Author Spotlight: Sarah M. Eden, The Gentleman and the Thief

 

 

 

Welcome to my tour stop: Spotlight on Sarah M. Eden for her newest novel The Gentleman and the Thief! I am a long time reader of Ms. Eden's works (I think I've read most, if not all, of her books!) and I am really enjoying this series in particular. They have a unique style, with some of the main characters being writers themselves and including pieces of serialized stories that were common for the time. Love that bit of historical flavor!

 

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Sarah M. Eden is a USA Today best-selling author of witty and charming historical romances, including 2019’s Foreword Reviews INDIE Awards Gold Winner for Romance, The Lady and the Highwayman, and 2020 Holt Medallion finalist, Healing Hearts. She is a two-time “Best of State” Gold Medal winner for fiction and a three-time Whitney Award winner. Combining her obsession with history and her affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting deep characters and heartfelt romances set against rich historical backdrops. She holds a bachelor’s degree in research and happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library. 

 

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A standalone novel in The Dread Penny Society set in 1865 London brimming with secrets, scandal, suspense, and romance.

From the moment Hollis Darby meets Ana Newport, he's smitten. Even though he's from a wealthy, established family and she isn't, he wishes he could have a life with her by his side. But Hollis has a secret: the deep coffers that have kept his family afloat for generations are bare, so he supports himself by writing penny dreadfuls under a pseudonym. If not for the income from his novels, he would be broke.

Ana Newport also has a secret. Though she once had a place in society thanks to her father's successful business, bankruptcy and scandal reduced his fortune to nothing more than a crumbling town house. So Ana teaches music during the day, and at night she assumes the identity of the "Phantom Fox." She breaks into the homes of the wealthy to reclaim trinkets and treasures she feels were unjustly stolen from her family when they were struggling.

When Hollis's brother needs to hire a music tutor for his daughter, Hollis recommends Ana, giving him a chance to spend time with her. Ana needs the income and is eager for the opportunity to get to know the enigmatic gentleman. What neither of them expects is how difficult it will be to keep their respective secrets from each other.

When a spree of robberies rocks the city, Ana and Hollis join forces to solve the crimes, discovering that working together deepens the affection between them. After all, who better to save the day than a gentleman and a thief?

 

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 Like many of her books, they are stand alone novels, but they do build off of one another, so I would recommend picking up the first in the series (The Lady and the Highwayman) and reading that one too, if you haven't already.
  

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NEXT TOUR STOPS:

Nov 12           Books, Teacups & Reviews

Nov 12           Fiction Aficionado

 

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An Ivy Hill Christmas (Tales from Ivy Hill) by Julie Klassen book review

An Ivy Hill Christmas

(Tales from Ivy Hill)

by

Julie Klassen

Richard Brockwell, the younger son of Ivy Hill's most prominent family, hasn't been home for Christmas in years. He prefers to live in the London townhouse, far away from Brockwell Court, the old family secret that haunts him, and the shadows of his past mistakes. But then his mother threatens to stop funding his carefree life--unless he comes home for Christmas. Out of options, he sets out for Ivy Hill, planning to be back on a coach bound for London and his unencumbered bachelor life as soon as the festivities are over.

But Christmas in the country presents unforeseen surprises, including encounters with an orphaned apprentice, the first love he disappointed years ago, and Arabella Awdry, a young lady who is far more appealing than he recalled . . . and determined to have nothing to do with him.

Will Christmastime in Ivy Hill, with its village charm, kissing boughs, joyous songs, and divine hope, work its magic in his heart . . . and hers as well?

 

My Review: 8/10 

 

I know it's only October but this novel really put me in the spirit of Christmas. And in the midst of what feels like a never ending global pandemic, the concept of cozy house parties, large family meals, gatherings, and outings filled me with good cheer. It let me live vicariously through characters who could travel, hug, dance and physically be close to one another.

I liked Richard with his scrooge-y attitude and I admired Arabella's convictions and fortitude. They both experienced personal growth. I found Richard's point of view refreshing. His outlook and concerns were not common for the hero of these kinds of stories. And I thoroughly loved the unorthodox ending.

*SPOILERS*

On a minor side note, I didn't like the random uncited use of lines from Pride and Prejudice. I felt it cheapened Arabella's own unique voice. And, as she never reminded me of Lizzie Bennet, it felt especially out of place.

