A LADY'S HANDBOOK TO GADETS AND GUILE by Angela Bell

LINK TO SYNOPSIS ON AUTHOR'S SITE

 I FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS STORY ~

1895, London, England. 

"Margaret was not like other girls in high society. For one, having celebrated her thirtieth trip around the sun 🌞, she was well into spinsterhood and not likely to be mistaken for a girl. For another, having suffered a grievous injury in her youth 👩‍🦽, she was afflicted with chronic pain and the dehumanizing term of invalid."

This book really highlights chronic pain in such an interesting way, shedding light on the silent suffering of others. However, adapting it to a clever inventor and a tale of intrigue and romance was delightful. 

There are plenty of ☕ tea moments, from a bracing cup of Assam to steaming cups of Ceylon to piping hot Darjeeling served alongside stroopwafels filled with caramel.

Charles' nickname for Margaret, of Reverie, was sigh-worthy. Figaro is a comfort-giving cat 🐈.

There is beautiful music sweetly shared on the piano, including Abide With Me. 🎹🎵

There are several Easter Eggs throughout the story that harken back to beloved stories and movies, such as the references to "leaning" [While You Were Sleeping 😂] that made this story all the more enjoyable.

At the back of the book, we learn that all of the lady inspectors are inspired by real-life women. How cool is that?! I will leave you to read who those are.

🥄🥄🥄🥄🥄🥄 Spoon Theory: An analogy that illustrates the limited energy of individuals with chronic illness, pain, or disability. It helps them verbalize how much energy they believe they have for a certain period of time, and was well-used in this story.

I was especially touched when the elderly "Magi" prayed around Charles.

I stayed up until midnight to finish this book in one sitting. What an absolutely wonderful read!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I received a copy of the eVersion from NetGalley and the Publisher. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

I previously read A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure in January of 2024 and also gave it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. However, this latest book is listed as book one in the new series: Daughters of Genius Society, yet it does relate back to the first book.

Read 6/7/2026

Taming Lady Temperance by Karen Witemeyer

 

Taming Lady Temperance was a wonderful western mystery/romance set in 1894 Albany, TX.  I especially enjoyed  Deputy James Paxton, who was beyond reproach when it came to the law.  He was also kind, tender, and his budding romance with Noreen O'Sullivan was pleasant to watch develop.  He has an incredibly keen mind for solving criminal mysteries.
Noreen is a survivor of abuse and therefore has zero tolerance for alcohol. At twenty-seven, she is invited into a secret society.
Very well written with plenty of faith moments. 

Quoteable: "We chose forget-me-nots because we wanted an emblem signifying that you are not forgotten. Not overlooked. Not unappreciated. Each of us was created for a specific purpose, one not tied to marriage and the production of children. Our Lord has not forgotten us, and we will not forget each other."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received this eVersion from the publisher and NetGalley without expectation or compensation.  All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Expected Pub. 2/17/26

Read: 11/30-12/2/2025

📚2025 GoodReads Reading Challenge #217 Until next time,

Whispers at Painswick Court by Julie Klassen

 

Whispers at Painswick Court © 12/2/2025 by Julie Klassen Published by Bethany House

Gloucestershire, 1821 

Twenty-seven-year-old Miss Anne Loveday decides to escape an unfulfilled life for a time and accepts an invitation to stay with a spinster friend of her mother's in Painswick. That decision opens the door to a most unexpected and mysterious drama, full of family secrets, harmful intent, and medical points of interest. I was so fully engrossed in this tale and highly suspicious of several characters.  

I enjoyed Anne's character and her growing maturity, as well as her keen mind. 

I stayed up until midnight,  finishing it in one setting. 

I highly recommend this gothic, Regency romance. It is more mystery than romance, I would say. Faith is gently woven into the background of the story. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I received this eVersion from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation. 

Read 11/30/2025

📚 2025 Reading Challenge #216

Whispers at Painswick Court © 12/2/2025 by Julie Klassen Published by Bethany House Until next time, Hugs and a cup of Christmas tea!

