Regina Scott: A Distance Too Grand

By Kelly Bridgewater

Meg Pero has been assisting her photographer father since she was big enough to carry his equipment, so when he dies she is determined to take over his profession--starting with fulfilling the contract he signed to serve on an Army survey of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in 1871. What she doesn't realize is that the leader of the expedition is none other than the man she once refused to marry.

Captain Ben Coleridge would like nothing more than to leave without the woman who broke his heart, but he refuses to wait even one more day to get started. This survey is a screen for another, more personal mission, one he cannot share with any member of his team.

As dangers arise from all sides, including within the survey party, Meg and Ben must work together to stay alive, fulfill their duties, and, just maybe, rekindle a love that neither had completely left behind.

From Goodreads

My Thoughts:

What is better than a novel that takes a reader back to the early survey and settlements of some of our great American Wonders? Regina Scott has decided to do that with her American Wonders Collection series. In the novel A Distance Too Grand, Scott takes readers on a journey to the depths and heights of the Grand Canyon. As someone who has personally never seen the Grand Canyon, it sounded wonderful. The writing is wonderful. Scott does a fabulous job at describing what the Canyon appears like with a variety of word choices. As for the plot, I, personally, wasn't wowed by it. There was a predictable romance with a predictable bad person trying to ruin the expedition. Overall, the plot didn't seem to really do anything. Take some pictures here. Take some there. Survey a little ground. Move to another sight. Fight some romantic feelings between Ben and Meg. Then back to the fort to explain their findings. And another thing that bothered me is that Ben's mother couldn't stand Meg because she was afraid Meg just wanted to marry Ben for his name and career, which would make her an asset to society, but in a blink of an eye, Ben's mother accepts and adores Meg. Now it is okay for Meg and Ben to marry. AAAH!! Bothered me a lot. As for a spiritual thread, I don't remember much about conversations or an opportunity for any of the characters to change. Who readers meet at the beginning of the novel is the same person you encounter at the end. Overall, A Distance Too Grand by Regina Scott held the promise to be a wonderful, exciting book, but for me, it fell extremely short. If you enjoy this idea than Karen Barnett has a series entitled Vintage National Parks Novels that were well-written and captured my attention more.

I received a complimentary copy of A Distance Too Grand by Regina Scott from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Purchase A Distance Too Grand

About the Author:

From Amazon

Regina Scott started writing novels in the third grade. Thankfully for literature as we know it, she didn't actually sell her first novel until she'd learned a bit more about writing. After numerous short stories and articles in magazines and trade journals, and a good kick in the backside from her husband, she got serious about writing. Since then, she's had published more than 40 clean historical romances for adults and young adults. Her traditional romances have earned praised from reviewers and readers alike. Booklist calls her work "quietly compelling" and "impeccably written." Huntress Reviews says, "Regina Scott delivers," and "I will always buy a book with Regina Scott's name on it."

Regina Scott is the author of the Frontier Bachelors series set in pioneer Seattle (The Bride Ship, Would-Be Wilderness Wife, Frontier Engagement, Instant Frontier Family, A Convenient Christmas Wedding, Mail-Order Marriage Promise, His Frontier Christmas Family, and Frontier Matchmaker Bride). She is also the author of more than two dozen sweet historical romances set in Regency England in such series as Fortune's Brides, Uncommon Courtships, the Everard Legacy, the Master Matchmakers, and the Lady Emily Capers. She has twice been awarded best book of the year for her type of story from industry favorite RT Book Reviews.

Regina Scott has learned to fence, driven four-in-hand, sailed on a tall ship, and dressed as a Regency dandy, all in the name of research, of course. She makes her home in the Puget Sound area of Washington State with her beloved husband. Find her online at her website www.reginascott.com, the blog she shares with author Marissa Doyle at www.nineteenteen.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authorreginascott, and on Goodreads at www.goodreads.com/reginascott. (Taken from Amazon.)

Michelle Griep: Once Upon a Dickens Christmas

By Kelly Bridgewater

Three Delightful Christmas Tales from Beloved Storyteller Michelle Griep

Pour yourself a cuppa, get lost in the merriment of the season, and enjoy a Dickensian Christmas in three stories from fan favorite Michelle Griep:

12 Days a Bleakly Manor: Brought together under mysterious circumstances, Clara and Ben discover that what they’ve been striving for isn’t what ultimately matters. What matters most is what Christmas is all about . . . love.

