ARC Book Review: Walking on Hidden Wings by Rachel Scott McDaniel

April 21, 2024March 12, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Mystery Romance
Length: 328 pages
Author: Rachel Scott McDaniel
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: April 23rd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Geneva Ashcroft Hayes’s marriage to a newspaper mogul might have been arranged, but the New York socialite is devastated when her husband’s plane crashes a few short months after their nuptials. When the authorities suspect murder, Geneva sets out on a wild mission to find his killer—and to prove it wasn’t her.

When mysterious notes surface threatening to expose Geneva’s guilt in his death, they only strengthen her resolve. She has little to go on except for a detective friend’s cryptic list of locations connected to her dead spouse. When her friend also disappears, she trades her sparkling gowns for coveralls and pilot goggles.

Armed with a new name and career as a wingwalker and barnstormer, she travels from town to town in hopes of unearthing clues and locating her missing friend. But Geneva discovers that her past may not belong to her . . . what she once believed as truth may be nothing more than lies and deception.

In this meticulously researched historical romance set in the 1920s, author Rachel Scott McDaniel takes the reader on a daring aviation adventure highlighting the seldom-covered barnstorming era.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the free book.

GLUED TO THIS.

Decided to read a few chapters one day, proceeded to binge this book the entire afternoon. This was incredibly good. I loved that this was set in the 1920’s but had a bit of a different focus than I usually see in this time period. I loved all of the aviation aspects because I love to vicariously live through those who enjoy flying while I keep my feet firmly planted on the ground.

This had a unique take on the romance too. The way Warren and Geneva fought for themselves and each other was incredibly romantic. The whole dang book is romantic. I loved the swoon factor, the passion in reconnecting and the pursuit of truth. I could not get enough of these two and loved how much page time I got of them.

The mystery had me in a chokehold. I was literally making commentary out loud because I was INVESTED. The twists and reveals were perfectly timed and I loved how everything came together. This was a beautiful story woven with great themes and is my new favorite McDaniel book.

Overall audience notes:

Historical Mystery + Romance
Language: none
Romance: closed door
Violence: low
Trigger/Content Warnings: attempted murder, arsenic poisoning, miscarriage

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Book Review: Battling the Bluestocking (The Donovans #3) by Martha Keyes

April 19, 2024March 29, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 308 pages
Author: Martha Keyes
Publisher: Self published
Release Date: February 2nd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Great minds do NOT always think alike.
Phineas Donovan is possessed of a sharp intellect. Fresh from Cambridge, he obtains a generous live-in position as tutor for the son of the wealthy Lord Bettencourt. If he can prove his value, he has hopes of being given the patronage of his employer, allowing him to take up a position as vicar. There, he can pursue his intellectual endeavors in peace and relative financial comfort.

In her humble but informed opinion, Lady Sarah Danneville is possessed of an even sharper intellect. If anyone should be tutoring her younger brother, it is she, not the reserved, bespectacled gentleman her father has employed to do the job. He is not fit to instruct a Danneville of Bettencourt Court.

But as Sarah works to undermine him, Mr. Donovan shows more pluck than she expects, not to mention harboring a secret hobby that would be laughable if it weren’t so dreadfully unsophisticated. If she can use this secret against him, she can finally persuade her father she is more than bait to lure a prosperous match.

Now, if only she can avoid being drawn into the unsophistication—and Mr. Donovan’s eyes—herself.

THIS WAS CHARMING!

I have really enjoyed the Donovan series. Each book feels completely different yet the crossing over of siblings and family is the perfect dynamic that gives you all the good emotions of coming back to a favorite series.

The banter between Sarah and Phineas was stellar. I loved the chemistry and just a dash of enemies to lovers as Phineas had unknowingly encroached on Sarah’s space. I thought it was a little slow out of the gate but as the story progressed I was increasingly attached to this relationship. It was sweet and I loved the character growth of both characters separately and how they came together in the end. And I also just really love when side characters you expect to be mean (like the Duke at the end) aren’t! It’s something satisfying to me to see things work at as they did.

I liked the plot a lot too. Sarah’s little brother was a charming addition who brought out a lot of good moments between Phineas and Sarah unwittingly (and some wittingly). It’s a quick regency romance that will bring a smile to your face. I highly recommend this series!!