HEARTS IN CIRCULATION- FIVE STARS

SO VERY GOOD! 

      The books I reach for are less than ten percent contemporary fiction, but I am thankful I read this book. I truly enjoyed it and connected with it in the most unexpected ways. 

     Quotable: "You cannot be serious," I say, my voice oozing with dubiety as I take in the heap of metal littering the corner of the library's parking lot."... "We practically marinate in the creative realms, and yet we've still been blindsided." 

     Hayley, Evangeline, and Martha are "gifted" a van by the mayor as a way to keep his campaign promise of a mobile library and sneakily get rid of the hunk of junk in his front yard. Hayley is the chosen one tasked with driving the van. On her very first outing, disaster strikes, and she is forced to seek both repairs and shelter from Levi, a six-foot-seven-inch mountain of a man with several quirks. But Hayley has her own secret issues. The story gently takes us on a journey in a very tiny mountain hamlet, Turkey Grove, TN, that is so small, there is no wi-fi. Additionally, the author does such a wonderful job of explaining what it feels like to be neurodivergent, in this case related to sensory processing (but it can be many more things). I loved how the characters sought to work together to better understand each other and then figure out how to co-exist and be a blessing to each other. 

     For me personally, there were so many things that made me relate to Levi, which was a highly unexpected surprise. After having kids I developed some sensory processing issues with smell, taste and sound. Then after menopause, some have increased exponentially and add in some light sensitivity. Unlike Levi, my extended family has been quite rude about it. But reading this book and understanding I am not abnormal or alone made me feel seen. Learning that the author and her son also have these issues added a feeling of connection. 

     I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has a love of books and to anyone who wants to better understand the aforementioned condition. 

     Side note: The author references the book "Wonderland Creek" by Lynn Austin, about a packhorse librarian in KY during the Great Depression. I remember reading that one years ago and quite enjoying it too! 

FIVE STARS! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

#ForcedProximity #BookMobile #Kittens #Neurodivergent #SensoryProcessingDisorder #LoveLetters #CleanRead #RomanticComedy 

Series: Checking Out Love - Book #2 (I have not read book 1 or any other books by Sarah Monzon) 

Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House for an eVersion. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone without compensation or expectation. 

📚 2025 Reading Challenge - Book #213
notations about the reading challenge may be out of order, depending on my mood on which book to review first 😆. This year's GoodReads link to the right is also way off and not populating the number of books read correctly 🤷🏻‍♀️.

Until next time,

On a Midnight Clear 3-in-1 Christmas Novellas

 🎄On a Midnight Clear a 3-in-1 Christmas Novella Collection and ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 🎄The Shepherd’s Heart © 2025 by Peterson Ink, Inc.

Nebraska & Wyoming, 1875
A gently woven tale about moving on after loss, coping with grief, and learning to trust God in the process. This story was so sweet and beautiful. It had me balling by the end. 😭⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ P.S.: I really expected a recipe for carrot cookies! 🥕 Need to look that up!
Read 8/15&16

 🎄No Room at the Inn © 2025 by Misty M. Beller
December 21, 1861, Nebraska Territory (future Wyoming) Hope Palmer & Noah Bently's winter romance is of a genteel nature, born of mutual attraction, respect, and faith.  A simple story of life in pioneer times. ⭐⭐⭐
(I again expected a recipe for Chess Pie 🥧) Read 8/17

 🎄 A Star in the West © 2025 by Karen Witemeyer
°Nerds in Love ~ How Divine°
December, 1890
Baylor University, Waco, Tx
Stella Barrington & Frank Stentz are the epitome of the word nerd and I absolutely loved their story. So few writers make space for these types of characters to have the leading roles. There were so many fantastic mathematical references. And the way they, particularly Frank, approached life and romance so logically, quantifying each choice and analyzing all the data, was quite amusing. Frank's subtle romantic ways are so charming. The faith and Christmas play added just the right layer. Then there was Mr. Goldstein and Mr. Muir, the "Oscar & Felix" of the story.  Great fun!
Suddenly, the tale takes an unexpected turn, which I won't spoil, but had me choked up. 
QUOTABLE: "God doesn’t make mistakes when it comes to handing out miracles.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½!
My favorite of the 3 Novellas! Read 8/18
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Overall. I received an eVersion from the publisher and NetGalley without expectation or compensation. All opinions are mine alone.

