Abigail Wilson: Within These Gilded Halls

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Hidden treasures and betrayal mingle with unexpected love in Abigail Wilson’s latest Regency romance.

After studying art under Miss Drake, a renowned painter, Phoebe Radcliff is certain she can finally move beyond the childish mistake that’s kept her away from home. She is thrilled when Miss Drake employs her to complete a complicated ballroom renovation, believing it will lead to a new, happier future.

Everything changes, however, the moment Miss Drake is murdered. With her last breath she imparts the location of a clue to Phoebe. Can the biggest secret of Avonthorpe Hall be true—the rumored treasure real? Phoebe is tasked to finish her work in the ballroom by Miss Drake’s infuriatingly regimented yet all-too-handsome nephew, Lt. Graham Burke. Determined to fulfill the promise she made to her beloved teacher to find the treasure, Phoebe also works to uncover the truth about Miss Drake’s death—surely the two must be linked. If only she can do so before Lt. Burke leases the house.

But dark shadows line the gilded halls of Avonthorpe and soon enough, Phoebe realizes she’s not the only person who knows about the clues. What’s worse, she’ll need Lt. Burke’s help to stay ahead of whoever is hard on her heels. If only she weren’t so attracted to him. And why is she? She’s always had far greater plans for her life than settling into marital bliss.

Caught up in a deadly race for answers, Phoebe must find a way to breach the shroud of lies that surrounds every last resident in the house and, more importantly, face a past she’s been running away from for far too long.

 

My Thoughts:

Within These Gilded Halls by Abigail Wilson is a unique treasure hunt set on the cliffs of an estate in England. Right from the beginning, readers are introduced to Phoebe and her love of doing things in the correct way especially with restoring Miss Drake’s ballroom to its previous glory. The hunt for treasure was different, and I love the idea of one clue leading to another rhyme clue that made no sense at first glance. It reminded me a lot of the movie National Treasure with Nicholas Cage. The plot was handled nicely with plenty of twists and turns as Phoebe hunts for the treasure with the help of Graham Burke. As for the romance, it is lightly handled. Not thrown into the readers face but does come down to the predictable happily-ever-after moment near the end of the novel. As for Phoebe, she is a woman who is running from what she assumes in an error in her past, but she realizes the love of a father overpowers any wrong that she thinks she has done. Overall, Within These Gilded Halls by Abigail Wilson was a wonderful treasure hunt through the Regency era filled with bad guys and historical treasure. I definitely want a copy of this novel to add to my Abigail Wilson shelf.

I received a complimentary copy of Within These Gilded Halls by Abigail Wilson from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating:   4 out of 5 stars

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Most Anticipated Historical Romance Fall 2022

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Another addition of my most anticipated Historical Romance novels published from September 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. 

Here they are: (All images come from  unless noted!)

The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano

The Bridge of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep

Within These Gilded Halls by Abigail Wilson

The Secrets of Emberwild by Stephanie McGee

The Brilliance of Stars by J'nell Ciesieskli

The Sisters of Seaview by Julie Klassen

In Love's Time by Kate Breslin

What about you? Looking forward to any of these books. Would you add any more?

Abigail Wilson: Twilight at Moorington Cross

  By Kelly Bridgewater

An inheritance could provide her with financial freedom, a rare accomplishment for a woman in the Regency era; she only has to marry one of two men to gain it. But what if her heart belongs to a third?

Brushed cruelly aside by the only father figure she’s ever known and then hospitalized by her arranged husband months before his death, Amelia Pembroke means to take control of her future at last, one way or another. Yet she knows all too well she faces an uphill battle, considering her transient sleeping spells are only getting worse.

Cluett’s Mesmeric Hospital has been something of a refuge for Amelia over the past year, even if it didn’t exactly improve her condition. But when her doctor is murdered and her name surprisingly turns up in his will, her options take a drastic turn. She has thirty days to marry one of two named gentlemen—strangers to her—and she will inherit everything from her friend and doctor, Mr. Cluett. One simple decision and all her financial troubles are at an end. The only problem is it’s not a simple decision anymore. Not when she’s falling in love with another man.

Ewan Hawkins has received his first assignment as an apprenticed solicitor: to update a man’s will. Finally, a chance to prove to society that possessing a disfigurement won’t hold him back. Thus, he means to do his job well. Of course, he never could have anticipated a murder, nor the strange clause added to the will—nor, most importantly, the charming widow who has found a way to capture his heart.

