A Timeless Romance Anthology: All Regency Collection by Anna Elliott, Sarah M. Eden, Carla Kelly, Josi S. Kilpack, Annette Lyon and Heather B. Moore
Summary from Heather B. Moore:
In THE WEDDING GIFT by Anna Elliott, you'll revisit the famous romance of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy... all in classic Regency language and style. I feel a little sigh coming on.
In THE DREAM OF A GLORIOUS SEASON, Sarah M. Eden delivers a refreshing take on the younger sister who isn't allowed a Season and how the man who she's secretly in love with refuses to let her feel left out.
2-time Rita award winner Carla Kelly will make you gasp, then smile, then sigh, as she delivers a realistic portrayal of a Royal Navy battle and the unexpected romance that blooms, in THE MENDER.
In BEGIN AGAIN, Josi S. Kilpack (award-winning suspense author), debuts her first Regency story, presenting a second chance at love when Ross Martin shows up again in Regina's life. (Josi has a full-length Regency novel coming in May 2015: A HEART REVEALED.)
Annette Lyon's THE AFFAIR AT WILDEMOORE will make you rethink the early months of your marriage and rekindle those flames of endearing love.
And... my contribution is my first attempt at writing in this era. THE DUKE'S BROTHER tells the story of two, very unlikely people, who are both willing to put their hearts ahead of traditional conventions.
Read January 2015
5 Stars
E-book copy from author for an honest review
My Review:
Regency historical fiction is probably my favorite era to read. In my early 20's I fell in love with Jane Austen's stories. I love that time period in England and reading about the cultural conventions.
This collection of Regency stories continues my love for this era. These stories talk about the social boundaries, the cultural climate, and the romance that develops and rekindles through stolen glances and gentle touches. Ahh...I really do love these stories.
One of the things I like about the A Timeless Romance Anthologies is that it introduces me to authors I may not otherwise read. Plus, I know that when I read these collections they will be clean romances with a satisfying conclusion.
Warnings: In The Mender there is some description of battle wounds.
I would let my 16 year old read this collection of stories.
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Summary from Amazon:
The Poisonwood Bible is a story told by the wife and four daughters of Nathan Price, a fierce, evangelical Baptist who takes his family and mission to the Belgian Congo in 1959. They carry with them everything they believe they will need from home, but soon find that all of it—from garden seeds to Scripture—is calamitously transformed on African soil. What follows is a suspenseful epic of one family's tragic undoing and remarkable reconstruction over the course of three decades in post colonial Africa.
Read 2014
4 Stars
Library hard copy book and audio book
My Review:
I like happy books. I read to escape.
Our local book club was reading The Poisonwood Bible and I knew it would be a hard book for me to read. I was really interested in trying to read this book for book club even though I rarely go. I wanted to see if I could read a book that wasn't my typical escapist book. I decided I might have more luck getting in to the story if I listened to it on CD. I was right. I recommend the audio book even if you are going to read a hard copy (which I read some from the hard copy book as well). I liked getting the pronunciations and patterns of speech from the audio book.
I studied some Anthropology in college and one of the terms that is often used is ethnocentric. The Merriam-Webster definition of this word is "having or based on the idea that your own group or culture is better or more important than others." This story gives a prime example of someone who is ethnocentric, Nathan Price. His family is ethnocentric as well, but I feel that they adapted better than their father/husband.
The story followed an American family who traveled to Africa as missionaries. The father came in trying to convert the people in the village to Christianity and western traditions with no thought to how they were living in their own culture. I wanted to strangle the father. I wanted to slap the mother for not being a better advocate for her children when they were put in danger by the father's actions as well as being in the new environment. I had a lot of frustrations with these parents.
This book was told from the female family members' points of view. At first it was a bit confusing to me, but listening to the CD audio book helped me get to know these characters as individuals. Hearing each of their points of view helped me get to know the many secondary characters as well. The characters and their relationships were very important in this book. As much as this was a story about a missionary family in Africa during revolutionary times, it was really about relationships and how individual decisions affect those relationships.
When my father was in his early 20's in the 1960's, he lived in South Africa. He was a missionary for our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I don't know much about his time there. Unfortunately, he passed away last year. When I read this book I wished he were there to talk to about that time in his life. I wonder if he was aware of the revolution going on in the Belgian Congo. I wonder if it affected him in South Africa at all.