Overall audience notes:

Regency Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: low

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Book Review: The Radiance of the Moon by Ashley Worrell

April 18, 2024March 19, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Christian Romance
Length: 360 pages
Author: Ashley Worrell
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: February 27th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The year is 1383, and the Wolf of Badenoch has conducted a terroristic campaign across the highlands to increase his wealth and land holdings. Now he’s turned his sights from Scotland to the Kingdom of the Isles. Seeking to keep the Wolf’s superior fighting forces out of his island nation, the King of the Isles turns to Chieftain Hector MacLean for help. A survivor of the Hundred Years’ War, Hector’s reputation precedes him. Brutal, clever, perhaps the greatest warrior Scotland or the Isles has ever produced—as if the man has a gift for killing. But after changing his life, Hector has no interest in returning to his old ways. As an alternative to war, he agrees to forge a marriage alliance with one of the Wolf’s allies, hoping to gain their fidelity and protect his family and clan. After surviving a brutal first marriage, young Irish widow Cara O’Ballevan arrives in Lochbuie Clan Territory, her sole prayer to make a peaceful home with the MacLeans, but the clan is wary of her as an outsider. After praying for help, she happens upon a kind man beneath a bright moon, unaware that he is the chieftain and soon to be betrothed to another. Over a series of meetings, Hector and Cara help one another, encourage one another, and begin to come to terms with a past they’re both trying to leave behind. When Cara faces a threat during a clan dispute, Hector discovers that the deadly combatant he used to be isn’t gone, but lurking just beneath the surface. This time, the lethal warrior within him takes up watch over Cara. As her gentle spirit roots deep into his heart, Hector knows she can never become his wife. A future with her could only lead to war and disgrace. Yet he cannot stop himself from falling in love with the one God entrusted to him – the woman he isn’t supposed to marry.

Thank you to the author a free copy of the audiobook!

BLOWN AWAY.

Audiobook notes: This is the only negative thing I have to say. The audio wasn’t great. I ended up reading more of the book on my kindle because of the narration. When the narrator would read the general story line, it was fine. But anytime voices were used it was hard to understand and didn’t fit the characters well either. For someone who can listen to very dense fantasies at 3x with no problems, I had to slow this one wayyyy down to understand what was being said.

BUT NOW ALL OF THE HAPPY THINGS BECAUSE I LOVED THIS BOOK.

This was a lot more heavily Christian fiction than I generally go for, so while this is one I’m usually not drawn too, I thought it everything was beautifully crafted. I think with the setting and time period the faith aspects were woven in well and showcased beautiful moments of connection and love.

I adored the hard fought relationship between Hector and Cara. It often felt like one step forward, two steps back, but then those moments of clarity and understanding would come and I loved how the communication lines began to open. I was a smitten puddle over many moments. I loved the conflict and just the right level of action. The heat and passion of true love and the strength of friendships.

A fabulous book. I am blown away this was a debut and I hope we get more books from this author soon!

Overall audience notes:

Christian Historical Fiction Romance
Language: none
Romance: closed door
Violence: moderate
Trigger/Content Warnings: spousal abuse (physical), loss of loved one, childbirth, mentions of child abuse, attempted assault, being stoned

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ARC Book Review: The Outlaw Noble Salt by Amy Harmon

April 9, 2024February 13, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction Romance
Length: 367 pages
Author: Amy Harmon
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Release Date: April 9th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From New York Times bestselling author Amy Harmon comes a sweepingly romantic tale of risk, redemption, and what happens when America’s most famous outlaw falls in love. When infamous outlaw Butch Cassidy decides to go straight, he discovers that too many of the powerful men he crossed won’t let bygones be bygones. To have a chance at a new life, he’ll have to become someone else entirely. A brief, fateful encounter with the celebrated singer Jane Touissant on the eve of his escape offers a glimpse of what might have been, but Butch disappears, leaving her behind, until their paths unexpectedly converge again in Paris. Despite having discovered his true identity, Jane trusts the outlaw and enlists his protection on her upcoming American tour. Although Butch is reluctant to agree, fearing his sordid past may put the woman and her young son in danger, the salvation she offers is too hard to resist. As they set forth on their journey, Butch’s past and Jane’s secrets put them at risk from threats far greater than the law, and this legend of the American West will have to decide what matters most―his life, his legacy, or the woman he loves.

Thank you to Amy Harmon for the gifted book.

FEELING EVERYTHING.

I don’t even know how to put into words how beautiful this book was. I was swept away (again, because let’s be honest, Amy Harmon books always sweep me away) into the early 1900’s and Butch Cassidy’s life, and what a life it was.

I looooved the exploration of Cassidy and his life and how he ended up where he did. I love how the inclusion of history was woven in with the romance. Good heavens I loved Jane. Her continued strength through a difficult life and being the mother she wanted and needed to be for Augustus while allowing herself a chance to be with Butch. It was incredibly romantic and heartfelt and raw with truth and longing.

Also Augustus? In love with him. He was the sweetest boy who had to grow up too soon. And he was the perfect addition to this story. I found strength is his courage and the way he handled himself throughout the book.

I loved the setting and story and the intensity of what was slowly closing in. My heart was in my throat and had to hope with everything in me that we’d get to the ending I was begging for.

Another masterpiece where I fell in love with a ‘villain’.

Overall audience notes: