Category: Top Pick – Highly Recommended

A Bride by Morning by Katrina Kendrick

On By TracyIn Other, Part of a Series, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

A Bride by MorningA Bride by Morning by Katrina Kendrick

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Private Arrangements, #3

Release Date: August 3, 2023

Ten years ago Miss Lydia Cecil said goodbye to her dearest friend and the love of her life, Gabriel St. Clair, the younger son of the Earl of Montgomery, as he set out for his first diplomatic posting. Gabriel tells her it will only be for a few years and asks her to promise that she wait for him, as he wants to court her properly before he marries her, it is a promise she is happy to give and a promise she keeps, even when a few years turns into seven and his letters cease. It is a promise she keeps when he finally returns to England after unexpectedly inheriting the earldom upon the untimely death of his father and brother and he refuses to see her or even acknowledge her. Even that will not stop her from loving him, but everyone has their limits and Lydia is close to hers.

Gabriel is no longer the young man Lydia knew, and knowing him now could prove fatal for her. For the last three years, he has watched her from afar, knowing he can never have her. His time abroad may have started in the diplomatic service, but soon he was dragged into the dangerous game of espionage between England and Russia, transitioning from diplomat to assassin and making enemies aplenty. When he was called home to take up the title, Gabriel distanced himself from Lydia, primarily to keep her from learning what a soulless beast he had become but also to keep her safe. But when they meet in a dark garden and she is witness to his past in Russia catching up to him, there is no choice, he will have to marry her to keep her safe. But can he keep her safe from him? And will he be able to walk away from her when the current threat is eliminated?

This was a new-to-me author and WOW – just WOW – How did I never hear about Katrina Kendrick (Elizabeth May) before now? Her writing style has everything that I love; witty banter, great characters, danger, action, steamy love scenes, and a soulmate-type love. I loved this story, Gabriel is a tortured soul and while I felt like he carried the “I can’t be with her” nonsense for way too long, I loved him. Lydia is the perfect heroine, true to her heart and willing to fight for her love, but she has her limits and won’t be a doormat. This is the third book in the series, I haven’t read the other books (clearly, I am going to have to go and check out her backlist!), but I didn’t have any problem following this story. I highly recommend this title, and if you liked Kerrigan Byrne’s Victorian Rebels, you will love this book.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

The Keeper of Hidden Books by Madeline Martin

On By TracyIn Historical Fiction, Interwar Period (Nov 1918 - Sep 1939), Standalone Title, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, World War II Era (1939-1945)Leave a comment

The Keeper of Hidden BooksThe Keeper of Hidden Books by Madeline Martin

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone Title

Release Date: August 1, 2023

The summer of 1939 in Warsaw, Poland found best friends Zofia and Janina perfecting their first aid skills with the girl guides and preparing for a war that they didn’t believe would ever come to Warsaw. But the war did come and with it came pain, horror, and the loss of their freedoms, starting with the books they were allowed to read. They endured the occupation, believing they would be saved by the Allies, but as time passes, the hope of rescue begins to wane. But rather than lay down and comply, the indomitable spirit of the Polish people is ignited, and they fight back – in any way they can.

For their part, Zofia and Janina who are working at the main Library, covertly start a book club choosing books that have been banned. Later as the list of books expands and their rights are reduced, the girls along with several friends, begin to hide banned books in an effort to save their culture from being erased by the Nazis.

Sadly, Janina is fired from the library because she is Jewish, and then things get worse as Zofia and Janina are separated when Janina’s family is relegated to the ghetto. But they both continue to defy Hitler, and each continues to save books and train with the underground. For a very short time, they are occasionally able to secretly exchange letters, but then even that is taken from them, and it will be years before they learn of the fate of the other.

During their time apart, the war escalates, and the true horror begins, yet through it all, Zofia doesn’t stop hiding books or trying to make a difference. Her losses will be enormous, and her faith will be tested, but she will never stop fighting to liberate Poland and reclaim the independence her forefathers died to give her.

I usually exclusively read historical romance, but this author used to be a historical romance author and is such a gifted writer, that I happily make an exception to read whatever she writes. And to my surprise, this book did end up being a love story, maybe not in the traditional sense, but it is about the love of country, the love of friends, the love of family, and the love of books. This book is amazing, the writing, the research, the intermingling of true historical events with fictional events and characters is all spot on. It is a book that will make you think about all the things you might be taking for granted, and it will leave you in awe of the Polish people as well as give you a new respect for all the men and women who fought against Hitler and the Axis powers. I highly recommend this book but be prepared for an emotional read and keep the tissues handy.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*