Book Review of 'Beyond Pemberley' by Rebecca Anderson, Samantha Hastings, and Sarah L. McConkie

Happy Wednesday Bookworms!

Reading through the Timeless Regency Collection in its entirety is one of my goals and today I am featuring the latest release!  I hope you enjoy my thoughts and let me know in the comments if you've read any of the instalments from this seris and if so which one. If I had to choose I'd have to say To Kiss a Wallflower is my favorite but Beyond Pemberley is a very close second. 

About the Book

Title: Beyond Pemberley

Series: Timeless Regency Collection #20  
Authors: Rebecca Anderson, Samantha Hastings, Sarah L. McConkie 
Publisher: Mirror Press
Release Date: June 9, 2025 
Genre: Clean Regency Romance

Dear Reader, have you ever wondered what happened after Pemberley?

Playing Miss Bennet by Rebecca Anderson
Twenty-year-old Kitty Bennet, visiting London for a season as a companion to Mrs. Gordon, is simultaneously attracted and repelled by a flirty rake. How would a girl like Kitty respond to his roughish behavior? Impossible to tell when she doesn't even understand herself. She must use their time together to practice being someone else. She's sure when she decides which of her sisters' personalities is the best fit, she'll know both who she is and what she wants. Of course, what she wants couldn't possibly be Augustus Haverford. Not with that wicked smile and that tendency to say scandalous things. Can Kitty convince herself he's all wrong for her? Or does fate have something altogether more romantic in mind?

Sisters and Second Chances by Samantha Hastings
Sixteen years since her own elopement, widow Lydia Wickham saves a young woman from running away with a scoundrel. In gratitude the father, Viscount Kingston, offers Lydia a position as chaperone. Childless and estranged from her sisters, Lydia eagerly accepts. Little did Lord Kingston or his daughter the honorable Chloe know how Lydia would shake up their dull, scholarly existence and turn their trio into a family.

The Colonel's Conviction by Sarah L. McConkie
Shrouded by his military facade and careful in love as the younger son of an Earl, Colonel Fitzwilliam has yet to find his soulmate. When he's tasked to watch over Georgiana Darcy and her new companion—a striking young widow named Clara—he's instantly drawn in, even if he did make a muck of their first meeting. But Clara has a difficult past and a complicated future, and it will be up to the Colonel to show her that no matter how insurmountable the obstacles, hearts can open...if she's willing to take a chance on him.

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Book Review of 'The London Forgery' by Heidi Eljarbo

Happy Friday Bookworms!

I don't know about you, but I can read a cozy mystery any time of the year, but there is something extra delicious about curling up with a cozy mystery during the fall.  It's an immersive experience that I love so much, and the novel I'm reviewing today was that and more, espcially since it's also by one of my favorite authors AND is kicking off a new series!  It is also available to read right now on Kindle Unlimited, so after you read my thoughts head over there and get your copy.  It's a great weekend read that you can easily get lost in.

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The London Forgery by Heidi Eljarbo, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The London Forgery
Series: A Fabiola Bennett Mystery #1
Author: Heidi Eljarbo
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: August 29, 2023
Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery, Dual Timeline

1973. Art historian Fabiola Bennett sees herself as a prudently observant deer who becomes a daring and even mischievous lioness if the situation calls for it. And that’s exactly what’s required when greedy criminals steal, forge, and tamper with treasured artwork. When the crooks add murder to their list of crimes, the chaos is complete. 

A mysterious note is delivered anonymously at the door of the National Gallery in London, and the director immediately calls Fabiola’s office in Oslo and pleads with her to come without delay. The message is confusing, but it seems one of her favorite eighteenth-century portraits is in trouble. 

Fabiola hops on the first plane and meets up with her vibrant side-kick Pippa Yates and the ever-loyal Detective Inspector Cary Green from New Scotland Yard. But she is not naïve enough to think untangling the purpose and meaning of the mysterious note will be as simple as a walk in Hyde Park. These things never are.  

1750. Newly married Robert and Frances Andrews, members of the landed gentry of Suffolk, England, hire young and talented Thomas Gainsborough to paint their wedding portrait. Their desire is a lovely conversation piece showing their wealth and class, an artwork to remember them by for generations to come. 

Little do they know the gifted artist portrays their personalities exactly how he perceives them, and the artistic symbolism is not as flattering as they’d hoped for. Even the looming clouds in the distance promise a troublesome future.  