This was a hard book for me to get through. It is hard for me to read about people having struggles. I want everything to work out well for people and the reality is that happily ever afters are extremely uncommon. This book is thought provoking and covers an interesting time in history. While reading it I looked up more information on the subject. Any book that gets me interested in finding out more is a success in my opinion.
Warnings: Death, physical/emotional hardship, mature topics like civil unrest, imprisonment for beliefs
I would let my 16 year old read this book. It is hard to get through in my opinion, but I think she has read books in school that are just as difficult in subject matter as well as the way they are written.
Christmas in Snow Valley by multiple authors, see summary.
Summary from Goodreads:
#1 Bestselling Christmas Fiction, Christmas in Snow Valley is packed with six wonderful Christmas novellas sure to bring romance into your holiday season.
Snow Valley, Montana, is a small community with the tradition of doing Christmas big. Festivities begin with tree lighting in the town square the day after Thanksgiving and continue until the culminating romantic Christmas Ball. From the Polar Express to a Winter Carnival, there's something for every wonder-filled child--and every couple who's in love--or about to be.
An Unexpected Kiss by Amazon Top Seller Cindy Roland AndersonLucy Phillips doesn't want to spend her Christmas vacation dodging her ex-boyfriend, so when he turns up at the airport to give her a ride home, Lucy panics and asks a complete stranger to kiss her. Although the kiss is incredible, Lucy never expects to see the guy again. Is it bad luck or destiny when Lucy comes down with a sore throat and the new doctor in Snow Valley is none other than the guy she kissed at the airport?
Feels Like Love by Jeanette LewisChristmas in Snow Valley is the perfect way for April Winston to introduce her city slicker fiancé, Scott Mecham, to life on a farm. If only Wade Hadley, hometown boy and high school sweetheart, will cooperate! But Wade has no intention of letting April go without a fight. This Christmas, Wade is determined to overcome their painful past and show April that she already has what she's been seeking all along.
Full Court Devotion by Amazon Top Seller Cami CheckettsKazlyn is too busy with her schooling and future plans to enjoy life, let alone fall in love with a man who has heartbreak written all over him. Tyrese Hamilton, a college basketball star and major heartthrob, is intrigued when Kazlyn doesn't pursue him or even seem interested. Ty's career is in jeopardy, and he needs a miracle and Kazlyn to save him.
The Christmas Eve Kiss by Taylor HartMolly O'Hare gets the utterly ridiculous prediction that she will kiss her true love on Christmas Eve. But when she returns to Snow Valley and comes face to face with Kevin Snow, suddenly the kiss thing seems...a lot less ridiculous. Too bad the reason she left still has the power to make her deny her real feelings. Now Molly is left with a choice--forget the home town and the boy that she never quit loving or let Christmas work out a miracle all on its own.
Risking it all for Love by Award-Winning author, Kimberley MontpetitSuccumbing to family pressure, Jessica Mason reluctantly comes home for Christmas. Ever since her high school boyfriend's death from a car accident three years earlier, Jessica and religion have not been compatible. So, when she visits Michael's grave, she's surprised to meet the handsome James Douglas, Pastor John's nephew, who's studying for the ministry. James can not only dish back Jessica's finely-tuned sarcasm but understands grief all too well, turning Jessica's world upside down. Is she ready to take another risk on love?
Blue Christmas by Lucy McConnell
As head of Snow Valley hospital's fundraising effort, Paisley Hackett barely has time to organize the craft show, cookie decorating party, and the annual Christmas Ball. What she doesn't have time for is falling in love with Clay Jett, the incredibly handsome bass player who sweeps into town. She's been burned by a tourist romance before and, with everything going on, Paisley will have to work overtime to protect her heart from Clay and his swoon-worthy ballads.
Read December 2014
4 Stars (5 stars for some, 4 stars for some, 3 stars for some)
Ebook from Amazon
My Review:
This was a nice read during the holidays. I enjoyed reading about this cute town, the characters, their experiences in "coming home" and celebrating the Christmas season.
I had 3 favorites. Unexpected Kiss was the first story and it was my favorite out of all of them. It was a great way to start off the book collection. I also really liked Full Court Devotion. It was not what I expected and it was refreshing to read. Risking it all for Love was a sweet story that expressed the healing that can take place through the power of forgiveness.
All of these stories have a bit of religious content. Some of them reference religion more than others, but for me they were not over the top.
Warnings: Some of the stories deal with more adult themes like accidental death.
I would let my 16 year old daughter read these if she were interested.
