Books and Everyday Life
We are just four siblings who want to share our love of books with the world. We will also post random things about what we enjoy and about life
Tag: Historical Fiction
The Thief of Blackfriars Lane
Title: The Thief of Blackfriars Lane
Author: Michelle Griep
Publisher: Barbour Books
Genre: Historical Christian Romance
There's Often a Fine Line Between a Criminal and a Saint
Constable Jackson Forge intends to make the world safer, or at least the streets of Victorian London. But that's Kit Turner's domain, a swindler who runs a crew that acquires money the old-fashioned way—conning the rich to give to the poor. When a local cab driver goes missing, Jackson is tasked with finding the man, and the only way to do that is by enlisting Kit's help. If Jackson doesn't find the cabby, he'll be fired. If Kit doesn't help Jackson, he'll arrest her for thievery. Yet neither of them realize those are the least of their problems.
Book Review:
The Thief at Blackfriars Lane was such a fun book. It's about a rookie constable and a swindler that have to learn to work together to solve a missing persons case, and it's set in 1800s London! Jackson Forge is a new constable who has a lot to prove. He is desperate to prove himself and save London from the criminals threatening it. And maybe to help redeem his own past. Kit Turner is not a thief, but no matter what she says no one will believe that. She's learned to not trust anyone, not Jackson and especially not God. When they are thrown together, to help solve a missing person cases sparks fly. But they will have to work together if they want to solve and get out of this case alive.
This is actually my first book by Ms. Griep, and I really enjoyed the action packed and romantic tale. There were so many twists and turns, and the mystery just kept up until the very end of the book. The depictions of them going into the darker parts of London were exciting and exhilarating without being too scary. And there was another very important shock at the end of the book that I did not expect at all!
Additionally, the slow burn romance and friendship were adorable. Jackson had to learn how to trust that he has not failed and God is still working things out for good. And Kit definitely helped him realize that where he helped her see that she could only rely on God. I also loved how even in the 1800s of London, Jackson appreciated Kit's strength and determination. It was sweet to see them banter and learn how to work together. The romance was super clean which is nice because those are hard to find.
I also enjoyed the spiritual side of things. It's one of the hardest things to let go and trust that God will do His work. Kit and Jackson had to learn that. No matter how hard they tried ultimately, they could only trust that God would do His work. I think that it was well woven through the book, so it fit with the plot as well. I would have loved if Ms. Griep had made sure that Kit understood the fact that she could only truly trust God not even Jackson. But, it was still a lovely character growth that was wonderful to read about. I would definitely recommend this romantic, exciting, and encouraging book!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
The Bookworms	ARC, Book Reviews, Books, Mikayla, Netgalley, review	Leave a comment January 9, 2021 2 Minutes
Court of Swans
Title: Court of Swans
Series: Dericott Tale #1
Author: Melanie Dickerson
Where there is wealth and power, there's always someone willing to do anything to take it.
England, 1381: Delia's idyllic life as daughter of an earl is shattered when her father dies and his wife accuses Delia's seven brothers of treason and murder. The youngest is only ten years old, but this doesn't stop the guards from hauling them off to the Tower of London. There they await a grim fate, as child-king Richard II is executing anyone who poses a threat to his throne. Delia is their only hope for pardon and freedom.
Sir Geoffrey did not expect his first assignment as captain of the guard to be the arrest of boys so young. He dutifully imprisons the brothers, but he can't ignore the sense, rooted in personal experience, that injustice and treachery are at work.
Determined to rescue her brothers, Delia secures a position as a seamstress for the queen. Her quest is all but impossible as the executions continue. Sir Geoffrey offers to be her ally, but should she trust him in a court where everyone has an agenda?
I have enjoyed all of Melanie Dickerson Hagenheim family series and I was so excited to see that she had a new series coming out. Court of Swans is the first book in her new series, A Dericott Tale, and it was a great start! Court of Swans is a retelling of The Six Swans which is one of my favorite fairytales. Dalia is the daughter of an earl and she lives a quiet life with her father, her stepmother, and her brothers. However, her whole life changes when her father dies and her brothers are convicted of treason, even the youngest one of whom is only 10 years old.
