The Lady and the Highwayman

THE LADY AND THE HIGHWAYMAN

by Sarah M. Eden

Elizabeth Black is the headmistress of a girls school in 1865s Victorian London. She is also a well-respected author of silver-fork novels, stories written both for and about the upper-class ladies of Victorian society. But by night, she writes very different kinds of stories--the Penny Dreadfuls that are all the rage among the working-class men. Under the pseudonym Charles King, Elizabeth has written about dashing heroes fighting supernatural threats, intelligent detectives solving grisly murders, and dangerous outlaws romancing helpless women. They contain all the adventure and mystery that her real life lacks.

Fletcher Walker began life as a street urchin, but is now the most successful author in the Penny Dreadful market, that is until Charles King started taking all of his readers. No one knows who King is, including Fletcher s fellow members of the Dread Penny Society, a fraternity of authors dedicated to secretly fighting for the social and political causes of their working-class readers. The group knows King could be an asset with his obvious monetary success, or he could be the group s undoing as King s readership continues to cut into their profits.

Determined to find the elusive Mr. King, Fletcher approaches Miss Black. As a fellow-author, she is well-known among the high-class writers; perhaps she could be persuaded to make some inquiries as to Mr. King s whereabouts? Elizabeth agrees to help Fletcher, if only to insure her secret identity is never discovered. What neither author anticipated was the instant attraction, even though their social positions dictate the impossibility of a relationship.

For the first time Elizabeth experiences the thrill of a cat-and-mouse adventure reminiscent of one of her own novels as she tries to throw Fletcher off her scent. But the more time they spend together, the more she loses her heart. Its upper-class against working-class, author against author where readers, reputations, and romance are all on the line.

My Thoughts
I love it when authors write about authors. It is interesting to see the insights they have and how they portray another writer. Not only does this book give you the background stories of two authors, it also gives you the installments of the stories they were creating- a delightful twist. Sarah M. Eden is a brilliant writer! LOVED IT!

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The Nobleman's Daughter

THE NOBLEMAN'S DAUGHTER

by Jen Geigle Johnson

England, 1819

While British high society primps and plays, the impoverished citizens of London languish. But there are those fighting for the freedom of common citizens—including two members of the aristocracy who secretly champion revolution. In the drawing rooms of the upper class, Lady Amanda and Lord Nathaniel flirt and tease with the best of them as she pretends to win every heart in London for sport, and he, to conquer them. But in truth, their flirtation is merely a façade designed to keep their clandestine actions hidden from the ton—and from each other. When Nathaniel presents himself as a potential suitor, the attraction between the two is undeniable—but the faces they portray to the world are not enough to win each other’s hearts.

While their crusade for London’s poor unites them more deeply than they could imagine, Amanda and Nathaniel struggle to trust one another with their true ideals and identities. But when the call to action leads Amanda into the path of danger, she can only hope that Nathaniel will see through her frivolous pretense. Because now, only the aid of the suitor she loves most—but trusts least—can save her.

My Thoughts
A fascinating look into the lives of those who fought for and against women's rights and equality for all mankind. This book touched my heart. I highly recommend it.

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The Shipbuilder's Wife

THE SHIPBUILDER'S WIFE

by Jennifer Moore

The day of her parents’ garden party dawns bright as Lydia Prescott eagerly anticipates a marriage proposal from a handsome and wealthy plantation owner. The lovely debutante plans to steal a moment away with her beau, but her plans go terribly awry.

Instead of her intended, she is joined by a stranger—the largest man she’s ever laid eyes on. And it is clear Jacob Steele is there for reasons far more sober than the party. With British raids erupting all around them, it is his job to reassure plantation owners of their safety. 

In reality, however, Jacob is an espionage agent, and the truth is dire: America is on the verge of invasion by the British. 

Blissfully unaware of the danger surrounding her, Lydia basks in the glow of her recent engagement. But her joy is short-lived—a surprise British attack results in a devastating wound, and her plans for the future are shattered. 

Lost in her devastation, Lydia could never dream that Jacob, that giant of a man she met so briefly, would prove to be her saving grace. And with a war raging around them, she may be called upon to save him too.

My Thoughts
This book is AMAZING! I loved the depth of the characters and the time period in which this was set. I cannot even imagine a time where you would attend a social gathering and then spend the night wonder who in the room is a spy. It was also intriguing to see how a tragedy brought people together and made them stronger. This book is so good! A DEFINITE MUST-READ!

