Bethany Swafford's Blog, page 18

A Convenient Engagement

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A Convenient Engagement

by Ashtyn Newbold

Edition: Kindle ebook, 2018

Synopsis: Much to her father’s dismay, Miss Amelia Buxton aspires to become a spinster, just like her eccentric aunt. Growing up with parents who married for every reason but love, she has never seen a joyful marriage. When Amelia requests a summer trip to the legendary waters of Brighton, her father allows her the excursion, but with one requirement: she must return engaged, or agree to the proposal of the man of his choosing. 

Crawling with tourists, Brighton is not the town Adam Claridge once loved. When his sister Eleanor disappears without warning, Adam is desperate to bring her home. In his search, he happens upon Miss Amelia Buxton, a young tourist that proves vital in his search for Eleanor. But Amelia is conducting a search of her own—a search for a husband—and Adam has little choice but to offer a fair trade: he will play the role of Amelia’s betrothed in exchange for her assistance in finding Eleanor.

Convenient at first, Amelia and Adam’s arrangement quickly plummets into disarray. Falling in love had not been part of their bargain. 

Desperate to find a marriage mate beyond the village where she grew up, Amelia makes a bargain with her father. She will go to Bath and become engaged, or she will return home and marry the man he has picked out for her. When she meets Adam, she gets more than she bargains for.

This is a charming tale set in Bath with a hint of mystery to make things interesting. A pace is steady and the characters amusing, especially Amelia’s aunt. Adam, who is tired of the games of society, wants only to find his sister, but he is drawn into Amelia’s life.

Overall, it was an enjoyable tale, and I look forward to more from this author.

A Debt Paid

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by Amy Corwin

Edition: ARC, 2018

Synopsis: Love and murder make a marriage of convenience inconvenient at best 

Dorothy Stainton is determined that her younger sister marry the man of her choosing. Unfortunately, to pay a debt, their aunt arranges a marriage between Dorothy and the Earl of Arundell, the man rumored to have murdered his elder brother for the title. When Dorothy refuses, Aunt Mary threatens to marry Grace to the earl. 

Left with no choice, Dorothy agrees to marry Arundell. When she meets him, her immediate attraction to him wars with her fear that the rumors may be true. A desperate game of deception begins when she discovers that he is searching for his niece, who escaped the night her parents were killed. Despite the whisperings of her treacherous heart that Arundell is innocent, Dorothy searches for the girl in hopes that she can prevent another tragedy and find the truth. 

After overhearing her aunt arrange to pay a debt by suggesting the earl of Arundell marry Dorothy, the oldest Stainton sister doesn’t know what to think. The news that she and her sisters have inherited a bit of wealth from an aunt is welcome, but Dorothy cannot see a way to protect her youngest sister. Rumors about the earl unnerve her, and she determines to discover the truth, no matter the cost.

Well, this allays my worries for Martha! I was a bit disappointed in Dorothy. She overhears she has inherited money, and then just waits for her aunt or uncle to tell her. It makes her decision to search for the earl’s missing niece a bit of an oddityin her character.

The earl’s quest to solve the murder of his brother and sister-in-law, and to find his missing niece, made him much more interesting. He, out of compassion for Dorothy, agrees to the marriage of convenience. He becomes irritated with her when she shows she has heard the rumors and may even believe them.

The novel moves at a fast pace and is an easy read. It will be interesting to see what happens to the last Stainton sister in the third book, since her behavior was rather cruel in this one.

An excellent romance with a dash of mystery. I would recommend this to historical romance readers looking for an afternoon read. The author gifted a copy to me for reviewing purposes.

The Shipbuilder’s Wife

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The Shipbuilder’s Wife

by Jennifer Moore

Edition: ARC, 2018

Synopsis: The day of her parents’ garden party dawns bright as Lydia Prescott eagerly anticipates a marriage proposal from a handsome and wealthy plantation owner. The lovely debutante plans to steal a moment away with her beau, but her plans go terribly awry. Instead of her intended, she is joined by a stranger the largest man she’s ever laid eyes on. And it is clear Jacob Steele is there for reasons far more sober than the party. With British raids erupting all around them, it is his job to reassure plantation owners of their safety. In reality, however, Jacob is an espionage agent, and the truth is dire: America is on the verge of invasion by the British.

Blissfully unaware of the danger surrounding her, Lydia basks in the glow of her recent engagement. But her joy is short-lived—a surprise British attack results in a devastating wound, and her plans for the future are shattered. Lost in her devastation, Lydia could never dream that Jacob, that giant of a man she met so briefly, would prove to be her saving grace. And with a war raging around them, she may be called upon to save him too.

