#historicalfiction

Prism Blog Tour & Giveaway: Inventing Vivian by Jennifer Moore

Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

About the Book

Title: Inventing Vivian
Series: The Blue Orchid Society #2
Author: Jennifer Moore
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Covenant Communications, 224 pages
Release Date: June 7, 2021

Ladies of London’s High Society are known for their social graces and poise. Vivian Kirby boasts neither of these enviable qualities, though she does offer impressive conversation on chemical compositions. Unfortunately, it appears that not many men want a brilliant wife. So it is that Vivian finds kinship with a group of young women who embrace each other’s differences: The Blue Orchid Society.

After an extended stay in China, Lord Benedict has returned transformed to his family’s estate, where an encounter with Vivian, whose scientific knowledge he once undermined, leaves him determined to make amends. He arranges to help forward her research—anonymously, of course. Through letters, Vivian establishes a warm friendship with her secret benefactor, even as she’s unexpectedly drawn into a murder investigation that forces her to work alongside Benedict to unearth the truth. Soon, Vivian fears she may be falling in love with two men, never suspecting that they are one and the same.

Purchase links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Deseret Book | Seagull Book 


About the Author

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Jennifer Moore is a passionate reader and writer of all things romance due to the need to balance the rest of her world that includes a perpetually traveling husband and four active sons, who create heaps of laundry that are anything but romantic. She suffers from an acute addiction to 18th and 19th century military history and literature. Jennifer has a B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Utah and is a Guitar Hero champion. She lives in northern Utah with her family, but most of the time wishes she was on board a frigate during the Age of Sail.

Connect with Jennifer: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Bookbub | Goodreads


My Review

Inventing Vivian
By Jennifer Moore
Book 2 in the Blue Orchid Society series
Rating: 4/5

Having never read anything from this author before, I was excited to find her writing witty, romantic and suspenseful. As a teenager who fell in love with biology and dissections, I can relate to Vivian’s passion for science and learning. She is a marvelous character and great role model. I can’t imagine the opposition she had to withstand growing up during the Industrial Revolution. I loved how the author talked about wanting to write about the supportive relationship between women. As someone who is a third generation Chinese-American, I was also interested in how she portrayed Chinese immigrants during that time. I felt she was respectful and well researched. However, I believe she used the Mandarin spelling/pronunciation for “master” instead of the Cantonese one.

I loved how much someone can change by just changing their world view. Lord Benedict’s whole life and outlook changed after spending time in a poor village in China. He came back and saw the factory conditions and knew he had to change them. He had the intuition to hire Mr. Thomas even though he was less qualified. Lord Benedict found his family with Mr. Li and hoped that Miss Vivian would be the yin to his yang. Can I be a part of the Blue Orchid Society? Can’t wait to read what comes next!

Highly recommend if you enjoy sweet historical romance with an intelligent female lead, some suspense and a male lead with a heart of gold. 

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.


Other Books in the Series

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Solving Sophronia
(The Blue Orchid Society #1)
By Jennifer Moore
Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 224 Pages
May 1, 2020 by Covenant Communications


Lady Sophronia Bremerton is a far cry from the typical debutante, but she’s the toast of London’s upper class for one simple reason: she’s a society columnist for the London Illustrated News, and the gentry loves seeing their exploits printed in the gossip pages. But Sophie has bigger plans – she aspires to be an investigative reporter. When a stuffy ballroom at yet another Season proves to be nothing more than the usual rumor mill, Sophie seeks respite in the library alongside four other young women who, for their own reasons, are also looking for escape. As the conversation turns to their secret ambitions, the women form a sisterhood and a bold plan: they will make their dreams a reality, no matter the obstacles. Thus begins the Blue Orchid Society.

Hearing of a murder in a London rookery, Sophie seizes the opportunity to prove her skills. Detective Jonathan Graham doesn’t believe a civilian, a noblewoman at that, should be anywhere near a murder investigation, but Sophie insists on helping bring the killer to justice. Her investigative prowess doesn’t go unnoticed by the police, especially Jonathan, who can’t decide whether this intrepid reporter is a thorn in his side or the woman of his dreams. But as the case grows more complicated and dangerous, their very lives – and their hearts – may be at risk.

