Tag Archives: historical

Mine to Tell by Colleen L. Donnelly (Book Review)

Annabelle Crouse is determined to reopen her great-grandmother’s boarded-up house–and her shunned life. Many years earlier, after an unexplained absence, Julianne was relegated to a separate home by a rigidly unforgiving husband, and the Crouse women have suffered the disgrace of her assumed guilt ever since. Despite her family’s strong disapproval, Annabelle is driven to pursue her mission through cobwebs and dust, finding the clues and the coded story left behind by her great-grandmother — Why did she go? And why did she return? Annabelle has to know. Only one person, a man she grew up with but never noticed, stands with Annabelle as she discovers the parallels between her story and her great-grandmother’s–two women, generations apart, experiencing what love truly is.

 
 
PURCHASE LINKS —–> PAPERBACK /  KINDLE
 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
When a reader starts a romance book, you expect a HEA (happily ever after). In Mine to Tell, more than one relationship ends with mended hearts. We even see the start of a budding romance. 
 
For me, all the love brought a smile to my face. I mean, seriously, who doesn’t want everyone around them happy and their life full of joy. 
 
In Mine to Tell, several people needed joy because they’ve lived too long in darkness. In this case the darkness I’m referring to is the shame of Great Grandma Julianne; the black sheep of the family. 
 
As we play detective with Anna and Kyle, we discover GGM Julianne’s life was full of heartbreak. She lost so much but, in the end, her story brought others together. 
 
For Anna, I wondered who Colleen would finally pair with her. She seemed to teeter on the answer herself. 
 
I found myself pleased with her choice because Anna’s true love finally displayed the “love” she was silently aching for, needed, and richly deserved. But don’t we all. 
 
As for the mystery portion of this story, there were times as Kyle and Anna were deciphering the clues and reading the letters, I thought ….”Get on with it already” and other times was like “Ooooo, and then what happened?”
 
It was the latter moments that had me flipping the pages because I had to know where GGM Julianne was those two weeks away from home. 
 
I had most of the puzzle put together but the final couple pieces eluded me and when I had them…. I had closure. Like Anna. Like Kyle. Like so many others. 
 
Heart Rating System 
1 (lowest) and 5
(highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤1/2
 
PURCHASE LINKS: PAPERBACK /  KINDLE
 
 
 
 

Colleen L. Donnelly has her roots in the rural Midwest of the US, but moved around and explored other cultures as an adult. Those other areas were fun and they were exciting, but…there’s no place like home, so she’s back in the Midwest.

Colleen works as a laboratory technician by day, but spends her evenings writing, poised in front of her laptop until she can’t think any more. Her story ideas come from observing people, pondering their dilemmas, and adding a twist of her own.

Other interests are/have been bicycling, antiquing, anything outdoors, furniture refinishing, and raising pets or small barnyard types of animals. Last thing in the world she would be caught doing – “vegging” in front of a television. She loves a good movie on occasion, but most of the time, the TV is off.

http://www.colleenldonnelly.com/
https://colleenldonnelly.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/colleen.donnelly.568
ttps://twitter.com/ColleenLDonnell

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Tempt Fortune by Hebby Roman (Book Review)

Desperate to escape an arranged marriage, Angelina Herrera flees from Cuba to Key West to start a new life and build her own business. But when her past catches up with her, she realizes the only way she can avoid the arranged marriage is to marry another … in name only.

Drawn to the fiercely independent beauty Angelina, Cuban revolutionary, Alejandro Estava marries her. Though outwardly he agrees to the platonic relationship because of his secret past, he cannot deny his powerful desire to possess her completely.

But tempestuous forces more powerful than the hurricane descending on their island home unleashes their mutual passion while threatening their yearning for a lifelong bond.

 
 


(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 


Angelina/Alejandro and Destiny/Nathan’s relationships once again prove that “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” and thank goodness Hebby touched on the fact that good looks DO NOT make for good bedfellows. Case in point: Both women found themselves at the hands of two scoundrels who’s nefarious intentions almost cost them everything. Yet, in true romance fashion, love prevailed and we saw two HEA’s. 
 
