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.
Kav's Best Reads 
You know I wanna read this one!!!
manderley23 at gmail dot com
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You so need to read this one. It’s fantabulous! Good luck, Kimmy!
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I’ve seen so many great reviews about this debut!
eclitton at gmail dot com
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so well deserved. Good luck, Elizabeth!
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I want to read this so bad! Melmo2610ATgmailDOTcom
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Here’s your chance. Good luck, Melmo!
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The cover and the title has me scurrying down the page! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House kathleen[dot]e[dot]belongia[at]gmail[dot]com
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It’s a divine read, Kathleen. Good luck!
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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
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Push it up high on that list, Sandy. This is a book begging to be read. Good luck!
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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
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This book was one of my most anticipated titles from our last Reader’s Choice Week and it did not disappoint! Good luck, Kay!
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Sounds like a fun romp!
pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
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It sure is! Good luck, Patty!
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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
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Oooh, you are right. I just checked her website and she has three novellas in three different collections yet they’ve billed this as a debut novel. Huh. Good luck, Sarah!
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I so excited to read Angela’s debut!
psalm103and138atgmaildotcom
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Good luck, Caryl!
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I want to squeel and eep at the same time too!!
Thanks for the review and giveaway!
dianemestrella at gmail dot com
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We can squeal and eep together. 🙂 Good luck, Diane!
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Of course I need to read this after reading your review. leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com
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A definite twin book if ever there was one! Good luck, Lucy!
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This sounds amazing!!😍 And a Nutcracker retelling?!?! I can’t WAIT to read this!😃
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It kinda is a Nutcracker retelling but I’ve only seen the ballet once and I’m not sure if it’s exactly a retelling or not. Good luck, Elly!
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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. 🤷♀️😉
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Isn’t this just simply marvelous?? 😁
Loved every single page!!
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Thank you soooooooooooo much for telling me I needed to read it…NOW!!!!!! You give the best recommendations. 🙂
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I’ve been hearing such good things about this book! I look forward to reading it!
dmandres5 at gmail dot com
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They are all true! Good luck, Melissa!
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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
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And this one is full of the most enchanting ‘quirk’. Good luck, Pam!
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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
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This looks to be the first comment for this day from you, Tammy. Good thing you checked back. Good luck!
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This was a great book. I would love to have a paperback copy to share with friends.
paulamarys49ATgmailDOTcom
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Definitely the kind of book you want to share! Hooray for spreading book love, Paula. Good luck!
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