Thursday, February 25, 2021

My Dear Miss Dupre by Grace Hitchcock

 

My Dear Miss Dupre  by Grace Hitchcock is similar to the TV show the Bachelorette, but set in the American Gilded Age. Not so willing participant, Willow Dupre, the heir of the Dupre sugar fortune can not believe what her family had gotten her into. She has 6 months to choose a husband and get married or lose her family business. No pressure! 


I enjoyed meeting Willow’s family, her friends, and the bachelors. My Dear Miss Dupre had good chemistry, well crafted scenes, and the elegance reminiscent of the time period. I found the story original, romantic, funny, and I was wondering how it would all come together up until the end. It was truly a pleasure to read.

Dear Miss Dupre releases on March 2, 2021


I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

 


Grace Hitchcock is the author of multiple historical novels and novellas. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives in Baton Rouge with her husband, Dakota, son and daughter. Connect with her online at GraceHitchcock.com.

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Songwriter Night: A Musical Romance by D. G. Driver


It was such a pleasure to read Songwriter Night: A Musical Romance by DG Driver.   The story centers around a group of artists who meet monthly to share their musical and  creative works.  Anyone who has ever attended a small group will identify with the characters and try to cast their friends into the roles.  The  story is delightful, touching,  romantic and very funny.  A sweet original love story which I highly recommend.  

Songwriter Night is also available as an audio book with the works performed in the audio. 

I was given this book by the author and not required to write a positive review. 


D. G. Driver is an award-winning author of books for children, teens and adults. Among her titles are The Juniper Sawfeather Trilogy, Chasing the Romantics – A Series of Original Fairy Tales, and the sweet romance novel All the Love You Write. Her children’s novel about autism acceptance, No One Needed to Know, is also available as an audiobook. With a degree in Theatre Arts, she directs and performs in plays and musicals in Middle Tennessee. Driver and composer Caleb Dinger are hoping to adapt Songwriter Night into a live stage version in the future. Learn more about her work at www.dgdriver.com

Thursday, January 28, 2021

Choosing His Family by Jill Lynn


Choosing His Family
by Jill Lynn is a delightful story that takes us back to Westbend, Colorado where Ivy Darling  and her triplets meet Finn Brightwood after their SUV careens off the road in a snowstorm.  I was rooting for Ivy and her triplets to stay in Westbend and get together with Finn pretty much after page 3.  

This sweet love story showcases Jill Lynn at her best.  Jill is  an incredible writer and her descriptive text is a joy to read. Jill’s stories are sweet, funny and always cause me to reflect on my own life in profound ways.  

  

Choosing His Family is filled with tender and honest moments, great triplet stories, and laugh out loud scenes.  I highly recommend Choosing His Family


I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a review.


Jill Lynn Buteyn is a co-author of Just Show Up with Kara Tippetts, and an author of inspirational romance for Love Inspired ® (as Jill Lynn). A recipient of the ACFW Genesis award for her fiction work, she has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Bethel University. Jill lives near the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her husband and two children.
Connect with her on social media or at Jill-Lynn.com.



Monday, January 25, 2021

The Vanishing at Loxby Manor by Abigail Wilson


The Vanishing at Loxby Manor by Abigail Wilson is a mysterious Regency romance that had me guessing until the end. I was drawn into the world of Loxby Manor and enjoyed my time in Regency England. The story is filled with intrigue, mystery, secret societies, interesting characters and what seems like a hopeless romance. Main characters Charity Halliwell and Piers Cavanagh are childhood friends who have not seen each other in many years, and their story seems bleak. The other characters are not exactly who they seem to be which makes for a gripping story. 

I am a huge Abigail Wilson fan and really enjoy her well crafted books. The Vanishing at Loxby Manor reminded me of author Victoria Holt’s stories which are a great favorite of mine. I was thrilled for the opportunity to read The Vanishing at Loxby Manor and I highly recommend it.
I was given this book by the publisher and not required to write a favorable review.



The same moment Elizabeth Bennett discovered Mr. Darcy’s true character in Pride and Prejudice, Abigail realized she would never be the same. Caught up in an endless supply of Regency novels for the past decade, she’s used this unique passion to create Gothic mysteries with a heart.

 A self-proclaimed chai tea addict and mother of two crazy kids, Abigail fills her spare time with camping, hiking, water skiing, and canoeing. She hopes to visit all 59 national parks in her lifetime, and with a dozen or so under her belt, she is well on her way. She currently resides in Dripping Springs, Texas with her husband and children.

In 2017, Abigail won WisRWA’s Fab Five contest and in 2016, the American Christian Fiction Writers’ First Impressions contest in the Historical Romance category. She was also chosen as a 2017 finalist in the Daphne du Maurier Contest and Genesis Contest. Her first two novels were published in 2019 by HarperCollins Christian Publishing.

Monday, January 18, 2021

Promise to Keep Anniversary and link to contest!

Today on Becky's Bookshelves we welcome Melony Teague. It is the one year anniversary of her book A Promise to Keep!  You can enter to win an Amazon card at the end of the post.  Here is a link to my review.

As part of the A Promise to Keep Book Birthday Bash we’ll be celebrating the 1 year anniversary of the book’s release by Melony Teague.

Make sure you enter to win a $5 Amazon gift card. 

The giveaway will run from Jan 18 – Jan 22, and the winner announced the week of Jan 25th. Giveaway entry link at the end of this post. There are many stops on this tour, so be sure to check out the full schedule link posted at the end of this post. 

