The Duke's Second Chance ~ Review

 

The Duke's Second Chance

 Lords for the Sisters of Sussex #1

 By Jen Geigle Johnson

When he lost his wife Gerald wanted nothing to with his newborn son and the thought of a second marriage was not to be contemplated. But his mother and sister are convinced that he needs a new duchess to help manage his estate. But a grieving heart is not able to accept the well-meaning advice of family so Gerald does the only thing possible - he walks out and into a tea shop.

Amelia Dickson never expected a fine gentleman to enter her family's tea shop, at least one that wasn't in the company of a young lady. But when a gentleman comes in in an attempt to outrun his broken heart she had no idea that her life was about to change. And when she learns the identity of her shop's visitor she is more than a little surprised to discover that he is the Duke of Granbury. She knows that she has no hope of winning the heart of the man who stole hers.

When Gerald makes a rash decision he may live the rest of his life regretting it. But the only woman who has managed to capture his attention is not in his social sphere and therefore unsuitable to even think upon as his mother has so recently pointed out.

The Duke's Second Chance is a lovely quick read that those who love clean Regency romance. There are secrets that have an interesting impact on the story. And then there is the estate that Gerald inherited from a cousin that comes with a household of sisters which sets the stage for the rest of the series, yes the sisters of Sussex are in want of husbands whether they want them or not. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book

Second chances often come from surprising places. 

Will the Duke find another chance at love when

everything seems to be combining against him? 

 Gerald feels as though he’s lost everything when his wife takes her last breath.

 Amelia’s world turns upside down when the Duke of Granbury steps into her tea shop and leaves with her heart. But when a secret from Amelia’s past unveils possibilities, will the duke get a second chance at love from an unexpected source?

Buy this first book in a Regency romance series for a taste of deep loyal friendship, beautiful second chances, and the path to heal a heart.

Look for the other books in the series: 

The Earl's Winning Wager 

Her Lady's Whims and Fancies 

Suitors for the Proper Miss 

Pining for Lord Lockhart 

The Foibles and Follies of Miss Grace

GOODREADS | AMAZON | BOOKBUB

About the Author

An award winning author, including the GOLD in Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards, Jen Geigle Johnson discovered her passion for England while kayaking on the Thames near London as a young teenager. She once greeted an ancient turtle under the water by grabbing her fin. She knows all about the sound a water-ski makes on glassy water and how to fall down steep moguls with grace. During a study break date in college, she sat on top of a jeep's roll bars up in the mountains and fell in love. Now, she loves to share bits of history that might otherwise be forgotten. Whether in Regency England, the French Revolution, or Colonial America, her romance novels are much like life is supposed to be: full of adventure.

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Giveaway

Enter the giveaway HERE.

My Fair Spinster ~ Review with Snippet and Giveaway

My Fair Spinster
Spinster Chronicles #4
By Rebecca Connolly

Grace Morledge is a failure and her father is determined to discover why before it is too late to rectify before all possibilities of marriage are impossible and she is forever a spinster. What he doesn't know is that Grace is a Spinster with a capital "S" and if he should ever discover it...

Aubrey Flint, (aka) Lord Ingram has been acquainted with the Morledge family since Grace was a young girl and in his opinion Grace is perfect. When Grace's father approaches him about examining her for faults or flaws his first reaction is to refuse the request. But when presented with the alternative he agrees so as to save Grace from as much pain as possible.

With help from the Spinsters, Aubrey has a list of things on which to examine Grace for - dancing, talking, socializing, writing... and he is going through the list very carefully. Though he took on this task most reluctantly he soon is having a most enjoyable time of it. After all spending time with such wit, beauty, and perfection is no hardship at all. Now if only he could find some trivial reason that Society's gentlemen have not sought out Grace he would be well pleased.

My Fair Spinster is the fourth book in The Spinster Chronicles and as anyone who has read the previous books knows the Spinsters are a most unusual group of friends who have been drawn together over the years by their lack of gentlemen with whom they have an understanding. Instead of letting their unmarried state define their existence they have embraced it and used their combined voices to guide Society through the printed word. Each Spinster is slowly changing their status but the pass to love is not easy and marked by misunderstandings and potential heartbreak. This offering from Rebecca Connolly is just as much fun to read as the previous three books. And you really should read the previous books to fully appreciate the Spinsters and their antics.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the author with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Title: My Fair Spinster

Series: The Spinster Chronicles

Genre:  Adult, Historical, Regency, Romance

Publisher: Phase Publishing

Publication date: October 1, 2019

The spinster next door…

Grace Morledge is a failure. Or so her father believes, as she is unmarried despite her advantages. In his mind, Grace must have significant flaws to be a spinster and something must be done about them. To her mortification, he demands she be fully examined and all flaws recorded. And the man he chooses is the worst possible candidate of all. 

