An assortment of new releases

 

The Dread Penny Society: The Complete Penny Dreadful Collection
By Sarah M. Eden
Publisher: Shadow Mountain (September 5, 2023)
Hardcover: 400 pages
ISBN-10: 1639931546
ISBN-13: 978-1639931545

 Publisher’s Blurb:

This beautiful, cloth-covered hardcover collector’s anthology compiles all the penny dreadful short stories from Sarah M. Eden’s five-book Victorian romance series. Included in this edition are three new, never-before-released stories.

 Each short story is written in the style of the Victorian fiction that became so popular during that time period. From ghost stories to adventures to mysteries, Sarah weaves these gothic tales among her romantic storylines, making it the perfect way to celebrate the Dread Penny Society series.

 My Thoughts:

This collection of “penny dreadfuls” is a lovely add-on to the completed Dread Penny Society Series. Many of the stories accompanied and paralleled the action of the individual novels; some are new. All are written in the style of the time.

 Separated from the novels, the stories still stand up well. There are a variety of stories, especially when adding in the ones that were not in the original novels. These stories run the range from adventurous to supernatural. Frequently, but not always, there is also a romantic element.

 Possible Objectionable Material:

Some deal with the supernatural, like monsters in the forest or ghosts. All are treated in a light enough way that they should not give nightmares.

 Who Might Like This Book:

Anyone who liked Eden’s Dread Penny Society series and would like to have all the stories (with new ones) in a single volume. Anyone who likes the penny dreadful stories of days gone by.

 Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

  

Fair Rosaline
By Natasha Solomons
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (September 12, 2023)
Hardcover: 336 pages
ISBN-10: 1728281237
ISBN-13: 978-1728281230

 Publisher’s Blurb:

Was the greatest ever love story a lie?

 

The first time Romeo Montague sees young Rosaline Capulet he falls instantly in love. Rosaline, headstrong and independent, is unsure of Romeo's attentions but with her father determined that she join a convent, this handsome and charming stranger offers her the chance of a different life.

Soon though, Rosaline begins to doubt all that Romeo has told her. She breaks off the match, only for Romeo's gaze to turn towards her cousin, thirteen-year-old Juliet. Gradually Rosaline realizes that it is not only Juliet's reputation at stake, but her life .With only hours remaining before she will be banished behind the nunnery walls, will Rosaline save Juliet from her Romeo?

 

Or can this story only ever end one way?

 

Shattering everything we thought we knew about Romeo and Juliet, Fair Rosaline is the spellbinding prequel to Shakespeare's best known tale, which exposes Romeo as a predator with a long history of pursuing much younger girls. Bold, lyrical, and chillingly relevant, Fair Rosaline reveals the dark subtext of the timeless story of star-crossed lovers: it's a feminist revision that will enthrall readers.

 My Thoughts:

I’ve been teaching Romeo and Juliet off and on for 20 years. Every time, I tell the kids, “Romeo is a player.” Clearly, Natasha Solomons agrees. Solomons does not follow the usual theory that Romeo is a teenager, and backs up her interpretation in the notes at the end of the novel. In this case, having Romeo be in his 30s makes him even creepier. No…pervier. Really. He’s not just a player, he’s a groomer and an abuser.

 Told from the point-of-view of Rosaline, the woman we only hear about in Act I of the Shakespeare play, this story takes the tragedy much deeper. Romeo leaves a wake of ruined girls behind him. He likes them young and innocent and, with Friar Laurence’s help, makes sure their lives are ruined after he loses interest.

 Rosaline’s character is well-rounded and beautifully imperfect. She is impetuous and opinionated and defiant. She’s also very smart, and once she puts two and two together and realizes just how Romeo has played her, she doesn’t just cry and whine. She acts. Her revenge is perfect and appropriate. She makes sacrifices to see justice served, and considers them worthy sacrifices.

 This story is not without heartbreak. How could it be?

 Possible Objectionable Behavior:

Unmarried sex, pregnancy, violence, death, drinking, mild cursing.

Who Might Like This Book:

It helps, but isn’t essential, for you to be familiar with the source material. If you like coming-of-age stories, this is a good choice.

 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

 

Between Monsters and Marvels
By Alysa Wishingrad
Publisher: HarperCollins (September 12, 2023)
Hardcover: 400 pages
ISBN-10: 006324487X
ISBN-13: 978-0063244870
Reading age: 8 - 12 years
Grade level: 3 - 7

 Publisher’s Blurb:

A standalone high-stakes middle grade fantasy by Alysa Wishingrad, author of the Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection The Verdigris Pawn.

