tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74611516328693065202024-03-18T23:15:07.485-04:00The Calico CriticReviewing and giving away a bit of this and that, in the low-key calico style since 2009.Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.comBlogger543125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-19950390843172383442024-03-16T00:00:00.018-04:002024-03-16T11:30:49.753-04:00Book Review: The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XWNPiYmw1hq3FCXNdF0wqidoKXgM6GY6_utTuOpgQDnIgPE0WlDQCrLnJN4wm2-maBaLZkZul1BNJG5_z54BoevO1jJ_Az41VSzN0ygu8ipt8z-TFvTQZkHy1pCnd5oJqKFnrW3z7M9DpJoFU0putx9RrpLPnxe8t90-Zafn9wk8tlid7iNqi7LK76aB/s1204/The%20Berlin%20Letters%20cover%202024.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XWNPiYmw1hq3FCXNdF0wqidoKXgM6GY6_utTuOpgQDnIgPE0WlDQCrLnJN4wm2-maBaLZkZul1BNJG5_z54BoevO1jJ_Az41VSzN0ygu8ipt8z-TFvTQZkHy1pCnd5oJqKFnrW3z7M9DpJoFU0putx9RrpLPnxe8t90-Zafn9wk8tlid7iNqi7LK76aB/w261-h400/The%20Berlin%20Letters%20cover%202024.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><b>Bestselling author Katherine Reay returns with an unforgettable tale of the Cold War and a CIA code breaker who risks everything to free her father from an East German prison. </b><p></p><p>From the time she was a young girl, Luisa Voekler has loved solving puzzles and cracking codes. Brilliant and logical, she’s expected to quickly climb the career ladder at the CIA. But while her coworkers have moved on to thrilling Cold War assignments—especially in the exhilarating era of the late 1980s—Luisa’s work remains stuck in the past decoding messages from World War II.</p><p>Journalist Haris Voekler grew up a proud East Berliner. But as his eyes open to the realities of postwar East Germany, he realizes that the Soviet promises of a better future are not coming to fruition. After the Berlin Wall goes up, Haris finds himself separated from his young daughter and all alone after his wife dies. There’s only one way to reach his family—by sending coded letters to his father-in-law who lives on the other side of the Iron Curtain. </p><p>When Luisa Voekler discovers a secret cache of letters written by the father she has long presumed dead, she learns the truth about her grandfather’s work, her father’s identity, and why she has never progressed in her career. With little more than a rudimentary plan and hope, she journeys to Berlin and risks everything to free her father and get him out of East Berlin alive.</p><p>As Luisa and Haris take turns telling their stories, events speed toward one of the twentieth century’s most dramatic moments—the fall of the Berlin Wall and that night’s promise of freedom, truth, and reconciliation for those who lived, for twenty-eight years, behind the bleak shadow of the Iron Curtain’s most iconic symbol.</p><div><br /></div><div><br /><hr /><br /></div><div>This is not author Katherine Reay's first venture into the dispirited world of a Cold War-era Communist country. In her 2023 novel <i><u><b><a href="https://calicocritic.blogspot.com/2023/06/A-Shadow-In-Moscow.html" target="_blank">A Shadow in Moscow</a></b></u></i>, Reay offers an alternating timeline which captures a story of secret agents, family dynamics, and struggles within the human condition. In her latest work, Reay travels to Germany in <i>The Berlin Letters</i>. Once again readers are brought into the world of espionage and intergenerational relationships, but the atmosphere is quite different this time. The threat and oppression of the East German government during the Cold War seems to hover over the entire narrative, bringing a seriousness to the novel that gives one pause. </div><div><br /></div><div>Although I was born in 1971 and grew up during much of this era, I was fairly unaware of the majority of the political events that were going on in Eastern Europe at that time. Reading <i>The Berlin Letters </i>was an eye-opening experience.<i> </i>While it is a novel which was captivating and a source of entertainment, it was so much more than that. It seems to truly inhabit that world in such a way that the reader can genuinely feel the captivity of the people in that time period. They may have had their families and jobs, but their freedoms were quite limited. Often they were not given the option to even choose their careers. Some were strongly compelled to spy on their own friends and neighbors. Beauty and joy were extracted from their lives bit by bit. Their lives were literally and figuratively overcast and gray.</div><div><br /></div><div>Despite the serious tone of the novel, I thoroughly enjoyed <i>The Berlin Letters. </i>Katherine Reay's historical research was impeccable, but she also crafted a fictional tale which bonded to the facts of the past seamlessly. Her characters are complex, likable, and well drawn. The villains are not always what they seem to be, and a few in particular took me by surprise. The alternating timeline was creative-- Chapter One opens in 1961, focusing on the lives of Luisa's parents, her father Haris in particular. The contrasting chapters are mostly set in 1989 with Luisa as an adult. As the novel moves forward, the experiences of Haris begin to get narratively closer to Luisa's in 1989. It was quite exciting to see those converging plotlines develop. The epic conclusion is historic, cinematic, and thrilling.</div><div><br /></div><div>From a content standpoint, <i>The Berlin Letters</i> stands in an interesting position. There is remarkably no salty language, and any romantic content is quite sparse. Given the subject matter, this novel could have been much more graphic. That said, many difficult issues are addressed. This story is not for young children. The trials and tribulations of the people of this era are sometimes hard to take in. Some characters in the story are from the 80s punk scene and lead decadent lives. This is not a negative criticism of the book. Keay writes accurately and paints a realistic picture of what was going on at the time, and honestly portrays issues with which Luisa and her family were wrestling. I felt that this content lent an air of realism to the work. It did not water down or sugar-coat the situation, but its presentation was done in a non-gratuitous fashion.</div><div><br /></div><div>The conclusion of <i>The Berlin Letters</i> rides the wave of hope and optimism which crashed into Germany during that historic moment in 1989. It doesn't come to that occasion easily. Many sacrifices and risks are taken for the sake of freedom and family love. The journey is fraught with tension, uncertainty, and no guarantee of success. Katherine Reay has crafted an excellent novel, combining the realities of the Cold War with the captivating fictional narrative of her characters. Her epilogue leads me to hope for more from Luisa, Haris, and their associates. The wall may have come down in 1989, but as the decades have passed, the possibilities for more epic tales endure. Katherine Reay not only brings exciting tales of espionage to her readers, but she also reveals history and hope in a way that bears repeating.</div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><hr /><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPSTYwnDffGP6QmyjTAYWY7ffRXfz1WrgJGqSq2nY6pFd0NuYD_QJytCwVBXmwJf5qQvPrZsRI-rzRV8L5ItAD5Ux3qUA5paSKD90ZdiMhcSuX8rl8muSS1s-R4Db2yzGALkG8qBGVsjA9emV1a7RWPUTNf_N_4WaioT-QdR8QRwNLw3NFBrhnQiknFCC/s750/Reay%20Katherine%20headshot%20cropped.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPSTYwnDffGP6QmyjTAYWY7ffRXfz1WrgJGqSq2nY6pFd0NuYD_QJytCwVBXmwJf5qQvPrZsRI-rzRV8L5ItAD5Ux3qUA5paSKD90ZdiMhcSuX8rl8muSS1s-R4Db2yzGALkG8qBGVsjA9emV1a7RWPUTNf_N_4WaioT-QdR8QRwNLw3NFBrhnQiknFCC/w200-h200/Reay%20Katherine%20headshot%20cropped.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b>AUTHOR BIO</b></h2><div><div>Katherine Reay is a national bestselling and award-winning author who has enjoyed a lifelong affair with books. She publishes both fiction and nonfiction, holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University, and currently lives outside Chicago, Illinois, with her husband and three children. You can meet her at katherinereay.com.</div></div>
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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVXpSzdSU8l9G-X1a_r5EQD-_YUjlUuxzMz-JLWGHaFsa6EguzSLkbNjT4lGiiBnNiXEXlxgjKkd6rjppbUAJu6VXR7UjVcxGCdiYFOlVHYaiol55cH1jus-8yWTTPIHAkBsJ0TemWQlbWYHDemLYX-owiFpMcLYVwofonQ6tiKbTrfaZkzxNsNy5wI5q/s1080/Ther%20Berlin%20Letters%20Book%20Tour%20graphic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVXpSzdSU8l9G-X1a_r5EQD-_YUjlUuxzMz-JLWGHaFsa6EguzSLkbNjT4lGiiBnNiXEXlxgjKkd6rjppbUAJu6VXR7UjVcxGCdiYFOlVHYaiol55cH1jus-8yWTTPIHAkBsJ0TemWQlbWYHDemLYX-owiFpMcLYVwofonQ6tiKbTrfaZkzxNsNy5wI5q/s320/Ther%20Berlin%20Letters%20Book%20Tour%20graphic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://austenprose.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Austenprose.com</span></b></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div>Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-6501157905689732062024-03-07T00:00:00.006-05:002024-03-07T20:34:05.489-05:00Book Review: A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJRKXJ-Gmk6XK9kh_PkIg-s4RyEY-XCaLqbQwO0DozrHGnAZDljddC1-8cR9Z2hur_fyyZR2bMojEhzAEfO_LnQB847Au63AjWoLFD0qJUjZc_UdGEcR-bArjL1u1tDOAi1MxfnXibQmcsKnCMc6b7_BruLsoOZVSd8Z_pMC0Nm1YttON7407kEbmnnhJ/s1500/A%20Lady's%20Guide%20to%20Marvels%20and%20Misadventure%202024.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="971" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJRKXJ-Gmk6XK9kh_PkIg-s4RyEY-XCaLqbQwO0DozrHGnAZDljddC1-8cR9Z2hur_fyyZR2bMojEhzAEfO_LnQB847Au63AjWoLFD0qJUjZc_UdGEcR-bArjL1u1tDOAi1MxfnXibQmcsKnCMc6b7_BruLsoOZVSd8Z_pMC0Nm1YttON7407kEbmnnhJ/w259-h400/A%20Lady's%20Guide%20to%20Marvels%20and%20Misadventure%202024.jpg" width="259" /></a></b></div><b>When Clara Marie Stanton’s ex-fiancé begins to spread rumors that her family suffers from hereditary insanity, it’s all Clara can do to protect them from his desperate schemes and society’s prejudice. Her family may be eccentric, yes, but they certainly aren’t insane. Then Clara’s Grandfather Drosselmeyer brings on an apprentice with a mechanical leg, and all pretense of normalcy takes wing.</b><p></p><p>Theodore Kingsley, a shame-chased vagabond skilled in repairing clocks, wants a fresh start far from Kingsley Court and the disappointed father who declared him dead. Upon returning to England, Theodore meets clockmaker Drosselmeyer, who hires him as an apprentice, much to Clara’s dismay. When Drosselmeyer spontaneously disappears in his secret flying owl machine, he leaves behind a note for Clara, beseeching her to make her dreams of adventure a reality by joining him on a merry scavenger hunt. Together, Clara and Theodore set off to follow Drosselmeyer’s trail of clues, but they will have to stay one step ahead of a villain who wants the flying machine for himself—at any cost.</p><p>Taking readers on a whimsical, unforgettable journey through Victorian London and Europe, debut author Angela Bell tells an imaginative tale of danger, adventure, and romance.</p><p><br /></p><hr /><p><br />We humans can be a complicated lot. Many of us have been damaged emotionally, and we take those injuries into all corners of our lives. Because of hurtful words from others, we might come to believe that we are “less than” or “unworthy” of success, strength or even love. On the other hand, many of us are determined to be strong and self-sufficient, never showing weakness or the need for assistance. In either scenario, hearts can become closed off. We don’t allow ourselves to be truly seen and loved, either because we feel unworthy, or because we could be seen as weak. When this happens, our lives become smaller. We try to maintain control over what is actually uncontrollable, and we reject the love that will soothe our aching souls. </p><p>The lead characters in <i>A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure</i> by Angela Bell exhibit these same tendencies. Clara Marie Stanton has been hurt by a former fiancé. Not only has she vowed to never be hurt in matters of romance ever again, but she also feels a strong compulsion to control her environment as much as possible. This includes shouldering the burden of protecting and providing for her family as much as she is able. The compulsion is so strong, that her grandfather refers to her as her “Little Atlas”, as she tries to bear the weight of the world on her shoulders.</p><p>Clara comes to know Theodore Kingsley, an apprentice of her grandfather’s who is adept in clock repair. His heart is closed as well, but due to reasons of insecurity rather than self-sufficiency. Rejected by his family and a failure as a soldier, he feels unworthy of love. Due to his service on the battlefield, he is an amputee, and his injury also manifests itself emotionally as he sees himself as “damaged goods.” He struggles to determine his place in the world, almost like a broken cog that needs mending and purpose.</p><p>Clara and Theodore find themselves on a fantastic journey, not only on a whirlwind scavenger hunt laid out by her grandfather, but also in a race to outwit a cunning adversary who would do anything to acquire important assets of the Stanton family. Along the way they learn lessons about human self-sufficiency (or lack thereof) as well as the inherent worthiness that we carry to be loved by others and by God.</p><p><i>A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure</i> was such a joyful novel. Much like Jules Verne’s <i>Around the World in Eighty Days</i>, Angela Bell’s tale takes her readers to wondrous locations around the globe. There is a bit of a steampunk feel to the story, as certain elements would certainly have been impossible (or certainly not invented yet) in 19th century Europe. If readers can buy into the notion of a huge, flying automaton owl and similar creatures, then this story is a wonder to behold. Bell’s descriptions of the many mechanical creatures are lush and bring the whimsical items to life. I thoroughly enjoyed playing along with Drosselmeyer’s inventions and adventures.</p><p>Readers of classic fiction will find many winks to some of our favorite novels. Of course there are many tips of the hat to <i>The Nutcracker</i>, given Clara Marie’s name, her grandfather Drosselmeyer, the great Owl and other elements. I also spotted acknowledgements of Jane Austen, C. S. Lewis, Beatrix Potter, Clement Moore, Dumas, and King Arthur. The modern Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles even have a cameo with one particular character. This was especially amusing.</p><p>Author Angela Bell weaves a delightful tale of adventure, romance, whimsy, and redemption. Her worldview is unmistakably Christian, as God’s saving grace is mentioned on numerous occasions. It is especially applicable in the lives of Clara and Theodore. Clara is so self-reliant, her heart is closed to the possibility of romance, and she struggles with trusting God with the many obstacles she faces. She must come to learn that we need each other as well as our Heavenly Father in order to flourish in this life. Theodore’s lessons lie in understanding God’s love for him. Clara’s mother says to him, <i>“Don’t confuse the character of your heavenly Father with the voice of your earthly one.” </i>This is a difficult truth for Theodore, as he believed the lie that he was broken and worthless. Watching the development of Clara and Theodore, both as individuals and as partners in a grand escapade was as enriching as it was entertaining.</p><p>Given the perspective of the author, the content of <i>A Lady’s Guide</i> is decidedly family-friendly, but there are moments when Bell does not shy away from difficult issues. On more than one occasion Theodore recalls moments of abuse and trauma from his past. I found one scene in particular to be difficult to read, in fact. This type of material isn’t pervasive, but if the reader finds family conflict to be triggering, I would proceed with caution. That said, the darker material was handled very carefully and could have been far more graphic and troubling. The scenes that are shared merely illustrate the depth at which Theordore’s pain has reached, and it also therefore demonstrates the levels to which he can be healed.</p><p>As a debut author, Angela Bell has produced a strong and enchanting first novel. <i>A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure</i> seems primed for the possibility of a sequel. Given the richness of the narrative and the possibilities inherent in Bell’s steampunkian world, the options are really almost endless. My hope is that <i>A Lady’s Guide</i> takes off to grand success, and readers are treated to yet another international, spectacular adventure with her delightful characters.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjam_7LArEWRitxa5zEWEG05DcflP6cyh46emI6r6H_mUyTNRWXEkDsdcPrEz504pyZpVSTtHgXtpNfPEjjYXX2L3K2DcaeeTnXuNKJ_nCItfPCXOjwwQE2Lmj6kcVCzSKFNzXIkgtX6Q9eXxiE0bp6QpMnjFMwsYjuRSJ_bPew2pLC4TIYYcWV_Mi9p1Fj/s1080/A%20Lady's%20Guide%20Book%20Tour%20graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjam_7LArEWRitxa5zEWEG05DcflP6cyh46emI6r6H_mUyTNRWXEkDsdcPrEz504pyZpVSTtHgXtpNfPEjjYXX2L3K2DcaeeTnXuNKJ_nCItfPCXOjwwQE2Lmj6kcVCzSKFNzXIkgtX6Q9eXxiE0bp6QpMnjFMwsYjuRSJ_bPew2pLC4TIYYcWV_Mi9p1Fj/s320/A%20Lady's%20Guide%20Book%20Tour%20graphic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Thanks to <a href="http://Austenprose.com">Austenprose.com</a> for including <i>The Calico Critic</i> in the blog tour!</span></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">About the Author</span></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUQoUgSSsVlZ52Gy_WXzIpjcF6rOTk98oRrUhYz_GB61FCTtzQD5SLGlfuHS9g38AyxzX8CeOmXHKnKdYaMBz4JMVVNGiV1mao_eFbDpsIB33ONTVTzmenZlKddy0ysM-ZvHZPqRmM-z79wAdTxAST4Ay3aH_-nZ3hwnaYPskdGVMWSAqvmQWGXTHkffa/s2560/Angela%20Bell.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="2278" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUQoUgSSsVlZ52Gy_WXzIpjcF6rOTk98oRrUhYz_GB61FCTtzQD5SLGlfuHS9g38AyxzX8CeOmXHKnKdYaMBz4JMVVNGiV1mao_eFbDpsIB33ONTVTzmenZlKddy0ysM-ZvHZPqRmM-z79wAdTxAST4Ay3aH_-nZ3hwnaYPskdGVMWSAqvmQWGXTHkffa/w249-h280/Angela%20Bell.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><br />Angela Bell is a twenty-first-century lady with nineteenth-century sensibilities. She resides in Texas with her charming pup, Mr. Bingley Crosby. One might categorize her work as historical romance, but Angela likes to describe it as “a cuppa Victorian whimsy” because it sounds so much more poetical. Whenever you need a respite from the modern-day hustle, you're welcome to visit her parlor <u><b><a href="http://AuthorAngelaBell.com">AuthorAngelaBell.com</a></b></u>, where she can be found waiting with a pot of tea and a great book. <div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><u><a href="https://authorangelabell.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></u> | </b><b><u><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAngelaBell" target="_blank">Facebook</a></u> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/authorangelabell/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18344276.Angela_Bell" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/angela-bell" target="_blank">Bookbub</a></b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>
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<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iDCID-SoxhxlPVYuxvLqPaEhwelTGyxs7R19riplSrdE6GgXsLEHO7tY_asjNsia9J3KkYW92YcXAo5pAqdG2jnOHfh0OP1AeZD83FwOBi7QmSWgjq0KaswA5ZCZ22_XQUIWdlvafCsB6sXA2we1JQnbrrK4P_xKFszAqIRp1jrvmPQ0IUWPzhIGUjP2/s970/Recs%20Banner.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="970" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iDCID-SoxhxlPVYuxvLqPaEhwelTGyxs7R19riplSrdE6GgXsLEHO7tY_asjNsia9J3KkYW92YcXAo5pAqdG2jnOHfh0OP1AeZD83FwOBi7QmSWgjq0KaswA5ZCZ22_XQUIWdlvafCsB6sXA2we1JQnbrrK4P_xKFszAqIRp1jrvmPQ0IUWPzhIGUjP2/w640-h198/Recs%20Banner.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ly5rzGmPTmdqHRGae29_jjQ7Pqa5hh8JwT179nfmHg4Yw7AnHkyP2_BCP70IrdCteHQZThSfO3gCBrkXBB5XlJZGTYdTkXVlB4PXIbtthic9KiiBwhAYKzk6awJs2sjUsi8rMgoSO3RGj8PLeAbY4-twZPDlEl0bHZF3VwJqRNI3Qj8wcPr5djmevMf5/s1500/A%20Lady's%20Guide%20to%20Marvels%20and%20Misadventure%202024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="971" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ly5rzGmPTmdqHRGae29_jjQ7Pqa5hh8JwT179nfmHg4Yw7AnHkyP2_BCP70IrdCteHQZThSfO3gCBrkXBB5XlJZGTYdTkXVlB4PXIbtthic9KiiBwhAYKzk6awJs2sjUsi8rMgoSO3RGj8PLeAbY4-twZPDlEl0bHZF3VwJqRNI3Qj8wcPr5djmevMf5/s320/A%20Lady's%20Guide%20to%20Marvels%20and%20Misadventure%202024.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b><b><u><a href="https://amzn.to/3v7gzT9" target="_blank">Paperback</a></u></b></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b><b><u><a href="https://amzn.to/49HvNgX" target="_blank">Kindle</a></u></b></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b><b><u><a href="https://amzn.to/436Qcte" target="_blank">Audio</a></u></b></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-64535192613940114602024-01-18T00:00:00.000-05:002024-01-27T21:46:30.007-05:00Book Review: The Lily of Ludgate Hill by Mimi Matthews<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29Lta8CeFLUymNxoT7_HdYvhk41bVIngp0znd4_OaGfbwMMZJi8pydmYDY61EpvoPx1DQqZPJbhzm2mNta9218-sC2oDHPwMd3NTJjU6iFGcvjQwxmPrpJnJX30VRAd171b3RQSasZ5gTpZnTI3CxUy8Z7tsVaSPySS9aOCdDFy6VbbOwF0lcebIoS5ZR/s840/Lily%20of%20Ludgate%20Hill%20Cover%20560x840.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="560" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29Lta8CeFLUymNxoT7_HdYvhk41bVIngp0znd4_OaGfbwMMZJi8pydmYDY61EpvoPx1DQqZPJbhzm2mNta9218-sC2oDHPwMd3NTJjU6iFGcvjQwxmPrpJnJX30VRAd171b3RQSasZ5gTpZnTI3CxUy8Z7tsVaSPySS9aOCdDFy6VbbOwF0lcebIoS5ZR/w266-h400/Lily%20of%20Ludgate%20Hill%20Cover%20560x840.jpg" width="266" /></a></b></div><b>Fortune favors the bold—but is a confirmed spinster daring enough to loosen the reins and accept a favor from the wicked gentleman who haunts her dreams? </b><p></p><p>Lady Anne Deveril doesn’t spook easily. A woman of lofty social standing known for her glacial beauty and starchy opinions, she’s the unofficial leader of her small group of equestriennes. Since her mother’s devastating plunge into mourning six years ago, Anne voluntarily renounced any fanciful notions of love and marriage. And yet, when fate puts Anne back into the entirely too enticing path of Mr. Felix Hartford, she’s tempted to run…right into his arms. </p><p>No one understands why Lady Anne withdrew into the shadows of society, Hart least of all. The youthful torch he once held for her has long since cooled. Or so he keeps telling himself. But now Anne needs a favor to help a friend. Hart will play along with her little ruse—on the condition that Anne attend a holiday house party at his grandfather’s country estate. No more mourning clothes. No more barriers. Only the two of them, unrequited feelings at last laid bare. </p><p>Finally free to gallop out on her own, Anne makes the tantalizing discovery that beneath the roguish exterior of her not-so-white knight is a man with hidden depths, scorching passions—and a tender heart.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><hr /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Mimi Matthews continues her Belles of London series with a rousing new addition, <i>The Lily of Ludgate Hill. </i>Like the other Belles, the titular character of Lady Anne Deveril is an accomplished horsewoman who must also overcome challenges within her society and family. As she mourns the loss of her father, she must also tend to her grieving mother and face the prospect of eviction from her home. Mr. Felix Hartford, a former love interest returns to her social circles, and the enduring chemistry between them more than complicates matters. What follows is a dance of two strong yet vulnerable individuals who have loved and have been hurt, but are tentatively willing to consider another waltz together.</p><p>The relationship between Lady Anne and Felix Hartford is very similar to the lead characters in the television program <i>Miss Scarlet & the Duke.</i> Like the lead pair in that enjoyable mystery series, Anne and Felix have known each other for several years, prior to full adulthood. Both have strong personalities and are prone to bicker and spar with one another. However, beneath the contentiousness lies a connection that will forever tie them together. As Anne wrestles with troublesome issues within her family, Felix has familial struggles of his own. Yet despite all they have weathered, Mr. Hartford in particular is persistent in fully winning the heart of this admirable and beautiful young lady. Through sacrifices that they both must make, there is the possibility of a conclusion that will not only satisfy them both, but surprise many around them. </p><p>As has been the case with other works by Mimi Matthews, I highly enjoyed <i>The Lily of Ludgate Hill.</i> Like characters in Jane Austen’s <i>Persuasion,</i> Anne and Felix wrestle with unrequited love and the opportunity for a second chance in a way that is quite delicious. Each individual must learn to compromise and consider the other on more than one occasion. Their flirtations are sweet, with a slight edge at times. They seem to be truly sparring, although they simultaneously support the success of the other. Felix is saddened to see Anne shackled by the mourning state of her mother, which has affected Anne’s ability to move on with her life. Anne’s growing awareness of Felix’s burdens not only increases her affection for him, but allows her to stand by his side to support him as well. Between the challenging situations they face individually and the romantic issues they tackle together, Anne and Felix’s narratives combine to produce a compelling work of fiction. </p><p>For those who are interested in the nature of the content within the novel, <i>The Lily of Ludgate Hill </i>does not become overly steamy or rife with colorful adult material. That said, Matthews’s writing is powerful and still presents a compelling tale. She simply does not have to rely on ripped bodices, extensive violence, or pervasive harsh language in her work. Adult themes are indeed mentioned though. A persistent, illicit affair by a “righteous” person plays a key role in one family’s history. Anne’s mother is very interested in spiritualism, which was a common pastime in Victorian England. That said, there are no seances or gothic scenes shared. There are a few moments of violence, but they are tempered. Matthews focuses on the lives and loves of her main characters in a way that can be recommended to all audiences. </p><p>I particularly appreciated the opportunities for forgiveness and redemption given to multiple characters. Mistakes are made, but the narrative illustrates a worldview allows for new beginnings. The inherent imperfection of the human condition was poignantly addressed in the following passage (edited to withhold spoilers), as Anne discusses a seemingly righteous person who had moral failings:</p><p> <i>"He idolized [him] that much?"</i></p><p><i>"If he didn't while he was alive, he certainly does now. ... The snow-white reputation of the esteemed moralist...has only grown after his death. He was, apparently, a man too good for this world."</i></p><p><i>"No human being is </i>that<i> good," Anne said.</i></p><p><i>"Some are."</i></p><p><i>"Nonsense. If we didn't make any mistakes, we'd have no need to be forgiven." </i>(p.332)</p><p><br /><i>The Lily of Ludgate Hill </i>is a fine addition to the Belles of London series. Although it could feasibly stand alone, the enjoyment of the novel would be enhanced if the reader is familiar with the previous two works. Characters and plot points from both <i><a href="https://calicocritic.blogspot.com/2022/01/Siren-of-Sussex-Review.html" target="_blank">The Siren of Sussex</a></i> and <i><a href="https://calicocritic.blogspot.com/2022/10/Belle-of-Belgrave-Square.html" target="_blank">The Belle of Belgrave Square</a></i> are mentioned on several occasions. In fact, several scenes from <i>Belgrave</i> and <i>Ludgate</i> overlap in such a fashion that I actually pulled out my copy of <i>Belgrave</i> to compare and contrast the simultaneous experiences of the characters. It was an interesting experiment! Matthews also plants the seeds for the next title <i>The Muse of Maiden Lane,</i> which will focus on the character of Stella. Like the women who came before her, Stella seems to be an interesting woman, and I look forward to seeing where Mimi Matthews takes her next. <i>The Lily of Ludgate Hill </i>was a diverting ride, and I wait in expectation for more adventures to come. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><hr /><p></p><p><br /><b>AUTHOR BIO</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnlGFe_WfE-P_j2Hbbc3CoOlMIsD9gawpzhOSj88nqXTBdBVjuRBypkz8pfxKmMUwpGIF-2b9bCPNQhnPtADkId20p_a7UwXohRPUgicIEUecC1xl90q7rxvhlMMdXDoCu34HmeKOL5iMA7nixAVvpIi4Hi5QQojykYJqbRyo8D57qz63MrSVU9JLlaOk/s635/Mimi%20Matthews%20headshot%202022.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnlGFe_WfE-P_j2Hbbc3CoOlMIsD9gawpzhOSj88nqXTBdBVjuRBypkz8pfxKmMUwpGIF-2b9bCPNQhnPtADkId20p_a7UwXohRPUgicIEUecC1xl90q7rxvhlMMdXDoCu34HmeKOL5iMA7nixAVvpIi4Hi5QQojykYJqbRyo8D57qz63MrSVU9JLlaOk/s320/Mimi%20Matthews%20headshot%202022.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><p>USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical nonfiction and award-winning proper Victorian romances. Her novels have received starred reviews in <i>Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist,</i> and <i>Kirkus,</i> and her articles have been featured on the <i>Victorian Web</i>, the <i>Journal of Victorian Culture</i>, and in syndication at <i>BUST</i> Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes a retired Andalusian dressage horse, a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.mimimatthews.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MimiMatthewsAuthor/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mimimatthewsesq" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16948224.Mimi_Matthews" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/profile/mimi-matthews" target="_blank">BookBub</a></b></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u><b><a href="https://www.mimimatthews.com/books/belles-of-london/the-lily-of-ludgate-hill/the-lily-of-ludgate-hill-excerpt/" target="_blank">Read Chapter One of <i>The Lily of Ludgate Hill </i>HERE</a></b></u></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>
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</table>Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-90321578343528046352024-01-17T00:00:00.007-05:002024-01-17T20:47:16.902-05:00Book Review: A Winter by the Sea by Julie Klassen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxbPcx_9bbQ6wvZPLGOi-4LuWdO-x9IPmUnwy1bObSIyJK5fxz5NTmpIRQJDsMGrgErbBt-2ODQsdVYkReddOHCLAevhlpJjpl_vph22_1HXHoduHs62q0WYA9NvuFL0oFWV6P2Rl6k08MjWwf5GP6zcvFYNSCN0few9tvh3sKcKmia4Y8oj6mEgHtJDH/s2000/A%20Winter%20by%20the%20Sea%201292x2000.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1292" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxbPcx_9bbQ6wvZPLGOi-4LuWdO-x9IPmUnwy1bObSIyJK5fxz5NTmpIRQJDsMGrgErbBt-2ODQsdVYkReddOHCLAevhlpJjpl_vph22_1HXHoduHs62q0WYA9NvuFL0oFWV6P2Rl6k08MjWwf5GP6zcvFYNSCN0few9tvh3sKcKmia4Y8oj6mEgHtJDH/w259-h400/A%20Winter%20by%20the%20Sea%201292x2000.jpg" width="259" /></a></b></div><div>With over 1.5 million copies sold, bestselling author Julie Klassen’s name is synonymous with regency fiction in the eyes of her many loyal readers. A former editor turned three-time Christy Award winner, Klassen continues to be at the top of her game—delivering the immersive storytelling, satisfying romance, and intriguing mystery that make her books unforgettable. This winter, return to the Devonshire coast with the Summers sisters, where fiction collides with the annals of history, secrets come to light, and new love emerges in the highly anticipated series continuation <i>A Winter by the Sea.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">. . . .</div><div><br /></div><div>When the Duke and Duchess of Kent rent the neighboring Woolbrook Cottage for the winter, the Summers sisters—Sarah, Viola, Georgiana, and Emily—are called upon to host three of the royal couple’s male staff in their seaside house. But they soon realize they’ve invited mysterious secrets and the sweet possibility of romance into their home.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, Emily Summers approaches a local publisher in hopes of fulfilling her dream of becoming an author. When he turns her down, his dashing competitor promises to consider her novel if she will first write a new Sidmouth guidebook for him under his name. Emily accepts and begins researching with the help of the Duke of Kent’s handsome private secretary, James Thomson. But a surprise visitor from her past shows up at Sea View, leaving Emily torn between the desires she used to hold dear and her budding dreams for the future.</div><div><br /></div><div>Full of romance, intrigue, and the unbreakable bonds between sisters, this story will have readers eager to escape to a setting made famous by films such as <i>Sense and Sensibility</i> and <i>Sanditon</i>—the charming Devonshire coastline.</div><p><br /></p><hr /><p></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>My Thoughts</b></p><p>Author Julie Klassen returns to the 19th century Devonshire coast in her latest novel, <i>A Winter by the Sea.</i> As the title suggests, the majority of the tale occurs in the winter months, and in this case it is the winter of 1820. This reader’s local region is currently in the grip of frigid temperatures, so the timing could not have been more perfect to read this delightful novel. I would recommend that readers curl up with a cozy blanket, favorite warm beverage, and possibly a furry friend to enjoy <i>A Winter by the Sea</i> during these cold days of January and February. </p><p>Although this is the second title in a series and previous plot points are mentioned, I found that <i>A Winter by the Sea </i>could easily be read independently. Although not quite a standalone title, it offers sufficient exposition for those just joining the narrative arc of the Summers family. As is consistently the case with Klassen's work, the story is compelling, family-friendly, sweetly romantic, and spiritually uplifting. It is an excellent sequel to <i><u><b><a href="https://calicocritic.blogspot.com/2022/12/book-review-sisters-of-sea-view-by.html" target="_blank">The Sisters of Sea View.</a></b></u></i> Many aspects of history are woven into the chapters, with just a few creative licenses taken. Those with an interest in the infancy of the future Queen Victoria and her family will find several compelling moments as she and her parents come to stay in Sidmouth during the first year of her life.</p><p>The characters in Klassen’s vision of Sidmouth are well drawn, with many stations and social positions. Their desires, choices, and motivations were quite believable. Protagonists were likable, and the few villains which emerged served their purposes well. In several cases, those with difficult relationships were given the chance to reconcile or begin to consider the notion. Matters of Christian faith were included in a limited organic way and were not heavy-handed.</p><p>Jane Austen could often be seen as an inspiration, as the women of the Summers family have had to leave their childhood home, much like the ladies in <i>Sense and Sensibility</i>. Main character Emily seemingly gets a second chance at love when a long-lost beau comes to town, a la <i>Persuasion.</i> The charm of the seaside town of Sidmouth brings to mind the coastal resort of <i>Sanditon. </i>One gentleman offers a lady a marriage proposal that borders on insulting condescension, much like Mr. Darcy in <i>Pride and Prejudice.</i> Klassen’s story takes many different turns than these classic tales, but this Janeite loved the possible Austenesque touches in the lives of these Sidmouth residents.</p><p>Although <i>A Winter by the Sea</i> comes to an exciting conclusion with the confrontation of an enemy and Happily Ever Afters for multiple characters, this is not the end of the series. Julie Klassen has another full book and Christmas novella planned for the Devonshire Shores collection, and this is good news. This reader senses there is more to come with a certain wayward Summers sister. Could a reconciliation be at hand? Another Summers sister (or two) could easily find her own Happily Ever After as well, be it in the romantic sense or in other ways. There is much to come, and after enjoying <i>A Winter by the Sea</i>, I am anticipating more time spent on the Devonshire Shores. </p><div><br /></div><div><hr /><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>About the Author</b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpv5vbAjEJLhIko8EO2LB-sm3nTMh_85-WJJA92FQJO4R3htnvocJkN4HsCsswB2rHvq0OCKK4ttvw6MxaLymKb5Syq5lvaTRImFtjkJ3SI4jjWjyu88rNLNDymHD4sbSeFsshW1nUwJNZsI-914ttZjXNDyh3avBSvYsGUQjJspEJHKcBg_P-COQnFfx/s2000/Julie%20Klassen%20author%20headshot%202022.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpv5vbAjEJLhIko8EO2LB-sm3nTMh_85-WJJA92FQJO4R3htnvocJkN4HsCsswB2rHvq0OCKK4ttvw6MxaLymKb5Syq5lvaTRImFtjkJ3SI4jjWjyu88rNLNDymHD4sbSeFsshW1nUwJNZsI-914ttZjXNDyh3avBSvYsGUQjJspEJHKcBg_P-COQnFfx/s320/Julie%20Klassen%20author%20headshot%202022.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><div>Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. Her books have sold more than 1.5 million copies, and she is a threetime recipient of the Christy Award for Historical Romance. <i><u><b><a href="https://calicocritic.blogspot.com/2015/02/blog-tour-secret-of-pembrooke-park-by.html" target="_blank">The Secret of Pembrooke Park</a></b></u></i> was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing’s Best Award and has been a finalist in the RITA and Carol Awards. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full-time. She and her husband live in St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information, visit <u><b><a href="http://julieklassen.com">julieklassen.com</a></b></u>.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://julieklassen.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJulieKlassen/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/julie.k.klassen/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/Julie_Klassen/_saved/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/928415.Julie_Klassen" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></div><div></div>