The Kissing Tree: Four Novellas Rooted in Timeless Love by Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings , Amanda Dykes , Nicole Deese book review

The Kissing Tree: Four Novellas Rooted in Timeless Love

by

Karen Witemeyer (Goodreads Author),

Regina Jennings (Goodreads Author),

Amanda Dykes (Goodreads Author),

Nicole Deese (Goodreads Author)

 

Bestselling novelist Karen Witemeyer joins award-winning authors Regina Jennings, Amanda Dykes, and Nicole Deese for this Texas-sized romance novella collection. Each of the authors' unique voices is on display in stories where courting couples leave a permanent mark of their love by carving their initials into the same oak's bark.

In Regina Jennings' Broken Limbs, Mended Fences, a small-town teacher has her credentials questioned by a traveling salesman.

Karen Witemeyer's The Kissing Tree Inn tells the tale of an unlikely woman building a very unexpected lover's retreat.

From Roots to Sky by Amanda Dykes follows a young WWII naval airman who heads to Texas to meet the sister of a lost compatriot.

Heartwood by Nicole Deese is a modern-day romance where the aftermath of a giant storm brings changes for the owner of a historic inn.

 

 

 

My Review: 8.5/10

I look forward to these novella collections every year. Usually at least one of my favorite authors and hopefully a couple of new ones to discover. If I'm lucky, they are only new to me and I have a bunch of previously published works waiting for me.

They are quick, sweet reads and having different authors collaborate really makes the distinct stories (characters) stand out.

This set has common roots (see what I did there?) but spans a rather long chunk of time.

Broken Limbs, Mended Fences
I'm partial to this time period and this author. Bella's opening scene was definitely memorable. She truly had some challenges in her story and I was interested to see how she would adapt and what she would ultimately choose. I suppose the same should be said of Adam. I loved the unique supporting characters as well. This story had plenty of heart and humor, what a great way to start. "Tree of Shame" hahaha.

The Kissing Tree Inn
I loved the way the first story grew into this one. I appreciated the mention of former characters and I adored Phoebe (and her dad) and Barnabas. I loved her quick wit, poor taste in design, humility, and whimsy. Barnabas was very different but complemented her so well. I enjoyed reading from his POV too (rare for me), as it was so contrary to Phoebe's.

From Roots to Sky
This author was new to me and a little more contemporary than I usually go (1940s), but it was well written. I found the story intense and full of sadness, despite our heroine, Hannah's, energy and hope. It was still a sweet story that deals gently with loss and purpose.

Heartwood
This author was also new to me and set in modern times. This one had similar themes of loss and purpose, of healing and adapting.  I liked Griffin's character. The book felt well researched. What a cool job arborist would be. Without giving anything away, I have to say I liked the way some of the loose ends were tied up but not others. I'd gotten attached and while I know some things just can't last forever, they can in my mind... as long as the author doesn't disabuse me of the notion.

A Captain for Caroline Gray by Julie Wright book review

 

A Captain for Caroline Gray

by

Julie Wright 

Regency London

Caroline Gray’s third season in London society ends as badly as her first two—no marriage proposal, no suitor, not even a glimmer of an interested prospect. She suspects it’s because she is far too quick to speak her mind to men who are put off by her forthright opinions, her eager intellect backed by a formal education, and her unconventional ideas about the future. She is far more daring than demure to suit the taste of her class. Besides, Caroline thinks there will always be next season to find a husband.

However, her family’s dwindling income leaves Caroline with only one choice to secure her future: a one-way ticket to sail with the Fishing Fleet to India, where the son of a family friend waits. If the match doesn’t work, Caroline cannot return home.

Captain Thomas Scott loves the thrill of the open sea, and as commander of one of the ships of the “Fishing Fleet,” he ferries scores of young English girls to the shores of India to find husbands. The voyages pay well, but he struggles to understand why families would allow young women to be matched with total strangers so far away.

The trips have always been routine and uneventful—until this trip’s first night’s dinner with one Miss Caroline Gray. She engages in a lively political conversation, presenting opposing viewpoints to the conventionally opinionated gentlemen at her table. Captain Scott is secretly amused and delighted at her boldness, not to mention quite drawn to her beauty.

The rest of the passengers are shocked by her behavior and Caroline finds herself an outcast, suffering harsh judgments from the other passengers. However, she finds an unlikely ally in Captain Scott which quickly draws them closer.

Both know an arranged marriage awaits Caroline at the end of their voyage, yet the attraction between them is undeniable. Caroline will have to decide if she will honor her mother’s wishes and marry a man in India whom she has never met—thus securing a future for her and her mother—or be brave enough to throw convention to the wind and commit to love a sea captain. He may be enchanted by her bold and unconventional ways, but will his love and admiration last?

