Tag: Historical Romance

A Time Traveler’s Masquerade + Giveaway

Romance blossoms when Isla Crawford steps into McQuivey’s Costume Shop in London and is swept back in time to 1605, where she and Lord Bancroft attempt to thwart Guy Fawkes’s Gunpowder Plot.

One moment, Isla Crawford is inside McQuivey’s Costume Shop trying on a Jacobean-style gown for the parliamentary Autumn Ball, and the next, she is standing in an unfamiliar garden, barefoot, coatless, and at the mercy of a fierce storm. Confused, she seeks refuge in a Tudor manor, where she discovers that she has inexplicably traveled back to 1605, mere weeks before the culmination of Guy Fawkes’s infamous Gunpowder Plot.

Simon Hartworth, Lord Bancroft, finds his orderly seventeenth-century life disrupted when a mysterious woman appears on his sister’s doorstep during a storm. Intrigued by the stranger’s quirks and bewildering speech, he feels compelled to protect her and heed her warnings about a fatal plot against Parliament. As Simon is drawn into Isla’s dangerous scheme to stop the evildoers, he can’t help but also feel drawn to her.

With seemingly no way to get back home, Isla uses her twenty-first-century knowledge of the past to try to thwart Guy Fawkes and his coconspirators without altering the course of history forever. She and Simon must race to unravel the threads of the treasonous plot even as they wonder how their hearts will navigate their deepening connection and the seemingly insurmountable four centuries that separate their lives.

My Review:

Squuueeeaaalllll!!! Another time travel romance (my second in two weeks…what are the odds?!) And I’m kinda hoping this is a trend because I really enjoy the added angst of trying to figure out how things can possibly end well. I mean, what era will the heroine end up in? And how can there truly be a happily ever after?

There’s all kinds of rules about time travelling that fans of the genre are sticklers about adhering to and Bessey did a great job of sticking to them creatively. Loved the mode of time travel — so clever and deals with a crucial complication that most time travellers have to deal with. Argh — I want to be more specific but I don’t want to reveal anything spoilerish. This would make a great book club selection because it would be so much fun to talk about the speculative side of this novel.

I felt Isla’s culture shock when she shows up in 1605. She’s confused and incredulous and in denial for awhile. Her meet-cute with Simon is anything but cute. Grinning just thinking about the convoluted conversation that takes place. Also swooning over his Jacobean gentlemanly manners while madly anticipating the moment that he finally realizes Isla’s colossal secret.

The historical details around Guy Fawkes and the gun powder plot are easy for non-British readers to grasp which I appreciated. Argh — again so much more I want to say about the ingenuous way the author works Isla into this epic historical event….but, no spoilers. Gah, so frustrating! lol

Perfect balance between the cozy historical details (the clothing! I had to google farthingale…what in the world?! It boggles the mind!) and the burgeoning doomed romance all while a traitorous plot is unfolding all around them. Unputdownable from start to finish!

I enjoyed listening to the audio book narrated by Billie Fulford-Brown and Paul Fox. They helped me settle into the time and place as I visualized the story unfolding around me.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY

ebook copy available to anyone with a US Kindle account (.com) 

Canadians will have a choice of receiving an Amazon.ca gift card towards the purchase of an ebook OR an audible copy. Winner’s Choice.

If you would like a chance to win an ecopy of A Time Traveler’s Masquerade, 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 May 3 2024.

Behind the Light of Golowduyn + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

She’s the keeper of Golowduyn Lighthouse. He’s the captain who shipwrecked on her watch. A marriage of convenience can save her home—if secrets don’t destroy it first.

Abigail Moore will do anything to keep Golowduyn Lighthouse shining brightly, even if she must do so alone. When a shipwreck occurs near her home one stormy evening—bringing with it a dashing captain keen to offer his aid at every turn—her days of isolation vanish. 

