Book Reviews

Prism Tour: Clean Romance for Christmas Grand Finale

On tour with Prism Book Tours
 
We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops, you can see snippets and the link to each full post, as well as the giveaway below . . .
 
December 7thLaunch
December 8th: Nancy Campbell Allen – The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart

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Snippet from the Guest Post (find the full post here):
Et voila! A new Victorian series was born, featuring three cousins who live in London and are determined to become modern Women of Independent Means. My books almost always feature a healthy dose of mystery along with the romance, and I believe people who have enjoyed my work in the past will not be disappointed here!
 
December 9th: Rachael Anderson – Five Kisses

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Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):
The dark-haired man pushed away from the bookcase and pointed to the shelf above her head. “I’m guessing you used the stack of bibles as a stool to reach this shelf here.” He patted the place where Frankenstein once stood. “Is there a book I can get for you so you can climb down from your perch? People are beginning to stare, and I doubt the proprietress would appreciate seeing any book, especially a bible, being used as a stool.”
December 10th: Sarah M. Eden – The Merchant and the Rogue

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Snippet from the Guest Post (find the full post here):
I set this story, a mystery filled with creepy scenery and disconcerting characters, in the real-life Museum of Natural History in Dublin, Ireland. This museum was opened in 1856 in a stately Dublin building, and very little about it has changed since. It is often described as “a museum of a museum.” Walking through this piece of Dublin history is like stepping back in time. And it is one of the most wonderfully creepy places I have ever had the joy of visiting.
 
December 11th: Arlem Hawks – Georgana’s Secret

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Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):
She wiped the moisture from her eyes and watched the bright moon above them. He ignored the moon and the way it tripped across the waves. Tonight he forgot the ocean. He watched her.

His heart pounded between his ribs, and he nearly let it push him forward to kiss that contented smile. How would it feel to have Georgana Woodall’s soft lips caressing his own? To be wanted by someone like her would be a wondrous thing.

 
December 12th: Jess Heileman – The Nabob’s Daughter

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Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):
My palms were clammy within my gloves, and I mindlessly rubbed them against my middle. Did I truly have the tenacity to enact such a preposterous scheme? It wasn’t too late to simply comply with Papa’s demands and marry Lord Denhurst’s son. I wavered between two seemingly detestable options. Then an image of India filled my mind’s eye. If I abandoned my plan now, I would likely never see my home again. Once Papa was in England, he would see me married, just as he said he would. That would not do. No, I needed to convince Lord Denhurst to revoke his offer, thus adhering to Papa’s admonition that I would not make him break his word, and to be on my way home before Papa arrived.
 
December 13th: Krista Jensen – Miracle Creek Christmas

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Snippet from the Guest Post (find the full post here):
Miracle Creek Christmas was originally titled, “Hold on Forever” after the song by Rob Thomas, who I adore. The song so perfectly expresses the way Riley and Mark come to feel about each other–“Lay down all your troubles end to end, they could reach up to the stars. So many roads, you don’t know where you’ve been, but you still know who you are . . . Just fall apart if you need to. I’m here and I won’t leave you now. Don’t look down. Hold on forever…” Such a great song for these two.
 
December 14th: Jen Geigle Johnson – A Christmas Kiss

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Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):
Evaline carefully wrapped a black band around her arm. “Remy, could you help me tie it tight enough that it will stay?”
“Certainly, my lady.” Her loyal lady’s maid cinched it and applied a pin at the back for good measure.
“Excellent. Mother deserves longer than the small three hundred and sixty five days of mourning no matter what Father or Aunt say.”
 
December 15th: Josi S. Kilpack – Love and Lavender

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Snippet from the Guest Post (find the full post here):
Josi’s Top 10 Christmas list, in very particular order:
10. The Christmas Season
9. Singing Christmas songs at church
8. Wrapping presents
7. October 15th, when I buy all the presents online . . .
 
December 16th: Carla Laureano – Discovered by Love series

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Snippet from the Guest Post (find the full post here):
Romance novellas are short and sweet, and they focus exclusively on the falling-in-love butterflies between the main couple, without much distraction from outside plot or secondary characters. Setting adds a necessary texture and interest to an otherwise straightforward story, and it can either act as a main feature in the couple’s burgeoning romance or as a source of conflict that threaten their happiness. So with that kind of importance in the story, why not make it a great one? 
 
December 17th: Sarah L. McConkie – Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough

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Snippet from the Guest Post (find the full post here):
This book is a retelling of A Christmas Carol. Most of the character’s names are some kind of spin-off of the original, or found somewhere in the book. It was fun figuring out a way to make past, present, and future work through letters and not ghosts!
 
December 18th: Carol Ross – His Hometown Yuletide Vow

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Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):
“I didn’t even know you were participating in the auction until I saw the program tonight. Before I could find you myself, a friend introduced me to Todd, and Todd asked if I’d be willing to meet you…” Derrick’s mouth pulled up on one side like he was trying not to smile. He was all boyish innocence and every bit as appealing as Anne remembered as he added, “He, uh, he actually asked me if I’d flirt with you a little.”

