Archive for the ‘Historical Romance’ Category

A TAILOR-MADE BRIDE
Karen Witemeyer
Performed by: Nicole Poole
ISBN: 978-1410430755 (Lg Print Hardcover)
ASIN: B004LQ0F5E (Paperback)
ASIN: B004JCDV4M (Audio)
October 2010 (Lg Print Hardcover)
June 2010 (Paperback)
January 2011 (Audio)
Bethany House / Thorndike Press / Recorded Books /
Historical Inspirational

Even though Jericho “J.T.” Tucker thought the new dressmaker in town was pretty, he didn’t want to have anything to do with her.  Jericho had memories of his mother and thought that Hannah must be as shallow as any woman who devoted her time to pretty things rather than what was important in life.  Hannah Richards was, underneath, not at all what he suspected. However, Hannah couldn’t understand why this otherwise handsome man seemed so put out with her since she had only just met him.  So why had he formed such a rude and gruff attitude towards her.  However, given time, the seamstress and the livery man began to co-exist while each tries to deny the attraction that everyone else in Coventry had recognized!

***  With a wonderful sense of prose along with a well thought out plot which fully explained Jericho’s attitude towards Hannah, author Karen Witmeyer graced the reader with a truly touching and highly inspiring story of faith, goodness, and forgiveness.  While she blessed the reader with several inspiring readings from the bible, they were totally appropriate where and when she used them.  In other words this offering was not overly preachy!

While being gruff and unkind to the new seamstress who had come to Coventry, Ethan was a really good soul.  His first impression of Hannah was based upon his childhood feelings of not being appreciated or loved by a selfish and self-centered woman; his mother who ultimately left for greener pastures leaving Jericho and his sister Cordelia (only 4 years old at the time) along with his father who gave up living and fathering after his wife left him, leaving Jericho in charge of his baby sister.

Ethan’s heart was in the right place although the author showed the reason why he was so upset over Hannah.   The reason being Ethan had been trying to accomplish another good deed, and Hannah had messed up his plans.  [NO SPOILERS HERE] Hannah had nixing his plans, without knowing that Jericho had been the interested buyer.  And, to top it all off, Hannah was so darn pretty Jericho was having a hard time keeping up his walls as he slowly came to realize how kind and good hearted Hannah really was.

THE INCONVENIENT MARRIAGE OF CHARLOTTE BECK
Kathleen Y’Barbo
Waterbrook Press
June 21, 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0307444820
ISBN-10: 0307444821
Inspirational Romance/Historical
Trade Paperback

Charlotte Beck doesn’t let anyone or anything stand in the way of what she wants. And want Charlotte wants in an education. Charlotte’s father, Daniel, just wants to see his daughter happy and settled into a nice marriage. When Daniel sees Charlotte with Viscount Alex Hambly, he knows the man is perfect for his daughter and offers them a deal: If they agree to marry, he’ll save Alex’s family from financial ruin and grant Charlotte the freedom to go to college.

Alex and Charlotte can’t stand each other, but the deal is too sweet to pass up, so they agree, making their own deal in private to have the marriage annulled as soon as possible. But when Alex’s feelings and he goes back on their bargain, can Charlotte find a way to force his hand? Or will she discover that marriage to Alex is what she’s always dreamed of?

THE INCONVENIENT MARRIAGE OF CHARLOTTE BECK is an entertaining read. I enjoyed the humor of the book and the escapades Charlotte gets herself into in her quest to get what she wants. There is never a dull moment and Kathleen Y’Barbo writes with an easy to read, engaging style that keeps you turning the pages.

However, I found it difficult to like Charlotte. She seemed spoiled and immature, someone who is stubborn for the sake of being stubborn, which made her seem selfish more than just headstrong or opinionated. There were times when I felt Alex deserved better and I wanted to tell him to run and dissolve their marriage contract. I also would have liked to see the faith element play a bigger part of the book. Though Charlotte does have a change of heart of sorts, I felt that it came too little too late.

Despite my minor problems with the book, THE INCONVENIENT MARRIAGE OF CHARLOTTE BECK is enjoyable and I will be on the lookout for more books by Kathleen Y’Barbo in the future.

ROCKY CREEK ROMANCES – B00K #3:  A VISION OF LUCY
Margaret Brownley
ISBN:  978-1595548115 (Trade Paperback)
ASIN: B0054Q48V2 (KINDLE)
ISBN: 978-1410440426 (Large Print)
June 28, 2011 (Trade Paperback)
June 28, 2011 (KINDLE)
September 28, 2011 (Large Print)
Thomas Nelson / Thomas Nelson / Thorndike Press
Inspirational Fiction
Historical Romance

Lucy Fairbanks has two dreams 1) of working as a photographer at the Rocky Creek newspaper and 2) that her father would finally see her as an artist, the way he thought of her deceased mother whose paintings still hang on their walls. Unfortunately, it seems that disaster follows Lucy on every photo assignment resulting in a mess of petticoats and ribbons,  a stagecoach robbery, an accidental shooting, and even a fire.

