Drops of Gold by Sarah M. Eden

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Aug 052013
 

dropsofgoldDrops of Gold

Author: Sarah M. Eden

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published Date: January 2013

Softcover/Kindle/DB ebook/CD: 192 pages

Genre: Regency Romance

ISBN# 978-1-60861-569-8

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: I purchased my own copy with my own money and followed Sarah around until she signed it. (I’m kidding. About the following Sarah around part. I did buy my own copy. And Sarah did sign it. Because she’s awesome like that.)

Summary

When her father dies and leaves her completely destitute, Marion can think of only one thing to do–make a new life for herself. Commencing a life of duplicity, Marion transforms herself into Mary Wood–governess. In possession of a forged letter of recommendation and cloaked in the anonymity of her new identity, she enters a life of self-imposed servitude as teacher and caretaker of young Miss Caroline Jonquil of Farland Meadows. Her idyllic daydream vision of life at the Meadows is dashed when she finds a child desperately in need of hope and a cold and sorrowful home haunted by the past. With her characteristic sunny disposition, Marion casts her spell upon the household and slowly brings to life the long-forgotten joy of those within.

Layton Jonquil is a man tormented by the lies surrounding the death of his late wife, but he cannot deny his growing attraction for the beautiful governess whose goodness and optimism have touched his dormant heart. Their connection grows ever stronger, and despite the impropriety of harboring feelings for a servant, Layton’s heart whispers that this is the woman he’s destined to love. But when Layton’s fears about the past become too much to bear and the falsehoods in which they are entangled threaten to shatter his and Marion’s blossoming attachment, will true love conquer all?

Review

Drops of Gold is another Sarah M. Eden masterpiece. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read that I would have finished in one sitting if my body didn’t insist on sleeping at night.

I liked both Layton and Marion. Layton is a good father to Caroline as far as he is able through his grief and struggle, but not a particularly friendly person, even with his brothers. When faced with a very difficult situation, Marion doesn’t hesitate to do what is necessary to get by with as much dignity as she can. Despite her desperate and lonely circumstances, she retains a cheerful disposition and doesn’t hesitate to show love and understanding to others whenever possible. I liked Marion’s stories and the glimpses into her history and character they provided. Caroline is cute, if a bit mature for a four-year-old, though as an only child in that time period it is entirely plausible that she could have been comparatively more articulate and mature than the four-year-olds I know.

I loved how everything in the story played out, especially the ending. I felt for Marion, stranded between two worlds, belonging neither above nor below stairs. Layton was torn between preventing his staff from isolating Marion even more if he showed her any favoritism and his daughter’s desire to include Marion in events that, as governess, she really shouldn’t be participating in, especially because he found that he wanted Marion included as well. My heart broke for Marion as I learned her story, and for Layton’s as well, once the truth of his situation was discovered.

I love reading about the Jonquil brothers and can’t wait to read about more of them, specifically Corbin. I enjoyed seeing Philip and Sorrel from Friends and Foes again.

Drops of Gold is one of my favorites of Sarah’s books, which is saying a lot because I love all of them. I know when I want to read a good, clean, well-written romance that I can pick up anything by Sarah Eden and be happily satisfied. For those of you who have read Sarah’s books, I’m preaching to the choir. If you haven’t read any of Sarah’s books, what are you waiting for?

Visit Sarah:

BLOG | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

Find Drops of Gold:

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***The DB Bookshelf ebook version of Drops of Gold is only $4.99 right now!***

The Duke’s Undoing by G.G. Vandagriff

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Apr 292013
 

thedukesundoingThe Duke’s Undoing (Three Rogues and Their Ladies #1)

Author: G.G. Vandagriff

Publisher: Orson Whitney Press

Published Date: April 2012

Paperback/ebook: 202 pages

Genre: Regency Romance

ISBN# 978-0983953678

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: “purchased” a Kindle version when it was free on Amazon

Summary

Meet the Duke of Ruisdell, the unlikely hero of this traditional Regency Romance, after the manner of Georgette Heyer and Candice Hern.

The duke has just returned wounded from the Napoleonic wars. He is weary, cynical, and very bored. Known as the worst rake in England, he finds he has no interest in upholding that distinction, when his friend, the Marquis of Somerset, proposes a bet: “Five thousand guineas says that seducing Miss Elise Edwards will cure your ennui.” Because his friend has just lost a packet to him, he agrees that the bet be posted in White’s famous Betting Book.

