Tag: historical romance

ARC Book Review: The Call of the Sea by Sian Ann Bessey

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 252 pages
Author: Sian Ann Bessey
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: November 1st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A Viking Historical Romance

On the eve of her betrothal to a nobleman she’s never met, Rhiannon seeks comfort on the shores of the sea she loves so well. But instead of offering peace to her uneasy heart, the ocean heralds doom with the arrival of dreaded Viking ships. A vicious raid leads to the death of her beloved father and leaves Rhiannon’s life in tatters. Heartbroken, she travels to Ynys Môn, where she takes up residence at the royal court of Owain Gwynedd.

Leif loves voyaging on the open water. As the son of a Viking chief, he’s accustomed to his people’s practice of plundering and looting. But when one of his companions ruthlessly kills an old man in front of the man’s beautiful daughter, Leif is haunted by the memory. Desperate to find forgiveness for the atrocity he allowed to occur, he’s offered a chance at redemption through the kindly teachings of an Irish priest and the unexpected arrival of a royal fugitive. Suddenly thrust into the midst of the Cymry’s political turmoil, Leif is reunited with the dead man’s daughter―Rhiannon. Forced to work side by side to uncover the truth behind the turmoil, they come to discover that love can grow from even the most tragic of beginnings. But with such incompatible backgrounds, surely a future together can never be theirs.

Thank you to the publisher and author for an ARC.

SAIL AWAY.

This was a well written story with beautiful imagery and a deep dive into history.

And I will say it’s definitely more historical fiction than anything else. There is a romantic sub plot, but it’s a super sub plot. I enjoyed the murder mystery aspects and finding the truth. Learning about different aspects of the nations at the time and finding God when down on your knees.

The “whodunnit” will keep you guessing and the save the damsel in distress scenes are some of my favorite. I liked the forbidden aspects of the romance and the discussions they worked through involving grief and forgiveness. The lane is never straight but the hills and valleys remind you of what you’re ultimately striving for.

I do wish there was more romance. It had it on the cover so my expectations were set in that direction and I was a bit mystified they didn’t interact as much as I hoped for. I did like the friendships Rhiannon had with her cousin and I just liked Rhiannon in general. She was a great FMC. Full of strength and a desire for more.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction
  • Language: none
  • Romance: Kisses
  • Violence: mild
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, loss of a parent, small battle scenes

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: A Loyal Heart (An Uncertain Choice #4) by Jody Hedlund

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: YA Historical Romance
Length: 302 pages
Author: Jody Hedlund
Publisher: Northern Lights Press
Release Date: March 6th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He’s taken her as his prisoner. But she’s holding his heart captive. In gaining their freedom, will they lose what matters most?

When Lady Olivia’s castle is besieged, she and her sister are taken captive and held for ransom by her father’s enemy, Lord Pitt. Loyalty to family means everything to Olivia. She’ll save her sister at any cost and do whatever her father asks—even if that means obeying his order to steal a sacred relic from her captor.

As Lord Pitt’s commander, Sir Aldric is in charge of the beautiful but feisty new prisoner. He has his hands full attempting to keep Lady Olivia out of trouble. When Lord Pitt throws her in the dungeon and threatens to hang her for stealing, Aldric conceives a plot to save Olivia’s life—betrothal to him.

Can Olivia give up the prestigious match her father has arranged with a wealthy marquess in order to marry a lowly knight like Aldric? And can Aldric move beyond his past mistakes to embrace love again? When loyalties are tested, they’re thrust into danger that could cost them their love and their lives. 

TOO EASY.

This was an enjoyable read, it was. I just started noticing some things that stuck out enough that caused my rating to go down.

I did love this historical vibes and time period. That was different for a young adult book and it was a good change of pace. The audio book was already really well narrated and I flew through it (it’s short, about 7 hours).

The romance had some sweet moments but I felt like things progressed for them too easily. They’re flat out enemies and I wanted more angst between them because of that. There wasn’t a sense of will they/won’t they and even in the midst of all the things happening around them I thought the romance arc moved too swiftly. Probably a by-product of a short story, but alas, these are my thoughts.

Overall audience notes:

  • Young adult historical romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: battle themes, kidnapping, whipping
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: suicide ideation, loss of a spouse (prior to book, but discussed), grief, near death situations

Instagram || Goodreads

ARC Book Review: A Game of Hearts by Joanna Barker

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Joanna Barker
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: October 18, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

If you can’t join them… beat them.

