Posts Categorized: historical fiction

A Captain for Caroline Gray by Julie Wright

20 Nov, 2020 by in historical fiction, proper romance Leave a comment

A Captain for Caroline Gray by Julie Wrighton March 2, 2021
Pages: 336
Format: ARC
four-half-stars
Buy the Book • Goodreads
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

I’ve been on a bit of a Naval Historical novel kick lately. After reading Georgana’s Secret by Arlem Hawks, A Captain for Caroline was perfect. They have similar themes, characters and ship based settings… historical fiction at its finest.

Caroline is off to secure her future. Her choices are being narrowed at the hand of her family and of an Englishman living in India. She’s a bluestocking–outspoken, intelligent. Being fluent in political discussion is all but forbidden for ladies. She’s not afraid to speak her mind. She believes this practice in London’s society circles fails to make her a match and leaves her without girls to call friends. Trying to fit in with the crowd, Caroline loses her feisty spirit. Wright teaches an important message about being true to who you are.

Thomas is a sea captain, in charge of helping many of the ladies of England seeking a husband to India. He’s stubborn and hard headed at times. As a reader, you’ll find yourself wanting to yell at him for his assumptions.

With stops and starts in their relationship, Wright builds a historical romance which teaches about the dangers of gossip, the need to be true to yourself and the value of sincere apologies. The villains of the story could have been a little more well fleshed out, but that’s about all I missed in this book. I so loved being swept away at sea once again. The Proper Romance series by Shadow Mountain continues to put out wonderful books!

Content: clean, mild violence.

About the Author

Julie Wright wrote her first book when she was fifteen. She’s written over twenty novels since then. She is a Whitney Awards winner for best romance with her books Cross My Heart and Lies Jane Austen Told Me, and she is a Crown Heart recipient for the novel The Fortune Café.

She has one husband, three kids, one dog, and a varying amount of fish, frogs, and salamanders (depending on attrition).

She loves writing, reading, hiking, playing with her kids, and watching her husband make dinner.

She hates mayonnaise.

Divider

Georgana’s Secret by Arlem Hawks

18 Nov, 2020 by in historical fiction, proper romance, Shadow Mountain Leave a comment

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Georgana’s Secret by Arlem Hawks

Georgana's Secret

on January 12, 2021
Pages: 320
Format: ARC
four-stars
Buy the Book • Goodreads
A Regency romance on the high seas.

1811, HMS Deborah

Georgana Woodall dreams of freedom—freedom from her past and freedom from her secret. She has been living on her father’s ship for years, disguised as a cabin boy named “George.” But hiding her true self is becoming more difficult, and she yearns to break free of her life on the sea.

Lieutenant Dominic Peyton has no time in his life for love, not with his dedication to His Majesty’s Royal Navy claiming his full attention. Determined to prove himself to his new captain, he strives to be an exemplary officer and leader. When he sees the captain’s cabin boy being harassed by the crew, he immediately puts a stop to it and takes the boy under his wing.

Georgana quickly loses her heart to Dominic’s compassion and care, but needing to maintain her disguise as a cabin boy, she is convinced nothing can come of her affection.

Georgana’s Secret is about two hearts yearning to find a safe harbor, and possibly, a lasting love.

Review

So much to love about Georgana’s Secret. I finished it in one day! Naval Historical Fiction, with a touch of romance. Georgana is aboard her father’s ship disguised as a boy, George Taylor. Sea life is hard, disappointing and dangerous. She has lived a life of abuse feeling she is a mistake and a failure. Along comes Dominic. Completely unaware of who she is, gentle and kind to the orphaned ship mate.

This one has a slow moving pace, until the very end, when the action of battle really picks up. There were a few plot pieces which felt a bit off– like her father’s treatment of her, at times, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the rest. There are true to life details which make this feel like a trip back in time between Naval officers in the midst of war. Loved it and can’t wait to read more from the author. Thanks Shadow Mountain for the sneak peek.

Content: drinking, bullying, abuse. Moderate violence, Clean.

About the Author

Arlem Hawks began making up stories before she could write. Living all over the Western United States and traveling around the world gave her a love of cultures and people, and the stories they have to tell. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in communications and emphasis in print journalism, and now lives in Arizona with her husband and two children

Divider

Nearer To Thee by Marianne Monson~ Book Spotlight

27 Jun, 2016 by in historical fiction Leave a comment

Nearer To Thee Book

by Marianne Monson
Series: The Mima Journals
Published by CreateSpace on February 24, 2016
Genres: Historical Fiction, LDS
Pages: 228
Format: Paperback
Source: The Author
Buy the Book • Goodreads

Nearer to Thee continues the beautifully written account of young musician Mima Hough, based on the true story of a nineteenth century pioneer from England. In this thrilling sequel to The Water is Wide, Mima and her mother turn their eyes westward to the Salt Lake Valley, but to get there, they must follow a trail marked with cholera graves, treacherous rivers, and Native American tribes weary of invaders. Mima's journey across the plains is one of courage and self-discovery, of heartache and love. This long-awaited sequel continues the epic adventure of a young woman who experiences the life of a Mormon pioneer as an outsider.


about_ the_author
Since she was a very young child, Marianne Monson has been fascinated by the power of words (and even tried inventing her own language for a time). After earning a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from BYU, she continued her study at Vermont College of Fine Arts, earning an M.F.A. in Creative Writing. Since then, she has worked as an editor/art director of children’s books, authored eight books and counting for children and adults, and continues editing and writing for a variety of audiences, including magazines, books, blogs, and other publications.

