Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

Christmas Hope by Caroline Warfield

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, World War I Era (1914-1920)4 Comments

Christmas HopeBarbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone
Publication Date: 10/15/19
Number of Pages: 208

It is official, I’m an idiot. I don’t normally read books past the 1890s and I don’t go out of my way to read Christmas books – so, I almost passed this one by. That would have been a big mistake – because I think it might be the very best book I’ve read all year. This isn’t just a Christmas romance, it is an EPIC love story. It portrays two people facing the hardships and horrors of war, yet finding peace and love with each other.

Corporal Henry William Wheatley was sick of war, the smell of blood and death, losing friends and fellow soldiers, he was tired of the constant damp, darkness, and rain. His soul was weary, yet he knew he had to do his best to train and protect the men in his squad, the men – boys really, some of them – for whom he was responsible. One day as he was heading down the Somme River, he was trying to clean the dirt and grime from the bible his grandmother had sent over with him – and the bible dropped into the river and floated downstream. He saw a woman fish the bible out of the river and continue down a side stream. Since she couldn’t hear him calling to her, he had the boatman follow her.

Rosemarie Legrand lived in les hortillonnages, the floating gardens of Amiens. It is a tangled maze of islands and canals in the river. She had a little cottage there and she could travel into Amiens in her barque if she needed to go there. But she only went if she had to do so. Her husband had accused her of being a Nazi sympathizer just before he was killed – simply because she had saved a young boys life. Now, with her husband dead, her sister-in-law won’t let it rest. She had found that boy floating in the river at about the same place she’d found the bible today – things seemed to get stuck there.

Rosemarie was certainly surprised to see yet another barque dock at her landing – this one with a tall, handsome military man in it. It was his bible she’d found. They spent time talking and since he could never dry the book in the nasty, wet trenches, she kept it to dry it for him. Through all of the battles and horrors of the war, Henry would always manage to find his way back to Rosemarie’s little cottage.

This author’s research and grasp of the facts of whatever period she’s writing about is outstanding. Her descriptions of the battles and conditions surrounding Henry and Rosemarie will tear your heart out and make you hold your breath. You might wonder how in the world that could create a wonderful Christmas story and a wonderful love story – just know that it does. During Henry’s deepest, darkest battles and struggles on the front lines, memories of Rosemarie and her son Marcel give him hope and bring a little light into his darkness.

It is a beautiful tale of love, steadfastness, resilience, and perseverance. I loved getting to know Henry, Rosemarie, and Marcel and I hope you will as well.

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

The Red Hot Earl by Darcy Burke

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

The Red Hot Earl (Love is All Around #1)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Love Is All Around #1
Publication Date: 9/24/19
Number of Pages: 133

This was a lovely introduction to the Love Is All Around series. The series is set around three siblings and the local Christmas celebrations. The book didn’t feel too Christmasy, but I believe that is because it took place earlier than the other books – thus the lack of Christmas feel. Maybe we’ll get some decorations in the upcoming books.

This book features Lady Bianca Stafford and Ashton Rutledge, Earl of Buckleigh. Bianca is free-spirited, bright, fun, and she absolutely adores Christmas – particularly the St. Stephen’s Day celebration. Her family has hosted that celebration since the very first Duke – and now, her brother is ending it. He won’t budge and absolutely refuses to have any part in or sponsorship of the celebration. Bianca doesn’t know what to make of her brother, Calder, eighth Duke of Hartwell. He’s certainly not the brother who left them ten years ago and didn’t return until their father died. Now, he’s cold, unfeeling, uncaring, and cruel.

Ash has been persecuted most of his life – especially by three men who are now certainly old enough to know better and now pull the same childish tricks and torments they did while they were at school. The persecution is because of an affliction (sounds like Tourette’s Syndrome). He’s spent years in London figuring out techniques to deal to help alleviate the worst of the symptoms, but when he is stressed they manifest themselves.

Ash and Bianca were childhood friends and each was delighted to see the other at a house party at the home of Lord Thornaby. As they spend time together Bianca admires Ash more and more and it is the same for him. When events occurred and Ash left the party early – and Bianca left shortly after – Bianca knew she had to see him to tell him that she supported him.

It was fun to watch Bianca and Ash get their HEA and it was also good to meet the ‘stars’ of the upcoming books. I have to say, I’m not sure what the author can do to redeem Calder in my eyes. Yes, I understand what his issue is and why he intends to do away with the celebration – but – what I don’t understand is how he can treat his sister so coldly and cruelly – without a blink of remorse and caring.

I also didn’t understand the three villains. These were three men who were in their mid-to-late twenties — certainly old enough to know better than to act like immature schoolboys.

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