Short Review ~ Dear Henry, Love Edith by Becca Kinzer

 

About the Book

After a short and difficult marriage, recently widowed Edith Sherman has learned her lesson. Forget love. Forget marriage. She plans to fill her thirties with adventure. As she awaits the final paperwork for a humanitarian trip to South Africa, she accepts a short-term nursing position in a small Midwestern town. The last thing she needs is a handsome local catching her eye. How inconvenient is that?

Henry Hobbes isn't exactly thrilled to have Edith, who he assumes is an elderly widow, dumped on him as a houseguest for the summer. But he'd do almost anything for his niece, who is practically like a sister to him given how close they are in age. Especially since Edith will be working nights and Henry works most days. When he and Edith keep missing each other in person, they begin exchanging notes--short messages at first, then longer letters, sharing increasingly personal parts of their lives.

By the time Henry realizes his mistake--that Edith is actually the brown-eyed beauty he keeps bumping into around town--their hearts are so intertwined he hopes they never unravel. But with her departure date rapidly approaching, and Henry's roots firmly planted at home, Edith must ultimately decide if the adventure of her dreams is the one right in front of her.

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My Review 4 STARS!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed binging on this contemporary rom-com!! Lots of fun to read with engaging characters, captivating plot twists, and amusing dialogue. Complete delight in this debut novel!!! 

A friend loaned me the book. I was under no obligation to write a review.

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Has anyone else read this one? If so, let me know in the comment section. And offer a recommendation if you've read a good book this spring!

Miss Wetherham's Wedding: The Brides of Mayfair, Book Three by Linore Rose Burkard

 

ebook, 260 pages; Published April 9th 2021 by Lilliput Press

Purchase: Amazon

Every step she takes to ensure his happiness is a nail in the coffin of her own.

Miss Wetherham, a matchmaker, must agree to the devious plan of a society rogue before she finds herself destitute. Helping him gain back his lost love will protect her independence and survival. But can any amount of money protect her guileless heart from falling for his charms?

Nick Dellacort is determined to restore his pride and gain back the bride he lost. Miss Wetherham is the woman able to help him do it and he’ll make it worth her while. But once he sets the devilish wheels in motion, can he persuade her to abandon the scheme and choose instead a scoundrel like him for a wedding of her own?

My Review 4 STARS

Regency fans will find much enjoyment in Burkard's latest, Miss Wetherham's Wedding. This is book three in The Brides of Mayfair series and each volume can be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed the descriptions, banter, and costume. This is not Christian fiction but it's a quick, easy and clean read with sweet romance. Other than the snuff that Dellacort partakes of, I was completely taken by the story. Granted, it was just once but it did affect my overall reading experience. 

I highly recommend this book as Burkard is one of my favorite Regency era writers. She wrote this in third person omniscient (which I didn't know what that was until I read her note in the beginning) but I absolutely love it!!! You get a glimpse into more than just one or two characters thoughts and that feeds my inquisitiveness about what the others are thinking and feeling! It is excellently done!!!

I was provided an early electronic copy with no obligation to write a positive review. No compensation has been received. I also checked it out on KU and there is some bonus material of scenes that didn't make the final cut. Fun!!!!

Review ~ Miss Fanshawe's Fortune (The Brides of Mayfair 2) by Linore Burkard

Respectability was all she needed to win his heart…and precisely what she lacked.

Miss Frances Fanshawe’s past is shrouded in mystery. Raised genteelly as an heiress to a fortune, she is forced to question everything after her mother dies and leaves her with only a single clue to the money. Unless she can locate her father or otherwise prove her heritage, not only the fortune but her very respectability is at stake.

In line for a baronetcy, Sebastian Arundell has no time for sorting out questionable tangles for young women with dubious histories. No matter if they are young, appealing, and have ridiculously large chocolate eyes to melt a man’s heart. But when it becomes apparent that other people are after Frannie’s supposed fortune, he is drawn to investigate. As the search deepens, Frannie falls in love with handsome, proper Sebastian. But if it only proves what he suspects—that she's an illegitimate pauper—will all hope to win his heart be lost? 

Pre-order:
Amazon

My Review

4.5 STARS

Sebastian would be the first bearer of the news, the breaker, so to speak, between the harsh ocean and the shore of Frannie’s heart.

Frannie Fanshawe is a likable girl and in a bit of a pickle as she’s been tossed out of her home after her 'aunt' dies and has little to no funds. She must figure out who her father is in order to claim a mysterious fortune that awaits her.

Sebastian Arundell, future baronet of Bartlett Hall, is rather a sublime sort. When his younger brother, Edward, brings Frannie to their doorstep, or breakfast table as the case may be, Sebastian is soon drawn into unraveling the cords of secrecy surrounding Frannie’s father. He’s sure she is illegitimate though and this poses a severe problem as he begins to grow fond of her.

I absolutely enjoyed Burkard’s second book in The Brides of Mayfair series! This is a clean Regency romance that churns with just enough tension to keep the story moving forward at a steady pace. It encompasses mild intrigue while descriptive language makes it easy to imagine. The characters make up a delightful menagerie and I found myself chuckling at their wittiness while enjoying the moments of mayhem.

I received an electronic copy of the book from the author. No review was required.

SUMMER COVER LOVE: June to September by Rachael Farnsworth-Merritt

Rachael Farnsworth-Merritt is a homemaker, wife, mother, homeschooler, and disciple of Christ who enjoys crafting, simple money saving tips, and loves farm life. She is also an avid book reviewer and blogger. 

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Stuff and Nonsense has graciously allowed me to post my reviews on their website until I can get mine back. (At this point I’m beginning to wonder if it is lost somewhere in unknown cyberspace forever...but I digress). 

