Lady Bridget's Diary (Cavendish, #1)

Maya Rodale can really tell a story! I was so excited to see “Lady Bridget’s Diary” and even more excited to see that it is a kick off to a series. If the rest of the books are as good as this one, we-her fans- have some great things to look forward to.

First, if you have not read Maya Rodale before-read her! She is such a creative storyteller. Although I have not loved all her stories I have definitely enjoyed them and I loved this story. Lady Bridget is loosely based off of Elizabeth Bennett. I love Pride and Prejudice and have read it so many times I can probably recite it by heart. We have our very own Lord Dary in this story that is based on the classical Fitzwilliam Darcy. Although Bridget is based on Elizabeth she is very uniquely her own character. Bridget is an American. She and her siblings are in London because her brother is the heir to one of the oldest and prestigious titles in London. Needless to say, none of the siblings are Ton material, but they are fantastically entertaining and I cannot wait to see how Rodale unravels their stories.

When Bridget and Darcy meet they have many of the same misconceptions that the classical characters have. I do have to say that although they are based on Pride and Prejudice both characters really are uniquely original. I loved the chemistry between Bridget and Darcy. I also loved that Bridget was far from the ideal “British” beauty, not only physically but also her personality. Bridget and Darcy share many funny and heartwarming scenes. I loved watching their story unfold and how they brought out the best and worst in each other. Rodale did something that I often find frustrating in other books- she managed to make the secondary characters as interesting at the hero and heroine and I liked them so much that I cannot wait to read their own stories. I see some brewing already for her brother and the governance not to mention Amelia and Alistair. I enjoyed every little scene these characters were in.

Once I started reading this story I was instantly in love with the story and the characters. I loved the adventures and the quirky traits of the “Americans” in London. I loved how Rodale added some very modern aspects to this story and I loved how she dealt with the issues. I’m already on the lookout for the next books to come. This was a sweet and exciting story with many funny twists and turns.

Moonlight Over Paris by Jennifer Robson

Moonlight Over Paris
by Jennifer Robson

Publication Date: January 19, 2016
William Morrow
Paperback, eBook & AudioBook; 352 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction







READ AN EXCERPT.

An aristocratic young woman leaves the sheltered world of London to find adventure, passion, and independence in 1920s Paris in this mesmerizing story from the USA Today and internationally bestselling author of Somewhere in France and After the War is Over.

Spring, 1924

Recovering from a broken wartime engagement and a serious illness that left her near death, Lady Helena Montagu-Douglas-Parr vows that for once she will live life on her own terms. Breaking free from the stifling social constraints of the aristocratic society in which she was raised, she travels to France to stay with her free spirited aunt. For one year, she will simply be Miss Parr. She will explore the picturesque streets of Paris, meet people who know nothing of her past—and pursue her dream of becoming an artist.

A few years after the Great War’s end, the City of Light is a bohemian paradise teeming with actors, painters, writers, and a lively coterie of American expatriates who welcome Helena into their romantic and exciting circle. Among them is Sam Howard, an irascible and infuriatingly honest correspondent for the Chicago Tribune. Dangerously attractive and deeply scarred by the horror and carnage of the war, Sam is unlike any man she has ever encountered. He calls her Ellie, sees her as no one has before, and offers her a glimpse of a future that is both irresistible and impossible.

As Paris rises phoenix-like from the ashes of the Great War, so too does Helena. Though she’s shed her old self, she’s still uncertain of what she will become and where she belongs. But is she strong enough to completely let go of the past and follow her heart, no matter where it leads her?

Artfully capturing the Lost Generation and their enchanting city, Moonlight Over Paris is the spellbinding story of one young woman’s journey to find herself, and claim the life—and love—she truly wants.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound

Praise

“Returns with mastery once more to the World War I era…. This is a moving and memorable book.” — Pam Jenoff, bestselling author of The Winter Guest

“Meticulously researched and richly detailed, Moonlight Over Paris paints an enchanting picture... The elegance of Robson’s prose flows through every page, sweeping the reader from London’s aristocracy to the Parisian art scene and beyond... a heartwarming love story that left me aching for a journey back in time.” — Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of The Edge of Lost

“The vibrant whirl of the Paris art community is the ideal setting for this novel of healing and growth. Robson’s lovely prose allows the reader to savor the atmosphere of the Lost Generation, as well as the personal struggles of her characters.” — RT Book Reviews

“Robson is a master of evoking atmospheric detail that transports readers back in time and place. I loved every page!” — Renee Rosen, author of White Collar Girl

“Robson gives the concept of self-discovery amid the enchanting streets of Paris a fresh spin in Moonlight Over Paris. Delightful and romantic, readers will devour Robson’s latest work.” — Heather Webb, author of Rodin's Lover

About the Author

Jennifer Robson first learned about the Great War from her father, acclaimed historian Stuart Robson, and later served as an official guide at the Canadian National War Memorial at Vimy Ridge, France. A former copy editor, she holds a doctorate in British economic and social history from the University of Oxford. She lives in Toronto, Canada, with her husband and young children.