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<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;">Click <u><a href="http://cdn.bakerpublishinggroup.com/processed/book-resources/files/Excerpt_9780764234286.pdf?1692373346" target="_blank">HERE</a></u> to read the first chapter of <i>A Winter by the Sea!</i></h3><br /><br /><br />
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<td style="text-align: center;"><b><u><a href="https://amzn.to/3S6u8dd" target="_blank">Hardcover</a></u><br /><br /><u><a href="https://amzn.to/3U3cPMy" target="_blank">Paperback</a></u><br /><br /><u><a href="https://amzn.to/3S62Rrr" target="_blank">Kindle</a></u><br /><br /><u><a href="https://amzn.to/48DvC5N" target="_blank">Audio</a></u></b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b><u><a href="https://amzn.to/41ZUpOV" target="_blank">Hardcover</a></u><br /><br /><u><a href="https://amzn.to/3vLPzZk" target="_blank">Paperback</a></u><br /><br /><u><a href="https://amzn.to/3S0Yail" target="_blank">Kindle</a></u><br /><br /><u><a href="https://amzn.to/3vOPUdK" target="_blank">Audio</a></u></b></td>
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</table>Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-5168333283835009072023-12-26T00:00:00.001-05:002023-12-26T20:10:28.300-05:00Boxing Day Book Review: Mr. Knightley in His Own Words by Shannon Winslow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xDjcyUc-1mynJ9jmmFl9HBlAKAc1sUaKQjb9xJbo_am27OYvQejx_4fh5P3GT2MtFtwSpD7QIudy6ivmQg8sAhwpSeI4KLl6yF7xJytGndc6cSl69bfrYb6bKEP16IkeAgwlhYKsrAPpVcL0EFVsEJKvdK_1zovBbt3KqbxwE15v9vHFu1bCU1F_lppx/s1275/Mr.%20K%20Cover_WEB_M.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="826" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xDjcyUc-1mynJ9jmmFl9HBlAKAc1sUaKQjb9xJbo_am27OYvQejx_4fh5P3GT2MtFtwSpD7QIudy6ivmQg8sAhwpSeI4KLl6yF7xJytGndc6cSl69bfrYb6bKEP16IkeAgwlhYKsrAPpVcL0EFVsEJKvdK_1zovBbt3KqbxwE15v9vHFu1bCU1F_lppx/s320/Mr.%20K%20Cover_WEB_M.jpg" width="207" /></span></a></b></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Mr. George Knightley. According to Emma Woodhouse, you won’t see one in a hundred who is so clearly the gentleman. Respected by all, he’s kind, unpretentious, and scrupulously honest, with an air so remarkably good that it’s unfair to compare other men to him. We also know he’s been his “own master” from a young age. But Jane Austen tells us little more.</span></b><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What were his early years like, and how did he lose his parents? A man in his mid-thirties, he must have had at least one romance along the way. Did it end badly? Is that why he’s never married? When and how did his relationship with Emma shift from friendship to love? And what can explain his incredible forbearance towards the eccentric Mr. Woodhouse? Now, Mr. Knightley reveals these answers and more in His Own Words.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This is not a variation from but a supplement to the original story of Emma, chronicled in the hero’s point of view. Two-thirds completely new material, it features key events in Mr. Knightley’s past – events that still haunt him and yet have shaped who he’s become, the superior man Emma can’t help falling in love with.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><hr /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />As with other Austen characters, author Shannon Winslow has examined the view of Mr. George Knightley from the original work <i>Emma</i> in her latest novel, <i>Mr. Knightley in His Own Words.</i> Although Knightley is a main character in the 19th century source material, the titular Emma remains the primary focus in Austen’s novel. Readers could easily wonder about the background of the somewhat-older George, as he lived more than sixteen years before the birth of his future bride. A landowner and master of the Donwell estate, he is not overly wealthy and remains frugal in his dealings. He is highly devoted to Emma’s father, sometimes putting Henry Woodhouse’s wants before his own. What brought about these tendencies? Winslow provides a compelling history for Mr. Knightley and respectfully adds to Austen’s vision of her characters.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In Winslow’s narrative, Mr. Knightley’s frugality stems from necessity, as incidents from his childhood have forced him to take great care with what remaining funds he does have as surviving heir. An individual close to him wreaks havoc upon the Knightley family, causing considerable financial strain and emotional loss. The trauma which George endures because of this villain is heartbreaking, and is a realistic explanation for his thrifty nature in the years to come. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Knightley’s bachelorhood, which stretches into his thirties, is a direct result of heartbreak endured as a younger man. Winslow pens a whirlwind romance for George, creating a character who very nearly brings him to the marriage altar. Although we know who he ultimately weds through <i>Emma</i>, the romance which occurs during his youth is bittersweet, and it is hard not to root for that relationship as well. Its loss explains his hesitancy to become romantically entangled for well over the following decade.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Throughout <i>Mr. Knightley in His Own Words</i>, we are allowed to revisit episodes from Austen’s vision, as well as see new aspects to established characters. We witness the early childhood of Emma, her spunkiness as an adolescent, and her growth as a young woman. Mr. Knightley is indeed a mentor of sorts for quite a long time, but their relationship grows into something more. Despite their substantial age difference, these two make a fine match, and Winslow’s depiction of them allows it to seem even more reasonable than in Austen’s work. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition to the print version of this novel (which I toted along with me on holiday travel), I also enjoyed the audiobook presentation of <i>Mr. Knightley in His Own Words</i>. Narrator Philip Battley has a delightful voice. He also provides an excellent reading of the text. It isn’t merely recited– Battley performs this work, almost like a one-man dramatization. During times when I wasn’t able to read the text, the audio version was a delight to enjoy as well.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Shannon Winslow has once again brought a unique perspective to the work of Jane Austen. She has not altered Austen’s view, but has supplemented it in a respectful way. George Knightley experienced much before Emma came into his life. Winslow has presented a believable and compelling history for this character, one which makes the story of Emma that much richer. I highly recommend <i>Mr. Knightley in His Own Words</i>, and relished it during this holiday season. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyKKhLHqamjEsgtHjQ5QakTnxjAGFTRloJ3fEhtyCFOnNXewpvSkOS-vs3x9YQ_ZSHICu5_MEmNpXLVNruJTQQG9rGqQ9ixiTRwvv_HxDon8sgNFMhI5zAdGrDnShG1PO3PS8R52CevOBw8DVlb0_-mtgB7XCX5hQ6W2fwo6X-8gv-cb8ElRudkiLx4Zy/s2559/Traveling%20with%20Knightley.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="2559" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyKKhLHqamjEsgtHjQ5QakTnxjAGFTRloJ3fEhtyCFOnNXewpvSkOS-vs3x9YQ_ZSHICu5_MEmNpXLVNruJTQQG9rGqQ9ixiTRwvv_HxDon8sgNFMhI5zAdGrDnShG1PO3PS8R52CevOBw8DVlb0_-mtgB7XCX5hQ6W2fwo6X-8gv-cb8ElRudkiLx4Zy/w640-h182/Traveling%20with%20Knightley.png" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;">While traveling this holiday season, <i>Mr. Knightley in His Own Words</i> was my constant companion. The book spent time in the airports of Greensboro, Salt Lake City, Orange County and Atlanta. I also brought it with me on a trip out to the family farm in the country. Along with the audiobook, this novel was a fine supplement to my journeys!</span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span><br /></span></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">About the Author</span></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1jAw0a9Mvas_A11z8v8pBEiokpymbD44nIMtr_sYupXbw5Nq91JqimDd0fKXs-dP1Wzj6Sy70577_acENmM4Zq5nMwVhHM8-booO22G9EqGka4GQ4IK5iEdHEJg4_9fpcIwiRcbd-jBTj4P83dhEgZCaIM8qSFbJ24avVUNiJdwTnUg8L6OJn0dXEQ/s2048/Shannon%20Winslow.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 3em; margin-left: 3em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1360" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1jAw0a9Mvas_A11z8v8pBEiokpymbD44nIMtr_sYupXbw5Nq91JqimDd0fKXs-dP1Wzj6Sy70577_acENmM4Zq5nMwVhHM8-booO22G9EqGka4GQ4IK5iEdHEJg4_9fpcIwiRcbd-jBTj4P83dhEgZCaIM8qSFbJ24avVUNiJdwTnUg8L6OJn0dXEQ/w162-h242/Shannon%20Winslow.jpg" width="162" /></span></a></div><div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Shannon Winslow claims she was minding her own business when an ordinary trip to Costco a dozen years ago changed her life. That was the day a copy of the ’95 film adaptation of <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> fairly leapt off the shelf and into her oversized shopping cart. She has been hopelessly hooked on all things Jane Austen ever since, her obsession ultimately inspiring her to begin writing her own stories a la Austen.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Winslow's 2011 debut novel, <i>The Darcys of Pemberley</i>, quickly become a best seller, praised for its authentic Austen style and faithfulness to the original characters. Eight more novels and a Jane Austen Devotional have since followed, with no end to her creative output in sight! <br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Her two sons now grown, Shannon lives with her husband in the log home they built in the countryside south of Seattle, where she writes and paints in her studio facing Mr. Rainier. Visit Shannon at her website/blog: <u><b><a href="https://shannonwinslow.com/" target="_blank">Shannon Winslow’s “Jane Austen Says..."</a></b></u> and follow her on <b><u><a href="https://www.facebook.com/shannon.winslow.3" target="_blank">Facebook</a></u></b> and <b><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/shannon_winslow_author/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></b>.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you would like to sample Chapter One of this work, check out my October post <b><u><a href="https://calicocritic.blogspot.com/2023/10/book-preview-and-excerpt-mr-knightley.html" target="_blank">HERE.</a></u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHWkoRiNvvwrQZ8G4lVWmy600x5rMsnWi_YSVFsTUJEkbdYJctu86nVA0yQHM0_Nrmwv9IlSKF56jT3GHHCGH6Ne25WWPbs7Qu0xNz-2u9nIgDhPlByQGUOrCuqlv48Ur-UDJSMNEQDwDq4BxKHeDCpibt50qoY2gPErY04kLkxZ8tuexQr9S7RRZE2BH/s1275/Mr.%20K%20Cover_WEB_M.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="826" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHWkoRiNvvwrQZ8G4lVWmy600x5rMsnWi_YSVFsTUJEkbdYJctu86nVA0yQHM0_Nrmwv9IlSKF56jT3GHHCGH6Ne25WWPbs7Qu0xNz-2u9nIgDhPlByQGUOrCuqlv48Ur-UDJSMNEQDwDq4BxKHeDCpibt50qoY2gPErY04kLkxZ8tuexQr9S7RRZE2BH/s320/Mr.%20K%20Cover_WEB_M.jpg" width="207" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3PGM50E" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Paperback</span></a></b></u></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3F55BPs" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Kindle</span></a></b></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b><a href="https://amzn.to/4azUEnC" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Audio</span></a></b></u></div>
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<br />Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-51643503461280709462023-12-06T00:00:00.004-05:002023-12-06T12:24:25.980-05:00A Cozy Mystery: Cyanide and Sensibility by Katie Oliver<b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhlhreeb1-L02ahzxIY2eFryXmu53ERuL-yfj4NTteum8QC3-D8i89J6X3MNvqZ8uzK94koBz9asgQlNVEt_8_bS-pgGETMs7GgftmgNHD5S7ZjPyO37_z-MQiQbQgVv9YyUIniIJe5ZTJV3NItpJbWRE4vvwyDSFgl4xhXCi-8qqhbIvaguNsBYpL_CI/s1250/Cyanide%20and%20Sensibility%20cover%202023%20x%20755.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="755" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhlhreeb1-L02ahzxIY2eFryXmu53ERuL-yfj4NTteum8QC3-D8i89J6X3MNvqZ8uzK94koBz9asgQlNVEt_8_bS-pgGETMs7GgftmgNHD5S7ZjPyO37_z-MQiQbQgVv9YyUIniIJe5ZTJV3NItpJbWRE4vvwyDSFgl4xhXCi-8qqhbIvaguNsBYpL_CI/w241-h400/Cyanide%20and%20Sensibility%20cover%202023%20x%20755.jpg" width="241" /></a></span></b></div><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Murder is on the menu and Phaedra Brighton is called on to serve up justice in the latest Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">While Phaedra Brighton might not have a Mr. Darcy (yet), she's quite content with her loving family and loyal cat. Phaedra's sister Hannah is the Jane to her Elizabeth, and Phaedra is ecstatic that Hannah has decided to move home for her next adventure—opening a business. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">All of Laurel Springs is out in full force to celebrate the grand unveiling of Hannah's new patisserie, <i>Tout de Sweet</i>, including local celebrity Rachel Brandon. Hannah is a master of her craft, with confections so divine, one bite will make you think you've died and gone to heaven.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Of course, you never want that to happen literally. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When one of Hannah's famous dark chocolate cupcakes sends Rachel's assistant to the hospital with poisoning, Hannah begs for Phaedra's help to save her reputation and budding business. But Phaedra has more questions than answers: Who was the cupcake actually meant for? And how far is the culprit willing to go to take their target off the menu—permanently?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="height: 0px;"></p><hr /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">Cozy mysteries are perfect for cold winter days when the reader can curl up under a blanket to enjoy a bite-size story of intrigue with a dash of whimsy. Author Katie Oliver presents just this type of offering with her latest novel <i>Cyanide and Sensibility. </i>The third title in the Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery series is a confection of Austenesque fun and romance, along with an entrée of crime. </span><p><span style="font-size: medium;">As in the first two novels in the series, the story’s main character is Phaedra Brighton, a collegiate professor of English Literature. While instructing students is her vocation, she becomes embroiled in a deadly dilemma when a murder is committed during a family event. Not only does this crime threaten her sister’s newly-established business venture, but more importantly, lives are at stake. She takes it upon herself to investigate the matter, much to the consternation of the local police department. Along the way she navigates complex relationship issues, not only with her family members, but other loved ones in her life as well. Although <i>Cyanide and Sensibility </i>centers upon a murder, Oliver’s characters also contend with matters of the heart. The narrative is quite brisk, but much is covered in the succinct forty chapters. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Although not evident from the book’s cover art or general description, the story is firmly set during the month of December and the holiday season. While I would not characterize it as a “Christmas novel”, reading it during this time of year enhanced my enjoyment. That said, if you are discovering this title during another point on the calendar, don’t let this aspect deter you from reading. <i>Cyanide and Sensibility</i> is a thoroughly enjoyable story that can be read at any time. The characters are likable and distinct in their personal traits. The romance is sweet and not tawdry. The crime plotline is twisty but also lighthearted. I was delighted that the murder weapon was none other than a chocolate cupcake. It was almost adorable, if one could look past its lethal effect. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Fans of Austenesque fiction will find much to enjoy, as there are several “winks” to Austen’s work. Many locations and characters are named after items from the mind of Austen. A particular favorite of mine was the cat named “Wickham”, especially as Oliver often chose to make the reader privy to the feline’s “thoughts”, which were highly amusing. A Willoughby-like character makes a big impact on the narrative, a building is named “Delaford”, and Phaedra often dresses in Regency attire, complete with reticule. However, if one is completely unfamiliar with the works of Jane Austen, <i>Cyanide and Sensibility</i> still remains accessible. At one interlude, members of the Tea Society even offer a thumbnail summary of Austen’s<i> Sense and Sensibility</i>, which could prove useful to the uninitiated. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This was my first exposure to the work of author Katie Oliver. I was simply delighted with <i>Cyanide and Sensibility</i> and took great pleasure in it. This cozy mystery is proof that a light, comforting read can also be written with excellence and care. Oliver is clearly well-read herself, as she offers many references to literature and shows an evident appreciation for the written word. The prose is engaging but professional. Her skill allows her to write in a compelling fashion without succumbing to crude material or overly violent scenes. <i>Cyanide and Sensibility</i> opens with a sweet, but deadly cupcake. It concludes in exciting fashion, and offers the reader an enjoyable tale which is perfect for not only the holiday season, but for any time of year. Katie Oliver’s work is a treat worth sampling and more.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><hr /><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHxAraaxCrM8lZbcdiTvJNSg-Vb3I7eFWIHnGY78HH07-YdRxuwxrqpO_jgDIkjcsQEBiv-_zwrXoyKSGu8JnRnVuTD5ycHXzo3xMfFQhD-gd3joun77aHWft1ZEE8g8yAzZULDM_KFnUE29kzZD3BpUYZKba7KEVZVC-SypHJpWXNUvmue88aHRzH4hD/s1080/Katie%20Oliver%20headshot%202023%20x%201080.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHxAraaxCrM8lZbcdiTvJNSg-Vb3I7eFWIHnGY78HH07-YdRxuwxrqpO_jgDIkjcsQEBiv-_zwrXoyKSGu8JnRnVuTD5ycHXzo3xMfFQhD-gd3joun77aHWft1ZEE8g8yAzZULDM_KFnUE29kzZD3BpUYZKba7KEVZVC-SypHJpWXNUvmue88aHRzH4hD/w268-h268/Katie%20Oliver%20headshot%202023%20x%201080.jpg" width="268" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>AUTHOR BIO</b></span></h2><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Katie Oliver is known internationally as a writer of Jane Austen rom-coms with a hint of mystery. In the US and the UK, she is the bestselling author of the <i>Dating Mr. Darcy</i> and <i>Marrying Mr. Darcy</i> series.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://katieoliver.com/ko/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">WEBSITE</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/katiewriter/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">INSTAGRAM</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/KatieOliverWriter"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">FACEBOOK</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/profile/katie-oliver"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">BOOKBUB</span></b></a><!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><a name="_Hlk146013606"></a><!--[endif]--><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7565829.Katie_Oliver">GOODREADS</a></span></b><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><hr /><p></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Publication Date: Tuesday, December 12, 2023</span></b></h2><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjze1-CnUWejkf2lUGpnDLkrSQpmUnciDj9K2VVxHfErt-q0ZVxbthNHrXQ_mbPYLD6X5N2Snuk5HgkKdBU0IVfW0q0Wz6zUGgLTpGdq7RyiLL9TTa6446rpBirQ9ca6lTyn0NFajIx9vgu2OcM4CAFoF9sqXXVY-glZN7RQJzV5FjjRIy0NpXmandWvdwT/s1080/Cyanide%20and%20Sensibility%20Book%20Tour%20Instagram%20Graphic%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjze1-CnUWejkf2lUGpnDLkrSQpmUnciDj9K2VVxHfErt-q0ZVxbthNHrXQ_mbPYLD6X5N2Snuk5HgkKdBU0IVfW0q0Wz6zUGgLTpGdq7RyiLL9TTa6446rpBirQ9ca6lTyn0NFajIx9vgu2OcM4CAFoF9sqXXVY-glZN7RQJzV5FjjRIy0NpXmandWvdwT/s320/Cyanide%20and%20Sensibility%20Book%20Tour%20Instagram%20Graphic%20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3TfOt1N"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">AMAZON</span></b></a><!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><a name="_Hlk93660399"></a><!--[endif]--><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> <a name="_Hlk111811788">| </a></span></b><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cyanide-and-sensibility-katie-oliver/1143202190?ean=9780593337653">BARNES
& NOBLE</a> | </span></b><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/676028/cyanide-and-sensibility-by-katie-oliver/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">PUBLISHER</span></b></a><!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><a name="_Hlk142919019"></a><!--[endif]--><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/cyanide-and-sensibility-katie-oliver/19889912?ean=9780593337653">BOOKSHOP</a>
<a name="_Hlk142917608">|</a> </span></b><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/books/cyanide-and-sensibility-by-katie-oliver"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">BOOKBUB</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123257837-cyanide-and-sensibility"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">GOODREADS</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p>Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-26589715279477137742023-10-31T00:00:00.004-04:002023-10-31T00:00:00.138-04:00Book Review: Jane and the Final Mystery by Stephanie Barron<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLu7L20mYyvvnoPwezLNZK3l8CS76k_gF-5oi6bxAcH6j1NGgWEgUZbucmVcfGK9MyCavDfRINLh4KuwC_oxTSZN1qEGsqvHllGnZyprNE36KJI-D2Dbr90-WWDHgQeUilg1YtNprMQiIB09V5j15t9ubxtWf51ftCqz4X3rozhyphenhyphenM-sEY65DwVXGzNVxA/s1500/Jane%20and%20the%20Final%20Mystery%20cover%202023.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLu7L20mYyvvnoPwezLNZK3l8CS76k_gF-5oi6bxAcH6j1NGgWEgUZbucmVcfGK9MyCavDfRINLh4KuwC_oxTSZN1qEGsqvHllGnZyprNE36KJI-D2Dbr90-WWDHgQeUilg1YtNprMQiIB09V5j15t9ubxtWf51ftCqz4X3rozhyphenhyphenM-sEY65DwVXGzNVxA/w249-h374/Jane%20and%20the%20Final%20Mystery%20cover%202023.jpg" width="249" /></span></a></b></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The final volume of the critically acclaimed mystery series featuring Jane Austen as amateur sleuth</span></b><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">March 1817: As winter turns to spring, Jane Austen’s health is in slow decline, and threatens to cease progress on her latest manuscript. But when her nephew Edward brings chilling news of a death at his former school, Winchester College, not even her debilitating ailment can keep Jane from seeking out the truth. Arthur Prendergast, a senior pupil at the prestigious all-boys’ boarding school, has been found dead in a culvert near the schoolgrounds—and in the pocket of his drenched waistcoat is an incriminating note penned by the young William Heathcote, the son of Jane’s dear friend Elizabeth. Winchester College is a world unto itself, with its own language and rites of passage, cruel hazing and dangerous pranks. Can Jane clear William’s name before her illness gets the better of her?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Over the course of fourteen previous novels in the critically acclaimed Being a Jane Austen Mystery series, Stephanie Barron has won the hearts of thousands of fans—crime fiction aficionados and Janeites alike—with her tricky plotting and breathtaking evocation of Austen’s voice. Now, she brings Jane’s final season—and final murder investigation—to brilliant, poignant life in this unforgettable conclusion.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">PRAISE FOR JANE AND THE FINAL MYSTERY</span></b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">“Poignant . . . Elicits deep emotion out of Jane’s struggles against her own mortality. This is a fitting send-off for a beautifully realized series.”— <b><i>Publishers Weekly</i>, Starred Review</b><br /><br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">“Barron developed Jane’s narrative voice by reading Austen’s collected and published letters, and it is neither spoiler nor surprise to say that series readers will be sorry to say goodbye to Jane Austen, amateur sleuth.”— <b><i>Booklist</i></b><br /><br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">"[Barron] has brilliantly combined authentic historical and biographical details with skillful plotting and a credible evocation of Austen’s wry, distinctive voice. She brings the English author’s final investigation to a poignant, unforgettable close. Fans of this historical series will not be disappointed.”—<b><i> First Clue</i></b></span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><hr /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />In 1995 author Stephanie Barron began her renowned Jane Austen Mysteries. Now totaling fifteen titles, the series traces the fictional escapades of the beloved English novelist as amateur sleuth. The first volume, <i>Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor</i>, joins Austen shortly after her rejection of Harris Bigg-Wither in December 1802 when she is in her late twenties. With each subsequent novel of Barron’s, the timeline of Jane’s life continues. As history records, she died in July of 1817. At the conclusion of the fourteenth novel <i>Jane and the Year Without a Summer,</i> the titular heroine was beginning to show signs of her ailment in 1816. In <i>Jane and the Final Mystery,</i> she is heavily beset with fatigue, pain and other symptoms of her sickness. Nonetheless, within her social and familial circles a crime is discovered and she is on the case to assist in its resolution, bringing justice to the wronged and vindication to the falsely accused. Readers are given an intimate view into the complex environment of an elite boys' boarding school, which Jane deftly navigates in order to discover the truth about the offense committed.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Stephanie Barron has a talent for capturing the voice of Austen in a way that places her in an elite field. This reader has consumed a significant amount of Austenesque fiction, as well as novels that are set in 19th century England. While I have enjoyed most of the titles, very few have reached the excellence of writing that Barron offers. Her history is well-researched, the language is accurate to the period (to my limited knowledge) and the style is accessible enough for modern readers. That said, I enjoyed the discovery of new words to add to my vocabulary. Although an entertaining endeavor, reading <i>Jane and the Final Mystery</i> was also an educational experience.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">When I opened the first pages of the <i>Final Mystery</i>, it was with a tinge of sadness. I was hesitant to begin, as it would bring me that much closer to the conclusion of this delightful series. However, I have the unlikely “blessing” of being a latecomer to Barron’s writing, as I only discovered her work in 2016. I have read five of her full-length mystery novels as of this date. This means I have the opportunity to enjoy ten other titles previously published. Barron touches on a few moments from those past titles near the conclusion of <i>Final Mystery</i>, and while I was not familiar with all of the elements to which she referred, it was not alienating. Those remembrances merely spurred my desire to return to the rest of the series in short order. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Several years ago Stephanie Barron took a hiatus from writing this series. Six years passed between the publication of the thirteenth title <i>Jane and the Waterloo Map</i> and the next, J<i>ane and the Year Without a Summer</i>. I was positively delighted when the mysteries continued in 2022. Thank you, Stephanie Barron, for returning to our dear Jane in order to conclude her final years as amateur sleuth. As has been the case with the other titles enjoyed by this reader, <i>Jane and the Final Mystery</i> is a Janeite’s delight and a mystery reader’s pleasure. Your vision of this treasure of Regency England is thoroughly believable and provides clever reading which would most assuredly be enjoyed by Jane herself. Congratulations to you, and thank you again for this gift to your readers.</span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><hr /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">About the Author</span></b></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-5yGNuLUPDXzIAUfEKKK_MEVMteBLghZGFRwpwYB8PdTd7eg7RqzJAWhtwDKesZ8k-tAAgr0rvqZRFbw1KTVKst9cbh78sD31fb9BLG1Nkvj1w0ZmaiM43_clNHdqZ5UMFcmxpjynvdBT6qzn4utq95XIGFKLTB5vsYtxjuTU_SMH7j_wMBhJvwNA_9N/s2700/Stephanie%20Barron.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-5yGNuLUPDXzIAUfEKKK_MEVMteBLghZGFRwpwYB8PdTd7eg7RqzJAWhtwDKesZ8k-tAAgr0rvqZRFbw1KTVKst9cbh78sD31fb9BLG1Nkvj1w0ZmaiM43_clNHdqZ5UMFcmxpjynvdBT6qzn4utq95XIGFKLTB5vsYtxjuTU_SMH7j_wMBhJvwNA_9N/s320/Stephanie%20Barron.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Stephanie Barron is a graduate of Princeton and Stanford, where she received her Masters in History as an Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fellow in the Humanities. Her novel, THAT CHURCHILL WOMAN (Ballantine, January 22, 2019) traces the turbulent career of Jennie Jerome, Winston Churchill's captivating American mother. Barron is perhaps best known for the critically acclaimed Jane Austen Mystery Series, in which the intrepid and witty author of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE details her secret detective career in Regency England. A former intelligence analyst for the CIA, Stephanie—who also writes under the name Francine Mathews—drew on her experience in the field of espionage for such novels as JACK 1939, which The New Yorker described as "the most deliciously high-concept thriller imaginable." She lives and works in Denver, CO.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://francinemathews.com/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">WEBSITE</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/francinemathews"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">FACEBOOK</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/stephaniebarronfrancinemathews/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">INSTAGRAM</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/fmathews1777/_saved/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">PINTEREST</span></b></a><!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><a name="_Hlk92552066"></a><!--[endif]--><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/fmathews1777/_saved/">BOOKBUB</a> | </span></b></span><a b="" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17764.Stephanie_Barron"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><b>GOODREADS</b></span></a></span></p></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
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| </span></b><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/jane-and-the-final-mystery-stephanie-barron/19622646?ean=9781641295055"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">BOOKSHOP</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123650731-jane-and-the-final-mystery"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">GOODREADS</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><br /></div>Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-5516968827657917512023-10-25T00:00:00.001-04:002023-10-25T10:39:09.624-04:00Book Review & Tour Giveaway: Children of the Shadows by Erica Vetsch<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Children of the Shadows JustRead Blog Tour" class="alignnone wp-image-26552" height="237" src="https://justreadtours.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Banner_ChildrenoftheShadows_Blog_JR.jpg" width="640" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the Blog Tour for <span style="color: #ecbc52;"><i><b>Children of the Shadows</b></i></span> by Erica Vetsch, hosted by <a href="https://justreadtours.com/2023/10/23/welcome-to-the-children-of-the-shadows-blog-tour-giveaway" rel="noopener" target="_blank">JustRead Publicity Tours</a>!</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ecbc52;"><b><br /></b></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ecbc52;"><b>About the Book</b></span></h3>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img alt="Children of the Shadows" class="alignleft wp-image-27734 size-large" height="400" src="https://justreadtours.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Children-of-the-Shadows-259x400.jpg" width="259" /></b></p>
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><b>Title:</b> <i>Children of the Shadows
</i><b><br />Series:</b> Thorndike & Swann Regency Mysteries #3
<b><br />Author:</b> Erica Vetsch
<b><br />Publisher:</b> Kregel Publications
<b><br />Release Date:</b> October 23, 2023
<b><br />Genre:</b> Christian Regency Mystery</p><p>
Detective Daniel Swann and debutante Juliette Thorndike once again team up to solve a dangerous mystery--while trying to keep their growing romance secret. </p><p>Someone is preying upon the street children of Regency London. They seem to think no one will notice when urchins go missing--and even if they are noticed, who will care? </p><p>Daniel needs to do something about the missing children. But with recent revelations about his past and an unexpected, somewhat unwelcome inheritance to deal with, this is a terrible time to dive back into the seedy underbelly of the crime world. Nevertheless, he's still a Bow Street runner, and his partner Lady Juliette is sensitive to the plight of these wayward youngsters. They're on the case, searching shadowed alleys and coal-drenched streets to find the missing. </p><p>But the tangle of expectation and the dynamics of power cannot be easily ignored, even if there are children in danger. When Daniel's past threatens to overwhelm his future, he will need a miracle and the help of his friends to both apprehend the villain and unravel his tangled family web. And it may be that his new responsibilities demand that he leave the children of the shadows to their terrible fate--or lose everything. </p><p>Erica Vetsch's popular Regency mystery series concludes with a bang, sure to satisfy readers who have hung on every page since book one.