Dalia was a strong heroine, but she also had her own faults. I liked her and thought that she was so brave as she went to go after her brothers. However, I thought at times she was a bit naive. Overall, she was a good heroine for the book and I really enjoyed reading about her as she grew. She learned who she could trust and she learned to forgive. Life was not easy, but God was still in control.
Sir Geoffrey was a great hero! I really liked him, even from the beginning. He was kind and he was honorable. Although he captured Dalia's brothers, he didn't agree with the charges and he wanted to right the wrong. It was sweet to see him try to help Dalia. He had to figure out what it would mean for him to help Dalia because he wanted to honor the king but he also wanted to do what was right.
Court of Swans was a really good book. I liked how Ms. Dickerson was able to weave a new look at this fairy tale, however, I think that re-creating this fairy without magic is very hard. I mean in The Six Swans, the boys turn into swans which you can't do without magic. I did, however, enjoy the characters and the pace of the book. I think that she did a great job at making it different, yet still keeping true to the fairytale. I was so worried as Dalia and Geoffrey worked to free Dalia's brothers from the accusations against them. I was intrigued to see how it would end, and I really liked the ending. I did not see so many twists that were coming, and I loved the suspense as Dalia tried to save her brothers.
I would definitely recommend this book and I can't wait to see what comes next in the series!
The Bookworms	Angeline, ARC, Book Reviews, Books, Netgalley, review	Leave a comment January 7, 2021 3 Minutes
A Cowboy for Keeps
Title: A Cowboy for Keeps
Series: Colorado Cowboys #1
Author: Jody Hedlund
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Greta Nilsson's trip west to save her ailing little sister, Astrid, could not have gone more wrong. First, bandits hold up her stagecoach, stealing all her money. Then, upon arriving in Fairplay, Colorado, she learns the man she was betrothed to as a mail-order bride has died. Homeless, penniless, and jobless, Greta and her sister are worse off than when they started.
Wyatt McQuaid is struggling to get his new ranch up and running and is in town to purchase cattle when the mayor proposes the most unlikely of bargains. He'll invest in a herd of cattle for Wyatt's ranch if Wyatt agrees to help the town become more respectable by marrying and starting a family. And the mayor, who has promised to try to help Greta, has just the candidate in mind for Wyatt to marry.
I was super excited for this book and it does not disappoint! A Cowboy for Keeps is the first book in Jody Hedlund's Colorado Cowboys series. It took me a little longer to get into A Cowboy for Keeps, but once I started I was hooked. As always, I love the characters and the plot.
Greta Nilsson was just trying her best to care for her sister, but she was tired and things were not going her way. She had traveled to Fairplay Colorado as a mail order bride in order to meet her husband to be. But upon arrival she found that the man she was promised to had died. She finds herself homeless and penniless with her sister, Astrid to care for. Wyatt McQuiad was struggling to get his new ranch up and running. He ends up in the most unlikely of bargains with the mayor. The mayor will invest in a herd of cattle for Wyatt if Wyatt agrees to marry and start a family with Greta. After all, the mayor has agreed to help Greta, and Wyatt is the perfect man.
Greta was working so hard to care for her sister, but it was also tiring. When she marries Wyatt, she tries her best to make sure that she is useful. She is worried that if she doesn't do her part, he will ask her to leave, after all they don't really have a real marriage. I really liked Greta. She was a hard worker and she really cared for her sister. She was scared of being a burden, so she tried to earn her keep. She was a character who I could relate to, because I too want to be useful and help others. She was strong and stubborn. But she had to learn to trust Wyatt and to understand that she cannot heal her sister. Greta had to learn to trust God and his plan, letting herself learn to love.