For more information visit Jennifer Robson's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, February 29
Review at With Her Nose Stuck In A Book

Tuesday, March 1
Review at History From a Woman's Perspective

Thursday, March 3
Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views

Monday, March 7
Review at Book Nerd

Wednesday, March 9
Review at Ageless Pages Reviews

Friday, March 11
Review at Bookish

Monday, March 14
Review at Jorie Loves a Story

Wednesday, March 16
Review at Reading Is My SuperPower

Friday, March 18
Review at She is Too Fond of Books
Review at Worth Getting in Bed For

Monday, March 21
Review at I'm Shelf-ish

Wednesday, March 23
Review at CelticLady's Reviews

Thursday, March 24
Review at Creating Herstory

Friday, March 25
Review at A Holland Reads
Review at New Horizon Reviews

Death of an Alchemist: A Bianca Goddard Mystery (Bianca Goddard Mysteries, Book 2) by Mary Lawrence

Death of an Alchemist: A Bianca Goddard Mystery (Bianca Goddard Mysteries, Book 2)
by Mary Lawrence

Publication Date: January 26, 2016
Kensington Books
Hardcover & eBook; 304 Pages

Genre: Historical Mystery







In the mid sixteenth century, Henry VIII sits on the throne, and Bianca Goddard tends to the sick and suffering in London’s slums, where disease can take a life as quickly as murder…

For years, alchemist Ferris Stannum has devoted himself to developing the Elixir of Life, the reputed serum of immortality. Having tested his remedy successfully on an animal, Stannum intends to send his alchemy journal to a colleague in Cairo for confirmation. But the next day his body is found and the journal is gone.

Bianca, the daughter of an alchemist, is well acquainted with the mystical healing arts. When her husband John falls ill with the sweating sickness, she dares to hope Stannum’s journal could contain the secret to his recovery. But first she must solve the alchemist’s murder. As she ventures into a world of treachery and deceit, Stannum’s death is only the first in a series of murders—and Bianca’s quest becomes a matter of life and death, not only for her husband, but for herself…

My Review:

up at 12 pm ET

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound

Praise for The Alchemist’s Daughter (Bianca Goddard Mysteries, Book 1)

“A realistic evocation of 16th century London’s underside. The various strands of the plot are so skillfully plaited together.” —Fiona Buckley, author of the Ursula Blanchard Mystery Series


“Mystery and Tudor fans alike will raise a glass to this new series.” —Karen Harper, author of The Poyson Garden (Elizabeth I Mysteries) Series

About the Author

Mary Lawrence studied biology and chemistry, graduating from Indiana University with a degree in Cytotechnology. Along with writing and farming, Lawrence works as a cytologist near Boston. She lives in Maine. The Alchemist’s Daughter is the first book in the Bianca Goddard Mystery series.

For more information please visit Mary's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Book Blast Schedule

Monday, March 7
Passages to the Past
Beth's Book Nook Blog

Tuesday, March 8
Book Nerd
With Her Nose Stuck In A Book

Wednesday, March 9
The Book Connection
Seize the Words: Books in Review

Thursday, March 10
Reading Is My SuperPower

Friday, March 11
Rambling Reviews

Saturday, March 12
Time 2 Read

Sunday, March 13
Susan Heim on Writing

Monday, March 14
CelticLady's Reviews
Ageless Pages Reviews

Tuesday, March 15
Just One More Chapter

Wednesday, March 16
A Literary Vacation

Thursday, March 17
A Book Geek

Friday, March 18
The Lit Bitch
A Holland Reads

In Another Life by Julie Christine Johnson

Julie Christine Johnson

on Tour

March 1-10

with

In Another Life

(Historical Fiction/Contemporary Women’s Fiction/

Fantasy/Romance)