</p><p><br /></p><hr /><div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>My Thoughts</b></h3><div><br /></div><div>The Thorndike and Swann series by Erica Vetsch has been an enjoyable branch from her Serendipity and Secrets collection. The latest edition, <i>Children of the Shadows </i>now makes six novels that bring adventure, romance, and discussions of faith to readers, all within the context of Regency England. While “happily ever afters” can be expected, the manner in which the story arrives at that conclusion is the main source of enjoyment within the story. Bow Street runner Daniel Swann is indeed in love with the debutante Juliette Thorndike, but the main focus of <i>Children of the Shadows</i> lies firmly in his work as an inspector. Through detective work, assistance from associates, and a strong dedication to the truth, Swann rights multiple wrongs in his community. Juliette also contributes, and their efforts bring justice and deliverance to street children and adult citizens alike. </div><div><br /></div><div>Although sleuthing is the main theme of this mystery novel, it does contain an impressive number of subplots. Of course, there is the growing (and secret) romance of Daniel and Juliette. However, author Erica Vetsch also manages to address issues such as familial reconciliation, the noblesse oblige of certain privileged characters, espionage, class warfare, childhood victimization, and the nature of Christian prayer. While all of these topics are individually significant, Vetsch is able to address each in a fair and equitable manner, all the while maintaining a compelling narrative. This brought a vibrant energy to each chapter, as multiple factors would be at play at any given moment. For example, Daniel may be investigating a crime in one scene, while at the same time tangling with a family member over inheritance concerns. It was no wonder that he often went without food or sleep! There were many problems to address in his complicated world. </div><div><br /></div><div>Because <i>Children of the Shadows</i> is categorized as Christian fiction, the content does suit that type of audience. Most discussions of faith revolve around praying for God’s will and helping those in need. The novel is not heavily theological, but these elements are presented as natural outgrowths of several characters’ lives. The criminal and immoral elements of the environment are presented realistically, but in a very “G-rated” manner which would be appropriate for all audiences. The romance is very sweet and genuine, but not titillating in its descriptions. Thorndike and Swann are young and clearly in love, but they put the other’s needs first in a very wholesome way.</div><div><br /></div><div>Although I found the explosive conclusion of the previous novel <i>Millstone of Doubt</i> to be a bit more riveting, <i>Children of the Shadows</i> proved to be a delightful read and a fine addition to the collection of Vetsch novels. In it readers will find a compelling mystery, likable characters, dastardly villains, and themes of love and reconciliation. <i>Children of the Shadows</i> reminds us all that when we are given many blessings, it is incumbent upon us to share with others as God leads us to do. And as we follow His will for our lives, those around us will also be blessed.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><hr /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="color: #ecbc52;"><b>PURCHASE LINKS</b></span>: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123524634-children-of-the-shadows" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/494iLKl" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/children-of-the-shadows-erica-vetsch/1143251620" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> | <a href="https://www.christianbook.com/children-of-the-shadows/erica-vetsch/9780825447150/pd/5447150" rel="noopener" target="_blank">ChristianBook</a> | <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/children-of-the-shadows-erica-vetsch/19942708" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Bookshop</a> | <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/books/children-of-the-shadows-thorndike-swann-regency-mysteries-by-erica-vetsch" rel="noopener" target="_blank">BookBub</a></p>
<h3><span style="color: #ecbc52;"><br />More in This Series</span></h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GYMS3ZR" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-27735" height="200" src="https://justreadtours.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-debutantes-code-amazon-194x300.jpg" width="129" /></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5B741B2" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-27736" height="200" src="https://justreadtours.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Millstone-of-Doubt-2022-194x300.jpg" width="129" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ecbc52;"><b><br /></b></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ecbc52;"><b>About the Author</b></span></h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Erica Vetsch" class="alignnone wp-image-27737 size-medium" height="300" src="https://justreadtours.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/erica-vetsch-296x300.png" width="296" /></p>
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<div><b>Erica Vetsch</b> is a <i>New York Times</i> best-selling author and ACFW Carol Award winner, and has been a <i>Romantic Times</i> top pick for her previous books. She loves Jesus, history, romance, and watching sports. This transplanted Kansan now makes her home in Rochester, Minnesota.</div>
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<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Connect with Erica by visiting <a href="https://www.ericavetsch.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">ericavetsch.com</a> to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.</p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><br /></p>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #ecbc52;"><br />Tour Giveaway</b></h3>
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []" style="text-align: center;">(1) winner will win a complete paperback set of the Thorndike and Swann series, and a $10 Amazon gift card</p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Children of the Shadows JustRead Tours giveaway" class="wp-image-27738 size-large aligncenter" height="400" src="https://justreadtours.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Giveaway_ChildrenoftheShadows_Blog_JR-400x400.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<p style="text-align: center;">Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 23, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 30, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>Giveaway is subject to <a href="https://justreadtours.com/disclosures-giveaway-policies/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies</a>.</i></p>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Reviewer Notice: I voluntarily critiqued a complimentary digital review copy of this book, which I received from the author and JustRead Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.</span></i></div>Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-15553502027334148212023-10-05T00:00:00.002-04:002023-10-05T07:25:34.534-04:00Book Preview and Excerpt: Mr. Knightley in His Own Words by Shannon Winslow<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2gYawMmi-k2yT4EpWBuJe9uXWyQloTs0u04hNGpQXfA_vCq3gbCjW5cGqhavPCuWvijnXqhJXx6G6fMkHe-mt9KsdwuPrUH44UpUdeQ5kCk09Mm5w2llnXShm0eJyquHo_sOyJI_XQkip1fahXtArV6_LaaR20MFA8h1fz1twKkux1AmRR1O18TDXOU4/s1275/Mr.%20K%20Cover_WEB_M.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="826" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2gYawMmi-k2yT4EpWBuJe9uXWyQloTs0u04hNGpQXfA_vCq3gbCjW5cGqhavPCuWvijnXqhJXx6G6fMkHe-mt9KsdwuPrUH44UpUdeQ5kCk09Mm5w2llnXShm0eJyquHo_sOyJI_XQkip1fahXtArV6_LaaR20MFA8h1fz1twKkux1AmRR1O18TDXOU4/s320/Mr.%20K%20Cover_WEB_M.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Mr. George Knightley. According to Emma Woodhouse, you won’t see one in a hundred who is so clearly the gentleman. Respected by all, he’s kind, unpretentious, and scrupulously honest, with an air so remarkably good that it’s unfair to compare other men to him. We also know he’s been his “own master” from a young age. But Jane Austen tells us little more. </b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What were his early years like, and how did he lose his parents? A man in his mid-thirties, he must have had at least one romance along the way. Did it end badly? Is that why he’s never married? When and how did his relationship with Emma shift from friendship to love? And what can explain his incredible forbearance towards the eccentric Mr. Woodhouse? Now, Mr. Knightley reveals these answers and more in His Own Words.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This is not a variation from but a supplement to the original story of<i> Emma</i>, chronicled in the hero’s point of view. Two-thirds completely new material, it features key events in Mr. Knightley’s past – events that still haunt him and yet have shaped who he’s become, the superior man Emma can’t help falling in love with.</span></p><p><br /></p><hr /><p></p><p><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Austenesque author Shannon Winslow continues her "In His Own Words" series with the testimony of Mr. Knightley, the love interest of Jane Austen's Emma Woodhouse. Although <i>Mr. Knightley in His Own Words</i> is currently on my TBR list, it won't remain there for long. I'll be posting my review of Winslow's latest in December. In the meantime, she has offered an excerpt from Chapter 1 for us to get a taste of what is to come. Read below and enjoy!</span></p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">CHAPTER 1</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I have come away to think.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Ostensibly, I am come into London to visit John and Isabella, but I am a very poor guest, for I neglect my relations to a shocking degree. No doubt the whole family is quite put out with me, especially the children, who are used to claiming their Uncle George as their personal property, to climb upon and make the center of their sport. Their parents are more perceptive, I believe. They merely shake their heads over me and look worried.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I have no heart for socializing, and perhaps I have made a mistake in coming here at all. But I had to do something. The situation at home had become intolerable. The unfortunate case is this; I have recently had to admit to myself that I am in love… in love with Emma Woodhouse.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Such a revolutionary circumstance must change everything! And yet it can be allowed to change nothing at all. Such a brilliant revelation should be shouted from the rooftops, and yet I cannot speak of it to a single creature. Such a glorious cataclysm of the heart and mind demands to be celebrated, and yet I cannot. Alas, it brings only misery. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Oh, that Frank Churchill had never come to Highbury! I abused the blasted young man for not coming sooner, but now I could wish it all undone. Except on his father’s behalf, I could wish him to the other side of the moon for all the mischief he has made! Had he never come, we might then have all gone on comfortably as we were before. No revolutions or revelations. No inconvenient cataclysms of any kind.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">But now! Now the situation is irrevocably altered, at least for me. For the genie, once out of the bottle, cannot be put back again.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I thought the risk of falling in love was well behind me. I was not immune in my younger years, I admit, twice succumbing to that temptation then, but never since. No, truly only once. I do not count dear Isabella. Not anymore, for to admit to remembering my brother’s wife with any passion would be inexcusable. To imagine it, offensive. Besides, despite how sincerely fond I was of her – and still am – I am now quite convinced that there never was any serious attraction between us. Not on her side, presumably, considering her later actions. As for myself, I can only judge by comparison, and what I felt then for Isabella does not begin to equal what I cannot help feeling now for her sister, God help me.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Everybody expected me to be the one to marry Isabella, of course, especially after… </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">However, I am run ahead of myself.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">As I said, I came away to think. I had the idea that, by putting a little distance between myself and my ‘problem,’ I might recover my perspective. By allowing my head to clear, I might talk myself into being sensible again – in short, to talk myself out of being in love with Emma Woodhouse.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Oh, but so sweet was our manner of parting that it has made the task even more difficult. Perhaps it would have been wiser to leave without seeing her, but how could I? How could I let the last words between us on the old footing be ones of acrimony? Next time I meet her, everything may have changed. She may no longer be my free and easy friend but Mr. Churchill’s future bride: a disaster on so many levels.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">And so I waited with her father, and then also Harriet Smith, at Hartfield until Emma returned from calling on Mrs. and Miss Bates.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I rose immediately when Emma entered. My, but how well she looked! – although perhaps a little embarrassed at seeing me. No doubt she was remembering, as I was, the unfortunate manner of our leave-taking the day before at Box Hill. Her eyes begged my approval and that we should be friends again. All I could think was that I had best get away at once. As appealing as she looked at that moment, I did not trust myself to do and say what was wise, what I knew I must. Indeed, were it not for the safeguard of others present, who can say what might have happened? For I longed to take her into my arms and tell her all was forgiven. I longed to tell her the truth about everything. But instead, I was obliged to hold myself in check, to appear calm and indifferent when I felt anything but.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“I would not go away without seeing you, Emma,” I told her in as neutral a tone as I could affect, “but I have no time to spare, and therefore must now be gone directly. I am off to London, to spend a few days with John and Isabella. Have you anything to send or say, besides the ‘love,’ which nobody can carry?”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">She looked confused, perhaps even a little distressed. “No, nothing at all. But wait, is not this a sudden scheme?”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“It is… rather,” I said. “Although I have been thinking of it for some little time.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I told myself to go without further delay, to stop staring at Emma and leave at once. Somehow, though, my feet refused to move, and then Mr. Woodhouse was talking, praising his daughter’s kindness to the Bateses, which served to heighten Emma’s color even more. By the way she looked at me then, with a wan smile and slight shake of her head, she clearly told me she knew this praise was unjust – unjust and undeserved. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If only I could have stayed angry with her, as I had been the day before! How much easier it would then have been to go. But remaining angry with Emma Woodhouse is something I have never been able to do, not from when she was a small, mischievous child until this day. No, I was in fact very proud of her at that moment – for apparently acknowledging her mistake, repenting of it, and humbling herself in order to attempt some reparation to Miss Bates. What an excellent creature she is – flawed but excellent nonetheless!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I am afraid the grave look I had been determined to maintain melted away. No further words were spoken between us, but, just as I had understood her silent communication moments before, I am certain she could not have failed to read the warm glow of regard I felt burning in my heart for her then.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I cannot exactly say what happened next. Did I reach for her hand or did she offer it? It seemed the work of simultaneous thought. In any case, however it came about, I took her hand, pressed it, and held it for a moment, even going so far as to lift those lovely white fingers partway to my lips before stopping myself. I had kissed Emma's hand, casually, many times before. This would have been different, however. This time would not have been a casual, meaningless gesture. There existed far more consciousness now, at least on my side, and far more significance than I had any business communicating to her.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I released her hand instead, leaving the room and the house at once.</span></p><div><br /><hr /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Much like Winslow's enjoyable <i><u><b><a href="https://calicocritic.blogspot.com/2022/07/book-review-colonel-brandon-in-his-own.html" target="_blank">Colonel Brandon in His Own Words</a></b></u></i>, this seems to offer quite a unique perspective on a classic Austenian tale. I look forward to diving in soon! If you'd like to continue on as well, Shannon is offering even more of Chapter 1 on her website. You can find it <u><b><a href="https://shannonwinslow.com/2023/10/04/mr-knightley-in-his-own-words-its-here/" target="_blank">HERE</a></b></u>. The complete novel is also available for purchase as of October 5, 2023. Congratulations to Shannon Winslow on her latest publication, and I eagerly anticipate returning to her vision of <i>Emma</i> in short order!</span></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><b style="font-size: x-large;">About the Author</b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1jAw0a9Mvas_A11z8v8pBEiokpymbD44nIMtr_sYupXbw5Nq91JqimDd0fKXs-dP1Wzj6Sy70577_acENmM4Zq5nMwVhHM8-booO22G9EqGka4GQ4IK5iEdHEJg4_9fpcIwiRcbd-jBTj4P83dhEgZCaIM8qSFbJ24avVUNiJdwTnUg8L6OJn0dXEQ/s2048/Shannon%20Winslow.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 3em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1360" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1jAw0a9Mvas_A11z8v8pBEiokpymbD44nIMtr_sYupXbw5Nq91JqimDd0fKXs-dP1Wzj6Sy70577_acENmM4Zq5nMwVhHM8-booO22G9EqGka4GQ4IK5iEdHEJg4_9fpcIwiRcbd-jBTj4P83dhEgZCaIM8qSFbJ24avVUNiJdwTnUg8L6OJn0dXEQ/w139-h208/Shannon%20Winslow.jpg" width="139" /></a></div><div><p style="text-align: left;"><span>Shannon Winslow claims she was minding her own business when an ordinary trip to Costco a dozen years ago changed her life. That was the day a copy of the ’95 film adaptation of <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> fairly leapt off the shelf and into her oversized shopping cart. She has been hopelessly hooked on all things Jane Austen ever since, her obsession ultimately inspiring her to begin writing her own stories a la Austen.</span></p></div><div><span>Winslow's 2011 debut novel, <i>The Darcys of Pemberley</i>, quickly become a best seller, praised for its authentic Austen style and faithfulness to the original characters. Eight more novels and a Jane Austen Devotional have since followed, with no end to her creative output in sight! <br /><br /></span></div><div><span>Her two sons now grown, Shannon lives with her husband in the log home they built in the countryside south of Seattle, where she writes and paints in her studio facing Mr. Rainier. Visit Shannon at her website/blog: <u><b><a href="https://shannonwinslow.com/" target="_blank">Shannon Winslow’s “Jane Austen Says..."</a></b></u> and follow her on <b><u><a href="https://www.facebook.com/shannon.winslow.3" target="_blank">Facebook</a></u></b> and <b><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/shannon_winslow_author/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u></b>.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHWkoRiNvvwrQZ8G4lVWmy600x5rMsnWi_YSVFsTUJEkbdYJctu86nVA0yQHM0_Nrmwv9IlSKF56jT3GHHCGH6Ne25WWPbs7Qu0xNz-2u9nIgDhPlByQGUOrCuqlv48Ur-UDJSMNEQDwDq4BxKHeDCpibt50qoY2gPErY04kLkxZ8tuexQr9S7RRZE2BH/s1275/Mr.%20K%20Cover_WEB_M.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="826" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHWkoRiNvvwrQZ8G4lVWmy600x5rMsnWi_YSVFsTUJEkbdYJctu86nVA0yQHM0_Nrmwv9IlSKF56jT3GHHCGH6Ne25WWPbs7Qu0xNz-2u9nIgDhPlByQGUOrCuqlv48Ur-UDJSMNEQDwDq4BxKHeDCpibt50qoY2gPErY04kLkxZ8tuexQr9S7RRZE2BH/s320/Mr.%20K%20Cover_WEB_M.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3PGM50E" target="_blank">Paperback</a></b></u></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b><br /></b></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3F55BPs" target="_blank">Kindle</a></b></u></div>
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<br />Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-74101360058272092642023-09-30T09:00:00.002-04:002023-09-30T11:56:45.862-04:00Book Review: The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xelnEAvg1IACPwbXtwMOF-JCC546ZoGdVJRZnC3KBJOVa6m0dQBQ_lD0GyhyRXuoOn0LOB5yVO_AFn9WxbTxWRykdorQEmD1cYyr4MH1DFr3oq6UdtX1IoLXyI2Lmy96c3wWriaikxa1hlljz3ttWnTuvRx5FMTyxA4zi7t1Gfd9FG4FmxZJ050UE6Tj/s2000/The%20Legacy%20of%20Longdale%20Manor%20cover%202023.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xelnEAvg1IACPwbXtwMOF-JCC546ZoGdVJRZnC3KBJOVa6m0dQBQ_lD0GyhyRXuoOn0LOB5yVO_AFn9WxbTxWRykdorQEmD1cYyr4MH1DFr3oq6UdtX1IoLXyI2Lmy96c3wWriaikxa1hlljz3ttWnTuvRx5FMTyxA4zi7t1Gfd9FG4FmxZJ050UE6Tj/s320/The%20Legacy%20of%20Longdale%20Manor%20cover%202023.jpg" width="207" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Two women—a century apart—embark on a journey to healing, faith, forgiveness, and romance.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In 2012, art historian Gwen Morris travels to England's Lake District to appraise the paintings and antiques of an old family friend, hoping to prove herself to her prestigious grandfather. While at Longdale Manor, she meets David Bradford--the owner's handsome grandson--who is desperate to save the crumbling estate by turning it into a luxury hotel. When Gwen stumbles upon a one-hundred-year-old journal and an intricately carved shepherd's staff similar to one in a photo of her parents, she's left searching for answers.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In 1912, after her father's death, Charlotte Harper uncovers a painful family secret she can only confess to her journal. She and her family travel to the Lake District to stay on a sheep farm, hoping eventually to find a home with Charlotte's grandfather at Longdale Manor, but old wounds and bitter regrets make it a difficult challenge. As Charlotte grows closer to shepherd Ian Storey and rebuilds her shattered faith, she must decide whether she will ever trust in love again.</span></p><p><br /></p><hr /><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Carrie Turansky is a successful author in the world of Christian publishing, but <i>The Legacy of Longdale Manor</i> is my first exposure to her work. Fans of the writings of Julie Klassen, Erica Vetsch and Katherine Reay will find a similar approach to historical fiction through the lens of a Christian worldview. Turansky presents characters who are likable, yet flawed. They are damaged, but not beyond repair. Like myself and many with whom I am acquainted, they face disappointments, loss, and are sometimes hurt by those around them. <i>The Legacy of Longdale Manor </i>is a dual-timeline novel, but the themes of love, forgiveness and reconciliation echo back and forth across the century in which it inhabits. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In the early 20th century, a Christian family faces the type of scandal which is still occurring today. The Harpers endure the loss of the family patriarch, and a secret sin is revealed. This husband, father and preacher was more flawed than they had ever imagined. How does one reconcile the hypocrisy of a Christian leader with their successful ministry and love of family? How does a now fatherless and husbandless family move on, with almost no resources to survive? As the main focus of this narrative thread, daughter Charlotte must navigate the tumultuous waters of grief, disappointment and betrayal. Her journey leads her through lessons of faith which teach her about forgiveness, healing and trusting. The issue of trust becomes most apparent as she begins to know shepherd Ian Storey. He seems like a kind, trustworthy young man, but certain issues bring doubt to Charlotte’s mind. She must not only learn to forgive her late father, but she must also come to trust in others again. The words of a local minister summarize a major theme of <i>The Legacy of Longdale Manor:</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“Jesus lays this choice before us. We can give our burdens and troubles into His care and live each day with the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts. Or we can hold on to the pain and wrongs done to us and harbor a troubled heart that hardens and grows bitter over time, stealing our joy and draining our days of the full life He wants us to enjoy.” </i>(p. 152)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Like Charlotte Harper, another young woman struggles with similar issues in Turansky’s tale. In the novel’s alternate timeline, Gwen Morris of the 21st century has also faced pain, disappointment and family secrets. In 2012 she finds herself at Longdale Manor, trying to rebuild her damaged career while also wrestling with difficult family issues. She becomes friends with her Longdale clients, and as they work together to maintain and stimulate the legacy of this large estate, secrets are unearthed. Like Charlotte, Gwen is given the opportunity to grow in her faith through the exercise of forgiveness. While she might not struggle with the issue of trust as much as Charlotte, she does grow in that regard as well. The life lessons and matters of faith that both women address across the century are timeless and will continue to resonate throughout human history.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The Legacy of Longdale Manor </i>was a delightful, light read, while at the same time addressing the difficult issues of Christian hypocrisy, disappointment and loss. The content does bring up adult matters, but the writing is squeaky-clean. If readers are looking for something with a bit of an “edge”, this is not the book for you. However, if you’d like a historical fiction title that is firmly set in the Christian worldview, with sweet romance and (mostly) happily-ever-afters, this might be a good match. As mentioned earlier, these characters are flawed. However, <i>Longdale Manor </i>is very family-friendly and has excellent messages for those who may be harboring bitterness or disappointment. The words of Charlotte Harper’s journal are good advice for us all:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“I’ve learned forgiveness is just as much for my benefit as it is for the other person. It’s like giving up my right to hurt someone back and letting God handle the justice of the situation as He thinks best.”</i> (p.333)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Forgiveness does not excuse the hurt that was caused, nor does it erase the consequences of the wrong committed. It does lead to a process of healing, however. This theme is seen multiple times throughout <i>The Legacy of Longdale Manor</i>. Through that recovery, Carrie Turansky's characters not only find more peace in their hearts, but they are able to find sweet, romantic love as well. The Great Shepherd would be pleased with that restoration, as He is the author of love and healing itself.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><hr /><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />About the Author</span></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXLTtHBPYFd-eRRcQHJQ68APa50DOaKOB3sqmfNNiTmj7tVZvK7C3opqTfb-YhiNMa64I7yDKiLj9FjBO7ucklrcr-gh3i_qEnzA4qT07VKMVa6ONAKau7ihB3i4xqpISqAiDQV-_JVW0jwzEh5jB5eMDhcQwHx9fdB5HQ3MNtRl8yafr4g3YkMLfCja8/s450/Carrie%20Turansky%20author%20headshot%202.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="372" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXLTtHBPYFd-eRRcQHJQ68APa50DOaKOB3sqmfNNiTmj7tVZvK7C3opqTfb-YhiNMa64I7yDKiLj9FjBO7ucklrcr-gh3i_qEnzA4qT07VKMVa6ONAKau7ihB3i4xqpISqAiDQV-_JVW0jwzEh5jB5eMDhcQwHx9fdB5HQ3MNtRl8yafr4g3YkMLfCja8/w193-h232/Carrie%20Turansky%20author%20headshot%202.jpg" width="193" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of twenty-one inspirational novels and novellas and a winner of the Carol Award, the International Digital Award, and the HOLT Medallion. She loves traveling to England to research her Edwardian novels, including<i> No Journey Too Far, No Ocean Too Wide, Across the Blue</i>, and the Edwardian Brides series. Her novels have been translated into several languages and have received starred reviews from Christianbook.com and Library Journal. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://carrieturansky.com/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">WEBSITE</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/carrieturansky/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">INSTAGRAM</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorcarrieturansky/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">FACEBOOK</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://twitter.com/carrieturansky/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">X
