“A Defense of Honor” by Kristi Ann Hunter

First of all, can we all just take a moment to admire this breath-taking cover!!!

“When Katherine “Kit” FitzGilbert turned her back on London society more than a decade ago, she determined never to set foot in a ballroom again. But when business takes her to London and she’s forced to run for her life, she stumbles upon not only a glamorous ballroom but also Graham, Lord Wharton. What should have been a chance encounter becomes much more as Graham embarks on a search for his friend’s missing sister and is convinced Kit knows more about the girl than she’s telling.

After meeting Graham, Kit finds herself wishing things could have been different for the first time in her life, but what she wants can’t matter. Long ago, she dedicated herself to helping women escape the same scorn that drove her from London and raising the innocent children caught in the crossfire. And as much as she desperately wishes to tell Graham everything, revealing the truth isn’t worth putting him and everyone she loves in danger.”

This was a much anticipated read for me! I had read her Hawthorne House series and loved it!!  (well, I did have some qualms with one book  Read my reviews here, here and here) So when I saw a new series coming out, I was super excited! I read the free prequel novella and then anxiously awaited the release of the first book. It did not disappoint!

First of all, I love the Regency turn period, and she did a great job with the opening, putting me right in the setting…except I knew how the novella had ended so I was quite intrigued to see what Kit was doing back in a ballroom. That first scene between her and Wharton, one of the best in the book!

So that brings me to secondly, the characters! I loved each of them, including all the children. Jess has got to be a favorite, but I’m anxious to know the continuation of sweet Daphne’s story as well. Oh my, one of my favorite parts though was about Lord Eversly and Blake! I wanna see the continuation of that story! So, if I had to pick just one character…I couldn’t.

Lastly, I come to the story arch and the spiritual depth of the book. Wow, so good! One thing Mrs. Hunter has a knack for is creating a really great story that carries you along and then in the last third of the book, the spiritual lessons that the characters learn and their experiences are just impressive. This is by far one of the best. Highly recommend this book.

I will make the disclaimer that the main theme of this book is illegitimate children and the fact that their parents (well, specifically fathers) are rascals in society. There are absolutely no inappropriate details, so my rating is still 5 Stars!

*Disclaimer: I received an electronic copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for this opportunity!

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“Sons of Blackbird Mountain” by Joanne Bischof

“A Tale of Family, Brotherhood, and the Healing Power of Love

After the tragic death of her husband, Aven Norgaard is beckoned to give up her life in Norway to become a housekeeper in the rugged hills of Nineteenth-Century Appalachia. Upon arrival, she finds herself in the home of her late husband’s cousins—three brothers who make a living by brewing hard cider on their three-hundred acre farm. Yet even as a stranger in a foreign land, Aven has hope to build a new life in this tight-knit family.

But her unassuming beauty disrupts the bond between the brothers. The youngest two both desire her hand, and Aven is caught in the middle, unsure where—and whether—to offer her affection. While Haakon is bold and passionate, it is Thor who casts the greatest spell upon her. Though Deaf, mute, and dependent on hard drink to cope with his silent pain, Thor possesses a sobering strength.

As autumn ushers in the apple harvest, the rift between Thor and Haakon deepens and Aven faces a choice that risks hearts. Will two brothers’ longing for her quiet spirit tear apart a family? Can she find a tender belonging in this remote, rugged, and unfamiliar world?”

Ah, this was a really lovely book. When one calls a book lovely, that does not mean there were never any painful moments in the story, but a book is lovely because it feels real and you enter into it with all your heart. That was this book!

In some ways it had the feel of a Seven Brides for Seven Brothers story which I loved! Each of the characters were original and so well portrayed. I have got to say, Jorgan was probably my favorite!

Honestly, it’s hard write a review for a book like this because it had so much depth and it’s hard to know on which part to focus. Aven’s struggle to deal with the events that had occurred in her past and not to let them cloud the present. The rivalry between a couple of the brothers, yet the love that was so evident. It was just so authentic.

Oh, and Thor’s battle to overcome alcoholism. So courageous and noble and a wonderful element of the story.