Anne thought it a good idea to do a post on cover love for summer releases. We as readers seem to all love cover reveals and seeing what our favorite author has next for a fantastic eye appealing novel. There are actually few covers I despise, I find. 

Rebecca chose covers from May and June. Aren't they great? 

Anne chose some beautiful ones, and I love that we have such a variety of tastes! 

Note from Anne: Rakes & Roses is not CF but it is CLEAN fiction. I included it because Regency is my favorite era
and the cover is gorgeous!!!

A few of Rebecca and Anne’s were ones I considered. I did include two from June that I simply couldn’t leave out. I think we all found that limiting the list wasn’t easy. 

I learned something about what I like in doing this because ten covers are all together...I seem to have a theme of covers that appeal which I had never noticed: sky, prairie, and a flare for the dramatic. I grew up in the plains of Oklahoma; The prairie speaks of home. I’ve always loved God’s portraits that he paints in the sky. The dramatic ones surprised even me, but they really grab the eye don’t they? The books are meant to do that as many readers actually do judge a book by its cover.

Perhaps you can see a pattern in the other hosts that chose their favorite covers of summer releases?? Do you have some on the list that are your favorites?? Perhaps you have a favorite we missed?? 

Please share your comments about a subject we readers seem to all love-Cover Love.

Miss Tavistock's Mistake (The Brides of Mayfair Book 1) by Linore Rose Burkard

Kindle Edition, 283 pages

Expected publication: June 8th 2020 by Lilliput Press

Regency Romance in the vein of Georgette Heyer will delight the romance fan!

Young Miss Tavistock is promised in marriage to Captain Rempeare by the wish of her dearly departed papa. But the captain’s been at sea for a decade. When she finally meets him, tempestuous sparks fly, and she impulsively adopts a daring false identity. Going by “Lady X,” she vows never to marry such an infuriating man.

Captain Gabriel Rempeare is prepared to fulfill his duty and marry Miss Tavistock—if only he can clap eyes on her. One circumstance or another keeps them apart, though he cannot seem to avoid the beautiful, maddening, Lady X. When fate throws them together in London, Miss Tavistock discovers the real nature of the captain, and regrets her subterfuge. But can such a noble man forgive deceit? Or has her mistake already cost her everything?

Coming June 8th!!! 

Pre-order now for ONLY $2.99!!!

Amazon

I'm not affiliated with Amazon and make no monies if you use the link to purchase a copy. Link provided as a courtesy only.

My Review 

4 STARS!!!

Margaret Tavistock is quite a feisty young woman. In her overly enthusiastic way, she finds herself uttering an outrageous lie, thinking she won’t be found out. From that point on, it’s compounded by one after another, creating more than a few ridiculous situations. Gabriel Rempeare is a great hero! I admired his calm and patient demeanor (most of the time) with Margaret. They’re cousins who have been slated to wed as was often the case back then. He’s a captain in the British Navy and been gone a long while. Lots of misunderstandings abound between these two that cause some ridiculously funny situations.

Miss Tavistock’s Mistake is a good start to this new Regency series from Burkard. With lots of wit, charm, and a sweet romance, readers are sure to enjoy a few hours of respite.

I was provided an electronic copy of the book. No review was required. No compensation received.

Grace & Peace,

Rebecca Reviews ~ Hadley Beckett's Next Dish by Bethany Turner

Paperback, 352 pages

Published May 5th 2020 by Fleming H. Revell Company

Celebrity chef Maxwell Cavanaugh is known for many things: his multiple Michelin stars, his top-rated Culinary Channel show To the Max, and most of all his horrible temper. Hadley Beckett, host of the Culinary Channel's other top-rated show, At Home with Hadley, is beloved for her Southern charm and for making her viewers feel like family.

When Max experiences a very public temper tantrum, he's sent packing to get his life in order. When he returns, career in shambles, his only chance to get back on TV and in the public's good graces is to work alongside Hadley.

As these polar-opposite celeb chefs begin to peel away the layers of public persona and reputation, they will not only discover the key ingredients for getting along, but also learn the secret recipe for unexpected forgiveness . . . and maybe even love. In the meantime, hide the knives.

Fan-favorite Bethany Turner serves up a heaping helping of humor and romance with this thoroughly modern story centered on cooking, enemies, and second chances.

Rebecca's Review

3.5 stars

"With her 'y'all come back' and her 'kiss my grits' . . . her?"

Chef Max Cavanagh was a force to be reckoned with under normal circumstances, but under the influence of alcohol on a nationally televised cooking competition (which he mis-understandably thought that he should have won), Max takes out his anger on the wildly popular Hadley Beckett, whose mortification by his behavior only serves to tank his career and elevate hers.

Fast forward. It's time for an apology. Will the sweet, genuine, and talented Hadley Beckett be able to co-exist alongside this new version of Max Cavanagh. . . . . . because there's something marinating in their so-called "kitchen" that will demand spending much more time in each other's company.

From competitors to co-conspirators to companions (if by companions you mean sharing kisses), Max and Hadley will steal the hearts of their readers with their constant, sometimes ridiculous banter. . . ."in sickness, poorer, and worse, right"? Enjoy this clean, romantic comedy for all it's worth!

I receivec a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

 Senior Reviewer, Rebecca Maney

Rebecca is a graduate of Bryan College with a degree in Christian Education, and is currently serving at the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, North Carolina as the Director of Children's Ministry. With over 30 years of experience in her field, she has had many opportunities to use her love of reading and writing in creative ways across the generations. A wife, mother of four "nearly" grown children, and grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren, Rebecca has been able to return to her love of reading and more recently reviewing, with a renewed passion for the "beauty of story".