The Gentleman's Deception

Sorry it's a bit fuzzy...it's the clearest picture I could find.

***1/2

PG

{UM} {TMP} {SM}/{BSt}

Not Sure if I Could Recommend

I have to start off by saying I really liked this story!

It was sweet and kind of different than most regencies.

However, there were a few {UM} and there was just a bit {TMP}

The main character is a beautiful actress and as such is harshly judged by most people.  Her experience in life is that most men want to take advantage of her.  So the back story and subject matter {BSt}/{SM} issues I had, dealt with a man that wishes to set her up as his mistress...this topic is brought up a few times...and other mens' thoughts and comments about her.  Also, her father is not a fine, upstanding man and has a history with women.

Of course the hero of the story is all that is considerate and gentlemanly and that is why she is attracted to him initially.  He does steal a few too many kisses in my opinion though (especially for that time period :)

Maybe with an explanation I would be able to recommend this book but it's probably not one I will encourage my young, teenage daughter to read.

Ashes on the Moor

***1/2

G

Easily Recommend

It was fun to read a Sarah Eden written about a different time period.

She's always good about developing her characters and painting a picture of the setting.

There are two boys in the story who, she obviously describes as having autism; although, she of course, does not name it as such.  I really liked that element of the book.

Although I would probably not name this as one of my top three favorite written by Sarah, it was still a pleasant and lovely read.

A Tangled Inheritance

***

PG

{TMP} {UM}

Could Recommend

I really liked Chalon's first book so I maybe had a little too high of expectations for this one.  It was okay but I didn't love it.  It was quite clean although, toward the end there were many descriptions of kisses {TMP}

The {UM} were mild and few.

I did like that the main man was not perfect and was working at overcoming his weaknesses.

A Song Unheard

***1/2

PG

{UM} {TMP?} {BSt}

Easily Recommend

I thought this was a nice sequel to A Name Unknown.

However, I think I liked the characters better in the first book...especially the main man.

I think in this book, I actually enjoyed a secondary character (his little sister) more than the main ones.  Still a great read though.

The {BSt} is just that the main male character used to be a bit of a playboy and it refers to that a little...nothing too explicit though.

I debated whether or not I should even put in {TMP?} because it was so slight.

#3 is supposed to come out later this year and I'll be excited to read it!

Wonderland Creek

****

PG

{UM} {TMP?} {SM?}

Easily Recommend

I love how Lynn Austin is able to write about many different genres.  

She has my respect for that and also because all of her books that I have read so far have been very clean!

I really liked this one!  It had me laughing :)

There was a lot of things I didn't expect...didn't quite know where the story was going to go which I love.

There was a lot of kissing {TMP?} but it's not described in great detail and it's not between the two main characters which was interesting.

I can't quite remember the {UM} but I did make note that there were some.

This book does have a character who experiences severe postpartum depression {SM} in case you are sensitive to that topic.

Chateau of Secrets

***1/2

PG-13

{L} {SM} {UM}

Very Hesitantly Recommend

Two instances of swearing {L}

There was a lot of references to immorality and infidelity.  The main character does not approve of what is going on but it is brought up quite a bit.  There was also an attempted rape. {SM} {UM}

I really wish I didn't have any objections to this book because I really liked the historical side of things.  WWII has always been fascinating to me.

This is a book that switches back and forth between history and modern day.  I enjoyed both time periods and how they were brought together in the end.

Also, it was not a super obvious story line so there was a small element of surprise.

Westminster Bridge / The Teacher

****

PG

{L}

Easily Recommend

I am really excited!!!

I think I found an historical mystery author that is relatively clean!

I have been so disappointed in the past with the different authors I have given a try.

These are two short mysteries and each of them only had one mild (...I don't necessarily like referring to any swearing as mild but if hard pressed, I would categorize this one as mild :) swear word.  Neither of them had any graphic descriptions or scenes even though they are murder mysteries and, lo and behold, neither of them dealt with infidelity either!

I was astounded.

I am definitely going to read Emily Organ's full length mysteries in the future! (providing they stay as clean as these two miniature samplings)

There wasn't a lot of depth to either of them but that was probably because they were short...I'm thinking that in her novels I will be more impressed with her as a writer.