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<hr /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDQIAK_VWTGiX2YyPfQtxZuWQ457zD4dywWUsYXicR2hCnxXwgTaiU7DHDtbrE6Rk0humNOnhPxD7UZ_kn-_tW9H9xwfdrDHqSZHIK14m38OKzIvUsuEA8vsu7FZuF8ss52vXiEZfKlt9p6Ejtop-DVFR0RNiz15U_k5MZtlFymM6aQ188abrSSsdERUg/s1080/The%20Legacy%20of%20Longdale%20Manor%20Book%20Tour%20graphic%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDQIAK_VWTGiX2YyPfQtxZuWQ457zD4dywWUsYXicR2hCnxXwgTaiU7DHDtbrE6Rk0humNOnhPxD7UZ_kn-_tW9H9xwfdrDHqSZHIK14m38OKzIvUsuEA8vsu7FZuF8ss52vXiEZfKlt9p6Ejtop-DVFR0RNiz15U_k5MZtlFymM6aQ188abrSSsdERUg/s320/The%20Legacy%20of%20Longdale%20Manor%20Book%20Tour%20graphic%20.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3PWRWQG" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hardcover</span></a></b></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3PB7E2H" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Paperback</span></a></b></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b><a href="https://amzn.to/45eFpwH" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Kindle</span></a></b></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b><a href="https://amzn.to/45dhEoF" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Audio</span></a></b></u></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><br /></div>Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-76687708856655356562023-09-18T09:00:00.003-04:002023-09-18T09:00:00.130-04:00Cover Reveal: Every Time We Say Goodbye by Natalie Jenner<span id="docs-internal-guid-079dc3d8-7fff-6df0-e397-86ad3b75f138"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirR9Agpp8SaGXGl9G-fKediQsexr9fR3bLOOb5szykiRU5G2PCIdSn2gaWr82AYufPTUDhCrvJWfbZOou8KihlydoqqeH37QLdn_KQYit5s13ZxkUu1XNljvzK23Gz1b_HZLxai22TQzzgdy7kqh-vHV4aFcqZakJmGv2TsyfOF2ZkagRgPu-MFwa8DVVr/s750/Every%20Time%20We%20Say%20Goodbye%20Reveal%20Matted.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirR9Agpp8SaGXGl9G-fKediQsexr9fR3bLOOb5szykiRU5G2PCIdSn2gaWr82AYufPTUDhCrvJWfbZOou8KihlydoqqeH37QLdn_KQYit5s13ZxkUu1XNljvzK23Gz1b_HZLxai22TQzzgdy7kqh-vHV4aFcqZakJmGv2TsyfOF2ZkagRgPu-MFwa8DVVr/w266-h400/Every%20Time%20We%20Say%20Goodbye%20Reveal%20Matted.png" width="266" /></a></div>In recent years I’ve come to appreciate the work of novelist Natalie Jenner. Beginning with her 2020 novel </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><u><b><a href="https://calicocritic.blogspot.com/2020/06/jane-austen-society.html" target="_blank">The Jane Austen Society</a></b></u></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and following with </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><u><a href="https://calicocritic.blogspot.com/2022/05/Bloomsbury-Girls.html" target="_blank"><b>Bloomsbury Girls</b></a></u></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b> </b>in 2022, she is proving to be a prolific and enjoyable writer of historical fiction. In May of next year her latest work will be published. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Every Time We Say Goodbye</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> includes characters and elements from the two previous novels, but it also will stand alone. As a returning reader, I’m excited about entering her world again, but it’s also encouraging to know that new readers can jump right in as well. Below I offer the newly-revealed cover art. However, before we get to that, here are some tantalizing details about this upcoming publication:</span></span><br /><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-546247a2-7fff-a2ba-f6ad-6acb0c2f3a4f"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The bestselling author of </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Jane Austen Society</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Bloomsbury Girls</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> returns with a brilliant novel of love and art, of grief and memory, of confronting the past and facing the future.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In 1955, Vivien Lowry is at a crossroads in life. Her latest play, the only female-authored play on the London stage that season, has opened in the West End to rapturous applause from the audience. The reviewers, however, are not as impressed as the playgoers and their savage notices not only shut down the play but ruin Vivien's last chance for theatrical success. With her future in London not looking bright, at the suggestion of her friend, Peggy Guggenheim, Vivien takes a job as a script doctor on a major film shooting in Rome’s Cinecittà Studios. There she finds a vibrant moviemaking scene filled with rising stars, acclaimed directors, and famous actors in a country that is torn between its past and its potentially bright future, between the liberation of the post-war cinema and the restrictions of the Catholic Church that permeate the very soul of Italy.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As Vivien tries to forge a new future for herself, she also searches for the long-buried truth of the recent World War and the fate of her deceased fiancé lost in battle.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Every Time We Say Goodbye</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is a bold and moving exploration of trauma and tragedy, hope and renewal, filled with dazzling characters both real and imaginary, from the incomparable author who charmed the world with her novels </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Jane Austen Society</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Bloomsbury Girls.</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">ADVANCE PRAISE</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">“I’m in awe of Natalie Jenner’s new novel, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">which surprised me at every turn. At times it reads like the juiciest historical tell all, boasting cameos by enduring household names like Sophia Loren and Gina Lollabrigida, and featuring a party where Ava Gardner dances on the table. But most importantly, this is a story about damaged people who are still blinking into the light after the nightmare of the Second World War. This beautiful book balances and explores the most heroic aspects of humanity, and by extension the most evil. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Every Time We Say Goodbye </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">is </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">a heartbreaking, engrossing, and thoroughly dazzling work of art</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> that would make the filmmakers at the center of its story proud.” —</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Nina de Gramont, New York Times and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The Christie Affair</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /><br /></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">“Every Time We Say Goodbye</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> welcomes back beloved characters from Jenner’s previous novels along with a new fascinating cast in Italy for the production of post-war films. Well-researched and </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">written in a perfect blend of harrowing and heartwarming, this is another fabulous Natalie Jenner novel that historical fiction fans will adore!” —Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The Last Bookshop in London</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> and </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The Librarian Spy</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /><br /></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">“In her latest novel, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Every Time We Say Goodbye</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">, Natalie Jenner deftly weaves in elegant prose, the lives of the incredibly unique characters working to create a controversial war film at the Cinecitta in Italy, and the effects they have on each other and society. An emotionally poignant tale, that explores the human condition before, during and after war, and how those experiences change some while others remain unapologetically stuck. Ultimately, readers will find themselves swept along on a vivid journey through 1950s Italy, wading through the pains of the characters’ pasts and the sacrifices they made, in order to find a way to their hopeful future. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Every once in a while, a story comes along that really grips you and inspires you to contemplate the choices we’re all given, and Jenner has done that here. An absolute page-turner, I couldn’t put this captivating book down.” —Eliza Knight, USA Today bestselling author of </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The Mayfair Bookshop</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> and </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Starring Adele Astaire</span></p></li></ul><br /><br /><br /><hr /><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A MESSAGE FROM AUTHOR NATALIE JENNER</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Hello Dear Readers,</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Every Time We Say Goodbye</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> was the hardest book I will ever write, and the most rewarding.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It all started when I learned about the world-famous Cinecittà movie studio in Rome being used as a war refugee camp in the 1940s. People who had been stripped of everything—homes, possessions, even their most basic humanity—suddenly found themselves confined to life inside a “dream factory.” I decided to set my third novel during a very specific, very cool time in history—la dolce vita of mid 1950s Rome—while exploring the incredibly complex and haunting legacy of that city under German occupation during the Second World War.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I also wanted to know why Vivien Lowry, a character from my book </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Bloomsbury Girls</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, had been so angry all the time! I wondered if a woman could make the biggest mistake of her life and move past the regret in a way that benefitted her and the world around her. I never intended to write a dual timeline. I had been working on </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Every Time We Say Goodbye</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> for nearly a year when the voice of a young female Italian resistance fighter codenamed la scolaretta—the schoolgirl assassin—suddenly showed up on the page one day. Having witnessed the bravery and sacrifice of so many to keep us safe during our world’s most recent challenge, I wanted to pay tribute to them. How fortunate am I, through the intimate and emotional power of historical fiction, to have the opportunity to do so.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I packed everything I could into this book: love and conflict, faith and religion, censorship and resistance, art and moviemaking, fashion and food, and cameos by favorite actresses such as Sophia Loren and Ava Gardner and characters from both </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Jane Austen Society</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Bloomsbury Girls</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (I, myself am terrible at goodbyes!). </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I hope, more than anything, that </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Every Time We Say Goodbye</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> gives readers the entertainment, inspiration and food for thought that nourished me throughout its writing.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Best wishes, </span></p><h2 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Natalie</span></h2><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Cover Reveal: <i>Every Time We Say Goodbye</i></span></b></span></h1><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Publication Date: May 14, 2024</span></div></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3ddQg9qGQcR7i-jrKydV648Q-abdFQ0avYiXl7zbX__qX0tNmTP6tSXWuQp9o7TxZpt-Ij5LvuBqmq51yCVKWxZ9bl2aota8jhNoxYsp49_b4AZp2lKWu4FHpjAhEFkulHE-AxTbFtStJW7ZZvvNHOty1jPA2PAeL06sxoq97S8uZT_EfsljHHV0cf94/s946/Every%20Time%20We%20Say%20Goodbye%20cover%202024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="946" data-original-width="624" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3ddQg9qGQcR7i-jrKydV648Q-abdFQ0avYiXl7zbX__qX0tNmTP6tSXWuQp9o7TxZpt-Ij5LvuBqmq51yCVKWxZ9bl2aota8jhNoxYsp49_b4AZp2lKWu4FHpjAhEFkulHE-AxTbFtStJW7ZZvvNHOty1jPA2PAeL06sxoq97S8uZT_EfsljHHV0cf94/w264-h400/Every%20Time%20We%20Say%20Goodbye%20cover%202024.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">AUTHOR BIO</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE18ke3-zTCPzx840ATqSTnUv8rIr67o9NgARVsepTBAD8P85CwxfPYOcqsjC3WFcQpCPgi7fq65UTMwaRN6uJdu0GEm0r3WF2OMqSsM9qUBuCMFeRUQpDoapMgiLLsLJXX9dgKfTrVgcS1o1w51wUW4DncQBWkBd9w10AWaEnU8Si0rVBNzxPrJeodXll/s1477/Author%20Natalie%20Jenner%20headshot%202022.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1477" data-original-width="1236" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE18ke3-zTCPzx840ATqSTnUv8rIr67o9NgARVsepTBAD8P85CwxfPYOcqsjC3WFcQpCPgi7fq65UTMwaRN6uJdu0GEm0r3WF2OMqSsM9qUBuCMFeRUQpDoapMgiLLsLJXX9dgKfTrVgcS1o1w51wUW4DncQBWkBd9w10AWaEnU8Si0rVBNzxPrJeodXll/w241-h288/Author%20Natalie%20Jenner%20headshot%202022.jpg" width="241" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br />Natalie Jenner </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">is the internationally bestselling author of </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Jane Austen Society</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Bloomsbury Girls</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, which have been translated into more than twenty languages worldwide. Born in England and raised in Canada, Natalie has been a corporate lawyer and career coach and once owned an independent bookstore in Oakville, Ontario, where she lives with her family and two rescue dogs.</span></span><div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span><span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nataliejenner.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">WEBSITE</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> | </span><a href="https://twitter.com/NatalieMJenner" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">TWITTER</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> | </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010638227094" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">FACEBOOK</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> | </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/authornataliejenner/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">INSTAGRAM</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> | </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18786953.Natalie_Jenner" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">GOODREADS</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><u><a href="https://amzn.to/37wBKOn" target="_blank">Hardback</a><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/2XYqrLy" target="_blank">Paperback</a><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3fhRJ5C" target="_blank">Kindle</a><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3sSI957" target="_blank">Audio</a></u></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><u><a href="https://amzn.to/3wCgk0z" target="_blank">Hardback</a><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/48gBuC6" target="_blank">Paperback</a><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3MCSCXC" target="_blank">Kindle</a><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/46cq4gS" target="_blank">Audio</a></u></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><u><a href="https://amzn.to/466ZZA0" target="_blank">Hardback</a><br />PB (TBD)<br /><a href="https://amzn.to/48lGwx2" target="_blank">Kindle</a><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/48fYEbR" target="_blank">Audio</a></u></td>
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<br /><br />Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-57858970605585190852023-08-15T00:00:00.003-04:002023-08-15T09:24:24.744-04:00Book Review: What Would Jane Austen Do? by Linda Corbett<b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrSFy7puksnEH0GD-9Iix8nWTYRmV7It7biTa-gAOMpiywXGAlWBdeCKLbbAPSqVwXqt83f6wXYOdqLLzhXZ21z5qIQJgCQl9jvkhe1MT4l5kqWQoeivRQ6iSTHRiBD9WU5zoMlbWTPEdYHZHKOTHvOcFRht0_TJ-24Z0bsPt67_ki4slKkKk90xzjzft/s1500/What%20Would%20Jane%20Austen%20Do%20cover%202023.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="983" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrSFy7puksnEH0GD-9Iix8nWTYRmV7It7biTa-gAOMpiywXGAlWBdeCKLbbAPSqVwXqt83f6wXYOdqLLzhXZ21z5qIQJgCQl9jvkhe1MT4l5kqWQoeivRQ6iSTHRiBD9WU5zoMlbWTPEdYHZHKOTHvOcFRht0_TJ-24Z0bsPt67_ki4slKkKk90xzjzft/w263-h400/What%20Would%20Jane%20Austen%20Do%20cover%202023.jpg" width="263" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />It's a truth often acknowledged that when a journalist and Jane Austen fan girl ends up living next door to a cynical but handsome crime writer, romantic sparks will fly!</span></b><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When Maddy Shaw is told her Dear Jane column has been cancelled she has no choice but to look outside of London’s rental market. That is until she’s left an idyllic country home by the black sheep of the family, long-not-so-lost Cousin Nigel.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But of course, there’s a stipulation… and not only is Maddy made chair of the committee for the annual village literary festival, she also has to put up with bestselling crime author –and romance skeptic – Cameron Massey as her new neighbor.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When Maddy challenges Cameron to write romantic fiction, which he claims is so easy to do, sparks fly both on and off the page…</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="height: 0px; text-align: left;"></p><hr /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As summer draws to a close in my household, I was delighted to have the opportunity for a fun, light read from author Linda Corbett. Her contemporary novel <i>What Would Jane Austen Do?</i> holds a premise that was bursting with potential in my mind. Thankfully, I was not disappointed in this hope, and Corbett’s brisk read was the perfect title to finish out my last days of Summer 2023. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Unlike the majority of the works of historical fiction that I review, <i>What Would Jane Austen Do? </i>is firmly set in the present day, with many references to pop culture, social media, modern communications and the like. However, main character Maddy Shaw has a significant portion of her heart set firmly in the 19th century world of Jane Austen. A Janeite of the first order, Maddy styles herself as a sort of modern “Emma”, providing romantic advice and wisdom as a columnist for an English periodical. She quotes Austen often and mentally considers how Jane would handle various situations. Through circumstances beyond her control, she finds herself sacked from the advice column position, living in a crumbling country estate, and planning a literary festival with no experience from which to draw. Making things even more complicated, life hands her another task. Maddy is saddled with a tenant– a grumpy, Darcy-esque gentleman who seemingly has no interest in romance.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>What Would Jane Austen Do?</i> is written at a lively pace, holding my attention well but allowing for plot and character development. An air of mystery also hung over the narrative, as Maddy’s deceased relation and benefactor Nigel Shaw had significant secrets which came to light over time. Romantic elements were expected, but as is mentioned by Maggie herself, the journey which characters take is what makes a work of romantic fiction interesting. While the tone of the story felt comfortable and familiar, the key elements never felt predictable, and I was often surprised at turns which occurred. This was especially true in the final few chapters, as questions surrounding the pasts of certain individuals were finally answered. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From a content standpoint, Corbett’s writing is thoroughly modern and realistic, but the adult material is not overly graphic. There are a few colorful words on occasion and there is a clear implication of two characters becoming intimate, but the work is decidedly PG-rated in general. Many contemporary romances in the current age are far more colorful and steamy. I applaud Linda Corbett for her ability to write a compelling story in a way that fosters delicious romantic content without being heavy-handed with salacious details. I’m certain our dear Jane Austen would approve. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>What Would Jane Austen Do?</i> is a fun summer read for those who enjoy the enemies-to-lovers trope, even if the reader is unacquainted with Austen’s work. The main characters of Maggie and Cameron were compelling, as they go on a journey in which they learn lessons about themselves, their families and their literary culture. Because of author Linda Corbett’s obvious love of literature, English country life, and relationships, she has brought her audience a delightful work of fiction that any romance reader can enjoy. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><hr /><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>AUTHOR BIO</b></span></h4><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02Iive3CqP-sneDjuBU3GFcuLRvqy_vfRfOmrFBjfxBVhO0UQwIwCBNq2OweWFeth5RAZoJz4cRnjHXLBjpulGTrMEIztqA6fLBb5eQFJEPpPZXh28EWFPKMUpJoKL01zPS6fFxC40Qs0bVxuWGRQnYSZ96jiaSC-YWYqgnDqkrBsxJ-wSNzlPHw-fsA6/s750/Linda%20Corbett%20author%20headshor%202023%20x%20750.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02Iive3CqP-sneDjuBU3GFcuLRvqy_vfRfOmrFBjfxBVhO0UQwIwCBNq2OweWFeth5RAZoJz4cRnjHXLBjpulGTrMEIztqA6fLBb5eQFJEPpPZXh28EWFPKMUpJoKL01zPS6fFxC40Qs0bVxuWGRQnYSZ96jiaSC-YWYqgnDqkrBsxJ-wSNzlPHw-fsA6/s320/Linda%20Corbett%20author%20headshor%202023%20x%20750.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Linda Corbett lives in Surrey with her husband Andrew and three permanently hungry guinea pigs. As well as being an author, Linda is treasurer and fundraiser for Shine Surrey – a volunteer-led charity that supports individuals and families living with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. For many years she also wrote a regular column for Link, a disability magazine, illustrating the humorous aspects of life with a complex disability and she is a passionate advocate of disability representation in fiction. <i>Love You From A-Z </i>was her first published novel.</span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://guineapighotel.wordpress.com/"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">WEBSITE</span></b></a><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://twitter.com/lcorbettauthor"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">TWITTER</span></b></a><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/lindacorbettauthor/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">INSTAGRAM</span></b></a><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lindacorbettauthor/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">FACEBOOK</span></b></a><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4751224.Linda_Corbett"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">GOODREADS</span></b></a></span><b style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: repeat white; color: #212529;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><div><br /></div><div><hr /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrSFy7puksnEH0GD-9Iix8nWTYRmV7It7biTa-gAOMpiywXGAlWBdeCKLbbAPSqVwXqt83f6wXYOdqLLzhXZ21z5qIQJgCQl9jvkhe1MT4l5kqWQoeivRQ6iSTHRiBD9WU5zoMlbWTPEdYHZHKOTHvOcFRht0_TJ-24Z0bsPt67_ki4slKkKk90xzjzft/s1500/What%20Would%20Jane%20Austen%20Do%20cover%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="983" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrSFy7puksnEH0GD-9Iix8nWTYRmV7It7biTa-gAOMpiywXGAlWBdeCKLbbAPSqVwXqt83f6wXYOdqLLzhXZ21z5qIQJgCQl9jvkhe1MT4l5kqWQoeivRQ6iSTHRiBD9WU5zoMlbWTPEdYHZHKOTHvOcFRht0_TJ-24Z0bsPt67_ki4slKkKk90xzjzft/w263-h400/What%20Would%20Jane%20Austen%20Do%20cover%202023.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><a href="https://amzn.to/3qx7Zed" target="_blank">Paperback</a></u></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><a href="https://amzn.to/3qo9Ou5" target="_blank">Kindle</a></u></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><a href="https://amzn.to/3OWF5xt" target="_blank">Audiobook</a></u></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p></div><br /><br />Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-50999914709207073662023-07-21T00:00:00.003-04:002023-07-21T00:00:00.137-04:00Cover Reveal: The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcizgE_5N0Pc0MkHQLHw16mmj-VxCuaem7nNJORO42P6xJONkcV-38SaBi-av5Bv1b6JjFwHyILypqkiyUevie7Z-Eg1h4R6OG0-q8yOr9JY3Q_qL8yyzdg1XZc2VPav4BgXF0ai4lrO0OGHPEQQMLnL8wVjNhvLBi7GIN2WovFPRM4FnaYAZJb8IX_Hgd/s1080/Cover%20Reveal%20The%20Berlin%20Letters%20Image%201.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcizgE_5N0Pc0MkHQLHw16mmj-VxCuaem7nNJORO42P6xJONkcV-38SaBi-av5Bv1b6JjFwHyILypqkiyUevie7Z-Eg1h4R6OG0-q8yOr9JY3Q_qL8yyzdg1XZc2VPav4BgXF0ai4lrO0OGHPEQQMLnL8wVjNhvLBi7GIN2WovFPRM4FnaYAZJb8IX_Hgd/s320/Cover%20Reveal%20The%20Berlin%20Letters%20Image%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Recently I had the pleasure of reviewing Katherine Reay's <i><u><b><a href="https://calicocritic.blogspot.com/2023/06/A-Shadow-In-Moscow.html" target="_blank">A Shadow in Moscow</a></b></u></i>, which was a great way to begin my summer reading. I remarked, <i>"It is certainly a Cold War spy novel, but it also conveys a message of resilience and hope to humanity in search of Light. Author Katherine Reay has crafted a fine work and should be congratulated for her achievement."</i> I was thrilled to learn that for her next title, Reay will once again be abiding in the world of espionage. With an expected publication date of March 5th next year, <i>The Berlin Letters</i> will this time focus on the talents of the code breakers of the Cold War. I've been given a sneak peak into this novel of covert operations, familial heartache and a bit of romance. Read below for not only a more expansive description of the book, but also a message from Katherine with a final reveal of the fantastic cover art!