Cinder and Ella by Kelly Oram
Summary from Goodreads:
It’s been almost a year since eighteen-year-old Ella Rodriguez was in a car accident that left her crippled, scarred, and without a mother. After a very difficult recovery, she’s been uprooted across the country and forced into the custody of a father that abandoned her when she was a young child. If Ella wants to escape her father’s home and her awful new stepfamily, she must convince her doctors that she’s capable, both physically and emotionally, of living on her own. The problem is, she’s not ready yet. The only way she can think of to start healing is by reconnecting with the one person left in the world who’s ever meant anything to her—her anonymous Internet best friend, Cinder.
…
Hollywood sensation Brian Oliver has a reputation for being trouble. There’s major buzz around his performance in his upcoming film The Druid Prince, but his management team says he won’t make the transition from teen heartthrob to serious A-list actor unless he can prove he’s left his wild days behind and become a mature adult. In order to douse the flames on Brian’s bad-boy reputation, his management stages a fake engagement for him to his co-star Kaylee. Brian isn’t thrilled with the arrangement—or his fake fiancée—but decides he’ll suffer through it if it means he’ll get an Oscar nomination. Then a surprise email from an old Internet friend changes everything.
Read November 2014
4 Stars
Received Free e-book for an honest review
My Review:
This is not what I would call a retelling of Cinderella, but it definitely has references to the fairy tale. It is contemporary, it has a very current feel with the technology used in the story and the references to modern day popular themes.
I am struck with how Kelly Oram tackles difficult topics. Her book, V is for Virgin, caused me to really think about some things in a different way, specifically one's sexuality. In this book, Kelly Oram tackles personal recovery from a very serious accident. The loss that the main character faces is huge. Her struggles are at times hard to read about, but at the same time rewarding in seeing how she deals with and in some ways overcomes those challenges.
The romance in this book is complicated, but also sweet. The two don't meet until later in the book so it is not so much about their physical relationship. They develop their relationship through email and talking and it is refreshing to see a relationship in another way. They also have fun banter which at times surprised me. I will be honest, I'm not a fan of swearing. The banter does have some swearing, but none of it was very bad.
The secondary characters are a big part of this book. The relationships that Ella has with family and friends is really important in this book. Between her new step family and the new school, Ella has a lot to adjust to. These characters are vital in Ella's struggles and recovery.
My biggest complaint about the book is the cover. I don't like it. It doesn't do the book justice. And sorry to the models, but in my opinion, they don't look like Cinder and Ella. Oh well...Don't judge a book by its cover.
Warnings: Swearing, mild. Character references multiple sexual relationships.
I would let my 16 year old read this book. I would probably not allow my 13 year old to read it at this time.
Longing For Home: Hope Springs by Sarah M. Eden
Summary from Goodreads:
All is not well in Wyoming. Katie Macauley gave up her life-long dream of returning to Ireland in order to make a home for herself in Hope Springs, but her future has never been so uncertain. The town is more divided than ever, with both the Irish and the Reds stealing property, burning buildings, and endangering lives.
Katie’s heart remains sharply divided between her love for playful Tavish and steady Joseph, a decision she feels ill-prepared to make. In the midst of the growing unrest, temperatures drop quickly, too quickly, and Irish nightmares of famine and cold resurface as the little Wyoming town struggles to beat the harsh winter.
Katie makes one sacrifice after another to keep the peace and help see her loved ones through the difficult days ahead, but will it be enough? Can the town make amends before their hatred consumes them all? And will Katie find the love she has been searching for as well as a home to call her own?
Read 2014
5 Stars
Library Book through Inter-Library Loan
My Review:
This is the second book in the Longing for Home series. It is part of the Proper Romance line from Shadow Mountain Publishing which also included Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson.
The story continues from the first book as Katie adjusts to the idea of staying in Hope Springs instead of returning to Ireland. I like seeing Katie's relationships with the town grow. I like seeing her be able to bridge some gaps that no one else is able to bridge, at her own expense. She is truly a remarkable woman.
The romance in the book continues. I like seeing how Katie discovers what is important to her and how that influences her relationships with the 2 men vying for her love.
This is an emotional book. I don't often read books that make me cry. I admit that I read to escape and I like "happy" books. I cry when I read this book. There is long standing conflict between the two areas of town. There are wounds that are extremely difficult to heal. Reading these aspects of the book are rewarding and at the same time make me cry. Luckily, Sarah M. Eden gives us hope in Hope Springs.
