The Winged Tiara ~ Available Now

 Today is The Winged Tiara's Release Day!
You will want to this title by J’nell Ciesielski to your TBR List.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Diamonds and danger dazzle in Ciesielski's latest enchanting romp through post-war Europe as estranged spouses and jewel thieves hunt an elusive Valkyrie tiara.

November 12, 1918. It was a match made in champagne-soaked heaven, but all too soon the bubbles dried up, and Esme Fox awakens the morning after celebrating the end of the Great War to find herself shockingly and accidentally married. She gathers her belongings and slips out before her new husband can stop her. After all, she knows it's best to leave before he does.

Four years later, Jasper Truitt, after having made a name for himself in the underground world of jewel thieves, is on the hunt for a valuable heirloom: a one-of-a-kind winged tiara--the last Valkyrie tiara ever created. So it's with great surprise that he discovers it at a charity event atop the head of a woman he's never forgotten. His long-lost wife . . . who happens to be pursuing the tiara for a vengeful opera diva desperate to obtain the jewel for herself.

The reunion is cut short when Esme vanishes--again--but their separation is temporary. With a hitman on their heels and a deadline looming, the pair find themselves in an epic game of cat and mouse across Europe following leads from the French Riviera to a shop of wonders in Venice, a fairy-tale castle in Bavaria, and a veritable circus thrown by a champagne heiress, all before a dramatic horseback flight through the French countryside.

In the end only one can win, and with both of their hearts on the line, the winner may well turn out to be the loser.

In her latest glamorous historical romance, J'nell Ciesielski spins a sparkling story filled with her signature snappy dialogue and vivid atmosphere that will keep you reading late into the night to see what happens next.

AUTHOR BIO

Bestselling author J’nell Ciesielski has a passion for heart-stopping adventure and sweeping love stories while weaving fresh takes into romances of times gone by. When not creating dashing heroes and daring heroines, she can be found dreaming of Scotland, indulging in chocolate of any kind, or watching old black and white movies. She is a member of the Tall Poppy Writers and lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, and lazy beagle.

Beyond Ivy Walls ~ Release Day

 Today is the Release Day for

 Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham.

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, a recluse and a young woman discover that the scars of life are no match against an act of love.

Iowa, 1903. All of Monticello believes Otis Taylor has been away fostering his musical genius. But the truth is that his father exiled him long ago, rejecting Otis's appearance and the scars that came with it. Now that he is the last living Taylor, Otis has covertly returned to settle his family's affairs and rid himself of his past for good. However, he soon discovers that he may not have been the only discarded Taylor and begins a tireless search for his missing niece.

At twenty-three years old, Sadie West left her family farm and found employment at the Hoag feather duster factory. It isn't a romantic job, but she's hardly had a glimmer of romance since her beau went off to college, leaving her with no promise of a future together. Desperate to save money and help her family make ends meet, she trespasses and finds shelter in an abandoned building--and is thrown in the path of the town's mysterious bachelor.

Otis's wounds are deep, but as Sadie's friendship with him grows, she begins to fall for the man beneath the mask. The mystery of his long-lost niece, however, is more complex than either could have imagined, and Sadie may be the key to Otis Taylor finally finding his way home.

AUTHOR BIO

Rachel Fordham is the author of Where the Road Bends, A Lady in Attendance, A Life Once Dreamed, The Hope of Azure Springs, and Yours Truly, Thomas. Fans expect stories with heart and she delivers, diving deep into the human experience and tugging at reader emotions. She loves connecting with people, traveling to new places, and daydreaming about future projects that will have sigh-worthy endings and memorable characters. She is a busy mom, raising both biological and foster children (a cause she feels passionate about). She lives with her husband and children on an island in the state of Washington. 

The Legend of the Last Library ~ Review

The Legend of the Last Library
By Frank Cole

For anyone who loves to hold a book in their hand and feel the paper as the pages flip past, this book is a horror story. A blight has destroyed the trees, and paper is a luxury found by the adventurous or the desperate. Paper is more valuable than the most precious gem. 

And it is into this world we step. Legend tells of a lost treasure, the last remaining library. Only the bravest will face the perils that await, and they alone will claim its riches.

Now, believe me when I say that the idea of no more new books is scary. But even more disturbing is the very idea of no more trees. The sound of a gentle breeze as the leaves rustle. The colors of early spring, summer's green, and fall's brilliance. All of it is gone. No more apples. Bare branches bowing beneath winter's icy chill. The world is stark and hot. No birds flitting from branch to branch.