Anne choked out a surprised laugh. “Thank you for sparing us both that awkwardness.”

Grinning, he assured her, “It wouldn’t be awkward for me.”

 
December 19th: Nichole Van – Brotherhood of the Black Tartan series

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Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):
“Dinnae mock a fine kilt, Peter. The kilt swish is no’ tae be underestimated.”
“The kilt swish?” Lady Jane’s tone dripped with scorn.
“It’s a well-known fact that the lasses appreciate watching a man’s passion pleats swish as he walks.”
“Particularly from the backside,” Kieran helpfully clarified.
 
December 20th: Anneka R. Walker – Brides and Brothers

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Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):
It didn’t bode well if thoughts of dating again had distracted him to the point of nearly burning down his house. While he loved living in a bachelor pad with his brothers, a guy could only live off frozen food for so many years before he cracked. If getting married could change this, dating might be worth it. With a sigh of disgust, he rinsed the charred hot pad under water. He let it drip dry before he opened the drawer next to the oven and threw it in. 
 
December 21st: Camron Wright – Christmas by Accident

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Snippet from the Guest Post (find the full post here):
In the story I pay subtle homage to many Christmas classics, perhaps borrowing a line of dialogue from one or including an obscure quotation from another. While some references are obvious, others are subtle. A fun game as you read is to see how many you can find.
 
December 22nd: Julie Wright – A Captain for Caroline Gray

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Snippet from the Guest Post (find the full post here):
Women really did cross oceans to finds husbands. They were called the Fishing Fleet women. The Fishing Fleet began at the end of the seventeenth century when the East India Company began shipping women from England to India to marry their officers. The title of “Fishing Fleet women” is used as an insult as it was used to refer to women who had to go out “fishing” for husbands.

Tour Giveaway


One winner will receive a $75 (USD) Amazon E-Gift Card

Open internationally
Ends December 29, 2021

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Prism Tour: Clean Romance for Christmas – A Captain for Caroline Gray by Julie Wright

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

A Captain for Caroline Gray
By Julie Wright
Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 291 Pages
March 2, 2021 by Shadow Mountain

Caroline Gray would rather be daring and intelligent than demure and insipid, which is why she is still unmatched after her third season in London. Her family’s threadbare finances leave Caroline with only one choice to secure her future: sail with the Fishing Fleet to India, where the son of a family friend is willing to consider an engagement to her.

Captain Thomas Scott loves the open sea as much as he despises the three-month, twice-yearly trip his ship makes as he ferries young English girls across the ocean. He can’t imagine what family would allow an innocent young woman to be matched up with the Englishmen of questionable reputation who work and live in India.

But when Miss Gray boards the HMS Persistence, all of Captain Scott’s plans are upended. Miss Gray’s fiery spirit can’t be contained, and he is shocked and secretly delighted at her boldness—and her beauty. But the rest of his passengers aren’t so kind.

Caroline finds herself an outcast among her peers, but Captain Scott becomes an unlikely ally. They share the same passions and interests, creating an undeniable attraction. But they both know any relationship between them is impossible. After all, Caroline has obligations to fulfill in India.

Caroline has until the end of the voyage to decide if she is going to marry a man she has never met or be brave enough to love a sea captain who just might break her heart.

(Affiliate links included.)

Guest Post
7 Random Facts on Research, Characters, Plot and Author: A Captain for Caroline Gray

1. Women really did cross oceans to finds husbands. They were called the Fishing Fleet women. The Fishing Fleet began at the end of the seventeenth century when the East India Company began shipping women from England to India to marry their officers. The title of “Fishing Fleet women” is used as an insult as it was used to refer to women who had to go out “fishing” for husbands. By the time of this fictional setting of 1820, the East India Company had removed itself from the business of finding husbands for their officers, but women still made the journey when their prospects at home were slim. There is a lot to admire about a woman with the courage to leave home and country to find her future in a distant land.

2. Working on this book required a lot of nautical know-how. My naval-captain-father, Walter Peterson (who plays the character of Lieutenant Peterson), was only too happy to impart his knowledge on a grateful daughter. Anything that might be wrong in regards to the ship is not the fault of the captain, but of the author.

3. There is a hidden Nathan and a hidden Alison in every book I write. Sometimes they get big characters to play and sometimes they only get a single mention. It’s always fun to hide the Nathan and Alison and to get feedback from readers when they find them.

4. A Captain for Caroline Gray is the first regency novel I’ve ever written, but I have been an avid fan of the genre for many years. I loved being able to move into the time and language in a setting that is not often used in the regency genre!

5. Living on a ship makes for tight quarters, but they sure do utilize every inch of space they are given! They even have a carpentry shop and a doctor’s cabin for when repairs of ship and crew were necessary.

6. Caroline’s ability with art allows her to get into spaces a lady would not normally be allowed which gave her opportunities to become friends with members of the crew and allows the reader little glimpses into those lives that are sometimes not thought about in the regency time.

