Bethany Swafford's Blog, page 4

The Steadfast Heart

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The Steadfast Heart

by Arlem Hawks

Edition: kindle, 2019

Synopsis: A broken sailor looking for a purpose, a jilted lady longing for the past, and a chance at happiness neither expected.

After losing his foot in battle, Lieutenant Robert Brenton can’t find his place in the navy or society, where he fears he is seen only as a cripple. He retires to his small estate to find peace, not anticipating the distraction awaiting him.

Holly Addison has the world at her feet, until her prized beau cancels their engagement and ruins her reputation. Banished to Cornwall, she finds herself a guest in Robert’s run-down manor by the sea. She writes repeatedly to her former love, trying to persuade him to take her back to society. But Robert’s charm and simple life make her consider what she really wants—a life of excess, or a life of meaning.

As time runs out on their chance to be together, both are forced to examine their hearts and uncover a strength neither knew they had.

After losing his foot at Trafalger, Lieutenant Brenton struggles to find his place in society. Miss Holly Addison has known poverty in her life and is eager to marry a wealthy man to ensure that she never experiences that life again. When her engagement is ended, she finds herself a guest at Lieutenant Brenton’s rundown manor. Will this unlikely pair find love?

This is a Regency romance retelling of a fairy tale I’ve never read before: The Steadfast Tin Soldier. I’ll have to find a synopsis somewhere to know how this tale compares to the original story. As it stands, his a sweet novella.

I didn’t much care for Holly from the start. She came across as an arrogant flirt who was only concerned with appearances. This made it difficult to feel for her desperate letters she writes to her former betrothed. She begs him to take her back after he breaks their engagement. Her actions become a little more understandable when you find out her childhood was spent in poverty.

The lieutenant was a compelling character. He wavers between good humor and despondency from his missing leg. It is a little bit of a mystery why he fell for Holly when sh was so very rude to him at the start of our tale. I guess she was just really beautiful?

Though a novella, this is well paced and nothing feels like it is missing. The story is told well and made for quick weekend read. I would recommend this for readers who enjoy sweet novellas set in the Regency era.

The Flying Scotsman (Mycroft Holmes #3)

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The Flying Scotsman

by Quinn Fawcett

Edition: hardcover, 2000

Synopsis: To keep the peace after an attempted assassination, a Prince must be smuggled out of England aboard the Flying Scotsman, the fastest train between London and Edinburgh. Disguised as journalists, Mycroft and Patterson Guthrie, guard the Prince. Also aboard is Pauline Gatspy. Is she on Mycroft’s side, or is the Prince her latest target?

A European prince has been placed in the care of Mycroft Holmes to get home safely. After narrowly escaping one assassination attempt, it is decided that while two decoys fan out, the prince, holmes and Guthrie will quietly take the fastest luxury train from London to Edinburgh. Once onboard, the danger is as strong as ever and when a passenger is murdered, Holmes must determine if it is happenchance or something more sinister.

By book three, I really shouldn’t be surprised at an active Mycroft Holmes, but it really does. It was also disconcerting when he said his brother would be able to make more of some details than he would! Not an admission I would expect from acknowledged more intelligent Holmes brother.

The plot was intriguing. For the majority of the narrative, the characters are confined to the interior of the train. Once the first murder occurs on the train, there is an air of tension. Who is the killer? Is he a member of the mysterious and dangerous Brotherhood? the train is behind schedule. Will this be to their benefit or detriment? This keeps the pace fast.

Guthrie manages to get himself into a major scrape and there is a very “James Bone”esque sequence of him trying to get back on the train. It was a little tiresome to have him insist he has no interest in Miss Gatsby, so it was a relief to have him finally admit he is attracted to the Golden Lodge agent.

Overall, this was a nice addition to the series. i would recommend it to readers who have read the first two and enjoyed them. This is not a series to jump into the middle.

An Author’s Random Musing: Spring

MY POOR FLOWERS

What a strange spring this has been! Where I live, it went from 80 degrees on one day to a couple of inches of snow! I was so glad the snow protected most of my flowers from the freezing temperatures.

Currently, I am racing to finish the last bit of my next novel so I can send it off to the editor. It is my own fault for it being so last minute. I kept going back and forth on whether I intended to make it the final book of a trilogy or if, as my early readers have begged, it would set up book 4.

There is going to be a book 4. I have new research books I am eager to start reading so I can get the details correct for this one. If anyone has some resources for theaters in the Regency Era, let me know what they are!

At the same time, I am trying to finish the first draft of my Cinderella re-telling. I’ve just reached the fun bit where she gets dressed up and has arrived at the ball. She is dancing with her ‘prince’. Now to up the drama of her stepmother seeing her!