<p><br /></p><hr /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b>BOOK DESCRIPTION</b></p><p><b>Near the end of the Cold War, a CIA code breaker discovers a symbol she recognizes from her childhood, which launches her across the world to the heart of Berlin just before the wall comes tumbling down.</b></p><p><i>November 1989</i>—After finding a secret cache of letters with intelligence buried in the text, CIA cryptographer Luisa Voekler learns that not only is her father alive, but he is languishing in an East German Stasi jail. After piecing together the letters with a series of articles her grandfather saved, Luisa seeks out journalists Bran Bishop and Daniel Rudd. They send her to the CIA, to Andrew Cademan—her boss.</p><p>Luisa confronts Cademan and learns that nothing is a coincidence, but he will not help her free her father. So, she takes matters into her own hands, empties her bank account, and flies to West Berlin. As the adrenaline wears off and she recognizes she has no idea how to proceed, Luisa is both relieved and surprised when a friend shows up with contacts and a rudimentary plan to sneak her across the wall.</p><p>Alternating storylines between Luisa and her father, <i>The Berlin Letters</i> shows the tumultuous early days of the wall, bringing Berlin, the epicenter of the Cold War, to life while also sharing one family’s journey through secrets, lies, and division to love, freedom, and reconciliation.</p><p><br /></p><hr /><p></p><p><br /><b>AUTHOR MESSAGE</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKVhIi2HNObxALhcAE1dmPOZ0eaEAYGzJaWzGDCLl60cRk-LPK6sWxWw23Qy9-of1ouKNFphc5__UvsEInEhvwdxFmxW8wXkK5YeYGtCStR4eES4k-8vqcxck2WqWbZoV5b8nW5WBLJAci4A3ao10ZXU5cbBmqWgM970V0HvyAmOQdaATj06BQNmyeZ3d/s2304/Shadow%20in%20Moscow%20Tour.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="1728" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKVhIi2HNObxALhcAE1dmPOZ0eaEAYGzJaWzGDCLl60cRk-LPK6sWxWw23Qy9-of1ouKNFphc5__UvsEInEhvwdxFmxW8wXkK5YeYGtCStR4eES4k-8vqcxck2WqWbZoV5b8nW5WBLJAci4A3ao10ZXU5cbBmqWgM970V0HvyAmOQdaATj06BQNmyeZ3d/s320/Shadow%20in%20Moscow%20Tour.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Dear Readers,<p></p><p>Thank you so much for your extraordinary support for my current novel, <i><b>A Shadow in Moscow. </b></i>I am still on tour right now sharing the story with libraries and bookstores, and I am beyond grateful each day as I see your reviews and support on social media. So, again, thank you! [See the schedule in the graphic at right for upcoming appearances.]</p><p>I want you all to be the first to see the cover for my new novel, <b><i>The Berlin Letters</i></b>, which will be released March 5th, 2024. After <b><i>A Shadow in Moscow,</i></b> it was the book I had to write. While Ingrid’s and Anya’s stories were sometimes difficult, they were also fascinating and took me to places I had not anticipated. The ideas of sacrifice, freedom, courage, love, hiddenness, and the shadows between perception and reality, rose within that novel and wouldn’t let me go. </p><p>While still pondering a lot of those themes, I came across these photographs and many more. They are of the very early days — even the first day — of the Berlin Wall in 1961. I read stories of mothers passing their children over the barbed wire. I read of one East German soldier jumping over it himself. I began to envision what might happen… To the mother. To the father. To the child passed over the Wall on that August morning in 1961. </p><p>Luisa Voekler, the story’s leading character, is that young girl and she doesn’t know of this past until the Wall’s final week in 1989. Then, like me, she can’t let it go. She starts a search. She plots a rescue mission. And in the process, she finds her father and she finds herself. </p><p>Like<b><i> A Shadow in Moscow</i></b>, this is a split-time story. One POV will take you behind the Wall with Haris Voekler, Luisa’s father, while Luisa will tell you her own story and carry readers from Washington DC to Berlin. There are, of course, a whole host of other characters as well — some you’ll love, some you’ll question, and others you’ll simply worry about. You’ll worry because <i><b>The Berlin Letters </b></i>is a race, a chase, a spy novel, and a love story. And, I must say, there’s an old friend who comes to Luisa’s aid I developed a little crush on — you might find yourself sighing and swooning over Daniel too. </p><p>Thank you so much for sharing the cover of this new story — I love it! You see Luisa front and center, in the exact outfit she wears during a scene in East Berlin, and you see her resting on a Trabant, just about the only car East Berliner’s could purchase at the time. I love the fact that the car is yellow too! And doesn’t that font just scream 1980s? </p><p>And while the themes within this story focus upon many of the questions in our hearts, there is so much lightness and fun as well. And, once it’s out in the world, I hope you each will close that final page with a smile, a sigh, and a deep sense of hope. </p><p>All the best to you! </p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">Katherine</span> </span></h2><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><hr /><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">COVER REVEAL: <i>THE BERLIN LETTERS</i></span></b></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_9eI9bNYbi9kaV9vu9Plkxz2Tc3QNWkfn1-IagJwIYeVWpZW-REHSUyPiylztPgFT21_hIK6_nfJG2oRDL8ACZ2uAwvZi42GkoPM_qkARvPUJvWDO1BlB50P2elPvQsZHp2FlCGsXV6Cpxtzcq0PEvnyIRbKfnzakIVsbrLXbksSa7l0xOmTDKdkybCI/s1204/The%20Berlin%20Letters%20cover%202024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_9eI9bNYbi9kaV9vu9Plkxz2Tc3QNWkfn1-IagJwIYeVWpZW-REHSUyPiylztPgFT21_hIK6_nfJG2oRDL8ACZ2uAwvZi42GkoPM_qkARvPUJvWDO1BlB50P2elPvQsZHp2FlCGsXV6Cpxtzcq0PEvnyIRbKfnzakIVsbrLXbksSa7l0xOmTDKdkybCI/w261-h400/The%20Berlin%20Letters%20cover%202024.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div>Isn't this cover fabulous?!? I love Luisa's ensemble, and what I can see of her reminds me of the actress Emma Roberts. The spunky yellow car also calls to mind the one seen in the recent movie <i>Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1. </i>Talk about chases and spy action! Clearly I have this kind of content on the brain. I also enjoyed the television series <i>The Bletchley Circle</i>, which focused on code breakers in 1950s Britain. There are so many intriguing elements to this upcoming novel from Katherine Reay. I know what will be on my nightstand this coming March. I hope you check it out as well!</div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><hr /><p></p><p></p><b><div><b><br /></b></div>AUTHOR BIO</b><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjOgwr9uVvZC5QRwaXAuUpWrimXGvQIA9aTB4gmgJfY9hoehMl3Aawp34KHOPSgs0lyClldy350WX3EjTFBww_oUVllh09KywK1AD9At_VqBFInExCymui3haCLSDjqWGTrv1mpnorCbXo1GRkHW_q429xBb-J5ABeDZ8t7a77UJlOSTFXGGROyFY_y99/s750/Reay%20Katherine%20headshot%20cropped.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjOgwr9uVvZC5QRwaXAuUpWrimXGvQIA9aTB4gmgJfY9hoehMl3Aawp34KHOPSgs0lyClldy350WX3EjTFBww_oUVllh09KywK1AD9At_VqBFInExCymui3haCLSDjqWGTrv1mpnorCbXo1GRkHW_q429xBb-J5ABeDZ8t7a77UJlOSTFXGGROyFY_y99/w200-h190/Reay%20Katherine%20headshot%20cropped.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Katherine Reay is a national bestselling and award-winning author of several novels and one work of nonfiction.<p></p><p>For her fiction, Katherine writes love letters to books, and her novels are saturated with what she calls the “world of books.” They are character driven stories that examine the past as a way to find one’s best way forward. In the words of <i>The Bronte Plot’s</i> Lucy Alling, Katherine writes of “that time when you don’t know where you’ll be, but you can’t stay as you are.”</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://www.katherinereay.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>WEBSITE</b></a><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://twitter.com/Katherine_Reay" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>TWITTER</b></a><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/katherinereaybooks" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>FACEBOOK</b></a><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/katherinereay/" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>INSTAGRAM</b></a><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> <a name="_Hlk83468888">|</a> </span></b><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/reaykatherine/_saved/" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>PINTEREST</b></a><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7000989.Katherine_Reay" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>GOODREADS</b></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_9eI9bNYbi9kaV9vu9Plkxz2Tc3QNWkfn1-IagJwIYeVWpZW-REHSUyPiylztPgFT21_hIK6_nfJG2oRDL8ACZ2uAwvZi42GkoPM_qkARvPUJvWDO1BlB50P2elPvQsZHp2FlCGsXV6Cpxtzcq0PEvnyIRbKfnzakIVsbrLXbksSa7l0xOmTDKdkybCI/s1204/The%20Berlin%20Letters%20cover%202024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="788" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_9eI9bNYbi9kaV9vu9Plkxz2Tc3QNWkfn1-IagJwIYeVWpZW-REHSUyPiylztPgFT21_hIK6_nfJG2oRDL8ACZ2uAwvZi42GkoPM_qkARvPUJvWDO1BlB50P2elPvQsZHp2FlCGsXV6Cpxtzcq0PEvnyIRbKfnzakIVsbrLXbksSa7l0xOmTDKdkybCI/s320/The%20Berlin%20Letters%20cover%202024.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><a href="https://amzn.to/3q5xvHb" target="_blank">Paperback</a></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><a href="https://amzn.to/3NZWWBV" target="_blank">Kindle</a></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><a href="https://amzn.to/3K8h57J" target="_blank">Audio</a></u></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-67502544863931041412023-06-30T00:00:00.009-04:002023-07-01T18:03:54.153-04:00Book Review: Appointment in Bath by Mimi Matthews<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqyhCjNFOG1GTYaplO1HJRKqfad_SHqmbLbLDWLw6x58PaBOvWPllNbCWYeUbQ1fpK5lUACK6BqGcYSKQe2Ls5oWAFZQm3GcjS9BfaffeynTy7nkJIRdl4z9737rklz3jj8WqZkUdKZOvJlUec9haAEukchVAIAOdo-WgWgaqiE4J6Hgd2UjBuv2eNvGr/s1920/Appointment%20in%20Bath%20Cover.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqyhCjNFOG1GTYaplO1HJRKqfad_SHqmbLbLDWLw6x58PaBOvWPllNbCWYeUbQ1fpK5lUACK6BqGcYSKQe2Ls5oWAFZQm3GcjS9BfaffeynTy7nkJIRdl4z9737rklz3jj8WqZkUdKZOvJlUec9haAEukchVAIAOdo-WgWgaqiE4J6Hgd2UjBuv2eNvGr/w250-h400/Appointment%20in%20Bath%20Cover.jpg" width="250" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A chance meeting between the sheltered daughter and the forward-thinking son of rival Victorian families sparks a forbidden romance in USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews’s fourth book in her acclaimed Somerset Stories series. </b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Shy and stammering Meg Burton-Smythe has spent the whole of her life living on the fringes of local society. She’s more comfortable with her daydreams than she is with people. But when a dashing, golden-haired hero rides to her rescue one morning, she dares to hope that her dreams might finally come true. There’s only one problem: her handsome rescuer is the son of her father’s sworn enemy. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Ivo Beresford doesn’t believe in clinging to the past. Freshly returned from a lengthy grand tour, he’s looking to the future, eager to spearhead the building of a new railway extension in Somersetshire. But an unexpected encounter with Meg Burton-Smythe, the isolated only daughter of his parents’ oldest foe, sets the past and the future colliding. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Resolved to put ancient grudges to rest—at least where innocent young ladies are concerned—Ivo encourages lonely Meg to embark on a secret friendship. After all, what harm can a friendship do? It isn’t as though there’s any danger of the two of them falling in love…</span></p><p><br /></p><hr /><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Within Mimi Matthews’ fourth title in the Somerset Stories series, readers will find the shy, faltering and beautiful Margaret “Meg” Burton-Smythe. At the youthful age of eighteen she is untried in the ways of the world, yet she is eager to make her debut in society as a gentleman’s daughter. As a sheltered young woman, she has a lively imagination, fueled by copious reading while living a quiet life on her father’s country estate. This fosters a longing for success not only on England’s marriage mart, but also for success in finding a chivalrous hero with whom she would fall in love. She faces several relational challenges in this diverting narrative, not the least of which is the veritable Shakespearian rivalry between her father and the nearby Beresford family. This decades-long feud is not unwarranted, but is a festering wound within the community. Meg befriends one of the Beresford sons, which leads to emotional confrontations on both sides.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Although<i> Appointment in Bath </i>is the fourth title in the Somerset Stories series, this reviewer has not read the previous two volumes. Thus far I have enjoyed Matthews’s title <i>The Work of Art</i>, the opening novel of this collection. With the publication date of <i>Appointment in Bath</i> occurring the week of this writing, I wanted to be a part of promoting this latest story. Although it was a bit of a risk to temporarily skip over <i>Gentleman Jim</i> and <i>Return to Satterthwaite Court</i>, I was nonetheless rewarded with a delightful tale. There are some references to those prior works, but <i>Appointment in Bath</i> works quite well as a standalone.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Mimi Matthews’s work is a pure delight. Her writing skill enables her to craft a compelling story, present well-drawn characters and avoid predictability in her choices. While much of her writing is firmly set in the 19th century, she presents characters who are relatable and accessible. The protagonists are likable, and the villains earn this reader’s disdain. She doesn’t avoid addressing difficult and gritty issues, but the content is not salacious or gratuitous. Mature themes are addressed in a realistic yet modest way. The romantic moments are simply delicious and leave the audience wanting more without drawing us deep into the minutiae of bedroom scenes. I loved the friendship of Meg and Ivo, and my heart broke for her as she yearned for more love and affection from her father. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">While <i>Appointment in Bath</i> does offer a satisfying, realistic conclusion, not every difficult issue is tied with a neat little bow. Characters face challenges that are common to many in our non-fictional, modern existence. Some readers may easily identify with Meg’s stuttering problem, her struggles with anxiety, and her growth as a young woman. Others will relate to Ivo as he works to improve his community in the face of a local township that is resistant to modernization. Between the characters’ ambitions, family conflicts, desires for reconciliation and romantic endeavors, <i>Appointment in Bath</i> offers an absorbing narrative that was thoroughly enjoyable. Due to Matthews’ excellent work in this as well as the opening novel <i>The Work of Art,</i> I look forward to retracing my literary steps in order to also read the other books in this series, <i>Gentleman Jim</i> and <i>Return to Satterthwaite Court</i>. A fifth title, <i>A Lady of Conscience</i> is also due for publication in June of 2024. Mimi Matthews continues to show herself to be a reliable and entertaining author, one who consistently earns my hearty endorsement. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hollywood Casting</b></span></h2><p><span style="font-size: medium;">As I read <i>Appointment in Bath</i>, I kept in mind several actors who could play the parts of Mimi's characters. While I didn't "cast" everyone in the novel, these mental images help me organize some of the personalities in my head. Regardless of their current ages or nationalities, my imagination placed them at their ages in the story, with corresponding cultural accents when they spoke.<br /><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJP1Nu5pgNcGyrtBBr0kBiDScqrkcDLXQnUvAt9nYB3IVtNg4zJXKsVLaj3yLAmhYWt5rrunVv8mjstGvPryXD5UX-9Ygj_INwm965ibQZJhwT8DI5jVi41FokE64S63KEqAcRdr8eYJJ9pErlYgI2kSCyi0KgkseD5Akx5w6cbRu3JDmz-zRKoF5R4Y5/s2048/Appointment%20in%20Bath%20Cast%20of%20Characters%20Banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1273" data-original-width="2048" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJP1Nu5pgNcGyrtBBr0kBiDScqrkcDLXQnUvAt9nYB3IVtNg4zJXKsVLaj3yLAmhYWt5rrunVv8mjstGvPryXD5UX-9Ygj_INwm965ibQZJhwT8DI5jVi41FokE64S63KEqAcRdr8eYJJ9pErlYgI2kSCyi0KgkseD5Akx5w6cbRu3JDmz-zRKoF5R4Y5/w640-h398/Appointment%20in%20Bath%20Cast%20of%20Characters%20Banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Would you like a sample of </span><i style="font-weight: normal;">Appointment in Bath? </i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Click </span><u><a href="https://www.mimimatthews.com/books/somerset-stories/appointment-in-bath/appointment-in-bath-excerpt/" target="_blank">HERE</a></u><span style="font-weight: normal;"> to read Chapter One!</span></span></h3><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><p><br /></p>
<hr /><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>About the Author</b></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDeD1BC4jVE_B3qz4h9GKFiIzP40isgDaQxk2kBw9lqzSrqhMWWvNL4XTwOEfSigyHovqEfcTVu5ydaY16gMzXsOjjgkNuXcXtczn1huVDHym8qdZMURSUAI21roY54gvBjOsGgQv6MX0nSfGhj1rvJPwT162wb2Z5nPRsGQi7U0cmG03uVJcMgOsZf2w/s635/Mimi-and-Centelleo-Author-Photo-e1627436820137.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDeD1BC4jVE_B3qz4h9GKFiIzP40isgDaQxk2kBw9lqzSrqhMWWvNL4XTwOEfSigyHovqEfcTVu5ydaY16gMzXsOjjgkNuXcXtczn1huVDHym8qdZMURSUAI21roY54gvBjOsGgQv6MX0nSfGhj1rvJPwT162wb2Z5nPRsGQi7U0cmG03uVJcMgOsZf2w/s320/Mimi-and-Centelleo-Author-Photo-e1627436820137.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical nonfiction and award-winning Victorian romances. Her novels have received starred reviews in </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus</i><span>, and </span><i>Shelf Awareness</i><span>, and her articles have been featured on the </span><i>Victorian Web,</i><span> the </span><i>Journal of Victorian Culture</i><span>, and in syndication at </span><i>BUST Magazine.</i><span> In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes a retired Andalusian dressage horse, a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.mimimatthews.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><b>WEBSITE</b></a><b> | </b><a href="https://twitter.com/MimiMatthewsEsq" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><b>TWITTER</b></a><b> | </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MimiMatthewsAuthor" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><b>FACEBOOK</b></a><a name="_Hlk54877485"><b> </b></a></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/MimiMatthewsEsq/_saved/" style="text-decoration-line: none;">PINTEREST</a> | </b><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/profile/mimi-matthews" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><b>BOOKBUB</b></a><b> | </b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16948224.Mimi_Matthews" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><b>GOODREADS</b></a></p></div>
<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Somerset Stories Series</span></b></h2>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80joN4p00sHHKYdECKOHING-kxncyuNn-abii0oDog7xJqrHId52xn5w2y_VGkkYH0qKGCXzaIuXEXQk2K_qWOYKuVBC65gofhjYx8vD6wcvhHeNVs4s6fc7ubk-_r2bVBVhjJRSg7RKkYriytX4MgWb1HSz4RD95l54IePyK8QxeS_Rt-Gc5oH70G-xE/s720/Return-to-Satterthwaite-Court%20Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="450" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80joN4p00sHHKYdECKOHING-kxncyuNn-abii0oDog7xJqrHId52xn5w2y_VGkkYH0qKGCXzaIuXEXQk2K_qWOYKuVBC65gofhjYx8vD6wcvhHeNVs4s6fc7ubk-_r2bVBVhjJRSg7RKkYriytX4MgWb1HSz4RD95l54IePyK8QxeS_Rt-Gc5oH70G-xE/w125-h200/Return-to-Satterthwaite-Court%20Cover.jpg" width="125" /></a></div></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBBmKJ-gL7YdA8SgBrVKcAJlKL9kb9qLs-kThxbfZtC7SfyETKk-nVfaHjOrYHFWfvZXFYgvVu7GUnLZL5tpflSBOTgwHlcdMToLYe9NachUrmoQXSeMWXt7oSFzFFAqOMq6De7mgJ1gUkweTmBrzkfwEMsxLT7tP3hJnv5Hmc2A_FXJuu8AEYCaNPE2v/s1920/Appointment%20in%20Bath%20Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBBmKJ-gL7YdA8SgBrVKcAJlKL9kb9qLs-kThxbfZtC7SfyETKk-nVfaHjOrYHFWfvZXFYgvVu7GUnLZL5tpflSBOTgwHlcdMToLYe9NachUrmoQXSeMWXt7oSFzFFAqOMq6De7mgJ1gUkweTmBrzkfwEMsxLT7tP3hJnv5Hmc2A_FXJuu8AEYCaNPE2v/w125-h200/Appointment%20in%20Bath%20Cover.jpg" width="125" /></a></div></td>
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</table>Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-56419621505177748462023-06-17T00:00:00.006-04:002023-06-17T18:24:16.314-04:00Book Review: A Shadow in Moscow by Katherine Reay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGuN6779v7ZJMz6e2nyhr61IU5zss0g5dZDECa66_Sykl2ehJFDH2MOqPQtb-eZF7Mnr5cN8sAlOzE-3XeZdUJLfPH98VuNN8EFnXtWfp_Tf6pLlZQvnJuON_dQuk9RL3GyQj58pmoDvyCTAKXKluJyWR5NWu6b55ZX_QBSlfOhdc5PC6upLqpEK8ug/s2400/A%20Shadow%20in%20Moscow%20cover%202023.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1575" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGuN6779v7ZJMz6e2nyhr61IU5zss0g5dZDECa66_Sykl2ehJFDH2MOqPQtb-eZF7Mnr5cN8sAlOzE-3XeZdUJLfPH98VuNN8EFnXtWfp_Tf6pLlZQvnJuON_dQuk9RL3GyQj58pmoDvyCTAKXKluJyWR5NWu6b55ZX_QBSlfOhdc5PC6upLqpEK8ug/w263-h400/A%20Shadow%20in%20Moscow%20cover%202023.jpg" width="263" /></span></a></b></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">In the thick of the Cold War, a betrayal at the highest level risks the lives of two courageous female spies: MI6’s best Soviet agent and the CIA’s newest Moscow recruit.</span></b><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Vienna, 1954</i></span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">After losing everyone she loves in the final days of World War II, Ingrid Bauer agrees to a hasty marriage with a gentle Soviet embassy worker and follows him home to Moscow. But nothing within the Soviet Union’s totalitarian regime is what it seems, including her new husband, whom Ingrid suspects works for the KGB. Inspired by her daughter’s birth, Ingrid risks everything and reaches out in hope to the one country she understands and trusts—Britain, the country of her mother’s birth. She begins passing intelligence to MI6, navigating a world of secrets and lies, light and shadow.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Moscow, 1980</i></span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">A student in the Foreign Studies Initiative, Anya Kadinova finishes her degree at Georgetown University and boards a flight home to Moscow, leaving behind the man she loves and a country she’s grown to respect. Though raised by dedicated and loyal Soviet parents, Anya soon questions an increasingly oppressive and paranoid regime at the height of the Cold War. Then the KGB murders her best friend and Anya chooses her side. Working in a military research lab, she relays Soviet plans and schematics to the CIA in an effort to end the 1980s arms race.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The past catches up to the present when an unprecedented act of treachery threatens all agents operating within Eastern Europe, and both Ingrid and Anya find themselves in a race for their lives against time and the KGB.</span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<hr /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Beginning with her 2013 debut novel <i>Dear Mr. Knightley,</i> author Katherine Reay’s work was firmly planted in the Austenesque community for some time. She showcased her love for and knowledge of Jane Austen’s characters with several winsome titles which delighted many. In recent years I noted that she began branching out into other areas of storytelling with much continued success. Her latest novel, <i>A Shadow in Moscow</i> held an intriguing premise, and I was pleased to have the opportunity to read and review it for its Austenprose blog tour. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It has been the better part of a decade since I’ve read a Reay title and in that time she has thoroughly honed her craft. As such, my experience with <i>A Shadow in Moscow</i> felt very fresh and was very different from my time with <i><u><b><a href="http://calicocritic.blogspot.com/2013/11/book-review-dear-mr-knightley-by.html" target="_blank">Dear Mr. Knightley.</a></b></u> </i>While there are a few minor references to Austen in the novel, this is a Cold War spy novel, through and through. Told with dual timelines, readers are taken into the secret and complex lives of two female spies as they navigate the intricacies of life under the gaze of the KGB. Ingrid and Anya love the land in which they live, but want more for the people of Russia than the oppression under which they are living. As cogs in an elaborate machine working to make the world a better place, these strong women make similar decisions while living in separate generations. Eventually their storylines begin to merge, but in general the plot alternates between the narratives of the two women to delicious effect. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Katherine Reay’s research and dedication to the subject matter of Soviet history and spycraft is deep and meticulous throughout <i>A Shadow in Moscow. </i>The level of expertise she exhibited in her writing was truly impressive, and the education she most certainly received while preparing for this work can be respected at the highest levels. While I am no Russian historian or specialist in the world of espionage, the level of realism that Reay captured was astounding. Immersive and seemingly accurate, <i>A Shadow in Moscow </i>also features extremely well-drawn characters, a compelling plot and satisfying conclusion. The adult material that must be addressed when dealing with this time period and culture is handled carefully, yet difficult scenes and topics are not avoided. Reay’s writing is skillful enough to convey heartbreaking tragedy and mature themes without gratuitous detail. I not only appreciated her discretion, but also her willingness to address the dark underbelly of the world in which her characters inhabited. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The only slight “hiccup” I had in reading <i>A Shadow in Moscow </i>came through the alternating timeline. As the focus alternated between the characters of Ingrid and Anya, this aided in keeping my attention for the most part. However, there were a few times wherein their similar struggles as spies in the Russian culture were similar enough that I occasionally lost track of which plot points had occurred with which character. This was not a huge problem, and does not detract from my hearty endorsement of the book. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I came to read <i>A Shadow in Moscow</i> because of the delightful Katherine Reay, but also due to the premise of the novel. The expectations of an intriguing, exciting and satisfying story were well met. I loved the occasional references to authors such as Jane Austen, Leo Tolstoy and Harper Lee, which have made me want to pull out my copies of works like <i>Anna Karenina </i>all over again. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Tidbits of philosophy were also woven throughout the narrative, and one thought in particular has truly resonated with me. Many of the characters in <i>A Shadow in Moscow </i>were dealing with immense oppression. Ingrid does her best to rise above her situation not by escaping it, but by changing her attitude towards it. This alters her “internal landscape”, and through that adjustment she is able to face even the harshest trials. She carries a human dignity which she endeavors to share with the world. Like Ingrid, Anya also holds admirable ideals when she says in chapter fourteen, <i>“I wanted to do everything I could to make the world a better place, one that honored the dignity of humans and allowed each and every person to thrive.” </i>(p. 176) That is the essence of <i>A Shadow in Moscow</i> in a nutshell. It is certainly a Cold War spy novel, but it also conveys a message of resilience and hope to humanity in search of Light. Author Katherine Reay has crafted a fine work and should be congratulated for her achievement.
