October Book Review


This Fall I had the opportunity of reviewing three amazing books from Shadow Mountain. 

Book #1: The Gentleman's Confession
by Anneka R. Walker



About:

Inexperienced in courtship and love, Jemma turns to her best friend, Miles, for guidance on how to win a man’s heart—not knowing that Miles has secretly loved her for years.



"Enough ups and downs to last until the happily-ever-after ending . . . this should attract fans of Georgette Heyer, Mary Balogh, and Marion Chesney." --
Booklist


Brookeside, England, 1822

Jemma Fielding has always considered herself an independent woman, but to honor her beloved grandmother’s dying wish, she makes a promise that she will marry and fall in love. To fulfill her promise, she turns to the Matchmaking Mamas Society for assistance and is paired with the charming Mr. Bentley. Though he is everything Jemma could hope for in a match, she is clueless about how to win his heart. Desperate to make a good impression, she seeks guidance from her dearest friend, Miles Jackson, a humble rector with a talent for understanding matters of the heart.

However, Miles’s secret affection for Jemma has spanned years, and teaching her to love someone else threatens to betray his own heart. Despite his selfless nature, Miles fears he will never be more than a humble rector in her eyes.

Even as he gives Jemma lessons in love, Miles grapples with the challenge of convincing her that Mr. Bentley may be a perfect gentleman but he is not the perfect match for her. Will Miles’s advice in romance jeopardize their years of friendship, or will it reveal the attraction that has quietly blossomed between them, proving that this time, the Matchmaking Mamas may have made a mistake? Miles must decide if he’s brave enough to confess his feelings to Jemma before she is whisked away forever.

In my opinion:

The Gentleman's Confession is another proper romance that I couldn't put down. This book had me from the beginning because it was about a woman named Jemma Fielding. She promises her grandmother that she would find someone and fall in love. There was a matchmaking made so of course she turns to one of her dearest friends, Miles Jackson to help her through the entire situation. This was a friends to lovers sort of proper romance which I highly enjoyed. This was also the third book of the Matchmaking Mamas Romance series so if you loved this one, I'm sure you will love the other two (Bargaining for the Barrister and An Unwitting Alliance). Anneka's style of writing kept me interested and excited for the outcome. Will Miles be able to express his love to Jemma before it is too late or will he end up alone for the rest of his life? I highly recommend this one.

Book #2: Hometown Vendetta
by Traci Hunter Abramson



About:

Marine Captain Luke Steele and FBI Special Agent Amberlyn McDowell must work together to unravel a deadly conspiracy before times runs out while also navigating their undercover fake relationship that is becoming all too real.



Booklist Starred review: "Abramson kicks off her newest series with a bang! Fans of Lynette Eason and Elizabeth Goddard will be delighted to find another author who writes edge-of-your-seat, inspirational, romantic suspense with strong female characters."



Marine Captain Luke Steele and FBI Special Agent Amberlyn Reiner must work together to unravel a deadly conspiracy before time runs out while also navigating their undercover fake relationship that is becoming all too real.

When a terrorist attack grips the nation, Luke Steele, a military aide to the president of the United States, is reassigned to track down the suspect because the alleged bomber was spotted wearing a state championship ring from Luke’s hometown. Luke has desperately tried to forget his high school years, but he can’t run from them now. Instead, he must face his most formidable assignment yet: leave his post by the president’s side, return to Pine Falls, Virginia, and face every demon from his childhood—including every person and every thought that told him he wasn’t worth anything.

FBI Special Agent Amberlyn Reiner has spent years tracking domestic terrorism. When she catches a break that could pinpoint the key player in the antigovernment group responsible for dozens of needless deaths, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to get the information she seeks—even if it means going undercover as Luke Steele’s plus-one at his high school reunion. Though Amberlyn found Luke arrogant and aloof during their time together at Quantico, it doesn’t take long for her to discover that there’s much more to him than she realized. But even as the line between fact and fiction in their relationship blurs, the countdown to danger accelerates. Time is running out, and with the threat of another terrorist attack looming, the stakes are higher than ever.

In my opinion:

Hometown Vendetta is an exciting new thriller by Traci Hunter Abramson. The author worked with the Central Intelligence Agency, which gave her many cool ideas for future books. I'm definitely a fan of Abramson's because of her writing style. I love that her novels have a little suspense and romance but feature clean content.

 This was Book 1 of the Luke Steele series so I can't wait for future Luke novels. Luke Steele was a military aide for the president of the United States. He was asked to return to his hometown to figure out a deadly conspiracy before something bad happened. He isn't fond of his hometown especially during High School due to students who bullied him. But, with assistance from FBI Special Agent Amberlyn McDowell, he was able to survive. Is there a little romance in the air or are they just work partners? Will they figure out where the threats are coming from before another terrorist attack? This book also dealt with grief, national security and personal threats so hold on tight and get ready to be sucked into this amazing story.

Book #3: Across the Star-Kissed Sea
by Arlem Hawks



About:

When May becomes a lady’s maid at sea, she’s hoping for an innocent adventure but instead must navigate rough waters, deadly combat, and unexpected love.


Mediterranean Sea, 1811

May Byam grew up following her father to his work at the ropemaking factory and listening to her uncle’s tales of life aboard a Royal Navy ship. After tragedy and scandal shatter her family, May is desperate to escape the shame that follows her. Despite her mother’s pleadings against it, May signs on as a lady’s maid to the young wife of a naval captain. If she’s going to run, she may as well do it in honor of her late uncle and cousin and where there is food, shelter, and perhaps even adventure. But the frosty reception she receives from the ship’s clergyman makes her feel far from welcome.

Heartbroken young Chaplain Elias Doswell returns to a harsh life at sea, but preaching to disinterested sailors isn’t the escape he’d hoped for—until a captivating young woman boards the ship. However, a case of mistaken identity ensures that he starts off on the wrong foot with the newly hired lady’s maid, who clearly wants nothing to do with him. But the close quarters of the ship forces the pair together, and May begins to see a side of the handsome clergyman she didn’t expect. As they struggle to navigate their deepening feelings, the danger of war with the French looms on the horizon, threatening their lives—and their love.

In my opinion:

Across the Star-Kissed Sea is another Proper Romance novel that you will want to dive right into. Meet May Byam, an independent woman who is resilient and capable right off the bat. She takes a job as a lady's maid to the wife of a naval captain. So, most of the book is on a ship. 

Chaplain Elias Doswell meets May for the first time but makes a mistake in identifying who she may be. This novel is an enemy-to-lovers-type book that is clean as a whistle. May clearly wants nothing to do with Elias at first but since they are pretty much neighbors, things start to get a little less awkward. I love the book's theme of second chances. Yes, we all make mistakes. Why not learn from it and move on. Will Elias and May begin to develop a stronger friendship or will they remain friends for life? If you like the Regency era, this book is perfect for you. Very well done.


I really hit the jackpot with these three novels from Shadow Mountain. So, if you are looking for some new books, please check out The Gentleman's Confession, Hometown Vendetta, and Across the Star-Kissed Sea. I highly recommend them as they are clean, entertaining, and contain some romance without the spice.


Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services for free in the hope that I would mention them on my blog and offer an honest review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.




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