A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure + Giveaway

A Whimsical Victorian Historical Romance from a Debut Author

When Clara Marie Stanton’s ex-fiancé begins to spread rumors that her family suffers from hereditary insanity, it’s all Clara can do to protect them from his desperate schemes and society’s prejudice. Her family may be eccentric, yes, but they certainly aren’t insane. Then Clara’s Grandfather Drosselmeyer brings on an apprentice with a mechanical leg, and all pretense of normalcy takes wing.

Theodore Kingsley, a shame-chased vagabond skilled in repairing clocks, wants a fresh start far from Kingsley Court and the disappointed father who declared him dead. Upon returning to England, Theodore meets clockmaker Drosselmeyer, who hires him as an apprentice, much to Clara’s dismay. When Drosselmeyer spontaneously disappears in his secret flying owl machine, he leaves behind a note for Clara, beseeching her to make her dreams of adventure a reality by joining him on a merry scavenger hunt. Together, Clara and Theodore set off to follow Drosselmeyer’s trail of clues, but they will have to stay one step ahead of a villain who wants the flying machine for himself–at any cost.

My Review:

Sqqqquuuuuueeeeeeeppppp!!! This is me squealing and ‘eeping’ and making an ecstatic bibliophile ballyhoo over this debut novel! It’s everything I want in a story (including some interesting quirks that make this read quite unique.)

There’s adventure. Drama. Deeply layered emotions. Eccentricities galore! Romance — helloooo enemies to more trope! And does Clara ever make Theodore work for her regard. Sometimes I wanted to purse whomp her, or should I say reticule whomp? In any case, she was sooooo frustrating at times only I understood why so I worked on empathizing instead of whomping. 🙂

Clara’s character growth throughout the course of the book is phenomenal. But Theodore’s coming to understand his worth in relation to his Father in Heaven is next level amazing! So much emotional richness in the midst of all the mayhem. Because we have a dastardly villain and the ‘eccentric to the nth degree’ Stanton family wreaking all kinds of havoc. Believe me, nothing is dull when they are around.

Clara’s mother is impossible in the most charming of ways. An unconventional (understatement) lady of passionate opinions and extreme fondness for all creatures great and small. And she’s wise too, in a confounding kind of way. “‘What ifs’ are not acquainted with ‘what is’ and they spread horrid falsehoods about ‘what will be’ so why bother entertaining them?”

‘A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure’ is a fantastic fictional jaunt around Europe with the most entertaining companions you’ll ever meet. I was transfixed the whole read through.

I listened to the audible edition of this book and thoroughly enjoyed Beverley A. Crick’s entertaining portrayal of all these characters.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventures , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 16 2024.

35 thoughts on “A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure + Giveaway”

  5. Oh no, I don’t think I have this one on my list yet, so I’m adding it right now! Thanks for the fun review!

    Sandyavery at comcast dot net

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. What an absolutely fabulous sounding book! I already had “A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure” on my TBR list, but your review brings it all to life making my desire level go off the charts. Everything about it hit all the right cords to let me know I’m going to love this book – from beginning to end. LOVE the quote!

    Thank you so much for your enlightening, yet kept me in the dark, perfect review and for the amazing chance to win a copy!

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. this sounds so exciting !! And another debut to read?! Although I have to say I believe I have read a novella of hers in a Barbour collection. Now I’m curious 🤔. Thnx Kav!

    sarahdar0801ATgmailDOTcom

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. It sounds loosely based at least, by the books description. The clocks and an owl inciting an adventure in search of something, plus a ‘dethroned’ hero with a disabled appendage (and I’m wondering if Kingsley is a nod to the Nutcracker being a king🤔) Then there’s the obvious correlation in names (Clara, Grandfather Drosselmeyer), and a villain after them every step of the way, trying to attain something that they’ve got. 🤷‍♀️😉

        Liked by 1 person

  14. I’ve been hearing such good things about this book! I look forward to reading it!

    dmandres5 at gmail dot com

    Like

    Reply

  15. I’m drawn to this book because of the cover. It’s good to know you think so highly of it too. Sometimes a quirky book is just what I need to read.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. I’ve heard so much about this book that I have to throw my hat in the ring because I don’t want to miss out!
    I thought I entered already but I didn’t see my name. If I missed it, please ignore this one.
    Thanks, Kav!

    obertam at gmail dot com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment