Elizabeth Camden: The Prince of Spies

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Luke Delacroix has the reputation of a charming man-about-town in Gilded Age Washington, DC. In reality, he is secretly carrying out an ambitious agenda in Congress. His current mission is to thwart the reelection of Congressman Clyde Magruder, his only real enemy in the world.

But trouble begins when Luke meets Marianne Magruder, the congressman's only daughter, whose job as a government photographer gives her unprecedented access to sites throughout the city. Luke is captivated by Marianne's quick wit and alluring charm, leading them both into a dangerous gamble to reconcile their feelings for each other with Luke's driving passion for vital reforms in Congress.

Can their newfound love survive a political firestorm, or will three generations of family rivalry drive them apart forever?

 

My Thoughts:

The Prince of Spies by Elizabeth Camden is an engrossing tale against a family feud as the main hero works on against the artificial chemicals in food. If readers have read the previous stories in this series, then they are familiar with Luke. First, as the trouble maker, then he returns as repetive toward his hurts. Of course, Luke needs the pages to tell his story and show his love story. With the introduction of Marianne, readers are introduced first hand to the other side of the family feud. She hands the dilemma in her family with grace and maturity. The romance sparkled from the first chapter with the rescuing of the dog from the frozen water. It kept growing deeper and deeper as the story moved along. As always with Camden's novels, I love her ability to dive into a historical element and make it fascinating for the readers to follow along. I love how the story captures the importance of the Food and Drug Administration. As an added bonus, Camden included a chapter at the end that features all the sibling four years later.  Overall, The Prince of Spies was an engrossing tale that I finished in one day.

I received a complimentary copy of The Prince of Spies by Elizabeth Camden from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Purchase The Prince of Spies

Romance Couple Covers

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Romance. 

Valentine's Day. 

Two years ago, I did a blog post around this time for year for my favorite couples. Then last year, I did a blog post for couples that really should not have been written together. 

This year, I thought I would write a blog post that had cute romance couples on them. 

I thought this would be easy. 

Boy, was I wrong. 

Most novels feature the heroine or a setting. Some even have the hero on the cover. 

But to have both of them on the covers . . .

I didn't find many. 

So without further ado, here are the few romance couple covers that I did enjoy . . .

(All images come from Goodreads.)

Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin

Blue Skies Tomorrow by Sarah Sundin

A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade

Her One and Only by Beck Wade

It Had to be You by Susan May Warren

The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen

What about you? Any covers that feature both the heroine and hero?

Patricia Bradley: Obsession

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Natchez Trace Ranger and historian Emma Winters hoped never to see Sam Ryker again after she broke off her engagement to him. But when shots are fired at her at a historical landmark just off the Natchez Trace, she's forced to work alongside Sam as the Natchez Trace law enforcement district ranger in the ensuing investigation. To complicate matters, Emma has acquired a delusional secret admirer who is determined to have her as his own. Sam is merely an obstruction, one which must be removed.

Sam knows that he has failed Emma in the past and he doesn't intend to let her down again. Especially since her life is on the line. As the threads of the investigation cross and tangle with their own personal history, Sam and Emma have a chance to discover the truth, not only about the victim but about what went wrong in their relationship. 

My Thoughts:

Obsession by Patricia Bradley is a fast-paced hunt through a buried hole in the ground. As the characters chase to find who is trying to ruin the hunt for a variety of slave graves in a national park, a killer is trying to hide something. Someone is obsessed with Emma. I enjoy novels that actually show how the serial killer is thinking as he stands by and plots different elements. It just makes the hunter a little more creepy. Maybe even allow the readers to feel a little empathic toward the hunter. In this novel, it does exactly that. At times, I shook my head at his errors, but it was nice to see how he justified what he was doing. Bradley does a wonderful job at keeping the suspense moving with a little bit of romance. With each novel, I believe Bradley keeps getting better. She is a top-notch romantic suspense author. Right alongside Lynette Eason, who I adore too. Overall, Obsession by Patricia Bradley is a great novel for fans of romantic suspense. 