7. Captain Scott might seem gruff and unrelenting when it comes to a person’s word by modern day standards, but this is at a time when one’s word was their honor and one could be challenged to a life-threatening duel over something as “trifling” as a man’s word. Not saying that deceptions didn’t occur, because of course they did. These are people we’re talking about here, but there is something admirable about a person who values the honor of their word.


About the Author

Julie Wright has written 25 novels, is a two-time Whitney Award winner for best romance, and is a Crown Heart recipient. The American Library Association listed “Glass Slippers, Ever After, and Me” in their 2020 top ten best romances and A Captain for Caroline Gray in their 2021 top ten best romances. She loves writing, reading, traveling, hiking, playing with her kids, and watching her husband make dinner.


Tour Schedule
(Posts go live on the day they’re scheduled.)

December 7th: Launch
December 8th: Nancy Campbell Allen – The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart
December 9th: Rachael Anderson – Five Kisses
December 10th: Sarah M. Eden – The Merchant and the Rogue
December 11th: Arlem Hawks – Georgana’s Secret
December 12th: Jess Heileman – The Nabob’s Daughter
December 13th: Krista Jensen – Miracle Creek Christmas
December 14th: Jen Geigle Johnson – A Christmas Kiss
December 15th: Josi S. Kilpack – Love and Lavender
December 16th: Carla Laureano – Discovered by Love series
December 17th: Sarah L. McConkie – Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough
December 18th: Carol Ross – His Hometown Yuletide Vow
December 19th: Nichole Van – Brotherhood of the Black Tartan series
December 20th: Anneka R. Walker – Brides and Brothers
December 21st: Camron Wright – Christmas by Accident
December 22nd: Julie Wright – A Captain for Caroline Gray
December 23rd: Grand Finale
 

Tour Giveaway


One winner will receive a $75 (USD) Amazon E-Gift Card

Open internationally
Ends December 29, 2021
Grab Our Button!

Much Ado About A Latte by Kathleen Fuller

About the Book

Title: Much Ado About A Latte
Series: Maple Falls Romance #2
Author: Kathleen Fuller
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: January 4, 2022

A coffee war is brewing in Maple Falls, where Anita and Tanner are serving up plenty of steam to keep the town buzzing.

Anita Bedford needs to face reality. It’s time to decaffeinate the dream that she and Tanner will ever be more than friends. Growing up in small-town Maple Falls, she’s had a crush on Tanner for years. But he’ll only ever see her as good, old, dependable Anita. Now she’s finally ready to make her own goals a reality. In fact, that deserted building next door to Sunshine Diner looks like a promising location to open her own cafe.

Tanner Castillo may know how to operate a diner, but he doesn’t know beans about love. After pouring his life savings into buying the Sunshine Diner, he needs to keep his mind on making a success of it and supporting his widowed mother, not on kissing Anita Bedford. First order of business: improve his customers’ coffee experience. Then he should probably find out who bought the building next door . . .

It’s a bitter cup to swallow when ambition turns longtime friends and coworkers Anita and Tanner into rivals. Now that they own competing businesses, how could they ever compete for each other’s hearts? Or will the two of them come to see what’s obvious to the whole, quirky town of Maple Falls: potential for a full-roast romance, with an extra splash of dream?

Welcome to Maple Falls, where everyone knows your name and has thoughts on your love life.

Purchase your copy here: Amazon


About the Author

With over a million copies sold, Kathleen Fuller is the author of several bestselling novels, including the Hearts of Middlefield novels, the Middlefield Family novels, the Amish of Birch Creek series, and the Amish Letters series as well as a middle-grade Amish series, the Mysteries of Middlefield.

Connect with her online: KathleenFuller.com | Facebook: @WriterKathleenFuller | Twitter: @TheKatJam | Instagram: @kf_booksandhooks


My Review

Much Ado About A Latte
Book 2 in the Maple Falls series
by Kathleen Fuller
Rating: 4/5

Returning to Maple Falls is always a treat and it was fun to see some characters from the first book in the series. You don’t need to read the first book but I’d definitely recommend it. Kathleen Fuller has created such a fun and quirky small town that just screams to be explored more and more. As the main characters interact with familiar characters, you can feel the love the townsfolk have for each other.

As for the main characters, Anita Bedford and Tanner Castillo, they were fun people to get to know and root for. Their chemistry was swoon-worthy and seemingly noticeable to everyone but themselves. Unrequited love is not an easy thing to experience but it was nice seeing the growth the characters go through. Anita’s learning disability was an obstacle that she had to work through on top of her insecurities with her parents. The reader can also tell why Anita likes Tanner so much.

The writing is well done. The characters are endearing. The writer briefly mentions some thoughts about faith but it’s fairly subtle. All in all, a solid story full of small town charm and unrequited love.

Highly recommend if you enjoy clean romance with fun characters living in a small town full of interesting people.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.


Also Available

Read my review of Hooked on You here.