This is the first book in a new dual timeline series by Heidi Eljarbo—an intriguing spin-off from the much-loved Soli Hansen Mysteries. 

Fans of Lucinda Riley, Rhys Bowen, Kathleen McGurl, Kate Morton, and Katherine Neville will love this cozy historical art mystery, which takes the readers back to the nostalgia of the groovy seventies and the classical Georgian era of the eighteenth century.

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Book Review of 'A Lady's Wager' by Arlem Hawks, Josi S. Kilpack, and Sarah M. Eden

TGIF BOOKWORMS!

Anyone who has followed me for any length of time knows that I am a sucker for a good anthology, and my favorite series lately has been the Timeless Georgian Collection.  The second installment of the series released on Tuesday and I instantly downloaded it and almost devoured it all in one sitting.  This is hands down my favorite read of the month!  

Read on to hear my thoughts on each novella and be sure to download your copy for the perfect February weekend read!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Series: Timeless Georgian Collection #2

Publisher: Mirror Press

Release Date: February 7, 2023

Genre: Victorian Regency Romance

Can a lady wager on love?

♡ THE DIAMOND OF BRISTOL by Arlem Hawks
Lieutenant Derrick Owens has always been on his own and wants to keep it that way, but when he saves a shipmate’s sister from a horrible dance partner, Corah Bradford’s sweet temperament and friendly nature make her hard to resist. Unable to find a suitable husband in Bristol who she can also love, Corah is entangled in a wager to secure Derrick’s company for an evening. Despite their reluctance to let go of their convictions, their easy friendship turns to something more. But with war on the horizon and Corah bound for the marriage mart in London, they both must discover what’s truly important—love or their previous expectations.

♡ WOMEN OF A CERTAIN AGE by Josi S. Kilpack
Over the years, Colletta Markshire has been the driving force in helping young women make their match during the Season in London. Rachel is her lucky thirteen and Etta has every expectation that she will be a triumph ... except that things are not going to plan. Rachel has not taken to London and is determined to grow an acquaintance with a young man not at all the thing. The young man's father, Wynn Firth, is nearly as distracting as Etta's worries, and in every way she felt sure she would never feel distracted again. When Rachel disappears, Etta has little doubt what’s happened and she and Wynn set out together to find the young couple before word gets out. Hours in a carriage with a handsome man can be even more distracting, however, and Etta finds herself entertaining ideas she never thought to have. Etta gave up on love years ago ... and yet, as Women of a Certain age can attest, it is never too late to change one’s mind and change one’s future.

♡ A MOST UNSUITABLE SUITOR by Sarah M. Eden
Drowning in debt, Julian, Lord Wesley spends an evening of shared misery with his closest friend at their club and makes a startling discovery: someone has placed a wager that Lady Charlotte Duchamps will not marry before her 21st birthday, with Julian himself receiving £1000 if she does not. Lady Charlotte suddenly finds herself the subject of a great deal of attention from Lord Wesley, a vague acquaintance with a questionable reputation. With Julian and Charlotte both attempting to solve mysteries and wreak chaos, betting on the possibility of love might just prove the most risky wager of all.

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First Book Review of 2023: The Secret Society of Salzburg by Renee Ryan

HAPPY NEW YEAR BOOKWORMS!

I hope everyone has had a magical start to 2023!  The end of 2022 was extremely rough for me, thus the reason for my absence.  Not to go into too much graphic detail, but my stomach surgery came with a myriad of unknown complications which kept me in the hospital longer than expected, and has made my recovery very painful and excruciatingly slow.  It also meant that I completely missed out on the entire holiday season, including Christmas with my family, and I got sick again on New Years Eve, so the hits just keep on coming for 2023.

Despite everything I've been through I am looking forward to this year, and have high hopes that once I get over the my recovery that I will be stronger and better!  Thank you to everyone who has checked in on me, been praying for my recovery, and has been so patient with me.  You all are truly blessings and I thank God for each and every one of you.

Now, without further ado I give my FIRST REVIEW of 2023: The Secret Society of Salzbury by Renee Ryan.

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Tour for The Secret Society of Salzburg by Renee Ryan, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

 

Title: The Secret Society of Salzburg 

Author: Renee Ryan 

Publisher: Love Inspired Trade 

Release Date: December 27, 2022 

Genre: Historical Inspirational WW2 Romance

From the author of The Widows of Champagne, and inspired by true events, comes a gripping and heartwrenching story of two very different women united to bring light to the darkest days of World War II.