 

 

My review: 8.5/10

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. We got off to a bit of a rocky start, with a little too much immediate interest on one side. This gave me a bad taste, assuming things were going to fall into line and play out the same way they had in countless other similar stories. But I was wrong. While there were some over the top moments and a few cliches, Caroline is a steady, interesting character. She is capable of being wrong... and admitting it. And better, she is capable of change. I saw a lot of growth in her, through each of her relationships. I appreciated the realistic depictions of life on a ship (good, bad, and ugly) and that supporting characters had depth and shades of gray to them as well.

Forget Me Not (The Gents #1) by Sarah M. Eden book review

Forget Me Not

(The Gents #1)

by

Sarah M. Eden

Nottinghamshire, 1785

Julia Cummings has long been acquainted with loss-her mother, her brother, her sister, her friend, all gone too soon. But the loss that pushed her grief to the limit as a young girl was that of her best friend, Lucas Jonquil, who abandoned her without looking back. Now, eight years later, Lucas has returned to Lampton Park, and Julia has steeled herself-she will never forgive the man who broke her heart.

After losing too many of his friends and family to early deaths, Lucas vowed to live life to the fullest. And after traversing the world, he has returned from his adventures to find his family and home as he left them-except for Julia. The little girl he left behind has blossomed into a captivating lady, a lady who makes it clear she despises him. With little hope of reconciliation, the former friends are blindsided when their parents make a shocking announcement. Lucas and Julia have been betrothed without their knowledge and are to marry immediately. Now Lucas must rely on the help of his closest friends to win the heart of a lady who loathes him-a lady he’s coming to love more deeply every day.

 

 

 

My review: 6.5/10

 

I had trouble wrapping my mind around the amount of loss Julia suffered. She had very good reason to have developed abandonment issues, given that the one person left to her, apart from her father, chose to leave her and made no effort maintain any kind of relationship with her.

*SPOILERS*
To be honest, the more the story went on and more arguments were made that he had always cared and thought of her non-stop, the less believable I found it. If he really talked about her, worried about her, shared stories and memories all the time... he would have written, or tried to see her, or picked up souvenirs and sent them to her, etc.  anything at all over the past 8 years.

*More SPOILERS*
And I found her father's character inconsistent. I got the impression that he did little-to-nothing over the years to coax her out of pain and isolation. Then he got rather heavy handed, treated her coldly, and let her go. No further efforts on his part. Then he runs to her, crying and welcoming her back and allows her to stay indefinitely. He actually tells Lucas that if she doesn't want to speak to Lucas, he will have to honor her wishes. What? The time period and the father in question would more likely have refused her sanctuary to begin with. At the very least, would have told her she belongs to her husband now and needed to find a way to make it work.

I thought the concept of the gents was very sweet. I loved how her brother Stanley had been intertwined in the group. It lent credence to the way they embraced her so thoroughly immediately. Though I wished there had really only been showing (rather than telling) of each of their characters, and though I found too much similarity between the gents (which is supposed to be a new, different series, despite this being a prequel of the former series) and the Jonquil brothers, I was intrigued enough by each of them to look forward to their stories.

I think my biggest trouble was the sadness book-ending this story. I felt so badly for Julia, for everything she had gone through. For what seemed like endless suffering. And knowing what is awaiting her in the future made it hard for me let my guard down too, to be happy for her. It was bittersweet.

Otherwise Engaged by Joanna Barker book review

 

Otherwise Engaged

by

Joanna Barker

 

She’s never been afraid of breaking the rules—until she risks breaking her heart

Constantly stifled by the rules of Society, spirited Rebecca Rowley enjoys finding ways to quietly—or not so quietly—rebel. But riding bareback and avoiding nosy neighbors are nothing compared to the thrilling secret she is keeping from her family.
When Rebecca’s quick thinking saves the life of a young girl, she unwittingly attracts the attention of the child’s dashing brother, Lieutenant Nicholas Avery. As that attention turns flirtatious, Rebecca is forced to tell him the truth: she is secretly engaged—to the one man her family would never approve of. Fortunately, Lieutenant Avery is a navy man with no wish to marry, or so they both assume as they enter into a friendship. Rebecca hopes to change her family’s mind about her betrothed, but the more she comes to know the handsome lieutenant, the more she wonders if she promised her hand too hastily.