When Lucy met David Wolf-a rugged, reclusive man who lives on the outskirts of town-she thinks she can finally bring the editor of the small town newspaper proof that a ‘wild man’ did not exist and finally land a job with the photograph she took of him.   Lucy never gave much thought about the feelings David stirred whenever they were in close proximity to one another.  Nor did she ever think that an innocent picture could change so much for so many people, events that would either draw Lucy closer to God or push her further away.

***  Written with lovely humor, a sweet romance, and a mystery, Ms. Brownley has gifted the reader with a book that just begs to be read uninterrupted while curled up in a comfy chair.  Lucy is a darling with a sweet heart that reaches out to touch everyone in the small town of Rocky Creek.  Her life isn’t perfect by any means, having a father who provides the necessities of life but is cut off emotionally by a shameful secret; who refuses to see Lucy for the gifted ‘artist’ she is.

When I was out shopping and came across a souvenir rock imprinted with “Ah, I see the screw-up fairy has struck again.” I actually pictured Lucy as just that, a gentle soul whose best intentions always seemed to get screwed up.  Not funny, but in point of fact, I know quite a few of these so called screw-up fairy’s and love them to death, so you might understand when I say I could really empathize with Lucy, especially when her heart encouraged her to defend the underdog – in this case David, an emotionally and physically injured half-breed.  The author showed Lucy’s pain over the mess she had caused David, and even knowing how it would devastate her reputation Lucy was steadfast in her feelings for him and determined to help him uncover truths.   The same truths that could destroy a lot of innocent people she had come to love over time.

BOTTOM LINE:  Ms. Brownley’s prose is lovely, her characters are the salt of the earth with love in their hearts, and the mystery and romance were top-notch.  A VISION OF LUCY is easily a recommended read.

Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

HEARTS IN FLIGHT
Patty Smith Hall
July, 2011
ISBN: 9780373828784
Love Inspired Historical
Mass Market Paperback
Inspirational Fiction, Historical Romance

Maggie Daniels has successfully completed her piloting training to become one of the chosen 1100 women who became WASPs (Women’s Army Special Pilots) during World War II. Now she is assigned to train as an Air Transport Command pilot for the B-29 and Captain Wesley Hicks is not thrilled with taking on the headache that having a woman pilot in his squadron entails. Maggie expects resistance.  After all, she had been continually faced with skeptical fellow pilots and disapproving family members since she first felt God called her to this mission.  Threats, scathing statements from blockheaded men who couldn’t see her skill as a pilot and frustrating road blocks weren’t going to stop her now.

Debut romance author Patty Smith Hall hit one out of the park with the Love Inspired Historical novel, Hearts in Flight.  The title won the 2008 American Christian Fiction Writer’s Genesis Award in historical romance, and now that it is published, it has been named a top inspirational read for the 2011 spring and summer season by Publisher’s Weekly.  I love inspirational novels set during WWII and this novel captures the depth, emotional impact and determined, selfless patriotism of that era.  Captain Hicks is a wonderfully rich character with his own struggles and his valiant personality make him a hero to look up to.  Hall skillfully depicts Maggie as a woman strong, determined and dedicated enough to be a WASP, yet also soft and feminine.  Maggie doesn’t hesitate to get greasy with airplane mechanics, but also has her nurturing side, whether making food in the kitchen, tending sick, or reaching out to others in need.   Hall does a good job of not being preachy with the inspirational component of Hearts in Flight. Her characters clearly depend upon God for their strength and guidance, but their faith becomes just another aspect of their overall character, leading readers to exclaim, “I want to be like THEM!”  Even if you are not normally a historical or inspirational reader, I highly recommend you try this book.  I can’t wait till Patty Smith Hall’s next romance comes out.  I hope it is soon.

THE SECRETS OF HADLEY GREEN BOOK 1: THE YEAR OF LIVING SCANDALOUSLY
Julia London
ISBN:  978-1439175453 (Mass Market Paperback)
ASIN: B003UYUOXG (Kindle eBook)
October 2010 (Mass Market Paperback)
October 2010 (Kindle eBook)
Pocket Books
Historical Romance/Regency

Fifteen years previously, young Lily Boudine was sent to live with her cousin Keira Hannigan in Ireland after Lily had testified in a trial that caused an innocent man to be hung.  When Lily was notified she had inherited and was the new Countess of Ashwood, she was not ready to return to England having planned to accompany a friend to Italy.  Since Keira looked so much like Lily they agreed to switch places and Keira would go to Ashwood and oversee Lily’s affairs until she returned.  Right from the start everyone assumed Keira was Lily and as it happened Keira had to go along with that assumption as a pressing matter needed resolution that only the countess could settle.