Later on this month, you will see another post for me. I am participating in a multi-author word search! Each of us will post about a YA book we have written and include a word the searchers will need to find. There will be a big giveaway, and I will be giving away one of the ARC paperbacks of my YA book, My Hands Hold My Story. 

BOWS

Well. Until next time!

The Persuasion of Miss Kate (My Notorious Aunt #4)

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The Persuasion of Miss Kate

by Kathleen Baldwin

Edition: ARC, 2021

Synopsis: Lord Colter is determined to persuade Miss Kate Linnet to marry him, but she yearns for independence above all else.

Kate adores her younger sisters, but taking care of them ever since her mother died has her yearning for freedom. Or so she thinks.

Marriage is most assuredly not the answer. After all, with marriage comes more responsibility and inevitably more children. Even knowing that, two years ago, she agreed to marry Lord Colter. Devil take his boyish charm! And those roguish dark eyes of his. She never should have said yes. And the more he pushed for a wedding date, the more she found fault with him. Finally, having had enough, he broke off their engagement in the middle of the Clapsforth-on-Wye assembly ball. During the cotillion!

In front of everyone.

Mortifying.

After such public humiliation, Kate wants to escape her crumbling life entirely. When her aunt, the notorious Lady Alameda, offers her a London Season, Kate readily accepts, but soon discovers her mischievous aunt is making her already troubled life worse.

Can Lord Colter rebuild the bridge between them, or will Kate let their chances at love and happiness slip through her fingers again?

Since the death of her mother, Kate has gladly raised her younger sisters. Though engaged to Lord Colter for two years, she has been reluctant to set a wedding date as she finds faults in him. Her constant mention of those faults results in him breaking their engagement very publicaly. Her notorious aunt, Lady Alameda, offers to give her a season in London to escape the gossip. But this just brings more trouble as Lord Colter follows her there.

Kate was hard to like at first and Lord Colter was not much better. We meet Kate after the engagement was broken. In short, Lord Colter calls her a shrew and it’s easy to understand his frustration with her. Just as Kate is to leave for London, he arrives to make amends and I’m not sure why. This is a story where the first blossoming of romance happens before the story begins, so it is difficult to understand what drew him to Kate in the first place.

The story is told from Kate’s point of view only. She struggles with reconciling having her own life and feeling as though she has always had the responsibility of children long enough. She does come across as bossy and overbearing. But it was amusing to see her sisters and aunt manipulate things to get her back with the man they believe best for her.

Historically speaking, this isn’t quite as accurate as I would have liked. I didn’t find it as funny or amusing as others might. But for readers who enjoy a light, sweet Regency read might enjoy this one.

I received a free copy from NetGalley for reviewing purposes, and all opinions expressed are my own.

The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline(Enola Holmes #5)

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The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline

by Nancy Springer

Edition: hardcover, 2009

Synopsis: Enola Holmes’s landlady, Mrs. Tupper, is the closest thing Enola has to family these days, besides her occasional run-ins with her brother Sherlock. Even though Mrs. Tupper is nearly deaf and can barely cook, she’s an endearing presence as Enola longs for her absent mother. So imagine her horror when Enola comes home to find Mrs. Tupper kidnapped! Who would take her, and why? And what does Florence Nightingale have to do with it? From the master of mystery Nancy Springer, here’s another absorbing adventure for our award-winning, unstoppable heroine, Enola Holmes.

When her landlady, the deaf but kind Mrs. Tupper, shares a threatening and cryptic note she has received, Enola never expects that it would lead to the woman being kidnapped. With the barest of clues to guide her, Enola sets out to follow the trail back to Florence Nightingale, sometimes right under her brother’s nose.

It was a delight to learn more about Mrs. Tupper in this case. The book starts off with a prologue that shows how she was a young wife who sat by her husband’s side as he died. You can’t help but feel sorry for this woman who had so much suffering in her life and now is being threatened to provide a message she has no knowledge of.

Enola must make use of all her skills and shows that there are some things her clever brother just wouldn’t comprehend, such as embroidery. As someone who enjoys sewing, I found the use of embroidery to send a message to be clever. I especially liked the glimpse of Florence Nightingale, beyond the Lady with the Lamp more commonly seen.

This was a fast-paced, but fun read. I especially appreciated Enola’s cheekiness when she encountered her brother.

For fans of the series, this is not one to be missed.

The Lady of the Lakes

Cover Via Goodreads

The Lady of the Lakes

by Josi S. Kilpack

Edition: paperback, 2017

Synopsis: One is his first love. The other is his best love. Which will be Walter’s true love?

Walter Scott has three passions: Scotland, poetry, and Mina Stuart. Though she is young and they are from different stations in society, Walter is certain their love is meant to be. For years, he has courted her through love letters. She is the sunshine of his soul.