 

Monsters are still lurking on Barrow’s Bay.

 

Dare Coates is sure of it. No drifter or ruffian could have killed her father, the Captain of the Guard, while he was on patrol. But everyone insists that monsters have been gone for years now. Dare’s mother. Her classmates. Even the governor, who swiftly marries her mother just months after her father’s death.

 

Dare’s suspicions grow even stronger when the governor suddenly ships her off to the mainland, away from any hope of uncovering the truth about her father’s death.

 

Or so she thinks. Soon Dare finds solid proof that monsters still exist and she starts to question everything she’s always known. Was her father who she thought he was? Who can she trust? Where is the line between good and evil?

 

The truth hides behind danger and deception. But with the help of an unlikely crew of cohorts and a stray beastie, nothing can stop Dare from finding out what happened to her father and exposing who the real monsters are.

 My Thoughts:

Dare is not an easy kid. She is full of awful. Among the children of the town, she is an outcast. They consider her father’s job—patrolling for monsters—to be a waste of time and resources. After all, all the monsters are gone.

 Dare knows better.

 After her father’s death and mother’s remarriage—to the governor—she is shipped off to the mainland to stay with the aunt who raised her father. And it is here that the adventure truly begins. Dare must learn whom to trust and whom to avoid as she unravels the mystery of how her father really died, and what the truth is about monsters and marvels.

 The narrative voice is strong, and while Dare knows she isn’t always likable, to us, the readers, she is a sympathetic character. We root for her as she finds friendship and discovers that maybe people aren’t all so awful after all.

 Possible Objectionable Material:

This is a fantasy universe, with unusual monsters. Lack of adult supervision. There is some minor violence, deception, dangerous situations. There is also a slight supernatural element as there is a ghost.

 Who Might Like This Book:

People who like spunky heroines, coming-of-age, learning to speak up for yourself. I think it skews more to the middle to top of the age range suggested by the publisher.

 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

 

The Name Drop
By Susan Lee
Publisher: Inkyard Press; Original edition (September 12, 2023)
Language: English
Hardcover: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 1335457984
ISBN-13: 978-1335457981
Reading age: 13 - 17 years
Grade level: 7 - 9

 Publisher’s Blurb:

New from the author of Seoulmates comes a story of mistaken identities, the summer of a lifetime, and a love to risk everything for.

When Elijah Ri arrives in New York City for an internship at his father’s massive tech company, Haneul Corporation, he expects the royal treatment that comes with being the future CEO—even if that’s the last thing he wants. But instead, he finds himself shuffled into a group of overworked, unpaid interns, all sharing a shoebox apartment for the summer.

When Jessica Lee arrives in New York City, she’s eager to make the most of her internship at Haneul Corporation, even if she’s at the bottom of the corporate ladder. But she’s shocked to be introduced as the new executive-in-training intern with a gorgeous brownstone all to herself.

It doesn’t take long for Elijah and Jessica to discover the source of the mistake: they share the same Korean name. But they decide to stay switched—so Elijah can have a relaxing summer away from his controlling dad while Jessica can make the connections she desperately needs for college recommendations.

As Elijah and Jessica work together to keep up the charade, a spark develops between them. Can they avoid discovery—and total disaster—with their feelings and futures on the line?

My Thoughts:

Told in dual points of view, this was a fun twist on a classic mistaken identity trope. From very different backgrounds, and with very different parental expectations, Elijah and Jessica both get an eye-opening summer experience. I like that they both show growth during their summer internship and even after things come crashing down—as they inevitably must.

 The supporting cast of characters is also interesting and well-rounded. They serve as more than just set dressing.

 Particularly interesting is the struggle to be female in a company in which a strong cultural preference for male hierarchy is present. Battling the slights—intentional or not—becomes an important secondary plot point. As does the rather superior attitude the corporate types take toward the interns and their value to the company.

 While the budding relationship between Elijah and Jessica is an important factor in the story, I found it refreshing that it wasn’t the be-all and end-all of the story. I like the misunderstandings that occur—and must be resolved—as they explore their very different lifestyles and backgrounds.

 Overall, the resolution is satisfying. You can’t help but root for these people.

 Possible Objectionable Material:

Sexism, some racism and classism. Deception. Cursing, including a couple of F-bombs. Kissing.