I received a complimentary copy of Obsession by Patricia Bradley from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own. 

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Heidi Chiavaroli: The Orchard House

 By Kelly Bridgewater

2001
Abandoned by her own family, Taylor is determined not to mess up her chance at joining the home of her best friend, Victoria Bennett. But despite attending summer camp at Louisa May Alcott's historic Orchard House with Victoria and sharing dreams of becoming famous authors, Taylor struggles to fit in. As she enters college and begins dating, it feels like Taylor is finally finding her place and some stability . . . until Victoria's betrayal changes everything.

1865
While Louisa May Alcott is off traveling the world, Johanna Suhre accepts a job tending Louisa's aging parents and their home in Concord. Soon after arriving at Orchard House, Johanna meets Nathan Bancroft and, ignoring Louisa's words of caution, falls in love and accepts Nathan's proposal. But before long, Johanna experiences her husband's dark side, and she can't hide the bruises that appear.

2019
After receiving news of Lorraine Bennett's cancer diagnosis, Taylor knows she must return home to see her adoptive mother again. Now a successful author, Taylor is determined to spend little time in Concord. Yet she becomes drawn into the story of a woman who lived there centuries before. And through her story, Taylor may just find forgiveness and a place to belong. 

 

My Thoughts:

I have read Little Women by Louisa May Alcott when I was a little teenager. I loved the character of Jo. I scribbled all the time. I had tons of stories in notebooks. Nothing worthwhile to publish, but writing was my outlet. So when Heidi Chiavaroli wrote The Orchard House, a story that takes place at the Alcott’s home, I honestly could not wait to read the story. The story is unique, yet predictable. I adored the struggles that Victoria and Taylor, the modern day characters had to struggle with. While I was not adopted, I understand feeling alone at times. It is probably why I am an introvert. It is easier to be alone, so that you do not become hurt by others. Growing up was not the best for me. My childhood home life was not the greatest. There were moments that Chiavaroli wrote things as Taylor was a young teenager that rung so near to my heart. I feel, even today, the disappointment of not being able to write what God has chosen me to write.  This story was well-crafted and tugged at my heartstrings more than once. I will definitely have to go out and purchase a paperback copy to put on the shelf next to my Louisa May Alcott collection. This is a great story! Fans of Alcott or writing should definitely read this book. It was a wonderful way to spend my time. I highly recommend this novel.

I received a complimentary copy of The Orchard House by Heidi Chiavaroli from Tyndale Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Purchase The Orchard House

Why I Can't Stand Romance Novels or Movies

By Kelly Bridgewater

 What a title!

For the month of February, most television shows want to promote romance novels and movies. Totally understand. This is a huge business. Most movies by women and novels that are read by women are romance novels, so publishers and producers might as well cater to their biggest audience.

 

As for me, I can’t stand the Hallmark or Lifetime channel moves. All of their stories are cookie cutters with no difference. Yes, it is a different hero or heroine, BUT they have the same issues. Can’t trust men. Can’t afford men because they are completing career driven. Can’t love men because there heart has been broken before. Either as a past boyfriend or a father figure.

 

While these are true moments to life, they are usually centered around a fictional town with the perfect snow for Christmas, which never actually happens where I live. Unfortunately.

 

Their romance is too cookie cutter too. By about half-way through the movie or book, emotions are starting to spark all over the pages. They want to spend time together. They don’t want to spend time together. When they are together, they become an automatic klutz and things happen to create conflict between the two characters. While I do believe this can happen, I think the emotions happen to fast and allow me to doubt the cause of the emotions.

 

I want a realistic romance with conflict from the start of the movie.

 

I enjoy high suspense and thrills in my stories. My favorite movie series currently is the Fast and Furious Franchise. Tons of action. There is romance. There is suspense, but a love of family overall. Typical California setting though unless they are in a different country.

 

What about you? Do you enjoy romance novels? Do you do movie binges with Hallmark and Lifetime movies?

