A Heart Adrift

"A Heart Adrift" is rich in culture, character, and romance, drawing readers in with the smell of chocolate in the air...the bite of a salty ocean breeze...and the undeniable pull of a greater cause wafting on both.

This was my first Laura Frantz read, and while the development was certainly never slow, I appreciated the gentle progression as the characters and plot grew and transpired naturally.

I found the entire thing cozy, vivid, and endearing; the themes, important...love, compassion, duty. hope, patience, and God's perfect timing.

Looking forward to further exploring this historical era as seen and told by Frantz.

Sincerely,

A Lady in Disguise

Mysterious. Enchanting. Romantic.

 

Full of intrigue and unexpected turns, A Lady in Disguise will captivate you and hold you suspended in wonder.

 

Where does a young woman on her own with no protection, no idea whom she can trust, and her profession at risk turn for help?

 

In a race against time- away from the unknown and towards justice- Gillian Young seeks to clear the suspicions attached to her family name and bring peace to her heart and mind. A difficult task, when her mind is consumed with dangers and responsibility for those in her care, and her heart with the one who may be able to care for her.

 

Sandra Byrd has succeeded in pushing me to the edge of my seat from the start to the finish of her latest novel,  and kept my fingers turning pages as fast as my eyes could keep up! Byrd has such a way with her genre that is unique and vivid, holding the readers imagination completely captive as you race with Gillian towards the answers disguised so well within plain sight.

 

Hurry up! You don't want to be left behind.

 

Sincerely,

 



Inspired by Grace Winner!!!

Congratulations, Deborah C., on winning a copy of

Inspired by Grace!!!

Happy reading!

You will be receiving an email from me shortly to acquire your mailing address.

Thanks to everyone who participated and to

Jeanna Ellsworth, for hosting this giveaway!

 

Sincerely,

Five Days in Skye

Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano

Reviewed by Alice, at Reading with Alice

Radiant Lit Blog Tours

Genre: Romance

Publisher: David C. Cook

Date: June 10, 2013

Hospitality consultant Andrea Sullivan has one last chance to snag a high-profile client or she'll have to kiss her dreams of promotion good-bye. When she's sent to meet Scottish celebrity chef James MacDonald on the Isle of Skye, she just wants to finish her work as efficiently as possible. Yet her client is not the opportunistic womanizer he portrays himself to be, and her attraction to him soon dredges up memories she'd rather leave buried. For James, renovating the family hotel is a fulfillment of his late father's dreams. When his hired consultant turns out to be beautiful, intelligent, and completely unimpressed by his public persona, he makes it his mission to win her over. He just never expects to fall under her spell.

Soon, both Andrea and James must face the reality that God may have a far different purpose for their lives—and that five days in Skye will forever change their outlook on life and love.

Delightfully captivating and utterly Scottish - Five Days in Skye is a heartwarming inspirational romance. A story of love, forgiveness, and growth. Unforgettable characters and a breathtaking backdrop will leave readers clamoring for books 2 and 3 of the MacDonald trilogy.

Laureano truly has an incredible way with words - my favorite aspect of this novel was (surprisingly) the narration. You feel what the characters feel, you hear what they hear, and -best of all- take a trip to Scotland and experience the sights, sounds and even the weather of the gorgeous Isle of Skye. I was much impressed. (And when you read about the hot chocolate, I dare you not to make some of your own.)

I did feel the story could have done with a few less kisses and not quite so much pondering about each other - but this is a romance so I can't complain or make a fuss over my preferences when it's not my normal genre. Just be aware that there are some mature themes (I would not recommend for younger readers).

Be further warned - this book will make you hungry. :)
 

Carla Laureano is the author of the RITA® award-winning romance Five Days in Skye as well as London Tides and the Celtic fantasy series The Song of Seare (as C. E. Laureano). A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked as a sales and marketing executive for nearly a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write fiction full-time. She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two sons.

Five Days in Skye is available for purchase through Amazon.com.