Captain Gavin Kendricks didn’t expect to end his naval career by crashing his ship against the rugged cliffs of Cornwall. When he’s pulled from the sea by the fearless and quick-tempered Miss Moore, a tentative friendship forms between them, and he begins to realize what has been missing from his life. 

Before either of them can explore these newfound stirrings, death and deception hit Golowduyn, and Abigail is left with a choice. Either she loses everything she has ever loved, or she marries the captain and accepts his help. Unable to give up the lighthouse, she agrees to the union, and they work together to see that the light does not diminish. But when her childhood secrets are unearthed, and their property falls victim to troubling defacement, their marriage threatens to crumble. Gavin fights to gain her confidence, but only Abigail can forget the crippling memories of her past to trust Gavin with Golowduyn—and her heart.

My Review:

published in 2019

Happy sigh. Full on swoon after swoon after swoon. I’m still a tad lightheaded and my heart is all aflutter. Regency. Lighthouse on the Cornish coast. Marriage of Convenience. Dashing war hero. Spunky heroine. I mean….could a reader ask for anything more? Just extraordinary storytelling and engaging characters along with artfully executed plot twists. Such an incredible read!

‘Behind the Light of Golowduyn’ (and I listened to the audio book so I know how to pronounce that!) is a captivating read. Emotionally satisfying with some high stakes drama and a moving theme of forgiveness that elevates the story even more.

I thoroughly enjoyed Vicki-Jo Eva’s narration. She entertained me with her varied accents from Cornish dialect to High Society enunciation. Brilliant at capturing distinctive characters and all the emotionally charged scenes as well. Definitely recommend the audio edition of ‘Behind the Light of Golowduyn’ to discerning listeners (plus you’ll learn how to pronounce Golowduyn!)

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 Behind the Light of Golowduyn,  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 April 26 2025.

The Tides of Time + Giveaway

In 1793, a storm propels Lili forward through time, kindling a love that transcends the ages.

Fleeing the clutches of Robespierre’s revolutionary Tribunal in France, Lili Minet makes a desperate escape on a ship headed to England, but her dangerous flight takes an unexpected turn when a violent storm catapults her off the ship and eighty years into the future, leaving her stranded in the unfamiliar world of 1873 England. 

When lighthouse keeper Armitage Pierce rescues a woman from the tumultuous sea, he does not anticipate her silent, cold response to his gallant efforts. Though he is wary of this woman and her odd behaviors, he finds she is just as wary of him. And he can sense that she is not telling him something of great import to her. Only Armitage’s grandfather, a man seasoned by the mysteries of the sea, can seem to penetrate Lili’s defenses to offer her support. But as Lili heals from the physical and emotional wounds of her ordeal and Armitage continues to offer light and safety to her, a tender friendship blossoms between the two. 

Yet the shadow of danger looms as the threat that chased Lili from France all those years ago reemerges in her new present. Together Lili and Armitage must navigate the challenges of a romance that grows to defy the boundaries of time and the perils that reach across the decades to ensnare Lili. As the storm clouds gather, Lili and Armitage face the ultimate test—discovering whether their bond is strong enough to rewrite the pages of history itself to save them and their love.

My Review:

Whoa! Whoaaa! Whooooaaaaaa! Picture me gobsmacked and in a twitterpated state of bibliophile incredulity. I don’t even know where to begin…

I’ve read a lot of Sarah M. Eden’s books – not all, but a lot – and ‘The Tides of Time’ is unlike anything else she’s written. I was enchanted! The language, the descriptions, the flow of the story, the romantic development, the historical details including local dialects. Truly masterful writing.

And such an imaginative approach to a historical novel. Time traveling between two periods in history! The speculative aspects of the story are brilliantly executed and the ending leaves me in hope that this might just be the first in a series. (Please say it is so!)

As always, Eden’s hero and heroine excel at being stubborn and noble and courageous all while being infuriatingly obtuse at times. 🙂 I think what really enhanced Armitage and Lili’s love story for me was the excellent performance provided by the extraordinary Mary Jane Wells who goes beyond mere narration and into the realm of artful storytelling. Hands down one of the best audio books I’ve listened to!

