much he's come to mean to her. Now she'll have to learn to fight, not only for his freedom but also for his love!

My Honest Toughts:

I am so grateful to be a part of the release tour for The Indebted Earl by @ericavetsch, thanks to @justreadtours and @audrajennings, from whom I received complimentary copies of this book.

This is the third and final book of the Serendipity and Secrets historical/regency fiction series. Although I personally recommend reading this series in order, The Indebted Earl can also be read as a stand-alone.

This book features Lady Sophia Haverly (the younger sister of Marcus Haverly from The Gentleman Spy) and Captain Charles Wyvern, and their marriage of convenience that gradually buds genuine feelings for one another.  These characters are very likable and well-matched, and I enjoyed reading their stories. I also really love the way faith is weaved into this book. The Indebted Earl is very well written and an excellent conclusion to its series!

Giveaway #1:

Erica Vetsch is celebrating the release of The Indebted Earl by giving away a Kindle Fire HD8. You can enter to win this giveaway here: https://www.ericavetsch.com/giveaway.html.

Giveaway #2:

1 winner will receive a print copy of both #TheLostLieutenant & #TheGentlemanSpy, as well as an original Mockingbird Art and Design Pemberley Drawing. You can enter to win this giveaway here: at https://justreadtours.com/2021/03/31/welcome-to-the-indebted-earl-takeover-tour-giveaway/.

About the Author:

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling and ACFW Carol Award–winning author. She is a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota with her husband, who she claims is both her total opposite and soul mate. 

Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks.
 
A self-described history geek, she has been planning her first research trip to England.
 
Learn more about Erica Vetsch and her books at www.ericavetsch.com. She can also be found on Facebook (@EricaVetschAuthor), Instagram (@EricaVetsch) and Pinterest (Erica Vetsch).

"THE LOVE NOTE" BY JOANNA DAVIDSON POLITANO

"The Love Note" by Joanna Davidson Politano

🔍Book Blurb:

Focused on a career in medicine and not on romance, Willa Duvall is thrown slightly off course during the summer of 1865 when she discovers a never-opened love letter in a crack of her old writing desk. Compelled to find the passionate soul who penned it and the person who never received it, she takes a job as a nurse at the seaside estate of Crestwicke Manor.

Everyone at Crestwicke has feelings--mostly negative ones--about the man who wrote the letter, but he seems to have disappeared. With plenty of enticing clues but few answers, Willa's search becomes even more complicated when she misplaces the letter and it passes from person to person in the house, each finding a thrilling or disheartening message in its words. 

Laced with mysteries large and small, this romantic Victorian-era tale of love lost, love deferred, and love found is sure to delight.

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🔍My Thoughts:

I am currently reading this book, which was highly recommended to me by a close friend. This is the first book I have ever read by Joanna Davidson Politano, and so far, I am really impressed with her writing.

With a setting of 1865 England, this book starts out with an aristocratic party scene, in which the main character, Willa Duvall is receiving her fourth unwanted marriage proposal. She is now at the age and in the time where women are expected to become primarily housewives, and having come from a wealthy and prestigious family, Willa is expected to marry an arranged suitor of similar status, however she has other hopes and dreams for her life that no one seems to acknowledge or understand. Willa has a heart for the broken and desperately needy and saving lives, working alongside her beloved father, the doctor. I love this about Willa, that she cares more about serving the less fortunate than her financial or societal status.

I very much look forward to reading more of this story and will update this post when I finish this book.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, for which I am very grateful.

My ⭐ Rating: TBD

Credits: The book blurb and cover seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com.

"THE RED RIBBON" BY PEPPER BASHAM

"The Red Ribbon" by Pepper Basham

I am so grateful to Barbour Publishing, @justreadtours, and NetGalley for sending me free physical and digital copies of “The Red Ribbon” by @PepperBasham to read and help promote! It has made me very happy to be a part of the launch team for this true crime mystery novel! 😊

Published October 1st, 2020, this is the eighth book in the amazing "True Color" Series -- a collection of historical stories that can each be read as a standalone, with themes of romance and true American crime.