Release date: February 2, 2016

at Sourcebooks

368 pages

ISBN: 978–2954168197

Website | Goodreads

SYNOPSIS

Historian Lia Carrer has finally returned to southern France, determined to rebuild her life after the death of her husband. But instead of finding solace in the region’s quiet hills and medieval ruins, she falls in love with Raoul, a man whose very existence challenges everything she knows about life–and about her husband’s death. As Raoul reveals the story of his past to Lia, she becomes entangled in the echoes of an ancient murder, resulting in a haunting and suspenseful journey that reminds Lia that the dead may not be as far from us as we think. Steeped in the rich history and romantic landscape of the Languedoc region, In Another Life is a story of love that conquers time and the lost loves that haunt us all.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

My Review

My Review

Three Stars

Copy received from France Book Tours for an honest  review

I was first interested in this book because I loved the cover.  It than captured by the story.  I was fascinated with Lia Carrer and her determination to start a new life in southern France.  I couldn't wait to see how the author would unfold the story between her and Raoul.  But the author also had more plans for Lia and Raoul.  With the help of dual story lines at different times, we get a glimpse of what caused the death of Lia's husband. I was not expecting the mystery aspect of the story but it added to the storyline and the present relationship with Lia and Raoul.   

Overall this was a very satisfying story. I thought that it was a good mixture of romance, mystery and the beautiful descriptions of France. I have to say that the descriptions about France seemed like a dream and really helped me to feel like I was a part of the story.  If I have one complaint its that at times I did feel like there was too much going on and it felt a little overwhelming.  Aside from that I was excited to see this was a debut for the author and look forward to reading more by her in the future. 

Julie Christine Johnson
is the author of the novels In Another Life
(February 2016, Sourcebooks Landmark)
and The Crows of Beara (September 2017, Ashland Creek Press).
Her short stories and essays have appeared in several journals,
including Emerge Literary Journal, Mud Season Review;
Cirque: A Literary Journal of the North Pacific Rim;
Cobalt, the anthologies Stories for Sendai;
Up, Do: Flash Fiction by Women Writers;
and Three Minus One: Stories of Love and Loss
and featured on the flash fiction podcast, No Extra Words.
She holds undergraduate degrees in French and Psychology
and a Master’s in International Affairs.
A runner, hiker, and wine geek,
Julie makes her home on the Olympic Peninsula of northwest Washington state
with her husband.
In Another Life is her first novel.

***

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Follow Julie Christine Johnson on Twitter | on Facebook

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Buy the book | on Amazon | on Barnes & Noble | on Indiebound

***

Global giveaway open to US residents only:
5 participants will each win a print copy of this book.

Be sure to follow each participant on Twitter/Facebook,
for more chances to win

Enter here

Visit each blogger on the tour:
tweeting about the giveaway everyday
of the Tour will give you 5 extra entries each time!
[just follow the directions on the entry-form]

***

CLICK ON THE BANNER
TO READ REVIEWS, EXCERPT, INTERVIEW, GUEST-POST

Audiobook Review: Bedded by Her Highland Enemy by B.J. Scott, Narrated by Angela Dawe

This was my first story ever by B.J. Scott and it was a great introduction to this authors work. I really enjoyed this story and the characters. Although I like historical romance, sometimes highlander stories take me a while to get into but “Bedded by Her Highland Enemy” grabbed my attention from the first few sentences.

Our heroine, Brianne Dunbar, is happy and in love. She shares a wonderful life with her husband and child until that is all tragically taken away. With one attack on her husband clan she loses her husband and three-month baby. Brianne’s only incentive is to seek revenge on those that took her husband and child’s life. Brianne’s pain is only mocked when her father promises her to their worst enemy.

Gavin MacClurry is Brianne’s future brother-in-law. He has been sent to take Brianne from her home and deliver her to her brother as part of an order made by King James. Brianne is not aware that Gavin is her intended husbands brother and when she finds out she is angry at Gavin and feels betrayed. Gavin understands Brianne’s conflicting emotions. He sympathizes with her tremendous loss but only wants to protect her even if it means seeing her marry his brother. Brianne feels a terrible burden because she is mourning for her great loss but at the same time her feelings for Gavin are her only salvation and hope. He has been the only male that she has encountered that has shown her protection and respect. Even though Brianne tries to hate Gavin she sees him for the wonderful man that he is and she soon falls in love with him.