Lydia, daughter of a plantation owner, is certain she is safe from the British forces in the area. A raid leaves her scarred, and her fiancé breaks their engagement. Lydia marries Jacob Steele, certain he was the only man her father could find to take her. Can they learn to trust each other?

The story alternates between Lydia and Jacob. Lydia starts off as a flirtatious debutante, eager for the man she admires to propose. Jacob’s work as a shipbuilder has made him invaluable to the flotilla that defends the area from British invading forces. They both have a reason not to trust the other, which made me want to shake them both.

The plot moves at a nice pace. The air of tension between Lydia and Jacob remains constant until they are forced to admit their suspicions aloud. The secondary characters were a good support and I hope Jacob’s friend, adopted brother, gets a happy ending in the future.

An Author’s Random Musing: End of the Year

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Well, NaNoWriMo has come to an end. I can report that I reached about 40K, counting some rebel words of blog posts/interviews/finishing a short story. So, while I did not reach my goal of 50K words in a month, I have a pretty good start on my first YA adventure/mystery/historical story.

As this is the last month of the year, it seems a good time for a brief review.  In January, one of my books became an audiobook for the first time. To listen to it, (since the audiobook rights belong to CleanReads, I didn’t have anything to do with the production), I downloaded Audible and so this became the year of audiobooks for me.

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I’d never listened to audiobooks before this. I knew they existed, but they’d never interested me. In the past year, however, I have listened to a total of 18 audiobooks. That is about 150 hrs altogether. Full-cast audiobooks have become my new favorite thing.

About the middle of the year, two of my book rights were returned to me at my request. I am happy to announce that A Chaotic Courtship has been re-released after six months of not being available. The new cover is amazing, and after new edits, it is polished like never before! There is also a print copy, which is something I love having available for my readers.

I am not sure when Not My Idea will be available. I’d like to have the second book close to finished, but I haven’t been able to face Lucas’ tales of misfortune.

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In other good news, I released my first YA book in September. My Hands Hold My Story has a special place in my heart. I wrote it for my younger sister, who works with those who are deaf. A sequel is definitely in the works, but my writing time has been all over the place for the last half of this year.

So. It has been a busy year. I look forward to seeing what happens in 2019!

Glass Roses: A Victorian Fairytale

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Glass Roses: A Victorian fairytale

by Britain Kalai Soderquist

Edition: Kindle, 2015

Synopsis: It is a truth universally acknowledged that magic is required for any young lady to find her “happily ever after” in a fairytale. This truth is so ingrained in the minds of readers that to suggest its removal is incomprehensible. But what if the magic is removed? Is it possible to find true love when the world is perfectly ordinary?

After Eleanor rescues her stepsister Fanny from an attempted elopement, their father decides to remove the family to the Continent before Fanny’s indiscretion can be discovered. Eleanor finds the opportunity a welcome relief after a disastrous London Season, and is determined to set herself apart from her vain and scheming stepfamily. A chance meeting at a ball earns her the attentions of the handsome Baron Rupert von Schönfeld, a cousin to the Imperial Family of Austria. He is enchanted by Eleanor’s beauty, talent, and kindness, and Eleanor feels certain that she will soon leave her stepfamily behind for good. But Fanny is angry over Eleanor’s interference in her elopement, and gossip is a powerful engine for revenge. As rumors begin to fly, Eleanor’s only comfort is writing about her troubles to her cousin, Isabella.

Isabella, meanwhile, has an adventure of her own to share. Her father has formed a friendship with the surly Duke William of Stirling. His rough manners and intentional slights are irritating, especially to a proper young lady, but Isabella is more than a match with a fiery wit of her own. Then the Duke invites her father to visit his castle in the wilds of the Scottish countryside, and Isabella soon realizes that the Duke’s prickly demeanor hides a kind heart and a mysterious accident from his past. Her heart tells her to let the past rest, but her mind is not ready to give up on discovering the Duke’s secrets, and her curiosity might keep her from the happy ending she desires.

In a world where etiquette reigns and fairy godmothers are noticeably absent, Eleanor and Isabella are left to sort out their own “happily ever after” endings with only their wits, good manners, and accomplishments. Set in Victorian England and beyond, this retelling combines two beloved fairytales with the literary style made popular by authors such as Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë.

When her stepsister causes a scandal, Eleanor is more than happy to accompany her father to the continent. There she meets the cousin of the Austrian Imperial Family and love begins to blossom. At the same time, her cousin Isabella is introduced to the prickly Duke of Stirling, and she discovers there is more behind his cold demeanor than she thought.