Note: I received this book as part of the Five Days in Skye  blog tour from Radiant Lit.  I received no compensation for this review and only received a copy of the book for review purposes.
 Review copy provided by the publisher.

Happy reading!



Inspired by Grace

“She was never the demure lady who was afraid of getting her petticoat dirty. He was never the calm and collected lad who coddled her..."

 

This inspirational regency romance will make you laugh and cry throughout! Swiftly paced from start to finish, the story is well thought out and intriguing, while remaining sweet and lighthearted in traditional regency style.

Inspired by Grace possesses a charming cast of characters that Jeanna writes in such a way that you feel as if you've known forever. Both hero and heroine were remarkable! and remarkably human; which I always appreciate in a novel. It is so much harder to enjoy a book with surface and/or perfect characters that no one can relate to.

Ms. Ellsworth's style is so comfortable and she has such a way with the regency era that I sometimes wonder if time travel is real and we have an 1800's authoress  in our midst. (Perhaps a good friend of Jane Austen, herself.)

I loved that (even though this is not a Jane Austen fan fiction novel as some of the authors other stories are) one of Austen's stories was still incorporated into Inspired by Grace. It added a certain charm and air to the story that I can't quite explain. Read and see for yourself!

I always look forward to your new releases, my friend. (Even if they do cause me to lose sleep and to sometimes detach from reality. ^_^)

 

Sincerely,

 

Inspired by Grace (Blog tour: Jeanna Ellsworth)

Visiting today I have my lovely and talented friend, Jeanna Ellsworth, to share some fun insight and intrigue into her latest-published novel, Inspired by Grace (which I am currently devouring and assure you you.do.not.want.to.miss.out.on!)

Welcome, Jeanna!!! :D

 

Thanks Alice for having me on your blog to share with everyone Inspired by Grace, published in May.  I have chosen to have a theme to the blog tour and so for those of you who do not know what my theme is, I’ll tell you. But first, here is the back cover intrigue:

 

 

“She was never the demure lady who was afraid of getting her petticoat dirty. He was never the calm and collected lad who coddled her. What had started as friendship had evolved into something quite tangible . . .”

A lady always hopes that the man she falls in love with will sweep her off her feet in a dramatic and graceful way. Well, for Grace Iverson, at least it was dramatic. Her childhood best friend, Gavin Kingston—now His Grace, the Duke of Huntsman—is still just as clumsy as ever.

Despite their painful separation as children, a chance encounter has offered them a second opportunity for happiness. But after ten years apart, they both carry hidden scars. Trust takes time. And soon, forces from the past threaten to destroy the love they both have hoped for all of their lives.

Can Grace’s best friend break down her emotional fortress and prove his love before she disappears from his life a second time?

This lovely Regency romance started well before either of them knew what they wished for in a partner; but it will surely be one that stands the test of time.

 

As you can see, the book is not based off of Jane Austen’s writing but it would be dishonest to say that Austen did not inspire my writing.  One of the best things that Jane Austen is known for is her characterization and lovable characters.  In the TV world, there is a term for this. It is called TV tropes.  TV tropes are only called TV tropes because that is where it started but it correlates to writing, movies, and any other form of media. I bet if I said Phoebe, you would all think of the character from Friends who was a dumb blonde who would now be termed a hipster and new age wanderer. You could think of several people in your life that were just like her. You could probably put her into a certain scene or event and predict exactly how she would behave.  Phoebe is a very classic TV trope called Adorkable because she is naïve and ditzy and friendly.  She is also a Cloudcuckoolander who has no basis for logic and is a dreamer. She fits several other tropes but you get the point.  She fits a mold, if you will, where it is easy to imagine what she will say in a certain situation and you learn to love her quickly and bond with her because you associate her with these characteristics.