The whole arc of the story was just beautiful, and seemed to flow so naturally!

I will just mention a couple things that were slightly disappointing. One was that the author never came out strong against the evils of alcohol itself, but basically that one is to drink it in moderation. Secondly, it was hard for me to figure what the condition of the brothers actually was spiritually. They went to church once a month, and that only because their house keeper threatened mutiny if they didn’t. Yet there are times in the story where you see Thor seeking for deeper relationship with the Lord. It was just hard to know what their spiritual condition actually was.

There is also a rather disturbing scene near the end, which made me very sad, yet it is part of the story. It wasn’t super explicit, yet in some ways it wish it had been portrayed a little more vaguely.

Anyway, I feel like this review wasn’t as cohesive as I wanted it to be, but suffice it to say, such an excellent story, and I’m rating it 4 1/2 stars!

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

 

“First Impressions” by Debra White Smith

Lawyer Eddi Boswick tries out for a production of Pride and Prejudice in her small Texas town. When she’s cast as the lead, Elizabeth Bennet, her romantic co-star is none other than the town’s most eligible–and arrogant–bachelor.

This story had some great elements that I really enjoyed! First of all, I enjoyed the way she changed certain elements of the original P&P story such as the relationship between Dave Davidson (Mr. Darcy) and his aunt. Instead of a certain animosity between them, he really respects and cares for her basically as his own mother (his parents are dead). Also his back story was unique and I very much enjoyed the way it developed. I would have to say he was pretty much my favorite character and not because he’s Mr. Darcy, but because of the unique character she gave him as Dave Davidson. The other characters were basically well done, but I sometimes found myself annoyed with them.

So now it comes to confession time. This was actually not my favorite book. First of all, it’s never a good idea to read two re-tellings of the same story in a row. Now I realize that was my own fault so I’m not docking stars for that, but it’s just a little heads up.

Honestly, I think the thing that annoyed me first off, was the ‘attraction’ between them that was pretty much without basis except for their looks. They both kept talking about how much they couldn’t stand the other person, yet trying to find opportunities to be around the other. It just kinda turned me off.

Secondly, there is a good bit of sensuality in this book especially in the second half where unnecessary details are written out of the relationship between Linda (Lydia), and Rick Wallace (Wickham). I was very surprised and disappointed in this.

Lastly, the spiritual content was pretty weak, though as Dave’s story progresses you see it come out a little more.

I will say that the ending was very satisfactory and for that reason my rating on this is 2 1/2 stars rounding up to 3.

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

“Presumption and Partiality” by Rebekah Jones

About the Book

Title: Presumption and Partiality

Author: Rebekah Jones

Genre: Historical Christian Fiction

Release Date: November 27, 2017

Among the cotton fields and farmland of Gilbert, Arizona in the early years of the Great Depression, Mr. and Mrs. Bailey live a simple, but happy life with their five daughters on a cotton farm. When the wealthy Richard Buchanan moves to town, bringing his family, a friend, and a desire to learn about cotton, Matilda Bailey is convinced that he is the perfect candidate to marry her eldest daughter, Alice.

Richard is cheerful, friendly, and likable. His friend Sidney Dennison doesn’t make such a good impression. Eloise Bailey decides he’s arrogant and self-conceited, but when Raymond Wolfe comes to town, accusing Sidney of dishonorable and treacherous conduct, Eloise is angered at the injustice of the situation.

When the Buchanan household leaves town, Alice must turn to the Lord and face, perhaps, her most difficult test in trust, while Eloise takes a trip to visit her friend and may well discover a web of deceit that she doesn’t really want to believe exists.

I’ve been seeing the Vintage Jane Austen collection around Goodreads for a while now and was certainly interested to read one when I got the chance, so when CelebrateLit sent in a notification for the opportunity to review it, I gladly signed up!

I have read a fair amount of Jane Austen fan fiction, but this was one of my first              re-tellings, and I very much enjoyed it!

I will say first off that the setting was the thing I struggled with the most. Because I’ve seen the movie many times, I just had a really hard time picturing dusty, Arizona, cotton fields in the time period of the early 1900’s. Especially since many of the conversations were so similar to the original, I kept feeling like I was in a British manor house.