That’s good, right? 
 
I thought so, too. 
 
My only complaint was the journey to the HEA’s. Nathan fell in love after one date/kiss. Probably at first glance. His sudden mad love for Destiny caused him to propose on their first date and a few times later too. Most women would find this behavior too much, too fast. I sure would. Women like to be wooed, courted, asked at on more than one date before they allow a man to put a ring on their finger. 
 
On the flip side, Alejandro and Angelina just couldn’t get their ducks in a row. Now their love story seemed a bit more realistic and relatable. 
 
 
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤
 
 
 
 

Hebby Roman is the multi-published, Amazon best-selling author of both historical and contemporary romances. Her first contemporary romance, SUMMER DREAMS, was the launch title for Encanto, a print line featuring Latino romances. And her re-published e-book, SUMMER DREAMS, was #1 in Amazon fiction and romance. Her medieval historical romance, THE PRINCESS AND THE TEMPLAR, was selected for the Amazon Encore program and was #1 in medieval fiction.
Hebby is a member of the Romance Writers of America, and the past president of her local chapter, North Texas Romance Writers. She was selected for the Romantic Times “Texas Author” award, and she won a national Harlequin contest. Her book, BORDER HEAT, was a Los Angeles Times Book Festival selection.
 

Hebbyroman.com|Facebook
Catalina and the Winter Texan | SUMMER DREAMS | TEMPT FORTUNE

 
 

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His Wicked Highland Ways by Laura Strickland (Book Review)

 

Widowed following a marriage of convenience, Jeannie MacWherter has fled lowland Dumfries, Scotland, for the highland cottage bequeathed to her late husband by his brother-in-arms, laird of the glen. Though she’s never met the laird, local rumor labels him both murderer and seducer—a wicked, dangerous man who Jeannie learns is determined to chase her from his land.

Finnan MacAllister has come home to Glen Mhor in order to right past wrongs. He doesn’t care that Rowan Cottage is the beautiful Widow MacWherter’s only refuge. He’s convinced she’s a wanton who deliberately broke the heart of his best friend, Geordie, and he’s vowed to get even with her: seduction is his weapon of choice. But will his own heart betray him?

 
GET YOUR KINDLE OR PAPERBACK COPY TODAY!! 

 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
Ladies and gents, be prepared to meet your next book boyfriend. Finnan was described deliciously — tall, tanned, muscular, tattoos, shoulder-length hair, and sporting a nice package. *winks* 
Sounds yummy, right? 

Oh yeah, once Jeannie gets a taste of him, she has to go back for seconds, and thirds, and so forth. 

 
She also proved quite addicting for him. His head and heart might’ve been conflicted due to his vow of revenge but in the end his heart reined victorious. 
 
But theirs wasn’t the only love to shine through in this tale. Nope, there was lots of lovin going on. 🙂
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤

GET YOUR KINDLE OR PAPERBACK COPY TODAY!! 

 

 
 
 
Born and raised in Western New York, Laura Strickland has pursued lifelong interests in lore, legend, magic and music, all reflected in her writing. Though her imagination frequently takes her to far off places, she is usually happiest at home not far from Lake Ontario with her husband and her “fur” child, a rescue dog. Author of Scottish romances Devil Black and His Wicked Highland Ways as well as The Guardians of Sherwood Trilogy consisting of Daughter of Sherwood, Champion of Sherwood and Lord of Sherwood, she has also published two Steampunk romances, Dead Handsome: a Buffalo Steampunk Adventure and Off Kilter: a Buffalo Steampunk Adventure and two Christmas novellas: The Tenth Suitor and Mrs. Claus and the Viking Ship. Her Lobster Cove Historical Romance, The White Gull, is followed by a Lobster Cove novella, Forged By Love.
 