A Tale of Two Hearts: Pleasure seeker William Barlow needs a wife immediately to gain his uncle’s inheritance, and Mina Scott is just the girl to make him look respectable—too bad she turns him down. Ought he give her a second chance?

The Old Lace Shop: Recently widowed Bella White is finally freed from the domination of the overbearing men in her life, but when she enters into a business partnership with the handsome Edmund Archer, she begins to wonder if marriage is worth a second chance.

From Goodreads

 

My Thoughts:

Once Upon a Dickens Christmas

"12 Days at Bleakly Manor"

I, personally, have never read anything by Michelle Griep. I do have a number of her books downloaded to my Kindle, but I haven't had the time to read them yet. The book 12 Days at Bleakly Manor was my first introduction to Griep's writing. With the setting being in London, I was interested in the plot right away. The story is a historical romance, so I was pretty sure the historical setting with the characters would be interesting.

Griep's writing is top notch. I had no problem picturing Bleakly Manor at all. Griep sprinkled in just enough description to capture my attention as Clara and Ben moved through the house. I could feel the cold outside and imagine that I was belonged in the house during the twelve days of Christmas. She did a great job at inviting me into the Manor just like she did her characters.

The characters were interesting too. I loved the strange cast of characters that she used to tell her story. All of them were different, but each one of them had their own vices that made them stand out. I loved seeing Clara and Ben interact after so much trials and misunderstanding which had affected their relationship. They were a nice couple to watch as they loved blossomed after their misunderstanding came to light.

As for the plot, it did remind me of the 1980's movie Clue, but with a British Christmas twist. I enjoy the mystery. The entire time I couldn't wait to meet who the master of the house was. Griep did a great job at intertwining the mystery into the Christmas story. When I started the novel, I was drawn in right away to the plot. I had a hard time believing it was a novella. Most novellas feel short and not fully developed, but I didn't feel this way with Griep's novel. It felt complete, and I really can't wait for the next addition. Next fall seems too far away.

Overall, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor captured my interest because of the mystery, London setting, and the Christmas time of the year. I highly recommend this book to fans of Charles Dickens and fans of  a good mystery. I can't wait to see what the next book entails.

I received a complimentary copy of 12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep from Barbour Books, but the opinions stated are all my own.

(A previous review of the individual novella.)

"A Tale of Two Hearts"

Christmas. London. Victorian era. What could be the better makings for a novel? Maybe some suspense. But Michelle Griep creates a wonderful short story that fits in with the makings of a true Dicken's novel. I enjoyed the first book in the series entitled 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on A Tale of Two Heart too. Boy, am I glad I did. The story comes to life and brings the good feelings that Christmas brings only a couple of months earlier.

I really enjoy traveling to London during the Victorian age with Griep. She wove together a timeless love story filled with intrigue and romance. I loved how well-described Griep make London. I have never been there, but she did a wonderful job at bringing London from a long time ago to life. She dove into the characters personalities and allow me to see how the characters feel and perceive things.

The plot kept me spellbound. The top item on my bucket list is to visit London during the Christmas time. I loved how Griep created a story with a fake marriage to win an inheritance from an uncle. The competition between the two cousins captured my imagination. I couldn't wait to see how the story ended. I finished the novel in under a day. It didn't feel like a novella because Griep does a good job at diving into the characters and intermingling them with the plot.

The romance was not the typical Victorian romance. I mean, what girl allows herself to pretend to be someone marriage to help them earn an inheritance? What does she get out of it? Slowly, through all the conflicts and moments that could have blown their cover, the romance between Mina and William blossomed into true love.

The theme of second chances is created and fulfilled by the uncle and passed onto his nephews. What person does not need a second, or even a third or fourth chance from their past mistakes or encounters?

In conclusion, TheTale of Two Hearts is a wonderful, Christmas-type of feeling story. With a different type of plot, Griep captures my attention by creating another keeper for the shelf. I anxiously await the next installment in the story, which is teased at in the final pages of the book. Fans of Johanna Davidson Politano would enjoy this novel.

