Top Ten Tuesday ~ Once Upon a Time ~ 2/25/2025

hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

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This week's topic is:

Books Set in Another Time 

(These can be historical, futuristic, alternate universes, or even in a world where you’re not sure when it takes place you just know it’s not right now.)

I'm not really into futuristic or alternate universe books but I have read A LOT of historical fiction in my day.  I'll share 10 of my most recent reads below.  You can click on the book cover or the book title to go to my review.

Enjoy :)

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1.  "A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure" by Angela Bell

2.  "The Librarian of Boone's Hollow" by Kim Vogel Sawyer

3.  "The House at the End of the Moor" by Michelle Griep

4.  "The Book of Lost Names" by Kristin Harmel

5.  "Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl" 

6.  "Mischief, Mayhem, and Marriage" by Rebecca Connolly

7.  "What the Wind Knows" by Amy Harmon

8.  "Her Unsuitable Match" by Sally Britton

9.  "The Promise of Deception" by Jessica Sly

10.  "The Gentleman's Confession" by Anneka R. Walker

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Please leave a comment with the link to your Top Ten Tuesday post so I can return the visit :)

Book Review ~ To Con a Gentleman by Sarah Adams

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Title:  To Con a Gentleman by Sarah Adams

Series:  Dalton Family Book #1

Pages:  284

Date Published:  November 1, 2019

Publisher:  Amazon Digital Services

 Blurb:

He was her target. She was his diversion. Falling in love was never something they wanted.

As a con woman who has spent her entire life fending for herself on the streets of London, Rose Wakefield knows how to scam a gentleman out of his money without ever getting caught. That’s until she knocks on the wrong earl’s door and is faced with Carver Ashburn Earl of Kensworth and not the notorious rake she thinks she is approaching.

Carver is a good man, but even a good man will not pass up an opportunity to escape his grief. What better way to avoid his feelings than to play into a con woman’s ruse and offer to marry her?

Things only grow more complicated when Carver sweeps Rose off to his family estate and circumstances force them both into continuing the ruse. Carver needs to protect his family, and Rose needs to protect herself—and her heart.

With so much set against them, will Rose and Carver have a chance at love and freedom? Or is the possibility of more heartache not worth the risk?

My Thoughts:

With this book, I've completed my Goodreads 2020 Challenge!  I set my goal at a realistic 26 books and am happy that I have met and will surpass that goal.

Now, onto what I thought of "To Con A Gentleman" my very first read by this author, Sarah Adams!

Within the first few chapters, I was actually laughing (quite literally) out loud!  I don't want to give too much away but there is a scene that involves a coach seat that was hilarious!

As always, I love Regency novels, especially romances. I knew as soon as I read the blurb for this book that it was one that I would enjoy.  The premise was unique.  The writing was inviting and captivating.

Carver had just the right amount of angst.  Rose had just the right amount of backbone.  They were perfect for each other.  Once, they moved past the the past and looked to the future.

I wondered how the author would tie in everything in the end and I was especially pleased.  The ending was wonderful :)

I downloaded this book from Kindle Unlimited and am very excited to say that I've already downloaded the next book in the series, "To Catch A Suitor".  I have some Christmassy books to read first for the HoHoHo Read-a-Thon that starts Thursday.  So many books, so little time!

Onto the next book!

Colletta

Book Review ~ Fall From Grace by Jennie Goutet

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Title:  Fall From Grace by Jennie Goutet

Series:  Clavering Chronicles Book #1

Pages:  236

Date Published:  April 13, 2020

Publisher:  

 Blurb:

She needs a champion. He needs one less person to worry about.

Selena Lockhart comes with neither fortune nor connections, and she knows better than to expect Society to give her a welcome—especially after her father gambled away his fortune, precipitating the family’s sudden fall from grace and Selena’s betrothed to break off the engagement. It therefore comes as no surprise that her new neighbor, Sir Lucius, treats her with disdain. Why should he look beyond appearances when her own promises so little?

Sir Lucius Clavering is not married, but he may as well be, considering he is expected to escort his widowed mother to watering holes, round out the numbers at his married sister’s dinners, and come to the aid of his scapegrace younger siblings. It doesn’t help that single women and matchmaking mamas jostle each other for his face, fortune, and title so that he’s left without a moment’s peace.

When Selena shows up at Lucius’s doorstep looking for help, he is sure it’s another ploy aimed at cutting up his prized bachelor existence. Although his prejudice does not last long, Lucius fears his first reaction might have ruined his chances with her. How can he save her from Society’s teeth when she continues to hold him at arm’s length?