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Can they find a place to put their hearts and hope this Christmas?

Beloved authors Tracie Peterson, Misty M. Beller, and Karen Witemeyer come together with this festive novella collection inspired by the Nativity story and filled with faith, promise, and romance.

The Shepherd's Heart by Tracie Peterson
On the frontier, widowed sheep rancher Vincent Duran seeks a mother for his two children. Angel Lewis agrees to marry him despite believing Vincent will never truly love her. But, as they work together during a fierce winter storm, will their broken hearts finally find peace, joy, and love? 

No Room at the Inn by Misty M. Beller
When Noah Bentwood and his charge are snowed in while traveling through the Rocky Mountains, he must stay in a barn since the stage inn has no vacant rooms. Then innkeeper Hope Palmer's family heirloom disappears, and she and Noah work together to find it before Christmas. While the snowfall holds them captive, will unexpected feelings bloom?

A Star in the West by Karen Witemeyer
Friendly correspondence with Stella Barrington evolves into something more when Harvard mathematics professor Frank Stentz arrives in Waco, Texas. As the two experiment with extending their relationship beyond letters, an impossible dilemma arises between love and logic. Will her wise man be able to calculate a way for them to be together?

Rediscover the joy of Christmas with these faith-based historical romances from bestselling authors featuring sweet Western frontier stories with themes of marriage of convenience, forced proximity, and friends-to-more.

Until next time, Hugs and a cup of Tea

Heather Elizabeth

CLOAKED IN BEAUTY by Karen Witemeyer

5 Amazing Stars!

Texas, late 1800s 

Scarlett Radcliff aka Letty Hood, is such a strong, independent young woman, with a tender heart. Her faithful pet was a great addition to the story. 

Phillip Carmichael is the trusty Pinkerton detective tasked with her safe transportation.

Letty's mother, grandmother and uncle all play key roles in her future. 

Quotable: “We both have to be brave. And smart. Doing what we want isn’t always what is best. Doing what is best, even when it hurts, is what God calls us to do.”

"A chapter must end before a new one could begin, and whether she was ready for it or not, her page was turning."

Sooo so good. I absolutely loved this book. It really is a wonderful fairytale reimagined in a Western setting with the bonus of strong faith throughout. I am sad to see this series end, but happy to highly recommend it!

I received an eVersion from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

352 pages, Paperback First published December 17, 2024 Bethany House Publishers

The Seaside Homecoming - On Devonshire Shores 3 by Julie Klassen

The Seaside Homecoming - On Devonshire Shores 3

12/2024 by Julie Klassen Published by Bethany House Publishers 

"She had no desire to make a spectacle of herself or to upset anyone. Yet she needed this— needed God’s presence and the comfort of corporate worship, even as she felt unworthy to join the faithful."

I found book 3, Claire's story, quite satisfying and enjoyable. The return of old characters (sweet Mrs. Denby) and the introduction of new ones was a delight (Mr. William Hammond; guests of Broadbridge's Boarding House).  Aunt Agnes was a difficult one and while I cannot agree with her ways, the ending outcome was a great surprise.   Even Claire's Mama was difficult for me to reconcile with. However, the extremely touching and unexpected scene near the end with the two of them brought me to tears.

I am greatly looking forward to the conclusion in Sept of next year, when A Sea View Christmas comes out and Sarah finally gets her turn, along with hopefully, dear Callum Henshall.

As an aside, I found it so endearing that Julie Klassen would include various versions of the nickname pumpkin for little Mira, just as Julie's own father called her.