 Who Might Like This Book:

If you like mistaken identities, this is a fun one. I think the publisher’s suggested age range is good. Their grade level might be referring to reading level; otherwise it’s a bit low.

 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my opinion.

Christmas at the Cat Café
By Jessica Redland
Publisher: Boldwood Books (September 15, 2023)
Paperback: 384 pages
ISBN-10: 1801624844
ISBN-13: 978-1801624848

 Publisher’s Blurb:

It's the most wonderful time of the year on Castle Street, and there's a paw-some new business opening....

 It had always been Tabby's dream to work with cats and an inheritance from her beloved nanna has finally made that a reality. Idyllic Castle Street in Whitsborough Bay couldn’t be a better place for pastry chef Tabby to open a cat café with her boyfriend, Leon.

 But when Leon leaves her in the lurch, the pressure mounts for Tabby. With Christmas fast approaching, she has to open the café on her own – a daunting prospect, especially when she's been hiding her health issues from the ones she loves.

 Faced with local resistance to the café – and somebody seemingly determined that she won’t succeed – Tabby will need her friends, family and cats more than ever to recover her broken Christmas spirit and pull together for a Christmas miracle.

 Will the cat café bring the festive joy to Castle Street as Tabby had hoped or will it be a cat-astrophe? And can the magic of Christmas on Castle Street mend Tabby's broken heart as well as her business?

 My Thoughts:

This one was a bit difficult to engage with. There was just something about the narrative voice that didn’t click for me. Part of it is that, as “Tabitha” (aka, the writer) explains fibromyalgia, it reads very much like a women’s health website.

 As a character, Tabitha is…fine. She spends a lot of time trying to spare everyone else from worrying about her, and watching her learn to accept help is definitely a strong point. Her development of the cat café is pretty cute; the way she talks for her cats, each with its distinctive voice and accent, is somewhat less so—but at least she only does that in private.

 Tom is maybe a bit too good to be true, but he’s solid as the love interest. The villain, however…oof. Quite cartoony. Finding out who is behind attacks on the café is a little bit of a surprise; there wasn’t really anything to telegraph it.

 Side characters are good, particularly some of the café staff and regulars. Tabby does manage to overcome several adversities quite well. The best thing, though, is that she shows enough growth to be aware of when something isn’t right for her.

 As with any romance—Hallmark or otherwise—something must drive our love interests apart about ¾ of the way through. In this case, it makes sense, as does their resolution.

 Possible Objectionable Material:

Tabitha has been living, unmarried, with her boyfriend for several years. Some drinking. Mild swearing. Death of a pet.

 Who Might Like This Book:

While it does have Christmas in it, it isn’t all about the holiday. If you like cats or have ever wanted to visit a cat café, you’ll probably quite enjoy this book. And of course, if you like “clean” romance, this is for you.

 Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

 

Every Duke Has His Day
By Suzanne Enoch
Publisher: Griffin (September 19, 2023)
Paperback: 320 pages
ISBN-10: 1250842549
ISBN-13: 978-1250842541

 Publisher’s Blurb:

Brain meets Beauty in this sparkling, fresh take on the classic Bringing Up Baby – if Jane Austen had written it! A romantic comedy with a dash of chaos featuring the most ill-behaved poodle in Regency London, by New York Times bestseller Suzanne Enoch.

Michael Bromley, Duke of Woriton, has a passion, but it’s not for chasing ladies or gambling till dawn. No, his is the far more dangerous pursuit of the science of chemistry. He may be a tad eccentric, but he can navigate a society ballroom, and manage a polite conversation—if he must. He’s certainly capable of taking care of his aunt’s perfectly behaved poodle, Lancelot, while she’s on holiday.

Elizabeth “Bitsy” Dockering, third daughter of a viscount, is enjoying her second, spectacular Season in London. She is a Diamond of the Season and is adored by all—and especially by her precious black poodle, Galahad. To everyone else, however, Galahad is a demon dog. So much so that Bitsy’s most insistent beau and particular victim of Galahad’s bad manners, has hired a thief to steal the dog, clearing the way for his suit.

But none of them can plan for a chaotic encounter in the park, resulting in lost notes, a soaking in the Serpentine and an accidental dog swap…and Lancelot being kidnapped instead of Galahad! Determined to locate the dog, Michael isn’t thrilled to be saddled with a flighty female insisting on helping—except that Bitsy has a great deal more sense than he expected. And a sharp tongue to match. Still, what’s a scientist to do but continue to pursue an outcome, however unexpected it may be? But chemistry is all about attraction, and this is one formula with some hilariously romantic results.