My Thoughts:

I am so excited to write this book review!  This is the first book I've read for the #20booksofsummer20!   Whoohoo!  This is my absolute favorite reading challenge :)

This is also the first book I've read by Jennie Goutet.  It will NOT be my last!  I absolutely adored this, the first book in the Clavering Chronicles!

I grew up reading Regency romance and this took me right back to those summer of being a teenager and reading about the ton and all that Regency entails without once going to London for a season!  :)

Lucius, of course, was the perfectly imperfect hero.  There were times when I would have liked to slap him up-side the head!  Then he redeemed himself, of course.

Selena held her own even after "falling from grace", when in all actuality it was beyond her control.  I was pleased with how much pride see showed in herself.  She didn't let those "above" her station take advantage of her even if it did verge on reverse prejudice.

I loved the secondary characters, even Lady Harrowden!

I can't wait to read more about the Claverings.

I downloaded this book through Kindle Unlimited.

On to the next book!

Colletta

Book Review ~ The Road Through Rushbury by Martha Keyes

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Title:  The Road Through Rushbury by Martha Keyes

Series: Seasons of Change Book #1

Pages:  245

Date Published:  April 28, 2020

Publisher:  ???

 Blurb:

All she needs is a little bit of change. She'll have to fight him for it.

Georgiana Paige is on the shelf after eight full Seasons in London and not a single offer of marriage. When the opportunity to act as companion to her spinster aunt presents itself, she jumps at the chance to escape the Marriage Mart and embark on a new adventure. Upon her eventful arrival in the tiny Yorkshire village, though, she finds herself confronted with a man who both piques her interest and provokes her pride.

A lowly country vicar, Samuel Derrick would do anything to keep his coarse but idyllic parish the way it is. When change arrives there in the form of multiple new tenants straight from London, he vows to fight against their meddling. He is unprepared, though, for Georgiana Paige and the way she forces herself into the inner workings of the parish. His past experience tells him to keep the woman at arm's length, but his heart—and her determination to stay involved—won't allow for it.

As the village fights against the industrialization and poverty sweeping the North, Samuel and Georgiana find themselves working to pull the village together, even as those around them seemed determined to pull it apart. But how can two people who have lived such disparate lives bring anything together when they are fighting against their own desires for change and love?

My Thoughts:

Martha Keyes is another new-to-me author.  I am absolutely loving being able to read all these new authors and stories!

"The Road Through Rushbury" seemed an odd title to me before I started reading the novel.  Now, I think it the perfect name for the book.  The "road" is almost a character unto itself!

I felt that Georgiana was far too good natured.  She let so much roll right off her back.  I guess that is something for me to aspire to.  I take things a bit personally.

Samuel got on my nerves at times with his reverse snobbery!  He was so harsh toward Georgiana; until he wasn't; and then he was again when the conflict arose.  I guess I expected more from him as a vicar but he had been hurt in the past by someone of Georgiana's "class".

I loved how the author evolved both characters throughout the progression of the book.  I fell a bit in love with Rushbury and its citizens myself.  I could certainly understand Georgiana's desire to stay there rather than be in the London "crush".

I enjoyed how the story comes full circle back to the "The Road Through Rushbury" with Georgiana wielding her pistol once again :)

This is a sweet, clean regency romance that I highly recommend.  I look forward to reading the rest of the "Seasons of Change" series :)

I downloaded this book through Kindle Unlimited.

On to the next book!

Colletta

Book Review ~ Love in the Bargain by Kasey Stockton

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Title:  Love in the Bargain by Kasey Stockton

Series: Women of Worth Book #1

Pages:  240

Date Published:  April 26, 2019

Publisher:  Kindle Unlimited?

 Blurb:

A vow to remain unwed ​and a bargain designed to find her a husband.
What could possibly go wrong?

Elsie and her two best friends made a childhood vow to never marry.

But when Elsie begins her first season in London, her mother presents her with an irresistible bargain: if she says yes to each and every man’s invitations and still remains unattached by the end of the season, she will receive her inheritance and become a free woman.

She is thrown into the spotlight by increasing attention in the newspaper gossip articles, and keeping her end of the bargain seems impossible—especially when her best friend’s tyrant of a brother, Lord Cameron, begins to make advances that Elsie literally cannot refuse.

The gossip grows increasingly malicious, leaving destroyed reputations and broken homes in its wake, and Elsie can’t seem to escape its focus. But it’s her own blossoming feelings for Lord Cameron that pose the greater threat. If she can’t keep him out of her heart, she’s sure to compromise the bargain, break her vow, and lose her one shot at freedom for good.