Five Stars

I received this eVersion from NG and the publisher without expectation or compensation. All opinions are mine alone.

11/23/2024
Until next time, Hugs and a cup of tea!
Heather Elizabeth

Meeting Her Match byJen Turano

 Fast-paced, action-packed antics of a most entertaining sort. As always, Jen Turano pens a delightful, romantic tale that's hard to put down. Indeed, I stayed up far too late reading about 75% one night and gleefully finishing the rest the next morning.

Foisting the heroine-matchmaker into the unknown land of West Virginia opened an entire new world to Camilla. Adding a misunderstood gentleman, Owen Chesterfield, in the mix further expands her horizons.
I highly recommend this book and the entire series!
Thanks to the author for an advanced eVersion which was provided without expectation or compensation.
Five stars!!

Until next time, Hugs and a cup of tea!
Heather Elizabeth

To Spark A Match by Jen Turano-Five Stars

HUDSON RIVER VALLEY  1888

Jen always pens an excellent read.

Miss Adelaide Duveen's & Mr. Gideon Abbott's story is the one I was waiting for since the last novel. It did not cease to entertain. As per standard protocol with one of Jen's novels, I absolutely had to read it in it's entirety in one sitting.

Quotable:

"I’m twenty-three years old and have been out in society for five Seasons, both winter and summer. It would be next to impossible to convince anyone I’m anything other than peculiar."

I recommend everything Jen writes!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐=Excellent as always!

I was sent this eBook by  NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher.

All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

Publisher's Synopsis: 
After five unsuccessful Seasons on the marriage mart, Miss Adelaide Duveen has resigned herself to the notion that she's destined to remain a spinster forever--a rather dismal prospect, but one that will allow her to concentrate on her darling cats and books. However, when she inadvertently stumbles upon Mr. Gideon Abbott engaged in a clandestine activity during a dinner party, Adelaide finds herself thrust into a world of intrigue that resembles the plots in the spy novels she devours.

Former intelligence agent Gideon Abbott feels responsible for Adelaide after society threatens to banish her because of the distraction she caused to save his case. Hoping to return the favor, he turns to a good friend--and one of high society's leaders--to take Adelaide in hand and turn her fashionable.

When danger surrounds them and Adelaide finds herself a target of the criminals in Gideon's case, the spark of love between them threatens to be quenched for good--along with their lives.

This is book 2 in The Matchmakers - 11/14/23

Book 1 was A Match in the Making - Feb 2023

Next up: Meeting Her Match - July 2024

Read Date: 9/16/23

𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴  76 𝓖𝓸𝓸𝓭𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮 📚 2023

Reviews posted to GoodReads, Amzn, BAM, B&N, Kobo, Pinterest & IG & of course my blog. 

Click here for Author's Website

May the blessings of the Thanksgiving season surround you and yours!

A Beautiful Disguse by Roseanna M White

EXCITING READ!!
I would give it 10 stars if I could! WOW!!!

I like how another reviewer said, "Mix Downton Abbey, the Greatest Showman, and Enola Holmes and you get a taste of what is in store in this book". I might add Behind the Mask as well.
I have long felt that Roseanna White's writing is elevated and you need to be able to keep up with a fast-paced writing style. It causes me to carefully choose who I pass her books along to. If you prefer a simple, easy-to-digest without much effort story, her books are probably not for you. Those who can handle more depth to a story, mixed with intrigue, historical facts, a large cast of characters, and exciting backdrops should definitely seek out her works.
I think this new theme is my favorite to date!
Marigold is a fantastical enigma. Her brother Yates, is such a strong character, lending expertise and understanding. Leonides 🦁 is so sweet and yet, exactly what you hope for! The ending was unexpected and I cannot wait for book two, featuring Gemma & Graham, next Spring.

Quotable: Lady Marigold Fairfax might have wiggled her toes in ecstasy if that wouldn't have meant losing her purchase and sending herself plummeting eight feet down to the street below.