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<hr /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b><b>About the Author</b></span></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzi0EkxS8qxI28iUCFIvKWjgu9TGtlMJsTniE0SImk5pOn1tc1mPhx3v2MxL_Qgr4MPk55qHnpHJnvGMZEbWAGtyVYwJYuiBs8FWZxlSo9_TcUfiq9-6fZWBtUpP6ZdyTKPnfId8pFF88qxxYuUgcmkpJfXSwfMvl8rOOUAOmLi4UAgbIMkGFaEHzHQ/s750/Reay%20Katherine%20headshot%20cropped.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzi0EkxS8qxI28iUCFIvKWjgu9TGtlMJsTniE0SImk5pOn1tc1mPhx3v2MxL_Qgr4MPk55qHnpHJnvGMZEbWAGtyVYwJYuiBs8FWZxlSo9_TcUfiq9-6fZWBtUpP6ZdyTKPnfId8pFF88qxxYuUgcmkpJfXSwfMvl8rOOUAOmLi4UAgbIMkGFaEHzHQ/w200-h200/Reay%20Katherine%20headshot%20cropped.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">Katherine Reay </span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">is a national bestselling and
award-winning author who has enjoyed a lifelong affair with books. She
publishes both fiction and nonfiction, holds a BA and MS from Northwestern
University, and currently lives outside Chicago, Illinois, with her husband and
three children.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a name="_Hlk83402604"></a><a href="http://www.katherinereay.com/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">WEBSITE</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://twitter.com/Katherine_Reay"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">TWITTER</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/katherinereaybooks"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">FACEBOOK</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/katherinereay/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">INSTAGRAM</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> <a name="_Hlk83468888">|</a> </span></b><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/reaykatherine/_saved/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">PINTEREST</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">
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margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1575" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGuN6779v7ZJMz6e2nyhr61IU5zss0g5dZDECa66_Sykl2ehJFDH2MOqPQtb-eZF7Mnr5cN8sAlOzE-3XeZdUJLfPH98VuNN8EFnXtWfp_Tf6pLlZQvnJuON_dQuk9RL3GyQj58pmoDvyCTAKXKluJyWR5NWu6b55ZX_QBSlfOhdc5PC6upLqpEK8ug/s320/A%20Shadow%20in%20Moscow%20cover%202023.jpg" width="210" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3qNttTU" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Paperback</span></a></b></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3CzQ49d" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Kindle</span></a></b></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b><a href="https://amzn.to/43Nq9a0" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Audio</span></a></b></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJd-BeM_zvkJXe9UUMtps3p1RckIlzFTOdeGcoxMx_yV51S3ICatwAEBumVBY8QuiTvGazqKuqFBrdC-mA3M1zLJPoK68NlCNNf7DaXXwfrLwUxVRJoc6K5T-336O9cslRKTdzyhb18_-JgFR22Z1twzAIXTcyI0klUxSANBTeDqKPcx-rKQjOM2FTA/s1080/A%20Shadow%20in%20Moscow%20Book%20Tour%20insta%20graphic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJd-BeM_zvkJXe9UUMtps3p1RckIlzFTOdeGcoxMx_yV51S3ICatwAEBumVBY8QuiTvGazqKuqFBrdC-mA3M1zLJPoK68NlCNNf7DaXXwfrLwUxVRJoc6K5T-336O9cslRKTdzyhb18_-JgFR22Z1twzAIXTcyI0klUxSANBTeDqKPcx-rKQjOM2FTA/s320/A%20Shadow%20in%20Moscow%20Book%20Tour%20insta%20graphic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://austenprose.com/2023/06/12/a-shadow-in-moscow-a-cold-war-novel-by-katherine-reay-a-review/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Austenprose.com</span></b></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div>Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-51167678151689293442023-05-23T00:00:00.001-04:002023-05-23T15:43:08.640-04:00Book Review: The Late Mrs. Willoughby by Claudia Gray<p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwk5Gy4EMLQa5M0NrqnHaUtifUVNhSwyEqJHqhapmaMmP5k5Vb6M56n46GvpI89ZIZA8wYPVouw0xrI4Ong_sNLOqJ5AMAS2M2VDIJ5Bk7gQ0Xm1zAwGS79-DgWZCm569HwvEacnGHbE9HuxBlnXam4YD64ZdoleKk_GURL4JdL4AVFyveqiqIGkp4AA/s2400/The%20Late%20Mrs%20Willoughby%202023.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1556" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwk5Gy4EMLQa5M0NrqnHaUtifUVNhSwyEqJHqhapmaMmP5k5Vb6M56n46GvpI89ZIZA8wYPVouw0xrI4Ong_sNLOqJ5AMAS2M2VDIJ5Bk7gQ0Xm1zAwGS79-DgWZCm569HwvEacnGHbE9HuxBlnXam4YD64ZdoleKk_GURL4JdL4AVFyveqiqIGkp4AA/w259-h400/The%20Late%20Mrs%20Willoughby%202023.jpg" width="259" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The suspenseful sequel to <i>The Murder of Mr. Wickham</i>, which sees Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney reunited, and with another mystery to solve: the dreadful poisoning of the scoundrel Willoughby's new wife.</span></b><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Catherine and Henry Tilney of <i>Northanger Abbey</i> are not entirely pleased to be sending their eligible young daughter Juliet out into the world again: the last house party she attended, at the home of the Knightleys, involved a murder—which Juliet helped solve. Particularly concerning is that she intends to visit her new friend Marianne Brandon, who's returned home to Devonshire shrouded in fresh scandal—made more potent by the news that her former suitor, the rakish Mr. Willoughby, intends to take up residence at his local estate with his new bride.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley are thrilled that their eldest son, Jonathan—who, like his father, has not always been the most socially adept—has been invited to stay with his former schoolmate, John Willoughby. Jonathan himself is decidedly less taken with the notion of having to spend extended time under the roof of his old bully, but that all changes when he finds himself reunited with his fellow amateur sleuth, the radiant Miss Tilney. And when shortly thereafter, Willoughby's new wife—whom he married for her fortune—dies horribly at the party meant to welcome her to town.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">With rumors flying and Marianne—known to be both unstable and previously jilted by the dead woman's newly made widower—under increased suspicion, Jonathan and Juliet must team up once more to uncover the murderer. But as they collect clues and close in on suspects, eerie incidents suggest that the killer may strike again, and that the pair are in far graver danger than they or their families could imagine.</span></p><p><br /></p><hr /><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">A year ago the Austenesque community was given a delightful read in Claudia Gray’s <i>The Murder of Mr. Wickham</i>. Within this cozy mystery many characters from the mind of Jane Austen were given new life, and original individuals were brought to the literary stage as well. The most notable of the fresh faces were drawn from Austen’s <i>Northanger Abbey</i> and <i>Pride and Prejudice.</i> Juliet Tilney is the daughter of<i> Northanger Abbey’s</i> Henry and Catherine. She is joined by Jonathan Darcy, son of the Darcys of Pemberley in <i>Pride and Prejudice. </i>Both of these young people proved to be an effective team as the mystery of the death of George Wickham was worked out in <i>The Murder of Mr. Wickham. </i>In this sequel they have been reunited, and once again are witnesses to a suspicious death. The wife of <i>Sense and Sensibility’s </i>John Willoughby, Sophia Willoughby, suddenly dies of poisoning while in the presence of several witnesses and suspects. Jonathan and Juliet work diligently to determine the identity of those who might be at fault in the case. They are not only motivated by a sense of curiosity, but also by a desire to see justice done. Without their efforts, a blameless friend may be accused of the crime. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Author Claudia Gray has again crafted a delightful mystery with beloved characters which are both fresh from her imagination and well-established from Austen. While the death of Sophia Willoughby is a dramatic one, the circumstances surrounding it are completely plausible. Mrs. Willoughby is presented as a distasteful woman, married to a man already known to be of questionable integrity. Any number of people could be enemies to the Willoughbys, and readers are kept guessing throughout the narrative. Claudia Gray offers quite a few red herrings, and while this reader was able to eliminate several suspects from the outset, I never truly saw who was to blame until the very end. The culprit(s) was/were completely unexpected, yet utterly believable as well. The finale held stunning and creative choices. <i>The Late Mrs. Willoughby</i> was familiar in tone, but never predictable. In this regard it was literary comfort food and a surprise dish, all in one. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Although <i>The Late Mrs. Willoughby</i> is firmly a cozy mystery, I commend Claudia Gray for exploring ancillary issues as well. As was presented in the first novel, Jonathan Darcy is a neurodivergent personality. A modern diagnosis might reveal some type of sensory disorder, or perhaps autism-spectrum issues. He struggles to understand social cues, is highly intelligent and sometimes has trouble with particular sensory influences. These factors are all too real to many families in the 21st century, and it is interesting to see how Jonathan’s condition manifests within 19th century English society. I found his character to be utterly endearing, especially as I am a family member of persons with similar issues. Including this type of character within the novel is unique and appreciated.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Gray also explores other themes which are attached to the mystery. Marianne Brandon seems to be suffering from significant post-traumatic stress in the wake of the events seen in the previous novel. Edward Ferrars struggles with forgiveness and reconciliation within his extended family. Colonel Brandon’s ward, Beth Williams yearns to find her place in the world as an illegitimate daughter and unwed mother herself. While <i>The Late Mrs. Willoughby </i>is an enjoyable mystery, deeper issues are woven throughout and lend a measure of substance to it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Because <i>The Late Mrs. Willoughby</i> is a sequel, there are quite a few references to the previous title, <i>The Murder of Mr. Wickham. </i>The second work could be read on its own, but the enjoyment would be diminished significantly if read in such a way. Wickham is also an enjoyable read, so it is certainly recommended that both are read in succession. Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney make a great sleuthing pair, and elements near the conclusion of this novel seem to indicate that their work together is not yet complete. At ages 21 and 17 (respectively), Jonathan and Juliet are quite young and could have many years ahead and scores of adventures together. This romantic also hopes that their friendship will continue to grow, and perhaps one day we will find them in the position that Austen often placed her main characters, standing before the altar to begin their Happily Ever After.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jQvn2JXg3y1ZPMN18EWBoOhemtBNlY8VMrhNJ-M_PPlYSMN6fM4lSAEDpELQlNTiQNNBLaSZC2ZmCAwtWJA4kUEsJN7d6cGMl8lbjxftrlXnk35E8Pd7z9GO7Tkv6fiqwQa_H970XtHnVHgw3NWyT7KcXr0EDQLBW3eT8Av5NVuOGYFDsgY3SXUQqw/s1080/The%20Late%20Mrs.%20Willoughby%20Book%20Tour%20Instagram%20Graphic%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jQvn2JXg3y1ZPMN18EWBoOhemtBNlY8VMrhNJ-M_PPlYSMN6fM4lSAEDpELQlNTiQNNBLaSZC2ZmCAwtWJA4kUEsJN7d6cGMl8lbjxftrlXnk35E8Pd7z9GO7Tkv6fiqwQa_H970XtHnVHgw3NWyT7KcXr0EDQLBW3eT8Av5NVuOGYFDsgY3SXUQqw/s320/The%20Late%20Mrs.%20Willoughby%20Book%20Tour%20Instagram%20Graphic%20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>AUTHOR BIO</b></span></h3><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6qBdxXOjL1T7YTHGTH6FkYzapJKCDSgZ4SJD8tlgygwBiAp73OQ9_FIU3YT0jwVuM5vFao_oFas2qDk3I4CwbMo_eQjN_UkMqlxbZ87wX-QWJuRIrKFa2KLnWevvDnT4w8nCneRnZKz5c7VMO31Gu9niEYyDTkbfPcZzsnX_U371pzMly0YGu5S2YQ/s750/Claudia%20Gray%20headshot%202022.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6qBdxXOjL1T7YTHGTH6FkYzapJKCDSgZ4SJD8tlgygwBiAp73OQ9_FIU3YT0jwVuM5vFao_oFas2qDk3I4CwbMo_eQjN_UkMqlxbZ87wX-QWJuRIrKFa2KLnWevvDnT4w8nCneRnZKz5c7VMO31Gu9niEYyDTkbfPcZzsnX_U371pzMly0YGu5S2YQ/s320/Claudia%20Gray%20headshot%202022.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><br />Claudia Gray is the pseudonym of Amy Vincent. She is the writer of multiple young adult novels, including the <i>Evernight</i> series, the <i>Firebird</i> trilogy, and the <i>Constellation </i>trilogy. In addition, she’s written several Star Wars novels, such as <i>Lost Stars</i> and <i>Bloodline</i>, and Jane Austen-inspired series, A Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mysteries. She makes her home in New Orleans with her husband Paul and assorted small dogs. </span><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.claudiagray.com/"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">WEBSITE</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><a href="https://twitter.com/claudiagray"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">TWITTER</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorclaudiagray"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">FACEBOOK</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/claudia_gray/"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">INSTAGRAM</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/claudia-gray"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">BOOKBUB</span></b></a><!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><a name="_Hlk101260958"></a><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1192311.Claudia_Gray?from_search=true&from_srp=true">GOODREADS</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><hr /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEint9gMyO9VyvuHn-zKnL6wyMgJGPC8hRbrpiYbh0Evguc1clTa6ARBbhRsP4MiGf1-UiJilhy3pWgcvqnRulyfmA5qCYd1-okrnrr0oF7RSRPNwWaRB9AuIONWUItzs6S3dXDRt4yBOz1oHoQb8FDn8ZBPW8HU6SYklroR66sBv48KevrtEikZS2ACDw/s2400/The%20Late%20Mrs%20Willoughby%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1556" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEint9gMyO9VyvuHn-zKnL6wyMgJGPC8hRbrpiYbh0Evguc1clTa6ARBbhRsP4MiGf1-UiJilhy3pWgcvqnRulyfmA5qCYd1-okrnrr0oF7RSRPNwWaRB9AuIONWUItzs6S3dXDRt4yBOz1oHoQb8FDn8ZBPW8HU6SYklroR66sBv48KevrtEikZS2ACDw/s320/The%20Late%20Mrs%20Willoughby%202023.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><u><b><a href="https://amzn.to/42TNBC1" target="_blank">Paperback</a></b></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u><b><a href="https://amzn.to/4242d0g" target="_blank">Kindle</a></b></u></p><div style="text-align: center;"><u><a href="https://amzn.to/3WwACUu" target="_blank"><b>Audio</b></a></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-10681545154429352052023-04-19T00:00:00.001-04:002023-04-19T12:10:42.953-04:00Book Review: Brother of the Bride by Jack Caldwell<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekvkVWqvJ52hUXPUrqVPaN4GfzKZ0gn62Z2FdMiu_4WC2-ctr83nqkvVLYyjOSMD_WZ603zQPz9g19Aw7mQbDfD_Oq1-jhybin6Y6w3FemC_dpP9Be-vHQfjb_Em2jjd_U62l-U-PBCN5c7Sl3_oGtMdzdz9uymnOrcRQX3ZmagrkKC1uZwGZfIIpIw/s914/Brother%20of%20the%20Bride.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekvkVWqvJ52hUXPUrqVPaN4GfzKZ0gn62Z2FdMiu_4WC2-ctr83nqkvVLYyjOSMD_WZ603zQPz9g19Aw7mQbDfD_Oq1-jhybin6Y6w3FemC_dpP9Be-vHQfjb_Em2jjd_U62l-U-PBCN5c7Sl3_oGtMdzdz9uymnOrcRQX3ZmagrkKC1uZwGZfIIpIw/w263-h400/Brother%20of%20the%20Bride.jpg" width="263" /></a></i></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>A sequel to </i>Pride and Prejudice<i> and </i>The Three Colonels<i>.</i></span><p></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">In 1816, everyone thinks—with the Napoleonic wars over and done—that life in England will be peaceful. Not necessarily.</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">For four wonderful years, Fitzwilliam Darcy has joyfully lived at his beloved Pemberley with his adored wife, Elizabeth, precious young son, Bennet, and cherished sister, Georgiana, by his side. All this is about to change; Georgiana has fallen in love. In quick succession, the Darcys agree to take in the young and spirited daughter of the widowed Lydia Wickham and then learn that Elizabeth is expecting another child.</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Now—with a wedding to plan, a baby on the way, interfering relations invading Pemberley, and a new ward turning the place upside down—the question becomes: How will Mr. Darcy maintain his sanity?</span></i></p><p><br /></p><hr /><p></p><p><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">For many years I have enjoyed the work of Austenesque writer Jack Caldwell. His “Fighting Men” series began with<i> <u><b><a href="http://calicocritic.blogspot.com/2012/03/book-review-and-giveaway-three-colonels.html" target="_blank">The Three Colonels</a></b></u></i> in 2012, and with <i>Brother of the Bride's</i> release, five titles are now available. All are sequels to novels originated by Jane Austen, with <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> being the dominant source material. In Caldwell’s world, the Darcy family interacts with characters throughout the Austen universe. For example, Colonel Brandon from <i>Sense and Sensibility</i> is a dear friend to the Darcys, and several individuals from <i>Emma</i> are also a part of their lives. As strong men and women of their time, this unique cast of characters has encountered trials on the battlefield and open sea. Now in <i>Brother of the Bride</i>, Fitzwilliam Darcy and his associates must face challenges both familiar and untried: the birth of a child, the fostering of another, and the marriage of young Georgiana Darcy.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The audience of <i>Brother of the Bride </i>is most certainly a specific type. We are familiar with not only the works of Jane Austen, but of Caldwell’s series as well. This latest title does have an individual tone, but many details hinge upon what has come before, both in the original works and in the “Fighting Men” collection. While its narrative arc does not have the same scope as its siblings, <i>Brother of the Bride</i> is a treat for those of us who call ourselves “Janeites”. In the pages of this novel we are immersed in what would have been the everyday inner workings of the Darcy family and their associates. There is no Napoleon to vanquish or damsels to rescue from certain peril on the sea. Trials and tribulations emanate from domestic concerns which many of us must face at one time or another. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">When young Georgiana Darcy becomes engaged to be married, it creates a tangle of issues which the characters must unravel as they also face other variables. Elizabeth Darcy is pregnant again, and due to give birth near the time of Georgiana’s preferred wedding date. Lizzy’s flighty sister Lydia has entrusted the care of her daughter Chloe to the Darcy family. Chloe is a handful and makes life interesting within the Pemberley estate. And with the engagement of Georgiana, all manner of relatives and friends step forward to “assist” in planning the nuptials. Between Lizzy’s pregnancy, Chloe’s antics and issues surrounding the wedding, Fitzwilliam Darcy and his ilk are juggling challenges that would confound even the most talented battlefield warrior. It makes for an amusing read. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">As he has done in the past, author Jack Caldwell has deftly woven together the characters of the novels of Jane Austen. The material is very family friendly, with very little “adult” content of note. Romance is chaste, and all bedroom scenes are between married partners, with modest details given. The most “vexing” aspect of the story are the antics which ensue when elder stateswomen attempt to meddle with the wedding plans. Those of us who have arranged a wedding might have flashbacks to the stress involved in that endeavor, but the episodes in <i>Brother of the Bride</i> are quite amusing and meant to entertain. It was refreshing to see family members stand up to the austere Lady Catherine de Bourgh as she attempted to mistake her place in the order of things. Mrs. Bennet was as high-strung as ever and also had to be reined in from time to time. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">As a fan of these characters, I felt as if I was a mere observer to the realistic goings-on at Pemberley as life continued. Again, this was no expansive narrative. It was a delightful visit with and a character study of the personalities who have become permanent residents in the minds of those who love them. Through <i>Brother of the Bride </i>we see Fitzwilliam Darcy, his family and friends as they interact during a new period of their lives. This season brings with it relational tangles which must be unraveled, but it also brings much joy and celebration as well. Author Jack Calwell is to be applauded for this latest work in his Austenesque library. <i>Brother of the Bride</i> is a pleasure for those who cherish these beloved characters.</span></p><p><br /></p><hr /><p></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">About the Author</span></b></h2><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHXPKkFRAmNw5HR22fqDMN6_TyiC6aSnRkujDM_lxHOLY4WaNsqJaM-_4A2iLCgqX8FYgtlMKvzabaE7eyxVjogelzDlAlYNEcWeQvppp8eLVTs3e_gLXQORaOU-L7tOItPmTOuc6jAr2XdYi4y1xmb-eeDzfrXmUFoDdGtufUjn3DYBKbyu_C_N3CQ/s216/Jack%20Caldwell%20Bio%20Pic.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="154" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHXPKkFRAmNw5HR22fqDMN6_TyiC6aSnRkujDM_lxHOLY4WaNsqJaM-_4A2iLCgqX8FYgtlMKvzabaE7eyxVjogelzDlAlYNEcWeQvppp8eLVTs3e_gLXQORaOU-L7tOItPmTOuc6jAr2XdYi4y1xmb-eeDzfrXmUFoDdGtufUjn3DYBKbyu_C_N3CQ/w228-h320/Jack%20Caldwell%20Bio%20Pic.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><br />Jack Caldwell, born and raised in the Bayou country of Louisiana, is an author, amateur historian, professional economic developer, playwright, and like many Cajuns, a darn good cook.<p></p><p>Jack is the author of twelve Jane Austen-themed historical romances. PEMBERLEY RANCH is a retelling of Pride & Prejudice set in Reconstruction Texas. MR. DARCY CAME TO DINNER and THE COMPANION OF HIS FUTURE LIFE are Pride & Prejudice-flavored farces. </p><p>THE THREE COLONELS, the first of his JANE AUSTEN’S FIGHTING MEN SERIES, is a sequel to Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. The next two books in the series are companion novels: THE LAST ADVENTURE OF THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, a cross-over of Northanger Abbey with The Scarlet Pimpernel, and PERSUADED TO SAIL, a sequel to Persuasion. BROTHER OF THE BRIDE is a sequel to Pride and Prejudice and THE THREE COLONELS. ROSINGS PARK is the conclusion to the series.</p><p>In 2015, he released the first four of a series of historical novels about New Orleans, titled THE CRESCENT CITY SERIES. THE PLAINS OF CHALMETTE begins the series, commemorating the Bicentennial of the Battle of New Orleans. Jack marked the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina with three modern novels: BOURBON STREET NIGHTS, ELYSIAN DREAMS, and RUIN AND RENEWAL.</p><p>When not writing or traveling with his wife, Barbara, Jack attempts to play golf. A devout convert to Roman Catholicism, Jack is married with three grown sons. Jack’s blog postings—<i>The Cajun Cheesehead Chronicles</i>—appear regularly at <a href="https://austenvariations.com/jack-caldwell/" target="_blank"><b>Austen Variations</b></a>.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://cajuncheesehead.com/" target="_blank"><b><u>Website</u></b></a> | <u><b><a href="http://austenvariations.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a></b></u> | <b><u><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jack-Caldwell-author/132047236805555" target="_blank">Facebook</a></u></b> | <u><b><a href="https://twitter.com/JCaldwell25" target="_blank">Twitter</a></b></u> | <u><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4113966.Jack_Caldwell" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></b></u></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekvkVWqvJ52hUXPUrqVPaN4GfzKZ0gn62Z2FdMiu_4WC2-ctr83nqkvVLYyjOSMD_WZ603zQPz9g19Aw7mQbDfD_Oq1-jhybin6Y6w3FemC_dpP9Be-vHQfjb_Em2jjd_U62l-U-PBCN5c7Sl3_oGtMdzdz9uymnOrcRQX3ZmagrkKC1uZwGZfIIpIw/s914/Brother%20of%20the%20Bride.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekvkVWqvJ52hUXPUrqVPaN4GfzKZ0gn62Z2FdMiu_4WC2-ctr83nqkvVLYyjOSMD_WZ603zQPz9g19Aw7mQbDfD_Oq1-jhybin6Y6w3FemC_dpP9Be-vHQfjb_Em2jjd_U62l-U-PBCN5c7Sl3_oGtMdzdz9uymnOrcRQX3ZmagrkKC1uZwGZfIIpIw/w263-h400/Brother%20of%20the%20Bride.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3mMwMJw" target="_blank">Paperback</a></b></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3KRlZWd" target="_blank"><b><u>Kindle</u></b></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-91535497351713904452023-04-06T13:08:00.007-04:002023-04-07T07:56:39.637-04:00Review: The Jaipur Trilogy by Alka Joshi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yJyhiDmGlRLo9o3FKGv99HPseitPPbbR9BVBEbMV1H1gOffoDm_wT8N6UamSSUMjq3S4_Nd_I-3fOiZNz_ey-AdgmLCW-ijvrDazKbG2DoLywTI26T1OYWtCueSG90uQwrkOCjEVEfAMjAmLlyIjlEFmwTjYwcNm5_6D8yY2stbnWMFQdjIjTSPc2w/s970/Banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="970" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yJyhiDmGlRLo9o3FKGv99HPseitPPbbR9BVBEbMV1H1gOffoDm_wT8N6UamSSUMjq3S4_Nd_I-3fOiZNz_ey-AdgmLCW-ijvrDazKbG2DoLywTI26T1OYWtCueSG90uQwrkOCjEVEfAMjAmLlyIjlEFmwTjYwcNm5_6D8yY2stbnWMFQdjIjTSPc2w/w640-h198/Banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>I began reviewing books in 2009. For the first time in almost fourteen years I am offering an extended critique of three volumes in one post. The Jaipur Trilogy has garnered rave reviews within the literary community, and they are well deserved. Alka Joshi’s work is a treasure, and I am officially a fan. If you’d like an extended elaboration of this endorsement, settle in for a long read below.</p><p><br /></p><hr /><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShV6w5vM4x3wMz3csE8rKOjYHmZAwJA8vlrUsgxOKth1LMzQUU6npNexDU1e6y96Ca87r9KvrKyUcOpb3JtQ9wD0or6yxOuBOw5ybxliFxGfLGrUDflLRUYQZ0fCMU3dWTxAUVo3XqHKTwmYH-ZfRBNl5ptHc_gRnktkawumoAY5fK-CkmBvURvz4-Q/s3024/01%20Henna%20Artist%203024x3024.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShV6w5vM4x3wMz3csE8rKOjYHmZAwJA8vlrUsgxOKth1LMzQUU6npNexDU1e6y96Ca87r9KvrKyUcOpb3JtQ9wD0or6yxOuBOw5ybxliFxGfLGrUDflLRUYQZ0fCMU3dWTxAUVo3XqHKTwmYH-ZfRBNl5ptHc_gRnktkawumoAY5fK-CkmBvURvz4-Q/s320/01%20Henna%20Artist%203024x3024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><h2><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Henna Artist</i></span></h2></i></b></h2><p></p><p>Publisher Description:</p><p><i>Vivid and compelling in its portrait of one woman’s struggle for fulfillment in a society pivoting between the traditional and the modern, </i>The Henna Artist<i> opens a door into a world that is at once lush and fascinating, stark and cruel.</i></p><p><i>Escaping from an abusive marriage, seventeen-year-old Lakshmi makes her way alone to the vibrant 1950s pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the most highly requested henna artist—and confidante—to the wealthy women of the upper class. But trusted with the secrets of the wealthy, she can never reveal her own…</i></p><p><i>Known for her original designs and sage advice, Lakshmi must tread carefully to avoid the jealous gossips who could ruin her reputation and her livelihood. As she pursues her dream of an independent life, she is startled one day when she is confronted by her husband, who has tracked her down these many years later with a high-spirited young girl in tow—a sister Lakshmi never knew she had. Suddenly the caution that she has carefully cultivated as protection is threatened. Still she perseveres, applying her talents and lifting up those that surround her as she does.</i></p><p><br /></p><p>My Thoughts:</p><p>I was completely taken in by <i>The Henna Artist</i>. Indian culture is quite foreign to me, yet I find it fascinating. Alka Joshi’s writing not only made the setting accessible to this reader, but she elevated my understanding of the country and the era in which the story was placed. Her descriptions were lush without being overindulgent, and the character development caused me to truly care about the players within the novel. Main protagonist Lakshmi is an impressive woman, as she has had to fend for herself for many years within a culture that presented many obstacles to success. Through her talents and ability to relate to others, she maneuvers her way through society to find favor with the royal elite and powerful alike. Even when she encounters unexpected turns along her journey, she finds ways to persevere and make something of herself. Joshi’s narrative was thoroughly unpredictable, delightful, tragic and touching in so many ways. It was a pleasure to read.</p><p>While I found <i>The Henna Artist</i> to be a compelling treasure, there are moments that are difficult within Lakshmi Shastri’s story. Issues surrounding the topic of abortion are raised from time to time. As someone who does not support abortion and has experienced pregnancy loss, I found some events to be heartbreaking. That said, <i>The Henna Artist </i>shines a light on the plight that many women faced in the 1950s and most certainly face today. My views on abortion were not changed in reading about these women, but my perspective on the subject was deepened. This arena is a complex tangle of problems and tragedy. While I firmly value the sanctity of life from the point of conception, I also believe we need to have compassion for those who see no other choice than to end their pregnancies. </p><p>In response to those who may be concerned about this difficult element in <i>The Henna Artist,</i> it can also be noted that the alternative of adoption is a strong theme in the narrative as well. In fact, one adoption in particular is what sustains the narrative arc of the entire trilogy until the conclusion in <i>The Perfumist of Paris.</i></p><p>As the title indicates, Lakshmi is most known for her work as a henna artist, and this remains the primary focus of her career. Through her talents she is able to build a new life in Jaipur, and she also begins to fashion a new family as well. Themes of redemption, ingenuity and love are strong throughout her story, with moments of levity that shaped an unforgettable novel that I will cherish for years to come. <i>The Henna Artist</i> has been a rousing success for debut author Alka Joshi, and it is well deserved.</p><p><br /></p><hr /><p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><i><b><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrJaxLCZVHXm5zmryDx_VqPGeISi2d5QOE8TJ_xYfVEabTCZUtSdaPj_hoiHAAn8hyR0mOowtu0ttHJk-dbDa8kVYtls-vkGbsDlp8JkbjfqIbjQw5A7E85goz_oyCCuYpx7puT3LXqyveF2BX_uXO04Mxie-PaKDsLq3D5sEnQjWX9Nq6sd666m2nw/s2880/02%20Secret%20Keeper%20cr.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2880" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrJaxLCZVHXm5zmryDx_VqPGeISi2d5QOE8TJ_xYfVEabTCZUtSdaPj_hoiHAAn8hyR0mOowtu0ttHJk-dbDa8kVYtls-vkGbsDlp8JkbjfqIbjQw5A7E85goz_oyCCuYpx7puT3LXqyveF2BX_uXO04Mxie-PaKDsLq3D5sEnQjWX9Nq6sd666m2nw/s320/02%20Secret%20Keeper%20cr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Secret Keeper of Jaipur</span></b></i></h2><p>Publisher Description:</p><p><i>In New York Times bestselling author Alka Joshi’s</i> [The Secret Keeper of Jaipur]<i>, henna artist Lakshmi arranges for her protégé, Malik, to intern at the Jaipur Palace in this tale rich in character, atmosphere, and lavish storytelling.</i></p><p><i>It’s the spring of 1969, and Lakshmi, now married to Dr. Jay Kumar, directs the Healing Garden in Shimla. Malik has finished his private school education. At twenty, he has just met a young woman named Nimmi when he leaves to apprentice at the Facilities Office of the Jaipur Royal Palace. Their latest project: a state-of-the-art cinema.</i></p><p><i>Malik soon finds that not much has changed as he navigates the Pink City of his childhood. Power and money still move seamlessly among the wealthy class, and favors flow from Jaipur’s Royal Palace, but only if certain secrets remain buried. When the cinema’s balcony tragically collapses on opening night, blame is placed where it is convenient. But Malik suspects something far darker and sets out to uncover the truth. As a former street child, he always knew to keep his own counsel; it’s a lesson that will serve him as he untangles a web of lies.</i></p><p><br /></p><p>My Thoughts:</p><p>While <i>The Henna Artist </i>centers on the life, ambitions and relationships of Lakshmi Shastri, <i>The Secret Keeper of Jaipur</i> has a different feel. The tone is almost like a political or corporate thriller, with elements of mystery and subterfuge within the circles of Jaipur’s high society and government. Much attention is given to Lakshmi’s dear friend Malik, whom readers meet in <i>The Henna Artist </i>as a boy who is struggling to survive on the streets. In this novel he is now a young man who is coming into his own as an apprentice with the Jaipur Palace Facilities Office. </p><p>The narration alternates between Lakshmi, Malik, and a young widow named Nimmi who lives outside the city. Their lives are interconnected in different ways, each facing challenges as individuals and within their mutual relationships. Many characters from <i>The Henna Artist</i> make appearances, some of whom hold secrets which have dire consequences if they are revealed. Malik shows himself to be a young man of integrity, and not everyone is sympathetic to his views. This makes for riveting reading as he navigates the world of business, construction and politics. </p><p>While <i>The Secret Keeper of Jaipur</i> has a slightly different tone than its predecessor, it remains a highly enjoyable novel. I appreciated the alternating viewpoints of the narrators, and Alka Joshi’s prose once again drew me into the world of 20th century India. Lakshmi’s role has shifted a bit, as she spends more time as a medical healer and helping with issues that arise with Malik and Nimmi. The significant adoption that occurs in <i>The Henna Artist</i> has its repercussions in Lakshmi’s life as well, and she has to manage developments stemming from that. The many threads of the narrative are woven in a way that is captivating, colorful and creative. Alka Joshi showed no evidence of a sophomore slump in this second part of her sweeping trilogy.</p><p><br /></p><hr /><p></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9KTLCqnawevM6CTs5SeDYoiYN--ZPoPzn9D5y_cU8IxLIJggYQimkmhgeErKdJBJ21Gfb-YFiBpboNFe034Tsp-shxpgbuFrUO2Pj9mPA5lkT0fZgbMW8-kE97wm91JcnFuu3JlMdQXdfwWLGimaEkpQ0mzW4jH6vYANUa_wYv35ZxWjy7s4wCJi7w/s2920/03%20Perfumist%20cr.