Other than that, I really enjoyed it, and quite liked the unique twists she put into the story, such as the fact that Sidney Dennison (Mr. Darcy) is of Navajo heritage, and a few others that I won’t mention so as not to give away any spoilers.

I think my favorite thing was the spiritual content. Because the Jane Austen books are not Christian, I really liked getting the re-read this story with characters who have a real relationship with Jesus Christ.

As one friend mentioned, it is very much like reading the original P&P, but given the unique elements the author included, I was very pleased with this book. I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars!

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from CelebrateLit in exchange for my honest review.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Rebekah Jones is first and foremost a follower of the Living God. She started writing as a little girl, seeking to glorify her King with her books and stories. Her goal is to write Bible-Centered, Christian Literature; books rich with interesting characters, intricate story lines, and always with the Word of God at the center. Besides writing, she is an avid reader, songwriter, pianist, singer, artist, and history student. She also loves children. She lives with her family in the Southwestern desert.

 

Guest Post from Rebekah Jones

Why is he a Navajo?

I’ve had more than one person ask me why I chose to make Sidney Dennison, the “Mr. Darcy” of my novel Presumption and Partiality, a Navajo Indian.

When I commenced planning and research for placing a retelling of Pride and Prejudice in the 1930’s United States, I found myself drawn to the desert of Arizona rather early on. Specifically, the tiny farm town of Gilbert. I knew, however, that few rich people lived in that area; certainly not enough to create social rifts large enough to recreate the social differences of the original novel.

I experimented in my head with a few different ideas, but the idea of Sidney as a Native American came to me one day and just clicked. I knew that I couldn’t fully pull off a Navajo who lived on the reservations. As much as I researched, I couldn’t quite get the feel. Yet, a man whose ancestry included a white man as a grandfather, who lived outside the reservations, though with relatives who clung to some of the old traditions, I thought I could do.

I used to wish I were an Indian, in part because I wanted to have great tracking skills, live in a tee-pee, possess superb bow and arrow abilities, and I wanted to ride a horse. True, most of that did not enter a 1930’s novel, despite my Navajo cowboy, because the eras are different. Though, Sidney did get a horse. Or technically, several.

Further, something about the silent, good-looking Indian appealed to me, much as I tend to shy away from writing about handsome and beautiful people, since they feel so common in fiction. The minute I began imagining the man with his Navajo ancestry, he just felt perfect.

By the end, Sidney turned out to be one of my favorite characters. (I can’t ever pick just one in my novels.) I think I made a good choice and I hope my readers will agree!

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, April 24

red headed book lady, April 24

Reading Is My SuperPower, April 25

Seasons of Opportunities, April 25

Karen Sue Hadley, April 25

Just the Write Escape, April 26

Remembrancy, April 26

Two Points of Interest, April 27

Views from the Window Friend, April 27

margaret kazmierczak, April 27

Bibliophile Reviews, April 28

Inklings and notions, April 28

History, Mystery & Faith, April 29

Mary Hake, April 29

proud to be an autism mom, April 30

A Greater Yes, April 30

Fiction Aficionado, April 30

Among the Reads, May 1

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 1

Janices book reviews, May 2

Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 2

Carpe Diem, May 3

A Baker’s Perspective, May 3

Kaylee’s Kind Of Writes, May 4

With a Joyful Noise, May 4

Have A Wonderful Day, May 4

Pause for Tales, May 5

Simple Harvest Reads, May 5 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)

Pursuing Stacie , May 6

Bigreadersite, May 6

Faery Tales Are Real, May 7

By The Book, May 7

Reader’s Cozy Corner, May 7

Giveaway

 

To celebrate her tour, Rebekah is giving away a grand prize of the complete set of the Vintage Jane Austen Collection!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/cc8f

“Seventh Born” by Rachel Rossano

Having seven sons is a honor above no other. Which is why she is a disappointment. The only girl of seven children, she brought shame to her family. Who knew something like this could be turned into a book, but Rachel Rossano has done just that with her book, Seventh Born. Read on to learn more about the book and enter the giveaway.