London, 1933 

At first glance, Austrian opera singer Elsa Mayer-Braun has little in common with the young English typist she encounters on tour. Yet she and Hattie Featherstone forge an instant connection—and strike a dangerous alliance. Using their friendship as a cover, they form a secret society with a daring goal: to rescue as many Jews as possible from Nazi persecution. 

Though the war’s outbreak threatens Elsa and Hattie’s network, their efforts attract the covert attention of the British government, offering more opportunities to thwart the Germans. But Elsa’s growing fame as Hitler’s favorite opera singer, coupled with her secret Jewish ancestry, make her both a weapon and a target—until her future, too, hangs in the balance. 

From the glamorous stages of Covent Garden and Salzburg to the horrors of Bergen-Belsen,  two ordinary women swept up by the tide of war discover an extraordinary friendship—and the courage to save countless lives. 

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Book Review: To Kiss a Wallflower by Jen Giggle Johnson, Heather B. Moore, and Anneka R. Walker

ABOUT THE BOOK

Series: Timeless Regency Collection #19

Publisher: Mirror Press

Release Date: June 21, 2022

Genre: Victorian Regency Romance

Eventually, all wallflowers will have their chance at love... This is where it begins.

♡ THE WALLFLOWERS'S DANCE by Jen Geigle Johnson
Lottie Hughes likes people, as long as they aren't too close. Does it bother her that no one asks her to dance? Yes, but she's not sure how to drum up dance partners when she has almost no dowry, no title, and freezes up when anyone tries to talk to her. When she suddenly inherits a huge amount and is the new center of attention all over London, her secret dreams might come true but also her worst nightmares. Suddenly everyone wants to talk to her. Men ask her to dance. And she is inundated with interested suitors. She fights to stay close to the few friends she knows are true. One man saw her before her life changed forever. But does she want to accept his help when he, too, might be insincere?

♡ LETTERS TO A WALLFLOWER by Heather B. Moore
Ellen might be beautiful and considered a diamond of the first water by Society, but she is so very tired of the pressure to marry a titled gentleman so that her beauty won’t go to waste. When her cousin Dinah dares Ellen to attend a ball with no frills and to stand with the wallflowers, Ellen takes on the dare. What’s in the wager for her? The prize cuttings of her aunt’s extraordinary roses. But what Ellen isn’t expecting is Lord Ravenshire to engage her in the most interesting conversation. When she confesses to him of her opposition in marrying for a title, he confesses his distaste of the London scene. They strike a bargain together, one which will either push them apart or lead to a future sweeter than either of them could have imagined.

♡ TO MARRY A WALLFLOWER by Anneka R. Walker
Charlotte Winters is destined to spinsterhood until she turns down an unwanted proposal and everything changes. With gossip rampant, her father attempts to salvage her reputation by betrothing her to another. Soon she is sent off to her aunt’s to meet Lord Templeton, her intended. Anxiety-ridden, Charlotte begs her aunt to let her observe Lord Templeton from afar before their introduction. She never planned to pretend to be her fictional cousin to learn more about him, or to fall in love with Lord Templeton’s friend in the process. Lord Templeton dreads returning to the empty halls of Newcliff Manor. When his father’s old friend, Mr. Winters reaches out for assistance, Lord Templeton finds himself returning home engaged to a woman he has never met. Desperate to learn more about Miss Winters, he befriends her cousin. He wouldn’t have spoken to her, or lied about his identity, if he’d known the quiet woman would sneak into his heart.

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Book Review: The Lost Children by Shirley Dickson

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Lost Children

Author: Shirley Dickson

Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)

Release Date: July 26, 2022

Genre: Historical British Fiction

Can two orphans who only have each other survive a world at war when they discover the shocking truth of their past?

England, 1943:

Eight-year-old twins Molly and Jacob are no longer safe at home. Night after night wailing bombs and screeching planes skim the rooftops overhead. With no other choice, their mother, Martha, sends them to the safety of the countryside—but not without passing on a dangerous secret. Fearful of never seeing her children again, Martha gives Jacob a letter, telling him to only read it if they are in danger.

In the country, Molly and Jacob struggle to adjust to life with strangers. But then the unimaginable happens. An explosion kills Martha, leaving the twins all alone in the world. Faced with the grim reality of life in an orphanage, the time has come for Jacob to honor his mother's last wish. But are its secrets enough to change the course of their tragic fate? Because Jacob believes that so long he and Molly are together, they can survive anything.