 

Sarah Sundin: When Twilight Breaks

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Munich, 1938. Evelyn Brand is an American foreign correspondent as determined to prove her worth in a male-dominated profession as she is to expose the growing tyranny in Nazi Germany. To do so, she must walk a thin line. If she offends the government, she could be expelled from the country--or worse. If she fails to truthfully report on major stories, she'll never be able to give a voice to the oppressed--and wake up the folks back home.

In another part of the city, American graduate student Peter Lang is working on his PhD in German. Disillusioned with the chaos in the world due to the Great Depression, he is impressed with the prosperity and order of German society. But when the brutality of the regime hits close, he discovers a far better way to use his contacts within the Nazi party--to feed information to the shrewd reporter he can't get off his mind.

This electric standalone novel from fan-favorite Sarah Sundin puts you right at the intersection of pulse-pounding suspense and heart-stopping romance.

 

My Thoughts:

When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin's cover is one of my favorite covers so far for 2021. I LOVE this cover. It is a delight for my eyes and makes me want to dive into the story, which I truly did. Peter and Evelyn were strong vocal American characters stuck in the war-torn Germany with nothing to hold them back. They were trying to make a difference through writing and their teaching of the German versus English language. While the world around them changes and supports Hitler, they both realize the horrors of what is happening, and try to expose the weakness and horrors of Germany. The first half of the novel is getting to know these characters as they interact with Germany as Americans who really serve no loyalty to Germany. The second half is a predictable and overdone run for their lives story. This has happened in a number of World War II novel. Where the author shows the characters on the run from the horrors that are happening in Germany. They have to do whatever it takes to survive, and they fall in love in the process. Not that I don't enjoy Sundin's writing. Trust me. She is one of my favorite World War II writers, but the second half has been done, so I knew exactly where the story was headed before it arrived there. Sundin's writing and research is well done. Trust me. This won't make me pick up another Sundin novel. I'll keep reading them. Overall, Sarah Sundin crafted a World War II novel with action that has been seen and written before, but fans of Sundin will still enjoy the novel. At least, I did.

I received a complimentary copy of When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin by Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Purchase When the Twilight Breaks

J'nell Ciesieskli: Beauty Among the Ruins

 By Kelly Bridgewater

 

 Book:  Beauty Among Ruins

Author: J’Nell Ciesielski

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: January 12, 2021

American socialite Lily Durham is known for enjoying one moment to the next, with little regard for the consequences of her actions. But just as she is banished overseas to England as a “cure” for her frivolous ways, the Great War breaks out and wreaks havoc. She joins her cousin in nursing the wounded at a convalescent home deep in the wilds of Scotland at a crumbling castle where its laird is less than welcoming.

Alec MacGregor has given his entire life to preserving his home of Kinclavoch Castle, but mounting debts force him to sell off his family history bit by bit. Labeled a coward for not joining his countrymen in the trenches due to an old injury, he opens his home to the Tommies to make recompense while he keeps to the shadows. But his preference for the shadows is shattered when a new American nurse comes streaming into the castle on a burst of light.

Lily and Alec are thrown together when a series of mysterious events threatens to ruin the future of Kinclavoch. Can they put aside their differences to find the culprit before it’s too late, or will their greatest distraction be falling in love?

My Thoughts:

Beauty Among the Ruins by J’nell Ciesieskli is a Beauty and the Beast retelling in the wilds of Scotland. With the familiar story playing in the back of my mind, I could see the parallels between the two stories. But this time, the story takes place during World War I. The heroine, Lilly, is a wild and crazy woman when the readers meet her at the beginning of the story. But of course, as the story trudges along, Lilly changes. She changes for the better. She wants to help others. She wants to better herself. Yet bring joy to the wounded soldiers and family. The only aspect of the story that I wished had more to it was the introduction to Lilly in New York at the beginning of the story. It was a quick flash. You are going to Europe and then the story progresses from there. As a reader, I do not understand what was so wrong with Lilly doing what she did. I wanted a couple more chapters to see this happening. Also the same thing at the ending, when Lilly was in England, I believe, dealing with the death of a cousin. A quick scene than back to Scotland. Alex, the hero, is the brooding wounded silent type. The stereotypical hero that will change and allow love to break down his walls. Predictable. Not original. The writing and the plot were well-written and captured my attention. I love the story of Beauty and the Beast. It rings true with loving people for their character, not their appearance. Overall, Beauty Among the Ruins is a must-read for fans of Beauty and the Beast or just a pure love story in a falling apart castle in Scotland. I recommend this novel to readers.