About the Book

In a world where seventh born sons are valued for their strength and power, she is born a daughter.

Zezilia Ilar is the disappointment. Born after six brothers, she was supposed to be the son to restore her family’s prestige. She intends to remedy her shortcomings by being a dutiful daughter, marrying well and producing children, preferably a set of seven sons. But when someone offers her an alternative, she begins to dream of more.

In a society that worships a goddess, he follows the Almighty.

Hadrian Aleron, as a seventh son of a seventh son, stands to take up the second highest position in government, Sept Son. His main qualification for office is his birth. Despite preparing for this role from childhood, he does not desire what is to come. As a follower of the Almighty, he knows he will be the target of many, and his faith might eventually lead to death.

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079Z2PPJL
iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/seventh-born/id1351646000
Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/seventh-born-2
Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seventh-born-rachel-rossano/1128018000

About the Author

Rachel Rossano lives with her husband and three children in the northeastern part of the United States. Homeschooled through high school, she began writing her early teens. She didn’t become serious about pursuing a career as an author until after she had graduated from college and happily married. Then the children came.

Now she spends her days being a wife, mother, teacher, and household manager. Her evenings and free moments are devoted to her other loves, writing and book cover design. Drawing on a lifelong fascination with reading and history, she spends hours creating historical feeling fantasy worlds and populating them with characters who live and breathe on the page.

Follow Rachel on:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/RachelRossanoRambles
Twitter – https://twitter.com/RachelRossano
Google+ – https://plus.google.com/+RachelRossano
Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/rachelrossano/
Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1430209.Rachel_Rossano
Blog – http://www.rachelrossano.com/
Amazon Author Page – http://www.amazon.com/Rachel-Rossano/e/B004MV17GE/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/anavrea
Newsletter Sign Up – http://eepurl.com/4sbsv

Giveaway

Rachel is giving away an eBook of her book. You can enter here. Your odds of winning increase with every person you refer so spread the word! Good luck, and I hope you win!

My Review

When I was offered the opportunity to read and review this book, the blurb and idea of the story line really intrigued me and I readily signed up. I liked the way it was told in first person and in general the writing style is good!

But now I have to come to a confession… I did not finish this book. In fact, I only made it to 11% before I decided I needed to stop reading, because it was just making me really uncomfortable. It is not obvious from the blurb, but this book is actually a fantasy. I’m not saying fantasy is never appropriate, but in this case the elements that were incorporated were really weird. Basically, it revolves around characters who have ‘talents’ that include mind reading and “touching” other characters (like picking someone up and holding them against a wall) without ever making physical contact with them. It all happens by the power of thought, and it was too much akin to stories I’ve heard of the powers of witch doctors. Also the fact that when two people make contact with each others brain, the other’s ‘taste’ fills their mouth? That was just a little too much for me.

Because I didn’t read most of the book and because I cannot complain at the quality of the author’s writing (as I said above, it had some good elements), I’m giving it two stars instead of just one. If it hadn’t been for the fact that I disagreed so strongly with the premise, I probably would have enjoyed it.

*I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. Mrs. Rosanno, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity and I’m sorry that I was not able to write a more positive review.

 

Tour Schedule

 

April 9
Bookish Orchestrations – Introductory post
Just A Glimpse – Guest Post
Faith, Loyalty, Adventure Blog – Book Review
April 10
Rachel John Writes – Book Review
Annie Louise Twitchell – Book Review
Letters from Annie Douglass Lima – Character Spotlight

April 11
God’s Peculiar Treasure Rae – Character Spotlight
Romantic Typewriter Gardens – Guest Post
The World of the Blue Bells Chronicles – Book Review

April 12
Rebekah Lyn Books – Book Spotlight
Frances Hoelsema – Book Spotlight
Hunting for Truth – Book Review and Guest Post
April 13
Reading On The Edge – Book Spotlight
Ember’s Reviews – Book Review
With a Joyful Noise – Character Spotlight
Views from the Window Friend – Book Review

April 14
Bookish Orchestrations – Giveaway winner

“A Chance at Forever” by Melissa Jagears

“In early 1900s Kansas, Mercy McClain, determined to protect Teaville’s children from the bullying she experienced as a child, finds fulfillment working at the local orphanage and serving on the school board. When Aaron Firebrook, the classmate who bothered her more than any other, petitions the board for a teaching position, she’s dead set against him getting the job.

