Showing posts with label pure romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pure romance. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson




After reading Julianne Donaldson’s first book (Edenbrooke), I was excited to learn she’d written a second.

Let’s begin with the summary:

Kate Worthington knows her heart and she knows she will never marry. Her plan is to travel to India instead—if only to find peace for her restless spirit and to escape the family she abhors. But Kate's meddlesome mother has other plans. She makes a bargain with Kate: India, yes, but only after Kate has secured—and rejected—three marriage proposals.

Kate journeys to the stately manor of Blackmoore determined to fulfill her end of the bargain sooner rather than later and enlists the help of her dearest childhood friend, Henry Delafield. But when it comes to matters of love, bargains are meaningless and plans are changeable. There on the wild lands of Blackmoore, Kate must face the truth that has kept her heart captive.

Will the proposal she is determined to reject actually be the one thing that will set her heart free? 

Set in Northern England in 1820, Blackmoore is a regency romance that tells the story of a young woman struggling to learn how to follow her heart.

And now, my review:

As I mentioned, I was thrilled to find another book by this author after reading her debut (which became a bestseller and which I reviewed here). Blackmoore differs from Edenbrooke in that it's little darker. But the variety between stories is what makes a good author.

Again, we have first person in the regency setting, which I loved. Again, we have a heroine somewhat unaware of her admirer’s admiration. Great romance, but not as much as the first book.

Two of the themes were shame, and overcoming the past. The author explored escape as a means of overcoming shame. She used the symbolism of a caged bird, and we watch to see if her heroine will become strong and find freedom. I was a little disappointed, as can happen when a book does not include overt Christian messages, to not see the aspect of how God helps people (the ultimate characters) overcome shame and the pain of their pasts. At the same time, I realize the purpose of the story was to entertain. The book does that with great hooks throughout, keeping readers engaged. 

Reader who enjoy wholesome romance in regency settings will enjoy this story. I'm looking forward to reading more books in this Proper Romance series from Shadow Mountain Publishers.

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson



Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

I’m a little late to this party, but so glad I came! I generally review current books and new releases. This book released in 2012, but upon a recent recommendation from someone I respect, I decided to pick it up. Even though it’s a regency romance and I generally read contemporaries for review, I had to give this one a try. Glad I did!

As always, let’s begin with the 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 Marianne 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.

And now, my review:

This story is written in first person, which I love to read. There was a hint of blindness about what the other characters were thinking, but it was so fun to uncover the other character’s secrets.

Julianne writes in a way that makes you want to reread her books. She keeps secrets from the reader that she slowly unveils. So if someone read the book a second time, they could pick up on the clues they may have missed the first time around. She also keeps you hooked from the opening pages to the end by closing her chapters in the perfect spot. So a reread would be just as much fun as the first time around.

Oh, the romance! I try very hard to avoid spoilers in my reviews. In fact, I often skip reading the back cover copy of books because I feel they give away too much of the story, so why bother reading? So, I won’t go into detail here except to say: the regency period was the beautiful backdrop for this very romantic story. I devoured this book.

So glad I stumbled upon this publisher and this Proper Romance series from Shadow Mountain Publishers. These are pure romances. I’ve recently finished Julianne Donaldson’s second book (Blackmoore) and will review that one here soon. And I’ve got a pile more waiting for me. Can’t wait!

Highly recommended.