Masquerade At Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson

Book Summary:

When the widowed Lord Torrington agreed to spy for the crown, he never planned to impersonate a highwayman, let alone rob the wrong carriage. Stranded on the road with an unconscious young woman, he is forced to propose marriage to protect his identity and her reputation, as well as his dangerous mission.

Trapped not only by her duty to her country but also by her limited options as an unwed mother, Miss Elizabeth Cantrell and her infant son are whisked away to Middlecrest Abbey by none other than the elder brother of her son’s absent father. There she is met by Torrington’s beautiful grown daughters, a vicious murder, and an urgent hunt for the missing intelligence that could turn the war with France. Meanwhile she must convince everyone that her marriage is a genuine love match if her new husband has any hope of uncovering the enemy.

Determined to keep her son’s true identity a secret, Elizabeth will need to remain one step ahead of her fragile heart, her uncertain future, and the relentless fiend bent on her new family’s ruin.

My Thoughts:
This book was fantastic! I loved every minute of this mysterious regency romance! Not only was the plot intriguing, but the characters were so well developed and everything worked together perfectly to create a page turning story! Abigail Wilson has become one of my auto buy authors as she continues to provide outstanding novels each and every time! I was totally captivated by the mystery elements in this story and as eager as Elizabeth and Adrian to solve it! The romance in this story was perfectly balanced with the mystery. It was organically woven into this story so that you were equally satisfied with both no matter which element was being addressed in a particular chapter. Adrian is perfectly flawed and I loved him! He was an absolute perfect hero with charm, humor, and a fierce protectiveness that made him all the more endearing! Elizabeth was intelligent and witty although she had a more reserved nature, she was always very blunt with Adrian and seemed to be most herself when he was around. Their personalities just clicked wh they were together and it was absolutely enjoyable! The conclusion of this book was action packed, full of danger, and definitely left me satisfied! This book is going on my top reads of the year list! Absolutely loved it!

*I was given a copy of this book by the Publisher, however I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

A Date for Daisy by Tara Grace Ericson

Book Summary:

He thinks she’s the captain of the Hot Mess Express.
She thinks he’s rigid and wound too tight.
And this renovation is about to get complicated.

Daisy Bloom is determined to turn her 100-year-old house into a bed and breakfast. The only problem? She knows nothing about renovations.

Enter Lance Matthews, construction guru and business owner. He is determined to tackle this project with his usual methodical, organized approach. His only problem? The beautiful and infuriating homeowner — deeply involved with the project and completely averse to lists, schedules, or any form of organization.

When sparks fly between these wildly different personalities, will they find common ground? Or does God have other plans for each of them?

My Thoughts:

I’m completely charmed by The Bloom Sisters series! A Date for Daisy was the perfect mix of light hearted romance and humor. Daisy and Lance are all friction and sparks! Their differing personalities provide multiple instances for disagreements, disasters, and an undeniable chemistry that even they can’t explain! While these characters are significantly different, I loved that as the story progressed they both had areas of growth which allowed them to understand and identify with each other. Ericson writes really genuine characters that are relatable and that’s one of the reasons I am really enjoying this series. The conclusion of this book is worth the wait! It’s simply adorable! I cannot wait for the next book in this series!

*I was given a copy of this book by the author, however I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Rakes and Roses by Josi S. Kilpack

Book Summary:

Lady Sabrina endured an abusive marriage, a miscarriage, and early widowhood
to emerge as a smart, successful, confident woman who found a way to make
her mark in a man’s world. She has friends and purpose, but cannot hide from
the emptiness she feels when the parties are over and the friends have gone
home to families she will never have.
Harry Stillman may be charming and handsome, but he’s a gambler and a rake
who has made a mockery of his privileges. He turns to the mysterious Lord
Damion for financial relief from his debts, but still ends up beaten nearly
senseless by thugs and left in an alley.
When Lady Sabrina comes upon Harry after the attack, she remembers the
kindness Harry once showed to her six years ago and brings him to her estate to
heal. Though their relationship begins on rocky footing, it soon mellows into
friendship, then trust. But Lady Sabrina needs to keep Harry at a distance, even
if he is becoming the kind of man worthy of her heart. After all, she is keeping a
secret that, if exposed, could destroy everything she’s so carefully built.

My Thoughts:

I have loved the unique premise of this series! it has been such a fun approach to each character finding their happily every after. Rakes and Roses has such an out of the ordinary plot and it was intriguing to watch these characters develop and a romance bloom between them. I always enjoy a strong female character who is intelligent and Lady Sabrina was definitely worthy of those traits. Harry was a character who had a lot to overcome, however he showed immense growth throughout this book and he really wins the reader over by the end of this novel. It was really great to see Sabrina break down her walls and open up to her feelings for Harry. Sabrina and Harry’s romance may have been a bit unconventional, however I was really rooting for them to overcome their individual struggles and allow their friendship to blossom into more. I was happily satisfied with the conclusion of this book! It was a great addition to this series!

*I was given a copy of this book by the Publisher, however I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Want to purchase a copy of Rakes and Roses? Check out the links below!!!!

PURCHASE LINKS:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | DESERET BOOK | BOOK DEPOSITORY INDIEBOUND | AUDIBLE | GOODREADS

Josi S. Kilpack is the bestselling author of several Proper Romance and Proper Romance Historical series and a Cozy Culinary Mystery series. Her books, A Heart Revealed and Lord Fenton’s Folly; were Publishers Weekly Best Romance Books of the Year. She and her husband, Lee, are the parents of four children. 

