Bethany Swafford's Blog, page 15

Wilderness Teacher

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Wilderness Teacher

by Zachary Ball

Edition: hardcover, 1956

Synopsis: Selina travels with her aunt and uncle to the Florida wilderness because her cousin’s health requires it. She hopes they will return north as soon as possible. The untamed Florida settlement is daunting, but it isn’t long before this young woman has sand in her shoes.

I first read this when I was a young teenager. Selina was just the kind of character I enjoyed then and now. She learns her place in an unfamiliar environment. First reluctantly and then eagerly, she has adventures as she adapts and makes friends of all ages.

The details of Florida in 1894 was interesting. The landscape and setting came to life in these pages. It is an easy read, meant for middle grade/young adult.

Definitely a favorite of mine!

The Women of the Copper Country

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The Women of the Copper Country

by Mary Doria Russell

Edition: ARC, 2019

Synopsis: In July 1913, twenty-five-year-old Annie Clements had seen enough of the world to know that it was unfair. She’s spent her whole life in the copper-mining town of Calumet, Michigan where men risk their lives for meager salaries—and had barely enough to put food on the table and clothes on their backs. The women labor in the houses of the elite, and send their husbands and sons deep underground each day, dreading the fateful call of the company man telling them their loved ones aren’t coming home. When Annie decides to stand up for herself, and the entire town of Calumet, nearly everyone believes she may have taken on more than she is prepared to handle.

In Annie’s hands lie the miners’ fortunes and their health, her husband’s wrath over her growing independence, and her own reputation as she faces the threat of prison and discovers a forbidden love. On her fierce quest for justice, Annie will discover just how much she is willing to sacrifice for her own independence and the families of Calumet.

In 1913, Annie Clements (Clemenc) has had enough of seeing men risk their lives for a company who pays them barely enough to survive. She sick of the death that can happen at any time. Though the majority warns her she has taken on more than she can shoulder, she is determined to see justice.

I love a book that entertains me and, at the same time, teaches me something about history. I didn’t know much about mining in Michigan, so I was intrigued when I began reading. I came away knowing more about the time period and the fight that happened for better working conditions.

The blending of fact with fiction was excellent. I am thankful for the author’s note at the end that explained what had really happened and what was fiction.

This is not for the fainthearted. Annie’s husband is abusive. The tactics of strikebreakers are bloody. The treatment of suffragettes of the time is incorporated into Annie’s arrest. Not to mention the tragedy that occurred five months into the strike.

I unreservedly say this is a fitting telling of the strong women who took on a copper baron! I would recommend this to readers of historical fiction based on fact.

I received a free copy through NetGalley for reviewing purposes. This book is due to be released in August, 2019.

Pineapple Girl

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Pineapple Girl

by Betty Neels

Edition: hardcover, 2006

Synopsis: THEY SEEMED FATED TO MEET!

It was a pineapple given to her by a grateful patient that led Eloise Bennett to meeting the Dutch doctor Timon van Zeilst. Shortly after that, Eloise went to Holland to nurse a patient and there was Dr. van Zeilst again! Thrown into his company, Eloise soon realized that she loved him. But Timon was going to marry the beautiful Liske so why would he look twice at Eloise?

Eloise loses a gift from a departing patient, a pineapple, on the foot of a doctor. She never expects to meet that same doctor when she goes to Holland to help care for an old family friend.

There’s something charming about Betty Neels’ books. It is relaxing to follow one of her heroines through their lives as they try to balance romance with work. It can get a little frustrating when the young ladies are not bright enough to recognize attraction when it happens.

Still, for readers looking for an easy read, any of Betty Neels’ works are great choices.

Never Envy An Earl

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Never Envy An Earl

by Regina Scott

Edition: Kindle, 2018

Synopsis: The saucy Yvette de Maupassant is used to danger. She’s spent the last 10 years spying for England in Napoleon’s court. Now that her work has been discovered, she must hide, and what better place than the remote wooded estate of the Earl of Carrolton? Her friend Miss Thorn and that delightful cat Fortune place her in a position where she can pretend to be companion to the earl’s sickly mother. Yet one look at the earl has Yvette rethinking why she wants to stay. 

