The Pursuit of Lady Harriet by Rachael Anderson

Summary:

Termed an Incomparable during her first London season, Lady Harriett Cavendish is beautiful, spirited, and confident, capturing the attention of a great many suitors. Unfortunately, they all failed to capture her attention, and she concluded the season as unattached as she’d begun it.

Only weeks prior to her second season, Harriett encounters Lieutenant Christopher Jamison while visiting Tanglewood Manor. Recently returned from war, the lieutenant is everything that Harriett’s previous suitors were not. He’s arrogant, ungentlemanly, irritating, and challenges her at every opportunity. When he goes too far, Harriett decides that it’s time to turn the tables on him. But as she sets out to put the lieutenant in his place once and for all, she discovers there is more to him than meets the eye, and when it comes to matters of the heart, she has no control whatsoever.  

My thoughts:

I have truly enjoyed the Tanglewood series!  The third book in this series was no exception.  Rachael Anderson writes such fun  and witty heroines and her characters have so much life and personality.  The chemistry and witty banter between Harriet and Chris made this story an instant favorite.  I loved how he started calling her Harry just to irritate her, and then it became a kind of nickname between them. The constant rivalry and teasing between Harriet and Chris kept the book lively and and I couldn’t put it down.  One of the things I enjoy most about these stories is that Rachael Anderson knows how to write characters with the perfect balance of humor and sensitivity.  I am a big fan of Regency stories and I think this series and this book are among my favorites.  

To purchase your own copy of The Pursuit of Lady Harriet or any of Rachael Anderson’s books visit the links below!

Amazon: The Pursuit of Lady Harriet
Rachael Anderson’s Blog

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Always Watching by Lynette Eason

Summary:

The bodyguards of Elite Guardians Agency have more than just skill and prowess in common–they’re also all women. When it becomes clear that popular psychiatrist and radio personality Wade Savage has a stalker, his father secretly hires Elite Guardians in order to protect his son.

But when Wade’s bodyguard is attacked and nearly killed, agency owner Olivia Edwards must step in and fill the gap. Olivia’s skills are about to be tested to the limit as Wade’s stalker moves from leaving innocent gifts at his door to threatening those closest to him. Olivia has the feeling that she’s next on the list. And to complicate things even further, she realizes that her heart may be in as much danger as her client.
My Thoughts:

This book had me on the edge of my seat from the beginning to the end.  I picked this book up before bed one night, intending to read a few pages, and I could not put it down.  This book is so fast paced and there are so many moments that build the suspense that it is a must read.  After reviewing Chasing Secrets by Lynette Eason, the 4th book in the Elite Gaurdians series, I knew I needed to start at the beginning and read this series!  This book ticked all the boxes for a great read for me.  There isn’t much that keeps me in more suspense than a stalker.  The shifting between character points of view just added to the suspense in this story. Reading from the stalker’s point of view without knowing who they were was chilling! I definietly reccomend this book and series to anyone who loves thrillers or suspense novels.  I can’t wait to read the next one in this series! 
To purchase a copy of Lynette Eason’s Always Watching visit one of the links below:

Amazon: Always Watching
Lynetteeason.com

A Sweethaven Summer by Courtney Walsh

Summary:

A faded scrapbook reveals secrets that reconnect old friends in a place called Sweethaven. 

Campbell Carter has come to Sweethaven in search of answers about her mother’s history. Just before losing a battle with cancer, Suzanne Carter sent letters to childhood friends from her hometown of Sweethaven, Michigan. Suzanne’s three friends — Lila, Jane, and Meghan — haven’t spoken in years, yet each has pieces of a scrapbook they made together as girls. Suzanne’s letters have lured them all back to the idyllic lakeside town, where they meet Campbell and begin to remember what was so special about their long Sweethaven summers. As the scrapbook reveals secrets from the past, old wounds are mended, lives are changed, and friendships are restored — just as Suzanne intended.
My Thoughts:  

This is one of those books that I became completely immersed in once I picked it up.  I just really enjoyed all these characters and you can feel the small town days of summer jumping off the pages of this book. Perfectly captivating from start to finish!  The characters were so genuine and real that I teared up on multiple occasions.  Full disclosure that I was ill at the time I was reading this book, so some of the emmotional mess may be due to a sickness induced haze! I was so focused on finding out the answers to all of Campbells questions as the story progressed that the pages of this book just kept turning!  Campbell and Luke’s relationship was steady and sweet and I loved the friendship they formed.  I am pretty sure I want to be invited to Adele’s house for dinner or dessert.  She was the perfect monther hen, cooking, baking and caring for every single person in this story.  I can’t wait to grab the next book in this series!  