Let’s party!

HERE ARE FOUR FUN FACTS:

·         In the book, Savannah has a fascination for tiny buildings, but particularly tiny churches. One of these is in Niagara Falls, along the Niagara Parkway. It really does exist. Here’s a photo, taken by Patti Arbon.

·        Another interesting fact is that this church is supposed to be the Guinness book of records holder for the tiniest chapel or church. 

·         In the scene where Savannah and Michael are in the theatre, they are watching a production of Cyrano De Bergerac, a play about a long nosed musketeer which was originally written in French. In the author’s note in the book, the author explains the significance of the play and how it relates to the story. 

·         Professor Donovan Radcliffe was never meant to be in the story. But the professor demanded space on the page, so the author, Melony Teague let him. Perhaps one day he’ll get his own story.  

                                                   


ADD THE BOOK TO GOODREADS

BUY ON AMAZON (e-book) 

BUY ON AMAZON (Paperback)

BOOK DEPOSITORY

BARNES & NOBLE

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

A Promise. A High School Reunion. And a pact that proves harder to keep.

Research librarian Savannah Sanderson wants nothing more than to escape into her happily-ever-after novels with their larger-than-life fictional heroes. But a promise to her late husband has her attending her dreaded twenty-year high school reunion, drinking ghastly punch, and taking desperate measures just to keep her vow, even if she has to hide behind the décor to do it.

Once a reckless troublemaker, Michael McCann fled town after graduation. Now a professional technical rescuer, he’s back for the reunion, but on his trip down memory lane, he soon comes face to face with unresolved issues, namely Savannah. Before the night is over, a pact between these two old friends will lead them on an adventure into uncharted emotional territory where Michael must confront his past regrets and find the courage to reveal the truth. But can Savannah fly from her sheltered nest and risk her heart on a real-life hero?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melony Teague is a freelance writer who believes everyone has a story to tell. As co-author of As the Ink Flows, she loves to inspire and motivate others through her written words. With foamy lattes in-hand, she writes Contemporary Romance with a dash of humor. Though she has no hobbies outside of reading, writing, and eating chocolate, she is a member of ACFW and The Word Guild. She teaches seniors in her community to write their memoirs. She confesses with no shame that she has a strong belief that pumpkin pie is an acceptable breakfast food since it’s mostly vegetables. Her Fiction Debut, A Promise to Keep, released in Jan 2020. Melony was born in South Africa and now lives in Toronto with her husband, their two teenagers, and two cats who think they’re humans.

You can connect with her here:

Website | Facebook | FacebookGroup | BookBub | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon| Goodreads  


 

ENTER TO WIN THE GIVEAWAY HERE 

Find the full blog schedule with other fun posts here.



Monday, December 7, 2020

Restoring Fairhaven by Carolyn Miller

You have to share about a romance that sweeps you away, brings you joy, and leaves you with hope for the future. Restoring Fairhaven by Carolyn Miller is one of those stories. The main character, Samantha Green, has just taken over her father’s gardening business while he is recovering from heart issues. Our hero, Max Fairhaven is a writer who is walking through a dark time and has almost given up on ever being happy again. Restoring Fairhaven is their restoration story.

This is the sixth book in the Independent Island Series and takes place on Merriweather Island. Carolyn Miller does a wonderful job painting a picture of the setting on beautiful Merriweather Island. This book spoke to me spiritually with Ms. Miller’s gardening analogies.

With the wonderful scenery, delightful characters and great romance there is much to treasure in Restoring Fairhaven and I highly recommend it. (I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review)


Carolyn Miller is an Inspirational Regency romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia with her husband and four children. Together with her husband she has pastored a church for ten years, and worked as a public high school English and Learning and Support teacher.

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature, and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives.

She loves reading, music, films, gardens, art, travel and international food, and really enjoy creating worlds where flawed people can grow in faith, hope and love.

Her Regency novels include the award winning The Elusive Miss Ellison, The Captivating Lady Charlotte, The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey, Winning Miss Winthrop, Miss Serena's Secret, The Making of Mrs Hale, and A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh, all published by Kregel Publications.

Carolyn is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube agency

Sunday, December 6, 2020

To Steal A Heart by Jen Turano



To Steal a Heart by Jen Turano opens as our heroine, Gabriella Goodhue, is attending an exclusive society costume ball dressed as a man.  She is attempting to break into the home’s safe when she gets “caught” by her best friend from childhood, Nicholas Quinn who she has not seen in many years.  From there the story only gets better as Gabriella and Nicholas navigate adventure, intrigue, new feelings, and their beliefs on the society of the day.  


I love Jen Turano’s writing and I was not disappointed while reading To Steal A Heart.  This is the first book in her Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency series that follows the charming ladies who live at the Bleecker Street boarding house.  The boarders are delightful and I fell in love with each of their unique personalities.  Ms. Turano has a way of weaving humor into her stories while discussing weightier issues such as the problems of the day, societal norms, and issues of faith.  Her stories are interesting and I find them so enjoyable.  


I highly recommend To Steal A Heart by Jen Turano.  It is a fun loving adventure that will engage you to the end and keep you laughing.  


I was given this book by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.



Named One of the Funniest Voices in Inspirational Romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today Best-Selling Author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publisher Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. When she’s not writing, she spends her time outside of Denver, CO. Readers may find her at www.jenturano.com or https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor/or on Twitter at JenTurano @JenTurano