Gregory, Earl of Carrolton, is used to power. So why does one moment in the company of his mother and spinster sister leave him feeling powerless? And why does the look in a certain Frenchwoman’s eyes leave him weak at the knees? As danger draws closer, Gregory and Yvette must work together to protect her, his family, and the future of England, as they discover the greatest danger and delight is falling in love. 

This sweet, clean Regency romance is the sequel to Never Borrow a Baronet.

Yvette takes on a position as a companion to a sickly lady to hide from the French agents seeking to kill her. Gregory is eager to do what he can for his government and vows to keep Yvette safe. When a plan is devised to draw out the killer, can these two work together?

We met our heroine in the previous book. She has done what she needed to do to survive in the French court, and now she is on the run. her patience is sorely tried in the Carrolton household, but she manages to put people in their place when they test her too far. She is not a lady to be overlooked.

Gregory took a while for me to warm up to. He was nice, eager to do his duty, but he came across as lukewarm in his interactions with Yvette.

I really enjoyed seeing all of the previous main characters come together in this book. The entire cast was fun. The plot moves at a good pace.

I would recommend this series to fans of Regency romance.

The Gilded Shroud

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The Gilded Shroud

by Elizabeth Bailey

Synopsis: When a murder is committed a lady’s companion finds herself as an amateur sleuth… 

1789, London 

When Emily Fanshawe, Marchioness of Polbrook, is found strangled in her bedchamber, suspicion immediately falls on those residing in the grand house in Hanover Square. 

Emily’s husband – Randal Fanshawe, Lord Polbrook – fled in the night and is chief suspect – much to the dismay of his family. 

Ottilia Draycott is brought in as the new lady’s companion to Sybilla, Dowager Marchioness and soon finds herself assisting younger son, Lord Francis Fanshawe in his investigations. 

Can Ottilia help clear the family name? Does the killer still reside in the house? 

Or could there be more to the mystery than meets the eye…? 

THE GILDED SHROUD is the first book in the Lady Fan Mystery series: historical romance murder mysteries with a courageous woman sleuth embarking on a traditional British, private investigation in eighteenth-century London.

Ottilia Draycott, the new companion to a dowager marchioness, finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation the first day she begins her employment. With her no-nonsense approach, she discovers clues and helps bring a murderer to justice.

There were aspects I found a bit unbelievable about this story, but for the most part, it was enjoyable. Ottilia was a fun character to follow, though I did keep wondering how she came so observant and logical. Lord Francis was an enjoyable hero to compliment her.

The clues pointing to the murderer seemed simple to me, and I had guessed the culprit early on. The romance seemed a stretch, though I did appreciate it was kept clean. The language of the era was excellent and I enjoyed the detailed descriptions.

Overall, it was an enjoyable mystery and I would recommend it to readers of historical fiction.

Escape to Everly Manor

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Escape to Everly Manor

by Charlon Linton

Edition: ARC, 2019

Synopsis: Nineteen-year-old Lizzy and her young brother, Thomas, find themselves orphaned after a tragic accident claims the lives of their parents. Their estranged Uncle Cline arrives to claim his inheritance, and his roguish ways cast a shadow over the manor. Both the family estate and guardianship of his niece and nephew were left to him, and diabolical Uncle Cline is determined to indulge in his newfound wealth and rid himself of his charges. Desperate to save her brother from a dangerous life at sea, and herself from being married off to a detestable old gentleman, Lizzy knows there is only one choice left—they must run.

Lizzy and Thomas sneak away and find refuge in an abandoned cabin. There they remain hidden until fate acquaints Lizzy with Mr. Barton, a charming gentleman who is immediately intrigued by the mysterious young woman. Concealing her identity, Lizzy is unaware that there is much more to this compassionate man than meets the eye. Through his kindness to herself and her brother, Lizzy begins to trust him. Soon Lizzy realizes Mr. Barton may be her best hope for a life in which she can live—and love—as she chooses . . .

To keep her younger brother sent to sea and to escape from her uncle’s cruel nature, Lizzy Stafford runs away from the only home she’s ever known. Things do not go as planned, and when she meets Mr. Barton, she comes to realize this gentleman might be the help she needs.

