(Review) The Lost Lieutenant by Erica Vetsch

May 5, 2020 / Annette / Leave a comment

the lost lieutenat Publisher and Publication Date: Kregel Publications. April 21, 2020.
Genre: Historical fiction. Inspirational fiction. Regency Romance.
Pages: 304.
Source: I received a complimentary paperback copy from Kregel, I was not required to write a positive review.
Audience: Readers who enjoy clean Regency stories.
Rating: Excellent.

For more information at the publisher and includes an exerpt: The Lost Lieutenant.

Author Info:
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.
Erica Vetsch

Learn more about Erica Vetsch and her books at www.ericavetsch.com. She can also be found on Facebook (@EricaVetschAuthor), Twitter (@EricaVetsch), Instagram (@EricaVetsch) and Pinterest (Erica Vetsch).

Links for the book:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Book Depository
IndieBound

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Summary:
Evan Eldridge never meant to be a war hero–he just wanted to fight Napoleon for the future of his country. And he certainly didn’t think that saving the life of a peer would mean being made the Earl of Whitelock. But when the life you save is dear to the Prince Regent, things can change in a hurry.
Now Evan has a new title, a manor house in shambles, and a stranger for a bride, all thrust upon him by a grateful ruler. What he doesn’t have are all his memories. Traumatized as a result of his wounds and bravery on the battlefield, Evan knows there’s something he can’t quite remember. It’s important, dangerous–and if he doesn’t recall it in time, will jeopardize not only his marriage but someone’s very life.
Readers who enjoy Julie Klassen, Carolyn Miller, and Kristi Ann Hunter will love diving into this brand-new Regency series filled with suspense, aristocratic struggles, and a firm foundation of faith.

My Thoughts:
In a Regency romance story, the female characters who are of age are looking to marry well. They are looking for a husband who will provide financial and societal security. In The Lost Lieutenant, I am pleased the story had additional elements that made it unique. For example, Evan Eldridge is the main character with a well-developed story. He’s been thrust to the spotlight after becoming a war hero and he’s made Earl of Whitelock. He gains an estate and money. His movement up in society happens so quickly he’s not had time to learn the appropriate customs of his new title.
Other points that led me to give this book an excellent rating.
•Good scene description. For example, the first time they see the estate that’s been sadly neglected.
•The story is tense. Three men are scoundrels. They remind me of wolves.
•The story is balanced with good and evil. There are characters who have high morals and those who are despicable.
•Diana Seaton is caught between a promise she’d made and a father who has given an ultimatum. This creates conflict and a strong plot.

Enter to win a special giveaway at this link: Audra Jennings.

(Review) Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker

May 1, 2020 / Annette / Leave a comment

Lakeshire Park Blog Tour FINAL Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker 2020

Publisher and Publication Date: Shadow Mountain. April 7, 2020.
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Inspirational Fiction.
Page: 320.
Source: I received a complimentary advanced reader copy from Shadow Mountain, but I was not required to write a positive review.
Audience: Readers of clean regency romance stories.
Rating: Excellent.

Amazon link
Audible
Barnes and Nobles
Book Depository
Goodreads
Indiebound

To read further reviews:
Austenprose
Timeless Novels
The Lit Bitch
Becky’s Book Reviews

For more info at the publisher: Lakeshire Park.

Author Info:
Megan Walker was raised on a berry farm in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where her imagination took her to times past and worlds away. While earning her degree in Early Childhood Education, she married her one true love and started a family. But her imaginings of Regency England wouldn’t leave her alone, so she picked up a pen. And the rest is history. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband and three children.

Author Meagn Walker headshot 2020

Summary:
Brighton, England 1820.
Amelia Moore wants only one thing—to secure the future happiness of her younger sister, Clara. With their stepfather’s looming death, the two sisters will soon be on their own—without family, a home, or a penny to their names. When an invitation arrives to join a house party at Lakeshire Park, Amelia grasps at the chance. If she can encourage a match between Clara and their host, Sir Ronald, then at least her sister will be taken care of.
Little does she know that another guest, the arrogant and overconfident Mr. Peter Wood, is after the same goal for his own sister. Amelia and Peter begin a rivalry that Amelia has no choice but to win. But competing against Peter—and eventually playing by his rules—makes Amelia vulnerable to losing the only thing she has left to claim: her heart.