B.J. Scott really knows how to create a great story. She had many twists and turns and there were many unexpected surprises. This story did not drag for me at all. I loved the pacing, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next and how Gavin and Brianne could find their way to one another when they seem to have many insurmountable obstacles. This story made me a fan of Scott and I cannot wait to read more by her. Gavin was truly a hero and I really liked him. My only complaint was that at times I wanted him to become angry or crazy but he always took the higher ground. My other little issue was the amount of time that Brianne lost her family and fell in love with Gavin. For other reasons that I will not name, this plot worked but I felt that more time would have been better. I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it.

Angela Dawe did an amazing job of narrating this story. At first it seemed she was rushing through the story but the voices she gave the characters made the story come alive and she really seemed to understand them.

AN AMERICAN IN SCOTLAND MacIain #3 Karen Ranney

Enter to Win a $25.00 eGift Card to Choice Book Seller

and a Print copy of AN AMERICAN IN SCOTLAND

Releasing February 23rd, 2016

Avon Books

New York Times bestselling author
Karen Ranney returns with the third heart-stirring novel in her latest series,
a tale of deceit, desperate measures, and delirious desire

Rose MacIain is a beautiful woman
with a secret. Desperate and at her wits' end, she crafts a fake identity for
herself, one that Duncan MacIain will be unable to resist. But she doesn't
realize that posing as the widow of the handsome Scotsman's cousin is more
dangerous than she knew. And when a simmering attraction rises up between them,
she begins to regret the whole charade.

Duncan is determined to resist the
tempting Rose, no matter how much he admires her arresting beauty and
headstrong spirit. When he agrees to accompany her on her quest, their desire
for each other only burns hotter. The journey tests his resolve as their close
quarters fuel the fire that crackles between them.

When the truth comes to light, these
two stubborn people must put away their pride and along the way discover that
their dreams of love are all they need.

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USA Today and New York Times bestselling author, Karen Ranney began
writing when she was five. Her first published work was The Maple Leaf, read
over the school intercom when she was in the first grade. In addition to
wanting to be a violinist (her parents had a special violin crafted for her
when she was seven), she wanted to be a lawyer, a teacher, and, most of all, a
writer. Though the violin was discarded early, she still admits to a
fascination with the law, and she volunteers as a teacher whenever needed.
Writing, however, has remained the overwhelming love of her life.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Don't Miss any of the MacIain Series Romances

ARC Review: The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLean

Anything Sarah MacLean writes I want to read. When I saw that she had a new book in her new series “The Rogue Not Taken” I jumped up in excitement. McLean is such a great writer! I loved her previous series “The Rules of Scoundrels and “Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover” was one of my favorite reads in this past year.

In true MacLean fashion she writes about a peculiar heroine who wants to play by her own rules and not those of society. Lady Sophie Talbot is not of blue-blood. Her father won a title in a game of cards and with his hard work in the coal mines, he amassed wealth. The aristocracy looks down on her and her family because of these two traits but also because her and her sisters have even received a quirky name. Sophie is the youngest of the sisters and she feels the most constraint by society’s rules. She is also very emotional and sensitive about the gossip that surrounds her family. When she catches her older sister’s husband in romantic rendezvous with another woman, Sophie doesn’t hesitate to take matters into her own hands. Unfortunately, this has very big ramifications and Sophie thinks that her family will fare better in London without her. She runs into The Marquess of Eversley’s, or King as he is referred, carriage. King is not the least big happy to see that Sophie is dressed up as a boy and has used his carriage to escape from London.

Needless to say their adventure is never boring and Sophie being the courageous and dangerous heroine that she is, ends up shot. King realizes that Sophie is unlike anyone that he has ever met even though they both swear to part ways, they invariably end up needing each other’s help. King is known for his habit of ruining woman for marriage and based on this reputation Sophie forms an opinion of him.

MacLean always has adventured filled story and this one is no exception. There were also some very funny moments and some tender moments as well. Although Sophie considers herself the “unfun” sister, she is definitely fun. King has some soul searching to do as well since his own history often affects his present. There were two factors that stopped this from giving it a five. One is the sisters. Although Sophie identifies herself in relation to her sisters we don’t really see too much interaction with her and her sisters and I wish that there would have been more sisterly interactions at the beginning to better understand the Talbot sisters. Second, I thought her and King didn’t mesh well until more than half the book when they really started to understand each other and chip away at their misconceptions about each other. MacLean has some tricks and secrets up her sleeve and she shares some fun surprises with the readers. I personally cannot wait to see what she has in store for the other sisters and who she has in mind with the very sexy scot. I think this was another great MacLean romantic adventure.