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Secrets Never Die

SECRETS NEVER DIE

by Laurie Lewis

Tallie Brown’s life has never made sense. Raised in isolation by her mother, Julia, Tallie was dragged suddenly and without explanation from one third-world outpost to another until life normalized seven years ago when Julia took a position on a mountaintop in the Pacific northwest. But when Julia unexpectedly dies, Tallie uncovers clues suggesting that Julia had a secret life.

Journalistic phenom Jackson James is still recovering from the devastating mistake that flat-lined his promising career. Now he’s paying the price, working as the editor of a syrupy community rag in a posh D.C. suburb. But when the very man who destroyed him drops a tantalizing lead about a potential D.C. scandal, the reporter sees his chance for redemption and sets off to chase the story.

Jackson’s investigation leads him to Cutler’s Ridge, a dying Virginia coal town, and directly into the path of the mysterious and beautiful Tallie. As these two mistrustful loners follow their leads, their stories begin to intertwine until they reach an alarming conclusion – something terrible happened in Cutler’s Ridge.

As they doggedly pursue the story, the town’s cold reception spirals into threats and danger, proving that there are those who will stop at nothing to keep the past hidden forever –because secrets never die.

My Thoughts

This book is AMAZING and will take you on some twists and turns to find all the answers. Be prepared to be riveted to each page. Such fun writing! I loved how the ending came together. Do no miss out on this one.

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Aloha to Love

ALOHA TO LOVE

by Josie Riviera

Goodbye has never been this hard…especially when love is saying hello…

Screenwriter Angelina Conte has been butting heads via email with the studio’s unbelievably nitpicky scientific advisor, volcanologist Dr. Caleb Sloane. Between his scheduled lectures aboard a Hawaiian cruise, she intends to prove that she’s no Tinseltown hack.

Caleb had planned on using this Christmastime cruise to adjust his workaholic attitude. A tough assignment when he tangles with the movie studio’s surprisingly stubborn scriptwriter.

Startlingly, their chemistry is off the charts. But when the studio gives Angelina an ultimatum, she remembers why she put love on the back burner—and why, for her, happily-ever-after was never in the cards.

My Thoughts
It's July so of course I am reading Christmas stories-- I adored this book! I love Hawaii and cruising and to set this story on a cruise to Hawaii captured my heart from the very beginning. I highly recommend this book!

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The Dating Game

THE DATING GAME

by Brenna Jacobs

(Previously titled "The ABCs of Dating")

Allie Carmichael is dating the wrong kind of man. To help Allie out of her dating rut, Allie’s sister, Cassie, challenges her to date 26 new men, all that have 26 different careers—one for every letter of the alphabet.

When Eric’s neighbor, Allie, asks him for help with her new dating challenge, he’s reluctant to get involved. Mostly because he’d really like Allie to fall in love with him. She’s determined to finish out her dating challenge, but he’s a veterinarian. And V is at the end of the alphabet.

Can Eric persuade Allie to abandon the list and see him as something more than just her best friend?

My Thoughts
I completely adored this book! It is entertaining and fun and SO GOOD! 

Purchase Link
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The Emerald Heart of Courtenay

THE EMERALD HEART OF COURTENAY

by Anita Stansfield

The moment her father takes his final breath, Sarah Courtenay becomes the sole heir of her family’s sprawling castle—and something far more unexpected.

For on his deathbed, Lord Courtenay left his daughter a cryptic message: a dark curse will fall upon the house should Sarah fail to obtain and protect a priceless treasure. 

Sarah’s astonishment upon discovering the carefully hidden sword sparkling with jewels is nothing compared to the shock she feels when she learns the nature of her father’s death: he was poisoned. 

And now, Sarah herself might possess something worth killing for. Desperate to avoid her father’s fate, Sarah flees the only home she’s ever known, taking with her a loyal maid and a hired bodyguard, who will stop at nothing to protect the beautiful woman in his care. 

From the safety of a remote farm, Sarah finds a renewed measure of peace and hope for the future. But the sinister weapon that glitters amid her belongings in that small farmhouse beckons a shadowy enemy, one who will not be deterred from taking everything from Sarah—including her life.

My Thoughts

I so adored this story! With a handsome man as her protector and her best friend in tow, the maiden must flee for her life. But, when trouble follows her, she realizes she needs to face the killer and claim her rights as heir of Courtenay. You will be surprised at the twists in this story and where the "emerald heart" lays. AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL!

