Tag: book reviews

Review: A Captain for Caroline Gray

Published on by Erica

Synopis:

Description

Regency London

Caroline Gray’s third season in London society ends as badly as her first two—no marriage proposal, no suitor, not even a glimmer of an interested prospect. She suspects it’s because she is far too quick to speak her mind to men who are put off by her forthright opinions, her eager intellect backed by a formal education, and her unconventional ideas about the future. She is far more daring than demure to suit the taste of her class. Besides, Caroline thinks there will always be next season to find a husband.

However, her family’s dwindling income leaves Caroline with only one choice to secure her future: a one-way ticket to sail with the Fishing Fleet to India, where the son of a family friend waits. If the match doesn’t work, Caroline cannot return home.

Captain Thomas Scott loves the thrill of the open sea, and as commander of one of the ships of the “Fishing Fleet,” he ferries scores of young English girls to the shores of India to find husbands. The voyages pay well, but he struggles to understand why families would allow young women to be matched with total strangers so far away.

The trips have always been routine and uneventful—until this trip’s first night’s dinner with one Miss Caroline Gray. She engages in a lively political conversation, presenting opposing viewpoints to the conventionally opinionated gentlemen at her table. Captain Scott is secretly amused and delighted at her boldness, not to mention quite drawn to her beauty.

The rest of the passengers are shocked by her behavior and Caroline finds herself an outcast, suffering harsh judgments from the other passengers. However, she finds an unlikely ally in Captain Scott which quickly draws them closer.

Both know an arranged marriage awaits Caroline at the end of their voyage, yet the attraction between them is undeniable. Caroline will have to decide if she will honor her mother’s wishes and marry a man in India whom she has never met—thus securing a future for her and her mother—or be brave enough to throw convention to the wind and commit to love a sea captain. He may be enchanted by her bold and unconventional ways, but will his love and admiration last?

Review:

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I read this over two days. What a delightful story. At first, I wasn’t sure if I would like as much as the previous book I read by Julie Wright. But I think I may love this one a little more. Even the kissing scenes were delightfully written! I do wish I hadn’t let this one sit in my TBR pile for as long as I did.

I’m really grateful for the ARC copy I received from Shadow Mountain (despite my delay in posting a review.) Keep up with the wonderful clean stories.

Review: Raven of the Inner Palace

Published on by Erica

A tale of dark magic and court intrigue in a setting inspired by historical China–now an anime!

Deep within the palace’s walls lives the secluded and mysterious Raven Consort. Some say she is an old woman, while others claim she is young and beautiful. What all stories agree upon is that she has the power to exorcise spirits, lay fatal curses, and find lost objects—for a price. When the young emperor arrives at the door of the Raven Consort seeking magical assistance, his request could shake up the palace…or perhaps even the entire kingdom.

My Review:

Rating: 5 out of 5.

This is the first Japanense light novel I’ve read, and I thouroughly enjoyed it. As a few folks on GoodReads have mentioned, there are a couple of typos. I don’t know about you, but this makes me smile because this just means humans worked on it. Besides, even imperfect books have beautiful stories inside. And this is a lovely story, and setting up a world I look forward to exploring more in depth.

Book Review: So True a Love

Published on by Erica

Danger and passion collide when a plucky young woman becomes embroiled in a Bow Street investigation alongside a handsome officer.

London, 1803

As the daughter of a renowned actress, Verity Travers is a privileged lady of high society —and the last woman one would suspect of working as a private investigator. But after one case nearly costs her everything, she makes the hard decision to hang up her hat and live the uninspiring life of a gentlewoman. However, when she and her dearest friend become victims of a harrowing armed robbery, Verity finds herself swept back into the clandestine world of mystery and crime as she seeks to bring the thief to justice. There’s just one complication: the persistent and dashingly handsome Bow Street Runner Nathaniel Denning, who always seems to cross her path.

Verity is confident she could accomplish her work quickly if only Nathaniel would stay out of her way. While she appreciates his keen mind and quick wit on a case, his interference is muddling her progress—and her heart. Focusing on the task at hand becomes more and more difficult as she constantly bumps into Nathaniel, who is determined to keep her out of danger.

When the two rival investigators learn they are both pursuing the same cunning criminal, they must figure out how to navigate the delicate dance of cooperation amid a backdrop of increasing peril and an irresistible passion that sets their hearts ablaze.

***

My Review

I loved this book. I loved the chemistry between Verity and Nathaniel. I loved the tie into A Heart Worth Stealing, which was my favorite read last year. (Shadow Mountain has some publishing some extraordinary books, which I find refreshing.)

This book has steamy kisses. It had attraction. And a most wonderful plus in my books, no smut. This is a smut free, high tension, awesomely executed romance.

Verity is not your typical Regency era heroine. She is a private investigator, or she was at the beginning of the book. A theft and a plea from her friend Elizabeth gets her involved in a case again. On top of her romantic journey, she also has a journey about family and her relationship with her mother, a well known actress.

This book will really hit you in the feels.

Rating: 5 out of 5.