Aubrey Flint, Lord Ingram, has known Grace since childhood, but he never anticipated Lord Trenwick demanding he examine her for flaws. How can perfection have faults? Reluctantly, he accepts the assignment and finds far more than he bargained for, and perfection becomes more and more tempting.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

About the Author:

Rebecca Connolly writes romances, both period and contemporary because she absolutely loves a good love story. She has been creating stories since childhood, and there are home videos to prove it! She started writing them down in elementary school and has never looked back. She currently lives in the Midwest, spends every spare moment away from her day job absorbed in her writing, and is a hot cocoa addict.

Connect with Rebecca online:

​ | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | 

 | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB | WEBSITE | 

 | NEWSLETTER | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | 

Snippet:

“They were smart to include you.”

Grace jerked slightly to look at him again. “What?”

He nodded fervently. “I mean it. Georgie is no fool, Grace, and I have no doubt she made a study of the other unmarried women in Society. You are the best of the lot. It was only natural they should choose you.”

Her heart leapt for joy and seemed to be burning within her. “You don’t know the rest of the lot, Aubrey.”

“Don’t have to,” he quipped. “I know you.”

Oh, but the look in his eyes made her feel like a lovesick girl of twelve again, and it was all she could do to keep from smiling an accompanying lovesick smile that would have been entirely too obvious.

Not that she was lovesick. She was simply touched. And embarrassed. And perhaps a bit feverish.

That was all.

Aubrey blinked and the look was gone. He slapped his thighs and rose fluidly, running a hand through his hair and disheveling it in a way that reminded her of the boy she had known in Derbyshire, and her heart lurched.

“Well, I suppose that’s enough for today,” he rambled, his words not quite as crisp as normal. “I will see you tomorrow at the Sterlings’, and I will assess your interaction with various people at that point.”

Grace slowly rose, watching Aubrey curiously. “Very well. Miranda will be there, you know. We could confront her.”

“Yes, yes, excellent thought,” he replied absently. “I’ll bring my suit of armor for whatever she tosses in retaliation.”

Grace laughed at the image that brought, and Aubrey seemed to shudder at it.

“Right,” he said, turning to her and bowing. “Good day, Grace.”

“Good day, Aubrey.”

He left before she finished, and she stared after him, still curious.

What in the world?

Then her mother crossed the corridor, casting another knowing look at Grace. All curiosity and delight evaporated swiftly, and Grace snapped back into discontent, moving quickly towards the music room.

He was not good for her.

He couldn’t be.

Giveaway:

Enter the giveaway HERE.

Giveaway ends October 4 at 11:59pm MT.
​
Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.

Tour Schedule

Check out the tour schedule HERE.

Fatal Memories ~ Review with Author Guest Post and Giveaway

WELCOME TO THE FATAL MEMORIES Blog Tour 
hosted by SLB Tours

Fatal Memories

By Tanya Stowe

Jocelyn (Joss) Walker can't remember anything. Her name is gone. Her friends, not a clue who they are. And her brother, she doesn't even know she had one. And worse she was found in a suspected drug-running tunnel with a large supply of drugs. Is she guilty? Or is she being set-up?

DEA Agent Dylan Murphy is determined to discover the truth. And Joss's behavior over the last few days has him convinced that she was hiding something. But is it relevant to the case that he was sent from Washington to handle? Could Joss be a traitor in their midsts? He'll find out and if that means using her vulnerability to trigger a memory he'll do it. He'll just have to tread carefully so as to protect himself and his heart after all he is one a mission to bring down those who caused his sister's death.

Fatal Memories is an action-packed read that you'll want to read more than once. Do you love mysteries, suspense, and romance that is clean reading? Well, Fatal Memories is all of that and a page-turner to keep you reading on the promise of  "Just one more chapter." So find a favorite cozy corner to snuggle into with a pot of tea nearby and get lost between the pages for a few hours of delightful reading. 