Wyatt was such a strong guy. He had left home a couple of years ago and he was trying his best to get himself going so that he could have his mom and siblings come. He was kind of gruff, but he was also a sweetheart. At first he didn't know what to do with Greta and Astrid, but the more time he spent with them he began to see them as his family. He was the type of guy who wanted to do everything himself, but he had to learn to accept Greta's help and maybe learn what it meant to love her. He had to see that God was in control and that he couldn't control his life, no matter how hard he tried.
As always, I love the characters that Ms. Hedlund writes. Astrid and Judd were such fun characters! Astrid was super sweet and mischievous and although she was sick, she was fearless. I found Judd, Wyatt's right hand man, to be such a nice guy and I adored his relationship with Astrid. Greta and Astrid became Judd's family too. Judd was super helpful to both Greta and Wyatt. The Mayor was kind of conniving, but I also sort of liked him. He wasn't the worst.
Two of my favorite quotes were from Judd, he reminded Wyatt that even life was hard you could still make things work. "Things always go wrong. Just the way it is in a broken world." and "We can call it rubbish and throw it away. Or we can pick it up and fix it as best we can." Judd helped Wyatt see that even broken things can be mended.
Greta and Wyatt had to figure out how to make their marriage work and how to save his ranch. There were people who wanted Wyatt gone and they had to learn to work together no matter their differences. I loved A Cowboy for Keeps! It was super interesting and so romantic. Great and Wyatt were such a cute couple! I would definitely recommend this book and I can't wait to read the next book!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
The Bookworms	Angeline, ARC, Book Reviews, Books, Netgalley, review	Leave a comment December 30, 2020 January 5, 2021 4 Minutes
Wrong Train to Paris
Title: Wrong Train to Paris
Series: Romance on the Orient Express
Author: Jennifer Moore
At nineteen years of age, Julia Weston fancies herself a capable woman, far too old to require a traveling companion. But at the insistence of her overprotective father, Julia finds herself aboard the Orient Express in the care of an approved escort. In an ill-advised demonstration of independence, Julia leaves the train on a quick errand and then re-boards and sleeps away her exhaustion. Upon awakening, however, she realizes her plan went terribly awry: she boarded the wrong train and is now stranded alone in the French countryside of Provence.
Now she must rely on the help of Luc Paquet, a young French farmer who offers her accommodations with his aunt while Julia awaits the next train to Paris in five days' time. As she settles into the rhythms of the household alongside Luc and his aunt, Julia learns more than she ever dreamed she would about France, farm life, and her handsome rescuer. There is more to Luc than meets the eye, and their chemistry is undeniable. But Julia and Luc are from different worlds, and all too soon, the train will bear Julia back to a life that suddenly feels incomplete.
I really enjoyed this book and I will definitely be reading more books by Jennifer Moore. Wrong Train to Paris is the second book in the Romance on the Orient Express series written by multiple authors and published by Covenant Communications. Julia Weston just wants to prove to her father that she is responsible, but in an ill-advised demonstration of independence, Julia leaves the train but ends up reboarding on the wrong train. She ends up strained in the French countryside of Provence. While in Provence, she must rely on the help of Luc Paquet, a young French Farmer who offers to bring her to his aunt. As she settles into a rhythm with Luc and his aunt, Julia finds herself falling for Luc. But Julia and Luc are from different worlds, and soon the train will bear Julia back to a life that suddenly feels incomplete.
Julia was such an interesting character. She rushed into things without thinking, but she was kind. I really liked her and although she had her faults, she still cared for others. She so wanted to prove to her father that she was independent, but in doing that she ended up proving that she was still young. I liked her growth as a character, as she learned to take a step back and think. It was so sweet to see her try so hard to be helpful. I thought that the fact that she needed everything to be orderly was a fun quirk.
Luc was such a nice guy. He came off as kind of standoffish at first, but he was super sweet. He wanted to help Julia, but he was also a little uncertain about what to do with her. I really liked Luc. He had hidden talents and it was sweet to see him interact with Julia. I loved his relationship with his Aunt. But Luc had to learn to get over the past and look towards the future, he had to learn to forgive himself.
