Posted on by Maureen

Duels & Deception by Cindy Anstey

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I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Duels & Deception is a YA novel written by Cindy Anstey. I thoroughly enjoyed reading her first book- Love, Lies and Spies– so I was looking forward to returning to the Regency era and reading this book.

Miss Lydia Whitfield is an heiress. She does not harbor very many romantic sentiments, and plans to marry the baron whose estate borders her own. This is far from a love match, but aligning her fortune with his ancient name seems to be the best possible outcome. Read more

Posted on by Maureen

The Dark Days Pact by Alison Goodman

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I just finished listening to The Dark Days Pact. This YA novel was written by Alison Goodman, and it is the sequel to The Dark Days Club. For those of you who might be unfamiliar with the series, imagine Regency England- but with demonic creatures who have taken on the guise of everyday citizens and living amongst the general populace. The Dark Days Club is tasked with maintaining order, and eliminating the “Deceivers” who threaten the social order. Right before her Presentation at Court, Lady Helen Wrexhall discovers that her late parents were members of the Dark Days Club, and that she has her own connection to the Club.

The Dark Days Pact picks up several weeks after the events in the first book. Lady Helen is spending the summer in Brighton, residing with her new friends in the Dark Days Club. She plans to spend her days learning more about the Club and preparing for some additional initiation rituals. Unfortunately, the enigmatic Lord Carlston appears disjointed and more mercurial than usual. Lord Selburn shows up in Brighton, still determined to rescue Lady Helen from what he perceives to be an ignominious situation. And then there’s the mysterious journal that Lady Helen has been tasked with recovering. Read more

Posted on by Maureen

Gormless Gods and Hapless Heroes: Tim Baker and the Ancient Curse by Stella Tarakson

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I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Gormless Gods and Hapless Heroes: Tim Baker and the Ancient Curse is a middle grade novel written by Stella Tarakson and illustrated by Nick Roberts.

Tim Baker is a fairly typical elementary school boy, but some of the kids at school tease him by calling him Cinderella because he has to clean his house after school to help his widowed mother. One day, while cleaning up, Tim knocks over an ancient vase- releasing Hercules into the living room. Yes, that Hercules! Read more

Posted on by Maureen

I Dared the Duke by Anna Bennett

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I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher.

I Dared the Duke is a historical romance novel by Anna Bennett. It’s set during the Regency era, which is one of my favorite eras.

Beth Lacey is working as a companion to the Dowager Duchess of Blackshire. Her days are not terribly exciting, but that changes when the Duke of Blackshire decides to take up residence in his London home- the same home where the Dowager Duchess and Beth are currently living. The Dowager Duchess is thrilled to see her precious grandson, but Beth is wary of the grumpy duke with the fierce disposition. Read more

Posted on by Maureen

My One True Highlander by Suzanne Enoch

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I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Suzanne Enoch was one of my favorite authors when I first started reading historical romance novels, so I was very excited when I received the opportunity to read her latest book.

My One True Highlander is the second book in the No Ordinary Hero series. As the story begins, we are introduced to Lady Marjorie Forrester who is the sister of the Duke of Lattimer (and the hero of the first book in the series). The Forrester siblings did not grow up as members of the aristocracy; Lattimer inherited the title unexpectedly, changing both of their lives forever. Lady Marjorie spends her days fruitlessly trying to fit into proper society, so when she receives a letter from her brother declaring his intentions to marry, she decides to take a trip to Scotland to visit him and meet his new bride.   Read more

Posted on by Maureen

Prince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life by Sally Bedell Smith

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I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I have always been fascinated by the Royal Family, so I was very excited about the opportunity to read Sally Bedell Smith’s new biography Prince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life. Much of my interest is focused on the younger generation of the family, and Prince Charles has always remained somewhat enigmatic. I remember that the tabloid headlines from the early 1990s were less than favorable to the prince, so I was curious to learn more about his life. Read more

Posted on by Maureen

Where the Dead Lie by C.S. Harris

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I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

When it comes to the mystery genre of fiction, I prefer historical settings to contemporary. I have not read any of C.S. Harris’ Sebastian St. Cyr mysteries, but I’m always pleased to discover new authors/series.

Where the Dead Lie is the 12th book in the Sebastian St. Cyr series. Sebastian finds himself immersed in London’s sordid underworld after the body of a boy turns up in a hastily dug grave. The boy has not just been murdered; he has been brutalized, and Sebastian becomes obsessed with finding out who would be depraved enough to such horrible things to a child. As he progresses with his investigation, Sebastian discovers that multiple children have gone missing from some of London’s poorest neighborhoods. Did these street children simply leave in search of better opportunities or is there something more sinister at play? Read more

Posted on by Maureen

Mr. Postmouse Takes a Trip by Marianne Dubuc

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I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

My family enjoyed Marianne Dubuc’s wordless picture book Mr. Postmouse’s Rounds, so we were all very excited about the opportunity to read the sequel!

Mr. Postmouse Takes a Trip is similar to the first book, with one notable exception: instead of delivering mail, Mr. Postmouse takes his family on vacation. This trip takes the Postmouse family to many different climates, from the seaside to the desert to the mountains. Read more