The following day, while walking in Green Park, he spies a mysterious young woman, veiled, and obviously grieving. A disembodied voice, sounding strangely like that of his late adjutant, informs him, “The jig is up. That is the girl you are going to marry!” He scoffs, but is nevertheless intrigued by something about the slight figure. He even sketches her and asks if he can be of assistance to her. She declines his offer kindly.

At the opera that evening, he is captivated by a beauty across the Opera Hall. He hears the same voice, saying the same thing. The marquis informs him that the woman in question is Miss Elise Edwards. When he meets her, he recognizes her voice as that of the woman in the park. Now she is surrounded by a surfeit of ex-fiance’s, one of them dangerously unbalanced. Ruisdell discovers an actual bond between them which renders him honor bound to protect her.

Thus begins a train of unstoppable events–dangerous, humorous, devilish, and amorous–that carry his life along at such a pace that the duke soon knows not whether he is on his head or his heels. And then there is that bet . . .

Enjoy this delicious romance that will carry you back to the Regency period in English history, where manners were dictated by strict rules of fashion. It is the Jane Austen era, populated by gentlemen and ladies of leisure. These books are best enjoyed with a box of chocolates, and are guaranteed to enliven any boredom (ennui) that you may be experiencing!

Review

The heroine of The Duke’s Undoing, with her three ex-fiances, her writing of novels under the pen name “A Gentlewoman,” and her unconventional personality, intrigued me from the start. What sounded in the description like an unlikely scenario was presented quite believably by the author.

I really liked both the hero and heroine. The supporting characters were interesting, entertaining, and villainous where applicable. I was pulled into the Regency time period, with descriptions and dialogue that felt authentic and encompassing. There were scenes of fast-paced action intermingled with more sedate, dignified discourses that resemble traditional Austen-like prose.  (Didn’t that sound so Regency-ish?)

There were a few unexpected plot twists, some of which made me wonder of the Duke and Elise would ever get their happily-ever-after. The romance, when they were together, was toe-curling but clean. The main characters had some great chemistry that the author effectively portrayed without using graphic description, something I appreciate. It was easy to get caught up in the main characters’ emotions, particularly during one heart-wrenching scene that I don’t want to spoil.

The story slowed for me near the end (about 80% in) but picked back up. I liked the ending but felt like I wanted to know more. What happened later? Did things ever get resolved regarding the Duke’s circumstances? Were they ever able to settle at his palace? Considering that this is Book One of a series, I’m hoping we will get to see glimpses of the Duke and Elise’s future and have those questions answered.

The Duke’s Undoing was an enjoyable read that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to anyone who loves a good Regency romance. I look forward to reading about the other two rogues and their ladies.

Content: some innuendo; a few references to breasts; one “curse” word; mild violence (a stabbing, a duel, attempted kidnapping) and references to war experiences

Visit G.G.:

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Find The Duke’s Undoing:

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Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
May 022012
 

 Edenbrooke

Author: Julianne Donaldson

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: March 2012

ISBN13: 9781609089467

Paperback: 240 pages

FTC FYI: Review copy

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary: Marianne Daventry will do anything to escape the boredom of Bath and the amorous attentions of an unwanted suitor. So when an invitation arrives from her twin sister, Cecily, to join her at a sprawling country estate, she jumps at the chance. Thinking she’ll be able to relax and enjoy her beloved English countryside while her sister snags the handsome heir of Edenbrooke, Marianne finds that even the best laid plans can go awry.

From a terrifying run-in with a highwayman to a seemingly harmless flirtation, Marianne finds herself embroiled in an unexpected adventure filled with enough romance and intrigue to keep her mind racing. Will she be able to rein in her traitorous heart, or will a mysterious stranger sweep her off her feet? Fate had something other than a relaxing summer in mind when it sent Marianne to Edenbrooke.