For the most part, I did enjoy this romance. Lizzy was an enjoyable character, even if at times she was annoyingly selfless at times. it was lovely to watch her bravery in the face of the unknown, and her interactions with her brother were sweet. I also liked that the romance was built on trust between herself and barton, which made the last third of the book infuriating with Lizzy’s behavior.

There were times the characters did not act as I would have expected from the time period. It was annoying but I was more willing to tolerate it because I enjoyed the characters.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read. I would recommend it to readers of Regency romance.

Royal Pain

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Royal Pain

by Danielle Doolittle

Edition: Kindle, 2015

Synopsis: Prince Henry Fitzgerald’s life has taken a drastic turn. The once high flying playboy finds himself grounded and forced into rehab after one too many wild nights. Changing his ways wasn’t in the cards, a fact he makes loud and clear during treatment. But when he faces off with feisty horse trainer, Carleigh Philips, Henry starts thinking he’s not as far gone as everyone-including himself-thought. 

Carleigh Philips has had her fill of arrogant, too good looking to be true men. Since discovering her ex in bed with another woman she’s contented herself with training the horses on her family’s ranch turned rehabilitation center. But when Prince Henry comes storming into her life she can’t ignore him, even if half the time he makes her want to scream, she learns that some men are worth taking a risk on.

When a series of accidents add up to foul play, Henry must set aside his fear of failure and act quickly to save the woman who made him believe he could be a better man.

Prince Henry’s life has spiraled out of control and now it seems he has hit the bottom. it is time to face the music. Carleigh has had enough of arrogant men and she wants nothing to do with His Royal Highness. Sparks fly as they learn to trust each other.

This is a modern day fairytale with all the believability of a fairytale. It is easy to see how it is going to end before you even pick it up. Like classic fairytales, the romance happens fast, a bit too fast in my taste.

Henry is your classic “I’m-going-to-have-fun how-dare-you-stop-me” kind of character when we first meet him. He does manage to turn his life around, even if this too happens a bit too fast. While I didn’t like him at first, he did grow on me.

Carleigh was sweet, if naive. She was an enjoyable character, though I thought she fell for Henry’s “charms” very quickly.

The pace of this book was fast. It had drama and was kept clean. I would recommend this to readers looking for a clean romance.

Runaway Bride

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The Governess of Penwythe Hall

by Sarah E. Ladd

Edition: ARC, 2019

Synopsis: Cornwall was in her blood, and Delia feared she’d never escape its hold.

Cornwall, England, 1811

Blamed for her husband’s death, Cordelia Greythorne fled Cornwall and accepted a governess position to begin a new life. Years later her employer’s unexpected death and his last request to watch over his five children force her to reevaluate. She can’t abandon the children now that they’ve lost both parents, but their new guardian lives at the timeworn Penwythe Hall . . . back on the Cornish coast she tries desperately to forget.

Jac Trethewey is determined to revive Penwythe Hall’s once-flourishing apple orchards, and he’ll stop at nothing to see his struggling estate profitable again. He hasn’t heard from his brother in years, so when his nieces, nephews, and their governess arrive unannounced at Penwythe Hall, he battles both grief of this brother’s death and bewilderment over this sudden responsibility. Jac’s priorities shift as the children take up residence in the ancient halls, but their secretive governess—and the mystery shrouding her past—proves to be a disruption to his carefully laid plans.

Rich with family secrets, lingering danger, and the captivating allure of new love, this first book in the Cornwall Novels series introduces us to the Twethewey family and their search for peace, justice, and love on the Cornish coast.

Cordelia became a governess for a new life after her husband died. When her employer dies, she goes with her charges back to the Cornish coast. Will her past destroy her present, or will love overcome all?

I loved the details of this novel! not only about the smuggling at the time but also that concerning orchards. Both made the story more interesting and I felt like I had learned something about the Cornish area.

Cordelia was a relatable character. She kept her secret and it was revealed slowly, keeping me guessing. Her fear was understandable, but I did expect more suspense given the plot threads.

