Three Reviews: Books with Strong Heroines

I love books that have women who know what they want and don't let anyone dissuade them from accomplishing their goals. These books have just such women.

The title and cover photo show you how feisty this heroine is.

I found A Talent for Trouble to be extremely amusing. I've not met Ms. Turano in person, but she must have a hint of mischief living inside her because once again she's written a lovely heroine with a mischievous side. I loved Felicia Murdock and her penchant for life. After a disappointment, she decides to be what she's always wanted to be - herself. Doing so lands her into some unfortunate circumstances, which I found funny because I can see myself doing the same things, if I had been in the same situations.

Back cover:

Miss Felicia Murdock firmly believed her destiny was to become a minister's wife. When the minister on whom she had set her sights marries another lady, Felicia is forced to take a close look at her life and comes to a few uncomfortable conclusions. Determined that something needs to change--and soon--Felicia discovers she is finally ready to spread her wings and embrace life the way she's always wanted. 

Grayson Sumner--or Lord Sefton, as he's officially known--has had more than enough of spreading his wings and only hopes to settle into the life of a normal, respectable New York gentleman. Prompted by some well-meaning friends to lift the spirits of the disappointed-in-love Miss Murdock, he is surprised to encounter a young lady who seems to have become quite adventurous and quite determined to get herself into all sorts of troublesome situations. 

Intent on remaining independent, Felicia is reluctant to accept Grayson's help, especially as she finds herself developing feelings for him. However, just as Grayson decides he's had quite enough of her antics, his past comes back to haunt him and his presence in her life has endangered Felicia. Will Grayson and Felicia decide they want to spend the rest of their lives keeping one another out of trouble?

Roses: 5.5 - for making me laugh  :)

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This heroine doesn't at first seem to be strong, but it takes a strong woman to submit the way she does. That's all the hint I'm going to give. :)

I enjoyed this sweet romance. From the first words of Perfectly Matched to the last, we get to see the growth of two people as they struggled through the highs and lows of marriage - whether by mail-order or by choice. Ms. Brendan's way of showing how marriage is never about one person's desires made me appreciate my spouse more.


Back cover:

Anna Olsen knows it's time to leave her sister's increasingly crowded house and start a life of her own. Following her sisters' examples, she becomes a mail-order bride, and after a short correspondence with clock maker and jeweler Edward Parker, she moves to Denver to become his wife. Almost immediately it's painfully apparent that Anna and Edward are very different. Anna is a free spirit who would rather be painting and enjoying the company of friends than cleaning house. Edward is a consummate perfectionist who, on their wedding day, hands Anna a list of chores that need to be done around the house daily. 

Can this mismatched couple see past their differences to a harmonious future? Or will their disparate passions create obstacles neither is willing to surmount? 

Maggie Brendan closes her Blue Willow Brides series with a heartwarming tale of true love despite misunderstanding, showing readers that God's timing is always perfect.

Roses: 4.7

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And lastly the spunkiest of all. :)

I just love spunky heroines and Laurie Alice Eakes has given us just such a character in Reluctant Courtship. Honore Bainbridge trusted too much and made some bad choices. She did it with a clean heart, but now she is being punished by society and her family. We see her angst, and her attempts to do her best despite other's opinions.

This book also touched something deeper in me. The difference between right and wrong is not determined by our past experience, though we tend to view circumstances through those experiences. Both Honore and Lord Ashmoor have to look past their past and see the future with new eyes.

Back cover:

A woman without a prospect. A man without a homeland. Can love give them a future?

Honore Bainbridge has been courted by two men, one of whom turned out to be a traitor, the other a murderer. Banished to her family’s country estate, where she will hopefully stay out of trouble, she finally meets the man she is sure is exactly right for her: Lord Ashmoor. Tall, dark, and handsome—what more could a girl ask for? 

But he too is under suspicion because of his American upbringing and accusations that he has helped French prisoners escape from Dartmoor Prison. If he’s to keep out of a British prison himself and secure his place in British society, Lord Ashmoor needs a wife beyond reproach—something the vexingly beautiful Honore certainly is not. Though they find themselves drawn to each other, family obligations may conspire to keep them apart forever.

For the sake of her heart, Honore determines to prove Ashmoor’s innocence—even if doing so risks her own life.

From the first sentence, award-winning author Laurie Alice Eakes thrusts you into high drama amid the rocky cliffs of Devonshire, England, and keeps you suspended there until the final page.

Roses: 4.9 - for giving me a spunky heroine

Links to purchase:
A Talent for Trouble
Perfectly Matched
A Reluctant Courtship

Blessings,
Ginger

Review: A Most Peculiar Circumstance by Jen Turano

A Most Peculiar Circumstance by Jen Turano is not a mediocre romance novel. Prepare to be wow'ed. Ms. Turano lives up to the standard she set with A Change of Fortune (see that review here). This novel is a beautifully written love story involving two independent individuals who want their own way. It is highly comical with a touch of suspense.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one in the Ladies of Distinction series.

Back cover:

Miss Arabella Beckett has one driving passion: to help the downtrodden women of America. Naturally, she supports the women's suffrage movement and eagerly attends rallies and lectures across the country. On her travels, she makes a simple offer of assistance to a young woman in need that goes sadly awry and lands both ladies in more trouble than they can manage. An independent sort, Arabella is loath to admit she needs help and certainly doesn't need help from an arrogant, narrow-minded knight in shining armor.

Mr. Theodore Wilder, private investigator extraordinaire, is on a mission. A mission that began as a favor to his good friend Hamilton Beckett, but swiftly evolved into a merry chase across the country. By the time he finally tracks down Hamilton's sister, Arabella, he is in a less than pleasant mood. When the lady turns out to have radical ideas and a fiercely independent streak, he soon finds himself at his wit's end.

When they return home to New York, circumstances force their paths to continue to cross, but the most peculiar feelings growing between them certainly can't be love. When the trouble Arabella had accidentally stirred up seems to have followed her to New York and threatens her very life, the unlikely couple must face the possibility that they might have landed in the most peculiar circumstance of all: love.

Rating: 5 roses

Blessings,
Ginger

Review: A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano

Can I just say, "OH MY GOODNESS!"? This is Jen Turano's debut novel and I suggest you run, NOT WALK, to your nearest retailer to grab this book. Add her to your favorite author list. I certainly will.

Ms. Turano imparted to us a wonderful story of misfortune, disappointment, and distrust turned into love, contentment, and trust, not only in man, but in God.

I enjoyed every page and I believe you will too.  :)

Back cover:

Lady Eliza Sumner is on a mission. Her fortune was the last thing she had left after losing her father, her fiance, and her faith. Now, masquerading as Miss Eliza Sumner governess-at-large, she's determined to find the man who ran off with her fortune, reclaim the money, and head straight back to London. 

Mr. Hamilton Beckett, much to his chagrin, is the catch of the season, and all the eyes of New York society--all the female ones, at least--are on him. He has no plans to marry again, especially since his hands are full keeping his business afloat while raising his two children alone.
Eliza's hapless attempts to regain her fortune unexpectedly put her right in Hamilton's path. The discovery of a common nemesis causes them to join forces and, before she knows it, Eliza has a whole retinue of people helping her. Eliza's determination not to trust anyone weakens when everyone's antics and bumbling efforts to assist her make her wonder if there might be more important things than her fortune and independence. 

When all of Hamilton's and Eliza's best-laid plans fall by the wayside, it will take a riot of complications for them to realize that God just might have had a better plan in mind all along.

To purchase this book click the link below and help support this blog.

A Change of Fortune


Blessings,
Ginger