Marigold Cartwell has only one goal: to defeat her long-time rival on the archery field. She knows she can outshoot irritating, cynical Tristan Gates, but the local bowmen’s society—the one he belongs to—refuses to allow women to compete. Spurred on by their rejection, Marigold decides to start a new society. Naturally, it has only one rule: no men.

Tristan Gates is used to Marigold Cartwell always getting her way, so he is far from surprised when she forms her own society. He knows how relentless she can be, something he learned firsthand facing her at the targets. But Tristan has enough worries of his own, what with his bachelor uncle falling in love with a fortune hunter. He has no time to entertain Marigold’s ambitions.

However, after a visit to the seashore ends in disaster—and scandal—Marigold and Tristan soon realize how little they know about each other. The strained tension between them quickly turns to simmering attraction, but an important archery competition looms ahead. Lines are drawn all around them, with Marigold and Tristan on opposite sides, and neither can afford to lose. Yet winning might be the very thing to tear them apart.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

I AM A PUDDLE.

OMG I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH.

That should be this review: NO NOTES.

I’ll drop a bit more though. I could not get enough of Marigold and Tristan. Marigold has some of the best type of character development that had me easily won over to her side as the book progressed. Add in a broody grump with a cinnamon roll soul in Tristan and these two reluctant lovers ARE A MATCH.

There were so many good moments. I would love to list them, but I also think you should go into reading this without those hints. Tristan and Marigold end up in some dicey situations that lead to their own consequences. And while not their initial choice, learning to communicate was something they both needed that really made my heart soar.

Also, the family????? On BOTH sides were loving and kind. Supportive and compassionate. I loved the parents, the siblings, the uncle. All of them. It was very refreshing to have this kind of support and it made the whole book.

All of the archery stuff was super cool to learn about too. I love archery and it was a unique dynamic to add into a regency romance. It’s the kind of thing I love about Barker’s books. They feel inventive to the genre and this is without a doubt my new favorite of hers.

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of parents (recounted), misogyny

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

ARC Book Review: To Capture His Heart (Matchmakers #2) by Nancy Campbell Allen

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 288 pages
Author: Nancy Campbell Allen
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Release Date: October 12th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Seaside, England, 1886

Eva Caldwell is an accomplished and well-known photographer who often works with the local constabulary to assist in documenting crime scenes, which means she also often works alongside the handsome and charming detective, Nathan Winston. She appreciates his intellect and how he treats her like an equal, but Eva’s heart is still healing from a past relationship, so, for now, she decides to keep her feelings for Nathan a secret.

One evening, Nathan arrives on her doorstep asking for a personal favor. Would Eva be available to photograph his mother’s legendary, week-long dinner party and matchmaking event? The catch is that Eva would also have to pretend they are courting in order for Nathan to avoid the many single women seeking his attention.

Though wary of the charade, Eva agrees. Spending a week with the two things she loves most—her detective and her camera—sounds simple enough. And if she wants to imagine that Nathan’s pretend courtship of her is real, well, what’s the harm in that?

But when a criminal from Nathan’s past threatens revenge on the detective, Nathan must be extra vigilant to keep his mother and the rest of the partygoers safe. He confides in Eva, and as the two work together to solve the mystery and apprehend the criminal, they find that they might capture more than they expected—each other’s heart.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain for the ARC.

SIMPLE.

I wanted to love this more than I did, but there were a few things holding me back.

The romantic suspense and murder mystery aspects were a good addition to the plot. A dry story of a house party needed the umph that the mystery brought. I adore that Nathan was a detective because that’s one of my fav careers to come across, book wise, and he a hero to cheer for. Not to mention the fact that he’s been into Eva for ages? We love a man who falls first.

Within the romance I thought things felt very vanilla? There was this great start with a fake dating scheme that too quickly turned into–well–nothing. They went ahead and admitted feelings to each other and that was that! I didn’t get any angst or great build-up. But if you’re looking for what I would still call a sweet romance that has some little dates sprinkled throughout you’d enjoy this one.

It’s super fast paced and I did like the writing style. A few things ultimately didn’t click for me and that happens.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, attempted murder

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph