A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna M. White - a book review

This is one of those books that requires dedicated concentration to read.  The story line is very interesting but the list of numerous characters, each with three or four names or titles, gets in the way.  At least it did for me.  It was very confusing to keep them straight.  Fortunately, the author includes a list in the front of the book.  While it is historically accurate for the aristocracy in the early 20^th century to have several titles, for those of us in this century who are not accustomed to it, it was confusing. 

It is also a very long book, the paperback version that I read was over 400 pages.  It took me much longer to read than most books and I really didn’t fully enjoy it until I was about three quarters of the way through.  I’m not sure of the writing changed or if I just got used to it but the last quarter finally got my attention and I looked forward to reading it.

The author does a great job with the historical aspects of the time.  The landscape, building styles, fashion, and cultural differences are very clear and you can imagine yourself there. 

It is the third book of the Ladies of the Manor series.  It would benefit the reader to have read the previous books in order to fully enjoy the plot.

The story is mainly a mystery, full of intrigue, suspense and danger but also plenty of romance, humor and Christian faith.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“Amid the Unforgettable Cotswolds, the Final Grasp for the Fire Eyes Diamonds Could Threaten Them All

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 how the dangerous Fire Eyes diamonds have haunted her brother and their friends, and she won't wait for peril 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 James Cayton has already broken two hearts, including that of his first wife, who died before he could convince himself to love her. Now he's determined to live a better life . . . but that proves complicated when old acquaintances pull Cayton into their desperate attempt to seize the jewels. 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 daughter--from those intent on destroying them all?”

If you’re like me and like easy reading, this might not be the book for you. However, if you like a book that requires dedicated concentration, then give this one a try. You can read an excerpt HERE.

Go HERE to learn more about the author and her book

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House and Baker
Publishing Group through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Heart Most Certain by Melissa Jagears - a book review

This is a full sized novel in the Teaville Moral Society series.  It is set in the early 20^th century. 

We first meet our heroine in the fall of 1905. Lydia King is a spunky young lady with a heart for helping others.  When her parents financial situation becomes increasingly bad, she feels her only hope in keeping them all out of the poorhouse, is to make a financially advantageous marriage.  In order to impress her demanding future mother-in-law, she must perform a nearly impossible task.  Her mother-in-law is the president of the moral society and tasks Lydia with obtaining a donation from the wealthiest man in town. The problems start when he says no. 

Faith is a strong thread throughout the book but there are also secrets and deceptions, political corruption.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“Lydia King knows what it's like to be in need, so she joins the Teaville Moral Society hoping to help the town's poor. But with her father's debts increasing by the day and her mother growing sicker by the week, she wonders how long it will be until she ends up in the poorhouse herself. Her best chance at a financially secure future is to impress the politician courting her, and it certainly doesn't hurt that his mother is the moral society's president. Lydia's first task as a moral society member--to obtain a donation from Nicholas Lowe, the wealthiest man in town--seems easy . . . until the man flat-out refuses.

Despite appearances, Nicholas wants to help others but prefers to do it his own way, keeping his charity private. When Lydia proves persistent, they agree to a bargain, though Nicholas has a few surprises up his sleeve. Neither foresees the harrowing complications that will arise from working together, and when town secrets are brought to light, this unlikely pair must decide where their beliefs--and hearts--truly align.”

The author deals with many Christian doctrines in a subtle way.  This is definitely a Christian historical romance but isn’t at all “preachey”.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

You can read an excerpt HERE 

Learn about the author, Melissa Jagears  HERE

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House and Baker
Publishing Group through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”