Well I am here to introduce you to a character in Inspired by Grace that fits the TV trope called “The Agent” which is basically a meddling parent. Meet Duchess Kingston, Gavin Kingston’s mother, who wants nothing more than to see her son get married.  She has opinions like Lady Catherine and never holds them back, but she is kinder when she delivers them. She will do anything to lovingly manipulate her son toward the course of marriage.  

So here is an excerpt for you where Duchess Kinston is at her finest. In this scene, she offers to sponsor Grace in the season and that included, of course, the chance to live under the same roof as her bachelor son, Gavin. It is broken up in two sections, the first is from Grace’s perspective and then it switches to Gavin’s. Here is the excerpt:

“And how is your family?” the duchess inquired. “Your mother and sisters?”

“I am sorry to say, Your Grace, that my mother passed away three years ago, just as I came of age.”

“Oh dear! I am so sorry. How terrible for you to be left to London society without a sponsor! Is that why your last name is still Iverson? Have you not found a match yet?”

The audacity of this woman! She had always been a little bold, but this was unbelievable. Although the duchess’s guess had been correct. Grace had left the season early when her mother passed and had been living very quietly with her sister and her sister’s husband in East Sussex for the last three years. She fumbled in her attempt to answer the duchess, “Your Grace . . . after my mother’s death, I . . .”

The older woman gently put her hand on hers. “I, too, have lost loved ones, my dear. My husband and Spencer have gone to the other side.” The pain in the woman’s eyes was fresh, unlike Grace’s own that was years old. The duchess was wearing all black, a detail that had escaped Grace’s notice until then. She chided herself for being so quick to judge. This woman had been like a second mother to her for years. She had known the Kingston family as well as her own back then.

“It is hard to lose those we love,” Grace said. “How long has it been?”

“Oh, let us not talk about that now. I remember one afternoon, years before your family left Suffolk, when your mother and I swore an oath. We said that if anything ever happened to one of us, then the survivor would step in and help the other’s children if they were ever in need. And from the quality of your muslin, dear, you are in need. I insist on sponsoring you this season! How splendid is that?”

Grace looked down uncomfortably and tried to think of an excuse, but she knew that if either of her sisters ever found out that she had refused such an offer from the duchess, she would never be forgiven. They had both found matches in their first season. Reluctantly she said, “I would like that very much. Although the duke may like it a bit less.”

“Oh, nonsense! When can you move in?”

A loud crash was heard outside the door, and a distinct male voice let out an oath that even Grace had never used. But then again, Grace enjoyed thinking up ridiculous words to shock people while maintaining her ladylike behavior. Standard, unimaginative curses weren’t really her style.

*****

Gavin placed a smile on his face, leaned his head into the parlor, and said, “The doctor is on his way. Mother, could I have a word?”

“Whatever happened? That was not my tea set, was it? Good gracious, Gavin! We just replaced it!”

“Mother, please, a word. You can chide me out here just as well as in there.”

“Very well.” His mother followed him out the door.

The servants had already started to clean up the spilled tea and broken china that lay scattered all over the foyer. Gavin guided his mother to a corner out of earshot. “My apologies, Mother. I took the tray from the servant and was just bringing in the tea when I thought I heard you invite Grace to stay here. Pray tell me you have not offered such a thing.”

“Whyever not?”

“Well . . . ,” he flustered, “as you are so fond of telling me, this is my home now. And I am a single gentleman.”

“Nonsense, I live here too. There is nothing improper about it. She will be my pupil, and I shall find her a husband by the time the season is up. Mark my word.”

Gavin felt his throat tighten ever so slightly with anxiety. “But,” he stammered, “we know so little about her. What if she has a past that would taint us by association?” He had his own reasons for hesitating, but he had no intention of discussing them with his mother.

“Really, Gavin, how much more can our names be tainted? There are already enough rumors floating around about Spencer and your father that we cannot go unnoticed.”

“Precisely. That is exactly why she cannot stay under my roof.”

His mother pressed her lips together and placed her hand on his face and said, “It is done. I cannot take back the invitation, nor will I.”