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Standoff by Patricia Bradley

Book Summary:

The Natchez Trace National Parkway stretches 444 miles from Nashville to Natchez, the oldest town on the Mississippi River. It’s the perfect road for a relaxed pleasure drive. Unfortunately for park ranger Luke Fereday, lately it’s being used to move drugs. Sent to Natchez to infiltrate the organization at the center of the drug ring, Luke arrives too late to a stakeout and discovers the body of his friend, park ranger John Danvers. 

John’s daughter Brooke is determined to investigate her father’s murder, but things are more complicated than they first appear, and Brooke soon finds herself the target of a killer who will do anything to silence her. Luke will have his hands full keeping her safe. But who’s going to keep him safe when he realizes he’s falling–hard–for the daughter of the man he failed to save? 

Award-winning author Patricia Bradley introduces you to a new series set in the sultry South that will have you wiping your brow and looking over your shoulder.

My Thoughts:

This plot of this book sounded interesting to me. I was looking forward to a suspense book set around park rangers, it seemed a little out of the ordinary which was intriguing. This book missed the mark for me. I found the writing to be hard to follow and the plot to be very predictable. There were so many characters and changing points of view with each chapter that I found it to be confusing. I didn’t like how the author provided so many hints as to who the villains were so early on in the book. I also felt like the characters were not well developed. They didn’t draw me into the story or compel me to root for them. Brooke especially was hard to like and understand. It seemed hard to reconcile that she would so easily pick up life as usual after the death of a parent. There were some plot twists and action filled moments which were great. The book had a very danger filled and fast paced conclusion which answered all of the lingering questions. I’m not going to give spoilers, but I was happily satisfied with the romance at the end of this story. All in all, this book wasn’t for me, but romantic suspense fans may want to read the blurb and give it a try!

*I was given a copy of this book by the Publisher however I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Storing Up Trouble by Jen Turano

Book Description:

When Miss Beatrix Waterbury’s Chicago-bound train ride is interrupted by a heist, Mr. Norman Nesbit, a man of science who believes his research was the target of the heist, comes to her aid. Despite the fact that they immediately butt heads, they join forces to make a quick escape. 

Upon her arrival in Chicago, Beatrix is surprised to discover her supposedly querulous Aunt Gladys shares her own suffragette passions. Encouraged by Gladys to leave her sheltered world, Beatrix begins working as a salesclerk at the Marshall Field and Company department store. When she again encounters Norman on a shopping expedition, he is quickly swept up in the havoc she always seems to attract. 

But when another attempt is made to part Norman from his research papers, and it becomes clear Beatrix’s safety is also at risk, they soon discover the curious way feelings can grow between two very different people in the midst of chaos.

My Thoughts:

Jen Turano has delivered another quirky and unpredictable story in her last eat release Storing Up Trouble.
This book is filled with an eclectic cast of characters that will definitely keep the reader on their toes! Beatrix and Norman are an unlikely pair who learn a lot about themselves by experiencing the differences in each other’s personalities. As one would guess, their combination brings about a variety of unpredictably humorous circumstances all with Jen Turano’s trademark wit and humor infused into each scene. This lighthearted story addresses some women’s rights issues from the time period, incorporates a little mystery and of course, a bit of an interesting romance as well! If you are looking for a historical romance with unique and charming personalities Storing Up Trouble will not disappoint!

*I was given a copy of this book by the Publisher, however I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

This Wandering Heart by Janine Rosche

Book Summary:

No one in the quaint town of West Yellowstone, Montana knows that unassuming geography teacher Keira Knudsen moonlights as sensational travel blogger Kat Wanderfull. No one, that is, except for her first love, Robbie Matthews, who has just discovered the woman he is falling for online is the same one that broke his heart five years ago.

But Robbie has another problem: the mother of his daughter, Anabelle, has resurfaced after a three-year absence determined to rip Anabelle away from him. Robbie needs a steady paycheck for a chance at custody, and now, on the eve of a grand adventure that could give Keira a chance to flee her old, troubled life once and for all, she is in need of assistance.

With so much broken trust between them, Keira and Robbie must keep an arms-length away to make this partnership work. But the more time they spend together, exploring majestic places and sharing new experiences, the closer they get–until their secrets and dreams threaten to cost them everything.

My Thoughts:
If you are looking for a contemporary romance novel that will take you on lighthearted romantic adventure then you should pick up Janine Rosche’s debut novel, This Wandering Heart. This story was unique, and really highlighted how difficult it can be to move on from your past, even if you still care about someone. The road trip element of this story was fun and provided a way for these characters to really step outside their every day routine and tackle some of their issues along the way. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Kat and had a hard time connecting with her motivation and view point. Robbie was down to earth and humorous, however I thought he repetitively overlooked Kat’s many flaws and I wanted him to hold her more accountable for her words and actions at times. I loved that Annabelle, Robbie’s Daughter, was a big feature of this book. She was charming and it allowed the reader to see how capable and caring Robbie is. I’m not going to give spoilers, however I was happy with the conclusion of this book!

*I was given a copy of this book by the Publisher, however I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker

Book 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 am just the biggest fan of Regency romances! It is probably my favorite go-to genre when I want to just lose myself in a book. I am always a little timid about trying new authors, but I am so glad I did! I absolutely loved this book! It was witty, romantic, and had a captivating plot that kept me turning the pages. There were so many layers to the characters and their romance was slow building and absolutely swoon worthy. I loved the unique approach to a regency house party romance. I was hanging on every paged and it truly was delightful to read! I cannot wait to see more from this author.

*I was given a copy of this book by the Publisher, however I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Lakeshire Park check out the links below!

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | INDIEBOUND

AUDIBLE | GOODREADS

Want to learn more about the author? Check out the info below!

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 wrote her first novella, A Beautiful Love: A Regency Fairy Tale Retelling which was published in 2019. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband and three children. Lakeshire Park is her debut novel.

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