Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

Cover Reveal – On The Wings of a Winter Heart by Natalie Burton & A Sprig of Mistletoe by Katherine Bone

On By BarbaraIn Cover RevealLeave a comment

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Rebecca LovellTitle: On the Wings of a Winter Heart

Author: Rebecca Lovell

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: November 19, 2019

Blurb:

After losing her husband in a brutal attack, Joy Everly is left to raise her daughter alone on a farm in a small New Mexico town called Mayfly. Struggling to keep the land left to her by her husband, Joy refuses Franklin York’s offer to buy her property in order to expand the railroad. She thinks she’ll never see him
again, only to discover that he’s her best friend Clara’s brother and is staying at her house. Though he has been told to talk Joy into selling her land or be fired, Franklin finds himself admiring the young woman’s determination. As Christmas approaches, the two find themselves becoming closer but an unforeseen tragedy may tear Joy’s heart into pieces before they can tell one another how they feel.

About the Author:

A funny thing about my writing career is that I started out writing fanfiction when I was in middle school, and all of it had original characters and romantic entanglements. Over the years I’ve gotten much better at writing and moved on to my own work but the romance has always stayed the same.

I was born and raised in Texas, and have loved learning about history since my first visit to the Fort Worth Stockyards. I enjoy researching and studying new eras, and have also started to enjoy writing contemporary romance. I once was afraid of running out of ideas, but it seems like I’m always coming up with new ones and I occasionally manage to settle down and write.

When I’m not writing, I love running and watching horror movies, and I have a number of vocal and pushy cats that always demand my attention. Take a look at my blog and I’ll tell you all about all of it. I also love to talk about my life!

She can be found at these places:
Twitter: @becca_el
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaLovellBooks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccalovellbooks
Website: http://www.rebeccalovell.com

Katherine Bone
Title: A Sprig of Mistletoe

Author: Katherine Bone

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: November 19, 2019

Blurb:

She’s unconventional . . .

Christmas is Lady Catherine “Kitty” Egerton’s favorite time of year, and even though the temperature is mild and there’s little hope for snow, life couldn’t be better. Charles Dickens’s new novel is proving to be all the rage. Even more diverting, she’s accepted her brother’s invitation to travel to London with a childhood friend on the London and Birmingham Railway, to inspect a workhouse on Saffron Hill. The journey allows Kitty to help the poor, and to access the bookstore where Dickens’s latest book is sold. But in an irony of fate, the book is out of stock, and she shamefully accepts several copies from a mysterious donor, risking her reputation.

He’s not who he says he is . . .

Bartholomew “Bart” Fernsby netted his worth speculating on the railroad. But to whom much is given, more is required. Haunted by a scandalous past and determined not to let history repeat itself, Bart takes on the plight of the East End by becoming one of the founding members of a Poor Law Union seeking to bring education to the poorest sections of London. To that end, he’s enlisted a friend to help raise funds for Field Lane Ragged School, a workhouse Charles Dickens visited three months earlier. The children housed there idolize the writer, and as a gift to them, Bart purchases multiple copies of A Christmas Carol with plans to distribute them to those who’ve learned how to read. There’s only one problem—Bart hates Christmas.
Can a sprig of mistletoe produce a miracle?

About the Author:

Ahoy! I’ve always had an adventurous streak, and a passion for art and history enhanced by treks to forts, castles, battlegrounds, and cathedrals as an Army brat. Throughout my teens, I devoured romance novels like Kathleen E. Woodiwiss’s THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER, then began writing poetry, beaming with pride when one of my haikus made it into the yearbook. Oh, I had ambitions then! Art school followed, and, in the middle of a college whirlwind, a friend introduced me to a handsome Army Officer who swept me off my feet. Eight moves, four children, and a lifetime of adventure and memories later, I can say I’ve finally lived in one place long enough to put down those coveted roots. I’ve also found time to chase that childhood dream of writing happily-ever-afters that keep me riveted and reading through the night.

She can be found at these places:
Twitter: @katherinelbone
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKatherineBone/
Instagram:http://instagram.com/katlbone
Website:https://www.katherinebone.com

Promise Me Tomorrow by Candace Camp

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

Promise Me Tomorrow (Lost Heirs, #2)Barbara’s rating: 3.75/4 of 5 stars

Series: Lost Heirs #2
Publication Date: Re-release date 10/14/19 (Original release 7/24/07)
Number of Pages: 379
** 3.75 Stars Rounded up to 4 **

I haven’t read the first book in this series, but I’m definitely looking forward to the third since this one was delightful. It was well written and had well-developed and relatable characters. I liked both the hero and the heroine as well as the supporting characters. The villain didn’t get his punishment in this book, but I’m sure it is coming in the next – can’t wait.

Marianne Cotterwood has lead a very unique life. She was dropped off at a very austere orphanage at the age of five and was given the name of Mary Chilton. She was terrified, but soon made a friend, Winny, who would remain with her through her life. Her life wasn’t easy and she tried to work at an honest job, but when she was turned out without a character reference, she had to find other ways to support herself. Luckily, she was saved by a pair of thieves and they all soon formed a family of sorts.

It was Marianne’s job to attend the fancy parties and check out all of the valuables and the safe. Days or weeks later, the others would break into the house and rob it – using the information Marianne had gathered. That is how she came to meet Lord Lambeth – he caught her checking out his friend’s home – and he confronted her about it.

Lambeth wants to make Marianne his mistress, but she’ll have none of it. She intrigues him because she isn’t at all impressed by his riches or titles. Turns out, he’s pretty hard to discourage.

Winny gets word from a maid who still works at their former place of employment that two different men had been around to the house asking about Mary Chilton. Why would anyone be looking for her – Marianne hadn’t used the name Mary Chilton in ten years – since she was turned out. Then, strange things begin to happen. Are they accidents? Who could wish any harm to Marianne?

It is a fun read, but – I had to do some calculating to try to figure out the time period – 22 years after the French Revolution, it had to be the Regency period. It was never plainly spelled out and given some of the clothing references, I had to wonder. There is a section where the heroine unbuttons the hero’s shirt and runs her hands over his chest – except – in that period, the man’s shirt was pulled on over the head and only had three or four buttons at the neckline. Also mentioned is the heroine wearing pantaloons and ‘undergarments’ that got in their way. However, during the Regency period, ladies didn’t wear undergarments of that type – they went commando. However, the light-skirts did wear them.  I guess I just like to see a date of some sort 🙂

If you are looking for a quick, fun read, this is the book for you.

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