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2920" data-original-width="2920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9KTLCqnawevM6CTs5SeDYoiYN--ZPoPzn9D5y_cU8IxLIJggYQimkmhgeErKdJBJ21Gfb-YFiBpboNFe034Tsp-shxpgbuFrUO2Pj9mPA5lkT0fZgbMW8-kE97wm91JcnFuu3JlMdQXdfwWLGimaEkpQ0mzW4jH6vYANUa_wYv35ZxWjy7s4wCJi7w/s320/03%20Perfumist%20cr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Perfumist of Paris</span></i></b></h2><p></p><p>For this third volume I am not offering the publisher’s description. There are some elements within that blurb that were unknown to me when I began to read <i>The Perfumist of Paris, </i>and that ignorance was to my benefit. Readers can easily go to other sources if they are eager for that content. As a general summary, I will offer a more basic description. As the title indicates, the setting for the novel is Paris, France. The year is 1974, and Lakshmi’s younger sister Radha is now a grown woman with a family of her own. Like many women of that era, she is juggling the demands of traditional marriage, motherhood and a career. She is also burdened by secrets from her past, which she has kept hidden from almost everyone. While on a business trip to India she not only finds the key to what she’s been searching for in a work assignment, but she discovers that her secrets will not be hidden for much longer. A time of reckoning has been thrust upon her, and decisions must be made. </p><p>Although mostly set in Paris, this third title in the trilogy has a tone that is similar to <i>The Henna Artist.</i> The plot is very character-driven and follows the actualization of a young woman who is also trying to make her way in the world. There is less subterfuge than in <i>The Secret Keeper of Jaipur,</i> but Radha’s secrets have significant consequences in her life. Author Alka Joshi’s writing continues to be enthralling. Fans of the Netflix program <i>Emily in Paris </i>will find several elements in common with this novel, which is an asset. The individuals with whom Radha interacts are distinct and well-drawn. Her French as well as Indian relationships were contrasting in many ways, and I found them to be interesting and realistic. </p><p>Although the time period is set many decades ago, I didn’t feel alienated from their issues. In some senses much has changed since the 1970s, but it remains true today that men and women alike struggle with the home-work life balance. It’s possible to “want it all” in the area of love, career and family, but there are limits to each arena. Radha pushes those limits, sometimes to their breaking points. The resolutions she finds are not always perfectly neat and tidy, but they are authentic to the character and the book series.</p><p><i>The Perfumist of Paris </i>is an interesting examination of the life of a young Indian woman and the repercussions of her choices past and present. The narrative arc that began in <i>The Henna Artist</i> is brought to a satisfying conclusion in ways that were captivating and unpredictable. I read all three novels in short succession, picking up the second and third titles as soon as I finished the previous one. In effect, this trilogy was a single 1,100-page work for me. While my worldviews and values may differ with Joshi’s characters, nonetheless I thoroughly enjoyed this collection. A Netflix series is in the works, and I am thrilled that it has been optioned for this. Alka Joshi’s work is a treasure, and I wish her continued success.</p><p><br /></p><hr /><p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Postscripts</span></i></b></h2><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebBtDi3QrshRjFEKQO5nWiomj2LkAV4zKnBTrFLhH0CrZd3raMXAS1YnctwqLXt1gRWYhgt85VUvVfex4xRuUl-mnjmML3kH9zrc5sdc5Q0T06SDQUCeOKreIZllrCZADXIlUTA7suFVCUI9AfUp3B6O1OR9_BZdtYYyZodkqWqN0a-XQNOZBwjeNOA/s1986/040123%20LH%20and%20Alka%20Joshi.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="1986" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebBtDi3QrshRjFEKQO5nWiomj2LkAV4zKnBTrFLhH0CrZd3raMXAS1YnctwqLXt1gRWYhgt85VUvVfex4xRuUl-mnjmML3kH9zrc5sdc5Q0T06SDQUCeOKreIZllrCZADXIlUTA7suFVCUI9AfUp3B6O1OR9_BZdtYYyZodkqWqN0a-XQNOZBwjeNOA/w320-h320/040123%20LH%20and%20Alka%20Joshi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> Meeting Alka Joshi on April 1, 2023</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table>One reason I was able to consume large volumes of text in a short amount of time was because of the audio productions of these novels. I would often be doing chores or running errands while listening to the fantastic vocal performances of these stories. The narrators chosen for these works were excellent, and provided the added benefit of demonstrating correct pronunciations. There are many Indian words and phrases included in <i>The Henna Artist </i>trilogy, and while the included glossaries are quite helpful, I also appreciated hearing unfamiliar terms pronounced by the talented voice actors. <p></p><p>As an added blessing, I happened to be in Raleigh, NC on April 1st when Alka was making a local appearance at Quail Ridge Books. This also coincided with my 52nd birthday, so it was a special time indeed. I loved meeting Ms. Joshi, and she kindly listened to me as I discussed my worldviews with her. She was so approachable and generous, and it was a pleasure to be in attendance at her event. I expressed my hope for a fourth book in the series, as I envision she will be garnering a whole new audience when the Netflix show premieres. Countless others will be discovering Alka Joshi in the years to come, and I anticipate that they will clamor for more of her work. I will be among them, looking forward to experiencing her India once again.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXY8uNz9cnMtSA7VY4kD2NfQuWdfchsIYNaSq1k8zlWW2WhOcQq3lkbdY0Jq-iiqNay1jO6vu9E3tbMvLHBUZX07S3w_5rLifj7yaZEUlU9MEwU66JD2mWvmoL443WW3-pWeja3gfCSIKVGxiO5KqFl03gh3wdFFhodMyyIcEgY3-Pi4-XpAiz1KFDw/s1636/Alka%20Joshi_NewAuthorPhoto2022_credit_Garry%20Bailey.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1636" data-original-width="1242" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXY8uNz9cnMtSA7VY4kD2NfQuWdfchsIYNaSq1k8zlWW2WhOcQq3lkbdY0Jq-iiqNay1jO6vu9E3tbMvLHBUZX07S3w_5rLifj7yaZEUlU9MEwU66JD2mWvmoL443WW3-pWeja3gfCSIKVGxiO5KqFl03gh3wdFFhodMyyIcEgY3-Pi4-XpAiz1KFDw/s320/Alka%20Joshi_NewAuthorPhoto2022_credit_Garry%20Bailey.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">About the Author</span></b></h2><div><br />Born in India and raised in the U.S. since she was nine, Alka Joshi has a BA from Stanford University and an MFA from California College of Arts. Joshi's debut novel, <i>The Henna Artist</i>, immediately became a NYT bestseller, a Reese Witherspoon Bookclub pick, was Longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, & is in development as a TV series. Her second novel, <i>The Secret Keeper of Jaipur </i>(2021), is followed by <i>The Perfumist of Paris</i> (2023). Find her online at <b><u><a href="http://www.alkajoshi.com">www.alkajoshi.com</a></u></b>.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thealkajoshi/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/alkajoshi2019" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18257842.Alka_Joshi" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/alkajoshi" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/AlkaJoshi/videos" target="_blank">YouTube</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3zE7C2u" target="_blank">Hardcover</a><br /><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/40LLKOJ" target="_blank">Paperback</a><br /><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/411xu3O" target="_blank">Kindle</a><br /><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3KDErCN" target="_blank">Audio</a></b></td>
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<br />Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-79452156387611859842023-02-25T00:00:00.082-05:002023-02-25T11:10:52.333-05:00Book Review: The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXaHhS8WPEndG1iZ2aP0g49pJxMm2quJ_o8XuSiBYlpJkJIodds2GUB1Sr2PHv1xouiyepMZdnJJplMfvxl2xqk_hZTasCodOD6uG3S8Obl-Ml_zPfj3fkhICQNG43CkDkhTzhu3DqmSy_egHdlG8-IL6dJS01mfz_NiOEkYSLspeDvGRd5J8NhKYrw/s2000/The%20Maid%20of%20Ballymacool%202023.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1294" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXaHhS8WPEndG1iZ2aP0g49pJxMm2quJ_o8XuSiBYlpJkJIodds2GUB1Sr2PHv1xouiyepMZdnJJplMfvxl2xqk_hZTasCodOD6uG3S8Obl-Ml_zPfj3fkhICQNG43CkDkhTzhu3DqmSy_egHdlG8-IL6dJS01mfz_NiOEkYSLspeDvGRd5J8NhKYrw/w259-h400/The%20Maid%20of%20Ballymacool%202023.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Brianna Kelly was abandoned at Ballymacool House and Boarding School as an infant. She has worked there since she was a wee girl and will likely die there. Despite a sense that she was made for something more, Brianna feels powerless to change her situation, so she consoles herself by exploring the Ballymacool grounds, looking for hidden treasures to add to the secret trove beneath the floorboards of her room.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">When Michael Wray, the son of local gentry, is sent to Ballymacool to deal with his unruly cousin, he finds himself drawn to Brianna, immediately and inescapably. There is something about her that feels so . . . familiar. When Brianna finds a piece of silver in the woods, she commits to learning its origins, with the help of Michael. What they discover may change everything.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Fan favorite Jennifer Deibel invites you back to the Emerald Isle in the 1930s for this fresh take on the Cinderella story, complete with a tantalizing mystery, a budding romance, and a chance at redemption.</span></p><p><br /></p><hr /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In Jennifer Deibel’s <i>The Maid of Ballymacool</i>, readers will find elements of the classic <i>Cinderella </i>tale, along with many new components as well. Not the least of these is the simmering theme of Identity which is imbued throughout the narrative. Brianna Kelly inhabits the role of scullery maid in 1930s Ireland, slavishly toiling away in an estate where she is rarely shown any sort of compassion or love. Unlike the fairy tale, however, this story is a work of historical fiction, based partly on chronicled events and/or plausible incidents that are devoid of any kind of special magic. There are no transforming pumpkins or spontaneously-created ball gowns. That said, Brianna shares many common characteristics with Cinderella, as she creates ways to cope with her dire situation with grace and in God’s strength. She also struggles with an inner longing, as she yearns to be more than just an orphaned girl who labors up to twenty hours a day for her room and board. As a young twenty year-old, she makes discoveries about her identity that reach far beyond her wildest dreams. She begins to unearth clues to her clouded history, which include a mysterious connection to a handsome gentleman. This quest not only teaches her about her identity as a woman, but also about how her past will transform her outlook for the future.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The main element which drew this reader in to open the pages of <i>The Maid of Ballymacool </i>was the notion of a <i>Cinderella</i> retelling. This fairy tale/genre was my favorite as a girl, and as an adult I still appreciate the rags-to-riches theme, even if the “riches” are metaphorical. What held my interest as I read Jennifer Deibel’s novel was the quality of writing, character development, and plot execution. While not a riveting spy thriller, the story did maintain an even pace with a likable (and sometimes deliciously detestable) cast. I loved the “winks” to the source material, including lost shoes, an almost-fairy godmother-like character, a handsome gentleman of higher social rank, and a passing mention of <i>“goin’ to a royal ball.”</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The Maid of Ballymacool</i> does fall under the umbrella of Christian fiction, as certain elements of that faith are mentioned. Some characters do utter short prayers, and the notion that one’s identity and self-worth can be found in God is raised from time to time. Brianna loves to fellowship with God in nature. Deibel makes her beliefs clear, but they are not shoehorned into the content. The story of Brianna Kelly, Michael Wray, Maureen Magee, and others carries the day. Some adult themes are mentioned, including adultery and some physical abuse endured by a few individuals. However, the details given are minimal and not gratuitous. Any coarse language on the printed page is safe for all ages. The romantic element of the narrative is certainly an important aspect, but the details are sweet and fairly chaste. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Jennifer Deibel is a new author for this reader, and I very much enjoyed her latest work T<i>he Maid of Ballymacool.</i> Lovers of Ireland, <i>Cinderella</i>, early 20th century historical fiction, and even <i>Downton Abbey</i> will find much to recommend in this novel. Much like Cinderella and Brianna Kelly, the search for significance is a common theme in the lives of many. Ultimately our identity will not be found in our job titles, but in who God says we are. As God’s creations we are all of value and worth, and to quote one line from the novel, <i>"Yer purpose in this world has precious little to do with what job ya hold. It's to do wi' the way ya impact the people around ye." </i></span></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsEC23i-zx8TPvVbTUrXBas6gDumTOrHzk90vcPa6PahNBkALK7uJchw_00b_cH6IhjJz45IuquPiSCkkAYOSN3JdkZkqtqKTB55VypBEH3crkpKI_xDyOR3khouRALKAuQ0W2B57bLQPskp9i4Duhay98XxsBgP8qXbGO_RIvq30net7w3GDyMtM1g/s1200/The%20Maid%20of%20Ballymacool%20Book%20Tour%20Horizontal%20Graphic%20(1200%20%C3%97%20675%20px).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsEC23i-zx8TPvVbTUrXBas6gDumTOrHzk90vcPa6PahNBkALK7uJchw_00b_cH6IhjJz45IuquPiSCkkAYOSN3JdkZkqtqKTB55VypBEH3crkpKI_xDyOR3khouRALKAuQ0W2B57bLQPskp9i4Duhay98XxsBgP8qXbGO_RIvq30net7w3GDyMtM1g/w640-h360/The%20Maid%20of%20Ballymacool%20Book%20Tour%20Horizontal%20Graphic%20(1200%20%C3%97%20675%20px).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://cdn.bakerpublishinggroup.com/processed/book-resources/files/Excerpt_9780800741747.pdf?1666726304" target="_blank">Read the first chapter of<i> The Maid of Ballymacool</i> here!</a></span></u></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">About the Author</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzuA0q5a7ZZdKn8kcHCl53iWZoxlZpfPqmyWnUC00U0v3gAV8XrLwCbH2G2GYDXtDYkSlewZl9cwONaxKx05oA_Xm2BVDZnFWL0-Lz9rbzSukR46MvQJxhSGsbXO50OHe8MiKbbswl7jopyJQW36drB1tJIk4orYN71ajdSXGjkxAcDvSMf-N_BjFxA/s875/Jennifer%20Deibel%20author%20headshot%202023.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzuA0q5a7ZZdKn8kcHCl53iWZoxlZpfPqmyWnUC00U0v3gAV8XrLwCbH2G2GYDXtDYkSlewZl9cwONaxKx05oA_Xm2BVDZnFWL0-Lz9rbzSukR46MvQJxhSGsbXO50OHe8MiKbbswl7jopyJQW36drB1tJIk4orYN71ajdSXGjkxAcDvSMf-N_BjFxA/s320/Jennifer%20Deibel%20author%20headshot%202023.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Jennifer Deibel is the author of <i>A Dance in Donegal </i>(winner of the Kipp Award for Historical Romance) and <i>The Lady of Galway Manor </i>(a Parable Group bestseller). Her work has appeared on (in)courage, on <i>The Better Mom</i>, in <i>Missions Mosaic</i> magazine, and in other publications. With firsthand immersive experience abroad, Jennifer writes stories that help redefine home through the lens of culture, history, and family. After nearly a decade of living in Ireland and Austria, she now lives in Arizona with her husband and their three children. </span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.jenniferdeibel.com/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">WEBSITE</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://twitter.com/thisgalsjourney"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">TWITTER</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JenniferDeibelAuthor"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">FACEBOOK</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jenniferdeibel_author/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">INSTAGRAM</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20391683.Jennifer_Deibel"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">GOODREADS</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXaHhS8WPEndG1iZ2aP0g49pJxMm2quJ_o8XuSiBYlpJkJIodds2GUB1Sr2PHv1xouiyepMZdnJJplMfvxl2xqk_hZTasCodOD6uG3S8Obl-Ml_zPfj3fkhICQNG43CkDkhTzhu3DqmSy_egHdlG8-IL6dJS01mfz_NiOEkYSLspeDvGRd5J8NhKYrw/s2000/The%20Maid%20of%20Ballymacool%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1294" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXaHhS8WPEndG1iZ2aP0g49pJxMm2quJ_o8XuSiBYlpJkJIodds2GUB1Sr2PHv1xouiyepMZdnJJplMfvxl2xqk_hZTasCodOD6uG3S8Obl-Ml_zPfj3fkhICQNG43CkDkhTzhu3DqmSy_egHdlG8-IL6dJS01mfz_NiOEkYSLspeDvGRd5J8NhKYrw/w259-h400/The%20Maid%20of%20Ballymacool%202023.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3m3xMbw" target="_blank"><b><u>Hardcover</u></b></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z1LolW" target="_blank">Paperback</a></b></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3xN9KEh" target="_blank">Kindle</a></b></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3EBv5UG" target="_blank">Audible</a></b></u></div>
<br /><br />Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-34835601223361528002023-02-07T00:00:00.008-05:002023-02-07T14:53:23.615-05:00Book Review: Not in Want of a Wife by Amanda Kai<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XWrdX8WOcUtBq5q-TkzsNAqoja--sUfAAgJAFpFa67_EjDgVRO3pWoEr_xFJQph0_ksjs8EILT7789J9dltSag_kG3RWzo6sis55T1FQY4NDSx05Y2JOcKoz2mzO_hwwQMJZ2UyKJIJTnwkPOmTEPnPFCSjAPy4n-Ab7YmCOU3VLx1lMwz5vRmqwOg/s600/Not%20in%20Want%20of%20a%20Wife%20Cover.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XWrdX8WOcUtBq5q-TkzsNAqoja--sUfAAgJAFpFa67_EjDgVRO3pWoEr_xFJQph0_ksjs8EILT7789J9dltSag_kG3RWzo6sis55T1FQY4NDSx05Y2JOcKoz2mzO_hwwQMJZ2UyKJIJTnwkPOmTEPnPFCSjAPy4n-Ab7YmCOU3VLx1lMwz5vRmqwOg/w266-h400/Not%20in%20Want%20of%20a%20Wife%20Cover.jpg" width="266" /></a></i></b></div><p style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">What if Darcy and Elizabeth pretended to court?</span></i></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Mr. Darcy is not in want of a wife. At least, not one that only loves him for his money. Ever since he came of age, Darcy’s been an object of prey to fortune hunters– greedy ladies and their scheming mamas who would do anything to get their hands on his ten thousand a year and his luxurious estate. Tired of being the most eligible man in any room he walks into, Darcy decides the only way to stave off the fortune hunters is to make himself unavailable to them.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Elizabeth Bennet is convinced that only the deepest love could persuade her into matrimony, and since that has yet to appear, she would do anything rather than marry without affection. Unfortunately, all her mother's thoughts are bent on finding rich husbands for her and her sisters. With the arrival of Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy causing a stir among all the mothers of Meryton, Elizabeth knows it is only a matter of time before her own mother pushes her to try to capture one of these rich gentlemen for herself at all costs.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Seeing themselves in virtually the same predicament, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth come up with a convenient arrangement: they will pretend to court while Mr. Darcy is staying at Netherfield. Mr. Darcy will get a reprieve from the relentless husband hunters, and Elizabeth can satisfy her mother with the notion that she has landed a suitor.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">But when the time comes for their partnership to end, the feelings that were merely an act have started to become a reality. Will Darcy and Elizabeth find a way to express the feelings that are in their hearts, or will they part ways for good</span>?</i></p><p><br /></p><hr /><p></p><p><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">There is no shortage of <i>Pride and Prejudice </i>variations, much to the delight of many Janeites who enjoy the exploration of what Austen’s characters might have done if new life choices had been presented to them. Such is the case with Amanda Kai’s speculative work <i>Not in Want of a Wife. </i>In this adaptation, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet agree to a fabricated, temporary engagement for purposes that do not include a romantic attachment between each other. While this solves a few problems, it leads to complications due to unexpected developments within their circles of friends and family. Likewise, as is the case in many narratives of this type, the faux lovers are surprised to find a tender regard growing between themselves as well. This produces a collection of issues in need of resolution.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">As those issues are addressed, Author Amanda Kai offers a realistic and entertaining tale in <i>Not in Want of a Wife. </i>She is undoubtedly an admirer and respecter of Jane Austen’s source material, as each character remains fairly consistent with the way Austen presented them. Direct and modified quotes from <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> are sprinkled throughout the text, which often brought a smile to this reader. Kai also interjects her own flavors, including material that incorporates none other than the work of William Shakespeare into the story. A Bardian “callback” near the conclusion of the novel was particularly sweet. The complications and resolutions offered are consistently Austenesque in tone, delicious, and very believable in light of the original text. The manner in which all of the plot threads were completed was deftly handled and satisfying. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">For my conservative readership, I can report that <i>Not in Want of a Wife</i> is consistent with the type of content that Austen herself presented. Adult issues are mentioned, but are not highly detailed or gratuitous in nature. Language on the printed page is conservative, with epithets not described directly. The romance level is very sweet and appropriate for all ages. There is one moment of violence, but its presentation is relatively minor and almost humorous. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This critic has one general quibble with <i>Not in Want of a Wife,</i> and while it is singular, it will inhibit me from offering a rave review. Although Amanda Kai does mention in her Acknowledgements that beta readers assisted her in revising historical inaccuracies throughout the text, I felt that this area and other aspects of the writing sometimes were not very strong. On more than one occasion, 19th century English characters were uttering 20th century American idioms. Other issues of weak grammar were also very distracting. The story itself, its construction, and the nature of the characters were very well done. However, the writing technique left this reader wanting on more than one occasion.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">That one criticism may not be a concern for many readers. In fact, some may not even notice the issues I have indicated. The novel is an enjoyable read, with many moments of humor, suspense, and romance. Amanda Kai has written a sweet Austenesque tale that highly respects the source material. At the same time, she has forged her own path in a way that is creative yet honors the world that Austen fashioned. As she continues to hone her skills, I look forward to what this talented author has for her audience next.</span></p>
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<hr /><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><b>About the Author</b></span></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LBKwH2e5rDY7jTHcMnvRFDA-FZsVe-6MNOoPWWUUdaIvm3gkSiHhxVDBeom0IhSnObMdlbTX2B7US-b9pAWf7RJuqfSWmbw3I-XjityycCkuSMUhyl0r_wqywT3As-LU83YhySFUNviOwrfPl67m1X-ZOuY1Fo4GlcImPK9BABXD1z-C-ApFmLuNZA/s3000/Amanda%20Kai.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LBKwH2e5rDY7jTHcMnvRFDA-FZsVe-6MNOoPWWUUdaIvm3gkSiHhxVDBeom0IhSnObMdlbTX2B7US-b9pAWf7RJuqfSWmbw3I-XjityycCkuSMUhyl0r_wqywT3As-LU83YhySFUNviOwrfPl67m1X-ZOuY1Fo4GlcImPK9BABXD1z-C-ApFmLuNZA/s320/Amanda%20Kai.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Amanda Kai’s love of period dramas and classic literature inspires her historical romances and other romances. She is the author of several stories inspired by Jane Austen, including <i>Not In Want of a Wife, Elizabeth’s Secret Admirer</i>, and <i>Marriage and Ministry. </i>Prior to becoming an author, Amanda enjoyed a successful career as a professional harpist, and danced ballet for twenty years. When she’s not diving into the realm of her imagination, Amanda lives out her own happily ever after in Texas with her husband and three children. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63918665-not-in-want-of-a-wife?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=AED1WQzT4f&rank=1" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/amandakaiauthor/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/authoramandakai" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b></span></p>
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<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZdRiwmVPVsE5AFAY-kIUS8KWhSTSQPMrxQIrCGek7d0ybh0b7tEKSAYQNqYYsnJBevUJJwoom8LFIMhzirzlTNC2Ed4ORi826rGUHD9eTVWnqoq0NbugsECxusEtTLfN3FVGLv4TMnH_haLuQTq7AOLCQUqjnNbY8TXEjoT8ggJjXSVnNWC5S86umA/s600/Not%20in%20Want%20of%20a%20Wife%20Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZdRiwmVPVsE5AFAY-kIUS8KWhSTSQPMrxQIrCGek7d0ybh0b7tEKSAYQNqYYsnJBevUJJwoom8LFIMhzirzlTNC2Ed4ORi826rGUHD9eTVWnqoq0NbugsECxusEtTLfN3FVGLv4TMnH_haLuQTq7AOLCQUqjnNbY8TXEjoT8ggJjXSVnNWC5S86umA/w266-h400/Not%20in%20Want%20of%20a%20Wife%20Cover.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><a href="https://amzn.to/3YupCXq" target="_blank">Kindle</a><br /><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/40FubzW" target="_blank">Paperback</a></u></b></span></p></div>Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-89598062711105079152023-01-16T00:00:00.009-05:002023-01-17T15:25:03.358-05:00Book Review: The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibf_yHejU9D-4kItaKvDIKBozLBTL2u3sH41HcATD-gyyonaA3xJHrdnxATedi2Bx38pGdiSk5yHXapTiVoHPqrrvSiKEM9aeQ-3O3EALBT42K-Ev91Zcouj8nOJnC66XD5Pg3F-Q2YD2u0uqi2RYpQQ5sFHLjeXEEiP3f9QI2P3AsfDwYztMQHAaSMg/s2000/The%20Rose%20and%20the%20Thislte%202023.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1294" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibf_yHejU9D-4kItaKvDIKBozLBTL2u3sH41HcATD-gyyonaA3xJHrdnxATedi2Bx38pGdiSk5yHXapTiVoHPqrrvSiKEM9aeQ-3O3EALBT42K-Ev91Zcouj8nOJnC66XD5Pg3F-Q2YD2u0uqi2RYpQQ5sFHLjeXEEiP3f9QI2P3AsfDwYztMQHAaSMg/w259-h400/The%20Rose%20and%20the%20Thislte%202023.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />In 1715, Lady Blythe Hedley's father is declared an enemy of the British crown because of his Jacobite sympathies, forcing her to flee her home in northern England. Secreted to the tower of Wedderburn Castle in Scotland, Lady Blythe awaits who will ultimately be crowned king. But in a house with seven sons and numerous servants, her presence soon becomes known.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No sooner has Everard Hume lost his father, Lord Wedderburn, than Lady Hedley arrives with the clothes on her back and her mistress in tow. He has his own problems--a volatile brother with dangerous political leanings, an estate to manage, and a very young brother in need of comfort and direction in the wake of losing his father. It would be best for everyone if he could send this misfit heiress on her way as soon as possible.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Drawn into a whirlwind of intrigue, shifting alliances, and ambitions, Lady Blythe must be careful whom she trusts. Her fortune, her future, and her very life are at stake. Those who appear to be adversaries may turn out to be allies--and those who pretend friendship may be enemies</span>.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div><br /><hr /></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Imagine the tumult of grieving the loss of a father, balancing loyalties in a country enduring political turmoil, and welcoming a stranger into your home as she seeks protection within that same political storm? Such is the challenge facing Everard Hume, the newly established eleventh Earl of Wedderburn in Laura Frantz’s <i>The Rose and the Thistle.</i> It is the year 1715 in Scotland. Jacobite and anti-Papist tensions are high, and the nobility is forced to choose sides as forces build to an eventual conflict. As Everard takes on the mantle previously held by his father, many challenges are faced both within and without. Likewise, his “guest” Lady Blythe Hedley has narrowly escaped an anti-papist mob, is worried about the safety of her Jacobite father, and feels less than welcome as a fleeing Catholic in the Protestant Hume household. Much is at stake for both individuals during this factious moment in British history.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The Rose and the Thistle</i> is not only an educational read for those interested in 18th-century Scotland, but it is also an entertaining novel by a talented author. Laura Frantz, a descendant of the Humes of Wedderburn Castle has thoroughly researched her ancestors and culture, mixing healthy amounts of realism and fact with fictionalized narrative. The result is a novel that easily held my attention and captivated my imagination. Each character is fully sketched and unique, and I came to care for the protagonists easily. Likewise, a few antagonists in particular drew me into the story, as they provided conflict which made the plot all the more interesting. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">While political intrigue is a strong theme of <i>The Rose and the Thistle,</i> the dominant focus is ultimately a romance between Everard and Blythe. As a Christian author, Laura Frantz keeps the content between her lovers very sweet, without gratuitous details or overly steamy scenes. Passionate moments are clear, but readers are left to read between the lines on many occasions. While Everard and Blythe come from two schools of thought in regard to faith, they share belief in a common Savior and find ways to bridge the gap between their variant traditions. As a Catholic, Blythe does use Rosary beads in her prayer times, but within the pages of <i>The Rose and the Thistle </i>her thoughts are directed more to Christ than in a Papist saint. That said, the novel is not overly evangelistic in tone and could easily be enjoyed by those of varying religious persuasions. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Although I am half German, I am also part Scottish, a descendant of the line of Robert the Bruce. For almost a decade I have also been a strong follower of the works of Diana Gabaldon and her Scottish-based <i>Outlander </i>series. My husband and I also hope to travel to this beautiful country sometime in the near future, and have enjoyed learning more about the culture. <i>The Rose and the Thistle</i> is rife with Scottish vocabulary, social trends and historic moments. Frantz was right to put a glossary at the beginning of the text, as I needed to refer to it often. At times I found some of the dialogue a little hard to follow with the Scottish accent of some of the characters, but that added to the verisimilitude of the story. I very much felt like I had been dropped into 18th century Scotland. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Laura Frantz is a new author for this reader, and I highly enjoyed<i> The Rose and the Thistle. </i>The romance was delicious, the political intrigue exciting, and the spirituality encouraging. For all I have learned about Scotland in recent years, my knowledge took a leap forward after enjoying this title. Frantz has done her ancestors a great service in sharing this chapter of their history, and she has given her readers a fine gift in this captivating novel.</span></p><p><br /></p><hr /><p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIszNA7Oo8wghaBWrhDwBXOLm1LjH665hDO24lvV1U2CqcHoRKI0vGpLyQjc9zaD_zIgNAkqlNMM7OuX1GZfSwdqnNljuy-Zea9q-lzQCeSrreRgIhXN3Uq3EpFkqHsE-WS3lky_fFphE-nj_oQx94vN3E-Rc__SVsHnmqCHonkH92fko0xxOZ0A4sg/s1768/Laura%20Frantz%20author%20headshot%202022.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1768" data-original-width="1382" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIszNA7Oo8wghaBWrhDwBXOLm1LjH665hDO24lvV1U2CqcHoRKI0vGpLyQjc9zaD_zIgNAkqlNMM7OuX1GZfSwdqnNljuy-Zea9q-lzQCeSrreRgIhXN3Uq3EpFkqHsE-WS3lky_fFphE-nj_oQx94vN3E-Rc__SVsHnmqCHonkH92fko0xxOZ0A4sg/w250-h320/Laura%20Frantz%20author%20headshot%202022.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">About the Author</span></b></h2><p></p><span style="font-size: medium;">Christy Award-winning author, Laura Frantz, is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century, and writes her manuscripts in longhand first. Her stories often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying in the years 1748-1750. Proud of her heritage, she is also a Daughter of the American Revolution. When not at home in Kentucky, she and her husband live in Washington State.</span><p></p><p><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://laurafrantz.net/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">WEBSITE</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://twitter.com/LFrantzauthor"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">TWITTER</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LauraFrantzAuthor/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">FACEBOOK</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurafrantzauthor/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">INSTAGRAM</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2986307.Laura_Frantz?from_search=true&from_srp=true"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">GOODREADS</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><hr /><br /><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibf_yHejU9D-4kItaKvDIKBozLBTL2u3sH41HcATD-gyyonaA3xJHrdnxATedi2Bx38pGdiSk5yHXapTiVoHPqrrvSiKEM9aeQ-3O3EALBT42K-Ev91Zcouj8nOJnC66XD5Pg3F-Q2YD2u0uqi2RYpQQ5sFHLjeXEEiP3f9QI2P3AsfDwYztMQHAaSMg/s2000/The%20Rose%20and%20the%20Thislte%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1294" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibf_yHejU9D-4kItaKvDIKBozLBTL2u3sH41HcATD-gyyonaA3xJHrdnxATedi2Bx38pGdiSk5yHXapTiVoHPqrrvSiKEM9aeQ-3O3EALBT42K-Ev91Zcouj8nOJnC66XD5Pg3F-Q2YD2u0uqi2RYpQQ5sFHLjeXEEiP3f9QI2P3AsfDwYztMQHAaSMg/w259-h400/The%20Rose%20and%20the%20Thislte%202023.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3CVxMQt" target="_blank">Hardback</a></b><br /><br /></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3GL3iBz" target="_blank">Paperback</a></b></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3IU3PUq" target="_blank"><b>Kindle</b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3IZ8OmT" target="_blank">Audio</a></b></u></div><br /><p><br /></p>Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-72514508546670954542023-01-10T00:00:00.001-05:002023-01-10T12:18:27.259-05:00Review: Fashionable Goodness: Christianity in Jane Austen's England <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMXVfu613Wr7Uo2zaWFcq1KdQSwioZfxhen2vU0uVYfkWSEjy28gBbus5SZWg6OgbhxN6q-9grmyHNBkBo0op06YkuAjl0-5EE_2aZlv4Frp10FqbQtqJJNaL4bQtEMTDWz4JO65X_YAJf3Nz1_ZN8n6xfJiI9eUJpP7GifImtzaKNQ1IjBc_qTaGLw/s2560/fashionable-goodness.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMXVfu613Wr7Uo2zaWFcq1KdQSwioZfxhen2vU0uVYfkWSEjy28gBbus5SZWg6OgbhxN6q-9grmyHNBkBo0op06YkuAjl0-5EE_2aZlv4Frp10FqbQtqJJNaL4bQtEMTDWz4JO65X_YAJf3Nz1_ZN8n6xfJiI9eUJpP7GifImtzaKNQ1IjBc_qTaGLw/w250-h400/fashionable-goodness.jpeg" width="250" /></a></div>Jane Austen transports us to a world of elegance and upheaval. The Church of England, at the heart of her life and her world, is key to understanding her stories. Readers may wonder:<br /><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Why could Mr. Collins, a rector, afford to marry a poor woman, while Mr. Elton, a vicar, could not? </li><li>What conflicting religious duties led Elizabeth Bennet to turn down two marriage proposals?