I received a complimentary copy of Beauty Among the Ruins by J’nell Ciesieskli from Thomas Nelson Publishers through Celebrate Lit. tours, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase Beauty Among the Ruins

About the Author

With a passion for heart-stopping adventure and sweeping love stories, J’nell Ciesielski weaves fresh takes into romances of times gone by. When not creating dashing heroes and daring heroines, she can be found dreaming of Scotland, indulging in chocolate of any kind, or watching old black and white movies. Winner of the INSPY and the Maggie Award, she is a Florida native who now lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, and lazy beagle. Learn more at www.jnellciesielski.com.

 More from J’Nell

Inspiration for Beauty Among Ruins

Once again, blame it on Downton Abbey. This time on Lady Rose. She was impulsive, spoiled, a free spirit, yet with a good heart. I knew I wanted to take on the challenge of writing a heroine like her. A character who starts off one way and by the end of the book has completely charmed you over. So I started writing and everything was going great until … it wasn’t. The plot just stopped on me. No matter how hard I tried the story refused to reveal itself to me which is incredibly frustrating for someone who doesn’t like to give up once they’ve started something. But I had to. In the end, I had to put the story, affectionately titled Love on the Limp, away for several months while I wrote The Socialite. Then one day the story clicked. It was meant to be a WWI telling on the classic Beauty and the Beast story. Everything fell into place and the story and characters burst onto the page in glorious technicolor.

 Lily and Alec took me by surprised with how much I fell in love with them. Bubbly Lily and brooding Alec. Never had two more opposites been so perfect for one another (at least in my writing experience). They had so many obstacles to overcome, many of them self-imposed, that I often found myself in tears over their heartaches, but golly gumdrops when they came together, boy o boy were there fireworks!

 You may have also noticed that the story is set in Scotland because I happen to believe that every good story is set there. I had the privilege of staring at pictures of this breathtaking landscape for months so I could imagine the characters strolling among the heather  and watching the river twist through the green moors. To me, nothing rivals the awe inspiring beauty of a certain place, and hopefully readers will feel that through these pages.

Blog Stops

Through the Fire Blogs, January 27

Fiction Aficionado, January 27

Sara Jane Jacobs, January 27

Wishful Endings, January 28

Genesis 5020, January 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 28

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 29

lakesidelivingsite, January 29

Reflections From my Bookshelves, January 29

Connect in Fiction, January 30

Connie’s History Classroom, January 30

CarpeDiem, January 30

Artistic Nobody, January 31 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 31

Rachael’s Inkwell, January 31

Where Faith and Books Meet, February 1

Rebecca Tews, February 1

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 1

Texas Book-aholic, February 2

As He Leads is Joy, February 2

Robin’s Nest, February 2

Older & Smarter?, February 3

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, February 3

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 3

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 4

Remembrancy, February 4

Inklings and notions, February 4

Mia Reads, February 5

Joanne Markey, February 5

Splashes of Joy, February 5

Mary Hake, February 5

Betti Mace, February 6

The Christian Fiction Girl, February 6

For Him and My Family, February 6

She Lives to Read, February 7

deb’s Book Review, February 7

The Write Escape, February 7

Simple Harvest Reads, February 8 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Novels Corner, February 8

To Everything There Is A Season, February 8

Blossoms and Blessings, February 9

Pause for Tales, February 9

Lis Loves Reading, February 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, J’Nell is giving away the grand prize of a paperback copy of the book and an audiobook copy of The Socialite!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10688/beauty-among-ruins-celebration-tour-giveaway