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 Tides of Time,  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 April 12 2025.

Irish Meadows + Giveaway

random retro reread

Irish immigrant James O’Leary has spent his life building Irish Meadows into a thriving horse farm and is not about to let hard economic times threaten its success. He intends for his daughters to marry prosperous men–ones who will secure the family’s rightful place in society, and at the same time, guarantee the future of Irish Meadows. Both girls, however, have different visions for their futures.

Brianna and Colleen O’Leary know their father expects them to marry well. Yet despite his wishes, Brianna, the quieter sister, dreams of attending college. Vivacious Colleen, meanwhile, is happy to marry–as long as her father’s choice meets her exacting standards. When stable hand Gilbert Whelan returns from college and distant family member Rylan Montgomery stops in on his way to the seminary in Boston, the two men quickly complicate everyone’s plans. It will take every ounce of courage for both sisters to follow their hearts. And even if they do, will they inevitably find their dreams too distant to reach?

My Review:

published in 2015

Double the romance doubles the reading pleasure. 

Brianna and Colleen are as different as night and day and I will readily admit to bonding with Brianna way before Colleen started to chip away at my reserve. Colleen is…challenging…at the beginning of the this story…and quite awhile thereafter. In short, she made my blood boil. But Mason weaves her magic and Colleen’s storyline becomes a beautiful testimony of the power of redemption. 

And the heroes? Be still my heart. In a word: swoonworthy. But both have to battle internal demons before they can come to grips with their pasts. Gilbert is near perfection — noble, trustworthy, a man of integrity…except when he isn’t. LOL Mason has created a flawed hero who struggles with misplaced loyalty. And Rylan is a delightful surprise. I adored his wit and ability to find joy in everyday things. And his first meet with prickly ol’ Colleen is sweet perfection. There’s plenty of scope for the imagination when it comes to these captivating heroes.

As we all know, the course of true love never runs straight and in the case of the O’Leary sisters it’s a big old curvy, tangled mess. Which makes for a blissfully emotional read. I’m still feeling kind of gutted now that it’s over. The kind of read you want to gallop through because it’s that good, but you also don’t want to reach the end because…well…it’s that good. 

Fans of Julie Lessman will find a lot to love about Susan Anne Mason’s first book in the Courage to Dream series. Highly recommended.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy and is available to any reader, any where — so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Irish Meadows, 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 22 2025.

Castle on the Rise + Giveaway

Random Retro ReRead

A storied castle. A band of rebels. And a nation chasing the centuries-old dream of freedom . . . What legacy will they leave behind?

When Laine Forrester travels to France to attend her longtime friend’s vineyard wedding, she expects to find a bride on the brink of a fairy-tale life. But after a series of unforeseen setbacks–a devastating diagnosis, a castle restoration put on hold, and the emergence of deep-seated family dynamics that threaten to derail the new couple’s fledgling marriage–it seems the storybook life Laine had imagined for her friend–and once, for herself–is suddenly crumbling before her eyes.

With hopes of resurrecting a happy ending for one of them, Laine throws support behind her friend and agrees to accompany the couple to the groom’s family home in Ireland, where the merging of a mysterious inheritance, long-buried wounds, and a fractured family set out to upend the trip from the start. It’s in the unlikely corners of a historic Dublin pub, and across the wide-open moors bordering Ireland’s majestic Wicklow Mountains, that Laine is slowly drawn in by the land and the people, sparking hope for something she never imagined possible: the courage to heal. But with secrets of her own–and a heart afraid to trust again–Laine must determine how much she’s willing to risk in mending the broken places within herself, and whether she believes that even through the depths of our pain, a beautiful story can emerge.

