Seeking Persephone

 

****1/2

G

Easily Recommend

I read this book ages ago...before I was book blogging.

I loved it then but I never purchased it, nor its sequel, even though I own practically every other Sarah Eden book.  I simply thought the covers were too cheesy!  How glad I am that they have come out with new covers for many of her regency books.  I am fine with all the others but these two really needed to be redone!

I remembered the general gist of the story but it was so fun to reread it and enjoy this sweet love story a second time.

So clean, so pure...it's just such a good one!

Inventing Vivian

 

****

G

{UM}

Easily and Wholeheartedly Recommend

I was worried that after I ended up liking the first Blue Orchid Society book (Solving Sophronia) so much that I would be disappointed with the rest of the series.  However, number 2 did not let me down and my confidence in the rest of the series is strong!

Such a cute, sweet book and a mild murder mystery to boot!

Loved the story, the characters and everything.

There was just one mild {Uncomfortable Moment} that I can recall...not really enough of which to even make mention but I did...so there you go :)

The Paris Dressmaker

 

***

PG

{L} {SM}

Possibly Not Recommend

I admit, the cover is half the reason I wanted to read this book :)

I also have liked Kristy Cambron in the past though and thought this would be a good pick.

I was a bit disappointed for a couple of reasons...

There were a few instances of the Lord's name taken in vain {Language} and also, a good portion of the book revolved around women who became mistresses to German soldiers during the war {Subject Matter}.  It's not looked upon as a good thing and it does show some consequences, but still...

This is also a time period shifting book.  There's only a 4.5 year difference in the periods and that almost made it a little more confusing.  There are 2 different women the story focuses on so you are basically going between 4 stories...Woman A/Time Period A, Woman B/Time Period B, Woman A/Time Period B, Woman B/Time Period A.  I like the way the past catches up to the present and how the story forms but it was kind of frustrating every time I started a new chapter and had to try and remember what happened to that woman in that time period the last time I saw her.

Anyway, good story, good characters...I just wish those couple of things weren't present so I could give this a 4 star review and feel comfortable recommending it.

The Prince of Spies

 

***

PG

{BSt} a bit {TMP}

Could Probably Recommend

I have enjoyed this series and was eager to read about the younger brother.

It was pretty good...probably not all that I was hoping though.

The {Back Story} really bothered me.  The main character's father has been in multiple affairs and it is a big part of the story.  He doesn't really ever have to pay for his sins either which bothered me even more.  Then there was the focus on the love story...I usually like Elizabeth Camden's books because there is so much history and interest beyond the love story.  I guess that was true here as well but I also felt the emphasis on the forbidden love and obsession.  There was a bit more description in the kissing scenes than I appreciate as well {Too Much Passion}.  

The plot was intriguing as always but there was enough about this one that annoyed me that I am not eager to recommend it although I probably could.

Until Vienna

 ****1/2

PG

{UM}

Easily Recommend

This was a delightful change after coming off of a long book in which I had become disinterested.

I really loved this short, sweet installment in the Orient Express series.

The writing flowed and there were cute, laughable moments that kept it very lighthearted.

I loved the characters and the storyline moved nicely.

There were only a couple of mildly {Uncomfortable Moments} but they would not keep me from recommending this book at all!

Wonderful read!!!

The Nature of a Lady

 

***

PG

Could Recommend

I am a fan of Roseanna M White.  I have really enjoyed her other series that I have read.

However, this one was a bit hard for me to get through.  It was long and didn't hold my attention like I expected it to.  The plot was fine...the characters enjoyable...but for some reason it just didn't draw me in like I had hoped. 

There was nothing objectionable that I can recall.

Another complaint that I will mention is that there were a lot of characters and the mystery itself was a bit involved.  Whenever I'm reading a book and I have to stop and think about who someone is because I can't keep everyone straight, it's a bit of a turnoff for me.  I didn't follow the resolution of the mystery all that well.  Granted, it might have been because I was a bit checked out of the book by the time it came around.

Overall, I could recommend this book because I can't recall anything offensive but I don't know that I would recommend based off of my experience.

The Duet

 ***

G

Easily Recommend

This was a bit of a change of pace for me.

I bought this book years ago and had it hiding away in my closet in a pile of second hand books to read.

I recently pulled it out and decided to give it a try.

It is a sweet story of a budding, mature (meaning the main characters are more mature) romance between a retired dutch farmer and a New York piano teacher.

It was a little bit slow for me but very clean so I can recommend it without hesitation.