My Thoughts:
I love this story!
•I’m drawn to stories when there are characters who are sisters and they are close. For example: Sense and Sensibility and Little Women. I have two sisters that I’m extremely close to and I love reading about other close sisters. A strong love is shown between the sisters in their faithfulness and devotion to one another. The older sister, Amelia, is willing to sacrifice her own happiness so that the younger sister is cared for. Their nemesis is the stepfather. His serious illness places an additional burden and hurry to a plan for the sisters. He directs them to an ultimatum. Amelia creates a plan of her own. This points me to an additional reason for loving this story.
•Amelia is an intelligent, wise, charming, crafty (in a good way), talented, and witty person. She is a person of high character. She is a character I admire. She is a character who draws me in to her story, because I must know what will happen to the heroine. Amelia is not perfect. She shows admirable traits, but she also shows weaknesses and mistakes in judgment. She is a believable character.
•The romantic element of the story reminds me of other stories (including in film) of couples who have chemistry. They spar back and forth with clever words; and, there is an atmosphere of intrigue and attraction between the two.
•Overall this is an outstanding story.

(Review) Promised by Leah Garriott

March 12, 2020March 12, 2020 / Annette / 1 Comment

Promised Blog Tour Graphic Promised by Leah Garriot 2020

Publisher and Publication Date: Shadow Mountain. February 18, 2020.
Genre: Regency romance, historical romance, inspirational fiction.
Pages: 368.
Source: I received a complimentary paperback copy (advanced reader copy) from the publisher, I was not required to write a positive review.
Audience: Readers who love the Regency romance stories.
Rating: Excellent.

For more information at publisher: Promised.

Amazon
Available in Paperback, audiobook, Kindle.

To read an additional review: Austenprose: A Jane Austen Blog.

About the author:
Though she earned degrees in math and statistics, Leah Garriott lives for a good love story. She’s resided in Hawaii and Italy, walked the countryside of England, and owns every mainstream movie version of Pride and Prejudice. She’s currently living her own happily ever after in Utah with her husband and three kids. Leah is represented by Sharon Pelletier at Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret. You can visit Leah at leahgarriott.com.
Facebook. Page at Goodreads.
Leah Garriott author head shot

Advanced Praise:
“Promising Regency-set debut. Vivid period details and the hero’s grand romantic efforts will please fans of historical romance.” — Publishers Weekly
“I loved this story. The strongest thing about it was something I have been searching for ages: one point of view. I loved that this story was only told through the eyes of Margaret.” — For Where Your Treasure Is
“This book is a must read for any Jane Austen fan. It hits all of the right notes from Pride & Prejudice with enough new spin to make it its own special book.” — Melissa (Goodreads)

Promised with Booklist quote

Summary:
Margaret Brinton keeps her promises, and the one she is most determined to keep is the promise to protect her heart…
Warwickshire, England, 1812
Fooled by love once before, Margaret vows never to be played the fool again. To keep her vow, she attends a notorious match-making party intent on securing the perfect marital match: a union of convenience to someone who could never affect her heart. She discovers a man who exceeds all her hopes in the handsome and obliging rake, Mr. Northam.
There’s only one problem. His meddling cousin, Lord Williams, won’t leave Margaret alone. Condescending and high-handed, Lord Williams lectures and insults her. When she refuses to give heed to his counsel, he single-handedly ruins Margaret’s chances for making a good match–to his cousin or anyone else. With no reason to remain at the party, Margaret returns home to discover her father has promised her hand in marriage–to Lord Williams.
Under no conditions will Margaret consent to marrying such an odious man. Yet as Lord Williams inserts himself into her everyday life, interrupting her family games and following her on morning walks, winning the good opinion of her siblings and proving himself intelligent and even kind, Margaret is forced to realize that Lord Williams is exactly the man she’d hoped to marry before she’d learned how much love hurt. When paths diverge and her time with Lord Williams ends, Margaret is faced with her ultimate choice: keep the promises that protect her or break free of them for one more chance at love. Either way, she fears her heart will lose.

My Thoughts:
The story begins with an enticing dialogue reminding me of a business meeting, but it’s people meeting with the prospect of marriage. This is the first strong point I found about the book: dialogue. Whether it is father and daughter, sister and brother, or flirtatious words between a young man and woman. Several times while reading the book I laughed aloud. It reminded me a bit of classic movies when actors spar back and forth with witty dialogue. I just love this!
I love how the characters emotions are felt…..by me. Especially the main character Margaret. She is a character that I admire. She’s beautiful but doesn’t take that part of her as the number one most important of traits in a person. She is a person of character. She’s been deeply hurt in the past. She begins to analyze how she should best arrange the next chapter of her life. Throughout the book even though she shows emotion like sadness or shock, this doesn’t stop her from examining the situation and people. It was a sad experience she’d endured but she learned from it.
There are two young men who are related. I wondered what are they up to? What kind of people are they really? I loved the unfolding in the story of what they were up to.
How predictable is too predictable? I began to ask myself this question after reading about a 1/4 of the book. I’d hoped there would be something to snag that predictableness and continue to hold my attraction and attention. I’m pleased to say yes! Bravo!