 

My Thoughts:

Twilight at Moorington Cross by Abigail Wilson is a regency mystery at a medical clinic. Wilson's story reminds me of an old fashioned who-done-it mystery filled with an arranged marriage and plenty of mystery to solve who killed the dead body. With a creepy abandoned part of the house that no one is allowed to travel into. With characters that not everyone knows who these characters are and their importance to the murder, the mystery appears to be abounding across the pages of the story. As for Amelia, I wanted to know more about her illness. It does define who the heroine is, but there is never a resolution to her illness or a discovery of what the actual illness is. Apparently, Amelia has to live with this, whatever it is, for the rest of her life. Similarly, the idea of experimental medicine was not really flushed out. I wanted to understand more about this medicine. Has it ever worked? Was it made up for the novel? Left me wanting to know more. On the other hand, Ethan Hawkins, the hero, appeared to care about her feelings, but sometimes, I, personally, felt like he was no better than the other "arranged" suitors. Overall, Twilight at Moorington Cross by Abigail Wilson did capture my attention, but there was some things I felt was a little bit off. I have enjoyed all of her previous novels, so I really can't wait to dive into the next one.

I received a complimentary copy of Twilight at Moorington Cross by Abigail Wilson, but the opinions state are all my own.

My Rating: 3. 5 out of 5 stars

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Most Anticipated: Spring Historical Romance 2022

 By Kelly Bridgewater

These books I can't wait to get my hands on and read. 

Today will reach the Historical Romance books that I can't wait to devour.

All images come from Goodreads.com

Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin

Twilight at Moorington Cross by Abigail Wilson

Drawn by the Current by Jocelyn Green

To Disguise the Truth by Jen Turano

The Letter from Briarton Park by Sarah E. Ladd

The Winter Rose by Melanie Dobson

High-Wire Heartbreak by Anna Schmidt

How about You? Anymore that you would add?

Abigail Wilson: The Vanishing at Loxby Manor

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Disappearances, strange activities in the night, and secret organizations abound in this mysterious Regency romance.

Haunted by the assault she’s kept hidden over the past four years, Charity Halliwell finally has a chance to return home to the quaint village she left more than five years before and the happy life she wants so badly to reclaim. All she needs is good conversation with her old friend and an opportunity to find a governess position, and she can leave the fear and guilt behind. But the family who agrees to her yearlong visit turns out to be a far cry from the one she thought she knew, particularly when her friend disappears and the one man she made certain would not be at the house is forced to return. How can she possibly heal and claim her independence when day in, day out she must face the only gentleman who ever held a piece of her heart?

Piers Cavanagh was branded a coward when he failed to show up for a duel he arranged. He had his reasons, of course, but disclosing them would hurt far more than continuing life as an outcast. And worse, with the mysterious departure of his sister, the strange nightly occurrences in the ruins of an old abbey, and the uncomfortable whispers of a secret organization, Piers must overcome his aversion to society and work with the last person he ever thought he would get the chance to speak to again—the girl whose heart he had no choice but to break. 

My Thoughts:

The Vanishing at Loxby Manor by Abigail Wilson is an enticing mystery of a missing person and a scandal that rocks a wealthy family. I really enjoy mysteries and historical romances, but not many people do justice to the combination genre. Most historical mysteries writer usually lean more toward the romance and the historical side, forgetting that they were supposed to include a mystery in the story too. But not Wilson. She does a wonderful job at crafting a plot that focuses on the mystery element and allows the history to shine through the background, setting, and the characters. While the 180 degree transformation of the characters is important to the plot, in Wilson’s novels, the characters did a 360 degree turned and returned to where they were when the story began. They had a little break in their relationship, but they came back and realized the importance of each other in their lives. While this didn’t make or break the romance, it does seem a little too predictable for me. As for the plot, it was nicely handled and well-developed. I enjoyed the mystery and kept flipping through the screens on my Kindle, wanting to know who did the crime and where the missing girl went. Overall, The Vanishing at Loxby Manor by Abigail Wilson will be on my forever shelf with her other three novels. I’m really curious on what she will compose next.

I received a complimentary copy of The Vanishing at Loxby Manor by Abigail Wilson from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Abigail Wilson: Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey

By Kelly Bridgewater

Award-winning author Abigail Wilson returns to Regency England with another tale of murder, mystery, and romance.

When the widowed Lord Torrington agreed to spy for the crown, he never planned to impersonate a highwayman, let alone rob the wrong carriage. Stranded on the road with an unconscious young woman, he is forced to propose marriage to protect his identity, as well as his dangerous mission.