 My Thoughts:

Honestly, I liked this far more than I expected to. Probably because Michael is not completely the typical “mad scientist”, oblivious to the effects of his behavior and anything that isn’t to do with science. Likewise, Bitsy has the self-awareness to understand that being the sparkling Diamond of the London season isn’t all there is to life.

 The mechanism by which they meet—and must continue meeting—is effective, and the dialogue between the two is very well done.

 Likewise, the B-plot is like its own little mini-romance, and is equally satisfying.

 Possible Objectionable Material:

Deception, some drinking. Theft of animals. Threats.

 Who Might Like This Book:

This really reminds me of classic movie romcoms. Think Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. Dog lovers might particularly enjoy this one.

 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for my opinion.

Ploof
By Ben Clanton and Andy Chou Musser
Publisher: Tundra Books (September 26, 2023)
Hardcover: 56 pages
ISBN-10: 1774881926
ISBN-13: 978-1774881927
Reading age: 2 - 5 years

 Publisher’s Blurb:

Come play with Ploof! Meet a friendly cloud full of feelings in this interactive picture book for fans of Hervé Tullet's Press Here, from the creator of Narwhal and Jelly and the co-creator of Science Explorers.

Ploof is a puffy cloud who's a little lonely — but now you're here, and the fun can begin! Can you help Ploof overcome their shyness? Play pretend? Make Ploof laugh with your funny faces, find their hiding spot, give them a high five! Full of imaginative and interactive fun, each page of this perfect book for preschoolers offers a chance to play. By following cues to say hello, clap, blow, shake, wave or make a funny face, young readers will be delighted to see the effects of their actions on Ploof. They'll learn social-emotional skills like empathy, encouragement and kindness through Ploof's emotional journey — and, along the way, they'll learn how to be a fantastic friend!

Join Ploof’s adventures in a brand-new series co-written and co-illustrated by Narwhal and Jelly creator Ben Clanton and up-and-coming picture book maker Andy Chou Musser.

 My Thoughts:

Full disclosure: I was a first-year teacher at Ben Clanton’s high school his senior year. I’m not sure we ever actually spoke to each other.

 This absolutely charming little book is perfect for reading with a little one on your lap. The various gestures prompted by the simple text will be fun to do together. The illustrations are cute, the pages uncluttered, and the story length just right for short little attention spans.

 Ploof would be a perfect gift to welcome a new baby.

 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

 

 

Bright Lights Big Christmas
By Mary Kay Andrews
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (September 26, 2023)
Hardcover: 288 pages
ISBN-10: 125028581X
ISBN-13: 978-1250285812

 Publisher’s Blurb:

When fall rolls around, it’s time for Kerry Tolliver to leave her family’s Christmas tree farm in the mountains of North Carolina for the wilds of New York City to help her gruff older brother & his dog, Queenie, sell the trees at the family stand on a corner in Greenwich Village. Sharing a tiny vintage camper and experiencing Manhattan for the first time, Kerry’s ready to try to carve out a new corner for herself.

 My Thoughts:

 I love Christmas romcom season. It always falls during the stressful beginnings of school, and I get to escape for a bit.

 This is not Andrews’ first Christmas novel; I reviewed The Santa Suit—which is briefly mentioned in this book—here. https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2021/11/cuddle-up-with-holiday-romances.html

 As with that book, the romance develops rather quickly. I’m not sure I catch the whole motivation for it, but it’s cute. It also lacks the typical conflict characteristic of most romcoms. Yes, there is a threat of separation for the couple, but they overcome it and we get our happily ever after.

 We never really look very deeply into Kerry’s personality or thoughts. We know she has lost her job and her boyfriend. We watch her gain confidence in a new endeavor. But it sees like all we see is the surface, nothing very deep. Her character changes little.

 Don’t get me wrong—it’s a satisfying story. It’s just that it ends up more on the Christmas fluff side of things.

 Possible Objectionable Material:

Some drinking. Implied sex, closed door. Mild cursing. Some characters are gay.

 Who Might Like This Book:

If you like Hallmark Christmas movies, this book will fit very well!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

 

Author Focus: Anita Stansfield

Bio:

Anita Stansfield has been the reigning queen of LDS romantic fiction for more than two decades, although her general market releases have been among her readers favorites. Her work has shattered the stereotypes of romance novels with her trademark ability to combine great storytelling with intense psychological depth as she focuses on the emotional struggles of the human experience. Her novels cover a huge spectrum, from the eighteenth century to the present, from heart warming to heart stopping. Hundreds of thousands of readers agree: Anita Stansfield's characters and the lives they lead are not easy to forget.