She teaches Creative Writing and English at Portland Community College. Her two children are often featured in her work (and are self-confessed logophiles as well).

Divider

Born to Treason by E.B. Wheeler- Blog Tour

30 May, 2016 by in cedar fort, historical fiction 1 comment

I received this book for free from Cedar Fort in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Born To Treason

by E.B. Wheeler
Published by Cedar Fort on May 10, 2016
Genres: Adult, Historical Fiction
Pages: 240
Format: Paperback

four-half-stars




Source: Cedar Fort
Buy the Book • Goodreads

Joan Pryce is not only a Catholic during the English Reformation but also Welsh, and comes from a family of proud revolutionaries. But when a small act of defiance entangles her in a deadly conspiracy, a single misstep could lead her straight to the gallows! Joan must decide between fighting for freedom and finding love.

 

Review

Having Welsh heritage, I wanted to learn about the history of our ancestors. Set during a time of religious upheaval between the Catholics and Protestants, Born to Treason highlights the life story of Joan Pryce. She hold fast to her beliefs and her heritage despite a threat to life and love.  The danger is real as she fights to preserve Welsh language, religious writings and relics during the English Reformation. She is seen as an enemy to the queen for choosing to worship in the way she was raised. Soon, the danger increases as Joan smuggles papers for a priest and takes on orphans.

While a bit slow in the beginning, by the end I was hooked. The tale of childhood friends overcoming loss was heartwarming. Full of twists and turns, action and intrigue, E.B. Wheeler has crafted a great piece of historical fiction.

About the Author

E.B. Wheeler grew up in Georgia and California. She earned her BA in history from BYU and has graduate degrees in history and landscape architecture from Utah State University. With Welsh ancestors on one side of her family and crypto-Catholics on the other, she’s been fascinated by the story of Welsh Catholics since writing about them in her master’s thesis. She’s the award-winning author of “The Haunting of Springett Hall” and lives in northern Utah with her family.

 

Blog Tour Schedule
May 10: Rockin’ Book Reviews
May 11: My Love for Reading Keeps Growing
May 12: Once Upon a Time | Bookworm Lisa
May 13: My Book a Day
May 14: Inklings and Notions
May 16: Katie’s Clean Book Collection
May 17: Getting Your Read On
May 18: The Dragon’s Nook | Reading for Sanity
May 19: Robyn Echols Books | Reading Lark
May 20: Why Not? Because I Said So
May 23: Wishful Endings
May 24: Mel’s Shelves
May 25: Blooming With Books
May 26: Making Life a Bliss Complete
May 27: Singing Librarian Books
May 28: Crossroad Reviews
May 30: Fire and Ice
May 31: The Morrell Tale

Divider

Lady Emma’s Campaign by Jennifer Moore ~ Blog Tour

11 Nov, 2014 by in adult, blog tour, covenant, Heather Gardner Photography, historical fiction, jennifer moore Leave a comment

I received this book for free from Covenant in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Lady Emma’s Campaign by Jennifer Moore ~ Blog Tour

Lady Emma's Campaign

by Jennifer Moore
Published by Covenant on November 1, 2014
Genres: Adult, Clean Romance, Historical Fiction
Pages: 224
Format: Paperback

five-stars




Source: Covenant
Buy the Book • Goodreads

She would follow him through peace and war.

London, 1811

The London Season is ushered in with a thrilling flurry of invitations, gowns, and parties. But despite her status as belle of the ball, lovely socialite Emma Drake simply cannot fathom becoming entangled with any gentleman of her acquaintance. For in truth, since childhood her heart has belonged to Captain Sidney Fletcher, a man of the sea—and her brother’s best friend. Emma knows that Sidney’s directive to free the Spanish city of Cadiz from French occupation will be dangerous, but when word arrives of his capture, she is frantic. Determined to aid her brother in Sidney’s rescue, she hides aboard his ship and sets a course to Spain. But the realities of war are a far cry from the drawing rooms of London, and Emma finds the man she loves a mere shadow of his former self. When a series of events leaves them trapped together behind enemy lines, Emma and Sidney must embark on a journey fraught with danger—from a bloody hunt for Spanish treasure to the battlefields of war-torn Spain, new threats lurk around every turn. As their flight becomes increasingly perilous, Sidney and Emma must trust each other with their lives—but can they trust the other with their heart?

lady emmas blog tour

 

Author Jennifer Moore is back after her debut, with a companion novel to Becoming Lady Lockwood. And, I must say her writing is even better than ever. I absolutely loved Lady Emma’s Campaign. Set in Spain during the Regency Era Napoleonic Wars, it is the tale of a soldier experiencing PTSD after a grueling number of years on the battlefield, and his best friend’s sister Emma. She is 17 and in her season with plenty of suitors, but her heart is set on Sidney Drake. She is determined to be seen as more than a sister figure or young girl, and to win his heart.

With fascinating descriptions of life in Spain during war time, life on the seas as a sailor, and the dull social preoccupation of London’s scene, I was hooked. As a fan of historical fiction and clean romance, I must recommend you pick up Lady Emma’s Campaign. I am so impressed with all the well-researched facts and the psychological effects of trauma that were built into the story line.

Highly recommend!

Thanks to Covenant Communications for the sneak peek before publication date, and to author Jennifer Moore for allowing me the privilege of taking her author photos.

Content: moderate war related violence, kissing, threat of assault but nothing described.

 About the Author

Copyright Heather Zahn Gardner

Jennifer Moore is a passionate reader and writer of all things romance due to the need to balance the rest of her world that includes a perpetually traveling husband and four active sons, who create heaps of laundry that is anything but romantic. Jennifer has a B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Utah and is a Guitar Hero champion. She lives in northern Utah with her family. Becoming Lady Lockwood–July 2014 (Covenant) Lady Emma’s Campaign–November 2014 (Covenant) The Sheik’s Ruby–Winter 2015 (The Wild Rose Press) Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince–February 2015 (Covenant)You can learn more about her at: authorjmoore.com

Blog Tour Schedule

The Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Divider

Review~ Her Rebellious Heart: A Scottish Historical Romance

17 Jun, 2014 by in adult, book review, historical fiction, marian mcbride, scottish 1 comment

Review~ Her Rebellious Heart: A Scottish Historical Romance

Her Rebellious Heart

by Marian McBride
Published by Amazon Digital Services on December 25th 2013
Genres: Adult, Historical Fiction
Pages: 120
Format: eBook

three-stars




Buy the Book • Goodreads

Bridget Campbell is more interested in music than men. In fact, she may be the only girl in the Scottish lowlands who isn't looking for a husband. But when her estranged grandfather's health begins to decline and he asks her to move into his castle, Bridget is introduced to a handsome Highlander who becomes a rival for her attention. Although perfect strangers, there's a connection between Bridget and Aidan MacLeod that she can't ignore. Can she stand up to the men in her life who are pressuring her to settle down?

At first uneasy about leaving her parents' modest home to live at Ty-Runach Castle, Bridget feels pressured to accept her grandfather's invitation. Robert had distanced himself from her mother when she married a man from a rival clan. The ancient feud between the MacDonalds and the Campbells broke her family apart, but maybe Bridget can heal the rift?

But someone clearly doesn't want her at the castle. Strange noises in the night and a frightening attack nearly send Bridget running from the keep. And then there's Aidan. Rumors of his reputation as a ladies man convince her to stay away lest she become the highlander's conquest. Yet her rebellious heart beats faster whenever Aidan is near. A single kiss lights a fire within that threatens to consume her. Can she resist Aidan's advances and rein in her runaway heart?

I purchased Her Rebellious Heart a few months a go as a free download on Amazon, and since we went to the Scottish festival this weekend, I wanted good a historical fiction with roots in Scotland. I was pleasantly surprised that this was clean, and the setting was authentic. I loved the descriptions of the North Sea, the crumbling castles, the tartans and feuds between clans. My only complaint is that at times the Scottish dialect was present and others times it wasn’t. Do not becomes “dinna” etc. Also, the flow could have been more smooth and the main villain definitely needed to be fleshed out more fully. It seems like the author cut the conflict short. It reads more like a novella than a full story. With more editing and filling out of story line this could have been much more. I did enjoy the surnames in the book…main man Aidan MacLeod carries my ancestral clan name!

Overall, if you want a short historical Scottish read as a small taste of the place, this may be a good pick, but I would wait until it goes up for free again.

Content: some tension and kissing, innuendoheather

About the Author

Marian McBride is an American author of Scottish descent. When she feels like honoring her roots, she plays her Celtic harp, but not as well as she’d like. Occasionally, she sings along, usually when she wants to punish her family.

Marian is not a particularly good Scot. She doesn’t enjoy haggis or bagpipes, but she does love a good Highland Games, particularly when men in kilts do the caber toss. “Her Rebellious Heart” is Marian’s sole novella. She hopes by showing some Scottish pride in her writing, her clansmen will forgive for not visiting home often.

Divider