Thursday, January 17, 2013

Melodrama At It’s Finest

 
 
For the life of me, I am enjoying this series.  And when I say it’s melodrama at its finest, well part of me feels like I’m sneaking in some daytime soap watching while I read these books.  There is just something about the storyline that is impossibly over-the-top and yet so fascinating that you can’t wait to see what happens next!
Book two of the Forgotten Castles series starts moments from where the first ended.  Alex is on her next stop in her quest to find her missing parents.  The Duke has just missed her and is devastated to find that she boarded a ship as the wife of Lord Lemon.  Alex keeps going as if she is doing God’s will, much as she did in the first installment, however there comes a point when she starts to grow up and realizes that she is doing exactly as she wants and hoping God will bless her in her disobedience.
The Forgotten Castles series must be read from the beginning as it is one continuous story.  You cannot pick it up in the middle and have it make much sense.  I am looking forward to finishing the story with The Duke’s Promise.
For more information and to read an excerpt from this book--click here--!  To visit Jamie Carie's website--click here--or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.
 
I received this book free of charge from B&H Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Whom Can She Trust?

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There are no new students waiting to attend the Smallwood Academy.  Finances are low and Mr. Smallwood does not have much interest in anything since the death of his wife. Hoping to raise her depressed father’s spirits, Emma Smallwood encourages her father to take a temporary tutoring position in the home of two former students.  Unfortunately, the tutor and his daughter are not as welcome in the home as they were led to believe.   And although Emma looks forward to the possibility of renewing the acquaintance of her school girl crush, she loathes the idea spending time in the same house as his pestering older brother. 

This is an entirely enjoyable story that runs along the gothic story telling lines; complete with plenty of mystery, romance, and danger.  The visual descriptions are stunning. It is totally worth the time to read it!
To read the first two chapters of this novel--click here--or on the title above!  To visit Julie Klassen's website--click here--or visit her Facebook page!

I received this book free of charge from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

All She Wants Is A Better Life

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Having been chased out of their Mediterranean seaside home, Lydia Pallas’ family wanders the oceans until they reach Boston Harbor.  There they hope to settle a bit and get Lydia into school.  Tragedy strikes the family’s fishing boat and leaves Lydia an orphan in a strange land.

Lydia grows up and leaves behind the orphanage she loathes.  Determined not to live in poverty any longer she uses her skills with languages to translate documents for the Navy.  She knows she is lucky to have such a great job working with men who are fatherly and brotherly towards her.  She is comfortable and happy making her own way in the world and does not want anything to change.  Enter Alexander Bainbridge—a one man crusade against the opium trade.

Lydia as spent her young life relying on herself to get what she wants.  She does not like change and everything needs to be perfectly in order.  Bane is trying to honor God and make up for a young life lived in crime as an opium trader.  He inadvertently gets Lydia into an extremely dangerous situation with his nemesis.

This is the first of Elizabeth Camden’s novels I have read.  The story is a unique and absorbing to read.  It’s not always a happy read but it is well worth the effort.  I am looking forward to more of the author’s work.
For more information about this book--click here--or on the title above!  Visit Elizabeth Camden's website here!

I received this book free of charge from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.