Review of Finding Lady Enderly by Joanna Davidson Politano

About the Book ~

Raina's dreams are all about to come true.

But some dreams turn out to be nightmares.

Raina Bretton is a rag woman in London's East End when a handsome stranger appears in a dank alley, offering her a glittering smile and a chance for adventure. Rothburne Abbey has a unique position for her, one that will take her away from her hardscrabble life and give her a chance to be a lady.

Though Raina has traded squalor for silk and satin, something about the abbey is deeply unsettling. As she wrestles with her true identity, the ruin, decay, and secrets she finds at the heart of the old mansion tear at her confidence and threaten to reveal her for who she really is. Only one man stands between her and the danger that lurks within -- and only if he decides to keep her biggest secret hidden.

My Thoughts ~

Finding Lady Enderly by Joanna Davidson Politano is a wonderful exemplification of everything I love in a good story! You would be seriously missing out if you don't read this incredible tale!

Guys...Joanna Davidson Politano's previous books have been absolutely amazing, but Finding Lady Enderly is EVEN BETTER! It's like Cinderella meets Downton Abbey meets the author's unique writing style! Everything about the story felt so romantic and mysterious! Even the things you expected had an unexpected twist to them. I also appreciated how this story had some natural, believable consequences that still showed God's amazing grace in the character's lives. Also, Raina and her love interest (a certain man mentioned in the book blurb!) are wonderful and romantic! Their clever method of commnicating was perfect! I will never stop swooning, LOL!

The spiritual theme of Finding Lady Enderly can be described in one word: identity. And like the word itself, this beautiful story has so much meaning, depth, insight, and truth packed into its pages! Raina, her love interest, and the other characters each struggle with their identity in a way that I could personally relate to. While some of it is a subtle grappling with identity and understanding their value to another person, some of it is an intensely beautiful breaking and rebuilding of spiritual identity. If you've ever struggled with who others say you are, with how you view yourself, with how God views you, or with how you view God, then this message is for you. Reader, you will feel strengthened, cherished, and encouraged as Raina's tale opens your own heart to not only the name God has given you but also to the power in HIS name!

Five Stars ~ Finding Lady Enderly by Joanna Davidson Politano is a stunning, romantic, and powerful story! Finding Lady Enderly is a standalone, and I highly recommend the author's other novels! I am looking forward to the author's next intriguing romance!

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations, and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of A Rumored Fortune by Joanna Davidson Politano

About the Book ~

Welcome to Trevelyan Castle, home of the poorest heiress in Victorian England.

Tressa Harlowe's father kept his vast fortune hidden somewhere on his estate in the south of England and died suddenly, without telling anyone where he had concealed it. Now Tressa and her ailing mother are left with a mansion and an immense vineyard and no money to run it.

It doesn't take long for a bevy of opportunists to flock to the estate under the guise of offering condolences. Tressa knows what they're really up to. She'll have to work with the rough and rusticated vineyard manager to keep the laborers content without pay and discover the key to finding her father's fortune--before someone else finds it first.

For more information about Joanna Davidson Politano and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Guys.

AMAZING!!!

A Rumored Fortune is a treasure trove of powerful truths just waiting to be discovered so they can enrich your soul! This gorgeous book is everything I could have hoped for and more! Joanna Davidson Politano's sophomore novel did not disappoint!!!

LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!

One of the things I love most about Joanna Davidson Politano's writing is that her characters are so relatable. They aren't perfect. They make mistakes. Then they make even bigger mistakes. But they so reflect the world around us, those who are searching, those who are loving, and those who hurting. Tressa had this rare quality that made you love her as a heroine - that although she was broken, she had an astounding capacity to love. And she chose to love. And Donegan Vance, well, fetch me some smelling salts because this hero - *falls over*

What was I saying? Oh, right. Our hero has an unimpeachable moral code, a selfless love, a blunt delivery, and a desire to serve God. He was the perfect complement to Tressa and showed readers how important it is that your "oddities" be cherished, not tolerated.

I loved the setting: a vineyard carved out of the English countryside in the Victorian Era! Vineyard's have become a popular setting in novels, but it felt fresh in A Rumored Fortune. I think this was because the author chose to weave in so many important truths that God desires to teach us through the beauty and complexity of vineyards. The love of money is also lovingly addressed in this treasure hunt of a novel (You know, as we the readers are trying to figure out where the money was! LOL!). But perhaps my favorite message was God being so vividly painted as our dear Father - a message I always cherish hearing, er, reading. But whatever your takeaway, the spiritual journey that the characters travel is so organic and natural, they could be you and me.

Five Stars ~ A Rumored Fortune is a true treasure! A must-read for fans of historical, romance, mystery, and truths so deep you could swim in them! A Rumored Fortune is a standalone novel, and I am sooo looking forward to Joanna Davidson Politano's next novel!

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

 

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
 

Review of Lady Jayne Disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano

About the Book ~

Lynhurst Manor is a house built on secrets . . . and the arrival of Aurelie Harcourt might reveal them all.When Aurelie Harcourt's father dies suddenly, he leaves her just two things: his famous pen name, Nathaniel Droll, and his wealthy family--who want very little to do with her.

As Aurelie struggles to find a home with her father's family and learn the rules of society, she relishes in his parting gift--the beginning of his last story. The story she always wanted to hear, about her mother's mysterious disappearance from the home where she now lives. To complete the novel, she'll have to extract clues from relatives--and one enigmatic houseguest--who often seem reluctant to give them up.

For more information about Joanna Davidson Politano, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Lady Jayne Disappears is absolutely enchanting, utterly romantic, and deliciously original!

Aurelie proves to be a sweet, loving, genuine character with a touch of endearing naïveté as she navigates this new world filled with rules and secrets. I loved the deep, first person narrative. As she embraces her writing and the world of aristocracy, she struggles to find her voice amongst the negative. We get to see some of Silas' (our hero <3) perspective, too. Each glimpse only makes him more dashing and dear.

I think every author and writer would love this story. It's always so fun and encouraging to see a character who so accurately portrays the insanity that is a writer's life. Haha! And it's a story, within a story, within a story. Who doesn't love that?!

Lady Jayne Disappears twisted and turned every which way, keeping me on my toes. Reveals were fast and shocking, yet I didn't feel confused once we reached the conclusion. The author wasn't afraid to give you imperfect characters and messy situations in addition to characters like Aurelie who, while imperfect, are striving to serve God. Every thread was not tied up with a darling lace bow, however, this only adds to the tantalizing mystery.

And the ending! Oh, the ending! I promise you on my honor as a bookworm, I'm not giving away spoilers. Breathe easy, friends. But I need to tell you the ending is so wonderfully romantic, that it will rival some of the greatest fairytales. AND this delicious story ends with a call for action. To disregard all the scorn and doubts from yourself and others. To go and pursue God's unique call on your life. LOVE IT!

Five Stars ~ I will need to reread Lady Jayne Disappears ASAP in order to fully soak up all the lovely descriptions, wordplays, and witticisms! Once is not enough!

I received a copy of Lady Jayne Disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.