My Review

This book is an absolute delight.  I loved everything about it.  Especially the twirling. :) I loved Marianne.  My heart would break for her at times, but it was all worth it in the end.  Phillip is a dream, he was my favorite.  He would light up the pages.  I laughed out loud at times, and smiled a lot while reading Edenbrooke.  Not only is this a great romance story, there is some page-turning suspense as well.  The author did an excellent job with the setting, and language of the characters.  I felt very regent while reading this. :)

5 out of 5 stars.  This is the Julianne’s first book, and she did an excellent job.  I can’t wait to read more from her.  Find out more from the author here.  I also have the book trailer for you too.  Enjoy!

FACEBOOK / TWITTER

DESERET BOOK / SEAGULL BOOK / AMAZON / BARNES AND NOBLE

 

Friends and Foes by Sarah M. Eden

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Feb 272012
 

Friends and Foes

Author: Sarah M. Eden

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published Date: January 2012

Softcover;  269 pages

Genre: Regency Romance

ISBN# 978-1-60681-376-2

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: free review copy in exchange for honest review

Summary

Phillip Jonquil, Earl of Lampton, a dandy in brightly-colored frock coats with a quick-witted humor and Sorrel Kendrick, a woman with a shrewish attitude whose body and dreams were forever shattered in a painful accident, are enemies immediately upon meeting. Both are protecting something: Sorrel, her heart damaged by lifelong abuse, and Phillip, his secret career hunting spies for the Foreign Office.

They declare themselves at war and oppose each other throughout the month-long Christmas holiday they must spend together while visiting common friends. With plenty of time to get to know the enemy, they find themselves forming an unexpected trust and friendship.

When Sorrel unknowingly overhears the very information Phillip needs to catch a notorious spy he refuses to put her at risk, but Sorrel knows he needs her to identify the men she saw. When the situation turns more dangerous than they expected, Phillip fears he will lose the woman he loves forever.

My Review

Friends and Foes was just as good as I expected, having enjoyed all of Sarah’s other books. I got a kick out of Phillip. He’s an easy hero to love, with his wit, good looks, and dangerous job. It was nice to get inside his head and see the man behind the dandy.

I also enjoyed watching the relationship between Phillip and Sorrel develop. Sorrel is strong because she feels vulnerable inside. Spending time in the same house with Phillip allows her glimpses behind his make-light-of-everything mask. He challenges her when she needs it, and soon there is a trust between them that is budding into friendship.

I read Friends and Foes in one sitting and loved every minute of it. I can’t wait to read more from Sarah. I hope we get the chance to know Phillip’s many brothers better in future books. (Please say we do, Sarah!)

 

Buy Friends and Foes: AMAZON | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK **

**These links are provided for the reader’s convenience and are not affiliate links.

 

Guest Author Thursday: Sarah M. Eden

 Posted by  Guest Author Thursday, Special Features
Jan 122012
 

We are happy to have Sarah M. Eden as our guest author today. She is the author of several Regency-era romances, including Seeking Persephone, Courting Miss Lancaster, Kiss of a Stranger and her most recent release, Friends and Foes.

Not only is Sarah a talented author, she is a sweet, quick-witted woman and dedicated mother and wife.

Read more about Sarah and her books on her WEBSITE. Purchase Friends and Foes at DESERET BOOK and AMAZON.

Find details below for the DOUBLE BOOK LAUNCH for Sarah and last week’s guest author, Krista Lynne Jensen.

Okay, Sarah, take it away.

*  *  *  *  *

Authors are strange people. Stranger than most.

We feel deep and abiding connections to people we make up, people who only exist inside our heads. We talk to them. Often out loud. And they talk back. Conversations go on for hours. And we don’t find this odd.

Authors get together in groups to willingly and gratefully be told all the many reasons why the words we have slaved over for hours, days, weeks, years are inherently flawed and horrible. We then work for further hours, days, weeks, years to fix those flawed words and send them off to be rejected, criticized and panned by people we don’t even know. We do this repeatedly. Willingly. And we like it.

We see story ideas in everything around us. The line at the grocery store. A one-paragraph news item. Dreams. Overheard conversations. Yes, we eavesdrop. Shamelessly.

Perhaps our oddest feature of all is what I like to call the Jekyll/Hyde Syndrome. I have never yet met an author who couldn’t flip from the ultimate optimist filled with confidence and dreams of grandeur to a pathetic heap of despondent self-loathing and doubt, and do so in an instant. Over and over again.

Perhaps a visual record of this very thing would be helpful. I happen to have obtained this extremely accurate documentation for your enlightenment. Read on.