Set in three time-periods–the revolutionary era of the late eighteenth century, Ireland’s turbulent Easter week of the 1916 Rising, and present day–Castle on the Rise weaves a story of legacy, conviction, and redemption against the backdrop of Dublin’s storied streets, and the stretch of Ireland’s stunning emerald shores. It raises the question: given the choice between the fairy tale or a life of truly anchored faith–which legacy would you choose?

My Review:

published in 2019

“Ireland has a million stories and if you stay long enough you’ll learn them all.”

Heartfelt, shivery sigh. Followed by some muffled sobs and inelegant hiccups. I need a moment…or a week…to recover from this splendiferous read.

Heart-breaking. Awe-inspiring. Hope-lifting. Sure and Kristy Cambron must have kissed the blarney stone, her words are that eloquent. And greatly enhanced by the narration of Amy Rubinate. I listened to the audible version of this book and I’m so glad I did. It created an evocative mood that heightened Cambron’s storytelling prowess. This is one book I think ‘reads’ best when you listen.

And the story! Well, stories, really — three distinct time periods at pivotal points in Irish history. Magical and spellbinding. I had no trouble jumping between centuries and connected with each hero and heroine. Honestly — each timeline story could easily have been published as a standalone novel…but the way Cambron weaves them together! Impeccable pacing — and the way she stops one story at a heart-plummeting moment and then picks up with the next…wow — I’m still experiencing reader whiplash. There were times I had to hit pause and collect myself. Pace madly around my house while wringing my hands and moaning…”no, no, NO!” And then wonder if I’d have the courage to press play again.

Castle on the Rise made me homesick (I’m an Irish born Canadian.) It celebrates the courage and conviction and abiding faith of a complex people. There were so many inspirational passages that I’d have jotted down if I’d been reading a paperback copy. I guess I’ll have to buy one for my keeper shelf as well. 🙂

An emotional masterpiece that quite literally took my breath away.

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 Castle on the Rise, 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 22 2025.


Where Trees Touch the Sky

Some secrets have shadows as long as the redwoods are tall.

In the early 1920s, the accelerating destruction of the California redwoods is more than nature-loving Marion Baker can bear. Throwing herself headlong into the work of the Save the Redwoods League, she is shocked to learn that Frank Duncan, a man she’s grown to love, is the son of one of the area’s worst timber barons. Though devastated by the betrayal, she realizes this could also be an opportunity–if only she can convince him to help preserve her favorite grove from his father’s greedy grasp. Is her love strong enough to persuade him to save these precious trees? Or will Marion choose to sacrifice her beliefs to keep Frank by her side?

Nearly fifty years later, in 1972, polio survivor June Turner is deeply proud of the legacy her great aunt Marion has left as a redwood warrior. And despite her disability, June is determined to prove herself capable as a ranger at the recently established Redwood National Park, even if it means taking to the trails with her crutch in hand. What better way to carry on the family tradition of preserving God’s magnificent creation?

When aspiring film student Adam Garner approaches June to help make a documentary about Marion’s life, she swiftly grabs the opportunity to spread her aunt’s worthy reputation. That is, until they unearth a secret that might shatter the family legacy. In the scramble for answers, June may lose not only her family pride but also her own dreams.

Karen Barnett’s beautifully crafted split-time novel, set against the majestic backdrop of a beloved national park, immerses the reader in history that feels as fresh as if it happened yesterday.

My Review:

A multifaceted faith-infused dual timeline historical novel that has left me a wee bit discombobulated. Some things went exactly as I thought they would while others sent me into a tailspin. Wow. Just. Wow.

Barnett did a wonderful job with her historical research for both timelines (1920s and 1970s) and I loved being in at the beginnings of a National Park. I especially appreciated the inspirational perspective on what it means to honour God’s creation through the way we care for the natural world. A refreshing viewpoint to find in Christian Fiction, especially at this particular time in world history.

