Book Review - An Elegant Facade

An Elegant Facade

by Kristi Ann Hunter 
Bethany House Publishers 

Lady Georgina Hawthorne is perfect. At least, she appears to be. For years, she’s carefully planned her debut season. It must be flawless, and above all things, yield a wealthy husband. Nothing will deter her, not even her sister’s apparent interest in the Duke of Marshington, the man Georgina wishes to marry.

Even though Colin McCrae, a close friend of the Duke, holds no official title, he’s respected for his business acumen. Hailing originally from Scotland, he has numerous ventures in London and elsewhere, and is sought after for his wise business counsel. It’s 1813, after all, and progress in farming and industry knows no bounds.

Colin’s path intersects with Georgina’s more often than she would like. Matter of fact, their exchanges at social gatherings impact her thinking to the point where her conscience and Colin’s voice are interchangeable in her head. It’s maddening, really, for she knows he disapproves of her plan to snag a secure future with a rich husband, and she stumbles over Colin at every turn.

Georgina does her best to continue her quest, despite a distressing flaw that only she and her lady’s maid know about. Unfortunately, Colin is dangerously close to discovering her well-hidden secret. In the meantime, Colin wrestles with issues due to a rift with his father. He’s also frustrated with his growing attraction to Georgina, the socialite who seems as shallow as a puddle from a London rainstorm.  

About the time Georgina and Colin seem to establish a truce, events and emotions ramp up, and misunderstandings flourish again. Will Georgina find the right husband and the security she’s looking for? Will Colin make peace with his father? I won’t give too much away, but I will say that this book has a happy ending. Matter of fact, I believe the end was my favorite part.

An Elegant Façade offers a thought provoking and sweeping jaunt through the Regency period. The reader experiences everything from the elaborate estates of well-bred society to shady characters who use others for personal gain.  Ms. Hunter does an excellent job of creating an authentic story complete with an intricate plot and realistic characters. I must admit though, I didn’t like Georgina at first. She was spoiled with an agenda that only served her goals. It was interesting to watch her character grow through events and the perspective Colin offered her. Colin wasn’t perfect either, but much more likeable from the outset. The lessons they both experienced are timeless –self-deception, faith, life, love, and honor. It compelled me to look at my own life, whom I serve and what I deem as important. I’ll be watching for Book 3 in this series.

Please note: I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

If you happened to miss Monday's post, we discussed prewriting. I invite you to hop over and add your two cents! 

What are you reading this month?  

Happy weekend, 

Karen

Book Review - No Other Will Do

No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer
Bethany House Publishers

Twenty something Emma Chandler, founder of the women’s colony in Harper’s Station, TX, is as spunky as they come. She is a champion of women, the sometimes battered, suffering casualties of society in 1894. Emma and her aunts created a safe haven for abused and homeless women, and the town is home to a bank, general store, café, and boarding house, to name a few. Harper’s Station boasts no male residents. Just yet anyway.

Malachi Shaw is an explosives specialist working for the railroad in southern Montana. He had the privilege of living with Emma’s aunts when he was orphaned in his early teens.  He credits a young Emma with saving his life, and consequently they became fast friends. After he left Texas, he and Emma kept in touch through letters. Malachi promised Emma and the aunts he’d come if they ever needed anything.

There’s trouble brewing in Harper’s Station in the form of a masked man leaving threatening notes that say “Leave or die”. When he opens fire on the women during a meeting, Emma wires Malachi for help. Malachi drops everything and heads to Texas intent on helping the town’s residents.

The situation continues to heat up, literally, as the mysterious perpetrator continues to wreak havoc, setting fire to Harper’s Station’s church.  Folks in the nearby town of Seymour aren’t anxious to help, and the sheriff is occupied with cattle rustlers in the surrounding area.  So it’s up to Malachi, Emma, and the ladies to solve this life threatening puzzle.

In the meantime, Emma and Malachi get to know each other as adults, in person versus through letters, and find themselves increasingly attracted to each other. Malachi will do anything to keep Emma and those she cares about safe, and Emma is staunchly supportive of him as well. Not only are their crime fighting skills tested, but their convictions and faith in God are as well. To further complicate matters, Emma and Malachi believe that there is a traitor among the women. Someone is supplying the masked man with information and carrying out his tasks around town, including killing livestock.

Many secrets come to light as Emma and Malachi formulate a plan to meet the deadline the perpetrator has imposed. Tension mounts as precious hours tick away and lives hang in the balance. Will they catch the man responsible for the upheaval in Harper’s Station? I’ll give you a hint: this book has a happy ending in more ways than one, but it’s not without a wonderfully tense and action packed conclusion.

Ms. Witemeyer is a master at bringing the reader into the heart of the characters. I was engaged from the start, drawn to Emma and Malachi through their backstory and present challenges. Her characters are multifaceted individuals, real people to whom we can relate. The plot and setting are perfect complements to the characters, and she weaves rich historical detail throughout, further layering the story. It’s a wonderful balance of action, mystery, hope, despair, love, and faith that entertains and inspires.

I came away with not only the satisfaction of having read a wonderful story, but challenged to examine my own heart and faith as well. I hope Ms. Witemeyer continues this series of strong and inspiring women (and men!). This one gets two thumbs up!

Please note: I received this complimentary copy of No Other Will Do from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

What are you reading this summer?

Happy reading and writing, 

Karen

Book Review - A Noble Masquerade

A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter 

Miranda Hathaway is officially a "Lady" in her social circle, but that hasn’t prevented her from teetering on the edge of spinsterhood at the ripe old age of twenty. It’s not that she’s discontent really, for she would make a wonderful aunt to her siblings’ future children. But she does get lonely. Her long standing habit of writing letters (but not sending them) to the Duke of Marshington, her brother Griffith’s friend, is rather therapeutic. She’s never met the Duke, but has formulated a persona based on Griffith's stories from their school days.