Aaron knows he deserves every bit of Mercy’s mistrust, but he’s returned to his hometown a changed man and is seeking to earn forgiveness of those he wronged. He doesn’t expect Mercy to like him, but surely he can prove he now has the best interests of the children at heart.

Will resentment and old wounds hold them back, or can Mercy and Aaron put the past behind them in time to face the unexpected threats to everything they’re working for?”

It was a pleasure to read the third installment in the Teaville books. Mercy isn’t a character we knew much about from the previous books, but I enjoyed getting to know her through this story. We get to see more of the going’s on at the orphanage, and I really enjoy the principles behind the books of reaching out to the needy in the unsavory parts of town.

Aaron was such a sweet guy, and some might say ‘ too good to be true’ but I personally have observed the work the Lord does in lives that at one time were rough and have been through a lot so I don’t think that the character she gives him is unrealistic. His backstory is not pleasant, and because of this I would caution younger readers. Though no details are ever gone into, I would still recommend this for a more mature audience. It was also enjoyable to see characters from the previous books and follow their continuing stories. There was just one couple that I really did NOT enjoy. Ugh! But I guess that’s only natural.

I enjoyed seeing the spiritual growth of both Aaron and Mercy. Really solid truths and principles throughout.

There was of course plenty of romantic feelings as one would expect, so those that are particular about that type of thing may be duly warned. 🙂

As I mentioned previously, much of the story revolves around brothels and other such unsavory topics but it is always handled completely appropriately and is only incidental to the story.

This was a sweet story and I’m giving 4 stars.

*Disclaimer: I received this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

“Beneath the Surface” by Lynn Blackburn

“After a harrowing experience with an obsessed patient, oncology nurse practitioner Leigh Weston needed a change. She thought she’d left her troubles behind when she moved home to Carrington, North Carolina, and took a job in the emergency department of the local hospital. But when someone tampers with her brakes, she fears the past has chased her into the present. She reaches out to her high school friend turned homicide investigator, Ryan Parker, for help.

Ryan finds satisfaction in his career, but his favorite way to use his skills is as a volunteer underwater investigator with the Carrington County Sheriff’s Office dive team. When the body of a wealthy businessman is discovered in Lake Porter, the investigation uncovers a possible serial killer–one with a terrifying connection to Leigh Weston and deadly implications for them all.”

Okay, I have a confession to make. I initially picked this book because I thought this might be another author in the style of Dee Henderson or Dani Pettrey (two of my favorite suspense authors). Consequently, when I started reading I was guilty of comparing this book with their books and that is certainly not fair to the author. So I will just state that if you’re looking for another Dee Henderson, this isn’t the book to choose, but if you want a suspense book that stands on its own feet without relation to others, then you just might wanna try this one out, ’cause I really enjoyed it!

I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters, and particularly Leigh with her background of being adopted and just her loving family story. I’m very much looking forward to the other characters’ stories in the following books!

The story moved forward at a really good pace and kept me wondering what would be discovered next (well okay, a couple ‘discoveries’ were slightly predictable, but ya know, it did have to follow through in a logical sequence). The one thing that I was slightly disappointed in was *Spoiler* the fact that ultimately the culprit was someone we didn’t really know, but had only appeared incidentally in one scene. *End of Spoiler*

The spiritual content was good, being steady throughout, and I enjoyed Leigh’s journey of turning to God again after having been raised in a Christian home (somewhat cliched though it may be).

Lastly, the only thing I’ll mention is that the romance did get a little syrupy as the story progressed. I prefer less, “he thought, and then she wondered” etc, etc, etc. but overall it is to be expected so I can’t complain too much.

I’m giving this a 4 star rating and anxiously awaiting the next book in the series which will be Adam’s story.

*Disclaimer: I received this book from Revell Books in exchange for my honest review.