Julia and Luc had to learn to work past their differences. They also had to figure out how to make a relationship work even though they were from different worlds. Julia tried so hard to be helpful, and Luc tried so hard to help Julia. I thought their relationship was so fun. It was so interesting to see them go through everyday life.
Wrong Train to Paris was a great book! It was a clean historical read and I would definitely recommend it! I really liked the characters and I was intrigued by the plot. I stayed up way too late to finish this book. 🙂
The Bookworms	Angeline, ARC, Book Reviews, Books, Netgalley, review	Leave a comment December 3, 2020 December 3, 2020 3 Minutes
Mr. Gardiner and the Governess
Title: Mr. Gardiner and the Governess
Series: Clairvoir Castle Romances
Author: Sally Britton
Publisher: Pink Citrus Book
Genre: Regency Romance
A duke's governess, a gentleman entomologist, and a castle full of flowers is the perfect setting for a summer romance.
As the new governess to the duke's family, Alice Sharpe must learn to control her impulsiveness. Employment in the duke's household is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and could mean living in comfort the rest of her days. Unfortunately, her first encounter with the duke's houseguest, a handsome gentleman obsessed with insects, proves she may not be ready for the austere role of governess.
Rupert Gardiner has one goal: to have his work in entomology and botany published by the Royal Society. He is fortunate that the Duke of Montfort, believes in him and enlists Rupert to make a record of all the flora on the castle grounds. But Miss Sharpe's spontaneity and continual appearance during his work is an annoying distraction. At least, that's what he tells himself.
While Alice struggles to adapt to her new role, constantly striving to go unnoticed while still being herself, she cannot help but admire Rupert's intelligence and focus. The more often they fall in together, the more her admiration deepens. But could a gentleman such as he ever fall in love with the governess?
This was such an adorable book! I was so excited to read it, because I have so enjoyed Ms. Britton's Branches of Love series and more recently A Haunting at Havenswood. This book was just as sweet and charming as the others. Alice Sharpe has just gained a position as governess to the duke's family. This is a once-in-a-lifetime position and she is determined to curb her impulsiveness and keep out of notice. However, after bumping into the duke's houseguest, a gentlemen studying insects, in the gardens, she realizes she still has far to go to be the perfect governess. Rupert Gardiner has a goal, he wants to have his etymology and botany work published by the Royal Society. Thankfully, his work for the duke's commission in his gardens for flora encourages his interest in insects. Upon meeting Alice, he is at first distracted, though as they are further pushed together he is taken by her spontaneity and knowledge. Although Alice's focus is on finding the balance between going unnoticed, while still being herself, she is struck by his focus and intelligence. Is there too far a distance between them?
I liked this so much! Alice was really kind, she truly cared for her charges and wanted them to learn. She had never felt settled anywhere and really wanted to keep her position. She was not sure if she could truly be herself and trust anyone. However, Alice found herself admiring and enjoying spending time with Rupert. She was very hesitant to invest too much or let go of her control. As she discovers her place at the duke's family and builds relationships, Alice finds companionship and understanding in Rupert. As for Rupert, he was really focused on his studies. He was so interested in his insects, but could not help being intrigued by Alice. She understood his work and was interested in it in a way that very few else were. They could talk and help one another. I really enjoyed seeing them grow closer and how much they noticed about one another. There was a certain trust and certainty with the other, each thought so well of the other. It was so cute!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! It was also a great first book! While it did not feel like just set up, I was able to meet so many characters that I hope to see in their own stories! It was a sweet clean Regency romance that makes me excited for the series!
The Bookworms	ARC, Book Reviews, Books, Gabriella, review	Leave a comment November 25, 2020 November 25, 2020 3 Minutes
Dreaming of Tomorrow Blog Tour
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Dreaming of Tomorrow by Michelle De Bruin, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
Title: Dreaming of Tomorrow
Series: Tomorrow #3
Author: Michelle De Bruin
Publisher: Scrivenings Press LLC
Genre: Inspirational Historical Fiction
Love leads them to a lifetime of commitment where the dreams they have held onto for so long start to come true.