</li><li>Why did <i>Mansfield Park’s </i>early readers (unlike most today) love Fanny Price?</li><li>What part did people of color, like Miss Lambe of<i> Sanditon,</i> play in English society?</li><li>How did Austen’s church impact people’s lives and the world?</li></ul><p></p><p><i>Fashionable Goodness: Christianity in Jane Austen’s England</i> by Brenda S. Cox answers these questions and many more. It explores:<br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Austen’s Church of England, as we see it in her novels</li><li>Challenges the church was facing, reflected in her stories</li><li>Ways the church in Austen’s England transformed England and the world</li></ul><p></p><p>Comprehensive, yet affordable and easy to read, <i>Fashionable Goodness</i> will help you see Austen’s beloved novels and characters in richer and deeper ways. </p><p><br /></p><hr /><p></p><p> Printed biographies and filmed documentaries of the life of Jane Austen are plentiful. Her station in life as the daughter of a country clergyman is routinely mentioned within these productions, and men of the cloth appear frequently within her novels. These two aspects alone seem to indicate that the Christian faith played a prominent role in the life of this beloved author. However, many who lived within the culture of the time practiced what was called a “fashionable goodness” or a reserved level of religious observance which was exhibited by those in “proper society.” It would be reasonable to assume that Jane might have been fashionably good and nothing more. Author and researcher Brenda S. Cox shows in copious detail that this was not the case. Within F<i>ashionable Goodness: Christianity in Jane Austen’s England,</i> Cox not only reveals the vibrant, sincere faith of Jane Austen, but she also elucidates church culture at the time and its effects in England and in literature. The late 18th and early 19th century was a time of tremendous change in England. Christianity was often a part of that, and it can be seen in the life and works of Jane Austen. <i>Fashionable Goodness</i> has brought together a large amount of related information in this regard. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBv-I1K0PEOK5apZzCL19kNb-SWvZ0PGFSNnB0h6YWJqJohY0omWBI3f7Pk9a1YXzoA2Fy8OzFF-a27HS5KlshSyifMDNiWdKAMjU1qYNkMdUbQBtLW0vsZ3GdikxCYnSGc0R72LD_jYDUGVjLziDu19qOGRslLnGTwjYxVN6A6DqjIIKTmSy-GPsZoA/s1168/Jane%20Austen's%20Grave.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1168" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBv-I1K0PEOK5apZzCL19kNb-SWvZ0PGFSNnB0h6YWJqJohY0omWBI3f7Pk9a1YXzoA2Fy8OzFF-a27HS5KlshSyifMDNiWdKAMjU1qYNkMdUbQBtLW0vsZ3GdikxCYnSGc0R72LD_jYDUGVjLziDu19qOGRslLnGTwjYxVN6A6DqjIIKTmSy-GPsZoA/s320/Jane%20Austen's%20Grave.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Brenda Cox begins the first third of her work with an overview of Austen’s Church of England. Readers are given insight into the faith of Miss Austen herself, as well as Christian culture of the time. English terms which are still used today have also shifted in their meaning, and Cox explains how such words as “Evangelical”, “serious”, “duty”, and “manners” were utilized differently in that era. As a Christian I also appreciated her examination of Austen’s epitaph (seen in the photo at right). The words penned by Austen’s brother James have concerned me for some time. Near the conclusion of the heartfelt message, there seems to be an implication that it was Jane’s “charity, devotion, faith and purity” which made her “acceptable” to God. Cox clarifies this inscription by stating, “<i>Were they saying that her good works saved her? That’s one interpretation. However, faith is on the list, and her ‘Redeemer’ is given prominence, meaning Christ who died for her sins. . . . [T]he epitaph more likely means that her charity, devotion, and purity showed the reality of her faith. Jane Austen’s family, her writings, and her life affirm that she was a serious, deeply committed Christian.”</i> (p.16) Cox’s evaluation not only makes sense from a biblical standpoint, but as she outlines in <i>Fashionable Goodness,</i> this point of view also aligns with the culture of the time.<p></p><p> The second third of this volume focuses upon cultural and religious challenges in Austen’s world. The life of clergymen is given much examination, and specific topics such as female preachers, rented pews and race relations are also discussed. While some congregations may still debate the role of women in ministry today, it hardly seems fathomable that the working poor could not always freely enter churches and sit in any pew they chose. The abolitionist movement is also mentioned with regularity within <i>Fashionable Goodness</i>, highlighting Christianity’s role in working to remove slavery from polite society. Cox discusses the subject and how it finds its way into Austen’s work, such as in <i>Emma</i> and <i>Mansfield Park</i>. The concluding chapter of Cox’s Part Two is particularly of interest for this reader, as I have been working on my master’s degree in Christian Apologetics. The topic of reason vs. feeling is raised often in the world of apologetics, and as Cox discusses, this was also an issue in Austen’s time.</p><p> The final third of <i>Fashionable Goodness</i> is a treasure trove of tables, appendices, notes and other resources. Cox also offers more content on her website, <b><u><a href="https://brendascox.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">BrendaSCox.wordpress.com</a></u></b>. This portion of the volume would be of interest to any strong Janeite, but would certainly be invaluable for other researchers or writers of Austenesque fiction. </p><p><i> Fashionable Goodness</i> is a remarkable work, and a labor of love from Brenda S. Cox. Even if the reader does not share Austen’s Christian faith, this resource will be a great asset in coming to understand not only Jane Austen herself, but the time in which she lived. Cox shows her readership that Christianity has historically included those of the “fashionably good” set, but there is so much more to this faith than mere religion. As we see in the life of Jane Austen, Christianity is a vibrant relationship with the Creator, a part of a saving faith that is given by God’s grace. Through that grace we can be made “good” through Christ and affect the world in a positive way, much like Austen herself did.</p><p><br /></p>
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About the Author</span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxRI8NiosuMXRroBb8h1e5NjYgBKUnlU4ThNNrC-TfCqJPAH-U-SWL19lQ8zg86YlfN4aGyRitjX2VYZhttz17wRUCFocLrzlUuSe0cQMyRzsJZ1d5eZ2qxUsASCF0GAWQhibGkqnHkvsW3UqmSgOLS6qqG85mIhqtR3rz2wXVydqnVwotYQMQtDnwA/s2448/Brenda%20S.%20Cox%20square%20pic.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxRI8NiosuMXRroBb8h1e5NjYgBKUnlU4ThNNrC-TfCqJPAH-U-SWL19lQ8zg86YlfN4aGyRitjX2VYZhttz17wRUCFocLrzlUuSe0cQMyRzsJZ1d5eZ2qxUsASCF0GAWQhibGkqnHkvsW3UqmSgOLS6qqG85mIhqtR3rz2wXVydqnVwotYQMQtDnwA/s320/Brenda%20S.%20Cox%20square%20pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><div>Brenda S. Cox has loved Jane Austen since she came across a copy of <i>Emma</i> as a young adult; she went out and bought a whole set of the novels as soon as she finished it! She has spent years researching the church in Austen’s England, visiting English churches and reading hundreds of books and articles, including many written by Austen’s contemporaries. She speaks at Jane Austen Society of North America meetings (incuding three AGMs) and writes for <i>Persuasions On-Line</i> (JASNA journal) and the websites <i>Jane Austen’s World</i> and <i>Faith, Science, Joy, and Jane Austen.</i></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><b>Where to Buy:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Fashionable Goodness: Christianity in Jane Austen’s England</i> is now available from <b><u><a href="https://amzn.to/3WfTZ2x" target="_blank">Amazon</a></u></b> and <b><u><i><a href="https://www.janeaustenbooks.net/products/17638" target="_blank">Jane Austen Books</a></i></u></b>.</div></div><div><br /></div>Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-91309030141754749022022-12-31T20:42:00.002-05:002022-12-31T21:15:39.678-05:00Book Review: Rosings Park by Jack Caldwell<p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGbdWM2fwOwiKQWbf_L3Gq4t8Ky9gW3uZQPCLxMEg1Afjbl-TPBkrkvHUbfgTs3E_13O3_uiUq5q7OKFfecvC_tragimZBxAR_GQxT8qV_z5bUoQSE_KLnzCwjMutqUvPC3bHgGeuNQ5516OIzoSNXG_6Ii3PcF6C9qS4TywU9d-lznebNjmobuFZdw/s2400/Rosings%20Park.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1567" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGbdWM2fwOwiKQWbf_L3Gq4t8Ky9gW3uZQPCLxMEg1Afjbl-TPBkrkvHUbfgTs3E_13O3_uiUq5q7OKFfecvC_tragimZBxAR_GQxT8qV_z5bUoQSE_KLnzCwjMutqUvPC3bHgGeuNQ5516OIzoSNXG_6Ii3PcF6C9qS4TywU9d-lznebNjmobuFZdw/w261-h400/Rosings%20Park.jpg" width="261" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">A decade ago, groundbreaking novel <i>The Three Colonels</i> began the epic <i>Jane Austen’s Fighting Men</i> series and transformed Austenesque literature with its blend of Regency romance and historical fiction. <i>Rosings Park</i> is its long-awaited conclusion!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The Napoleonic Wars are finally over, and Britain seeks to rebuild after a generation of war. Gone is the “green and pleasant land” of the early Regency. In its place, a natural disaster on the other side of the world exacerbates the country’s woes: economic depression, widespread hunger, industrialization, and civil unrest. Great Britain faces ruin and revolution.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy agree to take in the young and spirited daughter of Lydia Wickham, and all the while, their beloved Pemberley is being endangered by riotous Luddites. Colonel Sir Richard Fitzwilliam marries Anne de Bourgh but finds the management of Rosings Park no easy matter, especially with Lady Catherine de Bourgh ready and eager to offer advice. Haunted by despair and gravely wounded in body and spirit, a bitter Colonel Sir John Buford returns to England to be nursed by his wife, the former Caroline Bingley.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Then, an evil out of the past returns to wreak vengeance on Rosings Park, and the Darcys, Fitzwilliams, Bufords, and their friends face a devastating truth: HAPPILY EVER AFTER MUST BE EARNED. </span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><hr /></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">As mentioned in the description above, Jack Caldwell’s “Fighting Men” series began in 2012 with <i>The Three Colonels,</i> which I had the pleasure of reading. I also read and reviewed the subsequent volumes <i>The Last Adventure of the Scarlet Pimpernel</i> (2016) and <i>Persuaded to Sail </i>(2020). The next title released was <i>Rosings Park</i>. Once again Caldwell has brought together several beloved characters from the world of Jane Austen, plus a few of his own creation. Although I found <i>Persuaded to Sail </i>to be a bit of a misstep for this talented author, he has produced a fine work in <i>Rosings Park. </i>As a Janeite I thoroughly enjoyed inhabiting the world of the likes of the Darcys, the Fitzwilliams and others. Readers are given a thorough glimpse inside the inner workings of the Rosings estate, as well as inside the lives of those who are within and affected by this grand residence. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">A large portion of the novel focuses on the relationships of the characters, developing friendships and loves that Austen either set in motion in her original works, or certainly would have approved of in Caldwell’s vision for their narratives. The fate of the daughter of Lydia Bennet Wickham was particularly compelling. A spunky, sweet young lady who deserved much better parents, Chloe Wickham is sometimes shunned for her heritage. Light in spirit, she manages to win over several surly adults who initially discount her as merely the spawn of less-than-desirable folk. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The development of other Austenesque characters was also interesting, as readers find the former Caroline Bingley growing into a woman of compassion and esteem. Anne de Bourgh Fitzwilliam matures as a woman, gaining greater health physically, but also learning how to be the lady of a grand estate (which includes managing her mother as well). Her husband, Colonel Fitzwilliam has struggles of his own too, as he must be the master of Rosings with a formidable mother-in-law.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Calwell also introduces into the lives of these characters some elements that bring about no small amount of drama, particularly near the close of the novel. I found the final chapters to be especially riveting, with dastardly deeds faced on multiple fronts by the men and women of Rosings. It was also refreshing to have high drama without copious amounts of graphic material. On occasion the men would spout off colorful language, but it was reasonable (if not lighter) than one would expect from military men in that era, facing matters of life and death. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Jack Caldwell’s “Fighting Men” series has continued with a fine fourth volume in the collection. <i>Rosings Park </i>is a delicious return to the world of Jane Austen’s characters. The development of relationships was compelling and realistic, and the drama was page-turning. Within the end pages of the book readers are given the tease that a fifth book will one day arrive, entitled <i>Brother of the Bride.</i> I had previously assumed that <i>Rosings Park </i>was the concluding title, but it seems this is not the case. I’m glad that the saga has not completely retired. Jack Caldwell’s portrayal of his and Austen’s characters was worth another visit in <i>Rosings Park, </i>and will most certainly be once again in <i>Brother of the Bride.</i></span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><hr /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">About the Author</span></b></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-VQIZ7izYGevwn1_eROwoNSrKWbMDjI7y6XwLOWhvksyqkqTkuZoaSKyYHMLqedSB0mN3lvuFPPT32SB7NmGPD3MboUAWiVHnIYdebWI764u0d2PsO3NA_R258sfPWLIeoo7Pvn6q9lL8ia784Z-YpTAV5_kN2t_QwcIXAzLWuLFpHofZy_3qapdTw/s216/Jack%20Caldwell%20Bio%20Pic.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="154" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-VQIZ7izYGevwn1_eROwoNSrKWbMDjI7y6XwLOWhvksyqkqTkuZoaSKyYHMLqedSB0mN3lvuFPPT32SB7NmGPD3MboUAWiVHnIYdebWI764u0d2PsO3NA_R258sfPWLIeoo7Pvn6q9lL8ia784Z-YpTAV5_kN2t_QwcIXAzLWuLFpHofZy_3qapdTw/w228-h320/Jack%20Caldwell%20Bio%20Pic.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Jack Caldwell, born and raised in the Bayou County of Louisiana, is an author, amateur historian, professional economic development consultant, playwright, and like many Cajuns, a darn good cook. His nickname – The Cajun Cheesehead – came from his devotion to his two favorite NFL teams: the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers. When not writing or traveling with his wife, Barbara, Jack attempts to play golf. A devout convert to Roman Catholicism, Jack is married with three grown sons. </span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Always a history buff, Jack found and fell in love with Jane Austen in his twenties, struck by her innate understanding of the human condition. Jack uses his work to share his knowledge of history. Through his characters, he hopes the reader gains a better understanding of what went on before, developing an appreciation for our ancestors' trials and tribulations.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jack’s novels include <i>Pemberley Ranch, Mr. Darcy Came to Dinner, The Companion of his Future Life,</i> the <i>Jane Austen’s Fighting Men </i>series and the <i>Crescent City</i> series.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://cajuncheesehead.com/" target="_blank"><u>Website</u></a> | <u><a href="http://austenvariations.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a></u> | <u><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jack-Caldwell-author/132047236805555" target="_blank">Facebook</a></u> | <u><a href="https://twitter.com/JCaldwell25" target="_blank">Twitter</a></u> | <u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jack_caldwell_author/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u> | <u><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4113966.Jack_Caldwell" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></u></span></b></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhS-xCPiyGMLR5Q6F7nERrFEWRD_gTm2a2Er3XLdLEC8jrn3rUV-JcyosaBIOTTeb1lJ-nMmiuqZhWgPJRGwsmPSg9jkg-B9pffpyDLoIME3nGZHzuHpGlB5dGy8u6pzSiY7VZ5S_5DM3xVIrOrTkfledGfFrFkF17jo30h-ZJxtSyeMWDFl2_v1dQw/s2361/Jack%20Caldwell%20Books%20cr.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1646" data-original-width="2361" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhS-xCPiyGMLR5Q6F7nERrFEWRD_gTm2a2Er3XLdLEC8jrn3rUV-JcyosaBIOTTeb1lJ-nMmiuqZhWgPJRGwsmPSg9jkg-B9pffpyDLoIME3nGZHzuHpGlB5dGy8u6pzSiY7VZ5S_5DM3xVIrOrTkfledGfFrFkF17jo30h-ZJxtSyeMWDFl2_v1dQw/w400-h279/Jack%20Caldwell%20Books%20cr.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><i style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3WDX3Gm" target="_blank">The Three Colonels</a><br /><br /></i></u></b></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><i style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z3hdLz" target="_blank">The Last Adventure of the Scarlet Pimpernel</a><br /><br /></i></u></b></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><i style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3GfdwKu" target="_blank">Persuaded to Sail</a><br /><br /></i></u></b></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><i style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Z3C3KL" target="_blank">Rosings Park</a></i></u></b></span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-53368122825631412122022-12-30T20:50:00.001-05:002022-12-30T21:49:23.038-05:00Book Review: An Ivy Hill Christmas by Julie Klassen<p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn75Ig3Jp86Dpma-avllmWo47MuiD9a3c01MNk_U1iqYLDKh34-JZximiuxDsTJiqkGwXWj85nMQH_miEbSi-3trvwkK0usZkgpSeyT5UADo_3AeIzGMBk5WZDdWpkcytSIFRri8cmovLMi1VAdekfoMzi_-THmNsFB-ApSAJi3VRWsqF1JMsud0wclQ/s2551/Ivy%20Hill%20Christmas.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2551" data-original-width="1650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn75Ig3Jp86Dpma-avllmWo47MuiD9a3c01MNk_U1iqYLDKh34-JZximiuxDsTJiqkGwXWj85nMQH_miEbSi-3trvwkK0usZkgpSeyT5UADo_3AeIzGMBk5WZDdWpkcytSIFRri8cmovLMi1VAdekfoMzi_-THmNsFB-ApSAJi3VRWsqF1JMsud0wclQ/w259-h400/Ivy%20Hill%20Christmas.jpg" width="259" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Julie Klassen has created a delightful world in the Regency-era village of Ivy Hill, bringing three novels thus far in this series to her readers. In 2020 she also published a novella entitled <i>An Ivy Hill Christmas, </i>returning to the characters and setting of Ivy Hill. For this story she focused on the dashing and rakish Richard Brockwell, the prodigal son of the popular Brockwell family. I imagined him as a young Greg Wise, the actor who played the scoundrel Willoughby in the 1995 cinematic adaptation of <i>Sense and Sensibility. </i>While Klassen’s Richard Brockwell may not have wreaked as much damage as Austen’s Willoughby did, he certainly has many mistakes in his past and a reputation which would cause any respectable young lady to steer clear of him. When he returns home from London for the Christmas season, he hopes to encourage this reputation, as he has no desire to marry. Living a bachelor’s life in London with no thought to anyone but himself is an ideal existence. Or is it? The young Brockwell comes in contact with a few unexpected individuals which shift his perspective considerably. It makes for an interesting Christmas season indeed.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I thoroughly enjoyed <i>An Ivy Hill Christmas,</i> with its inclusion of previously-established characters and the introduction of new ones. The plight of the young apprentice Jamie was especially touching, and I loved how his situation not only highlighted the struggles of children in that era, but also ways in which those less fortunate children could be helped. Klassen has done her history homework, and I enjoyed learning about various traditions of that time period too. For example, I knew that “12th night”/the 12th Day of Christmas is on January 6th, but I was not aware of the tradition of quickly removing all traces of holiday decor before the stroke of midnight, leading into the 7th. Like the characters in the story, I don’t believe in “bad luck”, but it’s certainly a good habit to establish: cleaning up the holidays well before the end of January!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The romantic aspects of the story were certainly present, but they were not heavy and were very family-friendly. Klassen made a plot choice that I did not expect, which is to her credit. I expected a particular conclusion to the book, and had it gone in that direction I would have been disappointed, honestly. A slight pivot was made near the end which brought about results which were not only more realistic than my imaginings, but were more satisfying as well. As a Christian I also appreciated the themes of redemption and the love of God towards all men, regardless of their pasts.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">As the holidays are quite busy for most people, <i>An Ivy Hill Christmas </i>is the perfect read for fans of the series who don’t have copious amounts of time to read a lengthy novel. As many established characters from Ivy Hill are mentioned, in this reader’s opinion it would be best for the series to be read first before jumping into the novella. This will increase your enjoyment of the holiday story. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>I also have come up with a reading plan based on the chapters and dates included in the book. If the following sequence is followed, you will be (for the most part) reading the corresponding chapter to the date on the calendar. For example, Christmas Day arrives in Chapter 8 of the story, so that chapter will be read on December 25th. Each day's "assignment" isn't very long, and fits nicely into a busy schedule. Mark your datebooks now! Add the</span><i> Tales from Ivy Hill</i><span> series to your TBR list for this year, and get ready for next Christmas. December will return before you know it!</span></span></p>
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<br /><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>An Ivy Hill Christmas</i> Reading Plan</span></b></h2><div><br /></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-7ec7c373-7fff-eb1b-0094-856a90dcdacf"><div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;"><table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><colgroup><col width="113"></col><col width="119"></col><col width="92"></col><col width="112"></col><col width="120"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: bottom;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Date</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read Chapter</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: bottom;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Date</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read Chapter</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">December 18</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">December 27</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">December 19</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">December 28</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Break/Catch Up</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">December 20</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">December 29</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">11</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">December 21</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">December 30</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">12</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">December 22</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">December 31</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">13</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">December 23</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">January 1</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">14</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">December 24</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">January 2</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">15</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">December 25</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">January 3</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">16</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">December 26</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">January 4</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; border: 1pt solid rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Epilogue</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div></span></div>
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<br /><h2 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfpS4w0JeBksDzMchsR0WzSVgjocd1oV_GN7dlMyaNyzFIsDGyXyVE-FTypOmM4IUFZZUZpb_u3EQQUAUKwJX5pHQwffaokJEVuSF2UhBnHNJxJK4nM0F0nQAOVqKjVhoPOsdjGkHsfeilB4PCVzBvKzvqRGNuAeiOj9htHV523PNLFW8nIr-1DfDUQ/s2000/Julie%20Klassen%20author%20headshot%202022.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfpS4w0JeBksDzMchsR0WzSVgjocd1oV_GN7dlMyaNyzFIsDGyXyVE-FTypOmM4IUFZZUZpb_u3EQQUAUKwJX5pHQwffaokJEVuSF2UhBnHNJxJK4nM0F0nQAOVqKjVhoPOsdjGkHsfeilB4PCVzBvKzvqRGNuAeiOj9htHV523PNLFW8nIr-1DfDUQ/s320/Julie%20Klassen%20author%20headshot%202022.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">
About the Author </span></b></h2><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. Her books have sold over a million copies, and she is a three-time recipient of the Christy Award for Historical Romance. <i>The Secret of Pembrooke Park</i> was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award and has been a finalist in the RITA and Carol Awards. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><a href="https://julieklassen.com/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">WEBSITE</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><a href="https://twitter.com/Julie_Klassen"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">TWITTER</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJulieKlassen/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">FACEBOOK</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/Julie_Klassen/_saved/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">PINTEREST</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/julie.k.klassen/?hl=en"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">INSTAGRAM</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/928415.Julie_Klassen"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">GOODREADS</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div>
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<br />Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461151632869306520.post-49022854194535803472022-12-12T19:00:00.009-05:002022-12-13T12:49:36.758-05:00Book Review: The Sisters of Sea View by Julie Klassen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyziLhGATbuc5uxzONeXtz7KN7wyYz-Bvh4yrnyxKDfzjfGWfVfdQD1jHwC8T6hvx4H5yo3QbWAnXp7P4qZZVTgJ28B7XTgHwy1EbKJ-R6Hnuu86Mt4q68SPe1cCi1UdgOwRMibaLpiNCNeQcijGQr4NjvKi1L2EuncMLZupWekttHN1QkWryfnLVtxA/s2551/The%20Sisters%20of%20Sea%20View%20by%20Julie%20Klassen%202022.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2551" data-original-width="1653" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyziLhGATbuc5uxzONeXtz7KN7wyYz-Bvh4yrnyxKDfzjfGWfVfdQD1jHwC8T6hvx4H5yo3QbWAnXp7P4qZZVTgJ28B7XTgHwy1EbKJ-R6Hnuu86Mt4q68SPe1cCi1UdgOwRMibaLpiNCNeQcijGQr4NjvKi1L2EuncMLZupWekttHN1QkWryfnLVtxA/w414-h640/The%20Sisters%20of%20Sea%20View%20by%20Julie%20Klassen%202022.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Some guests have come for a holiday, others for hidden reasons of their own . . .</span></i></b><p></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">When their father's death leaves them impoverished, Sarah Summers and her genteel sisters fear they will be forced to sell the house and separate to earn livelihoods as governesses or companions. Determined to stay together, Sarah convinces them to open their seaside home to guests to make ends meet and provide for their ailing mother. Instead of the elderly invalids they expect to receive, however, they find themselves hosting eligible gentlemen. Sarah is soon torn between a growing attraction to a mysterious Scottish widower and duty to her family.</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Viola Summers wears a veil to cover her scar. When forced to choose between helping in her family's new guest house and earning money to hire a maid to do her share, she chooses the latter. She reluctantly agrees to read to some of Sidmouth's many invalids, preferring the company of a few elders with failing eyesight to the fashionable guests staying in their home. But when her first client turns out to be a wounded officer in his thirties, Viola soon wishes she had chosen differently. Her new situation exposes her scars--both visible and those hidden deep within--and her cloistered heart will never be the same.</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Join the Summers sisters on the Devonshire coast, where they discover the power of friendship, loyalty, love, and new beginnings.</span></i></p><div><br /></div>
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<hr /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">At first glance, <i>The Sisters of Sea View</i> appears to have much in common with Jane Austen’s <i>Sense and Sensibility.</i> Here is a family of women who have lost their husband and father. None of them is married, and one sister is a model of practicality and familial responsibility. The youngest sister is more apt to climb a tree than to be drawn to the accomplishments of the genteel in society. There are also details that could be compared to Louisa May Alcott’s <i>Little Women.</i> The cast of main characters is decidedly female, one aspires to be an author, two sisters come to properly appreciate each other after calamity strikes in the water, and two girls enjoy the art of creating homemade plays for their families. However, while Julie Klassen’s latest novel may have those details in common with other 19th century fiction, it certainly is its own narrative. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The life of the Summers family as detailed in <i>The Sisters of Sea View </i>is compelling, entertaining and educational as well. Although there are similarities to Austen’s and Alcott’s characters, these ladies have their own struggles and triumphs. Klassen’s writing adeptly constructs these women, giving them their distinct personalities and foibles. While there is a bit of a “happily ever after” (HEA) to the story, not every problem is resolved with a perfect little bow. Insecurities and conflicts are realistic, drawing the reader in and making the narrative quite believable. Issues which are particular to the time add to the realism of the story, particularly in the area of superstitions and medical capabilities. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The romance found in the novel is sweet, enticing, and very family-friendly. The HEA occurred in a way that I did not expect, and I just loved it. Do not let the amazing cover art of this book fool you– in my opinion, the “main character” is not the woman whose face we see on the cover. As this book is the first in a series, my expectation is that the bonneted lady we see on the beach will one day have her nuptial moment, but just not yet. Regardless, all the women in <i>The Sisters of Sea View</i> are given compelling, interwoven storylines that held my attention throughout the novel. There are moments of humor (including incidents with a dead parrot), dramatic tension, danger and heartwarming exchanges between young and old alike. As someone of Scottish heritage, I also appreciated the little cultural touches in connection with a few characters from that country, from the accents displayed to mentions of Scottish thistles, kilts, and haggis! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The Sisters of Sea View</i> is a delightful start to a new series by Julie Klassen. She has once again not failed to disappoint. Although I did enjoy the previous work of hers, <i><a href="https://calicocritic.blogspot.com/2021/12/book-review-and-giveaway-shadows-of.html" target="_blank"><b>Shadows of Swanford Abbey</b></a>,</i> I think I might have liked this title even more. I’m glad there will be more volumes to come, presumably with more of these characters and/or their relations. Days spent at Julie Klassen’s Devonshire shores are delightful indeed, suitable for all audiences and for fans of Austen and Alcott in particular.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
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<br /><h2 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfpS4w0JeBksDzMchsR0WzSVgjocd1oV_GN7dlMyaNyzFIsDGyXyVE-FTypOmM4IUFZZUZpb_u3EQQUAUKwJX5pHQwffaokJEVuSF2UhBnHNJxJK4nM0F0nQAOVqKjVhoPOsdjGkHsfeilB4PCVzBvKzvqRGNuAeiOj9htHV523PNLFW8nIr-1DfDUQ/s2000/Julie%20Klassen%20author%20headshot%202022.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfpS4w0JeBksDzMchsR0WzSVgjocd1oV_GN7dlMyaNyzFIsDGyXyVE-FTypOmM4IUFZZUZpb_u3EQQUAUKwJX5pHQwffaokJEVuSF2UhBnHNJxJK4nM0F0nQAOVqKjVhoPOsdjGkHsfeilB4PCVzBvKzvqRGNuAeiOj9htHV523PNLFW8nIr-1DfDUQ/s320/Julie%20Klassen%20author%20headshot%202022.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">
About the Author </span></b></h2><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. Her books have sold over a million copies, and she is a three-time recipient of the Christy Award for Historical Romance. <i>The Secret of Pembrooke Park</i> was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award and has been a finalist in the RITA and Carol Awards. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><a href="https://julieklassen.com/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">WEBSITE</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><a href="https://twitter.com/Julie_Klassen"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">TWITTER</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJulieKlassen/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">FACEBOOK</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/Julie_Klassen/_saved/"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">PINTEREST</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/julie.k.klassen/?hl=en"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">INSTAGRAM</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"> | </span></b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/928415.Julie_Klassen"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">GOODREADS</span></b></a><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div>
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<center><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EZDjSuBtFEU" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></center><br />Laura Hartnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03105906576784171388noreply@blogger.com1