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Review: The Show Girl by Nicola Harrison
I had high expectations for this one. I loved the cover and I thought the premise of the story sounded promising not to mention I love historical fiction with romance so I thought this one would be one of my favorite reads of the summer. While I liked it, I don’t know that it lived up to me high expectations but I did like it and was glad I read it. The 1920s are not necessarily my favorite time period in historical fiction but I liked the glamour that the time period brought to the story plus I liked how the author used that in this story. I will get…
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Special Feature: The Steal by M. J. Rose and C. W. Gortner
Two of my favorite authors created a book baby and it’s The Steal! Both M.J. Rose and C. W. Gortner are outstanding writers in their own right and I am so excited to read this one and see how their unique voices and styles mesh in this historical fiction novel! Part mystery and part romance, this book sounds like it’s going to hit all the high notes for me! Plus the cover reminds me of an old James Bond film or some other heist film from the 1950s and I am so here for it! I think the cover alone would be a reason to read this book but the…
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Special Feature: The Last Mrs Summers (Her Royal Spyness #14) by Rhys Bowen
I absolutely adore Rhys Bowen! I have read many of her series and stand alone novels but the Royal Spyness books are my absolute favorite! I have slowly been making my way through the Spyness books and jumping around here and there but I have to admit, I did have to press pause with my jumping around until I am fully caught up in the series because I love reading them in order. Hence why I just have a feature here. Yes the books can be read out of order to varying degrees but I wanted to get the full experience. I can’t believe there are 14 books in the…
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Special Feature: The Perfume Thief by Timothy Schaffert
Sometimes a book just grabs you with its unique mashup. When I saw that this one was a mashup between A Gentleman in Moscow and Moulin Rouge my curiosity was peaked. I haven’t read A Gentleman in Moscow but I have seen Moulin Rouge and I loved the color and flamboyant drama of the film. So needless to say I was like ‘tell me more’ when I saw this one! Not only does this book have a flashy cover and mash up, it sounds like it’s going to have lots of things that might interest a variety of readers. Romance, espionage, queer American expat, history, war, and haute couture. I am…
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Review: Radar Girls by Sara Ackerman
I have read all of Sara Ackerman’s books and I haven’t been disappointed once! I love how her books are set in WWII but they always seem to feel different than the usual WWII books that I have read. I think location really plays a part here. All of her books are set in Hawaii, not only does that add an exotic feel to the books, but it makes them feel fresh—like I am reading something totally new! While her books might have similar themes and settings, I always feel like I am reading something different each time I pick up one of her books. I know that the author…
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Special Feature: When We Meet Again by Caroline Beecham
If you are like me and you love war time romances with a touch of mystery, then this book is for you! I know that the WWII era might feel a bit saturated but there is always room for one more great story in my opinion! I simply love this time period and I love reading books set during this era even if I feel like it’s similar to some other books in subject matter. There is something about the drama and intensity of war that amplifies the emotion and impact of a novel and that was one of the things that drew me to this book! It promises to…
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Special Feature: The Highlander’s Irish Bride (Clan Kendrick #4) by Vanessa Kelly
Publication Date: July 27, 2021Zebra BooksPaperback & eBook; 352 pages Series: Clan Kendrick, Book 4Genre: Historical Romance/Scottish The latest in bestselling author Vanessa Kelly’s intoxicating Clan Kendrick series shines a light on the most respectable member of the Kendrick clan—and the independent woman who stole his heart… Miss Kathleen Calvert may be the daughter of an Irish aristocrat, but she has no intention of acting like one. All she desires is to return to her family’s estate to raise horses and manage her father’s magnificent gardens. But when a scandal threatens her reputation, her parents order her to a remote Scottish estate, hoping she will finally learn to behave like…
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Review: Three Words for Goodbye by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb
Veteran authors, Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb, really are a winning team if you ask me! I have loved many of their novels and when I saw this one was coming out I just knew I had to get my hands on it! Each author has their own unique voice and style but at the end of the day, they blend together so well that their books never feel disjointed or confusing. Sometimes with multiple authors, it can be hard to marry the two different voices to create a well written story, but I have never felt like that with Gaynor and Webb. I have read their own independent novels…
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Special Feature: The Second Life of Mirielle West by Amanda Skenandore
Publication Date: July 27, 2021Kensington PublishingeBook & Paperback; 304 pages Genre: Historical Fiction In this thought-provoking and sensitive novel, inspired by the true story of a Louisiana leprosy hospital where patients were forcibly quarantined, acclaimed author Amanda Skenandore tells an extraordinarily timely tale of resilience, hope–and the last woman who expected to find herself in such a place… 1920s Los Angeles: Socialite Mirielle West’s days are crowded with shopping, luncheons, and prepping for the myriad glittering parties she attends with her actor husband, Charlie. She’s been too busy to even notice the small patch of pale skin on the back of her hand. Other than an occasional over-indulgence in gin…
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Review: The Devil and the Heiress (The Gilded Age Heiresses #2) by Harper St. George
After reading The Heiress Gets a Duke earlier this year, Harper St George was on my ‘one to watch’ list. I immediately preordered this book and was eager to find out what happened to the more reserved Crenshaw sister, Violet. In the first book, August was more headstrong and a little more bold than her sister so I was eager to see how Violet’s character was explored in this one. Not only do St George’s novels boast fantastic covers but they boast non conventional heroines and dashing heroes with an edge. If you love historical romances I would highly recommend checking this new series out. I found that this book…