After all her carefully laid plans are shattered during a family crisis, Rebecca must force her heart to decide. Should she stay true to the promise she made or fight for the future she’s only just begun to imagine?

 

 

 

My Review: 6.5 /10

I had very strong mixed feelings on this one. Beware SPOILERS.

I loved the first 85% of this book. But then the two main characters crossed some lines. I lost some respect for Nicholas in the process - she had been straight with him from the beginning. Though I loved what he said, he shouldn't have kissed her. Afterward, she needed to get her head straight and decide what she wanted. And if she wanted to continue to pursue Edward, then she needed to be honest with him about what happened. The story was still redeemable to me at this point.

Then she meets him at the meadow and loses her mind, and integrity, completely. What happened there was 1000% not okay. And Nicholas tells her it's okay because the vows haven't been said yet?! Um, I think your fiance would disagree. So disappointing. I was pretty much done at this point.

Then Rebecca did something unexpected. She admitted she was wrong, declared she was committed and went home. She spent the night sorting out her thoughts and examining her feelings and she discovered that she was fickle, selfish, foolish and lacking in integrity. She said she didn't deserve either one of them and should cut them both loose. And I thought, " YES GIRL. Yes." It doesn't feel good to learn these things about yourself, but it's only then that you can change them. There is power and freedom and growth in that. I thought, "I never saw that coming. She's going to break it off with them both and develop some character in herself, spend her time rebuilding her relationships with her family. She might even look after his sister for the next several months that he is gone, growing a relationship with her and being a good role model for a change. And maybe when he returns, she will be ready. Wow. I am so impressed."

But then I turned the page. She breaks things off with Edward, who laughs and says, hey it's fine, I fell in love with someone else too! Don't beat yourself up over it. Um...? I think he would have had some different words for her if he hadn't also been unfaithful. And the fact that he was doesn't suddenly make her virtuous. Yikes.

Then she leaves, confused, and her mother comes over to drive the final nail in the coffin with some worldly wisdom: real love is strong and conquers all, and that should be a) the sign and b) enough. Ugh, . I was so disappointed. This book started so strong. I LOVED Rebecca's flawed, relatable person. I loved her and Nicholas together. And there were tons of laugh out loud moments. But that ending left me feeling robbed. I will have to try another one by this author ASAP because I had such high hopes. And this couldn't possibly happen again, right?

Georgana's Secret by Arlem Hawks book review

Georgana's Secret

by

Arlem Hawks 

1811, HMS Deborah

A Regency romance on the high seas.

As a young girl, Georgana Woodall dreamed of beautiful dresses, fancy balls, and falling in love. However, when her mother dies, she cannot face a future under the guardianship of her abusive grandmother and instead chooses to join her father on his ship disguised as his cabin boy, “George.”

Lieutenant Dominic Peyton has no time in his life for love, not with his dedication to His Majesty’s Royal Navy claiming his full attention. Determined to prove himself to his new captain, he strives to be an exemplary officer and leader. When he sees the captain’s cabin boy being harassed by the crew, he immediately puts a stop to it and takes the “boy” under his wing. After discovering a number of clues, Dominic deduces that George is really a woman. Knowing that revealing the cabin boy’s secret would put her in serious danger from the rowdy crew, Dominic keeps silent and hides his growing affection for her.

Georgana is quickly losing her heart to Dominic’s compassion and care but is convinced nothing can come of her affection. She cannot continue to live her life on the sea, and having already missed too many seasons in London, her chances of being welcomed back into polite society and finding a suitable husband have slipped away.

Georgana’s Secret is about two hearts yearning to find a safe harbor, and possibly, a lasting love.

 

 

 

 

My Review: 5/10

I appreciated some of the unique aspects of this story, but struggled to find others believable. Abuse makes people react in different ways; some retreat within themselves, some learn to fight. But from the very beginning of the story, I didn't really understand why this was the best situation they could think up for Georgana. Her father couldn't actually send her away to a school, concealing the name and location? Lying about it outright seemed to work just fine. So everything built on that seemed unnecessary.

I liked that the book didn't pull any punches about the realities of life at sea during that time - the roughness, the threats, the motivations. But it was also frustrating to see certain characters turning a blind eye toward mounting tension and dangerous insubordination. I struggled to respect them. I did like Georgana's kill-em-with-kindness attitude toward certain individuals and the way that things played out - that particular story line was pretty cool. But on the whole, this book was a mixed bag for me.