My Thoughts:

"Love in the Bargain" is the first book in the "Women of Worth" Series by Kasey Stockton.

I'm truly not sure how I felt about this book.

The first half of the book was setting up the characters for the series but it felt like forever before the story really started rolling.  There really wasn't much of even a hint of romance until over halfway through the book.

One of my issues is the book was written in first person from the POV of Elsie.  Personally, I prefer third person stories where I get to know what is going on in multiple character's heads.  For so much of the book, I felt like I was in the dark because I truly didn't have a clue what was going on except for Elsie's POV.

I did truly enjoy the premise and the characters.  Once the story got going (about 50% through) I couldn't put it down because I had to know what in the world was going on!  lol  At some points, I was so confused!

The last chapter or two were the best, where everything was coming together I finally got to know what was going on with Rosalynn and Freya.

I will definitely give the second book in the series a go :)

I read this book through Kindle Unlimited.

On to the next book!

Colletta

Book Review ~ A Heart in the Balance by L.G. Rollins

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Title:  A Heart in the Balance by L.G. Rollins

Series: Lockhart Regency Book #3

Pages:  266

Date Published:  April 10, 2020

Publisher:  ???

 Blurb:

Protect her reputation? Or save a man’s life? How does a lady ever choose?

Lady Cassandra Lockhart is determined to stop anyone that might taint the night her brother announces his engagement—not gossipy ladies nor backhanded Peers. When she sees a gentleman slip from the ballroom, Cassandra assumes the worst; he is off to rendezvous with a young lady. Such would surely spell disaster for the night. Certain she alone can protect her family’s good name, Cassandra hurries to stop him.

Lord Nigel Southcott is nervous about meeting his informant. They’ve never met at a ball before. Why now? Still, at the predestined hour, he slips from the ballroom and into the trees and shadows that line the Lockhart estate. Only too late, he realizes it’s a trap set by the infamous Le Renard. Equally as surprising is the beautiful stranger who comes to his aid.

To protect Nigel, Cassandra agrees to keep him hidden from those that wish him harm, knowing full well that doing so puts herself in danger of gossipmongers and French spies alike. Her reputation is on the line, but so is Lord Nigel’s life. What else can she possibly do? Even among the secrets and stratagem, a connection between Nigel and Cassandra forms. But Le Renard is not willing to give up his prey so easily. Will Nigel and Cassandra’s wit and blossoming love be enough to save them? Or will the growing subterfuge swallow them both?

My Thoughts:

This is the third book in the "Lockhart Regency" series by one of my newest favorite authors, L.G. Rollins.  I'm now completely caught up with the series :)

This book was fantastic!  I loved the whole spy, in hiding, aspect of the story.  I also love that the author writes such clean, wholesome books.

I "met" Cassandra in book one of the series and she also appeared in book 2 of the series.  (I definitely recommend reading them in order as the characters of the Lockhart family are very intertwined.)

At first, I thought Cassandra was a bit of a nitwit and was only concerned about appearances.  The author does a wonderful job evolving Cassandra's character into an intelligent, witty, brave woman.

Nigel was a bit abrupt and grouchy to an extent but that was part of his appeal.

I have loved this entire series so far and can't wait to read more stories by this author.  I believe Quentin is up next :)  I'll have to put it on my wishlist :)

On to the next book!

Colletta

Book Review ~ Lily for My Enemy by L.G. Rollins

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Title:  Lily for My Enemy by L.G. Rollins

Series: Lockhart Regency Book #2

Pages:  273

Date Published:  February 21, 2020

Publisher:  ??

 Blurb:

He's from Lords. She sides with Commons.
Watch out London, sparks will fly.

Felix Lockhart is tired of balls, tired of musicales, and most especially tired of society only seeing him as the heir apparent to a powerful seat in Lords. Then, one evening he meets the witty Jocelyn Hunt—perhaps the only young lady in London who isn’t impressed with him.

Jocelyn Hunt will never hold a seat in the House of Commons herself, but she is no less an ardent supporter. When she meets the brooding Felix Lockhart, she is determined he understand that the House of Lords simply cannot continue to ignore the changing times.

Though they quarrel at first, both Felix and Jocelyn find themselves irresistibly drawn toward the other. But when their roles as heir apparent and daughter of a prominent man in Commons push them apart, can their undeniable connection be enough to bridge two groups determined to hate one another?

My Thoughts:

This is the second book I've read my L.G. Rollins and I enjoyed this one just as much as the first book of the Lockhart Regency Series "Wager for a Lady's Hand".