Before this book, I was unfamiliar with Tanya Stowe's work and I can say with all honesty she's an author I will be checking out in the future. This book is a standalone so if you don't want to be drawn into a series this is a great intro to an author you too may be unfamiliar with.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the author with no expectations or requirements - all thoughts expressed are my honest opinion and thoughts.

About the Book:

Series: Love Inspires Suspense
Genre: Christian, Inspirational, Romance, Suspense
Publisher: Harlequin
Publication date: September 1, 2019

 She was framed! Or was she? 

If only she could remember...

Border patrol agent Jocelyn Walker has no memory of how she turned up unconscious with a cache of drugs—or why a gang is dead set on killing her. With evidence stacking up against her, Joss takes refuge with driven DEA agent Dylan Murphy, who guards—and suspects— her. But will finally trusting each other lead them into a trap they’ll never escape?

GOODREADS | BN.com | AMAZON

About the Author

Tanya Stowe is an author of Christian Fiction with an unexpected edge. She fills her stories with the unusual…mysteries and exotic adventures, even a murder or two. No matter where Tanya takes you…on a trip to foreign lands or a suspenseful journey filled with danger…be prepared for the extraordinary.

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE

Author Guest Post

Race to the Finish

I love to travel and experience new things. My husband and I lived in the Middle East for two years and we traveled through Oman, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Italy. I loved every minute of our time abroad. I’m also a pretty competitive person. I played tennis and now that I’m older, I play pickleball so a “race to the finish” is a phrase I know well. Writing action and adventure comes easy to me. So, when I first began to write romantic suspense, I thought it would be a quick transition to “race to survive.” 

At first it was fairly simple…until I began to write for the Love Inspired Suspense line. Suspense at LIS means danger and action on every page…starting on page one! Even this “race to the finish” gal had to step up her game. 

I had to learn how to insert that sense of “danger lurking around the corner” in every scene, even the quiet romantic scenes of love’s first kiss or the heartbreaking moments of a faith-filled confession. Those tender touching parts are why we read romance, but in a romantic suspense, there must still be that sense of the “ticking clock,” that feeling that if they don’t work together, they will both lose the ultimate race and their lives.

In Fatal MemoriesI found a very unique tool to keep us, (yes, myself included) on the edge of our seats. My heroine, Joss Walker has amnesia. When she wakes for her coma, the hero, Dylan Murphy is right there, holding her hand and supporting her. When a drug gang attempts to kill Joss, Dylan becomes the anchor in her life. But right from the beginning, Dylan believes Joss has betrayed her duty and is guilty of a crime. The closer Joss and Dylan came to danger, the closer Joss comes to finding out that Dylan never trusted her. 

Talk about a ticking clock! Between the attempts on Joss’ life, her faith crisis and doubts about Dylan, I had more than enough suspense to carry me through to the end. I hope you think so too!

Giveaway

Enter the giveaway HERE.

Giveaway ends September 7 at 11:59pm MT.

 Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.
Enter the giveaway HERE.

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Tour Schedule

September 2 

Heidi Reads…
Pause for Tales

September 3 

Remembrancy
Jorie Loves A Story
Blooming with Books
Kat's Corner Books

September 4 

Tell Tale Book Reviews
By The Book
Edits and Reviews by Leslie

September 5 

Mindy Houng
Hallie Reads
Red Headed Book Lady

September 6 

Life Is What It’s Called
Reading Is My SuperPower

Check out the tour schedule and links HERE.

By Hook or By Rook ~ Review with Guest Post and Giveaway

By Hook or By Rook
London League #4
By Rebecca Connolly

Someone has managed to uncover the identity of the members of the London League and it has put their families in danger. When the Gent needs to send the favorite cousin of his wife to the home of her brother he enlists the aid of Rook.

Jeremy Pratt is less than thrilled to be escorting Miss Helen Dalton from London to York. It's not that he has any problems with Helen Dalton other than the fact that he enjoys the time he spends in her company too much. But with the increased presence of highwaymen on the road to York that seem to have ties to French traitors Gent wants Helen protected and he's convinced that Jeremy is the only man for the job.

Helen is just a tad put out with Margaret's husband - she's made the trip from London to York before and never needed the protection of a man before. She just wants to leave London behind and forget the flirtation she had been enjoying with Mr. Pratt. His easy and charming personality had charmed her but the bantering they had shared had touched her in a way she had never expected and she's determined to leave it behind before her heart is broken.