Purchase links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Deseret Book | Seagull Book


Tour Schedule


Tour Giveaway

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One winner will receive a print copy of Inventing Vivian by Jennifer Moore and a $25 Amazon gift card. (US addresses only). Ends July 21, 2021

Enter here.

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CelebrateLit Tour & Giveaway: The Songstress by Lori Bates Wright

the songstress

About the Book

Book:  The Songstress

Author: Lori Bates Wright

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: April 16, 2021

songstress

Rising opera star, Juliana Chamberlain, still has nightmares of the night she witnessed the assassination of the President of the United States from her spot on stage at Ford Theater. Recruited by The Pinkerton Detective Agency, Juliana was instrumental in bringing those responsible to justice.

Now, two years later, the Pinkertons ask her once again to join forces in exposing a corrupt political organization terrorizing her home in Texas.

Texas Ranger, Cade Matlock, has a job to do. He needs no help from a meddlesome diva with big ideas. However, he is a man of his word. He’s committed to partner with the lovely songstress to smoke out the mastermind of a dangerous clan who has proven he will stop at nothing to satisfy his thirst for vengeance.

Cade and Juliana soon discover their greatest strength is in working together until shadows of the past threaten to destroy their future.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

lori

Lori Bates Wright is an award winning author with a love for history.

Raised in New Mexico, Lori now lives in Texas with her husband of 38 years. She has two grown kids and four adorable grand boys (who leap tall buildings in a single bound!) When she’s not writing, she’s heading up small group ministries with her husband. She enjoys speaking and interacting with women of all ages.

Connect with Lori: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Bookbub | GoodReads


My Review

The Songstress
by Lori Bates Wright
Book 1 in A Matter of Time series
Rating: 4/5

When I read the description for this book, I knew I needed to read this story. As someone who thoroughly enjoys reading stories about the ladies who worked for the Pinkerton Agency, I was delighted to find this story and realize how entertaining and fast-paced this story would be. 

After witnessing the assassination of President Lincoln from the stage, Juliana Chamberlain was able to identify key people involved and began working for the Pinkerton Agency. As a renown opera singer, she traveled the world, but when she decides to retire as a singer, the agency has one more assignment for her involving her uncle and aunt in Texas. When Texas Ranger, Major Cade Matlock, finds himself as her partner, he doubts her abilities as an agent and is rudely surprised at Juliana’s skills. The two of them are out to discover what is happening in post-Civil War Texas behind the scenes and what happened on her uncle’s farm. Juliana must revisit her past to face her future. Cade must find a way to protect the ones he cares about.

I loved the two of them together. They are so cute and work really well together. Juliana is very smart and skillful as an actress which helps on her assignments. She is also well-trained for physical combat, which I appreciated. Cade is someone that Juliana can actually rely on to have her back and support her. Cade is someone who understands her and accepts her.

I also loved how power Juliana’s voice and song was portrayed in the story. Her voice and song captivated all those around her, and I just loved how her singing made everyone pause. As someone who sings and plays piano, I love the power of music and the emotions one can portray. The atmosphere can change in an instant when a song is sung or played.

The author did a great job of keeping me interested the whole time and I definitely read the book in a day. Highly recommend this exciting adventure story with romance and lots of action. I’m excited to read the next book in the series, especially since the author set it up at the end.

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.

I ended up reading the book on Kindle Unlimited too.


More from Lori

Growing up, my family loved to laugh.

Some of my favorite childhood memories are centered around my grandmother’s dining room table listening in while my parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles told amazing stories. Sometimes I laughed until I’d lose my breath. Sometimes I sat quietly, taking in the bravery and perseverance shown by those who’d gone before me.

History has been a passion ever since. Couple that with an insatiable love for story and there you have the heart of what inspires me to write.