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🔍 Book Blurb:

An Appalachian feud blows up in 1912...

In Carroll County, a corn shucking is the social event of the season, until a mischievous kiss leads to one of the biggest tragedies in Virginia history.

Ava Burcham isn’t your typical Blue Ridge Mountain girl. She has a bad habit of courtin’ trouble, and her curiosity has opened a rift in the middle of a feud between politicians and would-be outlaws, the Allen family. Ava’s tenacious desire to find a story worth reporting may land her and her best friend, Jeremiah Sutphin, into more trouble than either of them planned.

The end result? The Hillsville Courthouse Massacre of 1912.

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I very much look forward to reading this book, and will update this blog with my review when I do. 😊

"THE KEY TO EVERYTHING" BY VALERIE FRASER LUESSE

"The Key to Everything" by by Valerie Fraser Luesse

Synopsis:

"After WWII and a family tragedy, Peyton Cabot seeks connection with his troubled veteran father by retracing the trip he'd taken from Savannah to Key West at the same age. The adventure forces Peyton to come to terms with his identity and decide how much he's willing to risk for the girl he loves."

My Review:

I enjoyed reading this book so much more than I thought I would!

It is set in Georgia and Florida in the 1940s, with some backstories earlier than that. It follows the very wealthy Cabot family--“one of the richest clans in Georgia”-- in which most of its members are greedy, selfish, pretentious, and treat those outside of their family like total dirt.

The main character, a 15-year-old boy named Peyton Cabot, along with his parents and grandfather, are not at all like the rest of the Cabot family--they believe in working hard for an income, not having everything handed to you, and dedicate much of their lives to helping the needy.

These differences in personalities cause conflict in the family. I especially enjoyed the scenes where certain characters are put in their place for their unkind words and actions.

The story mostly follows Peyton. This is a wonderful young boy that I really loved getting to know, seeing how he handles different life situations, and following his adventurous travels from Georgia to the Key West, where he met some really fascinating and lovable characters along the way. Peyton's great Aunt Gert (not a Cabot) turned out to be one of my favorite characters in this book.

Overall, this is a beautiful story that I can see myself revisiting again in the future.

My ⭐ Rating: 4 stars

Note: I received a copy of this book from its publisher in exchange for my honest review, for which I am very grateful!

Credits: The book cover seen in this post is courtesy of Amazon.com, and the synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.com.

"THE GENTLEMAN SPY" BY ERICA VETSCH

 

"The Gentleman Spy" by Erica Vetsch

Synopsis:

"He only wanted a duchess for a day--but she’s determined to make it a marriage for life

When his father and older brother suddenly pass away, the new Duke of Haverly is saddled with a title he never expected to bear. To thwart the plans of his scheming family, the duke impulsively marries a wallflower. After all, she’s meek and mild; it should be easy to sequester her in the country and get on with his life--as a secret agent for the Crown.

But his bride has other ideas. She’s determined to take her place not only as his duchess but as his wife. As a duchess, she can use her position to help the lowest of society--the women forced into prostitution because they have no skills or hope. Her endeavors are not met favorably in society, nor by her husband who wishes she’d remain in the background as he ordered.

Can the duke succeed in relegating her to the sidelines of his life? When his secrets are threatened with exposure, will his new wife be an asset or a liability?"

My Review:

Not far into this book I realized how wonderful it is. Erica Vetsch is a brilliant storyteller that combines history, romance, and mystery beautifully. "The Gentleman Spy" is an enjoyable read set in Regency England, with quite intriguing characters. This book has gained a permanent place on my shelf and I look forward to revisiting it very soon.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from "Read with Audra" and NetGalley in exchange for my honest thoughts, for which I am very grateful.

Credits: The synopsis seen in this post is courtesy of Amazon.com.

To enter to win the special giveaway for this book (and extras) seen in the above photo, click here.