He groaned inwardly and prayed that at least Gigi had the sense to decline the offer.  

Hope you enjoyed learning about tropes and can imagine a mother just like Duchess  Kingston who has good intentions but will do anything to get her way. She has a big heart but, she can’t help but be “The Agent” in her son’s life.

 



I am giving away a copy of Inspired by Grace to a lucky commenter.  You can either choose an eBook (internationally) or a paperback (U.S. only) if you win.  Thanks again Alice for having me on your blog!

Thank you so much for stopping by today, Jeanna!

 

London Tides

London Tides by Carla Laureano

Reviewed by Alice, at Reading with Alice

Radiant Lit Blog Tours

Genre: Romance

Publisher: David C. Cook

Date: June 1, 2015

Irish photojournalist Grace Brennan travels the world’s war zones documenting the helpless and forgotten. After the death of her friend and colleague, Grace is shaken.

 

She returns to London hoping to rekindle the spark with the only man she ever loved—Scottish businessman Ian MacDonald. But he gave up his championship rowing career and dreams of Olympic gold years ago for Grace ... only for her to choose career over him. Will life’s tides bring them back together ... or tear them apart for good this time?

London Tides possesses the same unique writing style as Five Days in Skye (book #1 in the MacDonald trilogy), but I felt that the story was not quite as captivating, and the descriptions not as transporting.

I found I couldn't connect as well with the characters, and that the story seemed to rush it's way from romantic scene to romantic scene. (And though there are no "scenes" in the book, there seemed to be a focus on getting there; and some references to there having been unwritten "scenes" in the characters pasts.)

I was glad the author wrote Ian's story, because in book one the reader is given hints about his life that made me want to know more! So, from that aspect, I appreciated the book and its information, but I definitely enjoyed #1 more.

I'm looking forward to seeing who/what book #3 is about!

Carla Laureano is the author of the RITA® award-winning romance Five Days in Skye as well as London Tides and the Celtic fantasy series The Song of Seare (as C. E. Laureano). A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked as a sales and marketing executive for nearly a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write fiction full-time. She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two sons.

London Tides is available for purchase from Amazon.com

Note: I received this book as part of the London Tides blog tour from Radiant Lit.  I received no compensation for this review and only received a copy of the book for review purposes.

Review copy provided by the publisher.

Happy reading!

 

Mist of Midnight

Daughter of missionaries to India, Rebecca Ravenshaw returns, orphaned, to Hampshire England to take possession of the home and finances bequeathed to her by her father, only to find that a mysterious imposter has recently appeared with the same intentions - laying claim on Rebecca's identity and inheritance - and then died; burying the trust and hospitality of those in the neighborhood with her.
Rebecca is denied the peace and security she came home searching for as she seeks to prove that she is the true Miss Ravenshaw, to reinstate herself in her home, and to solve the mystery of the woman within her grave.

Mist of Midnight is a tale shrouded in shadows and intrigue - a gripping gothic-style romance in which honor and truth must prevail over dark & selfish deeds, and love over doubt & the approval of others. A wonderful and compelling whirlwind of a novel!
I once again fell in love with Sandra Byrd's style and characters, and would willingly put this book into any of my historical-mystery-fiction loving friends' hands, with a charge to proceed cautiously between the twin stone lions and on into the halls of Headbourne House, where you must remain quietly in the background while you observe those in residence and mentally assign them each to their respective roles and duties in this intricate plot- making sure to keep them all accounted and not let one out of your sight! For loyalties often become unbalanced when the game gets shifty and accusations are insinuated, and you wouldn't want to let yourself be drawn in by some unassumingly treacherous character. (Or pushed away by the one person who may be your safe harbor.)
Oh, and do be sure not step on kitty.

Curiously, 

To Refine Like Silver ~ Author Interview/*Giveaway Winner*!!! (Jeanna Ellsworth Blog Tour)

To finish out the blog tour this week, I asked Jeanna Ellsworth some specific questions about her latest novel, To Refine Like Silver for a "Book Interview" - this was super fun to put together and it's always so awesome chatting with Jeanna.