Though Mina shares Walter’s love of literature and romantic temperament, it’s hard for her to know if she truly loves him or if she has only been dazzled by his flattery. When she meets the handsome and charming William Forbes, her heart is challenged. Who will she choose?

But as every poet knows, “the course of true love never did run smooth,” and on a windy morning in the lake country, Walter meets Charlotte.

At twenty-six, Charlotte Carpenter believes she will never find love. After all, she is a Catholic-born Frenchwoman living in London with a family history shadowed by scandal. Though quiet, practical, and determined to live a life of independence, her heart longs for someone to love her and a place to call home.

Passion and promises collide as Walter, Mina, and Charlotte must each decide the course for their futures. What are they each willing to risk to find love and be loved in return?

Scotland, poetry, and Mina Stuart are the three passions of a young Walter Scott. Mina Stuart is an only child, and knows her father intends on her making a brilliant marriage. Charlotte Carpenter is a practical lady, who has been an outsider in London most of her life. First love, best, love, and true love are soon revealed in this tale inspired by true events.

Though I’ve never read the works of Sir Walter Scott and certainly don’t know anything about his life, I was fascinated when I first picked up this book. A fictional telling of a romance that actually happened always has my attention. What I especially appreciate about this is at the end there are chapter notes detailing what the facts are and where fiction filled in the gaps.

It was rather clear from the start, as it must have been back then, that Walter Scott’s passionate affection for Mina was doomed from the start. She came from a titled family and was fond of the comforts her father’s position brought her. Still, the author managed to portray her in a sympathetic light. The fun of this story comes from the journey is shows.

I did find it rather amusing when a character advises a despondent Walter that true love only comes from time and knowing someone, arguing against love at first sight. And yet, his “best” love comes after nineteen days in the lady’s company.

My favorite character had to be Charlotte, who was so practical and down-to-earth. She was the prefect compliment to Walter, and their long life together shows this.

For readers who enjoy fictional portrayals of people from history with a sweet, clean romance, I would recommend this one!

The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen

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The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen

by Syrie James

Edition: paperback, 2007

Synopsis: Many rumors abound about a mysterious gentleman said to be the love of Jane’s life—finally, the truth may have been found…

What if, hidden in an old attic chest, Jane Austen’s memoirs were discovered after hundreds of years? What if those pages revealed the untold story of a life-changing love affair? That’s the premise behind this spellbinding novel, which delves into the secrets of Jane Austen’s life, giving us untold insights into her mind and heart.

Jane Austen has given up her writing when, on a fateful trip to Lyme, she meets the well-read and charming Mr. Ashford, a man who is her equal in intellect and temperament. Inspired by the people and places around her, and encouraged by his faith in her, Jane begins revising Sense and Sensibility, a book she began years earlier, hoping to be published at last.

Deft and witty, written in a style that echoes Austen’s own, this unforgettable novel offers a delightfully possible scenario for the inspiration behind this beloved author’s romantic tales. It’s a remarkable book, irresistible to anyone who loves Jane Austen—and to anyone who loves a great story.

What if several of Jane Austen’s novels and characters were based on her own life experiences? What if, during a six-month period where she wasn’t involved in a novel, she was instead writing her memoirs? What if she had fallen in love and had her life changed?

This is a work of fiction, written in a way to convince you that it is a “found” manuscript. It is written in the style of Jane Austen, and it does really well at that. It also does well at fitting this into Jane Austen’s life and the facts we know for sure.

The romance is sweet, and anyone familiar with Jane Austen’s works can easily pick out the scenes pulled directly from the novels. This was an interesting approach, one that took me by surprise. I don’t quite believe Jane Austen would have written so directly from her own life for her own novels, but it was enjoyable.

The invented love interest for Jane is a mixture of Edward Ferrars and Fitzwilliam Darcy. Mr. Ashford made for a convincing hero for this story, though of course I knew it could not have the kind of happy ending Jane Austen’s books are known for.

For readers who enjoy a fictional romance of a historical person, I would recommend this.

Courting Intrigue (Bequest #2)

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Courting Intrigue

by Wendy May Andrews

Edition: kindle, 2020

Synopsis: Security or loyalty? Attraction or duty? How does one choose?

Miss Lillian Shaw, wellborn but impoverished, has been living with her aunt, the widowed Viscountess Shepley, since the death of her parents a few years ago. Lily wants to find a paid position to add to her savings so she can open a bakery when she receives the Byram Bequest. Her aunt would rather present her and arrange a High Society marriage for her. Lily’s limited experience with the gentry has not been positive, and she would prefer to be independent than tied for life to a noble lout.