To purchase your own copy of A Sweethaven Summer visit one of the links below! 

Amazon: A Sweethaven Summer
Courtneywalshwrites.com

The Secret of the India Orchid by Nancy Campbell Allen

Summary:

Anthony Blake, the Earl of Wilshire, is in love with his best friend’s sister, Sophia Elliot. But his plans to court her are put on hold when he is forced to resume his role as an undercover spy for the Crown. A secret document listing the names of the entire network of British spies—including his own—has been stolen. To protect Sophia, Anthony cuts off all ties to her and exchanges his life as an honorable earl for the facade of a flirtatious playboy.

Heartbroken and confused, Sophia travels to India, hoping to find healing in one of the most exotic regions of the British Empire. But the exotic land isn’t as restful as she had hoped. Instead, she finds herself embroiled in a mystery of a missing sea captain, a possible murder, and a plot that could involve the prince of India. And when Anthony appears at the British Residency, asking questions and keeping his distance from her, she is stunned.
She still loves him, and, in her heart, she knows he loves her too. But how can she rebuild her relationship with him if he won’t confide in her? Does she dare offer her heart to him a second time, or will their love be lost under the India sun?
My Thoughts:

I have been looking forward to this book’s release for months!  This book was filled with mystery, intrigue, and subtle romance.  The hero and heroine were introduced in Nancy Campbell Allen’s previous book My Fair Gentleman.  I instantly loved the interaction between these characters in the previous book and knew The Secret of the India Orchid was going to be a great read!  This book seemed to focus more on the mystery aspect and less on the romance between the characters, however I enjoyed that.  The exotic setting of India seemed to add to the mystery of this book.  The descriptions of the landscape, sights, and scents really put you right into the setting of this story.  I loved Sophia’s cutting humor.  She always managed to really get in a good jab while maintaining mannners and the decorum fitting of the social situation.  One of my favorite scenes of this book was the elephant ride that Anthony and Sophia take.  Trapped on the back of an elephant exchanging secrets and banter!  Perfection!  This book really held my attention as the mystery surrounding a murder unfolded. If you are looking or a good historical novel that mixes, spies, lies, mystery and romance, then you will enjoy The Secret of the India Orchid.  You really cannot go wrong with any of the books in the Proper Romance line!  They are some of my faves! 

To purchase a copy of The Secret of the India Orchid visit one of the links below:

Amazon: The Secret of the India Orchid
Barnes and Noble: The Secret of the India Orchid

The Lost Girl of Astor Street by Stephanie Morrill

Summary:

When her best friend vanishes without so much as a good-bye, eighteen-year-old Piper Sail takes on the role of amateur sleuth in an attempt to solve the mystery of Lydia’s disappearance. Given that Piper’s tendency has always been to butt heads with high-society’s expectations of her, it’s no surprise that she doesn’t give a second thought to searching for answers to Lydia’s abduction from their privileged neighborhood.

As Piper discovers that those answers might stem from the corruption strangling 1924 Chicago—and quite possibly lead back to the doors of her affluent neighborhood—she must decide how deep she’s willing to dig, how much she should reveal, and if she’s willing to risk her life of privilege for the sake of the truth.

My Thoughts:

I had heard a lot of good things about this book, so I requested it at the library and was excited when they ordered it!  I really love the setting of this story.  The Chicago Jazz age was the perfect backdrop for this book.  As a reader you are transported back to a time with prohibition, speakeasys, mobsters and gin fizz! There were so many little things that make you suspect anyone and everyone as Piper goes about investigating her friend’s disappearance.  The story itself was intriguing and held my attention throughout the book.  I really enjoyed Pipers character.  She was honest, no nonsense, but bold. The mystery element in this story was well done.  There were enough clues hidden within the story to keep you guessing, but not so many as to completely give away all the answers.  I like a surprise ending, but not one that comes out of left field and the conclusion of this story was well done and satisfying.  I struggled a bit with the first person, present tense POV, but that is a personal preference.  I enjoyed the book and was glad to see a hint that there would be future books following Piper and her investigative skills.  I love a good historical fiction book, add a little mystery and its even better!  This one delivered and I thourougly enjoyed it! 

To purchase a copy of The Lost Girl of Astor Street visit one of the links below:
Amazon: The Lost Girl of Astor Street
Stephanie Morrill’s Website

Chasing Secrets by Lynette Eason

Summary:

Elite Guardians bodyguard Haley Callaghan may be in South Carolina, but when a photo leads investigators in West Ireland to open a twenty-five-year-old cold case, her life is suddenly in danger. Haley knows how to take care of herself; after all, she’s made a career out of taking care of others. But after an uncomfortably close call, Detective Steven Rothwell takes it upon himself to stay with her–and the young client she has taken under her wing. A protector at heart, he’s not about to let Haley fight this battle alone.

In a sweeping plot that takes them into long-buried memories–and the depths of the heart–Haley and Steven will have to solve the mystery of Haley’s past while dodging bullets, bombs, and bad guys who just won’t quit.

My Thoughts:

This was my first Lynette Eason book and I loved it!  Chasing Secrets was fast paced, exciting, and full of suspense!  I was grabbed from the very first pages as the reader is introduced to a very intense scene of an attack involving a 5 year old Aileen Burke.  Literally could not stop turning the pages!  I loved Hayley!  I really enjoyed how Hayley and Steven were able to cultivate a friendship even in the midst of some very stressful situations.  They just seemed to click right from the start and I really enjoyed thier shared sarcasm and humor.  Their relationship added just the right amount of levity to this story.  The plot line of this story was intriging and kept my attention until the end.  I have not read a lot of suspense recently, however I really enjoyed this book and now I plan to go back and read the previous books in this series.  I thought this book had the perfect mixture of characters who entice you into the story, suspense, action, and a few twists to keep you guessing.  So great! 

To order a your own copy of Chasing Secrets by Lynette Eason visit one of the links below!
Amazon: Chasing Secrets
Lynetteeason.com

A Name Unknown by Roseanna White

Summary:

Rosemary Gresham has no family beyond the band of former urchins that helped her survive as a girl in the mean streets of London. Grown now, they concentrate on stealing high-value items and have learned how to blend into upper-class society. But when Rosemary must determine whether a certain wealthy gentleman is loyal to Britain or to Germany, she is in for the challenge of a lifetime. How does one steal a family’s history, their very name?
Peter Holstein, given his family’s German blood, writes his popular series of adventure novels under a pen name. With European politics boiling and his own neighbors suspicious of him, Peter debates whether it might be best to change his name for good. When Rosemary shows up at his door pretending to be a historian and offering to help him trace his family history, his question might be answered. 
But as the two work together and Rosemary sees his gracious reaction to his neighbors’ scornful attacks, she wonders if her assignment is going down the wrong path. Is it too late to help him prove that he’s more than his name?
My Thoughts:

First of all, this cover is fabulous!  I just love it!  I knew I wanted to read this book based on the cover alone!  And I am so happy to report I loved the inside just as much!  This is without a doubt my favorite Roseanna White novel to date.  The characters in this book make it memorable, combined with the most insteresting and fun plot.  There is humor, mystery, spies, lies, danger, and characters that you cant help but love and admire.  I wasn’t sure I would grow to love Rosemary, but she won me over with her outspoken nature and her loyalty to Peter.  I thought her background and her line of work were such an interesting and brilliantly unique change of pace for a heroine of a story.  I loved it!  Peter was imperfectly perfect.  I was instantly a fan of his character, but I wasn’t expecting his sense of humor.  It was the best surprise of his character, and he was full of surprises!  I so enjoyed this book because the plot was different than anything I had read before in a historical fiction, the characters were unique and fun, and the mystery element in the story kept you guessing until the end.  I cannot wait to see where this series goes!  I am a definite fan! 

To purchase a copy of A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White visit the links below:

Amazon: A Name Unknown
Roseannamwhite.com

*I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.