*** This was a grand start to what should be a wonderful series and while Lily was the heiress, to the title and Ashwood manor, her cousin Keira ended up being the heroine of THE YEAR OF LIVING SCANDALOUSLY.  Why not, Keira looked like Lily and it wouldn’t be for very long, however as most of Ms. London’s stories go one knows to expect the unexpected!  And that was precisely what happened when Keira discovered Declan O’Connor, Earl of Donnelly unexpectedly showing up.  True enough he recognized Keira immediately as an impostor having grown up with both she and Lily in Ireland.  Keira somehow convinced him to help her perpetuate her fraud and unravel the mystery of years ago when a man was hung without clear evidence of the jewelry he was supposed to have stolen.

London is a genius in crafting dangerous intrigue and sensual romance together in THE YEAR OF LIVING SCANDALOUSLY.  In taking two people of Irish descent and allowing them to perpetuate a fraud in England left a wonderful opening for Keira to both elude an unwanted suitor at home and discover her true feeling for Declan.  All London’s earmarks in the historical romance genre are highlighted with the search for the missing jewelry, plenty of sensual angst and, of course, setting the stage for the next book in this sumptuous new series.

Bottom line:  A wonderful opening for a series I plan to follow especially after the bombshell ending that will delve deeper into the mystery of the Secrets of Hadley Green.

Marilyn Rondeau, for http://www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

THE HURST AMULET BOOK 1: MUCH ADO ABOUT MARRIAGE
Karen Hawkins
ISBN: 978-1439187609
B003V1WTOK (Kindle eBook)
August 31, 2010 (Mass Market Paperback)
August 31, 2010 (Kindle eBook)
Pocket Star Books
Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback and eBook

Sassy and spritely Fia MacLean has a dream and it does not include being married off to whomever her beloved cousin Duncan sees fit to betroth her to.  Fia is a playwright, and she must escape Duart Castle, travel to London and show Queen Elizabeth her plays to have them produced!  However, as Fia is hurrying to escape through a castle window she bumps into and knocks Thomas Wentworth out and onto the ground!

Thomas Wentworth is an English earl on a spy mission trying to ferret out what side of the fence Laird Duncan MacLean is on as Mary Queen of Scotland seems to be gathering followers to attempt usurping Queen Elizabeth.  Politics couldn’t be further from Fia’s mind, her one thought was to get to London and using Lord Thomas seems to be a sign. Neither have marriage on the mind and Fia may think Thomas handsome; and Thomas may not be able to think straight when he’s near Fia. None of that matters in either of their quests.  However when Laird Duncan returns and finds Thomas and Fia in a compromising situation a wedding is deemed essential for proprieties sake!

*** Hawkins is a marvel! Her characters are almost always filled with surprises, well thought out, and immensely lovable and that goes for some of her villains as well. As far as I can see MUCH ADO ABOUT MARRIAGE  is a prequel to her latest series The Hurst Amulet beginning with ONE NIGHT IN SCOTLAND.   The fact that MUCH ADO ABOUT MARRIAGE  is set in 1567 and ONE NIGHT IN SCOTLAND is in 1822 did cause some consternation for me because I was really wondering how Duncan was going to deal with the white witch whom he had locked up in his dungeon after he’d stolen her magical Hurst Amulet which proved to provide an important part in our MUCH ADO ABOUT MARRIAGE story.  Later, when Duncan came to England to see Fia and Thomas settled in, there were some very strange weather patterns going on outside the castle with Duncan shouting out of the window “enough” which made me think that there might be more here than met the eye. But I digress. Check out Hawkins’ other MacLean series for more on that period and I’m sure Duncan’s story will be told concerning he and the white witch.

Fia was infatuated with Thomas, but had no self esteem where her looks were concerned thinking that any of the ‘court’ ladies would gather round Thomas and laugh at her plain homespun, but it wouldn’t stop her from dreaming.  Thomas had a rather dysfunctional childhood with his father letting him know in no uncertain ways that dignity and decorum were of utmost importance.  Feelings for a woman only made a man weak.  Thomas had spent his life never showing weakness or besmirching his name and the Wentworth name.  His marriage, if and when, he agreed to it would be with a person whose station and wealth bespoke great things, however, he couldn’t get Fia’s great green eyes out of his mind!  While MUCH ADO ABOUT MARRIAGE is not just a romance, it also has a mysterious plot behind it involving important historical personages, of the time including those who would commit treason against Queen Elizabeth.  However, for me, Thomas, his friend Robert, Fia and her cast of lovable disabled animals all added to a fully rounded out and delightfully charming read I highly recommend.

Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com