Both our heroines face unique challenges and I love the personal connection between the two. Marion is an environmentalist fighting to save the majestic redwood forests from lumber barons in 1923. Decades later, her great-niece becomes one of the first female park rangers. Their stories are unique and yet contain some uncanny parallels. The author expertly weaves the two timelines together until the point where they finally overlap and then — kapow – fireworks! Made for such a captivating read!

Of Gold and Shadows + Giveaway

The shadows hold secrets darker than they ever imagined. . . .

In 1888 Victorian England, Ami Dalton navigates a clandestine dual life. By day, she strives to establish herself as a respected Egyptologist, overcoming the gender biases that permeate academia. But with a heart for saving black-market artifacts from falling into the wrong hands, she is most often disguised as her alter ego, the Shadow Broker.

After eight years in India, Oxford’s most eligible bachelor, Edmund Price, has come out of the shadows to run for Parliament and is in search of an Egyptologist to value a newly acquired collection. Expecting a renowned Oxford professor, Edmund instead finds himself entangled with Ami, the professor’s determined daughter. As they delve into the treasures, their connection deepens, but trouble emerges when a golden griffin–rumored to bear the curse of Amentuk–surfaces, and they’re left to wonder if the curse really is at play, or if something more nefarious is hiding among the shadows. . . .

My Review:

A luscious mix of history and mystery and the Egyptology aspect makes the story that much more interesting. I’ve always been fascinated by the Victorian’s antiquities obsession. Lots of fodder for intrigue and drama and Griep delivers that in the aptly titled ‘Of Gold and Shadows.’

An alluring plot fraught with danger and betrayal. An independent heroine ahead of her time. A hero with something to prove (or so he thinks.) I get delicious thrills just thinking about the way their love story plays out especially as it contains a significant faith thread. Humour in unexpected places along with some very enjoyable banter lightened the ‘shadowy’ parts of the story. But, of course, there are plot twists!

Lots of intriguing layers to delve through and secondary characters to love (or hate!) I especially adored Edmund’s quirky staff! This author is a masterful storyteller and her talent shines in this first ‘Time’s Lost Treasures’ novel. I can’t wait for book twos release this summer!

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 Of Gold and Shadows, 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 15 2025.

Grace’s Pictures + Giveaway

Random Retro ReRead

Grace McCaffery hopes that the bustling streets of New York hold all the promise that the lush hills of Ireland did not. As her efforts to earn enough money to bring her mother to America fail, she wonders if her new Brownie camera could be the answer. But a casual stroll through a beautiful New York City park turns into a hostile run-in with local gangsters, who are convinced her camera holds the first and only photos of their elusive leader.

A policeman with a personal commitment to help those less fortunate finds Grace attractive and longs to help her, but Grace believes such men cannot be trusted. Spread thin between her quest to rescue her mother, do well in a new nanny job, and avoid the gang intent on intimidating her. Grace must put her faith in unlikely sources to learn the true meaning of courage and forgiveness.

My Review:

published in 2013

Thomson had me at Irish immigrant and Ellis Island. My Irish heritage is always clamouring for more Irish heroes and heroines. Erin Go Bragh! In addition, this turn of the century historical has an incredibly unique twist that adds the spice of suspense to an already gripping tale.

The depth in characterization and the impossible but historically accurate situations made this a riveting read. It wasn’t long before I was lost in another place and time, riveted by emotions that leapt off the page and wrapped around my heart. Grace has a traumatic past to overcome and her unwillingness to trust brings her close to disaster more then a time or two. 

Grace’s Pictures will evoke images and feelings you won’t soon forget. It is a moving tribute to the courageous immigrants who made their way across Ellis Island in the hopes of creating a new and better life. An exceptional read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy and is available to any reader, any where — so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Grace’s Pictures, 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 8 2025.

Surrender the Night + Giveaway

Random Retro Re-Read

When British soldiers invade Baltimore amid the War of 1812, Rose McGuire, alone on her family farm, is easy prey for a brutal lieutenant. In the midst of the attack, she’s saved by 2nd Lieutenant Alexander Reed. Will she now have to heal, as well as hide, this wounded enemy soldier?