Popular and eligible, Logan De Witt must convince the women in town that he is engaged to be married. A quiet, simple ceremony is what he has in mind for his wedding day, but when the date and time of his bride's arrival is published in the newspaper, the whole town joins in the celebration proving to Logan and his new wife their sincere friendship and support.
Added to the excitement of Logan's marriage is the question of what the congregation should do with the unexpected donation of an orchard.
Karen Millerson is counting the days until her long-distance engagement comes to an end and she may travel to Oswell City to marry Logan. More than anything, she wants to share in his life as a help and support, but keeping a house and finding her place in the community requires much more work than she ever expected.
Learn, laugh, and love with Karen and Logan as they start a new marriage and work together ministering to the citizens of their small town.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound
There are some books that show such amazing and fantastic worlds that are truly beautiful to behold. But, there are other books that show everyday people doing normal things in a way that is also beautiful to behold. It gives us a glimpse of how people in that time used to act, and it shows how much humanity has stayed the same. Michelle de Bruin has done this in Dreaming of Tomorrow which is a slice of life, historical fiction novel.
Dreaming of Tomorrow is the third book in the Tomorrow series where Karen Millerson and Logan De Witt are finally ready to get married. The book goes through them working through the challenges of ministering a community, interfering family, and the trials and joys of life. It shows a realistic view of how while there is great joy in life there is also great sorrow, but God is faithful through it all.
Karen and Logan were both wonderful characters, and while they were mature, they always balanced it with some faults that made sense. It was sweet though to watch their faults and their strengths balance each other out. They were truly in love with each other, and I liked seeing such a strong relationship go through without any of the normal petty jealousies. Another thing that I liked was that we were able to see their relationship after the wedding too. It was all extremely appropriate even for a younger reader, but it simply showed how marriage requires work after you say your vows. Logan and Karen did not stop trying to love each other because they were married, but they instead worked even harder to love one another.
The community that rallied around them was also beautiful to see. Logan was the pastor of his town, and it was so sweet as they worked their hardest to show how much they appreciated him. I think that while this book was so cute I would have liked to see a bit more conflict. There were not a lot of realistic struggles that come from being in a community of sinners, but it was still an adorable read that showed how much God can use two people who are willing to work for Him. It was very clean, and there was no violence, language, or sex. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes slice of life books!
Author Michelle De Bruin writes Christian historical fiction about people who live in rural communities. Michelle lives in Iowa with her husband and two teenage sons. She provides spiritual services during the week and leads worship on the weekends. A romantic at heart, Michelle is always on the lookout for glimpses of God's love through the window of a good story.
CONNECT WITH MICHELLE:
(1) winner will receive an ebook copy of Dreaming of Tomorrow and a $20 Amazon gift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight November 17, 2020 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 24, 2020. 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.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
The Bookworms	ARC, Blog Tour, Book Reviews, Books, Just Read Tours, review, Review Tour	7 Comments November 18, 2020 November 17, 2020 3 Minutes
An Ivy Hill Christmas
Title: An Ivy Hill Christmas
Author: Julie Klassen
Release Date: September 1st, 2020
Genre: Historical Christian Fiction
Richard Brockwell, the younger son of Ivy Hill's most prominent family, hasn't been home for Christmas in years. He prefers to live in the London townhouse, far away from Brockwell Court, the old family secret that haunts him, and the shadows of his past mistakes. But then his mother threatens to stop funding his carefree life–unless he comes home for Christmas. Out of options, he sets out for Ivy Hill, planning to be back on a coach bound for London and his unencumbered bachelor life as soon as the festivities are over.
But Christmas in the country presents unforeseen surprises, including encounters with an orphaned apprentice, the first love he disappointed years ago, and Arabella Awdry, a young lady who is far more appealing than he recalled . . . and determined to have nothing to do with him.