What is the main reason this story is so special to you, as the author?

I found that writing is very cathartic. I suffered severe depression for ten years and although I did not see my growth or the fruits of my efforts to fight it then, I see what it has made me become. It was a harrowing trial to bear, but I am a much better woman now that I continued to put one foot in front of the other. So that was the main message I hoped to get across: Our trials do not define us, rather they refine us.

The Lord works in mysterious ways, and knows exactly what we need to go through to mold us into who He has for us to become to serve Him best! 

Your testimony is a great inspiration! :)

Who's character was the hardest to re-develop?

It wasn’t really hard, but I think the character that is the most changed is Darcy. The setting is in his home county of Derbyshire and so I was able to write him as a more relaxed, less socially inept, and comfortable (even flirty!) Darcy. It was rather fun.

I loved your unique take on Darcy in this story!

I love this cover! Especially knowing that you know the people posing for it! What made you decide to have Darcy and Georgiana- as opposed to Darcy and Lizzie- on the front? 

Good question! I like my covers to be scenes from the book and this particular scene, where Georgiana finally admits how melancholy she really is, and Darcy catches a glimpse into realizing that he cannot offer her the help she needs, is the turning point of the book. It is where they first turn for help. No one can endure their trials alone, we must all ask for help at some point. And we should! No one should be afraid to ask for help, no matter how great or small the trial. I wanted the turning point in the book to be memorable.

Love it!

What was the hardest scene to write & why?

The hardest scene was when Darcy meets Mrs. Bennet for the first time. Mrs. Bennet is terribly verbally abusive to Elizabeth and up to this point in the book, Darcy has been sweet and lovable, and Elizabeth has been confident and positive. When Darcy meets Mrs. Bennet it is painfully obvious that Elizabeth shrinks in confidence and Darcy has to stand up to Mrs. Bennet in a very commanding way. It was hard for three reasons: Mrs. Bennet was mean, Elizabeth lost her sparkle, and Darcy had to be intimidating! None of which are fun to write!

Hmm...completely understandable. ;)

What was your favorite scene to write & why?

Oh, by far, the bookshop proposal. I loved helping Darcy cross that internal barrier where he starts to open up to her about how he feels for her. It is one of my favorite proposals I’ve written.

It's most definitely my favorite of your (and really any) proposals!!! What better place? ^_^

Who was your favorite character to write about (besides Lizzie & Darcy:))?

My heart is with Georgiana and her struggles. Some of her internal dialogue could have been a page out of my journal. I loved writing her growing and stretching until her trials no longer defined her.

How much research did you do this book compared to how much you did for Pride & Persistence?

Quite a bit! I mostly did online research on how to refine silver. I looked at probably 20 articles and a few videos. I read other people’s sermons on the blacksmith metaphor from Malachi 3:3 and pieced it all together. I even did research on silver mines that were active during that time.

That is super cool! I loved the theme of the metaphor running through the whole thing!

What is your favorite quote of Darcy's from this variation? Elizabeth's? 

This is a favorite part of the book that where Darcy does this: ‘Darcy stopped walking, reached up to her cheek, brushed it with the back of his hand. He lowered his voice and said, “I know exactly where my heart is.”’ My favorite quote Elizabeth never really says but it is referred to twice in the book by both Georgiana and Darcy. It comes from Elizabeth’s prayer notebook: “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only option you have left.”

I loved all of Elizabeth's prayer notebook quotes! :D

I'd never read a book or even just someone's opinion on Mrs. Bennet that went so far beneath her abrasive and impolite personality to her deeper character and motivations...

Can you explain a little what motivated you to explore the relationship between Mrs. Bennet and Lizzie so thoroughly? What element were you hoping to add to the story by it?

Mrs. Bennet is basically verbally and emotionally abusive. I have a game I play with myself when I can’t understand why someone would say or act a certain way that seems so mean. I ask myself, what would it take for ME to act that way? What extenuating circumstances would it take for me to say such awful things? Well, I usually can come up with some far-fetched scenario that makes me have some patience and possibly even forgive the behavior. Don’t get me wrong, abuse is never acceptable, but sometimes we need to find meaning to it and in this case, I gave Mrs. Bennet some reasons why she would venture into the realm of abusive behavior. This game helps me not to judge people too harshly because if I think hard enough, I can think of times where I might make a mistake or be impolite like that. I was hoping to add that we should never judge someone solely on their actions. Sometimes we have to have faith in a person until they work through their issues.

Great words, those! Thought-provoking...

Were any of the characters tweaked at all to resemble people you know?

I usually do have people from real life that I filter into the story. I would say Mr. Bennet is more like my dad and a lot of his counsel would be something that my dad would say. I remember having hours upon hours of spiritual discussions with him about heaven and gospel principles. He is a spiritual giant and very compassionate. He was one of the key people that helped me through my depression and divorce.

♥

Here's a totally random question that I thought of while reading and simply wanted to know your opinion- a question I've wondered at ever since I became an avid Janeite: Anne de Bourgh: was she really sickly, or was it a ruse with deeper incentive? :)

I’d say it was a ruse. I always picture her standing up to her mother sooner rather than later but only when a strong man steps in and gives her support.

Hmm...smells like a story cooking. ;D I'm with you, by the way...just look at her face...she's definitely plotting. B-)

If someone asked you to summarize your book in one sentence, what would your answer be? 

Our trials do not define us; rather they refine us.

How about in one key word?

This is hard. I have heard inspiring, stirring, and motivational, but I guess the only honest answer I can give is what I feel it is. Hopeful.

How do you keep such a good balance between your drama to comedy ratio?

Oh dear! You may be the first one to state that there is a good ratio! I always feel like my books could use more comedy and less drama but I can’t help writing the things that stir deep emotion.

Not complaining at all! I love to have emotion and drama in my stories, so long as there is any comedy to lighten the mood every so often, and your balance was perfect! Haha!

If you could ask Jane Austen one question, what would it be?

I would ask who in her life were some of the characters based off of. I just know that there were loves in her life. Did she know a Mr. Knightly? Which heroine was most like her?

What habits/customs/sayings from the Jane Austen world do you find yourself using in your daily activities as a result of your writing?

I find myself saying “indeed” or “splendid” frequently. I have caught myself saying stuff like “Do tell me. . .”  or “Are you ill?” I also put more weight in the subtleness of gestures or looks and play a game with how I could describe a look or gesture in words.

I find myself using "proper words" all the time!! :D

What do your hope to accomplish most through this novel in the lives of your readers?

Besides the obvious? A great entertaining love story? Ha Ha. You are right though, I do hope to share a message. I dedicated the book to those without hope. I think if I had read a book like this when I was depressed than I might not have felt so alone in my fight. It would have reminded me that sadness really is just a feeling. To be reminded that sadness cannot consume me would have helped me a great deal because it sure felt like it would! I hope that I touch at least one person’s life. I have had several people contact me and tell me how much it helped them and so I consider it a success.

You are definitely touching lives through your novel(s)! 

Thank you so much for your time and the closer look at TRLS! It's always a pleasure talking with you about your books/Jane Austen!

~*~*~*~

GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

I'm super excited to announce the winner of their very own copy of To Refine Like Silver to be Anji!!!! Congrats, Anji!!! I know you'll enjoy this wonderful story! 
(Anji- When you read this, please contact me at flutterbug95@ gmail.com with your kindle information so that I can get that info to Jeanna and she can send you your copy! :) Thank you!)

~*~*~*~

Thanks, everyone for stopping by the blog to join in on this tour and to welcome Ms Ellsworth! And thanks again, Jeanna, for being my very special guest in Wonderland this Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!!!!!