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A Proper Scandal

A PROPER SCANDAL

by Esther Hatch

Grace Sinclair has been callously cast out of her home. And though taken in as an orphaned child by the vicar and his wife, her unsurpassed beauty makes it impossible for her to remain in the vicar’s household—with two daughters of their own about to enter Society, the vicar and his wife see Grace as nothing but competition. Thankfully, Grace’s estranged Aunt Bell has agreed to take her in to her home in London. But Grace soon learns her situation has just gotten much worse.

It takes only a moment’s acquaintance for Grace to ascertain that her aunt has married a detestable rake. And Aunt Bell, recognizing the danger of having her lovely niece too near her husband, gives Grace an ultimatum: the young woman has two weeks to find a man to marry, after which she will be turned out. With no experience in the art of attracting a husband, Grace quickly realizes that a worthy suitor might not be so easy to ensnare.

My Thoughts

For all the books I have read where the characters were trying to stay out of a scandalous situation, this story line of a woman trying to achieve a scandalous situation was delightfully fun! The story line will keep you entertained for hours. LOVED. LOVED. LOVED. it!

Purchase Link

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The Redgrave Murders

THE REDGRAVE MURDERS

by A. L. Sowards

When her father is murdered, Evie must prove her boyfriend innocent and find the real criminal before he kills again.

Loss is inevitable, as Evie Hampton knows all too well. But despite losing her mother to cancer and her older brother to a war, she knows she's one of the lucky ones. After all, she still has her father, a distinguished professor of medieval history. And she has Gary Redhawk, the man she loves despite the emotional scars he carries from the Second World War--and despite her father's opposition to their relationship.

When Evie's car suddenly careens off the road, she chalks it up to poor maintenance or sheer bad luck making another appearance in her life. Little does she know a host of hardships is just beginning--the car was her father's, and the brake lines were deliberately cut. Someone wants them dead--but why? All fingers point to Gary, a man with a troubled past and no solid alibi, but Evie is unwilling to believe he's involved. Determined to uncover the truth, she begins to piece together a startling picture of deception and vice. But as she closes in on the truth, it is clear that someone is determined to silence her--and the next attempt on her life may be a deadly success.

My Thoughts
This book is SO INTRIGUING! Multiple story lines intertwine with each other to bring a rich reading experience. You will read about cut brake lines, falling bookcases, letters from the front line of war, post traumatic stress disorder, and interracial relationships, just to name a few; all while trying to solve a murder mystery. SO. GOOD! 

Purchase Link
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The Redgrave Cover Game

COME PLAY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN 

A $25 AMAZON GIFT CARD

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Next Tuesday I will be posting my review of The Redgrave Murders by A. L. Sowards. The book is FANTASTIC and is a murder mystery with a twist.

In the meantime play along-- The game is inspired by the book cover and the game Clue.

To enter, just snap a picture with a suspect, a murder weapon, and a location. Then post it on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with the hashtag#RedgraveCoverGame and a caption explaining the who, with what, and where.

Entries can be silly or serious, and people can enter as often as they like.

You can add it to my Facebook post at:  

https://www.facebook.com/460789570609362/photos/a.460790553942597/2432037820151184/?type=3&theater

Undercover Honeymoon

UNDERCOVER HONEYMOON

by Kari Iroz

Wedding bells are finally ringing for Jacklyn “Jack” Wyatt and her FBI-agent fiancé, Damon Wade. After their adventurous beginning, the happy couple finds the relative calm leading up to their big day a huge relief.

Unfortunately, it seems the peace and quiet were too good to last. As they embark on their honeymoon, a week-long cruise, Jack can’t shake the feeling that something is off with her new husband. When she stumbles upon a secret plot—one in which her husband is a key player—she realizes this getaway will be anything but smooth sailing. 

When she delves into the shady happenings aboard the ship, Jack realizes Damon’s involvement is just the tip of the iceberg—she has become an unwitting player in a deadly conspiracy, and in such close quarters, there is no escape. 

Now, Jack has no choice but to work with her new husband to unravel the truth before their happily ever after—and their lives—are ended all too soon.

My Thoughts
LOVED. LOVED. LOVED. this book! The perfect balance of romance and suspense with a dash of humor. So many great moments in the book! This will keep you reading long into the night with no thoughts of wanting to do anything else. You will be on the edge of each page anxious to know what happens next. Take a vacation from life for a few hours and dive into this book~

Purchase Link
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Summer Book Trek 2019

IT'S SUMMER BOOK TREK TIME :)
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