Alex hadn’t meant to kill his superior or get shot in the process. Now badly wounded, he’s at the mercy of this tomboy who obviously hates him. Can he trust her, or will she turn him over to the Americans?

Rose is having trouble keeping Alex hidden from her family, the townspeople, and the man intent on courting her. Will the discovery of Alex’s presence force her to accept an abhorrent proposal?

As their love blooms, trouble looms, for the British are on the move again. This time their target is the city of Washington. Will these young lovers at heart find themselves enemies at war?

My Review:

published in 2011

A gripping, page-turning romance set during a pivotal point in American history.

Tyndall starts things off with an impossible scenario, throwing her hero and heroine right into the middle of a volatile situation and – voila – immediate fireworks! The meet-cute is anything but – more like fraught with danger and loathing.

A relationship between Rose and Alex are doomed from the start which made for a deliciously anxious read for this romance lover. There are so many wonderful layers to their story. Both have struggled in their pasts and are now faced with an untenable situation. They need to learn how to trust – not just each other, but the God they feel has let them down.

A high action / high stakes adventurous love story with lots of tense moments but some comedic ones too which eased my romantical anxiety to a manageable level. 🙂

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy and is available to any reader, any where — so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Surrender the Night, 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 1 2025.

Within These Gilded Halls + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

Hidden treasure and betrayal mingle with unexpected love within the walls of Avonthorpe Hall.

After studying art under Miss Drake, a renowned painter, Phoebe Radcliff is certain she can finally move beyond the childish mistake that’s kept her away from home. She is thrilled when Miss Drake employs her to complete a complicated ballroom renovation.

Everything changes, however, the moment Miss Drake is murdered. With her last breath she imparts the location of a clue to Phoebe. Can the biggest secret of Avonthorpe Hall be true—the rumored treasure real? Phoebe is tasked to finish her work in the ballroom by Miss Drake’s infuriatingly regimented yet all-too-handsome nephew, Lt. Graham Burke. Determined to fulfill the promise she made to her beloved teacher to find the treasure, Phoebe also works to uncover the truth about Miss Drake’s death—and she must do so before Lt. Burke leases the house.

But dark shadows line the gilded halls of Avonthorpe, and soon enough Phoebe realizes she’s not the only person who knows about the clues. What’s worse, she needs Lt. Burke’s help to stay ahead of whoever is hard on her heels. If only she weren’t so attracted to him.

Caught up in a deadly race for answers, Phoebe must find a way to breach the shroud of lies that surrounds every last resident in the house and, more importantly, face a past she’s been running away from for far too long.

My Review:

published in 2022

Atmospheric. Mysterious. Oozes vintage Gothic charm aka classic Victoria Holt and Phyllis A. Whitney. Gave me all the bookish shivers and thrills I love. And it’s set in the Regency era which just thrills me that much more!

Beautifully written, Wilson has a knack for blending humour, banter and mystery in such an appealing way. I was on tenterhooks the whole read, soaking up the ambience, happy (and sometimes anxious) to go where the story took me.

We have an independent heroine with a traumatic past she’s trying to escape and an enigmatic hero who is brusque and brooding and oh so intriguing. Especially since he has a completely different side and peeling back those reserved layers to get a glimpse at the real man inside was so fulfilling!

Murder. Hidden treasure. Obscure clues. Secrets and betrayal. Encroaching danger. What a backdrop for a Regency romance! Enthralling right to the very last word!

I listened to the audible edition of ‘Within these Gilded Halls’ narrated by Laura Kirman who has become the voice I associate with Abigail Wilson’s novels. Her measured delivery, the way she draws out the suspense, teases the romance and somehow manages to create the atmospheric mood at the heart of the story is spectacular.

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 Within These Gilded Halls, 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 1 2025