The Earl of Sedgwick only wants to go home and see to his estates after his sudden, unexpected inheritance but has one last investigation to complete for the Home Office. When his path crosses that of Miss Shaw, he is intrigued by the attractive young woman but forces himself to keep his focus on the matter at hand.

When Lily becomes suspicious of the earl’s activities, he must decide whether or not to bring her into his confidence. Lily is forced to choose between her security and her loyalties while Sedgwick is torn between his attraction and his duty.

Circumstances have made Lillian Shaw an independent woman and losing that independence is the last thing she wants to do. After inheriting a title and estates unexpectedly, the Earl of Sedgewick is ready to be finished with his work for the Home Office and have a peaceful life. Does love have a chance for two people used to relying on themselves?

“She has the most courageous independent streak.” Lillian’s aunt makes this statement towards the end of the story, and it is the most accurate description for our heroine. Lillian is so used to taking care of herself and taking care of household details for her aunt, that she is incapable of asking for help. Or, rather, she does not want the help she is offered. Her aunt offers to find a position as a governess or companion for her, but she dismisses them as uninteresting.

Brock Ralston, the Earl of Sedgewick, is on a mission. However, the pretty face of his host’s step-cousin keeps distracting him. I liked Brock. I respected how he kept to his task, though this makes him act in a less than gentlemanly manner.

Although this tale does have a happy ending, I am hesitant to call it a romance. Lillian and Brock know each other for a short amount of time, and while they get along as friends, I didn’t feel much attraction between them. The book doesn’t end with their marriage, so I am hopeful they had time to know each other better.

Well-written and interesting, I would recommend this to fans of Regency era stories with a touch of mystery.

An Author’s Random Musing…After Several Months of Silence

Well. It has been awhile since I had a random musing. To be honest, winter is always the hardest part of the year for me. I don’t handle the cold well, and January to March were no different this year.

And, I think, it hit harder this time around. Maybe because it has been a year of staying close to home? Besides grocery shopping, I stay home. I work from home. I am ALWAYS home. Being a homebody naturally, this didn’t bother me at first but I think it just kind of built up and I just…started struggling with a lot of things.

But spring is right around the corner. There have been some super warm days where I live and my flowers are peeking up from the dirt. (Too early? I’m afraid it might be, and I’m hoping a drop in temperature won’t kill my flowers before I see them bloom!)

As my last random musing was about, I had a new release in January. It was the second novella for my series, and I’m so very proud of it. And I love, love, LOVE the cover! My cover designer never fails to impress me with her work.

While the last three months were difficult for me to write, I am back at my laptop. I’m about 2/3 of the way through a standalone story, and I’ve begun my last rewrite of my third book in my series. I’m hoping that Camp NaNo with #NaNoFiMo (National Novel Finishing Month) will get me to the end of the standalone story, which is the one I began in November.

What is your favorite part of Spring? Warmer weather? Flowers? Birds chirping outside your window?

Ashfall Legacy

Cover via Goodreads

Ashfall Legacy

by Pitticus Lore

Edition: ARC, 2021

Synopsis: We have waited generations for you…

Syd Chambers knows that there’s life on other planets because he’s descended from it. His father was from a distant world called Denza, and has been missing—presumed dead—for years.

When Syd discovers a device his father left behind that shows not only that he’s alive, but where he is, Syd must set out on a mission of his own. But along the way, he discovers a deadly, unbearable secret that could destroy Denza, Earth, and the universe.

When he was twelve years old, Syd learns that the father he barely remembers was actually an alien. He and his mother are on the run, keeping one step ahead of ‘them’. Now, as a teenager, Syd has the chance to go into space to find his father and potentially help save humankind from destroying the earth. But the answers may not be the answer he wants, and some secrets should remain buried.

I’ve only read a few of the I AM NUMBER 4 series, but I am always onboard for a fun sci-fi series. The description of this one had my attention from start to finish. I found it difficult to put down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next.

We follow Syd, a teenager who is eager to learn more about his father and his father’s people, the Denzan. The Denzan people are against violence and, despite their advanced technology, they are vulnerable to the Etherazi. The Denzans recruit humans to fight the war for them since, out in space, human DNA is altered and makes them supermen: invulnerable and strong.

There is a lot packed into this book. The aliens Syd encounters are imaginative and each one memorable in each way. He makes friends (and enemies) rather quickly as he tries to uncover the truth. The reaction of humans being superhuman in space was believable. The world of Denza was fascinating, and I would love to learn more in future books.

My only negative is the ‘f’ word used in the narrative. It was less than I’ve read in other YA books, but enough that it was noticeable.

For readers looking for an alien, sci-fi adventure, I would recommend this one. I received a free copy from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.