She finds herself bumping into Marlow, Griffith’s new valet, at every turn. Even though he belongs to the working class, Miranda is drawn to him.  Although she isn’t quite sure what he’s all about, she finds him interesting and looks forward to opportunities to speak to him. 

To her great dismay, one of her missives somehow finds its way to the Duke. When he responds, she is stunned and embarrassed. The plot thickens (for real!) when Miranda discovers Marlow caught in the crossfire of shady dealings around the estate. Of course, she has no choice but to intervene.

This story offers an action packed glimpse into England’s “genteel” society in 1822 – from the rules and expectations to treason and deceit. Danger lurks in unexpected places, as does love and heartbreak. A Noble Masquerade is full of intrigue and surprises. Miranda, Griffith, Marlow, and the Duke find their loyalty, mettle, and faith tested as they sort through exciting events and details to find the truth. This book kept me on my toes – I like that!

Kristi Ann Hunter does a wonderful job, combining an entertaining and action packed story with great characters. Rich historical details complement this deep and well-balanced tale. It had me engaged from the first page, and didn’t let go until the end - I enjoyed this book from start to finish. 

Ms. Hunter is a delightful and talented storyteller. I’m adding her to my list of favorite authors, and will be on the lookout for more of her books.

I received this book free of charge from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

Purchase A Noble Masquerade


Just in case you missed it - here's the link to last week's interview with Susan J. Reinhardt complete with info on her new book, Out of the Mist. 

Do you like mysteries? What are you reading now?

Happy reading and writing,

Karen

Coming Attractions and a Book Review

Coming Attractions

It's hard to believe that the year is nearly half over! To celebrate summer, I have a few special guests lined up. Here's a sampling:

Next week, Alex J. Cavanaugh stops by to share his thoughts on first drafts and outlines. Alex never fails to offer inspiration and great info.

We'll also find encouragement from Terri Tiffany, who visits in July for the Meet the Blogger post. Terri's debut novel, The Mulligan was released in February. 


Book Review

I have the privilege of being an influencer for Jody Hedlund's latest book, Hearts Made Whole. If you are a fan of Jody's work and/or historical fiction, you just might enjoy this story. :)

Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund      

The second in the Beacons of Hope series, Hearts Made Whole is an engaging story that leads the reader on a lively journey of adventure and restoration. Caroline Taylor tends the Windmill Point Lighthouse in Michigan as she and her siblings mourn the loss of their father. It is 1865; Caroline is doubtful that the Lighthouse Board will allow her, a woman, to remain as keeper. Her doubts are confirmed when the district lighthouse inspector informs Caroline that he’s hired a man to replace her.

Despite the fact that Civil War veteran Ryan Chambers knows little about tending lighthouses, he is hired as Caroline’s replacement. Ryan is looking for a fresh start, preferably in an isolated profession, so the lighthouse position seems a perfect fit. Or is it? Horrific memories of war relentlessly pursue him, causing Ryan to seek solace by unhealthy means.

Their first meeting is a bit awkward, but Caroline and Ryan form a friendship once they begin to understand each other. As she considers her future options, Caroline agrees to show Ryan how to tend the lighthouse. Their relationship is complicated somewhat by Caroline’s would be suitor Arnie. 

This story offers an assortment of intriguing scenarios, from impending danger and loyalty, to love, heartbreak, and sorrow. There are surprises galore, and Ryan and Caroline must decide where their faith lies and in whom they can trust. About the time I thought things were settling down within the story another calamity arose, further testing their mettle. It kept me guessing. I like that!  

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Ms. Hedlund artfully paints each scene through realistic characters and authentic action and details that complement an engaging plot. Her writing possesses a richness and depth that fully surrounds and immerses the reader.  I was drawn into the story immediately (and then had trouble putting the book down). This intriguing tale of love and redemption leaves the reader with hope and a smile. I cannot wait until Book 3 in the series comes out!

I received this influencer copy from Bethany House free of charge in exchange for an honest review.


What are you reading this week?

Happy reading and writing,

Karen

Book Review - The Secret of Pembrooke Park

Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen

When Abigail Foster’s father’s business fails, the family must sell their home in London and take advantage of a distant relative’s offer to rent Pembrooke Park, an abandoned country estate. The offer is an answer to the Foster’s prayers, though rumors say that the estate is haunted and fraught with dangerous secrets.

William Chapman, the young parson of the church at Pembrooke Park, is the son of the estate’s former steward, so William is privy to certain Pembrooke family secrets. As William and Abigail get acquainted, they discover a shared curiosity about the estate’s “secret room”, rumored to contain treasure. The mystery deepens through anonymous letters Abigail receives that contain journal entries from a previous  manor resident.

William’s attraction to Abigail increases, but as humble parish pastor, he has nothing to offer her in marriage. Abigail’s childhood friend Gilbert returns from his studies in Italy, and her younger sister Louisa arrives on the scene as well, just in time to complicate things.

This book has a little bit of everything - budding friendships and romance, intrigue and distrust, and secrets galore. Just about the time I thought I had some of the puzzle pieced together, the action ramped up and headed in another direction. Plenty of surprises, I like that.

Julie Klassen guides the reader through a delightful maze of mystery, adventure, redemption, and restoration as her characters uncover the long kept secrets of Pembrooke Park. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy the rich, authentic details that envelop the story from start to finish. I must admit, I was sorry to see it end.  The Secret of Pembrooke Park is another lovely and engaging story to Ms. Klassen’s credit.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Secret of Pembrooke Park from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

I am still officially on blog break; will return on Monday, January 5. See you then!  :)

What are you reading this weekend?

Happy New Year,

Karen