The Dishonorable Miss Delancey

***

PG

{L} {UM} {TMP}

Maybe Recommend w/ Explanation

Good story, although...

{L}  There was a lot of the Lord's name where I wasn't sure if it was in vain or not...certainly not used in ways I would be comfortable with...

There were definitely some uncomfortable moments {UM}

At the end it mentions a man being eager for his wedding night and that's why I gave it a {TMP}.  Maybe that wasn't the right category but I wasn't sure how else to label it.

This is the third in a series and of the three I feel like this one is probably the cleanest.

The House of the Seven Gables

**1/2

PG

{UM} {L}

Could Recommend

Very verbose!!!  I guess that's how a lot of these old classics are right?  There were just too many inconsequential things that were explained in great detail.  Therefore, I did not speed through it at the pace I am used to.

However, it had an interesting storyline (when you could find it)

A few instances of the Lord's name in vain {L} and a few {UM}

It is a ghostly type story which I guess I didn't realize when I bought it while on my trip to New Hampshire several years ago to visit my sister.  At the time I was looking for something to read on the plane ride home.  I was just feeling the need for more classics in my life and thought that would be a good one with which to start.  Since it took me years to actually read it, I worry about my self improvement plan and its effectiveness :)

Anyway, does it make me a terribly uncultured swine of a person to not have loved this book?...I mean two and a half stars...

Christmas at Carnton

***

PG

{UM}

Probably Recommend

I didn't write about this one immediately after I finished it so my review is quite watered down but I recalled that there were just a few {UM} and everything else was fine.

I did enjoy the story as well.

 I have a brother and sister in law that live in Tennessee very close to Carnton and they've learned a lot of the history surrounding the area.  We're trying to plan a girls only trip to go visit them and I think it would be so fun to visit these types of places! 

Out of the Ordinary

*** 1/2

PG

{BSt}

Easily Recommend

Another good one from Jen Turano!

There were a couple of back stories {BSt} of infidelity and one instance of suicide but none of it was a large part of the story.

I think I've said it before but... I know most of her scenarios are not realistic and her characters are full of funny quirks and silliness but I just enjoy getting carried into her world sometimes and getting lost in the chaos :)

Lies Jane Austen Told Me

***1/2

PG

{L}* {TMP}

Could Probably Recommend

So there was not any swearing {L}* in this book...but, there were some words that I don't use and that kind of bugged me.

The little bits of intimate moments were just a mite too strong for me {TMP}

The story moved quickly though and it was a fun read :)

A Christmas Message

***

PG

{L}

Probably Not Recommend

Just a bit of {L}...

Overall, it was just kind of confusing/vague/philosophical.

It was not really my style but I would be interested in trying another one of hers to see if it's any different.

A Proper Pursuit

***1/2

PG

{UM}

Would Probably Recommend

I had high expectations for this one because I had heard wonderful things about it.

I think I was only slightly disappointed...

For me, it was a little bit too long.

There were also several {UM} mostly having to do with "womens' assets" and such.

That being said, I really thought the plot was fun!  This is one book that you don't necessarily know the end from the beginning.  It's not as predictable as most (at least for me).  Although, I did figure things out a little bit before I read the conclusion :)

I always seem to enjoy books about World Fairs...they are fascinating!

Christmas Grace

****1/2

G

Easily Recommend

So for some reason I could not find a review for this one...I must have spaced writing about it after I finished it.  It's a good thing I remember how I felt about it though.

I loved this one!  I had never read anything else by Krista Lynne Jensen or Anita Stansfield but I enjoyed all four stories.

I don't remember anything I didn't like in any of them.

This one is definitely a two thumbs up and I might reread it each Christmas season :)

The Fifth Doll

***

PG-13

{L} {UM}

Not Recommend!

I was so excited to try this one!  My mom loves Russian nesting dolls and she also likes to read so I was hoping this would be a good marriage of the two.

However, I was really disappointed :(

There were some really inappropriate moments {UM} and way too much {L} for my comfort level.

I gave her 3 stars for the plot.  It was quite intriguing but I cannot recommend this book and I won't be reading any more of hers. :(