I received a complimentary copy of A Tale of Two Hearts by Michelle Griep from Barbour Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

(A previous review of the individual novella.)

"The Old Lace Shop"

"The Old Lace Shop" is a wonderful Christmas feel-good story telling the horrors of working conditions in Victorian London. I really enjoyed the inside look at the horrors of the tiny detailed work of Lace making and the old factories that used to produce them. The plus side to Griep's story is that she didn't just show the horrors inside the factory; she also showed us the horrors of the town surrounding the factory. The low wages and low hours affected the employees, the bosses, and the community. I enjoyed this glimpse into Victorian London's life. I did enjoy the characters of Edmund and Ms. White. The romance between the two really didn't sparkle on the pages. There were hints of their past love coming the surface, and enjoyed that. Edmund was more focused on working on orders for the factory while Ms. White wanted to make a better world for the less fornuate. This was a great story in favor of Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol, and I think it was a great addition to the collection and  a wonderful story to read for Christmas.

I received a complimentary copy of Once Upon a Dickens Christmas by Michelle Griep from Barbour Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase Once Upon a Dickens Christmas

About the Author:

From Amazon

I hear voices. Loud. Incessant. And very real. Which basically gives me two options: choke back massive amounts of Prozac or write fiction. I've been writing since I discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. I seek to glorify God in all that I write--except for that graffiti phase I went through as teenager. (Taken from Amazon.)

Irene Hannon: Dark Ambitions

By Kelly Bridgewater

Former Army Night Stalker Rick Jordan usually has his camp for foster children to himself during the winter months. But someone has visited recently--leaving a trail of blood. One of the two clues left behind tips Rick off to the identity of his visitor, who soon turns up dead. The police deem it an accident, but Rick isn't convinced. With the help of private investigator Heather Shields, he sets out to decipher the remaining clue. Except someone doesn't want them to succeed--and will stop at nothing to keep them from finding the truth.

From Amazon

My Thoughts:

Dark Ambitions by Irene Hannon is exactly what fans of romantic suspense novels are looking for. A sweet romance developing while a high-octane chase for their lives threatened their every move. Hannon definitely creates tension with the fast moving plot. Her romance develops slowly over the course of the book to the happily-ever-after ending. The suspense kept me guessing and wowed me with the identity of the villains. The writing is top-notch. I enjoyed spending a  couple of hours with this novel. While it is labeled for the Christian market, there really isn't that much mention of God or spirituality in the story. Overall, Dark Ambitions by Irene Hannon is a delightful attention to my library and fans of romantic suspense like Colleen Coble, DiAnn Mills, and Lynette Eason would enjoy this novel.

I received a complimentary copy of Dark Ambitions by Irene Hannon from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase Dark Ambitions

About the Author:

From Amazon

Irene Hannon is the best-selling author of more than 35 novels. Her books have been honored with the coveted RITA Award from Romance Writers of America, the HOLT Medallion, the Reviewer's Choice Award from Romantic Times BOOKreviews magazine and the Daphne du Maurier Award for mystery/suspense. Irene and her husband make their home in Missouri, USA. Irene invites you to visit her at her website, www.irenehannon.com (Taken from Amazon).

Authors I Wish Wrote More

By Kelly Bridgewater

We all have those authors who have written three or six or even seven books, and we loved each book, but then they disappeared never to write another book in that genre again.

I don't know if the answer is because their books didn't sell enough for the publishing company to see them as a financial investment or they decided not to write again.

But I wish these authors would write more novels.

Here are the novels that I have enjoyed by these authors and wish there were more books by them. (Images come from Goodreads unless noted.)

Lake Manawa Summers and The Gregory Sisters by Lorna Seilstad

 

The Seven Sisters by Debra White Smith

 

Curio by Evangeline Denmark

 

Fantastic Beast series by J. K. Rowling

 

I know this series is part of a movie franchise, but I fell in love with Rowling through the Harry Potter books. The Harry Potter movies have left so much out, so how much of the world of magic in the early nineteenth century is being left out. I really wish there were physical books to read and devour.

How about you? Is there any author that you have discovered who doesn't write anything anymore, but you wish they did?