But the world of Legend of the Last Library is so much worse than the book blurb reveals. Plastic is everything, and I mean everything. The world as we know it has ended, and everything we have now, nada, is gone. Buildings are abandoned and targets of scavengers or plifters (aka paper lifters). Any scrape of paper is worth way more than its weight in gold. If you find paper, you will be sitting pretty in an ugly world.

I don't want to spoil anything for readers, so I'll keep it short. Juni, along with her friends Doler and Quaze are plifters. But they are too young to be legitimate, so technically, they are breaking the law. But Juni needs the money for her grandfather's medication. When Juni discovers clues to the last library on Earth (Gasp), she and her friends set out to find it. But in the spirit of all good adventures, they are not alone in their quest. And their competition wants to squash all that knowledge, keeping it hidden away from everyone. The race for knowledge is on!

This book should appeal to readers of chapter books who like danger, suspense, and adventure in their books. This dystopian world has intense moments but nothing super scary or graphic. There is some mostly rotten produce and a less-than-thrilled skunk.

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:

What if you lived in a world without books?

After a devastating Blight killed off all the trees, paper is worth more than just about anything. Juni's parents died when she was young, so now it's just her and Grandpa Edgar. When she's not in school, Juni and her friends Doler and Quaze turn to plifting—scavenging for any paper they can find. If Juni can find enough paper, she can pay for the health care Grandpa needs.

So when Juni discovers a book—the first one she's ever seen—hidden in a box in her grandpa's closet, she's both surprised and elated thinking of the money she could get for it. That all changes when she decides to read the book. Beyond opening her imagination, the book contains clues that point to what could be the last library on Earth.

The library's location has been hidden for more than a hundred years, but Juni and her friends are not the only ones looking for it. Ullred O'Donnell, head of R&D for Novexus, a megacorporation that replaced the government and now controls all information, is desperate to find the library as well. With an army of vicious robot dogs at his command, Ullred warns Juni to abandon her quest—or else.

Juni and her friends must find the library and share it with the world before Novexus claims it as their own. If reading one book could change Juni's life, what would access to thousands—or millions—of books do?

Saved By the Matchmaker ~ Review

 

Saved By the Matchmaker

A Shanahan Match #2

 By Jody Hedlund

 

Enya Shanahan thought she was marrying the love of her life, but once the vows were said his true character and motivations were revealed. He was after her family's money. Now he's gone and her father will do whatever he can to prevent the family name being dragged into further scandal. And that means the first man in need of the local matchmaker is about to become husband number two. Ouch, thanks Daddy!

 

Sullivan O'Brien knows his only attraction is his family's name and there wealth. His injures have left him scarred both inwardly and outwardly. But the matchmaker he employs to find him a last minute bride knows he can find Sullivan the perfect bride. One can only hope.  

To the surprise of both Enya and Sullivan they are the perfect match for one another, at least in the eyes of Bellamy McKenna. The way forward won't be easy as each is holding tight to their past and the pain it has brought into their lives. And there are secrets just waiting to be discovered and dangers that threaten to destroy them.

Saved by the Matchmaker is the second book in the Shanahan Match series and I have to admit I like it better than the first book. The romance factor is turned down in this one which is more to my reading tastes. I enjoyed learning about the historical aspects of steamboats and how they were an important part of life for those living along the Mississippi River. The dangers involved in this way of life are also explored. 

 

Slavery is touched on in this book and the cruel relentlessness of those unwilling to allow a slave to seek their freedom. This is actually a thread that Enya and Sullivan have in common though they are unaware of just how important this turns out being in their lives. One that also threatens their future.

Overall this was a fairly good read. It deals with the consequences of making decisions and how important listening to the insights others may have. Rash decisions can be our undoing and leave us with regrets.

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

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

After her annulment is finalized, Enya Shanahan finds herself caught in a web of scandal and obligation while carrying a secret that threatens to shatter her family's reputation. Determined to find a suitable marriage for Enya, her father turns to a wily matchmaker to save them from their circumstances.

Sullivan O'Brien, a steamboat captain committed to aiding enslaved people on their path to freedom, is faced with an ultimatum from his father. Forced to marry or lose his livelihood, a marriage of convenience seems to be the only solution. As he and Enya face the trials of their pasts and a city consumed by fire, they must confront their deepest fears and learn to trust in love, even when darkness threatens to engulf them.

AUTHOR BIO

Jody Hedlund (JodyHedlund.com) is the bestselling author of more than fifty novels and is the winner of numerous awards. Jody lives in Michigan with her husband, busy family, and five spoiled cats. She writes sweet historical romances with plenty of sizzle.