I dearly love fairy tale retellings. This delightful novel is told through a series of letters between the two cousins which was an ingenious decision. Isabella and Eleanor convey their truest feelings on paper, good and bad. There are instances where multiple letters are sent or a letter is delayed in reaching its recipient. WIth two storylines going, it was a mixture of disappointing and excitement to go back and forth.

It is well paced and well written. The cover is gorgeous.

I would recommend this to any fan of fairytale retellings or any fan of clean historical romance. I was privileged to receive a copy from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

A Gentleman’s Promise

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A Gentleman’s Promise

by Penny Hampson

Edition: ebook, ARC

Synopsis: Emma has struggled across a Europe devastated by Napoleon to get her brother back home, but when she arrives she finds her family all but destroyed. 

She meets a stranger who claims the estate now belongs to him. Who is this man? Emma doesn’t know. What she does know is that it would be madness to fall in love and surrender her freedom… 

Richard never wanted the title and estate he’s now inherited. He hadn’t even known of his connection to the family until his solicitor revealed it to him. But when Emma and her brother turn up claiming to be the estate’s rightful heirs, he can’t ignore his suspicions. Nor can he ignore his growing feelings towards Emma. Could she be the woman he’s been searching for? 

Independent and strong, Emma never wants to marry. Richard is looking for a docile, obedient wife. Can their quest to catch a killer teach them that what they both wish to avoid is exactly what they need?

Richard Lacey, having just inherited the title of Viscount Easterby, is certain someone is out to see him dead. When a ragged pair appears on his doorstep, the true heir to the title and sister who had been presumed dead, he promises to get to the bottom of the situation and keep both safe.

From the start, Richard inspires sympathy. He inherited a title he didn’t want, a title which someone appears to be determined to eradicate. Multiple times he is nearly killed, and facts begin to point to an old family skeleton. Opposite him is the Honorable Emma Smythe, who has crossed countries to get her younger brother home safely. She has lost her family and is thrust into a mystery that threatens her brother.

It is easy to read the clues that are revealed, though our main characters are less astute. There are odd flashbacks interspersed through the narrative, to explain some backstory, that is a bit jarring when they occur. There is also acceptance of certain situations that would not have been at the times.

An easy read and one I would recommend to readers who are not sticklers for historical accuracy.

Tenant of Chesdene Manor

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Tenant of Chesdene Manor

by Alice Chetwynd Ley

Edition: ebook, ARC

Synopsis: A thrilling Regency Romance from a master of the genre! For fans of Georgette Heyer, Mary Balogh, Jane Aiken Hodge and Jane Austen. 

Could a mysterious stranger be the answer to Diana’s prayers…?  

1809, England 

After the death of Sir Peter Chalfont his daughter, Diana, and her mother were left nearly penniless and at the mercy of their relative Sir Sidney, who inherited the Chalfont estate.   Sir Sidney had no plans to retire to the countryside from his frivolous life in London and the women were allowed to remain at Chesdene Manor.   But with no money for upkeep, the grand building soon fell into disrepair. 

Intelligent and headstrong, Diana is determined to take her future into her own hands. She advertises for a tenant in the hope of supplying herself with an income.   But who is the strange man who agrees to the lease? Why does he seem to have a particular interest in the building?  And how long can Diana keep her home before the rakish Sir Sidney returns to claim it…? 

TENANT OF CHESDENE MANOR is a classic Regency Romance by Alice Chetwynd Ley: a traditional British, historical adventure story with a twist of suspense and mystery, set during the Napoleonic Wars. 

When a mysterious man becomes the tenant of Chesdyne Manor, Diana Chalfont is both relieved and delighted. Though the estate is owned by a cousin, the income will help support herself and her family. She goes to London with a friend, frequently encounters Mr. Christopher Richmond, and finds herself being pursued by the very cousin who inherited the title and estate at her father’s death.

I’ve begun to think of this author as a definite favorite of mine, ranking with Georgette Heyer. In this novel, we have Diana, who is a lively, practical young woman, who has seen her family’s fortune decline steadily. She knows her own mind and heart and does not encourage men’s attention just to make a good match.

The plot moves at a good pace. There is a secondary plot, a growing romance that is sweet and pleasant to read along with Diana’s story. It is easy to see through the twists of the plot, but it does not detrimental to the story.

I would recommend this to readers who enjoy classic stories.

One Last Promise (The Stainton Sisters Book One)

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One Last Promise

by Amy Corwin

Edition: ebook, ARC

Synopsis: Love defies all obstacles to unite childhood friends… 

Bespectacled and plain compared to her two sisters, Martha Stainton cherishes no expectations, except, perhaps, to one day become a doting aunt. After the death of their beloved father, Martha and her two sisters must leave their home and become dependents of their aunt in London. But Martha doesn’t want to leave—or lose her childhood friend, Quinton, now Lord Ashbourne. 