So, when it came time to brain-storm for this brand new series, I decided to take a known historical event and think about it from every angle. Beyond the recognized players, to the “what if” characters that might have played a role. And, ultimately, how such an event would have changed the course of their lives.

Thus, a star was born.

In THE SONGSTRESS, Juliana Chamberlain witnessed the assassination from her place on the stage. Because I love a little mystery and intrigue, I decided that the leading detective agency of the day would have enlisted her help in identifying the accomplices. Allen Pinkerton had been known to hire a lady detective or two, so she would be trained by the best. Her investigative skills proved helpful in bringing a quick resolution to the case.

Fast forward four years and she’s still haunted by what she saw that night. When Pinkerton again approaches her about a case involving her family in Texas, she accepts.

Being from Texas, I was so happy she did. I’ve wanted to write a story based in the Lone Star State for quite awhile. I loved visiting Georgia and the shores of England in my last series, but I have to say it was good to bring this one home. With all the rugged charm of the post-Civil War era, this book has a little more local flavor than my last three. Al-in-all, I believe my readers are in for a treat. A new cast of fun, quirky characters as we revisit a significant time in our nation.

So, here’s to new beginnings! Or as we say in Texas, “Hang on, y’all are in for a wild ride!”

Happy reading!
Lori


Blog Stops

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, June 11
Reflections From My Bookshelves, June 11
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 12
Connect in Fiction, June 12
Inklings and notions, June 13
Rebecca Tews, June 13
Texas Book-aholic, June 14
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 14
lakesidelivingsite, June 15
To Everything There Is A Season, June 15
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 15
For Him and My Family, June 16
Labor Not in Vain, June 16
deb’s Book Review, June 17
Genesis 5020, June 17
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 18
HookMeInABook, June 18
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 19
Inside the Wong Mind, June 19
The Christian Fiction Girl, June 20
Connie’s History Classroom, June 20
A Baker’s Perspective, June 21
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 21
Blossoms and Blessings, June 22
Lis Loves Reading, June 22
Pause for Tales, June 23
A Good Book and Cup of Tea, June 23
Mary Hake, June 23
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 24
KarenSueHadley, June 24


Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lori is giving away the grand prize package of a Texas Gift basket including a signed copy of THE SONGSTRESS and a $25 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10d53/the-songstress-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Review: Manor for Sale, Baron Included by Esther Hatch

Manor for Sale, Baron Included
by Esther Hatch
Book 1 in A Romance of Rank series
Rating: 4/5
Release date: February 25, 2021

Wow. This book was such a great rom-com that also managed to have so much heart and made me cry. I was excited to receive an advanced copy and it did not disappoint.

When Lord Farnsworth must sell the only place that ever meant anything to him and his beloved mother, he finds himself trying to figure out a way to get it back from the fascinating Sally Duncan, former owner of Vermillion Textiles. Not only is she beautiful, but Sally is smart and different from any lady that Lord Farnsworth has ever met before. Convinced that he must marry Sally in order to get the manor back and keep his tenants, Lord Farnsworth sets out to make Sally fall in love with him. As shenanigans ensue, Sally is only annoyed by the former owner and determined never to marry a baron only interested in her money. When she starts renovations on the manor she bought for her younger sister, Victoria, Lord Farnsworth must find a way to distract her before she ruins his mother’s manor. Befriending and teaching Victoria boxing becomes his way into Sally’s presence. When Lord Farnsworth starts having real feelings for Sally, he must choose what he is willing to do for love?

The romance was so hilarious. The main characters had their pasts and insecurities. They had that instant chemistry and banter. The story flowed very well and didn’t feel clunky. The supporting characters also brought more depth and understanding to the main characters and the plot. I really loved the lightheartedness of the story but it also had a few moments that made me cry. (I know. I cry a lot.) Definitely worth reading!

Highly recommend if you enjoy clean rom-coms with swoon-worthy heros and sassy heroines with heart!

My thanks to the author 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.