Trapped by not only the duty to her country but her limited options, Miss Elizabeth Cantrell and her illegitimate son are whisked away to Middlecrest Abbey by none other than the elder brother of her son’s absent father. She is met by Torrington’s beautiful grown daughters, a vicious murderer, and an urgent hunt for the missing intelligence that could turn the war with France. Afraid of what Lord Torrington might do if he learns of her son’s true identity, Elizabeth must remain one step ahead of her fragile heart, her uncertain future, and the relentless mystery person bent on her new family’s ruin. 

From Goodreads

My Thoughts:

All these book publishers gave me creating some really awesome covers lately. Some totally missed the mark, but others, like Abigail Wilson's latest Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey, hit it right out of the park. I love these covers. Wilson's new novel is a wonderful Regency romance that reads well as a mystery. Wilson definitely knows how to sew words together to capture a scene and the emotions of the characters. While the marriage of convenience has been done A LOT, Wilson still uses the mystery to entice the readers to come along. Sometimes when I read Regency novels, the romance seems a little over the top and unbelievable, but in this novel, Wilson actually allowed Elizabeth and Lord Torrington to hunt for clues while slowly falling in love. The climactic ending was exciting. Wilson is showing why she will be around for a while on the writing circuit. Fans will eagerly await to see what mystery she comes up with next. 

I received a complimentary copy of Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson from Thomas Nelson Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Most Anticipated Books Spring 2020

By Kelly Bridgewater

I do this type of blog post a number of times throughout the year, and I enjoy doing them.

This post refers to the books coming out from January 1, 2020 to May 31, 2020.

There are a lot of GREAT books being published for the first part of the year, and I can't wait to start reading them and adding them to my shelves.

How about you? Is there any of these books that you are looking forward to reading? Is there any you would add that I didn't include?

(*All book covers come from Goodreads, unless noted.)

 The Thief of Lanwyn Manor by Sarah E. Ladd

The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin

The Brightest of Dreams by Susan Anne Mason

Collateral Damage by Lynette Eason

Children of the Stars Mario Escobar

The Socialite by J'nell Ciesielski

Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson

The Fifth Avenue Story Society by Rachel Hauck

The Way of the Brave Susan May Warren

Kings Falling by Ronie Kendig

Abigail Wilson: Midnight on the River Grey

By Kelly Bridgewater

She knew the house was keeping secrets. If only the darkness would speak . . .
After her elder brother’s mysterious death, Rebecca Hunter vows to expose the man she believes responsible: Mr. Lewis Browning—known by the locals as the Midnight Devil and by Rebecca as her new guardian.

Summoned to his reclusive country estate to await her London season, Rebecca plans her own secret investigation among the darkened corridors of the mysterious Greybourne Hall. Yet Lewis Browning is not as she once imagined, and his motivation is horribly unclear. Recurrent nightmares and 

Rebecca’s restless feelings are further complicated by the shadow of her mother’s prior descent into madness and whether she, too, will follow the same heartbreaking path.

Even as midnight rides, strange injuries, and further murders lead back to Mr. Browning, Rebecca can’t ignore the subtle turn of her heart. Has she developed feelings for the man she swore to see hanged? And moreover, can she trust him with her uncertain future?

From Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Midnight on the River Grey by Abigail Wilson is a historical Regency mystery filled with a creepy suspenseful setting and delightful characters. Wilson's novels reminded me a lot of Wurthering Heights by Emily Bronte. A mysterious hero who takes in a heroine and the entire house acts as a mysterious character in the novel. The writing is exceptional because Wilson writes the story in first person, so as soon as Rebecca sees something or discovers something to help her in discovering what happened to her brother, Jacob, we learn it for the first time too. The mystery was the train of thought for Rebecca during the entire novel. She didn't think about it once and then move onto wooing Lewis; Rebecca actually wanted to solve what happened to her brother. She even included Lewis, her guardian, in the discovery. The romance did seem a little odd at first, but after a while, it did seem to fit the characters well. Overall, Midnight on the River Grey by Abigail Wilson is definitely a suspenseful book for fans of  classic literature like Wurthering Heights or Jane Eyre.

I received a complimentary copy of Midnight on the River Grey by Abigail Wilson from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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From Amazon

About the Author:

Abigail Wilson combines her passion for Regency England with intrigue and adventure to pen historical mysteries with a heart. A Registered Nurse, chai tea addict, and mother of two crazy kids, Abigail fills her spare time hiking the National Parks, attending her daughter's gymnastic meets, and curling up with a great book. In 2017, Abigail won WisRWA's Fab Five contest and in 2016, ACFW's First Impressions contest as well as placing as a 2017 finalist in the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. She is a cum laude graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and currently lives in Dripping Springs, Texas, with her husband and children. (Taken from Amazon.)