And the letter may be what tears them apart. 

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Book Review: The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle

Author: Jennifer Ryan

Publisher: Random House Publishing - Ballantine

Release Date: May 31, 2022

Genre: Historical World War II Fiction

Three plucky women lift the spirits of home-front brides in wartime Britain, where clothes rationing leaves little opportunity for pomp or celebration-even at weddings-in this heartwarming novel based on true events, from the bestselling author of The Chilbury Ladies' Choir.

After renowned fashion designer Cressida Westcott loses both her home and her design house in the London Blitz, she has nowhere to go but the family manor house she fled decades ago. Praying that her niece and nephew will be more hospitable than her brother had been, she arrives with nothing but the clothes she stands in, at a loss as to how to rebuild her business while staying in a quaint country village.

Her niece, Violet Westcott, is thrilled that her famous aunt is coming to stay—the village has been interminably dull with all the men off fighting. But just as Cressida arrives, so does Violet’s conscription letter. It couldn’t have come at a worse time; how will she ever find a suitably aristocratic husband if she has to spend her days wearing a frumpy uniform and doing war work?

Meanwhile, the local vicar’s daughter, Grace Carlisle, is trying in vain to repair her mother’s gown, her only chance of a white wedding. When Cressida Westcott appears at the local Sewing Circle meeting, Grace asks for her help—but Cressida has much more to teach the ladies than just simple sewing skills.

Before long, Cressida’s spirit and ambition galvanizes the village group into action, and they find themselves mending wedding dresses not only for local brides, but for brides across the country. And as the women dedicate themselves to helping others celebrate love, they might even manage to find it for themselves.

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Book Review: The Secret Letter by Debbie Rix

Title: The Secret Letter

Author: Debbie Rix

Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)

Release Date: January 25, 2022

Genre: Historical WWII Fiction

Inspired by a true story, this is a heart-wrenching, unputdownable and absolutely unforgettable tale of the strength of human kindness in a time of unimaginable heartbreak.

Germany, 1939. A tumbledown farmhouse, on the outskirts of a close-knit village in the heart of the rolling hills of Bavaria. A once happy family home torn apart by Nazi rule. And one young girl who refuses to give up on what she believes in…

London, 2018: When ninety-four-year-old Imogen receives a letter addressed to her in neat, unfamiliar handwriting, she notices the postmark is stamped from Germany - and it sends shivers down her spine…

Germany, 1939: Thirteen-year-old Magda is devastated by the loss of her best friend, shy and gentle Lotte, cruelly snatched from her and sent to a concentration camp – the Star of David sewn on her faded, brown coat. As the Nazi’s power takes hold, Magda realizes she’s not like the other girls in her German village - she hates the fanatical new rules of the Hitler Youth. So Magda secretly joins The White Rose Movement and begins to rebel against the oppressive, frightening world around her.

But when an English bomber pilot crashes in a field near Magda’s home she is faced with an impossible choice: to risk the safety of her family or to save a stranger and make a difference in the devastating war that has claimed the lives of so many. Little does she know, her actions will have the power to change the life of another girl, on the other side of enemy lines, forever…

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Book Review: A Man of Honor by Barbara Taylor Bradford

Title: A Man of Honor

Series: The Harte Family Saga-Prequel

Author: Barbara Taylor Bradford

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Release Date: December 28, 2021

Genre: Historical British Fiction

The prequel to Barbara Taylor Bradford's New York Times bestselling and dazzling saga A Woman of Substance.

Opening five years before the start of A Woman of Substance, A Man of Honor begins with 13-year-old Blackie O’Neill facing an uncertain future in rural County Kerry. Orphaned and alone, he has just buried his sister, Bronagh, and must leave his home to set sail for England, in search of a better life with his mother’s brother in Leeds. There, he learns his trade as a navvy, amid the grand buildings and engineering triumphs of one of England’s most prosperous cities, and starts to dream of greater things... And then, high on the Yorkshire moors, in the mists of a winter morning he meets a kitchen maid called Emma Harte.

In A Man of Honor, the true Blackie O'Neill is revealed. For the first time, readers discover his story: his tumultuous life, the obstacles facing him, the desire he has to throw off the impotence of poverty and move up in the world. Like his friend Emma, he is ambitious, driven, disciplined, and determined to make it to the top. And like Emma Harte, he is an unforgettable character for the millions who loved the book. 

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