We're introduced to Felix in Book #1 of the series, so I highly recommend reading it first to get the complete back story.  It really adds a lot to the feel for Felix's character and how much he changes over time and through love.

Jocelyn's character is nicely written.  Her character is "new" to the series so it was important to make her as memorable as Felix and the other characters that I'd already become familiar with.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the interactions between Felix and Jocelyn.  They didn't like each other in the beginning...or did they?  Let's say they were intrigued by each other even though they were from opposite ends of the political spectrum of the time.  As time goes by and they spent more time in each other's company, they each grow in different aspects of their character.

This was a quick, clean, sweet regency read.  The kind I adore!

I read this book through Kindle Unlimited and look forward to reading Cassandra's story in the next book of the series, "A Heart in the Balance."

On to the next book!

Colletta

Book Review ~ A Dangerous Legacy by Elizabeth Camden

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Title:  A Dangerous Legacy by Elizabeth Camden

Series:  Empire State #1

Pages:  334

Date Published:  October 3, 2017

Publisher:  Bethany House

 Blurb:

Telegraph operator Lucy Drake is a master of Morse code and has made herself a valuable asset to the Associated Press news agency. But the sudden arrival of Sir Colin Beckwith at rival British news agency Reuters puts her hard-earned livelihood at risk. Colin is talented, handsome, insufferably charming—and keeping a secret that jeopardizes his reputation.

Despite their rivalry, Lucy can't deny that Colin has the connections she needs to give her family an edge in the long legal battle they've been waging over their rightful inheritance. But when she negotiates an unlikely alliance with him, the web of treachery they dive into proves to be far more dangerous than they ever could have known.    

My Thoughts:

I absolutely adore Elizabeth Camden as an author!  (I don't exactly know her personally, now do I?)  Every book I've read by her has been AMAZING in writing, content and history.  I love that I feel like I've learned more about history after reading one of her novels!

"A Dangerous Legacy" was spectacular!

The book was set in New York City, for the most part, at the turn of the 20th century.  I learned so much about plumbing, newspapers, Morse Code, telegraphy, asylums, PTSD, the Panama Canal, shooting competitions, homing pigeons and even a snippet about the Boer War!  I was sucked right in from the comfort of my new bed pillows :)

At first I didn't know if I was very fond of either Lucy OR Colin.  They both had characteristics that weren't very appealing.  Lucy was obsessed with suing her uncle and Colin was obsessed with marrying into money.  The author deals nicely with both of these issues and finishes the book off with a "bang".  By the end of the book I loved both the main characters and was sad to leave them.

I stayed up late to finish this book!  That tells you how good it is!  I like my sleep, but I liked this book more :)

I'm so excited that I have the second book of this series on my TBR shelf!  I like to alternate between contemporary and historical reads, so it won't be my next read but it will be soon!

If you'd like to read a few of the lines from the book click HERE!

Onto the next book!

  



Colletta

Book Review ~ The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz

 

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Title:  The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz

Series:  N/A

Pages:  406

Date Published:  August 1, 2011

Publisher:  Revell

 

 Blurb:

 

In 1779, when genteel Virginia spinster Roxanna Rowan arrives at the Kentucky fort commanded by Colonel Cassius McLinn, she finds that her officer father has died.

 

Penniless and destitute, Roxanna is forced to take her father's place as scrivener. Before long, it's clear that the colonel himself is attracted to her. But she soon realizes the colonel has grave secrets of his own—some of which have to do with her father's sudden death.

 

Can she ever truly love him?  

My Thoughts:

 

It has been quite a while since I've read a historical romance novel.  I have so many on my TBR (to-be-read) shelves and spent longer than I wanted trying to decide which historical book to read.

 

I picked "The Colonel's Lady" because I absolutely love the cover and the blurb sounded very interesting.  (probably why I got the book to begin with).  I've had this book on my TBR shelf for a few years.  It was published in 2011, so who knows how long really.

 

I found this book to be quite epic and very patriotic!  It put me in mind a bit of the movie "The Patriot" with Mel Gibson.

 

I absolutely adored the characters and the way the author wrote them.  Cass was quite the hero but had many faults as did Roxie.  I loved them anyway!

 

The novel was full of twists and turns and turncoats.  It was also full of drama, suspense and treachery.  All this is what made it such a good read.  I especially like how the author created a battle of Biblical proportions and miracles.

 

With this book, I'll be ending out the year 2019 reading wise.  I finished it just in time to make it my 26th book of the year and complete my (adjusted) Goodreads Challenge 2019.  I wasn't sure I was going to make it, but I did :)

 

I'm excited to read where 2020 will take me!