Anita is now also writing under the pseudonym Elizabeth D. Michaels. (anitastansfield.com)

Anita Stansfield is one of the OGs of LDS romantic fiction. When there was not much out there for people who wanted romance without too much intimacy, Stansfield was there to fill the gap.

Sadly, she doesn’t seem to have grown much over those two decades of writing. The books I review below span a period from 2016 to 2019. They are all alike in their flaws. This points to some fundamental writing issues, but also some really problematic editing issues. I don’t know if, because of her success, editors went easy on her, but it’s pretty bad.

The biggest problem is sheer wordiness. Back in my editing class in college, we talked about “lard factor” in writing, and the need to cut out wordiness without cutting out meaning or effect. Stansfield has a HIGH lard factor. I don’t know if she was allowed to be so wordy in order to pad her word count and make the novels long enough to hit a certain page count/price point, but easily 25-35 percent of each book could be cut, whether that is wordy sentences, repetition, or just plain over-explaining. There is far too much tell and not enough show in the narrative. In size 4 text on my base model Kindle, three pages would go by in a single descriptive paragraph, with no dialogue. Likewise, one person would speak for two pages without a break. This is perhaps the biggest problem I had, since it actually slowed down my reading considerably. These books took me half again as long to read as books of similar page length. I started skimming the descriptive passages rather than actually reading them.

The passage of time is frequently an issue. The author frequently refers to how “days went by” and she seems to mean two or three days. I keep thinking it’s been months, but it’s only been a couple of weeks.

Characters are either very good, lovely, kind people, or cartoonishly evil. There seems to be no in-between. There’s not much character growth taking place other than falling in love.

Another issue is with word usage. For example, in EVERY one of the books I review below, Stansfield refers to the employee who manages an estate as an “overseer”. This is NOT the term that was used in England. The proper term is “steward”. In two of the books, she refers to an indoor room that we would refer to as a bathroom as a “privy”—which is actually another word for an outhouse.

Because I read several books in a short period of time, I also found some phrases that Stansfield relies on quite heavily. People constantly “freshen up”. Men always “lean their forearms on their thighs”. Women “toss smiles”. When people drag out a word in conversation, they “drawl.”

In a couple of the books, the hero and heroine ride double on horseback, and gallop along for long distances. This is not okay for the horse. And in one of those books, the heroine is also fairly heavily pregnant. Don’t get me wrong—my mother rode well into her pregnancy with me, but galloping—especially bareback—while quite pregnant is just not a good idea.

My final major critique occurs twice in the six books I read. The only heir to a family’s estate and/or title enlists in the military and goes off to serve in a war. This is absolutely not done. The heir’s only job is to stay alive and beget another heir, keeping the property in the family so no distant cousins get it. Second or third sons bought a commission as officers in military service.

All of these are things that good editing should clear up. Whether the author is indulged because of her success, refuses to take guidance, or the editors are just plain bad is anyone’s guess.

The stories themselves were good. Stansfield is definitely not afraid to take on some tough issues, and I fully applaud her for that. However, the relationships between the heroes and heroines, once they got together (which was usually fairly early in the book) seemed far too calm and smooth. There was very little conflict between the two. Conflict came from outside the relationship, which made the love story a little bit boring.

I was excited to read these books, knowing of Stansfield’s great success in the LDS fiction market. I had been given several of her books by a friend. After reading these six, I have added them to the donation box. Reading was less a pleasure than a chore.

Let’s get into the books:

The Heir of Brownlie Manor

Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc. (July 1, 2016)

Paperback: 288 pages

ISBN-10: 1524400130

ISBN-13: 978-1524400132

Publisher’s Blurb:

After a medical discharge from his duties in the Napoleonic War, Thomas Quincy Fitzbatten has returned home. Disoriented, burdened by guilt for his wealth, and disillusioned with life's injustices, Thomas longs for a chance to make a difference in the world. But he keeps himself a mystery to those around him, and another motive for his charity gnaws at the back of his mind: to seek redemption from the traumatic demons of war.

 

Then everything changes at the arrival of Ruth—Dawson the niece of Thomas's butler—a stunning woman with a secret of her own. Thomas graciously offers to assist Ruth in her predicament, but a surprise instinct prompts Thomas to handle the case a little more personally.

As their love blossoms, it appears that all will be well until Thomas receives a mysterious letter from an old friend in trouble, compelling him to the rescue. But what will Thomas do when nothing is as it seems? And why can't Ruth shake the feeling that her destiny is intertwined with Thomas's in a way they could never have imagined?

My thoughts:

An interesting premise. I really appreciated about how the effects of fighting in a war (although the heir should never have been in the military in the first place) are portrayed. Thomas is desperate to find meaning in his life after the things he had to do as a soldier. He doesn’t sleep, he drinks too much. Suddenly, he finds a way to do good in the world, and, despite how unorthodox it is, he seizes it.

As with other previously mentioned issues, one that I had with this book is that Thomas is constantly referred to as “Mr. Fitzbatten”. Later in the book, it is indicated that there is a family title, so he should have been referred to as “Lord Fitzbatten” and “your lordship.”

I like how the relationship between Thomas and Ruth develops. It’s such a crazy predicament to be in, but it works.

The plot twist is, honestly, a bit farfetched. There was no real motivation for what happened to create the twist. However, it is effectively carried off, although I guessed it far ahead of time because it was heavily telegraphed.

Possible objectionable material:

Unwed pregnancy, drinking, perilous situations.

Color of Love

Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc. (January 3, 2017)

Paperback: 288 pages

ISBN-10: 1524401323

ISBN-13: 978-1524401320

Publisher’s Blurb:

England, 1857

The British aristocracy is an inflexible judge. And for Amala, a lovely young Indian woman, that judgment is most keenly felt. Raised from a child by the wealthy Hepworth family following the murder of her parents, Amala grew up alongside the Hepworth's own daughter, Katarina, and was loved as both sister and daughter. The family is part of the charmed circle of the upper class, but Amala's place in society is tenuous. As an Indian woman, her life is marked by a sense of otherness and voices of prejudice. So when she embarks upon a sweet acquaintance with Henry Breckenridge, a white Englishman, Amala is both elated and terrified. She knows first-hand the opposition that an interracial couple would face, and courtship with Henry could destroy his standing in society.

Determined to spare the reputations of both Henry and her sister Katarina, Amala flees England with the hope that an extended trip will allow her time to heal her broken heart. But she never imagined the repercussions of that decision, and the heartbreak awaiting her. For when she returns to England, she finds those she holds dear facing unparalleled devastation. And now it is her love that holds the key to healing a broken family . . .

My thoughts:

This was my favorite of the six books I read from this author. Stansfield tackles the issues of colorism and prejudice head-on. I particularly appreciated how Henry thought Amala’s protests about how they could never be together were overblown until he witnessed that prejudice first-hand.

Of the six books, this is the one that had some real tension between the hero and heroine. Things do not go smoothly between them, and Amala turns him down completely when he wants to marry her, fleeing with her aunt to spend a few years touring Europe.

When Amala and the aunt have to return to England quickly, they spend days and days traveling across France in a carriage. Why on earth didn’t they take a train? Trains were available in France in this time period.

This book has no particular plot twists or surprises, and the overall ending is satisfying. I do question why and how Henry fell in love with Amala so quickly. They meet at a ball and he talks to her because he is recently returned from India and wants to talk about his experiences there. The next day, he wants to court her. Too fast, buddy, too fast.

Possible objectionable material:

Prejudice, interracial relationship.

Lily of the Manor

Publisher: Covenant Communications Inc (July 1, 2017)

Paperback: 272 pages

ISBN-10: 9781524402945

ISBN-13: 978-1524402945

Publisher’s Blurb:

Broadbent Manor is a home brimming with life and love. With eleven adopted children in her care, young widow Lily Broadbent is in search of the right tutor to instruct and nurture her young charges. So when Frederick Woodstone arrives on her doorstep seeking the position, Lily is quickly impressed by his qualifications—but even more pleased with his gentle manner and immediate rapport with the children that society cast aside. It is clear: Mr. Woodstone is a perfect fit for the family.

 

From the moment he arrives at the manor, Frederick is enchanted by the lady of the house. Lily is a pillar of strength and compassion, and her striking beauty is undeniable. As the pair works side by side to teach the children, their professional association evolves into something far deeper. But when they stumble upon a young boy in dire circumstances, their relationship is put to the test as Lily makes the impetuous decision to rescue the child—no matter the consequences. What follows is a chain of events that will threaten all that Lily has built for her young family, as the fight for the safety of one small boy becomes a battle between life and death.

