The InnKeeper's Daughter by Michelle Griep

Anyone looking for a new novel to read that is set in the Regency period? Michelle Griep has just released this great new novel, The Innkeeper's Daughter, which is set in the 1800's. It's guaranteed to give your mind a fun mystery to solve.

From the Back Cover:


Dover, England, 1808: Officer Alexander Moore goes undercover as a gambling gentleman to expose a high-stakes plot against the king—and he’s a master of disguise, for Johanna Langley believes him to be quite the rogue. . .until she can no longer fight against his unrelenting charm.

All Johanna wants is to keep the family inn afloat, but when the rent and the hearth payment are due at the same time, where will she find the extra funds? If she doesn’t come up with the money, there will be nowhere to go other than the workhouse—where she’ll be separated from her ailing mother and ten-year-old brother.

Alex desperately wants to help Johanna, especially when she confides in him, but his mission—finding and bringing to justice a traitor to the crown—must come first, or they could all end up dead.

It's a race against time for them both. 

My Thoughts:
Any story that has an undercover detective with a mystery to solve is fun reading for me! Michelle Griep packs in a lot of action in this 316 page novel. From a gambling detective to a girl struggling to keep open her family's Inn, the story reaches out and pulls you in as you get to know the characters of this novel. You'll find yourself rooting on the hero as he tries to stop the villains from succeeding with their plans, and thoroughly surprised with all the twists and turns this story takes. If you're looking for some new reading material, make sure to pick up this fun, new novel by Michelle Griep and add it to your library!  Check out Michelle's Website by clicking here and see more of her books.

My Rating:
★★★★★

***I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Keturah by Lisa T. Bergren (The Sugar Baron's Daughters, Book 1)

How much do you know about the West Indies during the 1700's when sugar plantations were very profitable? I will admit that I really have no knowledge of how life was during that time of history. Lisa T. Bergren's newest novel, Keturah, is set during this time in history and paints quite a picture of life in the West Indies. This book is the first book of three in her new series, The Sugar Baron's Daughters.

From the Back Cover:
In 1772 England, Lady Keturah Banning Tomlinson and her sisters find themselves the heiresses of their father's estates and know they have one option: Go to the West Indies to save what is left of their heritage.
Although it flies against all the conventions, they're determined to make their own way in the world. But once they arrive in the Caribbean, conventions are the least of their concerns. On the infamous island of Nevis, the sisters discover the legacy of the legendary sugar barons has vastly declined--and that's just the start of what their eyes are opened to in this harsh and unfamiliar world.
Keturah never intends to put herself at the mercy of a man again, but every man on the island seems to be trying to win her hand and, with it, the ownership of her plantation. She could desperately use an ally, but even an unexpected reunion with a childhood friend leaves her questioning his motives.
To keep her family together and save the plantation that is her last chance at providing for them, can Keturah ever surrender her stubbornness and guarded heart to God and find the healing and love awaiting her?

My Thoughts:
The setting for this story is definitely interesting. I learned a lot about the West Indies while reading this story that I did not know. The story line was intriguing too as the three, young women attempt to do the impossible to save their family's inheritance. It's a story that has you routing for the women to succeed, but wondering if they are too far above their heads to make things work. There are some surprises along the way that throw some twists into the plot and keep the story interesting. And there is definitely a good bit of romance woven into the story. There are some elements in this story that can be difficult to read dealing with abuse both for females and African Americans. But the author was staying true to the time of slavery and that women didn't have as much say as the men. Overall, the writing is good.  The story kept me interested and added to my knowledge of history. I do look forward to reading the other 2 books to this series when they come out.

If you are curious what others thought of this book, then click here to read more reviews from the blog tour for Keturah! Also, make sure to enter the 5 book giveaway by clicking here. It ends on March 12!

My Rating: ★★★

***I received this complimentary book from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin (Sunrise at Normandy series)

Are you a fan of World War II historical fiction? Then here is a new series you need to add to your personal library. Sarah Sundin has a new book out, The Sea Before Us, which is the first book in her new series, Sunrise at Normandy.

From the Back Cover:
In 1944, American naval officer Lt. Wyatt Paxton arrives in London to perpare for the Allied invasion of France. He works closely with Dorothy Fairfax, a "Wren" in the Women's Royal Naval Service, who pieces together reconnaissance photographs with holiday snapshots of France--including those of her family's summer home--in order to create accurate maps of Normandy. Maps that Wyatt turns into naval bombardment plans for D-day.

As the two spend concentrated time together in the pressure cooker of war, their deepening friendship threatens to turn into something more. But both of them have too much to lose to give in to love...

My Thoughts:
World War II history has always fascinated me since this would be the world my grandparents were living in. Not only did they live during this time, but they also were actually involved in the armed forces during WWII.  My grandmother drove trucks in the Army and my grandfather was a commander on a submarine. I love how the author uses fiction to bring our American history to life. The Sea Before Us was a fun story to read and it was hard to put down once I started reading. Dorothy's story actually adds some twists and turns that are unexpected. I appreciate when the author turns the story in an unpredictable way to keep things interesting. If you're looking for a book that will bring history to life, make sure to pick up The Sea Before Us!  I'm excited to continue this story when book 2, The Sky Above Us, comes out in Spring 2019 and look for book 3, The Land Below Us to be released Spring 2020.

My Rating: ★★★★★


***I received this complimentary book from Revel Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

A Song Unheard by Roseanna M. White (book 2 in the Shadows Over England series)

Roseanna M. White has released her newest book in the Shadows Over England series. A Song Unheard is the second book in the series and tells the story of Rosemary's sister, Willa Forsythe. You can find my review of the first book in this series, A Name Unknown, by clicking here.
Willa's story picks up with Mr. V where Rosemary left off. Mr. V has another daring mission that will need Willa's expertise, but will Willa be able to complete her mission?

From the Back Cover:
Willa Forsythe is both a violin prodigy and top-notch thief, which makes her the perfect choice for a critical task at the outset of World War I--to secure a crucial cypher key from a famous violinist currently in Wales.
Lukas De Wilde has enjoyed the life of fame he's won--until now, when being recognized nearly gets him killed. Everyone wants the key to his father's work as a cryptologist. And Lukas fears that his mother and sister, who have vanished in the wake of the German invasion of Belgium, will pay the price. The only distraction he finds from his worry is in meeting the intriguing and talented Willa Forsythe.
But danger presses in from every side, and Willa knows what Lukas doesn't--that she must betray him and find that key, or her own family could pay the same price his surely has.

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed Willa's story. I majored in Piano Pedagogy in college, so the addition of music to this story was fun for me. The story is fast-paced and will take you on a thrilling ride from covert missions, to romance, to betrayal, this story has it all. I think the author did a fabulous job in writing Willa's character. She is a puzzle that makes the story interesting. You never know what she will do or what she is capable of. Willa's character goes through much change in this book as she contemplates questions she's never had to face before. Can a thief turn good? Does being a thief define who she is for the rest of her life? In order to find out the answer to those questions, pick up your own copy of A Song Unheard and find out how Willa's story ends! And make sure to keep an eye out for book 3, An Hour Unspent, which will tell the story of Barclay Pearce. This book will be released, September 4, 2018.

My Rating: ★★★★★

***I received this complimentary book from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.