Also, look up an Aukouphone - trust me.

I received an eVersion from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

SUPER FAST CHRISTMAS READ by Karen Witemeyer

 

Amazon Link

I read this fun little tale set in Bethlehem, Texas, 1886 in under an hour. It made me smile to discover what Simeon came up with to court Anna in relation to The Twelve Days of Christmas. There is a bit of fascinating history related to the song and a nice little devotional afterward.

💞🎄🦢🕊🌵🕺🏻🥛

⭐⭐⭐⭐=Very Good 

I was sent this eBook by the Author.

All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

Release Date: 10/10/23

Read Date: 9/26/23

𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴  79 𝓖𝓸𝓸𝓭𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮 📚 2023

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

 𝘐 𝘚𝘖 𝘛𝘏𝘖𝘙𝘖𝘜𝘎𝘏𝘓𝘠 𝘌𝘕𝘑𝘖𝘠𝘌𝘋 𝘛𝘏𝘐𝘚 𝘐 𝘙𝘌𝘈𝘋 𝘐𝘛 𝘐𝘕 𝘈 𝘋𝘈𝘠! 𝘞𝘖𝘜𝘓𝘋 𝘓𝘖𝘝𝘌 𝘛𝘖 𝘚𝘌𝘌 𝘐𝘛 𝘐𝘕 𝘔𝘖𝘝𝘐𝘌 𝘍𝘖𝘙𝘔!! 🎬

𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞. 𝐈 𝐤𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐞.
𝐎𝐫𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐬 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫!
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜, 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞. 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐫.
𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞: 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐰 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝. 𝐒𝐡𝐞’𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐒𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 . . . 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞. 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬. 𝐉𝐨𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭. 𝐔𝐩 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐮𝐭𝐲.
𝐓𝐞𝐚 𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞: 𝐂𝐨𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐲. “𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐚 𝐨𝐧. 𝐌𝐲 𝐦𝐚 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚 𝐜𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐞𝐚.”

ɪ ʀᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴀɴ ᴇ-ᴠᴇʀꜱɪᴏɴ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍʏ ᴏᴘɪɴɪᴏɴ. ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ᴏᴘɪɴɪᴏɴꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ᴍɪɴᴇ ᴀʟᴏɴᴇ.

𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 19 𝓖𝓸𝓸𝓭𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮 📚 2023

Check out 

https://www.karenwitemeyer.com/

Until next time, hugs and a cup of tea!

A Beautiful Disguise by Roseanna M White

 

EXCITING READ!!

I would give it 10 stars if I could! WOW!!!

I like how another reviewer said, "Mix Downton Abbey, the Greatest Showman, and Enola Holmes and you get a taste of what is in store in this book". I might add Behind the Mask as well.

I have long felt that Roseanna White's writing is elevated and you need to be able to keep up with a fast-paced writing style. It causes me to carefully choose who I pass her books along to.  If you prefer a simple, easy-to-digest without much effort story, her books are probably not for you. Those who can handle more depth to a story, mixed with intrigue, historical facts, a large cast of characters, and exciting backdrops should definitely seek out her works.  

I think this new theme is my favorite to date! 

Marigold is a fantastical enigma. Her brother Yates, is such a strong character, lending expertise and understanding. Leonides 🦁 is so sweet and yet, exactly what you hope for! The ending was unexpected and I cannot wait for book two, featuring Gemma & Graham, next Spring.

Quotable: Lady Marigold Fairfax might have wiggled her toes in ecstasy if that wouldn't have meant losing her purchase and sending herself plummeting eight feet down to the street below.

Also, look up an Aukouphone - trust me.

I received an eVersion from the publisher and NetGalley.  All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation. 

𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 33 𝓖𝓸𝓸𝓭𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮 📚 2023 

- Available August 23, 2023

Synopsis from Author's Website:
A Beautiful Disguise
The Imposters, 1
1909
Left with an estate on the brink of bankruptcy after their father’s death, Lady Marigold Fairfax and her brother open a private investigation firm marketed to the elite . . . to spy on the elite. Dubbed The Imposters, Ltd., their anonymous group soon becomes the go-to for the crème of society when they want answers delivered surreptitiously. But the many secrets Marigold learns about her peers pale in comparison to her shock when she and her brother are hired to investigate her best friend’s father as a potential traitor.
Sir Merritt Livingstone has spent a decade serving the monarch in the most elite guard, but when pneumonia lands him behind a desk in the War Office Intelligence Division just as they’re creating a new secret intelligence branch, he’s intent on showing his worth. He suspects a man of leaking information to Germany as tensions mount between the two countries but needs someone to help him prove it, so he turns to The Imposters, Ltd. No one knows who they are, but their results are beyond compare.
Lady Marigold is determined to discover the truth for her friend’s sake, and she’s more determined still to keep her heart from getting involved with this enigmatic new client ... who can’t possibly be as noble as he seems.

Until next time, hugs and a cup of tea!

A MATCH IN THE MAKING by Jen Turano

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME! I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!
Apologies for not posting this sooner.  I thought I had, but apparently not!

The non-stop banter of Miss Gwendolyn Brinley and pretty much anyone she comes in contact with is fantastic! She is no meek debutante to be sure.

In fact, she is something entirely different. 

Walter Townsend is considered the catch of the season and a rather shallow man until Miss Brimley begins to unlock his better traits. 

I devoured this book and because it was "that good" I did not slow down for my usual highlights, except a very few.

Here are a couple:

Regarding Adelaide, who I adore:

"I’m perfectly comfortable with who I am—a bluestocking at heart, who besides loving the written word has a great affection for cats.”“She has sixteen of them,” Phyllis said. “Twenty, Mother. You’re forgetting about those kittens I found at Mrs. Gerry’s picnic.”

“We’ll receive everyone in the parlor, but only after I have Gibbons leave them lingering about in the receiving room for a good ten minutes or so.” 

Not only was it amusing but Gibbons is my maiden name so that was great fun for me! Thank you Jen 💞.

There are both animals and children which are always excellent additions to enhance charm and comedy. There is some light faith as well. Set in Newport Rhode Island, during  "The Summer Season" 1888

Gideon Abbott is most useful and certainly mysterious. I definitely hope he appears in the next book along with Adelaide as they seem to have an unrecognized spark. 😁

I have been part of "The Gilded Gals of Turano Street" (Jen's Street Team) since the beginning. She is a favorite author and everything she writes is fantastic! 

While I am not required to write a positive review,  I simply cannot help it 🤷🏻‍♀️🤭

Thank you to NetGalley for an eVersion of this book. All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.  

Release Date: 2/21/2023

Read 12/15&16/2022

📖 Book 75 GoodReads Reading Challenge 2022

Until next time, hugs & a cup of tea!!

The Blackout Book Club by Amy Green 5 Stars

 

WONDERFULLY EMOTIVE

4 ladies from various social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds and a host of other characters who come together during 1942, WWII in a haphazard book club.
We jump around each of their points of view which are easy to follow and get caught up in. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it as it made me feel and think a lot.
We all have troubles behind the scenes that are relatable to the characters who eventually find help and comfort from the unexpected group in the small, coastal town in Maine.
Ginny was my favorite as I found her youth, free-spirited nature, and drive infectious.
The meeting minutes noted were fun as well.

Quotable:

"Poetry is anarchy, and I still don’t like it." This made me laugh because I always loved poetry with far fewer restrictions than other writing. 🤭

"books make fine friends— but fellow readers even better. With all my love, Father"

The author provides a list of all the books referenced in the story at the end which I thought especially nice.

If you enjoyed The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society I imagine you'd enjoy this clean tale of small townsfolk as well.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

All thoughts are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

Read Jan 17-21, 2023

Click to go to author's page

 

Book 3 GoodReads Reading Challenge 2023 📚