Like the grave. Oh so very sad but so very true. We’re an odd bunch, writers. But we embrace it. Next time you run into an author, feel free to give them a high five or a “good going.” Chances are, we need it.

Then again, we might very well be in the middle of a very in-depth conversation with someone only we can see. In which case, maybe distance is best. Science hasn’t yet proven it, but there’s a chance this sickness we call “Being a Writer” might just be contagious.

Happy reading. Happy writing.

Shameless plug time!

Got some free time on your hands this Saturday? Live anywhere near Salt Lake City, Utah? Fellow author Krista Lynne Jensen and I are celebrating the release of our novels Of Grace and Chocolate (Krista’s) and Friends and Foes (mine) with a launch party of epic proportions! There will be prizes and treats and fun to be had by all. Stop by!

Saturday, January 14
11-1
1110 Ft. Union Blvd, Midvale Utah

Thank you, Sarah. See you on Saturday!

Help us thank Sarah for visiting the LDSWBR blog and leave a comment!

Seeking Persephone by Sarah M. Eden

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Sep 262011
 

Seeking Persephone

Author: Sarah M. Eden

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published Date: September 2011

Softcover; 280 pages

Genre: Regency Romance

ISBN# 978-1-60861-281-9

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: free review copy in exchange for an honest review

Seeking Persephone was actually a re-read for me. I first read it as a Whitney judge in the Romance category when it was released a few years ago. I was new to regency romance at the time and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I really enjoyed the story, the setting, and the main characters that were very different from the contemporary romances I was accustomed to reading.

I was so excited for Sarah when she announced that Covenant would be publishing Seeking Persephone. Clean Regency-style romance has such a large following (much bigger than I realized before becoming a fan myself) and yet most national publishers won’t publish it without additional….content, if you catch my meaning. I am thrilled that Covenant is publishing Sarah’s books. Both Courting Miss Lancaster and Kiss of a Stranger have been released within the last year or so.

Seeking Persephone tells the story of Adam, Duke of Kielder, and Persephone, the oldest daughter in a poor family. Adam may be technically living a life of privilege, but it has not been an easy one. Born with a small deformity, a number of surgeons scarred the right side of Adam’s face in search of his missing ear. Years of teasing and being shunned, along with feeling abandoned by his mother, have turned him into a hardened, defensive man who strikes first and asks questions later. This gruffness, along with the power of his position in society, make Adam a force to be reckoned with. Nobody dares cross him, with the exception of his long-time friend, Harry.

Adam is unhappy with the idiot cousin who is next in line to inherit Falstone Castle if he dies. Adam’s man of business suggests a solution, marrying and producing an heir of his own, but he will have none of it at first. His man of business makes the arrangements and Persephone’s family receives an offer they simply can’t refuse. Persephone and family are soon on their way to Falstone Castle, set to arrive the morning of the wedding.

As soon as Adam sees Persephone, he is angry that his requirements of a plain, poor woman with absolutely no prospects of marriage otherwise have not been met. Persephone is young and pretty, quiet and long-suffering. She is not what Adam expects or wants, and he keeps his distance. Persephone is determined to make the best of her marriage, though, and in her own strong and patient way starts to bring out the best in Adam. Despite his gruff and unapproachable manner, she sees the goodness in him and her affection for Adam grows.

Persephone is very likable. Sarah has a way of writing characters that bring them to life. Even the apothecary, who is present for only one scene, has personality and dimension. Seeking Persephone has a nice, even pace with plenty of tender moments and “almost” touches. I fell in love with Adam right along with Persephone.

If you haven’t read Courting Miss Lancaster yet, you may want to start with Seeking Persephone, though they are each strong enough to stand on their own. I have enjoyed every one of Sarah’s books so far, and I can’t wait for her next novel to be released. No one writes Regency romance quite like she does. Sarah is known as the queen of research. She knows that time period very well and it shows in her writing.

If you want a good laugh, follow her on Twitter @SarahMEden and ask her to share a Regency-era insult or some slang. She knows some great ones.

I give Seeking Persephone 4 stars out of 5 for great writing, memorable characters, and a wonderfully romantic story.

Have you read any Regency-era (Jane Austen and that time period) romance before? If so, what have you read?
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