But nothing ever goes as planned and both Jeremy and Helen end up getting to know one another better. But Jeremy confuses Helen - he has secrets that he refuses to share and the different personas he presents. Just who is this man sent to protect her?

By Hook or by Rook is the fourth book in the London League series and this time the reader is more fully introduced to Rook one of the newest members of the League who was brought in after the death of Trace. In addition to his normal League assignments Rook also is working on a secret assignment for the Shopkeepers looking into the death of Trace and what exactly he was working on at the time they lost him.

Helen Dalton is the cousin of Margaret both of whom the reader first met in The Lady and the Gent (book 1 in the series). She is an interesting character - she has a wit and intelligence that many don't seem to notice. She thinks she has escaped the notice of Society and is well on her way to being a spinster - which she finds surprising. And the one man who has caught her attention is a fop whom she hasn't seen for several weeks now.

This book can be read on its own if you haven't yet read the previous books in the series but it is better if read in the series order. This is an enjoyable and easy read that at just 170 pages is perfect for a weekend escape. If you are a fan of Regency period pieces or just like a historical romance fiction give By Hook or by Rook and the London League a chance to be a new favorite read.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations - all thoughts expressed are my own honest opinions.


About the Book:

​The most dangerous journeys…

Jeremy Pratt is a spy for the Crown, and one of the best. He has been in more dangerous situations than he can admit, and has always come out unscathed. But escorting his colleague’s cousin home to her family, even in disguise, just might be beyond his skills, and the temptation beyond his ability to withstand.

…May be ones of the heart…

Helen Dalton is convinced there is more to this man escorting her than meets the eye, and something familiar about him, as well. There is only one man in the world who looks at her so intensely, banters with her so easily, and makes her blush so furiously. And when he manages a daring and heroic rescue, she wonders if she ever knew him at all.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

Series: The London League
Genre:  Adult, Historical, Regency, Romance
Publisher: Phase Publishing
Publication date: July 1, 2019

About the Author

Rebecca Connolly writes romances, both period and contemporary, because she absolutely loves a good love story. She has been creating stories since childhood, and there are home videos to prove it! She started writing them down in elementary school and has never looked back. She currently lives in the Midwest, spends every spare moment away from her day job absorbed in her writing, and is a hot cocoa addict.

Connect online with Rebecca at:

​GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | 

BOOKBUB | WEBSITE | NEWSLETTER | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE 

Guest Post:

Researching Regency Spying

If there’s one thing I have learned to hate since my school days, it’s research. I didn’t like it when I was in school and I’m not a huge fan of it now.

So why did I decide to write in a time period that requires lots of research?

Glutton for punishment, I guess.

So when I decided to turn a mysterious character of mine into a spy, and start off a series with him, and create more spies to go with him, I found a whole new set of obstacles. Not only did I have to get the time period details right, as my usual books required, but now I had to figure out how spies worked back then, and how I could make them work for my story.

First up was a trip to every used bookstore around me. I looked in the time period I needed and crossed my fingers. I came home with 7 books, I think, not specifically about spies in the Regency era, but about spies during the revolutionary war, political intrigue at the time, and things like that. I could make those work for me. I got a British history book that actually gave me the best historical Easter egg ever for the series, and I’m still super proud of that.

Then I hit up one of my writing chapters that specifically deals with this time period. They are always a wealth of information, and boy did they deliver! I was wading through all kinds of information from them for ages.

After that, the research that I did was story specific, depending on whatever plot twists I had. Gypsies, codebreaking, ciphers, building layouts, docks, relations with France… I take a lot of care with the situations I put my spies in and do the best I can to make it accurate and believable.

Hopefully, I succeed.

And you know what? Sometimes I enjoy doing this research. Every time I find something perfect, it feels like a victory.

Maybe that’s worth it after all.

Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a By Hook or by Rook Prize Pack  (US mailing addresses only). 

Prize pack includes the following:

Winner’s choice of print or ebook copy of 

By Hook or by Rook

Chocolate

London League Bookmarks

Book Themed Luggage Tags

Enter the giveaway HERE.
​Giveaway ends July 17 at 11:59pm MT.
​
Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.

Blog Stops

Follow along at SLB Tours for a full list of stops!

