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.

Review of The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay

About the Book ~

Falling into the past will change their futures forever.

Mary Davies finds safety in her ordered and productive life. Working as an engineer, she genuinely enjoys her job and her colleagues—particularly a certain adorable and intelligent consultant. But something is missing. When Mary’s estranged childhood friend, Isabel Dwyer offers her a two-week stay in a gorgeous manor house in England, she reluctantly agrees in hopes that the holiday will shake up her quiet life in just the right ways.

But Mary gets more than she bargained for when Isabel loses her memory and fully believes she lives in Jane Austen’s Bath. While Isabel rests and delights in the leisure of a Regency lady, attended by other costume-clad guests, Mary uncovers startling truths about their shared past, who Isabel was, who she seems to be, and the man who now stands between them.

Outings are undertaken, misunderstandings arise, and dancing ensues as this company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation, work out their lives and hearts.

For more information about Katherine Reay and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

The Austen Escape is one of Katherine Reay's best stories!

Mary, a brilliant engineer, has hilarious quirks, including making little figurines out of electrical wire while she's thinking and using scraps of it to hold her ponytail in place. But Mary has lived a lot of life hiding in plain sight. As the precarious predicament she finds herself in comes to a climax, she walks the road of trust and vulnerability to a freeing type of clarity best seen with the heart.

I love everything about this book - from the adorable cover to the delectable writing style to the whimsical story between the pages. The Austen Escape is an adorable mash-up of science nerd and Jane Austen. AND this novel will be a dream come true for many an Austenette! A gorgeous, regency styled house, clothes, games, and life! Um...YES, PLEASE!!! I loved the idea of roleplaying Austen's works and living a regency lifestyle. It all felt so real, making me downright giddy!

While you will find similarities to some of Jane Austen's work, such as Mansfield Park, The Austen Escape is not a strict retelling or modern interpretation of the legendary author's novels. Rather, it's a probing look at some choice characters and Jane herself. These insights help magnify character development and revelations. Also, the spiritual content is light, making this an excellent crossover novel.

Five Stars ~ If you are an Austen lover, then this is a story to add to your keeper shelf. Even if you are not an Austen lover *gasp*, this is still an enjoyable novel! The Austen Escape is a standalone novel, but be sure to check out Katherine Reay's other titles!

I received a copy of The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay published by Thomas Nelson from BookLook Bloggers. 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.

Review of Too Far Down by Mary Connealy

About the Book ~

With Danger Drawing Ever Closer, The Boden Clan Risk Losing Their Ranch Forever

Having returned home to the ranch, Cole Boden finds himself caught between missing his time back east and appreciating all that New Mexico Territory offers. Sure, he fights with his siblings now and then, but he does care for them. He enjoys his new job running the mine and, when he's honest, he admits that Melanie Blake captures his interest in a way no other woman ever has.

Melanie has been a friend to the Bodens forever. A cowgirl who is more comfortable with horses and lassoes than people, she never expected to find herself falling for someone, particularly for refined Cole Boden, a Harvard graduate who can't seem to make up his mind about staying in New Mexico.

When a deadly explosion damages the CR Mining Company, the Bodens realize their troubles are not behind them as they thought. Shadowy forces are still working against them. Melanie is determined to help Cole and the family finally put an end to the danger that's threatened all of them. But will putting herself in harm's way be more dangerous than anyone expected?

For more information about Mary Connealy and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

The story of the couple we've known should be together all along has arrived!

Join the Boden clan as they put the mystery at who is behind the attacks on their family and property to rest for once and for all! And boy, did Mary Connealy put us through the wringer with such a layered mystery! Also, I really enjoyed the look into what it was like to mine for gold in the Old West. How fun!

Cole is charming and far more stubborn than a pickle jar. Melanie is a strong, spunky girl-next-door, someone who's always been there for Cole. Waiting for them to finally profess their undying love for each other resembles a five-year-old waiting for Christmas morning. However, that "Christmas morning" moment is just as sweet. <3 Through their journey that if rife with misunderstandings, they come to learn what it really means to sacrifice and belong somewhere, to someone. <3

Mary Connealy writes hilarious western romances with all the strength of a legendary hero! Too Far Down is no exception. But at the basis of this fun story filled with blessings in disguise, is a heartfelt message of what a family's legacy really is - love.

Four Stars ~ This was a wonderful conclusion to a fun series! Too Far Down is the last book in The Cimarron Legacy Series. Due to the mystery, I recommend reading the previous books, No Way Up and Long Time Gone respectively, before reading Too Far Down.

I received a copy of Too Far Down by Mary Connealy from Bethany House Publishers, 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.