Winter's Maiden

Winter's Maiden
The Nordic Wars #1
By Morgan L. Busse

Winter's Maiden opens with Brighid's birth, a birth about which lies a secret and results in her being one of the clanless. The clanless are not claimed by any of the clans, and Brighid feels this lack deeply. When offered a chance to change her foreseeable future, she, of course, jumps at the possibility of having a better future than the one that is before her. 

This is an intriguing premise, and the story does not disappoint. I love how Brighid struggles to find her place in this world where she feels that she has no place. Her family didn't claim her, and if not for the midwife who oversaw her birth, she would have been lost.

But this is not a world at peace; war is on the horizon. And someone is stirring the unrest, manipulating those living in Nordica. Kaeden has been avoiding his past, but when he is given a chance to attend to those from the south in need of a healer, his skills give him a chance to interact with a captured soldier and an insight no one else has. But how can he use the knowledge he's gained to prevent a war that could destroy their whole world?

In this world Morgan M. Busse has created, we are given a world in turmoil, with characters who are searching for a place to call their own, their family. I am interested in seeing where the next book goes from here. I think this quote from the book is an example of Brighid's life:

"Unwanted at birth, barely surviving this life.

If she disappeared into the darkness forever,

would anyone even notice?"

This feels so bleak, but there are moments of truth. 

Such as:

I will be with you, warrior of the North.

Moments like this make me want to read the next book and hope for something more.

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:

Warrior

Survivor

Daughter of the North

From the moment she is born, Brighid fights to survive in the wastelands of Nordica as a clanless one. But when a new power arrives offering a trial to join the Nordic warriors, Brighid enters, hoping to rise above her station. Soon she becomes one of their fiercest fighters and joins the war against the south.

Kaeden carries the blood of the ancient Eldaran race in his veins but turns away from his heritage after the death of his parents. Years later, he is called back to his homeland and invited to be a healer for the southern forces. With the help of an old mentor, the power inside of him starts to awaken. However, his life is turned upside down when a mighty warrior of the Nordic forces is captured.

As Kaeden interacts with the enemy, he discovers there is a darkness behind the Nordic Wars, one that is manipulating the people of the north. But who will believe him? And is there a power strong enough to break the hold of this hidden adversary? Or will the world burn in the flames of war?

About the Book:

Morgan L. Busse is a writer by day and a mother by night. She is the author of multiple series including The Ravenwood Saga and Skyworld series. She is a three-time Christy Award finalist and won the INSPY, Selah, and Carol Award for best in Christian speculative fiction. During her spare time she enjoys playing games, taking long walks, and dreaming about her next novel.

Release Day for Saved By the Matchmaker

Today is the Release Day for

Jody Hedlund's

Saved By the Matchmaker

 

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

After her annulment is finalized, Enya Shanahan finds herself caught in a web of scandal and obligation while carrying a secret that threatens to shatter her family's reputation. Determined to find a suitable marriage for Enya, her father turns to a wily matchmaker to save them from their circumstances.

Sullivan O'Brien, a steamboat captain committed to aiding enslaved people on their path to freedom, is faced with an ultimatum from his father. Forced to marry or lose his livelihood, a marriage of convenience seems to be the only solution. As he and Enya face the trials of their pasts and a city consumed by fire, they must confront their deepest fears and learn to trust in love, even when darkness threatens to engulf them.

AUTHOR BIO

Jody Hedlund (JodyHedlund.com) is the bestselling author of more than fifty novels and is the winner of numerous awards. Jody lives in Michigan with her husband, busy family, and five spoiled cats. She writes sweet historical romances with plenty of sizzle.

Murder in Highbury ~ Mini Review

 

Murder in Highbury
An Emma Knightley Mystery #1
By Vanessa Kelly

Emma Woodhouse now Emma Knightley, has given up matchmaking. She is perfectly content being married and doing all the tasks expected of her as the wife of the master of Donwell Abbey.

But Emma's life and indeed the lives of all who call Highbury home are disrupted when Augusta Elton is discovered murdered in the church. Such shocking news is not to be born! But with a murderer on the loose certain precautions must be taken.

When the investigation doesn't answer Emma's concerns she is determined to see that justice is found for Mrs. Elton. And Emma isn't about to let concerns be brushed off like an annoying fly. There is only one thing to be done--she must undertake the investigation herself.

With the same tenacity she used for matchmaking, Emma resolves to solve the travesty that has destroyed the peace that Highbury has long enjoyed. Emma's less than stellar matchmaking and idle gossip aside. And Mr. Woodhouse's complaints. And Miss Bates's excitable, talkative nature. So maybe peaceful isn't quite the right word but it was normal for Highbury and their greatest concern was chicken thieves not murderers.

My full review will be shared closer to the book's November release date so check back later for more on Emma's investigation.

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.