Warnings: Conflict and injury between the town factions. Nothing graphic.
I would let my 16 year old read this book.
A Timeless Romance Anthology: Silver Bells Collection
by Lucinda Brant, Sarah M. Eden, Heather B. Moore, Lu Ann Brobst Staheli, Annette Lyon and Becca Wilhite
Summary from Goodreads:
Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Silver Bells. Readers will love this collection of six historical novellas, all centered around the Christmas season with one thing in common: Romance.
In NY Times & USA Today’s bestselling author Lucinda Brant’s delightful novella, FAIRY CHRISTMAS, Kitty Aldershot is orphaned and forced to live on others’ charity. Offered a home under the generous roof of her relatives, the Earl of Salt Hendon and his countess, Kitty wants for nothing, not even the affections of Mr. Tom Allenby. But when Kitty stumbles across a letter written by Lady Caroline that reveals how Mr. Allenby would be ruined should he marry the likes of Kitty, she realizes she has been fooling herself all along. Kitty’s world crumbles around her as she recognizes she will forever be alone with no prospects at all.
Sarah M. Eden’s charming romance novella A CHRISTMAS PROMISE, Sean Kirkpatrick is trying to get to his new place of employment, Kilkenny Castle, in order to start as the new stablehand. His only requirement is to drive a team of high-spirited nags from Dublin to Kilkenny in a certain amount of time. Unfortunately he winds up in a muddy field, stuck, lost, and running out of time. He’s about to lose the job before he can prove himself capable of finishing his first assignment. When Maeve Butler arrives on the scene, Sean isn’t sure if she’s intent on rescuing him or bent on torturing him with her fiery wit and lovely dark eyes.
In Heather B. Moore’s enchanting novella, TWELVE MONTHS, Lucien Baxter’s best and most incorrigible friend, Will, dies unexpectedly, leaving behind his new bride and unborn child the week before Christmas. Will’s last request is that Lucien watches over Cora, not just as a benefactor, but as a husband. When Lucien does his duty and proposes to Cora, he’s turned down flat. But over the course of the next few days, Lucien discovers that marrying Cora wouldn’t be any sort of duty after all, but a matter of following his heart.
In Lu Ann Staheli’s sweet romance novella, A FEZZIWIG CHRISTMAS, Dick Wilkins and his best friend Ebenezer Scrooge have been looking forward to the annual Fezziwig Christmas dance for weeks. Ebenezer is practically engaged to Annabelle Fezziwig, and Dick hopes to start courting her younger sister, Pricilla. Once the dance starts, and Pricilla arrives, as pretty and charming as ever, Dick discovers that he’s not the only man vying for her attention. His best friend advises Dick that he has to win Pricilla’s heart, as well as her mother’s favor. Losing his heart has suddenly become very complicated.
A TASTE OF HOME, a captivating romance by Annette Lyon, we meet Claire Jennings, who’s on her way to spend Christmas with her family. As she rides the train with William Rhodes, who grew up across the street, memories of Christmases past flood her mind. He may be twenty-one now, but she can’t forget his torturous teasing from their school years. At the rail station, Claire discovers that her home is under quarantine because her little brother has measles. She's stuck in town, away from her family, on her favorite holiday. William stays behind with her, and as Christmas Day approaches and her homesickness deepens, she discovers that perhaps he has changed in more ways than one.
Becca Wilhite’s entrancing novella, MY MODERN GIRL, follows Margie, who lands her dream job as a clerk at Macy’s department store in New York City. Margie might be new in town, but she’s determined to succeed and prove to Henry that moving to the city was the right decision. As the Christmas season approaches, Margie realizes that being a “modern girl” might not be all she had dreamed of and Henry might have more to offer than she ever imagined.
Read October 2014
4 Stars
Free ebook from author for an honest review
My Review:
Another anthology! I love these anthologies. Even though there is conflict, I always know there will be some sort of satisfying ending. Sometimes I need to be swept away and know that everything will work out.
This particular collection has nice conclusions. However, I found the conflict in the stories more angsty than I usually find in the stories. At times I wanted to get to the conclusion so that I would know everything would work out alright. I don't usually have that feeling as I read the anthologies. Even with that feeling, I still enjoyed this collection and would recommend it to those that like clean romance.
My favorites in this collection were A Christmas Promise and Twelve Months.
Warnings: None
This is a clean read and my 16 year old would be able to read it. However, the subject matter is a little grown up and I don't think she would enjoy it at this time in her life.