My thoughts:

This one was interesting.  I love how Frederick takes on this gaggle of adopted children and their various issues. Naturally, this being an Anita Stansfield book, he easily tames them and all is sunshine and lollipops.

I liked that Lily is actually a few years older than Frederick. It’s a nice change from the usual 17- to 21-year-old heroines.

There is a little bit of a mystery here that is also a nice twist. This one I didn’t really guess ahead of time.

I do wonder how Lily was able to inherit all her first husband’s assets. Clearly he wasn’t nobility, just a wealthy man, or it would have gone to some male heir.

Possible objectionable material:

Child abuse, orphans, children with traumatic pasts.

Love and Loss at Whitmore Manor

Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc. (November 1, 2017)

Paperback: 240 pages

ISBN-10: 1524403709

ISBN-13: 978-1524403706

Publisher’s Blurb:

For nearly three years, British Officer Tristan Whitmore fought bravely for King and Crown in America. But his loyalty came at a price, and after slowly recovering from battlefield injuries, it is finally time to return to his beloved England and his wife, Muriel. But there is to be no tender reunion at Whitmore Manor instead, Tristan is stunned to learn of his wife's deceit in his absence and her unexpected death. And to add to the shocking blow, this devastating news is delivered by the last woman Tristan ever hoped to see again.

 

Olivia Halstead lost everything after the death of her father but found refuge with her cousin Muriel while Muriel's husband was at war. Now, with the loss of her cousin, Olivia feels she has trespassed too long on the hospitality of the family. But before she can depart, Muriel's husband returns, and Olivia's own thorny history with the man comes rushing in: years ago, theirs was a tender courtship—followed too soon by a bitter parting of ways. Now two people divided by past betrayal find an unforeseen chance for reconciliation. But when Tristan and Olivia find themselves on opposite sides of a revolution, will their clashing allegiances tear them apart forever?

My thoughts:

::sigh:: Another one where the heir to the family estates went off to war. That aside, his reluctance to go home to his unpleasant wife is a nice twist, as is the guilt he experiences over being relieved at her death. He and Olivia have real issues to sort out. I think they sort them out too easily, but it’s nice to see a little conflict and growth there.

There is some involvement with smuggling, but that problem is resolved pretty easily in the end. The people just…stopped smuggling.

And that’s really all there is to this story. I can’t remember much else happening. It just didn’t make an impact on me.

Possible Objectionable Material:

Infidelity, an unwed pregnancy, smuggling.

The Stars Above Northumberland

Publisher: Covenant Communications (February 1, 2017)

Paperback: 240 pages

ISBN-10: 1524404977

ISBN-13: 978-1524404970

Publisher’s Blurb:

Her husband is dead. But far from grieving, young widow Lady Meriwether Sturgess feels nothing but relief and release. After enduring years of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her cruel husband, Meri is drawn to the comfort of the one place sure to offer healing both for her and her children: Rosewell Manor. The home of her beloved Aunt Annibel is the site of her happiest childhood memories, and it promises the new beginning for which she longs. Just as she settles into life at the manor, Meri is granted a delightful surprise. Elliott Rosewell has come to stay, as he often has since childhood. Meri and Elliott had once been close friends, and each concealed long-harbored feelings for one another. Their warm relationship is quickly rekindled, and despite the sorrows and secrets they each conceal, they discover that their friendship has blossomed into love. But a relationship that seems to promise happily ever after quickly begins to unravel as devastating truths from both Meri s and Elliott s past surface, and their chance at happiness together may be lost forever. . . .

My thoughts:

This one was probably my least favorite of the six I read. The underlying story of Meri and her children escaping her cold in-law family is good. Of course, the in-law family is over-the-top bad. One of the things that bothers me here is that, since Meri’s four-year-old son is the heir to his father’s estate and title, she is made the custodian of all of that. That role would definitely have gone to her husband’s (evil) younger brother. Instead, Meri just takes her kids and leaves to her aunt and uncle’s home far away. And the in-laws never seem to follow-up or communicate with her or demand that she return in any way until the climax of the story. And her son is never referred to by anyone by his title.

As Meri is traveling to her aunt and uncle’s home, we’re told that she never felt especially close to any of her cousins. Later, we hear multiple times that she loves them all as sisters.

And oh my goodness, this book has more sobbing than all the other ones combined. That woman sobs multiple times a day.