 

Onto the next book!

  



Colletta

Book Review ~ Summer of Promise by Amanda Cabot

 

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Title:  Summer of Promise by Amanda Cabot

Series:  Western Winds Book #1 

Pages:  404

Date Published:  January 1, 2012

Publisher:  Revell

 

 Blurb:

 

Though she had planned to spend the summer in Vermont, Abigail Harding cannot dismiss her concerns over her older sister. Charlotte's letters have been uncharacteristically melancholy, and her claims that nothing is wrong ring false, so Abigail heads west to Fort Laramie, Wyoming. When her stagecoach is attacked, Wyoming promises to be anything but boring. Luckily, the heroics of another passenger, Lieutenant Ethan Bowles, save the day.

Abigail plans to marry when she returns to Vermont, just as soon as she attends to her sister. As the summer passes, she finds herself drawn to this rugged land and to a certain soldier determined to persuade her to stay. When summer ends, will she go back East, or will she find her heart's true home?  

My Thoughts:

 

 This book was my first read for the Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019 (see below for the sign-up post).  The second book of this series is about the Fall/Autumn and I want to read it during this Challenge so first I needed to read "Summer of Promise".  It was just the logical thing to do :)

 

I haven't read a "western" in a while and was feeling in the mood to enjoy a couple days out west.  Even better that Ethan (the hero) was in the Cavalry.  An officer and a gentleman and all that jazz!

 

  Abigail started as your typical "eastern school teacher" gone west.  She absolutely hated Wyoming in the beginning and thought the terrain was simply boring, except for the sky.

 

Ethan makes it his mission to change her mind about Wyoming.  Abigail made it her mission to change Ethan's mind about love, both heavenly love and earthly love.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet book even though I figured out pretty early on who "the man from the fort" was.

 

I can't forget the puppy factor in this book!  Even though Puddles was a bit of a handful for Abigail and Charlotte, he was certainly a main character as well as he gave Abigail and Ethan lots of excuses for taking walks together :)  The book wouldn't have been the same without him.

 

Luckily I have books 2 and 3 on my shelf.  Yep, the entire series at my fingertips at one time!

 

 



Colletta

 

P.S.  I'd love for you to join in the Fall Into Reading Challenge!

 

 

Book Review ~ A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna M. White

 

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Title:  A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna M. White

Series:  Ladies of the Manor

Pages:  408

Date Published:  September 13, 2016

Publisher:  Bethany House

 

 Blurb:

 

Lady Ella Myerston can always find a reason to smile—even if it's just in hope that tomorrow will be better than today. All her life everyone has tried to protect her from the realities of the world, but Ella knows very well the danger that has haunted her brother and their friend, and she won't wait for it to strike again. She intends to take action . . . and if that happens to involve an adventurous trip to the Cotswolds, then so much the better.

Lord Cayton has already broken two hearts, including that of his first wife, who died before he could tell her that he loved her. Now he's determined to be a better person. But that proves difficult when old rakehell friends arrive on the scene and try to threaten him into committing a crime. He does his best to remove the intriguing Lady Ella from danger, but the stubborn girl won't budge. How else can he redeem himself, though, but by saving her—and his infant daughter—from people ready to destroy them all?  

My Thoughts:

 

 I'm going to keep this review short and sweet.

 

As much as I wanted to love Ella and Cayton's story, I just couldn't bring myself to finish the book.  GASP!!!  A DNF!

 

Not because of the writing or the storyline, but just because life interfered.

 

It was taking me forever to read and I just felt like moving on to the next book.  I asked myself if it was worth my time to finish a rather long book if I wasn't TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLY enjoying it.

 

Has that ever happened to you?

 

 I love this author and will be anxiously awaiting the next book of hers I can get my hands on!

 

 



Colletta

 

P.S.  I'd love for you to join in the Fall Into Reading Challenge!

 

 

First Lines Friday and 56 ~ 8/16/19

Today's "First Lines" and "56" are from:
 

I'm still reading " A Lady Unrivaled" so I'll give you the first line from the page I'm on and a different line from page 56.

First Lines

 

Paris, France

 

Kira Belova tucked her hand into the crook of Andrei's elbow, made sure her prettiest smile was in place, and prayed her knee didn't give out.

 Page 56

 

 
Cayton went to work on the little fingers nearest him.  "I daresay she is simply intrigued by the shade, my lady.  I don't know that she's ever seen red hair before."

 

Colletta 

P.S. I hope you come join in the Fall Into Reading Challenge!

 

Also linking up to: