The Widow of Rose House – Blog Tour

On By TracyIn America's Gilded Age (1870-1900), American Historical, Gothic Historical, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Yearly Favorites1 Comment

The Widow of Rose HouseThe Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller
Tracy”s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: N/A

Release Date: October 8, 2019

Alva Penrose Rensselaer Webster is back in New York after 13 years and it is clear that her scandalous past has not been forgotten. She is having dinner at Delmonico’s with a publisher, desperately hoping to sell him on the idea of publishing her book on interior decorating, and the whispers are growing louder. Finally, she convinces the publisher to give her a chance and leaves just as fast as she can. But her escape is thwarted by a very large man who introduces himself as Sam Moore. She mistakenly believes he is propositioning her, which his first words to her confirm, but it is not the proposition she expected.

Professor Samuel Moore is famous, he is a genius and sought after inventor – in fact his whole family is famous, but what many people don’t know is Sam’s secret passion is ghost hunting – an Alva Webster happens to have just purchased a home with a ghost! When he sees her at the restaurant and learns that she owns the house, nothing will stop him from talking to her. Once the true nature of his “proposition” is revealed, a very embarrassed Alva refuses to grant him access. But Sam won’t give up, because now he is not just interested in the ghost, he is interested in Alva as well.

When Alfred, her former brother in law begins to blackmail her and the workers at her house refuse to return until she gets rid of the ghost, Alva decides to let Sam investigate the house – just so she can finish the project and write her book. Sam agrees, but now he wants to investigate whatever is between them as well as the ghost. Alva has no desire to remarry, but she agrees to an affair, but for Sam that won’t be enough. And while Alva knows she loves him, she knows her secrets and scandalous past, as well as the current threat Alfred presents would not ruin just her, but Sam and maybe his family and she will push him away before she lets that happen. But to do that, she must get rid of the ghost, once and for all.

I loved this story, I will admit the description of a “gothic romance” left me a bit wary, but I can honestly say this was not a dark read at all, there are some serious issues and possibly some triggers for sensitive readers, but Ms. Biller manages to keep this from being truly dark. Alva is a wonderful heroine who has been hurt and misused by those who should have loved her and Sam is awesome – I loved him so much, he is brilliant, funny and very, very protective of Alva. My understanding is this book is a debut offering and I have to say if that is true – WOW – it is well written, flows nicely, stays on point and has incredible imagery and emotion, I am very impressed and will be looking for Ms. Biller’s next book and hoping she is writing books about the other Moore siblings!!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the Publisher.*

No Rest for the Wicked: Pirates of Britannia Connected World by Lauren Smith

On By BarbaraIn Author Collaboration Series, Barb's Reviews, Georgian Era (1714-1837)Leave a comment

No Rest for the Wicked: Pirates of Britannia Connected WorldBarbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Pirates of Britannia Connected World
Publication Date: 10/30/19
Number of Pages: 219

This book is the author’s first foray into writing a pirate story and I can tell you – she has absolutely outdone herself. This is an excellent read. The excitement starts on the first page and doesn’t let up till the last. The book will tear your heart out and then put it all back together again – and there is a twist at the end that will absolutely floor you!

Dominic Greyville, the heir to the Earl of Camden, was fourteen when he was kidnapped and sold into slavery. He suffered years of torture and abuse and was forced into becoming a pirate. Now, fourteen years later, he is a pirate and captain of his own sloop, the Emerald Dragon. He and his crew spend as much time attacking slave ships and freeing the slaves as they do capturing treasure, but that won’t keep them from being hanged if they are ever caught.

Roberta (Robbie) Harcourt was raised on the sea. She lost her mother when she was very young and her father couldn’t bear being separated from her, so she went on many of his sea voyages. She loved the freedom and adventure of the sea and hoped that her new life in Port Royal where her father Rear Admiral Harcourt would now be based.

Dominic gets word that there is a ship with ‘precious’ cargo headed toward Port Royal. It is such important cargo that there is a rear admiral traveling with it. That certainly whets a pirate’s appetite. It doesn’t take much effort for the Emerald Dragon to overtake the Fortune and capture all on board. After the captives are placed in a longboat with instruments to head them toward Port Royal, the Fortune begins to sink. Except – they found two cabin boys hiding in a closet. It is too late to get them onto the longboats, so Dominic’s crew takes them along with them. It doesn’t take Dominic long to realize that the cabin boys aren’t boys at all.

I loved seeing Roberta and Dominic dance around each other. The attraction was strong an the more Roberta learned about Dominic, the greater the attraction. There can be no life together for them – Dom is a pirate and would be hanged if he were caught.

You really have to read this wonderful pirate story. It is filled with love, friendship, enemies, and so very much excitement and suspense. The ending – all I can say is WOW!

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