In the end, when Meri marries again, it is a full church wedding, with a veil (rare in that time period), walking up the aisle, flower girl, etc. A woman’s second marriage was not treated like a first marriage in that time period.

On the good side: I like how Stansfield takes on both physical and emotional abuse and the terrible effects both of those have.

There’s a big plot twist in this one as well, but the reason behind it is much more purposeful and believable.

Possible objectionable material:

Physical and emotional abuse, unwed pregnancy, suicide, eating disorder, perilous situations.

The Lady of Astoria Abbey

Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc. (October 1, 2018)

Paperback: 264 pages

ISBN-10: 1524407046

ISBN-13: 978-1524407049

 

Publisher’s Blurb:

Bess leads a quiet life, intent on easing the burdens of her widowed father. She acts as maid, cook, and assistant in his medical practice—but she is wearied by the thankless work and her father's lack of kindness. And then a miracle happens. Lady Agatha Buxton of Astoria Abbey is seeking a physician for her ailing son, Hugh, and, sensing that Bess is trapped in her situation, offers the young woman a position as nurse. Despite Bess's father's objections, she accepts—and her life is forever changed.

 

Bess and Hugh enjoy an immediate bond of friendship, which quickly blossoms into love. Despite his dire prognosis, the couple makes the bittersweet decision to wed, embracing what little time they have. Their tender union ushers in a season of both joy and heartbreak, and Bess discovers greater meaning in life than she'd ever imagined. As she's confronted with the sorrow of living without Hugh, Bess finds herself at a crossroads—will she have the courage to trust her heart and allow herself to love again?

 

My thoughts:

 

I like the underlying premise here. Again, Bess is too good to be true and her father is completely selfish, to the point of completely removing himself from her life, even though they live in the same town. I guess I like my villains to be a little more well-rounded.

 

I like Hugh’s realistic acceptance that his life is limited, and the progression of their relationship. A drawback is a page-long monologue when he is near to death and barely able to breathe.

 

There are some minor plot twists here, and they exist simply because people haven’t really communicated with each other.

 

Spoilers here:

 

 

 

 

 

Spoilers! Beware!

 

 

When Graham is talking about when he fell in love with Bess, he says it was when she was hugely pregnant. But he left Astoria Abbey before her pregnancy was announced and doesn’t appear to have returned until after the baby is born.

 

Possible objectionable material:

Terminal illness, emotionally neglectful parent.

The House of Stone and Ivy

Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc. (January 1, 2019)

Paperback: 280 pages

ISBN-10: 1524408565

ISBN-13: 978-1524408565

 

Publisher’s Blurb:

Orphaned as children, Hennie and Lottie share an unbreakable friendship. Together, they suffered the horrors of orphanages and the workhouse, and now grown, they continue to rely on each other. When Lottie approaches Hennie about a possible position at a manor house, Hennie is eager to work alongside her dear friend. However, to secure their positions as stable hands, they will have to undergo a bold act of deception: the women must disguise themselves as men.

 Upon arriving at the manor, Hennie is stunned. Her new position is at Ivy Manor—the beautiful estate where her mother was employed long ago and where Hennie was raised until her mother's death. Hennie has wonderful memories of her friendship with the son of the house, Jack, and is shocked and dismayed to learn he has vanished. Living in disguise at the manor allows her to gradually uncover the truth of Jack's disappearance and eventually find him. Both Hennie and Jack are thrilled to be reunited, and their friendship is renewed. Soon, their relationship blossoms . . . and threatens their determination to remain concealed. With so much at stake, will they be prepared to risk everything for love?

 My Thoughts:

The women pretending to be men premise is justified here. It’s not just for fun; it’s a matter of survival. Jack’s reason to disappear is a little more far-fetched and once again, the antagonist is cartoonishly bad.

I enjoyed the way Jack accidentally revealed his true identity to Hennie, and his reunion with his brother. The resolution of the problem was a little less believable, but definitely effective. I enjoyed side characters like Lottie and Zeke in this one; generally Stansfield’s side characters are a bit less well-developed.

There is a little bit of a time kerfluffle here, as Lottie becomes pregnant before Hennie, but Hennie’s baby is born first.

Possible Objectionable Material:

Lottie turned to prostitution to survive before she returns to Hennie’s life. Deception. Hardship. Men make passes at Hennie as she works in a tavern.

 

Thank you to Covenant Communications and NetGalley for providing advanced reader copies in exchange for my honest opinion.