Will Christmastime in Ivy Hill, with its village charm, kissing boughs, joyous songs, and divine hope, work its magic in his heart . . . and hers as well?
The cover and description totally caught my eye. The cover is beautiful and I really wanted to read about Richard Brockwell, I had a feeling that he was going to be a great character! Richard Brockwell has finally made it home for Christmas. He has avoided home for many years because of secrets from his past, but this year he has no choice. Whilte being home Richard encounters an orphaned apprentice, his first love, and Arabella Awdry, a young lady who is much different then he had remembered.
I really enjoyed reading about Richard. He was a man who appeared to be a rake, but it was all just a rouse. He was actually a kind man who wanted to help others, but he held himself apart from others. He got me from the beginning, it was so sweet and I especially adored seeing him interact with kids.
Arabella was a strong woman, but she was also fun. She didn't let others push her aside, but she was still kind. I really enjoyed reading about her and she was the perfect match for Richard. She wanted to do something great for God, but she had to learn that helping others is serving God.
This was a cute book! I loved reading about Richard and seeing him grow. He just needed to learn how to forgive and turn to God. An Ivy Hill Christmas was a wonderful book that pointed you to Christ. Both Richard and Arabella had much to learn, they learned to trust God through it all. I would definitely recommend this book!
The Bookworms	Angeline, ARC, Books, Netgalley, review	Leave a comment October 30, 2020 2 Minutes
Her Secret Song
Title: Her Secret Song
Author: Mary Connealy
Publisher: Bethany House Publisher
Release Date: October 6th, 2020
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
After a rough winter spent alone, Ursula Nordegren realizes she must overcome her fears of the outside world and begins a trek down Hope Mountain. Along the way she finds a badly wounded stranger and realizes God may have used her decision to leave as a way of saving the man.
Wax Mosby was climbing Hope Mountain in part to atone for his terrible choices. He was hired to drive out the Warden family and now knows he was duped. But when he's wounded during the climb, the last person he expects to rescue him is a beautiful blond woman with the voice of an angel.
As both Ursula and Wax weigh the costs of living new lives, the two find an unlikely bond. And they're joined by Ursula's sisters and the Warden family as the final showdown over the family ranch looms with the coming of spring.
I had read the first two books in this series and I really wanted to read this book. I knew that Ursula deserved her own book. I was super excited to find I liked it as much as I had hoped. Her Secret Song is the third book in Mary Connealy's Brides of Hope Mountain. This series features three sisters who have lived isolated from people on top of a mountain all of their lives. Her Secret Song is about Ursula, the oldest sister and Wax, Jake, Mosby.
Urusla had lived in fear her whole life. But one day she decides to venture down the mountain and there she finds Wax Mosby, a man who has caused her family much harm. However she does not know who this man is or what he has done. She cares for him and as she tends his wounds, she finds the one thing she had been looking for the past winter. She never realized how much she had isolated herself until she started to care for Jake.
I really wanted to read about Ursula because I felt like there was more to her then just portrayed in the first two books. She was scared of the outside world, but she was also kind and she truly loved her sisters. I loved reading about her relationship with Jake, they were sweet. Ursula found courage while caring for Jake.
I really liked Jake. He had hardened himself to the world but he knew that he needed to do something different with his life, helping people instead of hurting them. He was so cute with Ursula, he wanted her to see the best side of him.
This book was really good and I loved the way everything wrapped up. I couldn't put it down and it held my interest the whole time. I felt like it had a good pace and I would definitely recommend it. I think that Her Secret Song was my favorite book in the series!
The Bookworms	Angeline, ARC, Book Reviews, Books, Netgalley, review	Leave a comment October 28, 2020 2 Minutes
Palmer Girl
Welcome to the Blog Blitz & Giveaway for Palmer Girl by Dawn Klinge, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
Title: Palmer Girl
Series: The Historic Hotels Collection #2
Author: Dawn Klinge
When insurance tycoon, Cornelius Nordeman, is recruited to work for the Exposition Corporation, the New Yorker brings his family to live at the Palmer House Hotel, far away from any reminders of a recent tragedy. He's hopeful this move will offer respite from his family's grief.