Opposite her was Jac (and I have no idea how to pronounce his last name). His interactions with his nieces and nephews were sweet, and I really enjoyed how he wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. Without question, he was my favorite.

The plot was steady and well-developed. jac’s nieces and nephews were adorable. I look forward to what else this author has for this series.

I would recommend this to any reader of Regency novels. I received a free copy through NetGalley for reviewing purposes.

An Author’s Random Musing: Updates and Goals

I’ve made no secret of the fact that I’ve been taking the last few months off of writing. I think I drained my creativity and had found myself overwhelmed with so many unfinished things. Plus, I’d tried to see if setting specific time-based goals would help me be productive.

It didn’t. If anything, it sent me crashing into the wall faster. Well, not all writing advice works for everyone, right? Now I know.

Anyway, in the past few months, I’ve been reading and reading, and binge-watching some TV shows that I’ve been meaning to get to (Hello, Murdoch Mysteries, why have I not seen you before this?). I’ve also gone back to non-writing creative outlets (cross-stitching and trying to teach myself crocheting).

[image error]It’s always on, thanks to Hulu.

Now that I’ve had some rest, I’ve set up my goals for the year.

I will definitely finish edits on my next release (Regency Rumors, The Sinclair Society Series, Book One) by June. This means I’ll have to face the large edits that mean changes from start to finish, which is not going to be fun. I have an idea of what the cover will look like, and I’ve organized my launch plan details.

The next thing I am determined to do is to finish two of the unfinished manuscripts sitting on my desk. One is the sequel to 2017’s Not My Idea (currently still available in audio format), Best Laid Plans. It is definitely the one that has been sitting the longest, even though I know the plot inside and out. Tormenting Lucas once again should allow me to release some of my frustrations with life.

The other unfinished manuscript I intend to finish is Lady Evan Wins the Day, which is a sequel to my 2012 book Emily’s Choice. It is so close to being a complete draft that it weighs on my mind that I haven’t typed “The End” yet. I estimate it only needs about five thousand words to be done. I’ve just had to work out some plotting issues that had sent me into a corner.

However, in an effort to avoid burning myself out again, I’ve set small writing goals for myself. Each day, I want to write 250 words. More, if I’m feeling up to it, but 250 words a day is my goal. However, my weekly goal is for 1K words. It doesn’t sound like much, but I’ve been testing it out in the last few weeks and it definitely has taken the pressure off of me.

Those few words will add up over time, especially if I am inspired and write more.

So, yeah. That’s my plan for the year. I’ll have a few fanfiction stories in there since fanfiction is something I do for fun. And keeping writing fun is definitely important to me right now.

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Currently reading:

Fiction: Daisies and Devotion by Josi S. Kilpack

Non-Fiction: Into the Woods: A Five Act Journey Into Story by John Yorke

An Artful Deception

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An Artful Deception

by Karen Cogan

edition: Kindle, 2008

Synopsis: Lady Katharine is trapped between two impossible choices. Either she will marry the cousin she despises, or marry Philip, to whom she was pledged in childhood. The prospect of staying at her family estate with her uncle and cousin is so unfavorable that she chooses Philip to avoid an immediate attachment to her cousin. Suddenly, the accidental deaths of her traveling companions offer her the chance she has awaited. With no one left alive to vouch for her identity, she hatches a brilliant plan to exchange identities with her lady’s maid, who was killed in the accident. But when the impersonation fools Philip, formerly her betrothed, she learns that it might have been a terrible mistake. Lady Katherine soon finds herself like a spider caught in her own web. When she is discovered in her lie, she must confess all, with disastrous results that leave her to wonder if she’ll ever regain Philip’s trust.

Either Lady Katherine must marry her odious cousin or a young man she has not seen since childhood and of whom she has no fond memories. When an opportunity for a third option arises, she takes it and the lies begin to build.

As a maid, Katherine was awful. Somehow, Lady Charlesworth finds her amusing and keeps her on. I did like that Katherine’s lies are revealed and then she is in more trouble than before. Although I cannot say she grows much as a character, her journey was interesting.

This was a quick read with a predictable ending, but there were some twists along the way I didn’t expect.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read. I would recommend to readers looking for something quick and simple.