Summer by the Tides ~ Review

Summer by the Tides
By Denise Hunter

Maddy Monroe's life couldn't get much worse - everything has just gone kaput - her job, her boyfriend, and now her grandmother is missing. And the fact that her life was falling down around so that she didn't answer her phone or text messages means that both of her sisters are now on their way to Sea Haven, North Carolina, too.

The last summer that the family spent together at Sea Haven, is one that Maddy would rather forget after all it was the summer that shattered their family. And no matter how much she's tried to be the peacemaker between her sisters the betrayal of that summer has driven a wedge between Nora and Emma that seems an impossible divide.

With their grandmother missing could this be the chance to heal old wounds and find healing? Or will the bitterness further divide them? And the helpful neighbor who let them all know that they were needed Maddy just doesn't trust him with his surfer beach-bum looks. But could she be misjudging Connor Murphy? Maddy doesn't think so.

But as the summer continues and three sisters work on getting their grandmother's house cleaned and touched-up old memories are revealed and long-held family secrets unearthed. Sometimes there are two sides to every story and the side not known, changes everything we thought we knew. And when your heart has been broken and your trust trampled can you ever love again? Is it ever too late to forgive? Maddy certainly hopes not.

This is a story of family and the bonds that tie us together. Just how strong are they before they break completely and can the fraying edges be woven together again? This book is set in the present with flashbacks to 20 years ago as that fateful summer that changed everything is slowly revealed.  This makes for an excellent summer read that is easy to follow. Looking for a potential book club selection - here's your next title. Just like a gentle read for a before bed chapter or two - enjoy!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through TLC Book Tours with no expectations but that I offer my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.


About the Book:

From the bestselling author of The Convenient Groom (now a beloved Hallmark Original movie) comes a heartfelt story of family secrets, forgiveness, and unexpected romance.

Following a painful betrayal, Maddy Monroe’s love life is a wreck, and her restaurant career is in shambles. When her grandmother goes missing, she and her estranged sisters converge at the family beach house in Sea Haven, North Carolina. Being with uptight Nora and free-spirited Emma at the place where their family broke apart is a struggle, and undercurrents of jealousy and resentment threaten to pull the sisters under. In the midst of the storm, sparks begin to fly between Maddy and Gram’s maddening neighbor, Connor Murphy.

As the sisters pack up the family belongings, memories of idyllic, slow-paced summers are resurrected. But long-buried secrets also come to light as Maddy discovers that all was not as it appeared that last summer in Sea Haven—nor today in the seemingly perfect lives of her sisters.

As family tensions rise and Connor causes tumult in Maddy’s heart, the sisters must find a way to accept each other for the women they’ve become before the bitterness of the past destroys their hope for a future.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes and Noble

Connect with Denise

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Instagram tour:

Monday, June 3rd: @read.write.coffee

Tuesday, June 4th: @beritaudiokilledthebookmark

Wednesday, June 5th: @_ebl_inc_

Thursday, June 6th: @my_book_journey

Friday, June 7th: @nsiabblog

Friday, June 7th: @sarahs_reads

Saturday, June 8th: @thecaffeinated_bibliophile

Sunday, June 9th: @sarahandherbookshelves

 

Review tour:

Monday, June 10th: @angelareadsbooks

Tuesday, June 11th: Lori’s Reading Corner – spotlight or guest post

Tuesday, June 11th: Amy’s Book-et List

Wednesday, June 12th: Jathan and Heather

Thursday, June 13th: A Chick Who Reads

Friday, June 14th: View from the Birdhouse

Monday, June 17th: @simplykelina

Tuesday, June 18th: Reading Reality

Wednesday, June 19th: Empowermoms

Thursday, June 20th: I Wish I Lived in a Library

Friday, June 21st: Blooming with Books

Monday, June 24th: Mel’s Shelves

Tuesday, June 25th: Christian Bookshelf Reviews

Wednesday, June 26th: Midwest Ladies Who Lit and @mwladieswholit

Thursday, June 27th: Running Through the Storms

Friday, June 28th: From the TBR Pile

Monday, July 1st: Back Porchervations

Tuesday, July 2nd: Moonlight Rendezvous and @moonlight_rendezvous

Wednesday, July 3rd: Books and Spoons

Friday, July 5th: Kritter’s Ramblings

Monday, July 8th: Run Wright

Tuesday, July 9th: Girl Who Reads

Wednesday, July 10th: What is That Book About