Elizabeth Nordeman, his daughter, has something to prove, which leads her to seek work as a florist at Marshall Field's, Chicago's finest department store.
John Lewis knows something is different and intriguing about the new florist he hired. When his boss, Marshall Field, informs him that Elizabeth is the Nordeman heiress, his job suddenly becomes more complicated–especially when he finds himself falling for her.
On the eve of the Columbian Exposition of 1893, Chicago prepares to prove that it's a first-class city, and the brightest minds from around the country will plan the most spectacular fair the world has seen.
The World's Fair will bring change and innovation into a society bound tightly by class and tradition. Elizabeth's heart longs to push against those boundaries, so what's holding her back?
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
It was too late to avoid being spotted. The last space on Elizabeth Nordeman's dance card was about to be filled. Taking one last discreet sip from her glass, she set it on the passing silver tray of a uniformed waiter. Then she turned and smiled politely at the elegant woman and the young man approaching her. They'd made a beeline toward her place at the base of the grand curving staircase where she'd paused to catch her breath after the last quadrille. She'd been hoping to make an early exit and return to her family's apartment upstairs without anyone noticing.
Drawing near was Bertha Palmer, their hostess, and judging by the determined look on her face, her motives were clear. Every high society woman of Chicago, minus the ones with marriageable daughters of their own, seemed united in her mother's cause, which was to introduce Elizabeth to every eligible bachelor of high social standing in the city.
Dawn Klinge is a Pacific Northwest native who loves a rainy day, a hot cup of coffee, and a good book to get lost in. This wife and mom to two young adults is often inspired by true personal and historical accounts. Dawn is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Sorrento Girl is her debut novel, the first in the Historic Hotels Collection.
CONNECT WITH DAWN: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
(1) winner will receive a copy of Palmer Girl and a $20 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight September 30, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on October 7, 2020. 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.
The Bookworms	Angeline, Blog Tour, Books, Just Read Tours	3 Comments October 2, 2020 October 1, 2020 2 Minutes
The Blue Castle
Title: The Blue Castle
Author: L M Montgomery
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire; Reprint Edition
Genre: Teen and Young Adult Historical Romance
From L.M. Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables, comes another beloved classic and an unforgettable story of courage and romance.
Valancy Stirling is 29 and has never been in love. She's spent her entire life on a quiet little street in an ugly little house and never dared to contradict her domineering mother and her unforgiving aunt. But one day she receives a shocking, life-altering letter―and decides then and there that everything needs to change. For the first time in her life, she does exactly what she wants to and says exactly what she feels.
At first her family thinks she's gone around the bend. But soon Valancy discovers more surprises and adventure than she ever thought possible. She also finds her one true love and the real-life version of the Blue Castle that she was sure only existed in her dreams…
I have been a fan of L.M. Montgomery for years after reading her classic books Anne of Green Gables. I read all the Anne books and many of her other books. This was one I stumbled upon on Hoopla, one of the many library services our family utilizes. (It is essentially an electronic extension of your local library) This is one of Montgomery's earlier books and features an older heroine than most of her books. Valency lives with her family in a small town and is miserable. For her whole life, she has been in the same home, on the same street, with her mother and aunt. She does not know what she likes or who she is. After receiving startling news, she decides to change her life. Valency discovers freedom, friendships, true love, and many of her dreams come true.
I was initially not sure what to expect from this book, but went in hopeful. It was amazing! Valency, though initially quieter, is so funny! She grows so much and felt very relatable. As always throughout the book, there are unique characters and beautiful scenes of nature. Valency has so many different experiences and you get to see them with her eyes. This was such a sweet book! I really loved it and would definitely recommend it to almost anyone!
The Bookworms	Book Reviews, Books, Gabriella, review	Leave a comment September 7, 2020 September 1, 2020 2 Minutes