Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

A Dash of Romance by Paullett Golden

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Blog Tour, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Wine & BookRelease: July 20, 2020
Available in Paperback & eBook (Audio coming in October)

ABOUT THE BOOK

With quills and fantasies, they write their future.

Percival Randall lives an uncomplicated life of luxury, as he likes it. Not even an ultimatum requiring marriage can tip the scales. A conniving young lady who compromises his name to force a betrothal, however, is an impediment to happiness Percival must confront.

Abigail Walsley dreams of publishing novels rather than marrying dashing heroes. An unexpected proposal and a subsequent Banbury tale tumble her into a betrothal with a man she has never met. Following her dreams proves a challenge with a marriage of inconvenience on the horizon.

This is the love story of Percival and Abigail, two dreamers who write their love story one scene at a time.

From second chance romances to mistaken identities, experience A Dash of Romance in this collection of one short novel and fourteen bonus flash fiction pieces.

BARBARA’S REVIEW

Series: Standalone
Publication Date: 7/20/20

What a great new reading experience for me! I had never heard of Flash Fiction until this author mentioned it to me and it has been such a fun read. Evidently, there isn’t much of it in the romance world, so this is really unique – you should definitely give it a read. Flash fiction includes a main story (novella) and then a number of additional shorter (short stories) – sometimes a page sometimes more – stories. I think some Flash Fiction even include drawings, etc. as part of the ‘flash’ portion. I’m sure I’m not explaining this very well, but it is a novel (HA!) concept and it was a really good read.

The main story features Percival Randall, the middle son of an earl. Randall has just sort of been drifting through life with no goals, no plans for his future – more existing than living. His father has finally given him an ultimatum – find a wife and grow up or lose his allowance. He’s trying, but his heart definitely isn’t in it, so when he learns that he is supposedly already betrothed – and the girl he’s been courting breaks things off – he’s really not too terribly upset. Well – not upset other than he doesn’t want to come out of it with a damaged reputation. I love the things Percy learns about himself as the tale progresses.

Abigail Walsley is the youngest daughter of a vicar and she dreams of becoming a published author. She’s never considered marriage and a family of her own – she just assumes she’ll live with her father and take care of him and continue with her writing. Most likely, a husband would never allow her to continue with her writing and other pursuits she enjoys – so, she doesn’t need one. Then, when she receives a most awkward and unwelcome proposal – one she really can’t refuse – she does what any self-respecting, intelligent young woman would do – she LIES. Little does she realize the consequences of that lie.

Abigail has a poor opinion of Percy from the beginning. She believes he’s a frivolous, unfocused, rake who has never given his future a thought. She’s right, to a point. I love the way both Abigail and Percy grow into their relationship and how bright and funny each of them can be.

I loved this wonderfully entertaining and well-written story and I hope you will as well.

In addition to the main story, you get to read and love fourteen short-stories. Each of them is unique and special and a really fun addition to the book. They have interesting titles like – Arrival, Beguiled, Highwayman, Shipwreck, Entangled, Midsummer, Candor, Requited, Persephone, Haunted, Masquerade, Homecoming, Beneficence, and Gorgeous.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PaullettPaullett Golden is a Houston, Texas native who now divides her time between Northumberland, England, and her hometown. She has been a university professor for over 20 years. When an oncologist told her she had three months to live, she decided it was time to fulfill her dream of being a novelist. As a survivor, she focuses her attention on writing. Her debut novel has hit the Amazon bestseller list multiple times and has won literary awards. She loves historical fiction of all kinds as a way to transport us to a different time and place. All research comes from authentic resources of the era and from scholarly and peer-reviewed articles from researchers specializing in the time period. Though she may take liberties with the fictional aspects, she does aim for the fiction to reflect the mores, culture, laws, and environment of the time. When not writing, she can be found in her butterfly garden or on a race track.

BUY LINK

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BJFSBHS?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY

July 13-21
Prizes: autographed book of choice from any book in The Enchantresses series; autographed A Dash of Romance
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SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE
https://www.paullettgolden.com/a-dash-of-romance
Facebook: @paullettgolden
Twitter: @paullettgolden
Instagram: @paullettgolden

Falling for Mr. Townsbridge by Sophie Barnes

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820)1 Comment

Falling for Mr. Townsbridge (The Townsbridges, #3)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Townsbridges #3
Publication Date: 7/21/20
Number of Pages: 105

This was a lovely, quick, short (a couple of hours) read that is entertaining and cheerful. I loved the characters, but because it is a novella, I didn’t get to know them as well as I would have liked – nor was the plot as well developed for that same reason

William Townsbridge, the third son of a Viscount, has just returned home after working in Lisbon for the last year. He’s delighted to return to his wonderful, loving family, but isn’t looking forward to his mother’s matchmaking. What he doesn’t expect is to be served the most delicious meal he’s ever tasted. Each bite melts on his tongue and bursts into the most amazing flavors. His mother’s new cook must be a culinary genius.

Eloise Lamont learned her chef skills at her grandfather’s knee – beginning when she was just a very young child. She absolutely loved every minute of it and voraciously acquired more and more knowledge. When she was ready to make her own way in the world, she had a really hard time getting anybody to take such a young person seriously in her native France, so she headed to England and landed a job cooking for the Townsbridge family. She has come to love them all and they have made her feel really welcome since she’s been there.

When William sneaks down to the kitchen one night for a snack, he is shocked to see a beautiful young woman already there. It turns out that the cook he expected to be older and plump is actually young and very beautiful. OOPS!

William and Eloise are attracted to each other, but they know neither of them can act on that attraction. So, what can they do when they come to like each other more and more? You’ll just have to read this lovely novella to if they manage to have their HEA – and if they do – how?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.