Reading
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Special Feature and Excerpt: The Rakehell of Roth (Everleigh Sisters #2) by Amalie Howard
I have been all about the historical romances lately. Bridgerton inspired me to read more of the historical romance genre. I know that a lot of historical fiction novels have a romantic element, which I how I normally get my romance fix, but there is something unique about actual historical romances. Typically the historical fiction novels have other plots to focus on and if romance factors in, then so much the better. But the historical romance genre focuses exclusively on the romance and HEA. That’s what I am loving lately about the historical romance genre. We all need a little HEA right now and I have been devouring all the…
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Review: Home Before Dark by Riley Sager (Audible Edition)
This is my very first Riley Sager novel and I can’t believe it took me this long to read one of his books. I have seen a number of his books on my social media and I know that many of his books have book Book of the Month selections, but I have to be honest none of them really grabbed me. Until this one. I love haunted house stories. I binged The Haunting of Hill House and Haunting of Bly Manor on Netflix and have been looking for something to read that would be similar to those shows. I have of course read some haunted house novels but I…
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Reading and Ranking the Bridgerton Novels
Like most of the world, the Netflix series Bridgerton, dominated my TV during Christmas Day. I desperately wanted to watch it and asked if my husband wanted to watch with me. He wasn’t sure about it but I told him that he only had to watch one episode and if he didn’t like it then I would just watch it alone on another day. The next thing I know, it was 3 am and we had binged the entire series in one sitting! My husband loved it as much as I did and truly, it is a remarkable show so if you haven’t watched it yet please do so! That…
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Review: The Vanishing at Loxby Manor by Abigail Wilson
The very first novel that I remember loving was The Silk Vendetta by Victoria Holt. I was eleven or twelve and no doubt missed all the adult nuances of the story, but what I didn’t miss was the Gothic atmosphere of the novel. I went through a lengthy Victoria Holt period in my early teens and then again as an adult. I am always looking for books that capture what I loved about Victoria Holt…..creepy, atmospheric historical fiction with a romantic element. This book sounded like exactly that—and it was! I have never grown out of my Gothic Lit phase and reading books like this, I am reminded just how…
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Review: On the Way to the Wedding (Bridgertons #8) by Julia Quinn
Well folks here we have it—my final review of the last Bridgerton novel! I can’t believe I have finally reached the end of the series. I am so sad but yet at the same time so satisfied with how the series wrapped up. I was actually glad that we ended the series with Gregory’s story rather than Hyacinth’s, as I felt that Gregory’s story had a bit more action and romance to recommend itself. Gregory always seemed far removed from the other Bridgerton siblings. Not in the same way that Francesca was but having so many years between him and his other brothers left him adrift in a sea of…
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Re-share Review: The King’s Justice (Maggie Hope #9) by Susan Elia MacNeal
The King’s Justice is out in paperback now and I am celebrating the release of the paperback by re-sharing my original review with you guys! When I first stumbled on Maggie Hope, it was early 2012. I was one of the first people to read and review Mr Churchill’s Secretary and I fell head over heals for Maggie right then and there! I have adored many of the books in the series thus far and I can’t believe we are on the 9th book already! The 10th book is coming out in July 2021 and I cannot wait for that one to release to see what awaits Maggie across the pond as it were.…
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Review: The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner
Susan Meissner is an author who just keeps getting better and better with time. I have read many of her books and after finishing each one I think there is no way she could top this one—and then she does it again with her next book! This latest installment is truly a gem and I enjoyed savoring it in between my other books I was reading. I didn’t want to devour this one in one sitting, instead I wanted to spread it out and enjoy the characters and the plot throughly. There is a lot in this novel to unpack and I think readers would enjoy savoring it more than…
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Review: The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins (Audible Edition)
This book has been receiving a ton of hype. It was a Book of the Month pick, it’s been featured on countless ‘most anticipated release’ lists and the fire storm of praise on Instagram and other social media platforms made me so excited to read this one. It’s marketed as Jane Eyre for the modern woman. It’s a retelling of the Victorian classic Jane Eyre with an added Southern Gothic edge. Sounds irresistible right? Jane Eyre isn’t my favorite classic but I loved the idea of a modern retelling with the roles of Jane and others reversed or turned on their head and put into a thriller. I loved the…
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Special Feature: The Portrait: A Novel by Ilaria Bernardini
Ilaria Bernardini is a well known writer in Italy and has eight novels under her belt there including Faremo Foresta (“We Will Grow a Forest”) which was long-listed for Italy’s prestigious Strega Prize. She has been profiled by Vogue Italia and is a regular contributor for Rolling Stone. Her US release, The Portrait, has been identified as Bustle’s most anticipated new releases. It joins the ranks of some of the most buzz worthy books of 2021 so far! It is already winning praise across Europe and in the U.K. and obviously making a buzz here in the US. It sounds like an emotional novel full of tension and heart. I am so excited to be sharing…
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Special Feature: The Mitford Trial (Mitford Murders #4) by Jessica Fellowes
If you are thinking the name Jessica Fellowes sounds familiar, then you are correct especially if you are a fan of Downton Abbey. Jessica Fellowes is the niece to Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton Abbey! While a writer in her own right, I can infer that Jessica Fellowes no doubt has a flair for writing elegant, witty, and endearing novels featuring the upper curst of society. Her Mitford Murders mystery series, while new, has captured a dedicated fan base. Full of opulence, glamour, the Golden Age, and of course murder, these books follow each of the Mitford sisters and here we are on book 4. While this is part of…