THE "CANADIAN WEST" SERIES BY JANETTE OKE

The "Canadian West" series by Janette Oke

Synopsis of Book #1, "When Calls the Heart":

"Nothing in her cultured East Coast upbringing prepared Elizabeth for a teaching position on the Canadian frontier. Yet, despite the constant hardships, she loves the children in her care. Determined to do the best job she can and fighting to survive the harsh land, Elizabeth is surprised to find her heart softening towards a certain member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police."

My Review:

I really enjoyed reading the entire "Canadian West" series by Janette Oke, which I read for the first time in 2019 and will definitely read again in the future—at which time I will add more of my thoughts on this series to my blog. For now I will say that this has become one of my favorite book series, and I highly recommend it to those who enjoy western historical fiction with a bit of romance.

The series order:
1. When Calls the Heart
2. When Comes the Spring
3. When Breaks the Dawn
4. When Hope Springs New
5. Beyond the Gathering Storm
6. When Tomorrow Comes

Note: As a devoted fan of the "When Calls the Heart" television series on the Hallmark channel, I must say that other than having one or two of the same names for characters, and being set the same time period in Canada, this book series shares very few similarities with Hallmark's series.

My ⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Credits: The cover image and synopsis seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com.

"AGAINST THE TIDE" BY ELIZABETH CAMDEN

"Against the Tide" by Elizabeth Camden

Synopsis:

After a childhood rampant with uncertainty, Lydia Pallas has carved out a perfect life for herself. She spends her days within sight of the bustling Boston Harbor, where her skill with languages has landed her an enviable position as a translator for the U.S. Navy.

Lydia's talents bring her to the attention of Alexander Banebridge, a mysterious man in need of a translator. Driven by a campaign to end the opium trade, Bane is coolly analytical and relentless in his quest. He cannot afford to fall for Lydia and must fight the bittersweet love growing between them.

When Bane's enemies gain the upper hand, he is forced to turn to Lydia for help. Determined to prove her worth, Lydia soon discovers that carrying out Bane's mission will test her wits and her courage to the very limits.

My Review:

As a beautiful work of historical Christian fiction, I consider Elizabeth Camden’s “Against the Tide” to be a great read for all—not just for Christian readers. This book is very well written with fascinating characters and an excellent blend of mystery, suspense, adventure, romance, and redemption.

The development of each character in this book is very well paced. Camden keeps you guessing as the history and motives of each character are slowly unveiled with brilliant timing. Most of the characters have visible flaws, which I really appreciate because this makes them much more realistic, more human.

Bane in particular is such a complex, mysterious, and intriguing character! The Bane you see in the beginning, middle, and end of this story, are all very different. This character is constantly evolving throughout this book and my opinion of him changed drastically from beginning to end, which I love. I believe he has more depth than any other character in this book.

There is also a character that is so inherently evil that reading about him/her made my skin crawl, however this character has an outward appearance to most of a well-educated and highly intelligent individual with a kind disposition, which makes this person even more creepy—a definite wolf in sheep’s clothing. I won’t spoil who this character is, but I will say that this person adds a lot of shock and suspense to this story!

The plot of “Against the Tide” is centered around an opium (a narcotic drug) addiction problem in the U.S. that had led to extreme crime and severe suffering in the late-1800s, and from what I could tell this book is historically accurate. The author really did her research. I found this story especially interesting because the U.S. is facing a very similar problem today with opium addictions.

Outside of some necessary terrors that keep the reader on the edge of his or her seat, this book is clean with no cursing or sexual situations in it, which I really admire the author for. I'm also impressed with how the author blended faith into this story without being overbearing or "preachy," making this book appealing to both believers and nonbelievers.

I finished this book not wanting it to end, and I will undoubtedly be reading it again multiple times in the future.

“Against the Tide” is a very enjoyable and exciting read that I highly recommend.

My ⭐ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Notes: This book has one of my favorite book covers! You can find my Goodreads review of "Against the Tide" with my book highlights here. 

Credits: The book cover and synopsis seen in this post are courtesy of Amazon.com, and if any of you would like to learn more about Elizabeth Camden and her books, check out her website, ElizabethCamden.com.