On the eve of their departure, an unfortunate death during a dinner party brings Quinton to Martha’s door with a request to put to use her understanding of chemistry. She must analyze samples of the food and drink served to the unfortunate guest, apparently a victim of gastric upset. 

With a heavy heart, Martha grants this last request and strives to make Quinton’s final memories of her pleasant. When her investigation reveals that their friendship has turned into something far deeper than a childhood bond, Martha learns that exposing a murderer and leaving behind the man she loves is far more difficult than she dreamed possible. 

At the unexpected death of her father, Martha Stainton resigns herself leaving the life she has always known and her closest friend, Lord Ashbourne. When he comes to her with a mystery to solve, she promises to help him one last time. But will love win out in the end?

Martha, who was not the oldest of the three sisters, had my sympathy from the start. She was not a beauty, she relies on spectacles to not squint everywhere she goes, and she had a skill for chemistry. She was practical and intelligent. Even when jealousy tinged her thoughts, she approached things with straightforward logic.

Lord Ashbourne, of a more lively disposition, was the perfect foil for Martha. He has his own worries: he has an estate, but no money to make improvements. He is barely able to care for himself. His reasoning on matters was more instinct than based on facts. That made me worry whether he would be able to care for a wife and the inevitable children.

A lovely start to a trilogy, and one I would recommend to readers looking for a sweet story with a mystery. I received a copy from the author for reviewing purposes.

The Bowes Inheritance

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The Bowes Inheritance

by Pam Lecky

Edition: ebook, 2015

Synopsis: Historical Romance with a Dash of Rebellion

Dublin 1882: When determined but impoverished Louisa Campbell inherits a large estate in the north of England, from an uncle she didn’t even know existed, it appears to be the answer to her prayers. Her younger sister, Eleanor, is gravely ill, and believing that the country air will benefit her, they decide to take up residence at Bowes Farm, situated on the Cumberland coast. 

However, they soon realise that all they have inherited is trouble. Their uncle had managed to alienate almost everyone in the area and worst of all, was suspected of being a Fenian activist. His reputation leaves Louisa and Eleanor battling to gain acceptance in polite society, especially with Nicholas Maxwell, their handsome neighbour and local magistrate. His father was cheated out of the farm during a card game fifteen years before and he is determined to get the property back. 

Louisa unearths secrets from their family’s past that threaten their future while the spectre of their mysterious benefactor overshadows everything. When a Fenian bombing campaign comes close to home, Louisa finds herself a chief suspect and must fight to clear her name. She must dig deep to find the courage to solve the mysteries that Bowes Farm holds before their lives are destroyed. And most importantly of all, will she be able to finally trust and love the man who is surely her sworn enemy?

When informed of an inheritance from an uncle they didn’t know they had, the Campbell sisters are relieved to escape the life of poverty their orphaned status had left them in. On arriving at Bowes farm, however, Louisa discovers life may not be peaceful as their closest new neighbor is set against them.

Louisa’s determination from the start was admirable. She wanted nothing more than to provide a healthy home for her ailing sister. She refused to allow Nicholas Maxwell’s suspicions, accusations, and cold manner to sway her. Nicholas’ attitude is easy to understand as well, even if it became tiresome.

Some plot points were rather easy to guess at, but there is a deeper mystery that kept me guessing. The romance was a bit unbelievable given the antagonism on both sides through the majority of the novel. Why would either one fall in love with such angry words and behaviors?

Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it to readers looking for a historical novel with a strong heroine. I was given a copy for reviewing purposes.

An Author’s Random Musing: Historical Reenactment and NaNoWriMo!

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About the middle of October, I had the great pleasure to go to a historical reenactment near where I live. I knew next to nothing about the War of 1812, which this living history museum commemorates.

From June 1812 to February 1815, the American Army fought against British forces and the Native Americans who allied with them. What is now Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin was the frontier of the time. The Battle of Mississinewa marked the first offensive victory for the Americans. To this day, it is difficult to say who was the victor when peace was negotiated.

Interesting fact I learned: Since camp followers were often casualties, women had to be married to be with their husbands. If their husbands died, they had 30 days to find another husband or leave camp. (Maybe the seed for a novel in the future?)

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As a part of the day, reenactors from around the world demonstrated what a battlefield would have been like. The roar of the cannons made my ears ring (I was standing only a few yards from one of them), and the air smelled like gunpowder. Trained horses rushed across the battlefield. Different battle strategies were displayed.

By the end of the day, I felt overwhelmed with everything I had learned and seen. There were some amazing era costumes worn!

And now it is the beginning of a new month. November! Time to get noveling!

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