Book Review: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion (Vol. #2) by Beth Brower

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 162 pages
Author: Beth Brower
Publisher: Rhysdon Press
Release Date: November 1st, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

“I was sitting at my desk reading, with a cup of tea, my windows flung open, when I heard The Tenant enter his garret, just on the other side of the wall from myself.”

The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighbourhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.

Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

PROGRESSIVELY INTRIGUING.

For 160 pages, this did take me a lot longer to read than I was hoping for. BUT. I will say as things went on I became more and more involved. I think I’m starting to understand Emma’s voice in the story and the journal entries make for a quirky set-up.

I’m especially involved in the touches of potential romance throughout. I love the sprinkle of romance but I NEED MORE. I think Emma is flat out hilarious and I laughed many times throughout.

I’m excited to continue reading these as I love the narrator and how nice of switch up it is from whatever big books I’m generally holding. These are light, humorous and will definitely bring a smile to your face.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction
  • Language: none
  • Romance: flirtations
  • Violence: none
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of loss of parents

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ARC Book Review: All’s Fair in Love and War (Miss Prentice’s Protegees #1) by Virginia Heath

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Virginia Heath
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Release Date: May 28th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A new Regency romp of a series, about governess who believes in cultivating joy in her charges, clashes with the children’s uncle who hired her, only to find herself falling in love.

When the flighty older sister of former naval captain, Henry Kincaid, decides on a whim to accompany her explorer husband on an expedition to Egypt, he finds himself unwittingly left in the lurch with her three unruly children and her giant, mad dog. With no clue how to manage the little rascals, a busy career at the Admiralty that requires all of his attention, and no idea when his sister is coming back, Harry has to hire an emergency governess to ensure that everything in his ordered house continues to run shipshape. In desperation, he goes to Miss Prentice’s School for Girls prepared to pay whatever it takes to get a governess quick sharp to bring order to the chaos.

Thanks to her miserable, strict upbringing, fledgling governess Georgina Rowe does not subscribe to the ethos that children should be seen and not heard. She believes childhood should be everything that hers wasn’t, filled with laughter, adventure, and discovery. Thankfully, the three Pendleton children she has been tasked with looking after are already delightfully bohemian and instantly embrace her unconventional educational et

Thank you to UpLit Reads for the gifted copy.

A MISS.

I’ve never read any books by this author so I figured why not give it a go? And unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be picking up another.

The bones of this book were fine. I liked the idea of the story and the characters, it just let me wanting in the execution. The writing style is extremely wordy and it made each scene feel wildly drawn out. I think this book could have been 50 pages shorter and much more charming.

For a romance, it didn’t bring the swoon. There’s a lot of focus on the main storyline vs. the romantic storyline (until the second half at least). Some of the banter is fun, but the spice was kind of odd too. This was a mishmash bag of things. While I liked small aspects, the over arching issues stood out way too much.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: 2-3 open door

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ARC Book Review: Beneath a Crescent Shadow (The Balkan Legends #1) by A.L. Sowards

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction + Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: A.L. Sowards
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Release Date: June 4th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After an arranged marriage, Konstantin and Suzana must find a way to meet the demands of a conquering Ottoman sultan amid a torrent of setbacks and dangers much closer to their Balkan home.

The Balkans, 1373

A devastating battle claimed the lives of Konstantin’s father, uncle, and most of their Serb army, leaving him to rule as a vassal of the Ottoman sultan, a role he is wholly unprepared for. Between war, famine, and a persistent band of brigands, Konstantin is nearly bankrupt. He will need to find a wealthy bride to marry if he is to have any hope of saving his lands and securing his future.

A betrothal to Suzana, the daughter of a prosperous merchant, is soon arranged, and upon meeting her, Konstantin immediately feels hope that their marriage could someday grow into love. Yet from the moment of Konstantin and Suzana’s betrothal, enemies threaten their lives, outlaws prey on their lands, and the terrors of Suzana’s abusive past haunt their fragile new relationship. As this onslaught of threats closes in, the two face challenges that will test their love, their faith, and their hope to save their people and win their freedom from the heavy weight of Ottoman oppression.

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy.

LOVED THIS.

Oooo y’all know I’m a sucker for arranged marriages and I adored this one so dang much. I loved Konstantin and Suzana. They were incredible on their own and the chemistry between them was palpable.

I loved how strong Suzana was. And that all of the terrible hands she had been dealt didn’t deter her from being open to the softness and joy of a new path before her. I loved her ability to work with others and her resilient and tender nature was incredibly endearing.

And Konstantin?? A cinnamon roll of a Zupan who is also obsessed with his wife? Say less. I loved how he was balanced. Showing up to take down enemies when needed, and also working hard to show Suzana that he was a safe place to land. And when they both found comfort in each other I was a goner.

I love clearly well researched historicals and this was amazing. I felt like I was a part of this world, and learned a lot more about the time period and battles between vassals. There were betrayals and twists, perfectly scripted action scenes, and quiet moments of forgiveness and love. I loved all of the themes and care that went into the beautifully crafting of this story. I can’t wait for book two!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction + Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: closed door between a married couple
  • Violence: moderate-high
  • Content Warnings: mentions of rape (recounted, not in detail, but definitely mentioned), miscarriage, loss of life, battle/war themes

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ARC Book Review: Lady of Basilikas (The Droseran Saga #5) by Ronie Kendig

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Sci-Fi Romance
Length: 327 pages
Author: Ronie Kendig
Publisher: Enclave Publishing
Release Date: May 21st, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s determined to prove this errant king unworthy. He’s determined to prove her wrong.

Under attack from without and within, Jherako teeters on the brink. Vaanvorn Thundred, suddenly in possession of a throne he never expected to inherit, will do anything to pull his kingdom from the edge, even if it means striking a marriage bargain with the formidable Faa’Cris. But a skycrawler opens Vorn’s eyes to realities outside his world, and his limits are tested.

Lady Valiriana has one goal when she is sent out from Deversoria: prove this Jherakan king, the one his people call the Errant, unworthy of an alliance with any Faa’Cris. When she exchanges her freedom for that of another, Valiriana finds herself under house arrest—in the king’s house. Determined to take advantage of her proximity, she delves into the depths of the king’s character. What she finds turns her mission on its head.

Vorn must decide: break a planet-wide Accord, risking his throne and life, or leave his country—his planet—vulnerable to threats far bigger than he ever imagined. And Valiriana grapples with unpalatable truths as she discovers the king is anything but errant, while her heart, on the other hand, is a different story.

Thank you to Book of Matches Media and Ronie Kendig for the gifted copy.

OOO I LIKED THIS.

Honestly, this wasn’t on my radar until BOMM reached out about reading it, and now I’m grateful because I very much enjoyed this and have plans to go back to the start of the series.

Let me explain, Lady of Basilikas is a prequel story. From my understanding it can be read at the beginning or end of the series though. The only issue I had reading it first was that some of the terminology for the world building left me a bit lost. It does start to make sense as things go along at least.

I thought the romance had a lot of great heat and I liked the will they/won’t they nature. Valiriana had many prejudices to overcome and Vaanvorn was learning how to be king. I enjoyed their journey and am curious to see how this connects back into the plot of the main series.

It’s a pretty fast paced read. I liked the action and politicking and I think this sci-fi world is intriguing. So even if you’re not a fan of this series [yet], I definitely recommend and I’m excited to see what the rest of this world is about!

Overall audience notes:

  • Sci-Fi Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: high

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