19th Century – Fiction Aficionado

First Line Friday – Shadows of the White City (Jocelyn Green)

Happy Friday and welcome to First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books. This week I’m finally diving into Jocelyn Green’s new release, Shadows of the White City. Jocelyn is one of my favourite historical fiction authors, and having enjoyed Veiled in Smoke last year, I’m keen to read Sylvie’s story and catch up with Meg and Nate. I especially love that this story takes place many years later. It’s not often we get to catch up with characters so many years down the track!

26 February 2021

Gentleman Jim (Mimi Matthews) – Review

She Couldn’t Forget…

Wealthy squire’s daughter Margaret Honeywell was always meant to marry her neighbor, Frederick Burton-Smythe, but it’s bastard-born Nicholas Seaton who has her heart. Raised alongside her on her father’s estate, Nicholas is the rumored son of notorious highwayman Gentleman Jim. When Fred frames him for theft, Nicholas escapes into the night, vowing to find his legendary sire. But Nicholas never returns. A decade later, he’s long been presumed dead.

He Wouldn’t Forgive…

After years spent on the continent, John Beresford, Viscount St. Clare has finally come home to England. Tall, blond, and dangerous, he’s on a mission to restore his family’s honor…

23 November 2020

First Line Friday – Gentleman Jim (Mimi Matthews)

Happy Friday, and welcome to First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books. I just finished reading the newest release from Mimi Matthews, one of my all-time favourite historical romance writers: Gentleman Jim. Goodness, I just devoured this story. It has intrigue, passion, and so much more!

20 November 2020

The Lost Lieutenant (Erica Vetsch) – Review

He’s doing what he can to save the Prince Regent’s life . . . but can he save his new marriage as well?

Evan Eldridge never meant to be a war hero–he just wanted to fight Napoleon for the future of his country. And he certainly didn’t think that saving the life of a peer would mean being made the Earl of Whitelock. But when the life you save is dear to the Prince Regent, things can change in a hurry.

Now Evan has a new title, a manor house in shambles, and a stranger for a bride, all thrust upon him by a grateful ruler. What he doesn’t have are all his memories. Traumatized as a result of his wounds and bravery on the battlefield, Evan knows there’s something he can’t quite remember. It’s important, dangerous–and if he doesn’t recall it in time, will jeopardize not only his marriage but someone’s very life.

18 July 2020

Rakes and Roses (Josi S. Kilpack) – Review

A standalone novel in the Mayfield Family series with an unusual premise and an uplifting ending.

Lady Sabrina endured an abusive marriage, a miscarriage, and early widowhood to emerge as a smart, successful, confident woman who found a way to make her mark in a man’s world. She has friends and purpose, but cannot hide from the emptiness she feels when the parties are over and the friends have gone home to families she will never have.

Harry Stillman may be charming and handsome, but he’s a gambler and a rake who has made a mockery of his privileges.

16 May 2020

Veiled in Smoke (Jocelyn Green) – Review

Meg and Sylvie Townsend manage the family bookshop and care for their father, Stephen, a veteran still suffering in mind and spirit from his time as a POW during the Civil War. But when the Great Fire sweeps through Chicago’s business district, they lose much more than just their store.

The sisters become separated from their father and make a harrowing escape from the flames with the help of Chicago Tribune reporter Nate Pierce. Once the smoke clears away, they reunite with Stephen, only to learn soon after that their family friend was murdered on the night of the fire. Even more shocking, Stephen is charged with the crime and committed to the Cook County Insane Asylum.

26 February 2020

The Winter Companion (Mimi Matthews) – Review

She Needed to be Seen…

As a lady’s companion, Clara Hartwright never receives much attention from anyone. And that’s precisely how she likes it. With a stormy past, and an unconventional plan for her future, it’s far safer to remain invisible. But when her new employer is invited to a month-long holiday at a remote coastal abbey, Clara discovers that she may not be as invisible as she’d hoped. At least, not as far as one gentleman is concerned.

24 February 2020

Carry Me Away (Dorothy Adamek) – Review

Inspired by the incredible true story of an Australian shipwreck and those who survived to tell the tale.

When the Black Swallow sinks off the Australian coast in 1877, Australian midshipman Tom Darley rescues English passenger Ada Carmichael from the disaster that claims her entire family. News of the only two survivors enchants the world, but Ada needs to hide before secrets and old foes find her.

6 November 2019

The power of fiction, the beauty of words, and the God who made us to wield them for His glory.