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Devil Black by Laura Strickland (Book Review)

 

Disgraced in her father’s eyes, Isobel Maitland travels to Scotland, determined to purchase her sister’s happiness at the cost of her own. But when her coach is held up and she is abducted by a dangerous highwayman, she faces an unexpected choice: suffer the loveless union to which she has resigned herself, or marry this ruthless, Scottish outlaw who can ignite her desire with a single touch.

They call him “Diabhal Dubh”—Devil Black—and he spends his days terrorizing the countryside, trying to outdistance the memories that torture him. The King has decreed he must settle and take a wife. And when he steals the alluring woman betrothed to his enemy, Dougal MacRae sees a way to both answer the King’s demand and obtain the revenge he has sought so long…

This is a new release of a previously published edition.

 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
When I finished reading this historical tale, I sat down to write a list of pros and cons to help me gauge my score. I’d like to share that list with you. 
 
Pros
1.) I liked the fact Laura wrote about several strong heroines. Women can be fighters, in body and mind, and it was thrilling to see their strength and determination shine through. Bravo!!
2.) The fight scene was bloody…. good. 
3.) I liked how Black wasn’t judge, juror and executioner after he won the battle. 
 
Cons
1.) Laura described Dougal, Devil Black, as a very passionate and virile man. You’d think then she would’ve demonstrated his prowess in a bit more detail. We saw the start of this seduction (a kiss) and then nothing. They had sex multiple times but zip, zilch, nada on elaboration. I’m not asking or expecting NC17 material but a higher rating than PG would’ve been nice — especially with his “reputation”. 
2.) I didn’t quite understand why Isobel decided to marry Dougal. All I can say is he must be one helluva kisser. 
 
HEA
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5
(highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤
 
 
 
 
 
Born and raised in Western New York, Laura Strickland has pursued lifelong interests in lore, legend, magic and music, all reflected in her writing. Though her imagination frequently takes her to far off places, she is usually happiest at home not far from Lake Ontario with her husband and her “fur” child, a rescue dog. Author of Scottish romances Devil Black and His Wicked Highland Ways as well as The Guardians of Sherwood Trilogy consisting of Daughter of Sherwood, Champion of Sherwood and Lord of Sherwood, she has also published two Steampunk romances, Dead Handsome: a Buffalo Steampunk Adventure and Off Kilter: a Buffalo Steampunk Adventure and two Christmas novellas: The Tenth Suitor and Mrs. Claus and the Viking Ship. Her Lobster Cove Historical Romance, The White Gull, is followed by a Lobster Cove novella, Forged By Love.
 

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Riches to Rags by Penny Estelle (Book Review)

 
Dylan Jones, seventh grader at Langdon Middle School lives the good life. His family has money. He gets most everything he wants. Even so, everybody likes Dylan ’cause he is a happy go lucky kid. 

Miss Wickware, his seventh grade history teacher, tells the class they will be studying the United States in the late 1800 for the next few weeks. Everybody will be expected to present an oral report on a subject that is drawn from a box. Dylan draws The Orphan Train.

A penniless Dylan finds himself at the train station in New York in 1875 and he is as scared and unsure as the children getting ready to ride the Orphan Train. How will Dylan make it when money is nowhere to be found?

 
 
—-> Review <—-
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
This is a great book for people of all ages.
Why? Because of one important reason. It reminds us to appreciate what we have in life because it can all vanish in a blink of an eye. Dylan learned this lesson up close and personal. An experience he shall never forget. 
 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
 Score: ❤❤❤
 
 
 
 

Penny Estelle is a best-selling writer for all ages, from the early reader to adults. Her books range from pictures books for the little ones, to fantasy and time-travel adventures for ages 9 to 13. She also, under P. A. Estelle, has written adult stories including a family drama and contemporary, paranormal and historical westerns romances.
Penny was a school secretary for 21 years. She and her husband moved to their retirement home in Kingman, AZ, on very rural 54 acres, living on solar and wind only.

Penny and her books can be found in the following links:

www.pennystales.com

www.pennyestelle.blogspot.com

http://www.amazon.com/Penny-Estelle/e/B006S62XBY

https://twitter.com/Pennystales

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