Book Recommendation - Beyond Ivy Walls

 

Rachel Fordham is a newer author on the historical romance scene, but her books are full of great characters, sweet romance and small town charm. Her upcoming release Beyond Ivy Walls adds a Beauty and the Beast vibe, along with some fun settings, such as a feather duster factory and a roller skating rink! It also includes some differing family dynamics amongst each of the characters. Here's a bit about the book: 

Iowa, 1903

All of Monticello believes Otis Taylor has been away fostering his musical genius. But the truth is that his father exiled him long ago, rejecting Otis’s appearance and the scars that came with it. Now that he is the last living Taylor, Otis has covertly returned to settle his family’s affairs and rid himself of his past for good. However, he soon discovers that he may not have been the only discarded Taylor and begins a tireless search for his missing niece.

At twenty-three years old, Sadie West left her family farm and found employment at the Hoag feather duster factory. It isn’t a romantic job, but she’s hardly had a glimmer of romance since her beau went off to college, leaving her with no promise of a future together. Desperate to save money and help her family make ends meet, she trespasses and finds shelter in an abandoned building–and is thrown in the path of the town’s mysterious bachelor.

Otis’s wounds are deep, but as Sadie’s friendship with him grows, she begins to fall for the man beneath the mask. The mystery of his long-lost niece, however, is more complex than either could have imagined, and Sadie may be the key to Otis Taylor finally finding his way home.

Some tidbits of trivia I learned through the author's Facebook group:

- Both of the author's editors said a certain scene was a “hand flex scene” (Pride and Prejudice reference)

- The author wrote this book prior to "The Letter Tree", which was last year's release.

- The Hoag feather duster factory is based on a real factory.

- It was originally set in the 1880s but is now set at the start of the 1900s

- The main male characters name is Otis. She wrote this book before I’d ever met her adopted son named Otis.

This book releases August 13, 2024 wherever books are sold. For additional information, check out the following links:

Rachel Fordham's website: https://rachelfordham.com/

Rachel Fordham's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RachelFordhamFans

My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6343606796

Book recommendation - Meeting Her Match

When looking for a historical romance that I know will be fraught with humor, include wonderful characters, have a hint of mystery and an altogether fabulous story line, I know I need look no further than Jen Turano. Meeting Her Match is the 3rd and final installment in the Matchmakers series. While the story can definitely stand alone, Camilla has shown up in the other 2 books and there are some story elements that have built on the other stories in this series. They're well fleshed out in this one though, so you will not be lost without having read the others. Unlike the other 2 books, this book steps away from New York relatively early in the story and comes to the Ohio Valley. I really enjoyed the change in scenery and the hilarity that ensues when you bring a member of the New York 400 to West Virginia. Here's a bit about the story:

Miss Camilla Pierpont, a renowned matchmaker and influential member of the New York Four Hundred, has vowed never to marry after suffering a devastating heartbreak during her debut years ago. However, when she is nearly abducted along the Hudson River, she finds herself rescued by an annoyingly outspoken, albeit fascinating, gentleman who challenges her in a manner she wasn't expecting.After learning that Camilla Pierpont has enjoyed success with taking wayward young ladies in hand, Mr. Owen Chesterfield travels to the Hudson River Valley determined to convince Camilla to sponsor his sister, who is in desperate need of social rehabilitation.Knowing her life is in danger, Camilla agrees to Owen's proposition and travels with him to West Virginia, finding herself charmed by the less-than-formal attitude of his small hometown, as well as by Owen himself. But danger waits in the shadows, disrupting what she knows would be the most spectacular match she's ever made--her own.

Here's a bit about the author:

Jen Turano–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 www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor or on Twitter @JenTurano.

This book releases July 16,2024, wherever books are sold. For additional information, check out the following links:

Jen Turano's website: https://jenturano.com/

Jen Turano's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor

My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6343605430

Book Recommendation - Queen of Hearts

Heather Day Gilbert is a name I've followed off and on for a number of years. Her Murder in the Mountains was one of my favorites! Her recent books have been more "general market" than "Christian fiction" though, so she's fallen off of my radar a bit. However, when I heard about this one, I definitely wanted to snatch it up! With a main character who is an author with autism and it being a psychological thriller, I was immediately enticed and requested an advance copy, which I was thrilled to receive! It had all the plot twists and turns of a thriller, without keeping me up all night. Here's a bit about the book:

Her readers love her...
but one has gotten a little too attached.

Alexandra Dubois, a NYT bestselling author, has made a name for herself by crafting twisted serial killers in her romantic suspense series. When threatening notes from an "invested reader" escalate into violence, Alex has to admit she's not safe in her own home. Although her autism makes any changes to her routine difficult, she reluctantly accepts her editor's advice to fly to his sprawling vacation home in West Virginia so she can focus on her looming deadline.

Fighting paranoia that the stalker has discovered her mountain hideaway, Alex still forces herself to write several chapters in her novel. But when a thunderstorm leaves her stranded and she hears a knock at her door, she's about to discover that life truly is stranger than fiction.

Fans of Alfred Hitchcock, Mary Higgins Clark, and Misery are sure to be hooked by this clean, fast-paced domestic thriller by RWA Daphne Award-winning author Heather Day Gilbert.

This book is set to release July 23, 2024 wherever books are sold. Be sure to check it out! For additional information, check out the following links:

Heather Day Gilbert's website: https://heatherdaygilbert.com/

Heather Day Gilbert's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/heatherdaygilbert

My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6563054285